Hey Guys, I was gonna take a small break from the blog because I'm on spring break, but this one just hit me, so here it is!
Looking in the mirror, I made a lot of changes and I will be the first to say I need to make more! HA! There is always areas of improvement the most physically fit person still wants to concentrate on so they can be evenly distributed or be the the total package so to speak. To be honest, this mindset is the one everyone should have! Self included!
Looking at things spiritually of course, I see now that a workout regiment must ensued. After all, ONLY WHAT YOU EXERCISE WILL DEVELOP!!! We want to be so used of God ,be so anointed, and this so called "super saint", but we're weak in certain areas that would otherwise propel you in our spiritual walk. Were are strong in praising God, but weak at prayer. We workout our tithing muscles, but our faithfulness routine has run its course. We must realize that we serve a God of balance, you can not counterweight God's expectations by over supplementing the area of lack with a area of strength. Yes, you may be great at singing. So you're the choir director, sing on the praise team, hold music workshops, and working on your CD. But God is saying you are also called to preach the word. But since your stronger at singing, you overemphasize in order to accommodate for the lack therof of preaching the word. You are now being ineffective because guess what, your music ministry simply wont reach everybody. God would that all men would be saved. Your underdeveloped areas need to be as strong as your already developed areas in order for God to use you how HE sees fit. not what we want to do for God. It's time to stop looking at the workout equipment and actually start using it.
When we are full of the holy ghost that means, in whatever area God is lending you to work in the vineyard at that time must be done in decency and in order and also in excellence. God does not do lazy sit-ups, run 3 laps in stead of 4, or bench press 2 reps when the requirement was 3. He does everything to the max and lacks nothing. We don't serve a part time God. And he doesn't want any partially developed children. The enemy we are waging war against is throwing out all the stops. We need to train for the battle at hand! Your very life depends on it.
At the end of the day, talk is cheap. Your Action should precede your words. If not, your words have nothing to stand on, because your foundation is your action. Of course, speak those things that are not as thought they were and of course write the vision and make it plain. But if all we are doing is talking on what were going to do, dreaming off what were to become, nothing will come of it. The book of James lets us know that faith without our works is dead. Action brings life!
If we are going to attain and accomplish our lofty goals, then we need a new workout plan. Tighten that area of indecision and complacency. Strengthen your prayer life and consecration times with God. Workout your salvation with fear and trembling!! lol. Once the routine is started then its proven it will be easier to stay on it and you'll find that you feel a lot better that you have. I mean come on, look at who we have for a personal trainer! Allow Him to whip you into spiritual shape so you can be well prepared to face the enemy and your dreams that God has given you. Saints, it's time to hit the Gym!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
It all falls down
We never seem to eager to go to the dentists office, but will plan months ahead in anticipation for a spring break trip. Never in a rush to get a assignment done for work or class, but will stop what were doing for our favorite t.v. show. We often times find ourselves putting off what can be done today, tomorrow, for something we really want to do instead. The problem lies in, there may not be a tomorrow.
So many of us have planned for so many extracurricular activities, that our blackberries and iPhones are limited on memory due to the detailed schedules we have for the day. Meet for lunch at 4pm. Turn in last weeks assignment today. Your working a double shift today. Don't forget mike's b-day get together.... The list goes on. We have planned for every inch of every mile, every minute for every hour, but we have not planned on whats really to be expected.
God is not mocked the bible declares. We have planned on everything, except for the judgement of God. We have somehow pushed the rapture to the back of our minds, saying to ourselves, "We're living in the last days, but today isn't it..." We have not prepared ourselves for the coming of our Lord. One thing we have forgotten is that, the rapture does not have to yet take place for this to be your last day here on this earth. I find it strange that even nature knows to prepare for what to come. Animals gather food for the winter. Plants soak up as much sun as possible. Some animals even migrate in preparation for the oncoming change! God has been knocking on our doors, patiently waiting for us to invite Him in. We have left him standing out in the rain for far too long, and Gods anger is being kindled against this very nation... We, who have knowledge of who he is, freedom to worship, ability to serve Him with our whole hearts, are content with leaving the most powerful, all mighty, only true and living God, out on our doorsteps; allowing Him in, only to fix, bless, or heal whatever we need... then outside He goes again.
I am reminded of the story of the three little pigs and their houses built of straw, wood, and brick. My friends, we are living in the age of brick houses. Strong houses, too hard to be blown down with a slight breeze. You see, a breeze can blow over a plate at a picnic, or even a stronger one topple over a tent at a campground. This usually catches the attention of the people to change their actions because if I continue using these plates or building my tent in this area, the wind will interrupt my activity. But, what have we done? We now use heavier plates so the wind no longer affects my activity. I now batten down my tent or even use a cabin now so I can withstand the attention bringing wind that cautions me to stop what I am doing or else. We have now moved into brick houses, resisting the wind, and now becoming ignorant to its ever blowing caution since we have done all we can no to deafen the sound.
God is saying there is no more wind to be blown...
As pharaoh in the book of exodus refused to hearken to the many signs and wonders God performed through an unexpected individual, so are we, people of God, not hearkening to the signs of the time that Gods judgement is here, and the only things withholding it is His mercy. See, we think we have time since we are living under grace and mercy. But that's it. We have no more time! I am convinced that God granted us mercy, holding back judgement, in order for us to quickly hasten to the altar, allow God into our hearts, for us to be saved before judgement is cast. We are being judged right now, but mercy is holding back the condemnation of those who have not yet gave their life over to Christ. POWERFUL!!! How deceived are we?!?! Thinking we have time, when in actuality our time is up, we are on BORROWED time! Pharaoh's pride and stubbornness caused his own damnation. Unable to see that God was speaking to him, unwilling to believe that God could or would do what the prophet Moses declared.
God is saying that since his word has come through an unexpected source, you are not willing to receive it. You actually are being consumed with your own imagination that would tell you, "God wouldn't do this, it goes against his very nature" But be ye warned, God is not a man that he should lie; He will perform the work that He has spoken. Since the wind will not get our attention, only something drastic will. The brick house never fell in the story, but I guarantee you, the one in your life will if we will not open our hearts to Christ and allow Him full access. His word says he chastens those whom he loves. If God strikes down that Brick house, not only the inhabitants of the house will be affected but everything around it will too due to the great fall it will incur.
My brothers and my sisters, God is no longer and has never been playing games with our souls. If he has to take away everything you hold dear to reach you, that is just what He'll do! Your soul is the most precious commodity to Him, everything else is like fallen bricks in a pile. Please heed Gods warning and quit playing games with your soul. Don't be fooled into thinking you have time to get things in order. Don't be fooled in thinking God has overlooked your sin. I assure you God's eyes are in every place and has seen the good and the bad. Don't wait til it all falls down before you realize that you should have looked up.
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
So many of us have planned for so many extracurricular activities, that our blackberries and iPhones are limited on memory due to the detailed schedules we have for the day. Meet for lunch at 4pm. Turn in last weeks assignment today. Your working a double shift today. Don't forget mike's b-day get together.... The list goes on. We have planned for every inch of every mile, every minute for every hour, but we have not planned on whats really to be expected.
God is not mocked the bible declares. We have planned on everything, except for the judgement of God. We have somehow pushed the rapture to the back of our minds, saying to ourselves, "We're living in the last days, but today isn't it..." We have not prepared ourselves for the coming of our Lord. One thing we have forgotten is that, the rapture does not have to yet take place for this to be your last day here on this earth. I find it strange that even nature knows to prepare for what to come. Animals gather food for the winter. Plants soak up as much sun as possible. Some animals even migrate in preparation for the oncoming change! God has been knocking on our doors, patiently waiting for us to invite Him in. We have left him standing out in the rain for far too long, and Gods anger is being kindled against this very nation... We, who have knowledge of who he is, freedom to worship, ability to serve Him with our whole hearts, are content with leaving the most powerful, all mighty, only true and living God, out on our doorsteps; allowing Him in, only to fix, bless, or heal whatever we need... then outside He goes again.
I am reminded of the story of the three little pigs and their houses built of straw, wood, and brick. My friends, we are living in the age of brick houses. Strong houses, too hard to be blown down with a slight breeze. You see, a breeze can blow over a plate at a picnic, or even a stronger one topple over a tent at a campground. This usually catches the attention of the people to change their actions because if I continue using these plates or building my tent in this area, the wind will interrupt my activity. But, what have we done? We now use heavier plates so the wind no longer affects my activity. I now batten down my tent or even use a cabin now so I can withstand the attention bringing wind that cautions me to stop what I am doing or else. We have now moved into brick houses, resisting the wind, and now becoming ignorant to its ever blowing caution since we have done all we can no to deafen the sound.
God is saying there is no more wind to be blown...
As pharaoh in the book of exodus refused to hearken to the many signs and wonders God performed through an unexpected individual, so are we, people of God, not hearkening to the signs of the time that Gods judgement is here, and the only things withholding it is His mercy. See, we think we have time since we are living under grace and mercy. But that's it. We have no more time! I am convinced that God granted us mercy, holding back judgement, in order for us to quickly hasten to the altar, allow God into our hearts, for us to be saved before judgement is cast. We are being judged right now, but mercy is holding back the condemnation of those who have not yet gave their life over to Christ. POWERFUL!!! How deceived are we?!?! Thinking we have time, when in actuality our time is up, we are on BORROWED time! Pharaoh's pride and stubbornness caused his own damnation. Unable to see that God was speaking to him, unwilling to believe that God could or would do what the prophet Moses declared.
God is saying that since his word has come through an unexpected source, you are not willing to receive it. You actually are being consumed with your own imagination that would tell you, "God wouldn't do this, it goes against his very nature" But be ye warned, God is not a man that he should lie; He will perform the work that He has spoken. Since the wind will not get our attention, only something drastic will. The brick house never fell in the story, but I guarantee you, the one in your life will if we will not open our hearts to Christ and allow Him full access. His word says he chastens those whom he loves. If God strikes down that Brick house, not only the inhabitants of the house will be affected but everything around it will too due to the great fall it will incur.
My brothers and my sisters, God is no longer and has never been playing games with our souls. If he has to take away everything you hold dear to reach you, that is just what He'll do! Your soul is the most precious commodity to Him, everything else is like fallen bricks in a pile. Please heed Gods warning and quit playing games with your soul. Don't be fooled into thinking you have time to get things in order. Don't be fooled in thinking God has overlooked your sin. I assure you God's eyes are in every place and has seen the good and the bad. Don't wait til it all falls down before you realize that you should have looked up.
