1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Speak to the spirit of a man, Life, and he will rise to his place of king-ship and priesthood. See a man after the flesh (natural-man), and you become an accomplice to his downfall and destruction.

Samuel was a prophet who was called and anointed by God to speak for Him. Prophets in that day and time were called seers, meaning they knew things about the future that most people did not know. The prophets that were lead of God knew what they knew because God would reveal it to them. They were not demon influenced like the soothsayers, clairvoyants, fortune-tellers and psychic.

God had sent Samuel on an assignment for Him to anoint the next king of Israel, who was to be David, one of the sons of Jesse. Now, Samuel went forth and began doing what the Lord instructed him to do. He was in the right place, at the right moment and all was in line with God’s command. Now for whatever reason Samuel decided to second guess God, as if he knew God’s thoughts better than he really did. Samuel veered from the path of being lead by God with one single sense lead thought. He judged God’s instruction after the flesh. He allowed his natural eye sight and human prejudices to influence his judgment. He was probably basing his decision from cultural influences and traditions, which would have probably been permissible if this were not kingdom business? God’s kingdom does not operate like natural earthly kingdoms; God’s kingdom is God ruled no if’s ands or buts’ about it. God makes all the decisions, rules, standards, and choices in His kingdom that settles it.

We must never assume we know what God is going to say next, we must learn to wait on the Lord and lean not to our own understanding. Samuel could have made a tragic error in the history of a nation by choosing the wrong king. This could have been catastrophic and resulted in years of sorrow and needless pain for Israel had God not intervened and spoke to the prophet. It is a good thing that Samuel was an obedience prophet, one who feared God and sought to hear and do His will. Even when we error if our heart is tender toward God to do the right thing God will always help us get back in His perfect will.

God interrupted Samuel’s erroneous thought process by revealing to Him, that He did not see the way man sees………………..thank you Jesus. I am so glad God is God and we are not. God said to Samuel, “for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Isn’t that the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! People many times, unlike the nature and character of God, judge others by what they see on the outside. These judgments are most oftentimes influenced by past experiences, traditions, culture etc. Some people’s lives are totally destroyed just because of human judgment. People have lived and died and missed their entire destinies just because they listened to the wrong opinion concerning their future. Words can produce life or death, blessing or cursing, choose them wisely.

God taught the prophet Samuel and us a very valuable lesson that day. If God started the journey you are on let Him finish it, allow Him to reveal to you each step along the way and every word to say. Don’t jump ahead or lag to far behind, keep up and stay in step with God’s mind. He will be sure to guide us and help us finish our course and every assignment on time.

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxiyfingthesoul.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!

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

1John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Confidence defined:
•Belief or trust in somebody or something, or in the ability of somebody or something to act in a proper, trustworthy, or reliable manner.

It is so important for us to have confidence in God. Many people may think that when you become a Christian that this happens automatically but it does not. Human experience can often-times interfere with our confidence. For instance if a person had trust issues prior to being born-again due to failed relationships such as abandonment through divorce or neglect through improper parenting from childhood, it may be difficult not impossible, for them to immediately trust God with every area of their lives. They truly love God but they need detoxifying of their soul (mind, will and emotions) and body from the hurtful incidences of their past. Trust is established through experience. If someone tells you they will be there for you when you need them then when opportunity arises they fail to come through this can cause disappointment which in turn nurtures insecurities and cultivates mistrust. When a baby is born there is a phase of normal growth and development called trust versus mistrust. If trust is to be established in that child’s life they must experience repeated positive interactions with the one in whom the trust is to be established with. This has to be done on a consistent basis to form a sort of bond with the other person. The child learns to trust or mistrust you based on your response to their needs. If you are consistent to come and attend to their needs when they cry they begin to trust and rely on you above all others. When they see your face come into a room they get so excited because they trust you and they know you will protect them, feed them, change them, comfort them, etc. Some of these things you may have never even done for them yet but because of your consistent positive response in other areas of their lives they trust you to be the same regarding new adventures as well.

God is trustworthy. But the best way to establish trust in any relationship is by experience. You can say that you trust God because of what you’ve heard Him do for others but nothing compares to your own experiences with God, they become priceless as you grow and develop in your relationship with God.

Another way that we can begin to develop confidence in God is through consistent meditation in His Word. God’s Word is alive, it is spirit, it is life. The Word of God has the ability to create supernatural knowledge and understanding in your spirit and soul to the point where you begin to know God in ways you have never known Him before through spiritual intimacy and fellowship. This kind of relationship is obtained through spiritual hunger and diligent seeking. His Word creates the bond of trust through the supernatural unveiling of who He is.

