1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Today is day #2 of our 13 day LOVE FEAST journey.

I had such a wonderful time experiencing the awesome power of day #1, verse 1, on yesterday it was simply marvelous. Nothing compares to the joys of partaking of concentrated hefty heaping of God’s Word, it fills and satisfies like no other food on earth. It is indeed comfort food for the spirit, soul and body. It leaves no room for artificial fillers.

As we continue on our journey through 1Corinthians 13:1-13, Paul stays focus on his path to chisel away at the corrupt root of self-righteous love in order that he may plant and build a firm foundation on the true love of God. Paul reminds us here that without love we are nothing. It doesn’t matter the impressive show of gifts and talents one may possess and display before others, they are all meaningless without love.

The list of qualities and giftings Paul mentioned in this verse would have one immediately think, “Well how can a person have such powerful giftings but have not charity? I like the way the Amplified Bible Translation of “I am nothing”. It says, “… but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).”

Love is the greater and without it we are useless to the work of God and His Kingdom. Love brings life and purpose to all these gifts, without love they are meaningless and self motivated not seeking to give God the glory. Love is a fruit of the spirit that is imparted to every born-again believer in Christ, according to Romans 5:5. Love is in us but we must yield to its control, we must let it be an active part of every part of our lives. Love in us is kind of like sugar you add to a package of Kool-Aid. When you added the sugar you stirred it well to mix it thoroughly with the Kool-Aid so that when you drink the Kool-Aid mixture it bringings great delight to your taste buds. However, if you let the Kool-Aid mixture sit in the refrigerator for a couple days without actively stirring it all the sugar will sink to the bottom of the pitcher, separating the two substances leaving you with a bitter tasting solution. The sugar was still in the pitcher but it was not actively mixed with the Kool-Aid therefore it could not effective do its job; the drink was useless or tasteless. Well we have love in our heart but if we just let it sit there and never activate it or only activate it every now and then many things that flow out of our lives are useless or tasteless. The Kool-Aid in and of its self is not a bad thing but it was made to have sugar added. The gifts that Paul mentioned in this verse were created to have love added otherwise they are incomplete or useless. We are born-again believer’s created to have love added otherwise we too are useless nobodies. Love sweetens the life of the believer.

So be sweet to all you meet by stirring up the love in your heart daily.

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

1 Corinthians 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

For the next 14 days I will be taking us through a journey in 1 Corinthians 13, one verse a day. I call this a LOVE FEAST. Each day we will explore, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the love of God that has been given to us to live by. These truths were put here in the bible for us to help us grow and mature in His love.

Today let us begin with verse 1. Love speaks and it has a distinct language. It has a particular sound.

I thought it very interesting that Paul by the Holy Spirit started out this love feast talking to us about our speech or our words. Many may think what does that have to do with love, well; evidently it is of high priority. The origin of our words are very important, now I am not speaking of whether the word is Greek, Hebrew or Latin, I am referring to their spiritual origin. What kingdom was it sent from: darkness or light? Jesus reminds us in scripture that the words He spoke were not His own words but the words of the Father which sent Him.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:1. Though I speak with the tongues or we can say languages of men and of angels. Now, I had to ask the Holy Spirit about the language of angels. He reminded me that when angels were seen in scripture speaking to others they were most always speaking the words of God. Angels are defined as messengers sent from God. Now we know that when God sends someone they are generally sent to speak the words that He sent them to say. Well if this be true, and I believe it is, then Paul was saying though you are speaking God’s word, right out of the bible but don’t possess God’s love you become just an echo or empty, vain sound. Words that are not born out of love just sound like meaningless noise coming out of your mouth because they have no place in your heart. Without love these words have no root and nothing to make them fruitful or life producing.

Have you ever sat down to eat a meal and the table was set very pretty and everything looked just right and the food presentation was wonderful and very appealing to the sight but when you put it in your mouth the taste was very disappointing. By all appearance it should have been very palatable but turned out to be very tasteless. The main ingredient was missing. Love is the main ingredient of any word sent forth from God. Someone who pick up a bible and start reading or quoting it, however that does not necessarily activate its power. The love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit is what activates the power of the Word, it’s a Divine Connection. That which is spiritual cannot be activated by that which is carnal, unbelieving or ungodly, there’s no connection. The words maybe the same but when they are spoken they sound like mere noise coming from the mouth of those who have become as sounding brass and tinkling symbols. They are instruments which lack substance. They are hollow and unpleasant to the hearing.

