Aspire To Inspire

By Rev. Terrence M. Scott

We are living in a time when inspiration is at a short supply. There's tribalism, and everybody seems to have taken some type of allegiance or another; and sadly, this worldview has permeated even the sacred walls of the household of faith—not only Christian churches but Jewish temples and synagogues, Muslim mosques, etc. Everybody has chosen a side and forgotten about the true essence and nature of God's Word—peace, love, mercy, joy, forgiveness, and tolerance for our fellow men and women, providing for the poor, orphan, and the widows.It seems as if we are more inspired by prejudice and bias than the spiritual teachings of our respective households of faith. People have more of a preference to hate than love, to be at war than to live in peace. They are willing to sacrifice decency, righteousness, integrity, virtue, and honor for the sake of a flawed ideology that perpetuates everything contrary to being upright and governed by a godly character. Religion has become infected with the ways of the world instead of the world being impacted by the religions that we all depend on in order to help us strive to achieve righteousness through a faith in something greater than ourselves.What has happened to the moral and ethical thread of our society that once kept us all in reverence of God? We serve our own selfish ambitions, and God no longer gives us the desires of our hearts. We desire what flawed men and women coach us into believing what's best for us instead of diligently listening for and adhering to that still, small voice to guide and direct us through the wilderness that can oftentimes be part of life's journey.Inspiration is a selfless act. It has no selfish intentions. Its only motivation is to enable, encourage, and empower other individuals to realize their true God-given potential and to reshape and refine themselves into being the best possible versions of themselves.For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 KJV)Glory be to the Most High God!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098049430

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Prayer Works

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:1–3)

When we consider the Word of God, what is it that comes to mind? Are we approaching it as if we are casually reading another book on the shelf or an ancient text? What sets the Bible apart from other texts is that it is the living Word of God, the Logos. The Bible declares, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). The Word, if we allow it to have free course in us, has the ability to produce a righteous conduct in us all. But there is a war waging within us as we begin to grow and mature between the flesh and the spirit.

Paul tells us that in our flesh dwells no good thing (Romans 7:18). The key to victory in this war is prayer because the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). Your prayer allows you to tap into a supernatural power reserve when you have exhausted and depleted all of your natural resources. Let your prayer recharge your battery so that you continue to glorify God in all that you do. Let us pray for one another that we may encourage one another when we are feeling tired and fatigued from the overwhelming issues of life.

Beloved, allow the Word of God to have total access to your heart and mind that it may develop and sustain you and renew you in the spirit of your mind, putting on the new man which is created after God in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:23).

Speaking from Experience, It Used to Be!

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lust and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared. (Titus 3:3–4)

To be able to identify with those you are attempting to reach is vital to successfully achieve your evangelistic goals. Hiding our scars does those that we may encounter a terrible injustice; there must be a transparency on the part of those that are in a position to offer a sense of hope. I have spoken to so many regarding the in ability of clergy to have a successful outreach in certain circles because they don’t relate to or identify with certain demographics or groups. Paul presents himself in this letter to Titus as an open book, admitting to his own vulnerabilities and shortcomings. He’s not trying to hide his past indiscretions, but he uses them to teach and reach those he has charge over. Paul—after he has instructed Titus to communicate to the household of faith to conduct themselves in a manner that is reflective of the person and message of Jesus Christ—reveals the ugly truth. He openly and honestly admits that he and others have not always been this beacon of hope for the people of God. He indicates that there is a process of change that has to take place.

Beloved, the bottom line is that we all have issues that we struggle with. None of us are exempt from the grip of temptation, but when God’s love and kindness enters our hearts by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we become new creations. This is not to say we will never have any other issues, but when they come, we will have the power and authority of God to combat them.

Excuses or Excellence

And in the greatness of your excellence you have overthrown those who rose against you; you sent forth your wrath; It consumed them like stubble. (Exodus 15:7 NKJV)

Beloved, the quality of choices that we make in life determines the quality of life that we live. We can live a life filled with excuses, or we can live life that is driven by the spirit of excellence. Whatever it is that you have been called to do in this life, answer that call with excellence, acknowledging that greater is he that is in you than he that’s in the world (1 John 4:4). Beloved, no matter how big or small the task may be, complete that task knowing that you have done your best you have giving it a 110 percent. Excuses will talk you out of the best that life has to offer you, making what God has ordained for you to appear so far off that you cannot reach your goals. Today make up your mind to take the approach of excellence and not excuses, to face every obstacle and opportunity with the attitude of excellence and positivity. Adopt the mindset of I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Embrace the spirit of excellence, and whatever you do, do it unto God and not man because God—and God only—gives the righteous the power to gain increase.