Trust and/or confidence promotes dependency. When you trust God you will begin to depend on Him for everything. You will come to Him for anything and involve Him in all things. You begin to understand and take full advantage of His love for you. You know without a shadow of a doubt that He will withhold nothing good from you. You become bold and confident in prayer knowing that your will is to do His will. Your confidence is unshakable concerning the Father. You know that He loves you and that He hears you and that He answers you.

NURTURING NUGGETS BLOG IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Psalms 92:1-2
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

In the beginning, when God created the Heavens and the Earth, everything He created was good including the morning. How brilliant is it to greet each day with the phrase, “GOODMORNING.” It is good indeed. Every dawning of a new day is authored by God and everything God creates is good. We are privileged to experience God’s loving-kindness every morning, Oh, how wonderful.

Enjoy each new day and lift up a song to your Maker, which is God. God is so gracious and loving to us. There is no good in the morning without God. God is the good of each new day. He is the reason to say, GOODMORNING. Each day affords a new opportunity to see the goodness of God in the land of the living.

So Good-morning. Good- morning, Good -morning to you.

NURTURING NUGGETS BLOG IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Matthew 5: 10
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Are you blessed? Praise God you are!

Many times Christian’s greet each other with the phrase, “Hi how are you?”

Reply, “I’m blessed and highly favored, thank you.” This is in no wise a bad or negative confession; it is definitely in line with the Word of God. We should confess that we are blessed, this is good and noble. However, most Christian’s rarely mention the word blessed and persecution in the same sentence. But here in Matthew 5, Jesus says blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.

Persecute defined:
• To make somebody the victim of continual pestering or harassment.

The next time the enemy comes around and tries to harass you for the Words sake remember the kingdom of heaven and everything in it belongs to you and you are blessed! The next time they gossip falsely about you and slander your good name remember you are blessed. The next time family and friends walk away from you because of your loyalty to Christ, remember you are blessed. You may not feel like you are blessed at that moment but you are, just walk it out by faith. The next time you are ostracized from the click and the club rejoice you are blessed.

You are blessed of the Lord child of God, you are blessed! Declare it from the house tops, “I am Blessed of the Lord, I am Blessed!

NURTURING NUGGETS BLOG IS ION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Are you a peacemaker? Well child of God you are blessed!
Another word for peacemaker is mediator; somebody who works with both sides in a dispute in an attempt to help them to reach an agreement.

As children of God we have His nature and His ways are continuing being imprinted on our hearts. God’s ways are far above the ways of mere unchanged men. When we spend time with God in prayer and meditation in the Word of God, we begin to sound like Him and look like Him in our character and personality. We take on a new culture, the Kingdom of God culture. We become imitators of God. We begin to resemble Him when we are going through a temptation, test or trial. When the storms of life come we find ourselves responding like Jesus instead of the traditions and cultures we were raised in from the world.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace! He is our Mediator, between God the Father and mankind. He secured a covenant or agreement of Peace between God and man. He got right smack dab in the middle and brought us together as a family again.

Sometimes we may find ourselves in natural situations at work, in our homes, with extended family and relatives, with children, neighbors etc. where we need to bring peace between two or more parties. Yes, I know you are probably like most of us who would rather just stay out of it and mind your own business so to speak. However there are times when you maybe lead of the Holy Ghost to rise up and be a peacemaker in certain situations. In times such as these just know that God is with you and in you and He will give you what to do and say. Be bold to do what you have seen the Father do or say. Stand strong for the truth and never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ even though you maybe criticized and persecuted for it. The truth sets people free. So obey when He is prompting you to get involved in certain situations. You are His child and you are a peacemaker. Rejoice, you look just like your Heavenly Father!

NURTURING NUGGETS BLOG IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Luke 21:34-36 (AMP)
But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; For it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth. Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.

Jesus is my hero and He is soon to return for His church. Will you be ready to meet the Lord in the air?

Jesus gave specific instructions in the above scriptures to His body. He charged us to take heed to ourselves, meaning be sober and know what and in whom you have believed. He was saying take note and pay attention to what’s going on in your inner and outer life. Take heed; observe the words that are coming out of your mouth. Take heed to the people you hang around and the influences you allow in your heart and mind. Guard and examine your life on regular bases as not to neglect your personal responsibility to fight the good fight of faith and stay unspotted from the world.

He warns us not to be overburdened and depressed with the things of this life. A person can become so wrapped up and involved in the ways and life-styles of this world that it consumes every minute of their day and night. Christians were not left here in the world to fit in or befriend the world; we are here to be ministers of reconciliation, salt and light, to a lost and dying world. The very people you are trying to impress in this world will one day die and go to hell if you don’t rise up and be light and lead them to Christ. Your need to be love, accepted and approved by this world is selfish and of the flesh, it has no foundation in the love of God. Love rescues sinners. Love speaks the truth. Love lays down its life for others.