Now notice Paul said we become sounding brass, indicating there was a progression. Other words similar to become are: turn out to be, turn into, develop into, be converted into, grow to be, and happen to. Wow, that really helps us to see that it happened over time.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold, Matthew 24:12.

The word wax is translated grow in other bible translations.

Oh, my we must press in and pursue this love so that we will not be those who grow cold or become sounding brass.

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

Romans 5:7-9 (AMP)

Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.

It is comforting to know that the Love of God never fades out or becomes obsolete. Even in the midst of great trials, just to know that Love is there is more precious than silver and gold. Love never fails. Love will always stand by your side even when others walk away. Love is consistent, it is not for you one day, and against you the next day. Love infuses you with strength, enabling you to walk through the valley and shadow of death, and fear no evil. Love allows you to see the plans and strategies of your enemies, but still pray for them. The power of Love teaches you to trust God. Trust is not natural it is supernatural. Human nature is anchored in fear and fear short circuits a person’s ability to trust. The power of Love will cast out fear and provide a new, rich healthy environment in your heart that fosters trust. The power of Love can break the chains of any form of darkness. The power of Love is faithful, it will never abandon you. Love will break through the veil of loneliness and grief. Love will hold you up and prevent you from falling. Love will secure your borders and protect you from every enemy attack. Love will not leave you open, it will cover your back. Love will never ignore a tear that rolls down your cheek; it will comfort the strong and the meek. Love is never bored with you or shuts its door to you. Love will never belittle your worth or reject you; with open arms it always is there to welcome and accept you. Love is not selfish, but is always thinking about you, with affection and good will to shower blessings upon you.

The power of Love lives on the inside of you.

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

Psalms 1

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Are you walking in the blessing of the Lord or are you just tolerating whatever life brings your way?

Are you prospering on your God given course or are you just barely holding on till the rapture comes?

God wants you to live a blessed life, a life full of joy and peace. Go ahead throw off those cares and problems that seem so big. Jesus paid an awesome price so that you could live blessed. Smile at your future and walk with confidence, God’s got you covered, He will never leave you or forsake you.

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

I know your [record of] works and what you are doing. See! I have set before you a door wide open which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and guarded My message and have not renounced or denied My name. Revelations 3:8 (AMP)

God’s plans for your life are amazing. The gifts and callings that He has specifically designed for your earth walk are nothing short of wonderful and glorious. However they are also serious business. God never develops plans and purposes that He doesn’t intend to come to pass. Your presence in the earth today is no mistake or merely coincidental. Oh no my friend, you were strategically placed here for a Divine purpose and it’s time for you to acknowledge that plan and purpose and get down to business. Some of you reading this blog know just what I’m talking about, you’ve played “hooky” and/or been MIA (missing in action) long enough. God needs your active participation in His vineyard. Why are you sitting idle in the field as if there is no Kingdom work to be done? God has set doors for you to walk through at set times in your life. Don’t be lazy and miss your moment of entry or exit through the doors of opportunity God has placed in your path.
You must decide to “keep (God’s) Word and guard (His) message for your life and the lives of those whom He has chosen for you to influence. There are people who need you to mature and develop in your place of purpose. There are people who need the gifts God has placed inside of you. Don’t be afraid! Be strong and courageous. God needs YOU! He’s counting on you. Jesus asked His disciples to pray with Him during a very crucial time in history but they fell asleep right in the middle of the battle. Again, God needs YOU! Please stay awake during this very crucial time, your participation is needed in God’s business. Don’t let past persecutions or afflictions distract and/or keep you from your future obedience. Stop trying to amuse yourself with empty trifles of this life, in an attempt to fill time. Look up! Look up! There is a door open before you that no man can close. A door leading to a room filled with unimaginable opportunities specifically designed with you in mind.

Isaiah 25:1 (AMP)

O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things, even purposes planned of old [and fulfilled] in faithfulness and truth.