Lord, Help My Unbelief

And the angel answering said unto him I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And behold thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed because thou believest not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season. (Luke 1:19–20)

When God promises us something, too often we consider our own conditions to assess the validity of that promise. God promises Zacharias that his wife, Elisabeth, shall conceive a child; but instead of focusing on the ability and power of God to perform what He promised, Zacharias considered their own physical conditions and disregarded Gods spirituality and authority. As a result of this lack of consideration for the power and authority of God, the angel Gabriel struck Zacharias dumb and took away his ability to speak. Why?

So many of us underestimate the power of our words, especially when they pertain to the promises of God and how they reflect and echo the fact that we’re considering our circumstance more favorably than the promises of God. The words of the promise carry the cancellation power of God’s promises because of the unbelief that’s expressed in his or her words: you can only receive what you have the capacity to believe.

Beloved, speak life, health, prosperity, and righteousness. Let the grace of God give you speech lessons. Learn how to speak according to the will of God to manifest the promises of God. Scripture teaches us, For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34).

Hope to Reclaim Your Purpose in Trouble

My days are past, my purpose are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness. If I wait the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. I have said to corruption thou are my father: to the worm, thou are my mother, and my sister. And where is now my hope, as for my hope who shall see it? (Job 17:11–15)

Our brother Job is a true testament of the fortitude, dedication, and the perseverance that it takes to take up your cross and remain steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord (1Corinthians 15:58). Job’s time of testing reveals to the believer that we can endure the fiery trials, that we can hold fast to hope if we trust in God, even when everything around us is attempting to persuade us otherwise. There’s going to be a time in everyone’s life when what we see doesn’t match or correspond with what we confess, so the question is, how are you going to respond? Will you respond in doubt, allowing yourself to become overwhelmed and inundated with the floods of negative circumstances? Or will you, in the face of adversity, stand tall against the tides of the rushing waters and declare faith-filled words that produce hope in the midst of trouble?

Just like Job, we have to ask the question, Where is my hope? And as for my hope, who shall see it? The hope of the believers cannot be derived from the physical circumstances in our lives, but our hope has to be birthed out of our faith despite the physical circumstances in our lives. Beloved, when our physical senses have become convinced of defeat, we must ask the question, Where is my hope, and in whom do I trust? Just like Job said in previous chapter, I will trust in Him.

Running to the Father’s Hiding Place

Deliver me O Lord from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me O Lord, for thy names sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble and of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul for I am thy servant. (Psalms 143:9–12)

Whom can we turn to, and where can we retreat to find shelter from the attacks of the enemy? Shelter is essential for our continued ability to survive. We need shelter to protect us from the elements of nature, from our enemies, and for a sense of security, etc. With the volatile social climate here at home in the United States and abroad, having a safe place is absolutely vital, someplace where we can let down our guard and leave the concerns of the world outside.

This scripture is speaking to the need of shelter in times of hostility and affliction. We must seek out the loving embrace and protective custody of the Lord; it’s a safe place where we don’t have to worry about the enemy penetrating and/or infiltrating the sanctity of that safe place. Scripture says, O Lord my strength and my fortress and my refuge in the day of affliction (Jeremiah 16:19). In order for us to resist, we must find shelter; and for us to continue in and maintain the ways of righteousness, we must turn to God to quicken our spirits and fortify our minds and bodies.

Beloved, don’t allow the world to overcome you. Find your strength and refuge in the Lord. Allow God to build you up and keep you safe from the wickedness of the enemy. Remain steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the Word of the Lord. Let holiness and righteousness be your moral compass, and God will destroy all those that seek to afflict the souls of His servants.

Faith for the Impossible

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb. (Romans 4:19)

Strength and power can be measured in various ways: we can be powerful in our bodies, we can possess mental fortitude, we can be strong in our convictions and beliefs, and etc. But how do we measure our strength and power as it pertains to faith? I have said it before that faith, at its essence, is an action, so you cannot measure the strength and power of your faith by what you say. It has to be validated in deed and action! This text replays the scene when God tells Abraham that he will have a son. Sounds simple, right? But at this time, both Abraham’s and Sarah’s years have significantly surpassed childbearing age.

Abraham’s response to the promise of God was not according to his own condition. Abraham didn’t consider the frailty of his body, nor did he consider the deadness of Sarah’s womb. When God promises us something that contradicts everything that we are experiencing, our initial reaction should not be one of doubt or unbelief. We should not waver in our faith or become weak in our convictions because of present conditions and circumstances.

