About Jesus C.O.U.sins

Monday, August 31, 2009

Let Them Watch


Today when I woke I, I peered out the window only to find a dark grey sky and rain falling from it. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't mind the rain. Its great sleep and watch tv weather. However, its Monday. No time for the sleep, no time for the TV. I have to work. I am self employeed which means I have to go three times harder to make my money, so taking an off day could hurt my pockets. No off time. This brings up a good point, there should be no off time when being a Christian.
Being a Christian and maintaining your morals and values assoiciated with that should be a twenty four/ seven gig. There is no down time when being a Christian. I have learned that since publically declaring my beliefs the magnifine glass belonging to haters have been pointed in my direction. I am not the poster child of Christianity by no means, but that doesn't stop people from watching my actions extra close. I am sure they are waiting for the opportunity to say "Did you see DFitz, she....and she claims to be a Christian." I laugh to my self about it instead of letting it stress me out. I also keep my eyes on God and doing what He would have me to do in life and not worry about who is watching.
I have learned from reading past scriptures that the close eye of the unbelievers is what God wants. They so busy waiting for you to fail or slip up, that they are actually being a witness to God's power in your life. Let them watch, that way when you get ready to tell the story, they wont be able to say its not true. Why? Because they were watching your every move and they saw you rise for themselves.
Second Kings chapter two is a great example of an "all eyes on you" situation. I encouarge the read strongly so you can get the full effect.
2 Kings 2:10
10 "That's a hard one!" said Elijah. "But if you're watching when I'm taken from you, you'll get what you've asked for. But only if you're watching."

What was happening was God was going to take Elijah straight to heaven and everyone knew it. He was hanging with Elisha up to the time God came for him. Elisha and everyone else was waiting to see if God was really going to take Elijah up to heaven. Sure enough he did, while everyone was watching. After Elijah was gone, the eyes focused on Elisha. Sure enough, with all eyes watching, God moved again proving who He is.
Dont worry about the people watching your every move. Be flattered. Use it as motivation. I know I do. I have someone watching me now that thinks I will not make it. I need that though. Remember to keep your intention pure nevertheless. Dont do it to prove anything to someone on this Earth, do it to glorify God. No one on this earth has a heaven or hell to put you in. Until next time...


Friday, August 28, 2009

Tell Your Stroy


I find it funny how people like to keep it a secret about what God has done in their lives. Many times, they would prefer to keep this persona like everything is going good, like life is great, when all actuality he/she probably just came out of a major situation. Instead of telling someone about it, maybe be a witness or provide motivation, you keep it to your self. You loose cool points when people think you never experienced anything before, they will just passover you feeling that you are not aware of how it feels to suffer.
I know a guy that loves to make people believe his life is just wonderful. However, when you are going through things, whether you want to show it or not, there are tell tell signs. Anyway, he appeared to be falling apart while trying to hold everything together. My vision is clear and I have lived enough of life to be able to tell when someone is having problems. Well, instead of admitting life wasn't all that grand, he would lie about why his car was taken, he would lie about his "balla" status when clearly he was working in the same dress shirt, slacks, and a pair of run over shoes for the pass five months (just to clarify, I'm not making jokes, I'm only pointing out the signs). He rarely smiled, and the once stand up guy was now just doing any ole thing to make money, including scamming those around him. I knew something was up, but maybe he felt like if he told, we would loose respect. Until this day, he will not tell "whats really going on".
We all struggle sometimes. These situations humble us, make us stronger, and we learn life lessons. These situations are also meant to help other people while you going through and when you come out of it. Let your situation become a witness for what God can do and how God can change your life. Its time to stop worrying about what people will think. There are "mad haters" everywhere waiting to see you fail. However, there are just as more people who need an encouraging word. Who need to see you still smiling in the mist of it all. BE A WITNESS FOR THE LORD.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

We all know no one is perfect, so stop trying to be. People laugh at those who "fake it". If they aren't laughing, then they are at the water cooler discussing it. Tell your story, let people know how far you come. Don't keep it to your self. Feel free to use my blog and tell your story about either what you are going through now, or what you have gone through in life. I am not ashamed to tell mine...are you?
Until next time...