The plans and purposes God has for you can never be aborted by anyone or anything but you. When you and I decide to live by faith (the unseen) and not by what we see we choose to please God. (Hebrews 11:6). It takes faith to walk through new doors and access new opportunities afforded to you by God. It takes strength and courage to have good success in the purposes of God. Shake off the bad attitudes that lead to unfruitful and reckless lives and throw away the old baggage (childish ways etc.) that are no longer useful. “Put on the new man” and suit up for success. You’re on your way to brighter days as you fulfill the purposes of Christ for your life with joy!

Just start by daily putting one foot in front of the other (trust and acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will direct your path – Proverbs 3:5-6) and before you know it you’ve already walked through the door.

1 John 2:17 (AMP)

And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

It is such a tragedy to see some people let their God given gifts and talents waste away through mere neglect.

Proverbs 29:18 (AMP)

Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]–blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

Following after man-made plans is just like having no vision at all because if it is not from God it will not amount to anything. God did not create man to follow after their own lusts and desires. God created us with a purpose already prepared.

The scriptures declare: For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Ephesians 2:10 AMP).

God has a good life prepared for each and every one of us. He has not prepared a life of pain and misery for us, He loves us. The devil is the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy not God. The devil is the one who robs a person of their destiny and true purpose in life. Satan is stealth with his lies and deceit to enslave and bring into bondage anyone who will not resist his bait or deceitful speech. His thoughts and imagines flood the mind of innocent people, he poises as a friend but really is a foe. He assaults the mind and brain through spiritual seduction and sometimes violent acts of spiritual rape, impregnating the soul with tainted seeds of destruction. He is a sinister being, he is filled with evil and corruption.

However, Jesus is our Savior, He came so that we could receive true life and have the good life more abundantly. He came to redeem us from a life of bondage and corruption. He gave His life so that you and I could have eternal life, never again to be under the dominion of sin and death. He came so that we could live the good life. However, we must be willing to put God first, He should always be our first love.

God has prepared paths for us; however, we are the ones who must seek them out. So many times people are treading through life doing their own thing not regarding God’s plans and purposes for their lives. They meet up with frustration after frustration, as if swimming through thick muddy waters. They blame God on the delays, disappointments and lack of progress in their lives yet they never seek Him on any consistent basis to find out the true purpose and plan for their lives. They struggle, fret and then regret the dawning of every new day.

A pitiful sight to behold one would tend to think but what is it that actually keeps them from the will of God? Is it deception? Is it laziness or self-centeredness? Is it rebellion or hidden pride? Is it a lack of direction or mere cloudy perception? Is it spiritual malnutrition or just a simple lack of spiritual attention? Are they feeble minded or do they just not care? Is it condemnation or past failures? Is it depression or oppression or an old familiar family curse?

Maybe it’s not for me to know the cause but rather continue to remind them of the answer: JESUS LOVES YOU AND HE HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO. YOUR LIFE IS IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE TO GOD AND THE BODY OF CHRIST. WE NEED YOU TO TAKE YOUR PLACE AND FINISH YOUR RACE; WE WILL BE THERE RIGHT BESIDE YOU. WE ARE A FAMILY, THE FAMILY OF GOD; WE ARE ONE IN THE LORD. WE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU SHIPWRECKED ON THE SHORES OF LIFE. TAKE OUR HAND WE WILL HELP YOU STAND TALL AGAIN. WE WILL NOT JUDGE YOU OR TURN OUR BACK ON YOU, WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU AND RESTORE YOU. SO BE STRONG MY BROTHER, MY SISTER THIS LOVE WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE YOU. YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE IT, GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH YOU. YOUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL AHEAD OF YOU!

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nuturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

Romans 8:34-40 (AMP)

Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s love is constant. It is unchanging. No matter where you are or what you are going through God’s love for you and in you is unvarying and pure. It is impossible for the love of God to be defiled or corrupt. The scriptures declare in 1 John that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. God is not good one day and evil the next. God is good all the time, Hallelujah!

Separate defined:

• To move two or more people or things away from each other, or prevent people or things from coming into contact with each other.

• To stand or lie between one person or thing and another.

