Staying On Course

I am a witness that if you do what you are told, then the Lord will bless you. He wants to see His people succeed, we just have to do what we are told. Many people haven't grasp this concept. Then there are those like myself who were aware of this concept and ignored it. Yet, once I embraced the fact that the Lord wanted to bless me and all I had to do was be obedient, I finally turned my life around. Nevertheless, the real task comes when you must stay on course in the mist of God blessing you.
So many people bask in the ambiance of God's blessing. His grace, and His mercy, and start to forget who bless them in the first place. They begin doing their own thing. As we know, once you get off track with God, you are left on your own, and the things He blessed you with are stripped away. I know this first hand, but what was reminded after reading Chapter 11 of 1 Kings.
Solomon started doing his own thing. God told him not to marry certain women from certain areas and he did anyway. Solomon end up being pulled away from God and serving other Gods. This angered God, so he set it up so that his son would no longer be King over Israel. He took away the kingdom and left Solomon's son with one tribe.
The Lord was blessing Solomon and he forgot who was suppose to be first in his life. Today, you cannot forget who is blessing you. You did not come this far in your life on your own. If God says move, then move. If He says stay, then be still. Obey God and His commandments and do not stray away from the course. Remember He want to bless you we just have to be let him.

If anyone serves Me, he must continue to follow Me [to cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying] and wherever I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. John 12: 26

DON'T SPIT ME OUT, LORD!!!

I'm just as confused as a goose in a snowstorm. How in the world can you say that you represent Jesus Christ, yet have an appearance and role on a television show where everything but godliness is promoted?

I asked that question last night as I flipped back and forth between the NBA Finals game between the [Los Angeles] Lakers and the [Boston] Celtics and this new show on TV1 entitled "Donald Trump's Ultimate Merger". The star--the infamous Omarosa--is apparently looking for a man--that's the gist that I gathered. As the show went further, Omarosa's apparent "spiritual advisor" and friend was introduced to the show--none other than Pastor Jamal Harrision-Bryant of Empowerment Temple. I've respected Bryant for what he's done in Baltimore, his no-nonsense approach to preaching, his street credibility, and his zeal for Jesus; but I was astonished--flabbergasted even--when he was on the show. I honestly didn't know what to make of it. He was there in a capacity, to me, that compromised his position as a minister of the gospel. He was there to help a woman--who has caused enough trouble the last few years in the media--find a mate. According to her, he [Bryant] is there to help her make sure that whomever she chooses to connect with are not "unequally yoked". Yet, throughout the show, there are rampant sexual undertones, a high level of arrogance and egotism, and a total lack of spirituality.

Why is Jamal Bryant on the show? Why is he compromising his position?

If I have to put a personal spin on this, why are we, as people, as Christians even, failing to set ourselves apart? If we appear to be something totally contrary to what we declare we are, most people will associate us with what we are not trying to represent. Basically, they'll see you, not Christ. In the book of Revelation, it is clear that God does not want us to be lukewarm, but either hot or cold. The book says that He will "spew us out" if we are lukewarm.

I really don't want to get spit out. I think we need to make a vow: either we root solely for God or we go 'head and change teams. It's one thing to say you are ministering to someone; yet it is another thing entirely to connected to something that is not even close to the church--or God Himself. Pastor Bryant, please get off the fence.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:15-16

Watch What You Say!

Psalm 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

This is a very important scripture that we ALL must know and take heed to. We must realize that what we speak, good or bad, will come to pass. If you are the one that is always complaining about what you do not have then guess what, you will never get it. If you are the one that is always staying positive and talking about what you will have one day, it will come to pass. What we speak is very important because the enemy hears it all and if it is bad, he will definitely try and make it happen in your life. That is why you should speak only good no matter your situation because the Lord hears you too. If the Lord sees that you have faith, then HE will surely bless you. The Lord can change any situation around in the blink of an eye. You just have to believe and have faith that HE can and will. Remember to be mindful of the things that come out of you mouth because whatever comes out of your mouth is what's in your heart.

Do It Big

Here it is, no other way to put it. When you do something for God, DO IT BIG! How big? Real Real Real Big! Solomon showed us in 1Kings that you spare no price whether it be time, effort, or money when it comes to serving the Lord. Many of us find our selves not wanting to give our all for God when He assigns us a task. Instead of having faith, we allow doubt to dwell in our mind and start allowing the devil to talk us out of giving all we got to God. However, when in comes to doing God's work we have to go all out!
Solomon built a very extravagant temple which took seven years to complete. It was built with the best everything and had the finest furniture inside. There was pure gold and pure bronze every where. He spare no expense. He wanted God to have the best and that's what he offered up to him. I know we all do not have Solomon funds, but more on a personal level, when it comes to task for God or even offerings...can we match Solomon's effort.
So many people reserve themselves when it comes to offerings and task in the church. Some people say "I'm not going to give the church all my money, my money not going to pay for the pastor's new Benz," or maybe "I'm not going to put all this energy into ushering when these people are rude." WRONG ATTITUDE.
We need to think like Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. Solomon went all out when it came to serving God and we need to as well. Stop putting self before God and serve him the way you are suppose to.


“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 15:16

Until Next time...

FEET, DON'T FAIL ME NOW!!

Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do know: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

There comes a point in life where you refuse to stay in one place, feeling comfortable over the familiar. Familiarity is an enemy. It truly can destroy any hope for true progress or advancement. The enemy, whether we call him Satan, or if this enemy is inside of us, would like so much for us to get comfortable with where we are. I refuse. I don't ever want to be in a place where my feet have no new places to tread. I don't ever want to get to a level of compacency or despondency. I would hate if all I could say to my children or other people I come in contact with is "this is all, and I'm satisfied." The truth of the matter is: This is not all, and I am not satisfied. Every now and then, I have to go old school and remind myself to keep moving by saying, "Feet, don't fail me now." (Now, of course, my mind (or brain) controls my feet; but please understand the undertone of that phrase.)