Thursday, August 27, 2009

My Walk Ain't Easy


Yesterday I type my status on my facebook as "blank mode". To some that means that you are about to go off and just get wild and crazy. The way I meant it yesterday was I was feeling a way that I could not understand. I was feeling an emotion that I could not describe. For some reason, I thought that my walk would Jesus meant life would get easier and all my problems would disappear. It really seems like things got harder. Its harder to do the right thing. I started thinking to my self why am I having so much trouble walking the straight and narrow.
I am fully aware that doing the right thing has to be habitual. There are a lot of bad habits I have to rid myself of and it wont happen over night. I believe the hard part is not doing the right thing, the hard part is refraining from doing the wrong thing. I can be honest and say I am not a person who just bask in wrongness, I am completely aware of right and wrong and majority of my life I have choose whats right. That's why I am not married and don't have any children right now. I figure the reason why I may be having trouble with my walk with Jesus is because I haven't let some old habits die.
Ephesians 4

17 -19And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.

20 -24But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.


These verses say it all. In order to really walk with Jesus you have to be willing to turn over a completely new leaf. You cant straddle the fence. Even as children playing we know that straddling the fence is not an easy thing to do. You have to really work at it. I found it easier to choose one side and stick to it. I figure that I really need to just let all that is bad about me go and be a better Christian. I am not perfect, but that is where prayer comes in. It is now my prayer that God removes all that is bad within me so that my walk with Him doesn't seem so difficult. I'm sure that being on Jesus team is not hard. Its the conditioning and the training and the diet that I need to get use to. Until next time...


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I Love to EAT



The Bible tells us many times gluttony can lead to bad things. In our society today, many battle obesity, many battle heart issues, many battle self esteem issues, and many battle high cholesterol issues. Gluttony also effects families. Its such an ignored sin that many families are destroyed and wouldn't even site gluttony as the reason. We all know how we feel after eating. My friends and I call it "that itis". The feeling you get where you are tired, you slow down, and you dont want to do much of anything. At this time, the devil knows that your guard is down and uses that as an opportunity to strike.
Proverbs 23:19-21

19 -21 Oh listen, dear child—become wise;
point your life in the right direction. Don't drink too much wine and get drunk;
don't eat too much food and get fat. Drunks and gluttons will end up on skid row,
in a stupor and dressed in rags.


In the scripture above we are not only warned about eating too much, but drinking too much as well. I do want to point out in this scripture that it does not say don't eat or don't drink wine, it says don't drink or eat too much. Doing too much of these things take your mind off of what is important. Eating too much takes you to a low point and the devil will do whatever is neccesarry to keep you there. I see many people big and small who just over do it daily. They find delight and comfort in eating. If this sounds like you or someone you know, I encourage you to introduce them to someone who is much more fullfilling than anything on Taco Bell's menu. Jesus Christ
Jesus does not cause heart problems, extreme weight gain, diabetes, and/or eating disorders. He gives life, not take it away. Many who know me and read this may ask why I even wrote about this. Its not a personal issue with me, nor my immediate family. We are all pretty much health freaks. I do however, have friends, cousins, aunts, and uncles who need to be more careful with how they eating. It is important to remember eat until you get full then stop. Dont just eat because it is there. Too much eating can keep you from receiving blessings God has in store.
There is a show on Oxygen called "Dance you A** Off". I love that show because it forces them to take their mind off the food and really take a look at their self and what they have done to their lives. We all need to put down the hamburgers and take a look at whats really going on with our relationship with God. For some people, it is alcohol, for some its sex, for others it is eating. This should not be ignored!
Until next time...


Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Perfect Peace


I woke up this morning with my eyes and my heart wide open. I am in submissive mode fully. An open vessel for a lack of a better term. There was peace over my life as I woke to the sun rays dancing all over my face. It just seems like God was telling me, everything is going to be fine. I truly believe it. I believe I achieved a perfect peace. I have always heard about, "perfect peace". I never sought it out though, I just assumed that it was just something that overtook you out of no where and for a brief moment, you could experience a euphoric experience. Then I begin to think, I never even heard of "perfect peace" being in the Bible. Of course this caused for some serious Bible study.
Found it!
Issiah 26:3
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee"
Achieving Perfect Peace is when you no longer seek contentment with the world's material gifts. Its when all your focus is on the Lord. Its when you have laid down your burdens. Its when you are no longer worrying how this bill, or that bill will get paid. Its when you are solely and completely into God and you are truly delighted. Its hard to really put into words how I was feeling this morning, but I can say that I had that "I'm free" feel. I felt like I could glide if I wanted to.
My guard was let down and all the questions I been asking God for the pass month ofrso has been answered. I am truly excited about what God is about to do in my life. I am not sure if this feeling is maintainable, or if it comes and goes as it wishes, but it sure does feel good. I say try the Lord. We are in a time in life and in our economy that smiles are seriously hard to come by. The "here today and gone tomorrow" saying has been proven true for a lot of families. Whether it be the lost of a father or mother, son or daughter or mate to the war, loss of a job, house, car, loss of money, loss of faith. The time has come to seek contentment in something more stable and more reliable.
I dare you to try Jesus. Open your heart to the possiblity of perfect peace. It feels so good. Better than any massage, alcoholic buzz, or sexual sensation. Try it for your self.
Here is a website that futher expalins perfect peace, they did a better job than me. http://www.eternallifeministries.org/awp_peace.htm
Until Next time....


Monday, August 24, 2009

I just wanna be...successful


In the hip hop world, one of the most popular rappers to hit the scene is Drake. I am indeed a fan of his music. I believe what I am attracted to the most is his delivery and the lyrical content. I listen to the way he puts his words together to paint a picture. Many can't appreciate that if you are not truly a writer. He has this one song out right now that has everyone that listens to him on edge. It is called "Successful". When I first heard the song, I was really feeling it. I was really relating. It hook says, "I want the money, money and the cars, cars and clothes, the hoes, I suppose...I just wanna be, I just wanna be successful." Saturday, as I was getting ready to go to my mother's house, I was packing singing the song and I stopped. I had to take a step back and really understand what I was singing.
"I just want to be successful", is a phrase we all utter at least once a week. But what is successful. Is success having a lot of money, nice cars, and nice clothes, groupies? I can honestly say that all that is not my goal. I can also be just as honest to say that once upon a time, that was my desire. Now, for some reason, sanity and peace of mind is much more valuable. I don't know when I stop basing my success level on the world-o-meter, but when I realized I did, which was this weekend, I felt great. It shows how far I have come.
These days, being successful in the Lord is much more important to me. Its funny how people from the outside looking in are quick to say, "Looks like you struggling to me" or "I thought you said you was doing good". Well, I am doing good. I have peace and that's far more important than any dollar amount. I read a scripture that spoke speeches to me:
Deuteronomy 28:13 - The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
I found that since I been obedient, doors have been opening up for me left and right. And it may not be for others to understand my walk with Jesus. I am sure that the ending results though will be proof of what God can do in someone's life. I encourage you not to gauge your success on material things. Trust me, they are here today and gone tomorrow. Definitely don't gauge your success on the people around you. Rather put God first and do what He tells you to do. Some might say that "whats wrong with wanting nice things". I would answer, "nothing at all". All I am saying is don't measure your success on what you have and have not. I am not a millionaire, but I would be willing to go toe to toe with one to see who's more successful.
We hear stories all the time about rich people killing themselves over losing large amounts of money, or people going to jail over trying to steal what they feel makes them seem successful. Read your Bible, live according to the Word of God and just remember that God is in the blessing business. I feel that I am successful now, not as successful as I would like to be, but I'm good. Be encourage, until next time...