Beloved, our response to God’s promises should always be yes and amen. God is faithful to perform the good work that He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). He is not like men who will make promises with no intentions of ever honoring them. God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). If your faith is strong, you will have all that God has promised you. Consider nothing else except God’s omnipotence, and you will see the manifestation of His promises in your life. He and He alone is all powerful!

Loved Completely by God

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38–39)

There is a power that is so great that it can overcome every offense, bring calmness to wrath, and introduce virtue to heal any transgression. This power can bring peace to war, healing to sickness, joy to sadness, and hope to despair. However, this power is all too often unappreciated, misunderstood, and rejected because some people cannot even phantom a power that is so great because they quantify everything around them by what they can see and touch, ignoring and disqualifying any other possibility. This very great and extraordinary power is the power of Love, and because they reject love, they also reject God because God is love; and if we don’t know love, then we cannot know God (1 John 4:8). God’s love will never be unable to express appreciation, affection, endearment, and kindness to all those who seek it out with a sincere heart. If we make the proclamation of being believers of God, who is love, but we’re unable to tell our brother or sister that we love them whom we have seen, how then can we honestly love God, whom, we have not seen? (1 John 4:20).

Beloved, God’s love for us is so great that it covers a multitude of sin, because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son as a propitiation for all those who will embrace the love that was spread out wide and hung high on the cross at Calvary. God’s love has no requirements attached to it only that you believe and have faith that Jesus is Lord, God just wants you to come as you are the beautiful reflection of all His love.

True Transformation Changes Your Thinking

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:12)

Transformation can occur in many different ways. We can transform our style, bodies, image, friends, and etc., but what’s the sum total worth of these transformations as it pertains to spiritual matters? If I stop wearing sweats and begin to wear slacks and button-up shirt, does that change me spiritually? If I stop wearing jewelry, does that help me grow and mature spiritually? If I get a tattoo, does that hinder me from being righteous? These outward changes may allude to making conscious choices, but they do not equate to a change of thinking, yet people will judge you according to these choices.

A person can undergo all these transformations, but if they have not changed their way of thinking, they essentially remain the same person wrapped in new paper, no real transformation ever occurring. The important thing to remember about paper is there’s very little integrity in the strength of paper; additionally, it’s not sustainable when it’s exposed to certain elements. Our integrity and honor is tried by fire. The apostle Paul said, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you (1 Peter 4:12). Paper cannot endure the violence and destructive nature of fire. Beloved, it’s the renewing of our minds that ushers in true change and transformation. Change cannot be sustainable by simply wrapping it in new paper—it’s a falsehood, a mask, a fabrication. We must change our way of thinking to survive the trial of fire and withstand the unavoidable onslaught of fiery darts from the enemy. Beloved, true change occurs in your mind!

Reap the Fruits of Your Labor

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, un-moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Whatever that we have called to do for God in this life, we have to be certain that we are steadfast and unmovable in the work that God has commissioned us to do. We are to be firmly settled knowing that what God called us to will not be in vain. Even when it seems as if nothing is working, we must have the conviction of our faith helping to propel us forward. It’s our faith, our firm belief in God’s Word, that causes us to be immoveable, unwavering in our agreement with God’s Word and plan for our lives. We must never allow the circumstances of our challenges to cause us to fluctuate regarding God’s Word.

The Word of God is the final authority in the life of a believer. It is what we refer back to for guidance and direction, and if we remain firmly stationed and not wavering in God’s Word, we will ultimately achieve what we have been called to do. The labor of the believer will not be in vain as long as we remain committed and dedicated to God. Never allow man to convince you that you are to please him. This is a trap of the enemy. The Bible teaches us, For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). Beloved, cry out in the voice of Joshua and declare today that for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

The Faithful Heart Is a Steady Heart

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised; and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. (Hebrews 10:22–24)

Beloved, we draw near to God with our hearts. So many people struggle with faith because they attempt to approach God on an intellectual basis, as if they can somehow quantify who God is with their limited understanding. If we allow our brains to influence our faith, then it’s not faith because faith is the absence of any quantifiable substance. Faith tells us that there is a God even when we cannot see or touch Him. But our brains will insist on proving that He is through the five senses from which it gets all of its information. We must allow our hearts to take the lead in our faith journey because it is with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10). A heart filled with the assurance of faith is an unwavering heart, a heart that stands fully assured even in times of turmoil and turbulence. A fully assured heart stands upright and encourages the hearts of others. Beloved, let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid (John 14:27) but allow the assurance of faith in God to reside abundantly in your hearts. Be careful not to allow your hearts to waver in times of testing. Encourage one another in every good work because God is faithful to finish every good work that He began in you.