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
Friday, March 5, 2010
Is there a doctor in the house?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DwyM11jmh4
L.Spenser Smith-Surgery
(Listen to this powerful song!)
This has to be for somebody, because God won't let me alone regarding his people not allowing God completely in. So this one is about allowing God to perform the surgery that we desperately need in order to be healed and perfected.
Heb 6:1-2 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement." I started with this scripture because this is the foundation of every born again believer. These are the steps in order for us to attain perfection.
God was dealing with me again on how in order to grow, we must be trimmed, purged, weeded, and purified. All of these processes are uncomfortable to say the least, but are very necessary in order for growth to occur. Naturally speaking, if a plant is not trimmed, it can grow wildly and be overtaken with weeds and eventually looks very unkept and some instances sickly due to certain areas of the plant that have overgrown itself. After this has occurred, the process is many times irreversible; that's why we must address the issue as soon as it begins to occur.
The issue God led me to discover was that many people want to grow up, but they want to grow without the purging process. Everyone wants to be a ship and be their own navigator. People want to be able to say I did it on my own. This shows spiritual retardation. Your outward appearance may be growing, but the mental and spiritual is in a state of flux.
I realize that after a life of doing things on your own (So you think), it's very hard to submit. After all, the only person you ever answered to was self. Why do I now have to submit to anyone? The answer lies in the illustration about the plant. Growth has occurred, but all in the wrong places. Your strong vines that were meant to produce fruit, have coiled and choked the life out of people you come in to contact with. Your leaves that are suppose to lend themselves to the SON, now are in competition with one another in greed trying to soak up the most sun (Pride of Life, Lust of the eye etc.) for themselves (This is a true fact! Plants will move a certain area of themselves to gain sunlight!). Those same vines even wrap around the trunk leading to the root and constrict the water flow to the rest of the plant, disabling it to receive optimal nourishment that it needs to survive. Since there was a lack of purging, guidance, pruning, and trimming, the plant lends its self to a life of eventual suicide.
Do any of us see ourselves in the same predicament? Are we cold and brash with others? Do we try to prefer ourselves as oppose to one another? Do we find ourselves missing something in our lives and try to attain it, but it seems ourselves hold us back? Just like the plant, we are seemingly inwar with ourselves and ironically you aren't winning. The scriptures talk about repentance in Heb 6:1. We must first realize we indeed are a mess. We can see everyone else but when was the last time we looked at self? We must totally forsake that old way of living and turn toward God. When we turn toward God, I promise you things are bound to get lighter because certain things must and are about to come off!
Mark 2:17 "When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance". God must now be you master physician and perform SURGERY. Just like a medical doctor, you must sign release papers in order for them to perform any surgical procedure on you. You must be willing to be healed so to speak. The same with Christ. He desires all of us to be made whole, but He can only perform what we allow. Again, repentance. We must admit we have things in and on us that we are so tired of being bound with. You holding on to a situation for years and years, does not mean it disappears because you give it no attention. It is still there until you confront it and deal with it. God wants to perform the work and is well able to give you a clean bill of health!
Place your trust in Him, for that is the only way to be healed! If you never allow the doctor close enough to give you a shot, how else would you get the medicine you need?! Open your heart, your wounds, your sadness, your regrets, your disappointments, your sin, to God. He knows how to carefully clean and treat the area of affliction and infection. If you really think about it, have you really been living a fulfilling life with these issues by yourself? Why not try God and trust Him to comfort you and heal you by signing over your rights and offering your entire self to the best hands in the business!
Be blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
L.Spenser Smith-Surgery
(Listen to this powerful song!)
This has to be for somebody, because God won't let me alone regarding his people not allowing God completely in. So this one is about allowing God to perform the surgery that we desperately need in order to be healed and perfected.
Heb 6:1-2 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement." I started with this scripture because this is the foundation of every born again believer. These are the steps in order for us to attain perfection.
God was dealing with me again on how in order to grow, we must be trimmed, purged, weeded, and purified. All of these processes are uncomfortable to say the least, but are very necessary in order for growth to occur. Naturally speaking, if a plant is not trimmed, it can grow wildly and be overtaken with weeds and eventually looks very unkept and some instances sickly due to certain areas of the plant that have overgrown itself. After this has occurred, the process is many times irreversible; that's why we must address the issue as soon as it begins to occur.
The issue God led me to discover was that many people want to grow up, but they want to grow without the purging process. Everyone wants to be a ship and be their own navigator. People want to be able to say I did it on my own. This shows spiritual retardation. Your outward appearance may be growing, but the mental and spiritual is in a state of flux.
I realize that after a life of doing things on your own (So you think), it's very hard to submit. After all, the only person you ever answered to was self. Why do I now have to submit to anyone? The answer lies in the illustration about the plant. Growth has occurred, but all in the wrong places. Your strong vines that were meant to produce fruit, have coiled and choked the life out of people you come in to contact with. Your leaves that are suppose to lend themselves to the SON, now are in competition with one another in greed trying to soak up the most sun (Pride of Life, Lust of the eye etc.) for themselves (This is a true fact! Plants will move a certain area of themselves to gain sunlight!). Those same vines even wrap around the trunk leading to the root and constrict the water flow to the rest of the plant, disabling it to receive optimal nourishment that it needs to survive. Since there was a lack of purging, guidance, pruning, and trimming, the plant lends its self to a life of eventual suicide.
Do any of us see ourselves in the same predicament? Are we cold and brash with others? Do we try to prefer ourselves as oppose to one another? Do we find ourselves missing something in our lives and try to attain it, but it seems ourselves hold us back? Just like the plant, we are seemingly inwar with ourselves and ironically you aren't winning. The scriptures talk about repentance in Heb 6:1. We must first realize we indeed are a mess. We can see everyone else but when was the last time we looked at self? We must totally forsake that old way of living and turn toward God. When we turn toward God, I promise you things are bound to get lighter because certain things must and are about to come off!
Mark 2:17 "When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance". God must now be you master physician and perform SURGERY. Just like a medical doctor, you must sign release papers in order for them to perform any surgical procedure on you. You must be willing to be healed so to speak. The same with Christ. He desires all of us to be made whole, but He can only perform what we allow. Again, repentance. We must admit we have things in and on us that we are so tired of being bound with. You holding on to a situation for years and years, does not mean it disappears because you give it no attention. It is still there until you confront it and deal with it. God wants to perform the work and is well able to give you a clean bill of health!
Place your trust in Him, for that is the only way to be healed! If you never allow the doctor close enough to give you a shot, how else would you get the medicine you need?! Open your heart, your wounds, your sadness, your regrets, your disappointments, your sin, to God. He knows how to carefully clean and treat the area of affliction and infection. If you really think about it, have you really been living a fulfilling life with these issues by yourself? Why not try God and trust Him to comfort you and heal you by signing over your rights and offering your entire self to the best hands in the business!
Be blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Who's coming first?
Hey fam, wanted to hit on the topic who is coming first in our lives. A lot of times, we think we know who our driving force is, or who we're living for. We say to ourselves "Jesus is the head of my life." We'll proclaim that to the world, but God is saying, "Man you talk a lot about me, but I really don't even know who you are?" I want to explore certain scenarios in which how we may think we are putting first things first, but in reality it could be further from the truth.
In American entertainment, we have a plethora of accolades we give, acknowledgements we denote, and tributes we offer to the best of the best, whether it be in music, film, sports, or any other form of mass entertainment where we are being viewed by thousands even millions all over the world. Many, when receiving these lofty accreditations, are taken back, stunned, in a state of unbelief and we muster up enough strength to say "Thank you! But first I want to thank God who is truly the head of my life..for without him, none of this would be possible..." I can imagine God just looking in disgust for so many reasons. Number one, you are receiving a Grammy for best hip hop album of the year and no one NEEDS to go into detail on the lyrical content of the songs. But yet, you're proclaiming God is the head of your life and He made this possible. God is also saying it is an insult that you want to use His name and paste on your accomplishments when he had nothing and wanted nothing to do with it!
You have just plagiarized the name of God. That is not his work, so don't put His name on it! You are also speaking to all of these people giving them a false representation of relationship between you and the father that doesn't exist! God is simply shaking his head. I can imagine Him saying, "I'm good enough for you to use My name as a enabler for you out in the world because of My status, but I'm not good enough for you to have a relationship with?" I can liken this to a dysfunctional relationship. Somehow your beaten up, ugly, no good looking self, SOMEHOW acquired the most beautiful Lady in all the world. Everyone know this lady is bad. You flaunt her around as a trophy piece, speak well of her in the streets to your friends so they can see that you have such a great relationship and say, "Man, he must be really something to have pulled her." But when you get home, she wants to talk to you, spend time with you, she already has done everything around the house, cooked your favorite meal, has the game on for you to watch, and always looks her best, never a hair out of place. But you don't acknowledge anything she does for you, you actually come to expect it despite you not deserving any of it! You don't spend quality time with her, you don't appreciate her, and on top of that she hears everything you say about her to all of your friends! She says to herself, "Man, I wish I was that Girl he talks so much about to everyone, she seems like she is really something special." She knows it's her your talking about, but you make it seem as if she is the most wonderful, priceless, adoring person you have ever come into the liberty of calling your own. No one knows how you treat her, what you put her through, and how unappreciative you are of her. These lies have far outspread the truth of the relationship. The time comes where she can't take it any longer, and all the goodness, all the GRACE, all the love, and her waiting up for you, is now gone, because she has suddenly left with no warning and you don't know where she went, but it's certain she's not coming back.
Why do we treat God the same way? We tell people of his goodness, make everyone believe we have a relationship, that in reality is nonexistent! We hurt God by not communing with Him, consecrating our minds and temple. We are not sanctified, and we don't even try to live a life that would be pleasing to the father. But we want all the benefits that come along with the relationship nonetheless. *Newsflash*, There IS NO RELATIONSHIP. You have been deceived into thinking you can treat God the way you treat your friends, spouses, and people all over, when in actuality, we should be treating our Friends, spouses, and everyone else the way we treat God. If that's the case, some of us really need to get our relationship with God together ASAP because if you are treating people the same way you treat God, then repentance needs to be attained!
Just a eye opener on how we misuse our source; The one who allows us to do whatever we want in hopes that we would see all the options in the world and choose Him over all of it. That's TRUE LOVE. "I will never force you to love me, I will even allow you to do what you want, but I pray that my love will draw you back to the one whom gave you the choice to begin with." My friends, who are we fooling but ourselves. We need to stop misusing and neglecting our God! He's is coming back for his church, and only the ones who will make it, were the ones who put him first. Love on God today fam...
