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Do you find yourself at times just being too busy? Wrestling schedules, chores, appointments, phone calls, and the like? Well, whenever you find yourself so busy that you neglect or abandon your priorities in life - it is probably time to holt whatever you are doing and take time to reorganize. It never ceases to amaze me how easy it is to become entrapped by the concerns of this world. To be overrun by thoughts that crush your vision, and sabotage your dreams. Memories of better days that we can’t return to, and worries of a future uncertain. Don’t be overwhelmed with these things that you miss the opportunities of “now”. Take some time today to reconsider, rethink, and re-prioritize. There is never a better way to invest this time without inviting God into this journey. Some devotional time is also an important priority in life. Matthew 6:25-27 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #iamministries #andyfernandez

There is an eerie silence which is marked with excitement for many, and fear for others. The suspense produced by uncertainty almost makes one feel as though we are all part of a science fiction movie which we never auditioned for. In days like the ones we are living no one believes or trusts in anything, or anyone. And, just like those who are experts in brain teasers, this may all be playing out like the ultimate script - to create a global virus of disbelief which infects the hearts of all men so that we can’t neither love or prosper in anything. God’s Word teaches us that you and I should never arrive spiritually naked to any battle which is contending for our faith. So, make sure that today you begin your week strengthening yourselves with the authority of God’s Word. Be sure to wear truth as a belt that enables you to harness your attitude, behavior and emotions so that you can make good decisions. Truth shall always prevail! Ephesians 6:10-14 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist...... #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

If you ever walked into a Potter’s room, you would find several interesting instruments that help the artist fulfill his/her final handiwork. Like a surgical room, you will find a kiln for fire, a wheel for revolutions, and a pug mixer that preps the clay before use. All this equipment and others are important in the “process” of making a useful vessel, but nothing is more important than the clay. In Potter’s shop, you and I will also find that there are clay substances which are easier to work, than others. Some require more time, and others more effort. But, by simply adding a little “water” to its parched nature the clay will begin to hydrate until it melts in the hands of its craftsmen. The water, in Scripture, has always represented the living Word of God. And, when that Word reaches the crevices of the human heart it will enrich the soil making it useful. No matter how hard things may look, how tense we may become, or how resentful our hearts may be. God continues to work and massage His hands in our lives. Like a good Potter, He will not stop until He has completed His handiwork. God is the Potter, and we are the Clay! Jeremiah 18:1-6 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me. 6 He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #iamministries #andyfernandez

With so much going on in the world there is a sense of perplexity, concern, and anxiety brewing in the hearts of people. On one side, many are rejoicing for what could be, and on the other side, some are fearing for how this can negatively impact their lives. Either way, the Bible encourages us to not allow ourselves to be troubled, nor should we permit that our hearts and minds be tossed like the waves of the sea. Every generation faces its challenges, and every age group sees the world through a different perspective and lens. But, one thing is for sure that no matter what the winds of change may bring - the sun will continue to shine faithfully on all who dwell on the earth. Don’t allow uncertainty to derail you nor allow for fear to tarnish your faith in God. For He only is our peace in the midst of trouble and the rock of our salvation. Hold on to the immovable love, and faithfulness of God. What difference does it make what the future may hold - if our trust is in He who is the author and finisher of our faith. Don’t be troubled. Hebrew 13:5-8 Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” 7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

An insult can become as bitter as salt. Many of us may struggle and even live in the world of offense because of what someone has done or said to us days or even years ago. The famous saying; “stick and stones may break my bones but words will never break me” may be a good way to conceal an offense but it doesn’t necessarily heal the offense. Like a drop of ink in clear water - negative words have the ability to incubate in the human soul for months if not years, and eventually affect its victim. It is important to know that walking in continual forgiveness is the only hope we have if we are going to keep our joy, and peace going forward. Sometimes these verbal outbreaks may be intentional, and other times the perpetrators never knew of the matter. But, one thing is for sure it is your and my responsibility to dilute the emotional strain it has caused by immediately practicing forgiveness. Don’t let the hurtful words of men become your daily listening. But, permit yourself to wash yourself with God’s good Word - which is good news. James 3:9-11 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both freshwater and saltwater flow from the same spring? #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

Living in the past, and always focusing our attention on missed opportunities can cause us to lose every bit of momentum that has taken us so much effort to produce. Like driving a vehicle you and I should not think that we will arrive at our desired destination safely if our eyes are continually fixated on the rearview mirror. As a matter of fact, doing so repeatedly can even become lethal. I am of the belief that every experience in life has a lesson and a blessing. Failing to learn and make the necessary adjustments to achieve the desired results is where most of us fall short - always leaving us feeling frustrated and defeated. It has been said that “repetition” may have its advantages when learning a new skill, but when “repetition” negatively impacts our advancement or spiritual growth you and I have to be willing to break the patterns that have produced these inglorious cycles. God encourages us to stop pressing the rewind button on our life’s remote, and press play to let the story play on. Make sure to allow him to be part of your journey - he may just write a new chapter. Overcoming regret. Philippians 3:13-14 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

Have we lost our way as a society? Has our conscience been seared as with a hot iron that we can no longer practice civility, and treat each other with the much-needed respect due to every child of God? Just like a third-degree burn suffered from a fire - there is something charring our human conscience which has damaged our ability to practice moral etiquette, and which has disabled our spiritual nerve endings which is now in need of repair. Growing up I always remember feeling as though someone was keeping watch over me. I wasn’t sure if it was the neighboring spies who had a secret vow with my mom, or was it the simple fact that I was taught civility, respect, and integrity early in my years. Simple rules like “thou shall not lie or else you will get a shoe stuck in your head” helped pave a clear way to being aware that there was either an “eye in the sky”, or someone had a secret sonar ability to listen to my every word. Either way, I have always treasured that little voice abiding in the crevices of my stomach which helped me distinguish right from wrong, especially in darkened times. The Word of God has always been the foundation of every moral rule. And, accompanied with this great gift He has embedded in us the gift of conscience which we should be careful to tend, and not leave to stupor. It would do us a great benefit to once again listen to this spiritual muscle especially more in times like this. Where’s Conscience? 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