A Higher Standard

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the lord for as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8–9)

Beloved, our thinking process determines our perception of life, ourselves, and most importantly, it will impact our perception of God. We must continually be diligent in our attempts not to elevate ourselves to a level where we think we are able to exhaustively understand God’s ways or claim to have a handle on His thoughts. When we reached the pinnacle of human intellectualism, we become more susceptible to becoming overwhelmed with the success that we have achieved; and the will of God becomes foreign to us, convinced that we have attained a higher level of earthly wisdom that we no longer recognize a need for the divine wisdom of God.

Regardless of how much we achieve intellectually, it will never equate to the absolute wisdom of God. It is written that for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:19). Life has a way of shrinking us, making us totally aware of our own frailties. Despite the untouchable image of ourselves we portray to others and have convinced ourselves of, we are easily broken and shattered like a glass crashing to the floor, and the only thing left is the broken pieces of what we used to be. Beloved, it’s the brokenness of our situations that propels us to seek out something greater than ourselves, a higher standard by which nothing is too hard and there’s no amount of brokenness that can’t be mended. Bow down and present yourselves to God as children needing direction and counsel, and He will collect the broken pieces and recreate you into who you were always meant to be.

A Story to Tell

And the things that thou heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:2–3)

Have you heard about the Nazarene Man? What have you heard of Him? Have you shared the story of Nazarene? As believers, we all carry the charge to pass on that which was shared with us, a charge to pass it on to the next generation of faithful believers. We are all tasked with the responsibility to acquiesce the information that has been entrusted to us to ensure that all those that will come after us is equipped with the power and sanctity of God’s Word.

God’s Word is the liberating light in a world that grows darker with every passing day, and those that will carry the mantle of the charged and called out has to be adequately informed and equipped for the task ahead. God’s eternal Word will surely pass the test of time, but it has to be carried from generation to generation by those that will be entrusted with the many priceless treasures that’s hidden within its books, chapters, and verses.

The most valuable resource that we have in this world is not money, precious metals, and/or stones—it’s information. Information ensures the survival of all the treasures that’s hidden within. Beloved, ours is not just to hear but also to share, to share that which has been shared with us to ensure that the good news of the Gospel is never forgotten but always remembered in the hearts and minds of all those that will seek out and encounter its liberating truths.

According to the Will of the Father

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. (1 John 5:14–15)

For many of us, we petition God for things that are not necessarily in our best interest. They may seem to be beneficial and innocent enough, but it’s like the mother of Zebedee’s children in the Gospel of Matthew who asked Jesus a certain thing, and He replied to her, You know not what you ask. This raises the question: Do we actually know and understand what we are asking God for? Do we understand that what we’re asking for is accompanied by many different variables and unknowns? This is why our petitions must be in alignment with God’s will to avoid any negative circumstances. But there’s a definite confidence that we all have when we know that what we are doing is in the will of God, knowing that God has ordained a certain thing for us, in us, and through us. We are assured that He hears our petitions when we desire that which is in His will, and He is eager to grant all that is good and upright. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11). Beloved, I have been asked before whether God’s answer to prayer is always yes, and the answer to that question is yes, as long as it’s in His will and plan for your life. God will never contradict His Word. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Afflicted but Not Alienated

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. (Psalms 34:17–20)

There’s something about getting older that makes or urges us to take a look back and take stock of our life—the ups and the downs, the losses and the victories, the tragedies and the triumphs. The truth of the matter is, there are certain places in our life that, if we poke at them, will cause us great sorrow. There are also other places that will cause us an unspeakable joy, and there are particular memories that will cause us to relive the painful events of the past. Conversely, there are memories that will propel us to times that will cause us to relive some of the happiest times of our life.

The existence of the good along with the bad should reveal to us all that just because we were afflicted doesn’t mean that we were or are alienated from the glorious grace of God. Some of us will do almost anything to cover up our blemishes or scars because the scars will often remind us of something traumatic and tragic. But if we look at our scars through the lenses of a changed perception of our past, these same scars can also remind us of God’s never-ending love and grace because it is God who converts our tragedies into our triumphs.

Beloved, regardless of where we are and what we may be experiencing, God’s Word will never return unto Him void. When I look at my scars now, I see God’s deliverance, not His absence; His grace, not His wrath. If we are going to indeed live our best life, we have to be able to ascertain that God is in absolute control despite what our circumstances may be. Beloveds, your afflictions are not an indication that God is no longer on the throne. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Keep walking until you reach your destiny!

Focused on What’s Ahead

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalms 139:14 NIV)

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.