Matt 15:8 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and hounoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
In American entertainment, we have a plethora of accolades we give, acknowledgements we denote, and tributes we offer to the best of the best, whether it be in music, film, sports, or any other form of mass entertainment where we are being viewed by thousands even millions all over the world. Many, when receiving these lofty accreditations, are taken back, stunned, in a state of unbelief and we muster up enough strength to say "Thank you! But first I want to thank God who is truly the head of my life..for without him, none of this would be possible..." I can imagine God just looking in disgust for so many reasons. Number one, you are receiving a Grammy for best hip hop album of the year and no one NEEDS to go into detail on the lyrical content of the songs. But yet, you're proclaiming God is the head of your life and He made this possible. God is also saying it is an insult that you want to use His name and paste on your accomplishments when he had nothing and wanted nothing to do with it!
You have just plagiarized the name of God. That is not his work, so don't put His name on it! You are also speaking to all of these people giving them a false representation of relationship between you and the father that doesn't exist! God is simply shaking his head. I can imagine Him saying, "I'm good enough for you to use My name as a enabler for you out in the world because of My status, but I'm not good enough for you to have a relationship with?" I can liken this to a dysfunctional relationship. Somehow your beaten up, ugly, no good looking self, SOMEHOW acquired the most beautiful Lady in all the world. Everyone know this lady is bad. You flaunt her around as a trophy piece, speak well of her in the streets to your friends so they can see that you have such a great relationship and say, "Man, he must be really something to have pulled her." But when you get home, she wants to talk to you, spend time with you, she already has done everything around the house, cooked your favorite meal, has the game on for you to watch, and always looks her best, never a hair out of place. But you don't acknowledge anything she does for you, you actually come to expect it despite you not deserving any of it! You don't spend quality time with her, you don't appreciate her, and on top of that she hears everything you say about her to all of your friends! She says to herself, "Man, I wish I was that Girl he talks so much about to everyone, she seems like she is really something special." She knows it's her your talking about, but you make it seem as if she is the most wonderful, priceless, adoring person you have ever come into the liberty of calling your own. No one knows how you treat her, what you put her through, and how unappreciative you are of her. These lies have far outspread the truth of the relationship. The time comes where she can't take it any longer, and all the goodness, all the GRACE, all the love, and her waiting up for you, is now gone, because she has suddenly left with no warning and you don't know where she went, but it's certain she's not coming back.
Why do we treat God the same way? We tell people of his goodness, make everyone believe we have a relationship, that in reality is nonexistent! We hurt God by not communing with Him, consecrating our minds and temple. We are not sanctified, and we don't even try to live a life that would be pleasing to the father. But we want all the benefits that come along with the relationship nonetheless. *Newsflash*, There IS NO RELATIONSHIP. You have been deceived into thinking you can treat God the way you treat your friends, spouses, and people all over, when in actuality, we should be treating our Friends, spouses, and everyone else the way we treat God. If that's the case, some of us really need to get our relationship with God together ASAP because if you are treating people the same way you treat God, then repentance needs to be attained!
Just a eye opener on how we misuse our source; The one who allows us to do whatever we want in hopes that we would see all the options in the world and choose Him over all of it. That's TRUE LOVE. "I will never force you to love me, I will even allow you to do what you want, but I pray that my love will draw you back to the one whom gave you the choice to begin with." My friends, who are we fooling but ourselves. We need to stop misusing and neglecting our God! He's is coming back for his church, and only the ones who will make it, were the ones who put him first. Love on God today fam...
Matt 15:8 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and hounoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
Saturday, February 27, 2010
In all things, give thanks
Wussup fam!
Felt today is going to be a short and to the point post. The topic is on Thankfulness.
The bible declares that we should always give thanks unto God our Lord for his mercy, His benefits, and His loving kindness towards us. We should always have a praise on our lips; constantly meditating on his goodness towards us. I am not blind to the many struggles and issues of life that not only you, but myself encounter, that seemingly can give us all the reason to be displaced and downtrodden. I am not remissed the daily encounters with crazy co-workers, off family members, and simply people in general. These things really can drain the positivity out of a good day! I am simply saying that we are not to focus on the negative, but be thankful for what God has given you.
We should be thankful we have breath in our bodies! You should be thankful you have one friend God has blessed you with; that's one more than someone else may have! You should be thankful you're in school even though it feels like it's taking forever to graduate! Someone was not able to attend college or even finish their high school education for that matter. Be thankful for your health! We take this for granted, having the activity of our limbs and literally being in our right mind. Thank God for those Blessings! I really want to make it a point to thank God for the smallest things, because that shows that he was so mindful of me to provide the seemingly small blessings only to make my life a little more pleasurable.
So, take time to thank God for all he has done. The people he has brought into your life; and the ones he has taken out. The doors he opened and the ones he has closed. Remember God has your best interest at heart. He would never hold back any good thing for them who walk uprightly before Him. Thankfulness comes when we acknowledge and are able to realize how much our Great God has done; then will you know that nothing I have is because of me, but it is of the grace of God that bestowed his blessings toward me. How could I not humble myself to at least give thanks. On today, and from this day forth, I urge you to audibly thank God for something in your life He has provided. Gratitude is not just a word in our vocabulary, it is voluntary appreciation for what another has done for us. How much more should we be gracious onto the one who gave up his life, to save our own?
Psalms 84:11 (God wants you to receive good things!)
Psalms 35:18 (Others should know you're thankful)
Psalms 118:1 (Why we give God thanks)
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
Felt today is going to be a short and to the point post. The topic is on Thankfulness.
The bible declares that we should always give thanks unto God our Lord for his mercy, His benefits, and His loving kindness towards us. We should always have a praise on our lips; constantly meditating on his goodness towards us. I am not blind to the many struggles and issues of life that not only you, but myself encounter, that seemingly can give us all the reason to be displaced and downtrodden. I am not remissed the daily encounters with crazy co-workers, off family members, and simply people in general. These things really can drain the positivity out of a good day! I am simply saying that we are not to focus on the negative, but be thankful for what God has given you.
We should be thankful we have breath in our bodies! You should be thankful you have one friend God has blessed you with; that's one more than someone else may have! You should be thankful you're in school even though it feels like it's taking forever to graduate! Someone was not able to attend college or even finish their high school education for that matter. Be thankful for your health! We take this for granted, having the activity of our limbs and literally being in our right mind. Thank God for those Blessings! I really want to make it a point to thank God for the smallest things, because that shows that he was so mindful of me to provide the seemingly small blessings only to make my life a little more pleasurable.
So, take time to thank God for all he has done. The people he has brought into your life; and the ones he has taken out. The doors he opened and the ones he has closed. Remember God has your best interest at heart. He would never hold back any good thing for them who walk uprightly before Him. Thankfulness comes when we acknowledge and are able to realize how much our Great God has done; then will you know that nothing I have is because of me, but it is of the grace of God that bestowed his blessings toward me. How could I not humble myself to at least give thanks. On today, and from this day forth, I urge you to audibly thank God for something in your life He has provided. Gratitude is not just a word in our vocabulary, it is voluntary appreciation for what another has done for us. How much more should we be gracious onto the one who gave up his life, to save our own?
Psalms 84:11 (God wants you to receive good things!)
Psalms 35:18 (Others should know you're thankful)
Psalms 118:1 (Why we give God thanks)
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
Friday, February 26, 2010
I need a release!
Hey fam, sorry so late AGAIN with the post, but I had to do a favor for a friend and got stuck in crazy traffic. Nonetheless, the topic for today is about RELEASE.
In this season that a lot of people seem to be in, I hear everyone saying, "Man, I need a breakthrough", "I just need a release in my spirit!", and "It's 2010, it's my year for something NEW!". I hear this so much from people, I am almost getting irritated! I am really growing weary of people saying, "I need to leave Michigan, because I feel if I leave that things will be better for me" or even this, "I need to go to this conference, I hear prophetess so and so is preaching, or Bishop something or other will be ministering. I KNOW I'M GONNA GET MY BREAKTHROUGH TONIGHT!" This irks me to no end because these statements do nothing but tell me the amount of faith you have in God and are you really tapping into God's spirit that hopefully lives on the inside of you.
I find it difficult to believe that if you go to another place than where you are currently, that things will change for you. Why? Reason being, things aren't you're issue, YOU ARE. You can go to China for all I care, but guess what, your same self will follow you right over. We always think that the grass is always greener on the other side, but once we finally get over there, we find ourselves looking back over the fence wondering what did we leave over on the other side. The issue isn't your POSITION, it's your DISPOSITION! The area we are struggling in is LACK.
Lack is a powerful spirit that will attack the areas of your life that necessarily wasn't your fault to begin with. We suffer from a lack of commitment, due to a lack of discipline and examples of committed roll models in our life. We lack knowing how to loved or be loved, due to the fact that we lacked the love from ones that should have. It's a vicious cycle, because now due to someone dropping the ball with us, we now are lacking in areas of our lives, year in and year out hoping that the turn of a calendar from December to January would make this feeling magically disappear.
Well, God has a way of dealing with those lacking areas in our lives. His Holy Spirit and His love for us! When we are FULL of the Holy Ghost, we surrender the areas of lack in our lives and acknowledge we can not do it on our own, (because often times we tried so long, and the results are the same), and we need something to fill this void. I've been trying to fill with drugs, drinking, sex, uncommitted relationships, being the life of the party, when inside you're alone, Controling others so you can have a sense of power (wanting to be needed). The list can go on for ever. The spirit of Lack doesn't come alone, it brings others with it to deceive you into thinking that, "If I can just get a release, I'll be free." or "If I can just stop fornicating I'll be alright." Sorry to tell you, the sex, fornicating, drugs, all of these were just a cover for the real spirits. Spirit of Loneliness, Spirit of Abandonment, Spirit of Rejection/Dejection, and all that come with it.
These issues must be resolved at the root and yes, sometimes they may lead you into some digging into your past, your family history, associations, etc. But that seed has been planted and has rooted itself in your spirit and if it is not taken out by the root, it will come back again. That's why we need to allow God access to EVERY area of our lives! The secret things, the things you deny, and even those things you may have forgotten. Allow God to heal, comfort, and deliver you completely. You don't need to go across the country looking for the answer. The answer is will you allow God access in, to do the work in your life that could make all the difference? I am not saying going to certain church services are unnecessary, on the contrary, I believe that are very beneficial! I just know that God can meet you at your point of need RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE! It's a measure of your faith and if you believe He will do it? God is not confined to the 4 walls of your local church, so lets take him out into the world so people can see the true power of God through you! Your release is where you are. The question is, Where are YOU in your faith?