The devil will try to come and sit right in between your love relationship with God. He will try to use deceptive devices to divide and conqueror. He will send storms and chaos, mishap and confusion, life threatening diseases, doubt and distress, all in an attempt to separate you from love. The devil is a liar, everything he says, yes, everything, is a lie. Lies from the enemy are sent to steal, kill and destroy from you. They are sent to stand between you and love to prevent fellowship and communion. However, don’t forget, God’s love is greater.

Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love, the scripture says. Nothing and no one can ever separate you from God’s love. Now notice the writer did not say, “Who shall ever separate you from God’s blessings, wealth, health, protection, power, wisdom, strength, joy, peace, provision, presence, gifts, callings, life, light, etc? Perhaps he used love because all these other things are branches of love. When love is the root, all these other things are the fruit. All good things flow out of one source, Love.

In the mist of whatever kind of suffering, affliction or test or trial, remember that, greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. What is in you? God is in you and God is Love. Love never fails, therefore in every situation you are more than a conqueror through Love. So be fully persuaded, beyond all doubt, about your victory. Love will endure without weakening. When the storms of life rage, know that after the last drop of rain and hail, the last howl of the wind, love will still be standing tall victorious in the end.

Take time daily to cultivate and develop a life total yielded and controlled by Love. Love is the answer to every question your heart will seek to ask God.

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nuturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep in death, that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave].

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep in death]. 

For this we declare to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death]. 

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry or summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first.

Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord! 

Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.

Have you heard? Are you even aware, that Jesus could come today? He is coming again to usher in the end. The Lord is faithful to His word like He promised. He’s no Peter or doubting Thomas. He will come in an unknown hour full of Glory and power. He will rapture up His church. Will you be prepared to meet Him in the air and reign with Him forever. Well if you are, know that He’s not far from coming for His bride. Be encourage, stay hot, He’s coming, He coming, He’s coming!

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nuturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

2 Timothy 1:9

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 

Grace will get you to the place of your destiny. God will never bring you to the birth and refuse to deliver. We must press, but not with our own human strength. We must press through grace. God’s grace is His ability. His ability enables us to do the unnatural–what is beyond our human ability. Grace is God working in us and for us. We must depend on this grace. We must embrace this grace. God’s grace is sufficient for all things.

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com

When you are online on a computer your status is considered active. This can apply in the spirit as well as in the natural. To be active is to be: lively, energetic, vigorous, full of life, on the go, full of zip and dynamic. When a person’s status is offline they are considered to be inactive. To be inactive is to be: motionless, stationary, unmoving, immobile, stopped, stilled or dormant.

What is your status, are you on or off, active or inactive?

Jeremiah 1:12 describes our God as being an active God, “Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.”

God is not dormant or stopped, He is on the go doing His will and fulfilling His good pleasure. God is not asleep on the job, He is not only alert but He is active. God is always online, in step and right on time. God is never late but always ready and willing to participate in bringing His word to pass in our lives. The bible reveals that the word of God is active, operative and energizing.

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 AMB)

As children of God we should be developing into looking just like Him. If God is active then we should be active or change whatever is inactive in our lives so that we can look more like Him. When I refer to God being active I don’t mean He is busy running all over the place from one thing to another, frantic and chaotic. No, God has purpose in everything He does. His activities are not driven or controlled by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and pride of life; they are not vain or selfish. God’s activeness is born out of love. Love never fails.

Looking like God means doing what we see Him do and saying what we hear Him say.

James 1:25 says, “But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).”

We must be active doers of God’s word not just hearers. You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can never fool God. Being a hearer of God’s word only, will bear fruit of inactivity. It will be evident eventually that this person’s status was offline. Sometimes people will log on to their computers and appear to be online but in reality they have walked away from the computer and have become distracted by something else. Have you ever known someone who outwardly appeared to be actively doing the word of God and obeying His will but in reality they have spiritually walked away and are distracted by other things? We are considered active when we hear and do what we hear. We become active through practice and participation.

So what is your status, are you on or offline, active or inactive?

Visit our website www.harrisministriesint.com, www.detoxifyingthesoul.com www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.themarriagemanual.net, www.beyondyourweight.com, and www.fellasofgod.com