Friday, August 21, 2009

Getting Even


I never been a person to just let things slide. Nor have I ever been a person that would allow another human being to completely disrespect me and be able to walk around knowing he or she got away with it. Its just never been my thing. I thrived off "get back", it not only made me feel better (to a certain extent), but it also allowed me to see suffering on their part. Lately, that spirit of "get back" has been riding me. It would come at a time when I'm trying to change and do better. It would try to overpower me when I know that I'd probably miss out on a blessing if I pursue revenge. Today, I did the only thing I knew to do, read my Bible. I knew exactly what I was looking for, a topic about revenge.
Romans 12:17-19
17 -19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

In other words God is saying I will handle the situation, you just continue being an example of goodness. Which bought up another thought. Its funny how God will test you with things to see how much you have changed or how serious you are about changing. I would have never consulted with the Bible, I probably would .... ok I am open and honest, stating certain things would be incriminating. Anyway... I also found something I think we all know in Matthew 5:38-42
38 -42"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

Another hard pill to swallow. Was he really suggesting that I let someone hit me, sue me, take advantage of me? God will have to really work on me with that one. Nevertheless, I agree with that tit-for-tat. What will that do? It creates ongoing wars, and these days people get killed a lot faster than they use to. There are no more street fights, rather gun blasting. Our jails and prisons are filled now with people who could not turn the other cheek. I don't know about you, but I'm not trying to end up in jail.

I'm not 100% sold on the idea of no revenge, but I am sold on obeying the word of God. So if He says let it go, I wipe my hands of it. I turn my situation over to Him and let Him deal with it. Plus, I'm sure He can punish someone much more severely than I ever could. Until next time...


Thursday, August 20, 2009

Parting Ways


The best way to find out the type of person you are is to look at the people around you. I did that about a month ago and I did not like it. About two months ago I wanted to get serious about my walk with Jesus. Of course, I was still falling short, lukewarm for a better phrase, but I was really lining things up and trying to see what I needed to do to make life better for me. I remember a sermon one of the Sundays saying that a lot of the times, its the people around you that could be holding you back. With this in mind, I did an evaluation on the people I hung around. Sure enough they were not on the same page as me, they weren't into doing the same things I was trying to do, and they were bad influences on my life. It didn't take a genius to figure out it was time to part ways.
Yes, that's right! It was time to say good bye. And it was hard too. I'm in the entertainment industry and got a lot of my popularity from being around these people. I tried to push off and ignore God telling me to remove myself from around these people (because I cared a great deal for them), and all it did was get worse. Rumors about me started from within my group, bad reputation, back stabbing begin, money snatching happen. I got out of there as soon as possible when I saw all that. Because of my disobedience, the whole split became a bitter break up and has become an all out war. I can only imagine the peace that it would probably be if I left when God told me too.
(Message Bible)Proverbs 23:6-8
Don't accept a meal from a tightwad;
don't expect anything special. He'll be as stingy with you as he is with himself;
he'll say, "Eat! Drink!" but won't mean a word of it. His miserly serving will turn your stomach
when you realize the meal's a sham.
In Proverbs 23:6-8 it tells us to leave those type of people alone. Its actually talking about people who use money, food, and entertainment for selfish ambitions to do evil. I would say I was in that situation with the group I parted from. And since I decided to walk in my own path, the devil has become busier than ever trying to convience me that was the wrong move. One of the guys in the group actually said that I'm doing worse without him. I could attack him as a person for a remark like that, but I won't. Firstly, its not Christ-like, secondly its only Satan trying to make me think I did the wrong thing.
It is so necessary to leave behind those that are not equally yoked. These types of people hold you back, they block blessings, most importantly they don't and wont understand your walk with Jesus. You have to surround your self with like minded people that aren't trying to get in the way of your walk with Jesus.
It takes a certain boldness and an extreme amount of faith in the Lord to break away from "friends" you been around so long. In the end however, obedience is rewarded. For me, I received a peace of mind, career revelations, and I am not under an umbrella of wrong doing. If this is your situation, I sincerely pray for your strength in letting that person go. Whether it be friends, mate, or even (yes even) family. Just know that God is trying to change you and use you to be an example in life. You have to allow him to do so and that can't happen with hindrances.


Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Post Prayer


Ok, so you've prayed. You came out the prayer closet, nose dripping, for most mascera running, for others knees on fire- you ready to see some action. You have prayed like never before and you now waiting to see God move in your life. In the meantime, what are we suppose to do. Today, my personal studies was about how people either pray with the wrong intentions or pray and keep other options. How many of us are guilty of praying, but having a back up plan just incase things dont pop off as fast as we need them to.
What I have learned when it comes to praying is to first, pray for the right thing. I do not pray for things for my own selfish ambitions. "Lord I pray for that $2,000 couture blouse I saw on Miami Beach so that one day I too can wear it and make others envy me when they see my $2,000 blouse all the stars wear." Unfortunately, that is one prayer that will fall on death ears. I did learn one thing from my mother however during one of our many shopping trips, "Lord, if its your will for me to have this, make a way for me to get it." I learned that God answers prayers. I could run down so many testimonies I personally have and show you how awesome God its Nevertheless, if you alive and kicking right now, I can only assume you know the power of God.
I read the Message Bible. It puts everything in terms so that I can understand clearly what the Lord is trying to say. Today I read about praying with simplicity. It was saying how these so call pray warriors come up with formulas to get your prayer through to God. It said the prayer should be real simple and it covers all basis. This is Matthew 6:7-13 (go to Bible.com and read the Message Translation)
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Do what's best - as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes Yes Yes

That prayer above covered it all. Yet, what are we suppose to do once we have prayed. We wait! Dont go out trying to come up with plan B, C, D. Now of course faith without works is dead, but you know what you ask for. And if you are sincere about it, God will lay it on your heart what it is you are suppose to be doing next. Remember God's timing is perfect. I remember one day, Shelt (my guy) and I were watching Family feud. It was the at the end where the two family members get thirty seconds to answer a series of questions. Well the first family member did OK if my memory serves me correctly it is 200 points they need to win $20,000. So the other family member got up, answered his questions, and by the looks of things, they could kiss that $20,000 goodbye. They got all the way to the last question in which he needed 51 points to win and BAM! 51 POINTS! Shelt and I looked at each other in disbelief. We never seen a question that provided that many points for the number one answer. So now we have this running thing saying "51 points". In other words, He may not come when you want Him to, but He will be on time.

In post prayer, trust and believe in the Lord. Make sure you prayed the right prayer. Don't seek after the Earth's material riches, seek those things of the kingdom of God. Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all things will he added unto you. Matthew 6:33. Until next time.


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Introducing Jesus C.O.U.SIN



Welcome to Jesus C.O.U.sins (Christians Overcoming Ugly Sins) Ministry. We are a ministry that serves as a support system for those who are trying to stay on the right path. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are here to remind you that no sin is too great for God. And if you truly want to repent and change your life, then it is possible. Through daily post, online chats, community outreach projects, and our very own live web show, we continue to encourage all C.O.U.sins to continue to walk in the light and serve God. We love you. Become involved.



Foot Work

Our new community project for the 1st Quarter will be "Foot Work" Our goal is to supply 50 pairs of new shoes for those searching or headed back to work. We want to supply comfortable working shoes and remind other C.O.U.sins to allow God to order their steps in His word. We need brand new or barely worn shoes to make this a success. Would you like to be involved? Click our volunteer button and let us know how you would like to get involved.

Evening Chats

We will be having evening chats every Wednesday and Thursday this month. Our chat room will be open for those who just want to come and chat and fellowship online with other Christians. Chat room will open at 7:00pm.

Ideas

We are looking for ideas for our second quarter community project. Please email us your ideas jesuscousin@ymail.com
 

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