These are scriptures that coincide with this post; I encourage you all to look them up and allow God to minister to you through His word!
John 4:13-14 (Being satisfied)
Psalm 34:18, 51:17 (requirements of our heart. Humility has to set in)
John 14:26 (comfort)
Matt 6:14-15 (forgiving those who dropped the ball)
Heb 11:1 (what faith is)
Matt 9:27-29 (You level of faith is the key to deliverance!)
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God....You better be right"
In this season that a lot of people seem to be in, I hear everyone saying, "Man, I need a breakthrough", "I just need a release in my spirit!", and "It's 2010, it's my year for something NEW!". I hear this so much from people, I am almost getting irritated! I am really growing weary of people saying, "I need to leave Michigan, because I feel if I leave that things will be better for me" or even this, "I need to go to this conference, I hear prophetess so and so is preaching, or Bishop something or other will be ministering. I KNOW I'M GONNA GET MY BREAKTHROUGH TONIGHT!" This irks me to no end because these statements do nothing but tell me the amount of faith you have in God and are you really tapping into God's spirit that hopefully lives on the inside of you.
I find it difficult to believe that if you go to another place than where you are currently, that things will change for you. Why? Reason being, things aren't you're issue, YOU ARE. You can go to China for all I care, but guess what, your same self will follow you right over. We always think that the grass is always greener on the other side, but once we finally get over there, we find ourselves looking back over the fence wondering what did we leave over on the other side. The issue isn't your POSITION, it's your DISPOSITION! The area we are struggling in is LACK.
Lack is a powerful spirit that will attack the areas of your life that necessarily wasn't your fault to begin with. We suffer from a lack of commitment, due to a lack of discipline and examples of committed roll models in our life. We lack knowing how to loved or be loved, due to the fact that we lacked the love from ones that should have. It's a vicious cycle, because now due to someone dropping the ball with us, we now are lacking in areas of our lives, year in and year out hoping that the turn of a calendar from December to January would make this feeling magically disappear.
Well, God has a way of dealing with those lacking areas in our lives. His Holy Spirit and His love for us! When we are FULL of the Holy Ghost, we surrender the areas of lack in our lives and acknowledge we can not do it on our own, (because often times we tried so long, and the results are the same), and we need something to fill this void. I've been trying to fill with drugs, drinking, sex, uncommitted relationships, being the life of the party, when inside you're alone, Controling others so you can have a sense of power (wanting to be needed). The list can go on for ever. The spirit of Lack doesn't come alone, it brings others with it to deceive you into thinking that, "If I can just get a release, I'll be free." or "If I can just stop fornicating I'll be alright." Sorry to tell you, the sex, fornicating, drugs, all of these were just a cover for the real spirits. Spirit of Loneliness, Spirit of Abandonment, Spirit of Rejection/Dejection, and all that come with it.
These issues must be resolved at the root and yes, sometimes they may lead you into some digging into your past, your family history, associations, etc. But that seed has been planted and has rooted itself in your spirit and if it is not taken out by the root, it will come back again. That's why we need to allow God access to EVERY area of our lives! The secret things, the things you deny, and even those things you may have forgotten. Allow God to heal, comfort, and deliver you completely. You don't need to go across the country looking for the answer. The answer is will you allow God access in, to do the work in your life that could make all the difference? I am not saying going to certain church services are unnecessary, on the contrary, I believe that are very beneficial! I just know that God can meet you at your point of need RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE! It's a measure of your faith and if you believe He will do it? God is not confined to the 4 walls of your local church, so lets take him out into the world so people can see the true power of God through you! Your release is where you are. The question is, Where are YOU in your faith?
These are scriptures that coincide with this post; I encourage you all to look them up and allow God to minister to you through His word!
John 4:13-14 (Being satisfied)
Psalm 34:18, 51:17 (requirements of our heart. Humility has to set in)
John 14:26 (comfort)
Matt 6:14-15 (forgiving those who dropped the ball)
Heb 11:1 (what faith is)
Matt 9:27-29 (You level of faith is the key to deliverance!)
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God....You better be right"
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The words from my mouth
Hey guys, I felt today's topic should be centered around the words we say. We use possibly, millions of words in any given day depending on your amount of discourse with others, work, meetings you run, speeches we give, etc. But with all the words that are coming out of our mouths... are we really saying anything? The true WORD (Bible) said, "...The words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life." Jhn 6:63. So you know where I'm going right? If these are the words of Christ, and If Christ be in US, Why are we not speaking the same things?
With the power of words, God formed life from nothingness. He spoke and made ALL! His very words are LIFE! Literally! Often times, we people of God, fall short of the responsibility of our tongues. With great power, one should desire wisdom and discernment; just because we aren't being careful with the things we say, does not mean the power of life and death has left our mouths! After all, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Prov 18:21. Many people are elevated into their purposes or prevented from reaching their potential, all because of words that were spoken over their lives. Many people leaned on the words of encouragement one has offered; them remembering those words help them through a time of discouragement. Conversely, when faced with a challenge, one accounts for the disappointing words spoken to them and then they fail to reach the attainable goal due to remembering what someone said over them; allowing those words to govern their performance, attainment, and esteem level.
I see a false report the enemy has mass produced for the Children of God. A report of failure, "You are just like your parents, you will never be nothing, you can never move on from what happened", and the sad thing is, we should be trusting in the Truth (God's word and His spirit) as oppose to lies the enemy infringes upon God's people. How would you ever know if the thing spoken over your life is a lie or not if you are not familiar with God's truth?! That's why we must "Study to shew theyself approved; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Tim 2:15. You can never know what you're not until you know who you are! You are more than a conqueror! You are a friend of God! You are Loved by the God of ALL Love! You are so many things to God, but if you don't hear and believe his words, then anyone can tell you anything and you will once again believe in a lie. Promises are NOT made to be broken! "All the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Cor 1:20. God's word will last forever and his promises also. He said never to leave or forsake us, so don't allow the enemy words tell you you're in this by yourself.
In closing, we saints of God must be very careful what we say to one another! The word of God says "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart; and they defile the man."Matt 15:18. You were not just talking out the side of your neck, and no, you did mean what you said, because it was in your heart! There are no take backs with the words you say, that have already been released into the atmosphere. To resolve the words of death you spoke, you must speak again life! Reconcile, forgive, confess your faults one to another. There is healing in your words! Be careful with what you say, the word of God says, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business..." 1 Thes 4:11. We have to learn that just because we have the ability to speak, does not mean we ought to speak. "...I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me." Psa 39:1. If we allow God to control our tongue, we will be apt to speak life instead of death, restore, and not destroy, reconcile, and not divide, and encourage, and not discourage. We must allow God control over our most unruly member and bring it under subjection. Make the decision today to let God into your hearts; if there is a heart change I guarantee you will have something new to talk about.
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
With the power of words, God formed life from nothingness. He spoke and made ALL! His very words are LIFE! Literally! Often times, we people of God, fall short of the responsibility of our tongues. With great power, one should desire wisdom and discernment; just because we aren't being careful with the things we say, does not mean the power of life and death has left our mouths! After all, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Prov 18:21. Many people are elevated into their purposes or prevented from reaching their potential, all because of words that were spoken over their lives. Many people leaned on the words of encouragement one has offered; them remembering those words help them through a time of discouragement. Conversely, when faced with a challenge, one accounts for the disappointing words spoken to them and then they fail to reach the attainable goal due to remembering what someone said over them; allowing those words to govern their performance, attainment, and esteem level.
I see a false report the enemy has mass produced for the Children of God. A report of failure, "You are just like your parents, you will never be nothing, you can never move on from what happened", and the sad thing is, we should be trusting in the Truth (God's word and His spirit) as oppose to lies the enemy infringes upon God's people. How would you ever know if the thing spoken over your life is a lie or not if you are not familiar with God's truth?! That's why we must "Study to shew theyself approved; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Tim 2:15. You can never know what you're not until you know who you are! You are more than a conqueror! You are a friend of God! You are Loved by the God of ALL Love! You are so many things to God, but if you don't hear and believe his words, then anyone can tell you anything and you will once again believe in a lie. Promises are NOT made to be broken! "All the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Cor 1:20. God's word will last forever and his promises also. He said never to leave or forsake us, so don't allow the enemy words tell you you're in this by yourself.
In closing, we saints of God must be very careful what we say to one another! The word of God says "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart; and they defile the man."Matt 15:18. You were not just talking out the side of your neck, and no, you did mean what you said, because it was in your heart! There are no take backs with the words you say, that have already been released into the atmosphere. To resolve the words of death you spoke, you must speak again life! Reconcile, forgive, confess your faults one to another. There is healing in your words! Be careful with what you say, the word of God says, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business..." 1 Thes 4:11. We have to learn that just because we have the ability to speak, does not mean we ought to speak. "...I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me." Psa 39:1. If we allow God to control our tongue, we will be apt to speak life instead of death, restore, and not destroy, reconcile, and not divide, and encourage, and not discourage. We must allow God control over our most unruly member and bring it under subjection. Make the decision today to let God into your hearts; if there is a heart change I guarantee you will have something new to talk about.
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Lord, we need your help pt 2
Hey guys, This is will be the part 2 portion on the topic of restoration.
Last post we talked on how many people feel that the church has left them even more broken then that before that ever walked through the doors due to the feeling of condemnation, hurt felt from the people in church, and no one really able to be real with them about their current condition. We addressed how we are to be mindful of all of these things so we are not to be a stumbling block for people who really need healing.
This time around, I want to talk about a different dynamic. This time I want to touch on how does one go about being restored when the one who has been offended is saved and the person who cause the offense is saved also! Yes, different rules do apply! You can't expect a unsaved person to forgive, you can't expect them not to carry on in a certain manner, and for them not to defraud their brother and sister in Christ, why? Reason being they are not yet in Christ! We as born again believers are under accountability to the word of God (unbelievers are aslo), and the bad part about it is, WE KNOW THAT WE ARE, AND THEN CONTINUE IN OUR SAME BEHAVIOR as if we have not come into the knowledge of the truth!