We must be awake and stay alert to the time we are in and be strong, bold, courage, steadfast, sober, meek, and gentle soldiers of Christ. God so loved the world; people, that He gave His only begotten Son for all. God did not hate or despise sinners He came to rescue us from sin and death. He did not sit in Heaven and rejoice because we were on our way to hell, no, He came and saved us. Praise His Name. He spoke light and life to us not misery and doom. His Love saw our condition and created a solution so that whosoever would call upon His Name would be saved! Praise His Name Forever. He is coming back soon for a church without spot or blemish, be ready, stay ready!

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Town-down defined:
• In football, a scoring of six points achieved by being in possession of the ball behind an opponent’s goal line.

The body of Christ is the light of the world. The body of Christ is the salt of the earth. We possess the power of Almighty God to do the greater works of God. The kingdom of God is supreme. We have been endued with the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses unto the Lord Jesus Christ. We are an undefeatable body whose head is King of kings and Lord of lords. We are ambassadors for the Kingdom of God and ministers of reconciliation in this world. We are more than conquerors in Christ. We are a unified undefeatable host, a team, a family, a company of true believers united for the cause of Christ.

When a touch-down is made on a football field it took the entire team working together, every member doing their part, to go behind enemy lines and score. Every position is important and significant in the overall strategy to meet the goal. Jesus obtained possession of the ball over thousands of years ago. Jesus then passed the ball to the church and said go! We are now in the field with possession of the ball running through enemy territory toward the goal. We are running with the understanding that no weapon or strategy formed against us shall prosper. We are running with the understanding that we win. The plays have already be designed and orchestrated by El-Elyon, the Most High God. There is an enumerable host of Heavens best standing by to assist whenever needed.

So now that you know the game is fixed run with enthusiasm and vigor run like you know you already have won.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (MSG)
You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

The Word of God is our answer in every situation of life. God’s word provides the instruction we need on a daily bases to live and maintain a life of true victory. Proverbs 4:13 tells us, “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. God is a speaking spirit and He never fails to speak to us a word in due season. He will always provide us with daily bread but we must be those who will come to the table, take a seat, put up your feet and begin to eat.

This scripture in James says we must be quick to hear. Now, he was not saying be quick to hear any and everything that is being said by just anybody. We must be selective with what we hear and flee from things like gossiping lips and slanderous tongues, these things defile precious souls and shipwreck destinies. When we prioritize hearing from God, His word will keep us clean and strong, help us to live long and guard us against pollutants. Be quick to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the church of God and also what He is saying to you as an individual. The Holy Spirit is here in the earth to guide us in all truth, to help us.

James says be slow to speak, this takes spiritual discipline. Discipline is a fruit of the Spirit which flows out of love. Spiritual discipline helps us to maintain control and order our soul and body. We are to control our own mouths and words, God will not do that for us. We have to honor the Word of God and obey its commands, it is for our benefit.

James says be slow to wrath or anger. Being a hot-head is not cute but rather an ugly display of an un-crucified flesh. There is nothing commendable about uncontrolled anger. Many times people pat themselves on the back after going off in a childish rage, feeling as if they had a right to act in such an ungodly manner because they were mistreated. Even in the event a Christian is mistreated or wronged that does not give us the ok to step outside the Word of God and take things into our own hands. When we can control our actions and respond in a way that honors God and His Word we are growing up.

Let us practice this awesome life changing word given to us by God through His written Word. It will bring strength and stability to our spirit, soul and body helping us to fulfill our God given destiny with joy.

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com

Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Search defined:
• To discover, come to know, or find something by examination.

The above scriptures declare that it is right and honorable to search or examine the words of God. Not in a critical way of examining something but wanting to experience it for myself type of examination. We know that God can not lie so we are never to question what He says but Jesus said go ahead and look at what I said for yourselves. Jesus said read the scriptures because they testify of me. Many times people are willing to listen to another person’s testimony because they want to know more about that person or hear what they went through to get where they are in life. Yet many times as Christian we won’t read the word of God to hear His testimony and what He went through for us.
Search the scriptures meaning not just a casual glance but an intense exploration of the true treasures of God. The word of God is our delight and we should never grow weary of searching its pages. Go ahead and wear out your bible pages from continued searching and finding and searching and finding. God will never have us searching yet never finding, He is always so eager to freely give to those who seek Him.
Look and then look some more, God can show you new things that you’ve never seen before.

NURTURING NUGGETS IS AN EXTENSION OF CATHY HARRIS MINISTRIES. VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ http://www.detoxifyingthesoul.com