My grandmother past away a few days ago, and I know for a fact that she wouldn't want me to get trapped in what I know; she would want me to tread on territory never charted by my family. I will make sure I honor that, not only for her, but for me--and sho' nuf for God!! I don't want to get caught up in trying to do everything. All I aspire to do is everything that I know God has called me to do. The fact of the matter is that what I do for God has nothing to do with what potential benefits may come to me; what I do impacts other people; therefore, I have to keep moving because there are folks connected to me, and I refuse to lead them away from God or their own purpose in life.

I gotta keep movin'. I gotta...

Feet, don't fail me now!!!

Going to Church: Necessary Or Not

Once upon a time, long ago, in a place called tradition, there use to be a law that stated "One must go to church every Sunday to worship the Lord". However, as time changed, so did people and their beliefs surrounding the theory behind going to church. It didn't help when numerous reports of churches stealing money and pastors getting over on member started to sprout. This detoured many people from wanting to be involved in a church. This and thought of having to spend three or four or maybe five hours in church (which the service is probably boring). I'm sure I haven't hit all the reasons people don't go to church anymore but I will. I want to hear from you. Firstly, do you feel you have to go to church, and if not, why don't you.

Letting It All Go

I was listening to the Inspirational radio station yesterday as I made a run to the store. They were talking about senseless addictions and letting them go. One of the main addictions Christians my age battle is weed, sex, and alcohol. There were a lot of people (more than I ever would have imagined) called about their addiction to weed. These people admitted they were doing it just because they like to do it, but they wanted to stop. They all had the same question... "HOW DO YOU STOP"

I have had a few addictions, and just to be real I still have one, but what I can tell you is that remember who you want living inside you. If you want the holy spirit in you, it has to be a livable environment. Your body is a temple. What you put into can either make it a livable or close it down for remodeling. My temple was shut down for remodeling, but since I have made an effort to keep it somewhere the Lord wouldn't mind dwelling.

Think about that the next time you roll up, or the next time you order five shots of Crown. Think about the God in you, and in order for him to stay there, you can't contaminate the area. You have to let it all go for God to be able to dwell in you.

1 Corinthians 6

16 -20There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, "The two become one." Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never "become one." There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for "becoming one" with another. Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.

Those Who Surround You

I'm am currently reading 1Kings which is telling about Solomon's rule. One thing that I admire about Solomon other than his wisdom was how he kept a team of great leaders around him. Many people start companies and organizations and just pick anyone to be under them. However, Solomon choose people who he knew could get the job done and done right. He choose people who stood for what he stood for and would be loyal. Great leaders know how to keep hard workers around them.
In the entertainment industry, many people roll in entourages and "teams". You may often hear someone say "me and my team" will discuss it and get back to you. Yet, sometimes the way teams are chosen isn't the wisest.
You have to be cautious about the people you keep around you. Whether you be a pastor, or the president of an organization, pray and ask God to send the people to your group that will help grow. God will bring the people in your life that will help you get the job done. So many times we hear stories about how someone on the "team" was sneaky and went behind someone's back and betrayed them. (Judas)
Nevertheless, be more careful choosing the people you want around you. Watch out for the people you consider "on your team". If they are not heaven sent, then consider them a curse.
Until Next Time...


Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Corinthians 15: 33(NKJV)

He is Blessing You Too

I truly believe the media is one of the reasons people covet so much. When it comes to seeing stars, we see the glamorous life. They promote being rich as if it is the most important thing in the world. Yet everyone is puzzled when they find out a 13 year old boy robbed a elderly couple so he could buy a chain. I'm not surprised. Being rich, well dressed, and beautiful is glorified and thus we have misplaced the morals and the values we are to stand for.
I remember watching MTV Cribs, and a friend of mine begin to question his walk with God. He couldn't understand why the artist on TV had this huge home and was obvious living reckless and here he was, living right and he was in a small apartment. He wanted to know why it seemed as if the outright sinners seemed to be getting all the "good" blessings.
Now, who hasn't thought that way before. I'm not ashamed to say that I have asked those kinds of questions, but God quickly reminded me of some things. Firstly, everything is not as it seems. Which means just because the TV may show one thing, when the camera stops, the situation could very well be different. Secondly, God is blessing you everyday. If you are awake, what a blessing. If you have friends, what a blessing. If you have peace of mind, what a blessing. Thirdly, do not covet! Do not desire to have what someone else has. Lastly, know your priorities. What is most important to you in life? For me, its family and friends. That is the center of my being. Without them, I'd probably fall apart. There are a lot of super stars who wish they had family and true friends. I'd take real people over riches any day.

Psalm 37:7 NIV

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Be thankful for what God is doing in your life. You don't know what he has in store for you. Until Next Time...

Shhhh

There comes a time in all of our lives where everything seems as though it has come to a stand still. It seems like the only thing still going is your heart beat. Everything else just seems like it has been put on pause. I know exactly how that is. I would love to be the first person to tell you how to deal with that, but considering I am going through that myself, I can't. What I do know from reading "Experiencing God", is that there are times when God is silent. There are times when God stops speaking to us. During those times one could start to feel lost and unsure of what to do next. However, if you allowing God to order your steps, then you don't move a mussel until you hear from Him again. Meanwhile examine your life. Find out if there are things you are doing that you shouldn't be doing. Find out are there any distraction that are hindering you from listen to what God says.
Have you ever experienced a silent point in your life. How did you handle it. Share with our readers how you got through your silent times.