I was talking to a few people, and this has to be the season for the saints passing blame amongst the saints. A lot of people are going through ridicule, abandonment, depression, heartache, isolation etc. all due to fellow Christians not adhering to the word of God. I thought about the scripture Therefore if thy bring thy gift to the altar, and rememberest that thou brother has ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."Matt 5:23-24 or even "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."James 5:16. These scriptures are the outlines on how we should handle disputes, offenses and misunderstandings in the body of Christ.
I wonder why God would put so much emphasis on loving one another and making sure we have this thing right. Case and point, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?". God doesn't seem to be playing around with the subject of offending another in his body, so again why are we so quick to walk according to the flesh and not after the spirit and not get things right with that individual. I mean, is it worth it to hold on to a grudge so long that it causes you not go to certain places, you cant watch the same shows on t.v., you can't even go to the same CHURCH anymore because you despise this person so much in your heart and it seems everything you do reminds you of them! Man, I always look at situations like this, "You may have put me through hell here on earth, but I will be foolish to carry on this way, and you cause me to go to hell after too!" I have to forgive!
Another reason God would have us to agree with our adversary quickly and move on, is because that allows just enough time for the enemy to come in and plant a root of bitterness, hatred, malice, wrath, and all that come with it. Now all of these deplorable spirits are deposited into you. And you wonder why you are having a bad day and nothing caused it. You have an attitude and are short with people for no reason. You are being vexed all because you have not denounced that spirit of pride and humbled yourself to make things right, even after that is what God commanded. Just think of how many souls you could be ministering to, people you can be witnessing to, and work that could be done, but your selfishness is now is affecting others who could be reached! This area is very dangerous because if we do not agree quickly and move on, you will be so deceived in thinking "I wasn't wrong. They did this to me!" or "I'm so done with them, I should have cut them off years ago!" that you begin to trust in your own mindset instead of asking God to show you yourself and letting him take control. You now are handed over to a carnal mind, and the word say that a carnal mind is enmity against God. You can even allow this unforgiveness to root so deply it can cause you be handed over to a reprobate mind! Sadly, there is not coming back from that, because you wont even have a mind to repent. Your bitterness and stubbornness have given you a false sense of accreditation, and has deceived you from understanding Gods word says you don't love God because of your actions. I'm sorry but if you don't love God, I find it hard to believe you can make it in to heaven. He said if you love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. Yes, there is more than 10! The whole bible is a commandment!
So to close, please don't allow the enemy to acquire your salvation by you being too prideful to make things right. No one is saying be the best of friends, hang around this person, be a couple once again. I am just saying abide by the word of God so there can be no blood on YOUR hands for rejecting the word of God; because that's all we are doing when we do something that is contrary to his word. We are rejecting Him, and causing sin to separate us from our source. Don't think that God honors foolishness like this. Just because things seem to be going well, doors opening, and new friends come along that God has forgotten that transgression. Matter of fact if all things are going well and you KNOW that you havent gotten things right, your spirit amn should be at full alert because it seems now as though the enemy has tried to blind you with desires and made you forget about reconciling! Remember nothing will be hid at the Great White Throne of Judgment, the books shall be open, and you will have to give an account. People are leaving this world like never before, sudden deaths, car accidents, etc. I just want to be right and make sure my God can say well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the rest of the Lord.
If you were to leave the world right now, what would be the words God says to you?
Be blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God....You better be right"
Last post we talked on how many people feel that the church has left them even more broken then that before that ever walked through the doors due to the feeling of condemnation, hurt felt from the people in church, and no one really able to be real with them about their current condition. We addressed how we are to be mindful of all of these things so we are not to be a stumbling block for people who really need healing.
This time around, I want to talk about a different dynamic. This time I want to touch on how does one go about being restored when the one who has been offended is saved and the person who cause the offense is saved also! Yes, different rules do apply! You can't expect a unsaved person to forgive, you can't expect them not to carry on in a certain manner, and for them not to defraud their brother and sister in Christ, why? Reason being they are not yet in Christ! We as born again believers are under accountability to the word of God (unbelievers are aslo), and the bad part about it is, WE KNOW THAT WE ARE, AND THEN CONTINUE IN OUR SAME BEHAVIOR as if we have not come into the knowledge of the truth!
I was talking to a few people, and this has to be the season for the saints passing blame amongst the saints. A lot of people are going through ridicule, abandonment, depression, heartache, isolation etc. all due to fellow Christians not adhering to the word of God. I thought about the scripture Therefore if thy bring thy gift to the altar, and rememberest that thou brother has ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."Matt 5:23-24 or even "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."James 5:16. These scriptures are the outlines on how we should handle disputes, offenses and misunderstandings in the body of Christ.
I wonder why God would put so much emphasis on loving one another and making sure we have this thing right. Case and point, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?". God doesn't seem to be playing around with the subject of offending another in his body, so again why are we so quick to walk according to the flesh and not after the spirit and not get things right with that individual. I mean, is it worth it to hold on to a grudge so long that it causes you not go to certain places, you cant watch the same shows on t.v., you can't even go to the same CHURCH anymore because you despise this person so much in your heart and it seems everything you do reminds you of them! Man, I always look at situations like this, "You may have put me through hell here on earth, but I will be foolish to carry on this way, and you cause me to go to hell after too!" I have to forgive!
Another reason God would have us to agree with our adversary quickly and move on, is because that allows just enough time for the enemy to come in and plant a root of bitterness, hatred, malice, wrath, and all that come with it. Now all of these deplorable spirits are deposited into you. And you wonder why you are having a bad day and nothing caused it. You have an attitude and are short with people for no reason. You are being vexed all because you have not denounced that spirit of pride and humbled yourself to make things right, even after that is what God commanded. Just think of how many souls you could be ministering to, people you can be witnessing to, and work that could be done, but your selfishness is now is affecting others who could be reached! This area is very dangerous because if we do not agree quickly and move on, you will be so deceived in thinking "I wasn't wrong. They did this to me!" or "I'm so done with them, I should have cut them off years ago!" that you begin to trust in your own mindset instead of asking God to show you yourself and letting him take control. You now are handed over to a carnal mind, and the word say that a carnal mind is enmity against God. You can even allow this unforgiveness to root so deply it can cause you be handed over to a reprobate mind! Sadly, there is not coming back from that, because you wont even have a mind to repent. Your bitterness and stubbornness have given you a false sense of accreditation, and has deceived you from understanding Gods word says you don't love God because of your actions. I'm sorry but if you don't love God, I find it hard to believe you can make it in to heaven. He said if you love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. Yes, there is more than 10! The whole bible is a commandment!
So to close, please don't allow the enemy to acquire your salvation by you being too prideful to make things right. No one is saying be the best of friends, hang around this person, be a couple once again. I am just saying abide by the word of God so there can be no blood on YOUR hands for rejecting the word of God; because that's all we are doing when we do something that is contrary to his word. We are rejecting Him, and causing sin to separate us from our source. Don't think that God honors foolishness like this. Just because things seem to be going well, doors opening, and new friends come along that God has forgotten that transgression. Matter of fact if all things are going well and you KNOW that you havent gotten things right, your spirit amn should be at full alert because it seems now as though the enemy has tried to blind you with desires and made you forget about reconciling! Remember nothing will be hid at the Great White Throne of Judgment, the books shall be open, and you will have to give an account. People are leaving this world like never before, sudden deaths, car accidents, etc. I just want to be right and make sure my God can say well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the rest of the Lord.
If you were to leave the world right now, what would be the words God says to you?
Be blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God....You better be right"
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Lord, we need your help pt 1
Hey Guys, Back again and really wanted to do a 2 part blog on the topic of Restoration.
I am really trying to see through the eyes of Christ and not religious traditions. By that I mean, we go to church Sunday in and Sunday out, even go to bible class. We linger around a fellowship with a few other saints and then we leave to go to our various homes. We even really received the word that went forth over the pulpit that spoke to our condition, but we leave the church all the same as when we came. I don't know about you, but I am tired of the people of God going through the motions and their needs not getting met. The blame can be placed in so many directions it's innumerable; but the only thing we must realize is who we are in control of, and that is ourselves.
Many times people are bound and desire to be set free but they don't have the liberty or the freedom to be completely transparent before another who is able to help them with their situation. We feel as if no one knows are precarious situation, we feel judgment will come followed by condemnation from the saints, and we even lack the faith and trust that God can 100% deliver you if you just would yield to Him. These are all excuses as to why people are still chained to situations.
We have to realize that this walk we are on is a faith walk. If we don't step out on faith, we will never know that God can honor his word! We must launch out in to the deep and allow God to perform surgery on our hearts, souls, and conditions. It's like wondering why a man standing next to you in the hospital in holding his bleeding arm? You say why are you here?! All this bleeding all over the place! Well, why would you be surprised if someone is in the hospital with a gun shot wound? Isn't this the place to get healed? Isn't this the place someone told them they could receive the help they needed? Where else would they go to get help for this very real problem? So, why do we do one another the same way when they come into the House of God needing to be restored, needing to be redeemed, and needing to be set free from their yoke of bondage? It's the same thing!
We need to be very careful on how we treat one another, because you can inflict more pain to a already wounded saint or sinner who is looking to be made whole by God. You may be the only God they see so it is your responsibility to restore them with meekness and love. It is your duty not to condemn them, but encourage them to become a better person and that they can live holy. It's simply your responsibility to love one another as Christ Loved the church. Never should someone not want to come to the place of healing for the fear that they will be hurt even more if they just stayed outside and continued to put a band aid on something that needed surgery. It's time to look past our finite thinking and get serious about reaching others and restoring them so they can be whole.
Be Blessed
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
I am really trying to see through the eyes of Christ and not religious traditions. By that I mean, we go to church Sunday in and Sunday out, even go to bible class. We linger around a fellowship with a few other saints and then we leave to go to our various homes. We even really received the word that went forth over the pulpit that spoke to our condition, but we leave the church all the same as when we came. I don't know about you, but I am tired of the people of God going through the motions and their needs not getting met. The blame can be placed in so many directions it's innumerable; but the only thing we must realize is who we are in control of, and that is ourselves.
Many times people are bound and desire to be set free but they don't have the liberty or the freedom to be completely transparent before another who is able to help them with their situation. We feel as if no one knows are precarious situation, we feel judgment will come followed by condemnation from the saints, and we even lack the faith and trust that God can 100% deliver you if you just would yield to Him. These are all excuses as to why people are still chained to situations.