What do we look like when no one is watching? Or, how would you and I live if we knew we would not be criticized or judged? How about if a microphone were to be wired to our thoughts, what would people hear? If only our pillows can talk - I assure you that many of us have more in common than we would like to believe, think, or share. The ability to see the true nature of someone requires that we remove all of the masks, titles, and pompous images that we permit ourselves to exercise in order to fit into this world. Being vulnerable may not seem comfortable but it is certainly necessary if we are going to live authentic lives before God, and others. The only way to free ourselves from the chains of falsehood in believing that everything is ok when it’s not, or that we somehow have to secretly handle our problems is totally untrue. Acknowledging our weaknesses, and embracing our insecurities is the first step in allowing God to help us, and heal us. God sees through our shields and understands our fears. He grieves with us through our traumas, even in the midst of all the drama. So, whether you have been allotted “rags or riches” permit yourself the opportunity to be vulnerable to self, to God, and to those around you who care. Hebrews 10:22-23 22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

As we approach the holidays, and the sounds of festivities are beginning to ring through the streets, and the malls are preparing for big days ahead - it would seem like a dichotomy that all of this is going on while we are still navigating through a historical year marked with challenges. If you are like many it doesn’t take holidays, historical elections, or a pandemic to grant us permission to be melancholy or simply unhappy. It would seem that this soulish condition may be a reflection of something deeper working in the sinews of our hearts excusing us from being thankful. How would we ever experience joy, if we haven’t experienced sadness? How would we appreciate plenty, if we have never tasted of lack? And, how would you and I be grateful for health, if we haven’t experienced sickness? Joy is a gift provided by God to those who have learned to depend on His goodness and ultimate sovereignty. A thankful heart is one that has recognized that nothing is promised and that each man’s lot, whether big or small, is proportioned each to be appreciated. Most of our unthankfulness has been birthed because of our covetousness towards others or our sinful pride of dissatisfaction. So, surrender today and give thanks for the great and small things for which you have experienced. For breathing, for being alive, and for being mobile. You are simply one step away from a miracle, give thanks. John 6:11-13 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are leftover. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

The sound of coins, the rumbling of transactions, and the ringing of registers may mean it’s going to be a great day for the economy. As a prosperous society, we are blessed to have the freedom to witness the work of our hands flourishing for the wellbeing of self, and others. But, what happens when the blessings of prosperity emerge into materialism? When everything and everyone seems to have a price. Just to be clear; God can not be purchased, nor can he be bribed. He doesn’t need our tips, nor does He need our offerings. As one who has tasted poverty, and also enjoyed the springs of prosperity I have witnessed that any blessing ingested excessively could eventually corrupt the human heart and its appetite. While God desires that all of our needs be met according to His riches and glory we must be careful to not allow our hearts to deify prosperity and money. For the love of money is the root of all evil, and as stated in the pages of Holy writ; “His house shall be called a house of prayer, and not a den of thieves”. As a child of God remember God can not be purchased because He already paid the price! Matthew 21:12-13 12Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13“It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of thieves.’ #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

Each day I wake up, one of the first things I do to start my day is to prepare coffee for my wife and I. For years now, my family has received dozens of coffee cups as gifts for all sorts of festivities. A matter of fact, if you were to go into my kitchen cabinets right now you will find an array of beautifully decorated coffee cups for any occasion. But, it is not the coffee cup that necessarily stirs up our early morning, but rather the taste of that which is contained within the cup that ignites our days for the past 20 years. The Bible teaches us that on a special day - a wedding ceremony was taking place in a particular city. The host and guests were concerned by the lack of wine not present because it could have ended all the anticipated celebration in a sobering manner. Noticing that there was an opportunity to meet the needs of others - Christ resorted to gazing his eyes on six empty stone jars. These jars were designed by its potter for a particular purpose but were found empty, neglected, and adorning space rather than being utilized. When requesting that some servants fill these stone jars with water, it was miraculously turned into wine. Aren’t we similar to these stone jars? Hardened by trials, drained by circumstances, and sometimes lacking purpose? But, the miraculous occurs when God pours the freshwater of His Word into our empty vessels, and converts our lack into plenty, our aimlessness into purpose, and our sadness into joy (wine). Six Stone Jars! John 2:6-9 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries

The most encouraging words a mentor can offer a student desiring to enhance their skills in any area of life is “come, and follow me”. You and I can not achieve our greatest potential by building on the walls of our personal paradigms. Nor can we see any solution to a problem through the lens of inexperience. But, sometimes it requires the assistance of a seasoned “player” to teach us in minutes - what it has taken them to learn in years. Just imagine being stuck on an island unable to dream beyond the shores. Waking up every day noticing the planes flying by - without ever having the opportunity to sit on a Boeing 747 or in a Cessna single-propeller plane. There are times in our lives when we feel as though we have reached a dead end. And, if given any opportunity to journey beyond the shores we would “jump on it, on a heartbeat.” The Bible teaches us that God is always extending an invitation to those who are willing to follow. But, it does require that we learn to surrender the keys to the driver seat of our plane, in order for us to rest on the passenger side of His cockpit. You and I could never learn to lead - until we learn to follow. Mark 1:16-18 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. #oneminutewithgod #soundsofmywritings #andyfernandez #iamministries