We have to realize that this walk we are on is a faith walk. If we don't step out on faith, we will never know that God can honor his word! We must launch out in to the deep and allow God to perform surgery on our hearts, souls, and conditions. It's like wondering why a man standing next to you in the hospital in holding his bleeding arm? You say why are you here?! All this bleeding all over the place! Well, why would you be surprised if someone is in the hospital with a gun shot wound? Isn't this the place to get healed? Isn't this the place someone told them they could receive the help they needed? Where else would they go to get help for this very real problem? So, why do we do one another the same way when they come into the House of God needing to be restored, needing to be redeemed, and needing to be set free from their yoke of bondage? It's the same thing!
We need to be very careful on how we treat one another, because you can inflict more pain to a already wounded saint or sinner who is looking to be made whole by God. You may be the only God they see so it is your responsibility to restore them with meekness and love. It is your duty not to condemn them, but encourage them to become a better person and that they can live holy. It's simply your responsibility to love one another as Christ Loved the church. Never should someone not want to come to the place of healing for the fear that they will be hurt even more if they just stayed outside and continued to put a band aid on something that needed surgery. It's time to look past our finite thinking and get serious about reaching others and restoring them so they can be whole.
Be Blessed
"If you're living like there's no God...You better be right"
Sunday, February 21, 2010
He saw the BEST in me...
Man, today was a great day peeps! It started off soo slow though. I overslept, and honestly did not feel like teaching Sunday school, working the alter, or even going to my church home today! I just wanted a chill, me day; maybe visit another church and catch a little breather before the week started. My God, am I glad I got myself out of bed and headed to my church. I never knew what was to come!
Well, I taught Sunday School and it was cool, I actually felt led to talk about the condition of the church from my last blog to be honest. It must be what God wants His saints to know about, because everyone is teaching on it as of late. But as the service went forward, the minister was preaching on how, we as saints are not to apologize for our past. We don't owe anyone an explanation as to why did I, who I was with, when and where it happened. All you really need to know is that I am a new Creature and all things are passed away!
The message was so on point because a lot of times, God has forgiven us for our transgressions, forgotten about our faults, and have granted us the gift of repentance. But WE are the ones who can't forgive ourselves and if we have, we still allow others to dictate what I am allowed to do for Christ. "You know you shouldn't be singing in choir, didn't you JUST get back in the church?" "Is pastor really going to allow HIM to usher this Sunday? After how he did sister so-and so in fellowship hall last bible class?" Lol. It sounds funny, but honestly we allow peoples opinion of us supersede what God has already forgiven and freed you from. The word of God says, "There is no condemnation now, for those who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." We have to realize God hasn't come to condemn, but to redeem! Of course, being saved, we should know better than to let flesh lead us. But those who don't know Christ at all are the audience I am talking about. We can't be so heavenly bound that we are no eathly good and not realize, where they were, is where WE were not too far past! Dont forget, God saved your lying, fornicating, backbitting, reblling, unforgiving self just the same. So check yourself, before you think of checking someone else.
During alter call, a older gentleman comes to the alter and professes he wants to change and wants to be baptized. I immediately took him to the scriptures to make sure he knows what exactly he about to do. He agrees, so right away we get him changed and baptized him in Jesus name for the remission of his sins. He was crying before he even walked into the baptismal pool. After he was baptized, he came out, crying and said, "My old me is back there in that water, isn't it?" I started to tear up because, it made me think of my grandfather and how I saw him saying the same thing once he comes to be baptized in Jesus name. This gentleman told me he was tired of running. He has been doing it for years and it has gotten him no where. I need help to change. I witnessed to him about the baptism of the holy ghost and prayed with him that he receive Him.
I am still believing God with him, and it shall come to pass!
All this being said, we must not allow others to condemn you from being who God wants you to be. Yes, you have made mistakes. Yes, you may have rebelled. But God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. No longer do we need to be bound with what others think and perceive of us. Those people were not with you through your turmoil, your pain, and grief. Only God was. And it is nothing but the GRACE of God that you are here reading this today! It's because of His mercies that we are not consumed! Never let anyone tell you your past is so bad, or even tell yourself that, that God cant use you and you will never have a future in Him. God knows our end from our beginning, he saw the best in you when everyone could only see you at your worst and weakest state. Receive Him, and he will make you to be a mighty testimony; testifying that simply because he looked beyond all of my bad and saw me for what I was going to be, is the reason I stand before you all delivered, saved and whole.
Be Blessed.
"If you're living like there's no God...You had better be right"
Well, I taught Sunday School and it was cool, I actually felt led to talk about the condition of the church from my last blog to be honest. It must be what God wants His saints to know about, because everyone is teaching on it as of late. But as the service went forward, the minister was preaching on how, we as saints are not to apologize for our past. We don't owe anyone an explanation as to why did I, who I was with, when and where it happened. All you really need to know is that I am a new Creature and all things are passed away!
The message was so on point because a lot of times, God has forgiven us for our transgressions, forgotten about our faults, and have granted us the gift of repentance. But WE are the ones who can't forgive ourselves and if we have, we still allow others to dictate what I am allowed to do for Christ. "You know you shouldn't be singing in choir, didn't you JUST get back in the church?" "Is pastor really going to allow HIM to usher this Sunday? After how he did sister so-and so in fellowship hall last bible class?" Lol. It sounds funny, but honestly we allow peoples opinion of us supersede what God has already forgiven and freed you from. The word of God says, "There is no condemnation now, for those who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." We have to realize God hasn't come to condemn, but to redeem! Of course, being saved, we should know better than to let flesh lead us. But those who don't know Christ at all are the audience I am talking about. We can't be so heavenly bound that we are no eathly good and not realize, where they were, is where WE were not too far past! Dont forget, God saved your lying, fornicating, backbitting, reblling, unforgiving self just the same. So check yourself, before you think of checking someone else.
During alter call, a older gentleman comes to the alter and professes he wants to change and wants to be baptized. I immediately took him to the scriptures to make sure he knows what exactly he about to do. He agrees, so right away we get him changed and baptized him in Jesus name for the remission of his sins. He was crying before he even walked into the baptismal pool. After he was baptized, he came out, crying and said, "My old me is back there in that water, isn't it?" I started to tear up because, it made me think of my grandfather and how I saw him saying the same thing once he comes to be baptized in Jesus name. This gentleman told me he was tired of running. He has been doing it for years and it has gotten him no where. I need help to change. I witnessed to him about the baptism of the holy ghost and prayed with him that he receive Him.
I am still believing God with him, and it shall come to pass!
All this being said, we must not allow others to condemn you from being who God wants you to be. Yes, you have made mistakes. Yes, you may have rebelled. But God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. No longer do we need to be bound with what others think and perceive of us. Those people were not with you through your turmoil, your pain, and grief. Only God was. And it is nothing but the GRACE of God that you are here reading this today! It's because of His mercies that we are not consumed! Never let anyone tell you your past is so bad, or even tell yourself that, that God cant use you and you will never have a future in Him. God knows our end from our beginning, he saw the best in you when everyone could only see you at your worst and weakest state. Receive Him, and he will make you to be a mighty testimony; testifying that simply because he looked beyond all of my bad and saw me for what I was going to be, is the reason I stand before you all delivered, saved and whole.
Be Blessed.
"If you're living like there's no God...You had better be right"
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I shall count it all Joy!
The topic I wanted to touch on today was enduring life's trials. I went to a revival at my church last night, and when I say the preacher was confirming what has been in my spirit all yesterday left and right. I'm telling you God is speaking! The windows of heaven have not shut up, God is still dispensing his word for all who have a HEART to hear!
The Preacher touched on our wilderness experiences and how miracles can be found in our dry places. I don't know about any of you, but I have been through many a dry spells, desserts, valleys, and the list goes on. And to be honest, the very first thing I did was nothing new. The children of Israel specialized in it. COMPLAIN. I didn't necessary complain to to the point i said "Oh God, why me?!?!" "What did I do SOO wrong for me to be in this state". But it was the little things that I did that weren't even vocal! I would probably be a little sluggish, not smiling as much, not wanting to do a lot of things with people, cause of course NO ONE understands MY story(lol). I would be a silent narcissist. My actions depicted my disposition. My expression depicted my mood. And my behavior caused me not to show signs of God's goodness in all the earth. I said in the last post, "...We are seen and read of all men". People can see when you're have a bum day! People know when you are not yourself. If this behavior carries on, again, you proclaiming to be a Christian, now lends itself to characterization and attributes of what a Christian is. Sluggard, hopeless looking, and no Joy in sight. Brothers and sisters, we have to do better.
I was listening to the preacher and him bringing up familiar stories of Job and the three Hebrew boys, and I thought to myself. Man, these people were just servants of God. They were not appointed to any positions Pastor, Prophet, Missionary, etc during there trial. They just were servants. We modern day saints have been taught to "Ask and it shall be given" "God will give you the desires of your heart". We have begun to ask God for things and not realize the cost associated with our request. You asked God for patience, unknowing that that brings tribulation and trial (James 1:3). We asked God I want to be a pastor, unknowing that you will have to give an account of the souls in your watchcare. (Jer 23:1). We are covetous of another's anointing, and ask God to make us to sing like them, make me to preach like her, make me to be as giving as him. Little do we know that the oil (anointing) of the Lord comes through the pressing. In order for oil to permeate through the olive, it has to be squeezed, pressurized, to the point it begins to break open. The oil is so precious that it cant be purchased with monetary things. It must be acquired through blood, tears, brokenness, humility, and finally, allowing God then to remake you into his image.
In closing, I find that "It was good for me that I have been afflicted: that I may learn his statutes."(Psa 119:71). I would have never learned how to have character or integrity if I have never been through anything. If my parents always gave me what I asked for, where would I learn to appreciate the value of something I worked for? If there never been a dry spell, how would I learn not to be so careless with what God has blessed me with in the time of abundance and rain? With this is mind, we should all know that this faith walk is not for the faint of heart. If that was the case, more people would be adhering to it! "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death;" (Phil 3:10). Don't forget to be a CHRISTian, is to be CHRIST like. If he went through it, what makes us any different. Quit complaining! After all...this is what you asked for, right?
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God... You better be right"
The Preacher touched on our wilderness experiences and how miracles can be found in our dry places. I don't know about any of you, but I have been through many a dry spells, desserts, valleys, and the list goes on. And to be honest, the very first thing I did was nothing new. The children of Israel specialized in it. COMPLAIN. I didn't necessary complain to to the point i said "Oh God, why me?!?!" "What did I do SOO wrong for me to be in this state". But it was the little things that I did that weren't even vocal! I would probably be a little sluggish, not smiling as much, not wanting to do a lot of things with people, cause of course NO ONE understands MY story(lol). I would be a silent narcissist. My actions depicted my disposition. My expression depicted my mood. And my behavior caused me not to show signs of God's goodness in all the earth. I said in the last post, "...We are seen and read of all men". People can see when you're have a bum day! People know when you are not yourself. If this behavior carries on, again, you proclaiming to be a Christian, now lends itself to characterization and attributes of what a Christian is. Sluggard, hopeless looking, and no Joy in sight. Brothers and sisters, we have to do better.
I was listening to the preacher and him bringing up familiar stories of Job and the three Hebrew boys, and I thought to myself. Man, these people were just servants of God. They were not appointed to any positions Pastor, Prophet, Missionary, etc during there trial. They just were servants. We modern day saints have been taught to "Ask and it shall be given" "God will give you the desires of your heart". We have begun to ask God for things and not realize the cost associated with our request. You asked God for patience, unknowing that that brings tribulation and trial (James 1:3). We asked God I want to be a pastor, unknowing that you will have to give an account of the souls in your watchcare. (Jer 23:1). We are covetous of another's anointing, and ask God to make us to sing like them, make me to preach like her, make me to be as giving as him. Little do we know that the oil (anointing) of the Lord comes through the pressing. In order for oil to permeate through the olive, it has to be squeezed, pressurized, to the point it begins to break open. The oil is so precious that it cant be purchased with monetary things. It must be acquired through blood, tears, brokenness, humility, and finally, allowing God then to remake you into his image.
In closing, I find that "It was good for me that I have been afflicted: that I may learn his statutes."(Psa 119:71). I would have never learned how to have character or integrity if I have never been through anything. If my parents always gave me what I asked for, where would I learn to appreciate the value of something I worked for? If there never been a dry spell, how would I learn not to be so careless with what God has blessed me with in the time of abundance and rain? With this is mind, we should all know that this faith walk is not for the faint of heart. If that was the case, more people would be adhering to it! "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death;" (Phil 3:10). Don't forget to be a CHRISTian, is to be CHRIST like. If he went through it, what makes us any different. Quit complaining! After all...this is what you asked for, right?
Be Blessed...
"If you're living like there's no God... You better be right"
Friday, February 19, 2010
Holiness is right!!!
Sorry So late guys, I had to work early this morning.
But I indeed have a topic and word I believe that will hopefully impact and cause all of us to examine ourselves. While reading have your bible handy or go to http://www.blueletterbible.com/, to read the scriptures provided.
I was asked by a good friend of mine the other day, what seems to be the condition of Churches today? Where, if anywhere, have we the "Church", dropped the ball? After all, didn't God ordain the Church? We know that nothing God does is inadequate or sub par. In fact, everything that God creates, he deems it to be good according to the word. But, the evermore pressing question to myself is why does a supposedly saved individual, who is apart of the church and another saved individual, have different view points of our condition? If we are apart of the same body, shouldn't we both know if we broke our leg? Why isn't there consistency when we know our God isn't the author of confusion?
I plan to give my observation and downright opinion on these things and hope you all do the same!
I look around the world today and I see a lot of things that one should not be alarmed about. For instance, I see men and women having a casual conversation, every other word are expletives and there's nothing wrong. I see a couple walking down the street holding hands, seemingly in love, but yet they are both female. I see A bar on every corner catering to individuals Friday and Saturday night schedules, inducing a good time with music, "spirits", and dancing. This is just the normal day walking down the street in any city in the United States. So, why am I surprised? Why would I raise a eyebrow at this type of behavior when I know we are living in the last days and under the dispensation of Laodecan Church according to Rev 3:14-22.
My surprise doesn't come from the world, sadly.... it comes from the Church. Reason being, we, the blood bought, regenerated, redeemed, baptized in His name, Holy Ghost filled, are now, "Having a form of godliness, and denying the power thereof". 2 Tim 3:15. We have not kept a standard of holiness nor sanctification, but have allowed ourselves to be moved with every wind of doctrine. (Eph 4:14). We have succumbed to the wiles of the enemy and now are even defending his agenda, but yet and still call our selves Christians through it all!!! Not realizing we have been nothing but pawns in the game of the Devil; deceiving and being deceived all in the same breath. I find it hard to believe that you are being led of the spirit of the living God (Rom 8:14) and you are still fornicating. I find it difficult to believe the holy Ghost is leading you in to all truth (John 16:13) when you constantly mishandle the scriptures to quench your own wicked desires and justify you transgressions. I find it disheartening to know you are guiding yourself to what you will to do and then,expecting God to honor your disobedience, when in order to be Christ's disciple you must DENY YOURSELF, PICK UP YOUR CROSS, and THEN FOLLOW HIM. (Matt 16:24).
What has happened is that we are not being wise and winning souls, we are being wise in our own eyes (Prov 3:7, Isa 5:21), and being blinded by our own motives and desires. We think that since things are going our way, we must not be doing too bad. God is still blessing me, right? (1 Tim 6:5-6). Many say,"You're just being overly critical. I cant stand you judgmental (saints). Jesus still loves me as I AM !" If we would look at the word, we would know that WE ARE TO JUDGE ONE ANOTHER!!! Judgement BEGINS at the house of God! (1 Pet 4:17). How else will we know them, except by their fruit. (Matt 12:33). No, not to condemn our brothers and sisters, but admonish in love that we have got to finish this course with joy (Acts 20:24) because only those who make it til the end shall be saved!! (Matt 10:22).
I played all kinds of sports in high school. I played football, track, indoor track, and wrestling. I remember I had a coach who used to run me ragged. Really ticked me right on off to be honest, lol. He was ALWAYS finding fault in myself; even though my stats, my teammates, and myself reflected that I was doing really good. My coach didn't see me as I was, but what I was going to be. He saw me greater than what I was right then, even though I thought I was content with my CURRENT performance. Everyone thinks they are alright until a different light is shed on them. So, IN OBEDIENCE, I worked on my foot drills, got lower to the ground playing defense, got my speed up. It resulted in me getting scouted out by universities and being offered full ride scholarships. I could have never went as far as I did in sports, without someone "accountable" for me and pushing me to do better. IN COMES THE HOLY GHOST. That's what it is for. (a major portion), to lead and direct us. It will never force us to do anything! I could have told my coach a few choice words and walked off the filed. But I stayed, took the direction, the rebuke, and eventually the prize, now being offered scholarships to multiple universities and colleges. God wants us to endure to the end. Don't grieve the holy Ghost, submit to His direction and I guarantee it will result in you receiving the best prize of all.
In closing, I Admonish my fellow saints of the most high God, if we would only allow God to purge, correct, restore, and lead us, it can only be for our good. I've given a lot of scriptures, so I wont give much more in this post (any questions on said scriptures, please comment or email, I will take the time to go through the word with you!), but we need to understand there should be a clear line of demarcation from the world and the church. I should not be drawing the youth in with rap and r & b stars from the world. I should not be allowing wickedness to go on IN the House of God. I should not allow any unclean thing separate me from the love of God. Don't we trust God enough to give you the ability, ingenuity, and creativeness to reach souls? Trust Him more, He can do it! He always has. Don't be afraid to tell someone the truth IN LOVE!!!! Never condemn, but care for them enough to correct them. The last thing you want is for yourself or a loved one not make it to heaven because they weren't restored. No man is a island all his or her own, we need one another and it's your responsibility to everyone brother and sister to keep each other accountable.
But I indeed have a topic and word I believe that will hopefully impact and cause all of us to examine ourselves. While reading have your bible handy or go to http://www.blueletterbible.com/, to read the scriptures provided.
I was asked by a good friend of mine the other day, what seems to be the condition of Churches today? Where, if anywhere, have we the "Church", dropped the ball? After all, didn't God ordain the Church? We know that nothing God does is inadequate or sub par. In fact, everything that God creates, he deems it to be good according to the word. But, the evermore pressing question to myself is why does a supposedly saved individual, who is apart of the church and another saved individual, have different view points of our condition? If we are apart of the same body, shouldn't we both know if we broke our leg? Why isn't there consistency when we know our God isn't the author of confusion?
I plan to give my observation and downright opinion on these things and hope you all do the same!
I look around the world today and I see a lot of things that one should not be alarmed about. For instance, I see men and women having a casual conversation, every other word are expletives and there's nothing wrong. I see a couple walking down the street holding hands, seemingly in love, but yet they are both female. I see A bar on every corner catering to individuals Friday and Saturday night schedules, inducing a good time with music, "spirits", and dancing. This is just the normal day walking down the street in any city in the United States. So, why am I surprised? Why would I raise a eyebrow at this type of behavior when I know we are living in the last days and under the dispensation of Laodecan Church according to Rev 3:14-22.
My surprise doesn't come from the world, sadly.... it comes from the Church. Reason being, we, the blood bought, regenerated, redeemed, baptized in His name, Holy Ghost filled, are now, "Having a form of godliness, and denying the power thereof". 2 Tim 3:15. We have not kept a standard of holiness nor sanctification, but have allowed ourselves to be moved with every wind of doctrine. (Eph 4:14). We have succumbed to the wiles of the enemy and now are even defending his agenda, but yet and still call our selves Christians through it all!!! Not realizing we have been nothing but pawns in the game of the Devil; deceiving and being deceived all in the same breath. I find it hard to believe that you are being led of the spirit of the living God (Rom 8:14) and you are still fornicating. I find it difficult to believe the holy Ghost is leading you in to all truth (John 16:13) when you constantly mishandle the scriptures to quench your own wicked desires and justify you transgressions. I find it disheartening to know you are guiding yourself to what you will to do and then,expecting God to honor your disobedience, when in order to be Christ's disciple you must DENY YOURSELF, PICK UP YOUR CROSS, and THEN FOLLOW HIM. (Matt 16:24).
What has happened is that we are not being wise and winning souls, we are being wise in our own eyes (Prov 3:7, Isa 5:21), and being blinded by our own motives and desires. We think that since things are going our way, we must not be doing too bad. God is still blessing me, right? (1 Tim 6:5-6). Many say,"You're just being overly critical. I cant stand you judgmental (saints). Jesus still loves me as I AM !" If we would look at the word, we would know that WE ARE TO JUDGE ONE ANOTHER!!! Judgement BEGINS at the house of God! (1 Pet 4:17). How else will we know them, except by their fruit. (Matt 12:33). No, not to condemn our brothers and sisters, but admonish in love that we have got to finish this course with joy (Acts 20:24) because only those who make it til the end shall be saved!! (Matt 10:22).
I played all kinds of sports in high school. I played football, track, indoor track, and wrestling. I remember I had a coach who used to run me ragged. Really ticked me right on off to be honest, lol. He was ALWAYS finding fault in myself; even though my stats, my teammates, and myself reflected that I was doing really good. My coach didn't see me as I was, but what I was going to be. He saw me greater than what I was right then, even though I thought I was content with my CURRENT performance. Everyone thinks they are alright until a different light is shed on them. So, IN OBEDIENCE, I worked on my foot drills, got lower to the ground playing defense, got my speed up. It resulted in me getting scouted out by universities and being offered full ride scholarships. I could have never went as far as I did in sports, without someone "accountable" for me and pushing me to do better. IN COMES THE HOLY GHOST. That's what it is for. (a major portion), to lead and direct us. It will never force us to do anything! I could have told my coach a few choice words and walked off the filed. But I stayed, took the direction, the rebuke, and eventually the prize, now being offered scholarships to multiple universities and colleges. God wants us to endure to the end. Don't grieve the holy Ghost, submit to His direction and I guarantee it will result in you receiving the best prize of all.
In closing, I Admonish my fellow saints of the most high God, if we would only allow God to purge, correct, restore, and lead us, it can only be for our good. I've given a lot of scriptures, so I wont give much more in this post (any questions on said scriptures, please comment or email, I will take the time to go through the word with you!), but we need to understand there should be a clear line of demarcation from the world and the church. I should not be drawing the youth in with rap and r & b stars from the world. I should not be allowing wickedness to go on IN the House of God. I should not allow any unclean thing separate me from the love of God. Don't we trust God enough to give you the ability, ingenuity, and creativeness to reach souls? Trust Him more, He can do it! He always has. Don't be afraid to tell someone the truth IN LOVE!!!! Never condemn, but care for them enough to correct them. The last thing you want is for yourself or a loved one not make it to heaven because they weren't restored. No man is a island all his or her own, we need one another and it's your responsibility to everyone brother and sister to keep each other accountable.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Out growing the familiar
Hey guys, this kind of hit me as I got off of work tonight. As talked about in the last post, We have allowed God to mold us, take control of our situations, and depended on Him to be our source and not another. Well, as all things do, they must come to an end. I was hoping that this article would not contradict the previous, but like growing, stages are reached. You have to know when to hold on and when to let go. I realized that this in itself isn't the problem. We know how to cut lose and we know when to hold out for something. The issue is the order and timing of what we know how to do oh so well. This article will touch on letting go...
When I was younger, I loved to ride my shiny red huffy (yes, huffy), bike. It was my prized possession! After riding around the world and back again over time, It was time to make some changes. I knew it was time to take my training wheels off my bike because I knew good and well I could ride with two wheels, hey, even with no hands! (yea, I'm sweet...) But, when the time came for my dad to take off my training wheels, I was really hesitant. I mean for what! They were there when I first started to ride my bike. They were with me when I fell down. They were with me where I explored the strange terrain I called the whole wide world... or maybe just my street corner and back. But hey, they were there with me for the entire ride. Why would I want to let them go now, when everything in me finds comfort in them being by my side, even if their purpose has been fulfilled??...
I liken this to 1 cor 13:11. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." This scripture talks about growth in more ways then one. It hits on natural growth and how after a certain time has elapsed, a young man should now be moving in to the office of a Man, and eventually the priest of his own house. I can't as a man, possibly lead my children, my wife as head of the household when I am still holding on to things that served their purpose in times past. Not only and I immature in my thinking, but also in my decision making. I am now delaying my spiritual growth for my children, my wife and myself due to my inability to let go of the familiar! In fact, holding on to certain things can cause spiritual death! Naturally, I like chicken salads. I like mixing all kinds of fruit and other stuff into it, grilling up some chicken, ya know the works. But after a few weeks of that unused salad sitting in the fridge not only does it begin to wilt, but it begins to rot. It's now affecting everything in its vicinity and now everything is spoiled; all because I haven't let go of something that I really liked. This is regardless of all the signs that pointed to letting it go! Now everything has to be discarded. Me not acting soon enough not only contaminated what i really liked, but now other things are affected by me holding out when it was simply time to let go. My negligence to get rid of the source of contamination, has now lead to all surrounding things to become bitter, bland, and dead. But I'm still holding on...
Look at Ananais and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11. They were willing to sell their goods. Sure, even give some of the money to the rest of the church, but what did they do? They withheld part of the price. This little area of disobedience and lack faith, literally caused God to kill them both. The reality is that God killed them both for holding back the things they were not willing to let go.
What areas of our lives are we not allowing God complete control over? Am I like a child not willing to part with something that has well passed it prime and purpose in my life? Or am I like Ananais and Sapphira, compromising. Picking and choosing what I deem is necessary for me to give up and to keep. Telling God His word doesn't completely apply to me because there is no way He would want me to give that up. No way! Right? The word says, "There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death". Prov 14:12. The last thing I want to hear my God say to me is that yes, you are filled with my spirit, yes, you've done many miracles in my name, and yes, you won many souls for my kingdom. But, out of everything you've done for me and given me, the one thing I desired from you and required, is the one thing you just would never relinquish. Your will. God wants us to be his hands and feet here on the earth. He desires for us to give up ourselves for Him. That's why we are a LIVING sacrifice! Offering our life, will, and ways unto God so he may LEAD us into a more perfect way.
Don't let your inability to let go, cause for a inability to see God's face in peace.
I hope this encourages us all to let go, and simply let God.
Be Blessed...
When I was younger, I loved to ride my shiny red huffy (yes, huffy), bike. It was my prized possession! After riding around the world and back again over time, It was time to make some changes. I knew it was time to take my training wheels off my bike because I knew good and well I could ride with two wheels, hey, even with no hands! (yea, I'm sweet...) But, when the time came for my dad to take off my training wheels, I was really hesitant. I mean for what! They were there when I first started to ride my bike. They were with me when I fell down. They were with me where I explored the strange terrain I called the whole wide world... or maybe just my street corner and back. But hey, they were there with me for the entire ride. Why would I want to let them go now, when everything in me finds comfort in them being by my side, even if their purpose has been fulfilled??...
I liken this to 1 cor 13:11. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." This scripture talks about growth in more ways then one. It hits on natural growth and how after a certain time has elapsed, a young man should now be moving in to the office of a Man, and eventually the priest of his own house. I can't as a man, possibly lead my children, my wife as head of the household when I am still holding on to things that served their purpose in times past. Not only and I immature in my thinking, but also in my decision making. I am now delaying my spiritual growth for my children, my wife and myself due to my inability to let go of the familiar! In fact, holding on to certain things can cause spiritual death! Naturally, I like chicken salads. I like mixing all kinds of fruit and other stuff into it, grilling up some chicken, ya know the works. But after a few weeks of that unused salad sitting in the fridge not only does it begin to wilt, but it begins to rot. It's now affecting everything in its vicinity and now everything is spoiled; all because I haven't let go of something that I really liked. This is regardless of all the signs that pointed to letting it go! Now everything has to be discarded. Me not acting soon enough not only contaminated what i really liked, but now other things are affected by me holding out when it was simply time to let go. My negligence to get rid of the source of contamination, has now lead to all surrounding things to become bitter, bland, and dead. But I'm still holding on...
Look at Ananais and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11. They were willing to sell their goods. Sure, even give some of the money to the rest of the church, but what did they do? They withheld part of the price. This little area of disobedience and lack faith, literally caused God to kill them both. The reality is that God killed them both for holding back the things they were not willing to let go.
What areas of our lives are we not allowing God complete control over? Am I like a child not willing to part with something that has well passed it prime and purpose in my life? Or am I like Ananais and Sapphira, compromising. Picking and choosing what I deem is necessary for me to give up and to keep. Telling God His word doesn't completely apply to me because there is no way He would want me to give that up. No way! Right? The word says, "There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death". Prov 14:12. The last thing I want to hear my God say to me is that yes, you are filled with my spirit, yes, you've done many miracles in my name, and yes, you won many souls for my kingdom. But, out of everything you've done for me and given me, the one thing I desired from you and required, is the one thing you just would never relinquish. Your will. God wants us to be his hands and feet here on the earth. He desires for us to give up ourselves for Him. That's why we are a LIVING sacrifice! Offering our life, will, and ways unto God so he may LEAD us into a more perfect way.
Don't let your inability to let go, cause for a inability to see God's face in peace.
I hope this encourages us all to let go, and simply let God.
Be Blessed...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
First of many..
I thought I would center my theme around the confines of growth. I figure you are either on the bus or left behind for the most part. Growth is so subjective it's crazy! Some people may define growth as making progress in a once dormant area of your life. Some may consider making it from one year to the next. Well, the bible outlines that spiritual growth is very important. This may not be associated with living years on end or even progressing away from said instances in your life that may have caused you to falter. But growth is given through God's spirit, His wisdom, and your ability to allow the potter to make, break, mold, and take control of your life.
Throughout the bible we see many examples of how God did NOT deliver people and move things out of their way. What?! YES! Wouldn't one want to grow past all the negativity and toss up two fingers and say, "thats 5 years ago me, not today me. I'm over it and I don't have time to deal with that." Sounds mature right? But when I search the scriptures, I look at many times God allowed his people to stay in the face of adversity; not to torment, or play some cruel joke. But for his glory to be made manifest not only for them but for others. You see his word also states thay the overcame by the blood of the lamb and the words of thy testimony. You are living someones deliverance because like or not, you are being seen and read of all men! Since when did this thing become about us anyway, as so much as it is about winning people for Christ? I look at the three Hebrews boys and how God was WITH them in the fire. I look at Paul and how he was being buffeted thrice by the enemy, and God said His grace is sufficiant. I even look at His promises he has fulfilled. To give us a comforter (the Holy Ghost). Think about it, why would we need a comforter to comfort us, if we didnt have to go through some things? That right there should let every beleiver know we are gonna endure hardness as a good soldier!
I resolve that growth again is not an age requirement, or what we have overcome, but learning to deal with the issues of life as they come, letting God's spirit comfort us, leading us to his truth, and giving us the grace to go through it so men can see our good works (cause we should have some) and glorify our Father which is in heaven. Just a thought for today. Don't be afraid to tell people to "grow up!"It could be the best advice you could ever give.
Be Blessed...
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