Heart Check

Some people think that because they go to church, sing in the choir and tithe that they will get a blessing from God. When the blessing that they are looking for does not come, they get frustrated and sad asking the Lord,"Lord, I do all these things but yet I am still suffering!" I say, "Stand back and take a look at your REAL life!". Are you really doing what God wants you to do or are you frontin' like you are. God sees what is on the inside of you, while man sees what is on the outside. On the outside, you may be the "Perfect" christian but your heart can be another way. You could be smiling and greeting everyone in the church, but when you see a poor person you walk away from them or tell them to leave you alone. You could be paying your tithes, but not paying your debt you owe. Your heart could be the reason why you do not receive the blessings that you "think" you "deserve". Just because you are doing what the Bible says to do, that does not mean that your heart is in the right place. Next time before you cry and complain that you are doing everything right and receiving nothing, stand back look at your life and do a Heart Check, to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and living the right way.

1 Samuel 16:7: "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

Nothing's Happening

Just to be totally honest, I am at a point in my life where it seems as though nothing is happening. Well, I felt like that a few days ago. I looked at my situation, and I'm the type of person who likes to keep things moving, fast pace , and always something new. However, my days have been routine, things aren't going to my liking, and I honestly feel like nothing's happening for me right now. As I mediated on that thought this morning, I found that it is so far from true that I should be ashamed of myself for even thinking such a thing.
Many times we look at situations through our eyes and feel it should be going a certain way and when its not we feel that life is going down. Again, I was reminded that it is not about what I have going on and what I want, rather what God will have me to do. If you asked me last year, I would have told you I want to be a star. God showed me red carpet events, lights flashing, and me accepting awards. As I looked at where I am now, I am no where near that...or so I think.
God is not going to reveal every step you need to take in advance. You have to trust him that he will guide you. You have to have faith that the vision he showed you will come to past. You have to do it his way and not what you feel you should be doing. I have finally just said "Yes Lord I will Follow You".
As you continue your walk I encourage you to see the God in the situation even when you feel like nothing is happening. We don't know what God has in store, but what I do know is that He has something for your life and mine. We just gotta trust Him.

Proverb 3

5 -12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over. But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction. It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

Until Next Time...

What Stops You?

Imagine going into a city to preach the word of God. When you get there you see that the people do not want you there, do not want to hear what you have to say, and want to hurt you for being there. God has told you to go to that city, yet everyone else in the city would prefer you not to be in the mist. What do you do?
Many times God tells us to go into situations where it seems as though we are not welcomed. Many times God tells us to speak on issues where it it seems as though our thoughts are not asked for. Furthermore, many times we have allowed the reaction of others to cause us not to follow through with what God wants us to do. It is important that we follow through with what God says to do regardless of what people say and what they do. We have to remember if its of God then, we are covered and have nothing to fear.
I remember reading about a missionary group sent into a part of Africa that was more like a war zone. Militias was taking over and fighting the governments soldiers. I remember him saying how the Militia leader did not want the missionaries coming in a teaching the people anything about God and would kill the first missionary they saw. Well, the missionaries was reluctant to go, but they went anyway. For a full month they were there preaching, teaching, and supplying medical support for the people and the militia didn't even know it. The missionary group came and left and converted over 100s of people to Christ while they were there.
If God says do it, He will guide us through it. Don't let the physical circumstances stop you from what God is telling you to do. If its His will, it will be done with or without you. Consider it an honor that you were chosen in the first place.

1 Thessalonians 2

^{1 -2}So, friends, it's obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn't slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God's Message to you, defiant of the opposition.

Until Next Time...

A Change is going to come

Many of you may think that you are in a bad situation and you are unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Do not fret because the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. It may feel like everything and everyone is against you, but one thing that the bible says is in Philippians 1:29-30 "There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You're involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter." If you are living for Christ, you will have to suffer for Christ. It says that suffering is a gift, so accept it and continue to pray to the Lord for the strength to make it through. It is not always going to be dark and gloomy, the sun will rise in the morning and it will rise on you and your situation. Stay encouraged and a change is going to come.

Echos of Your Life

It's some people you can just look at and know, "its something about them". You are able to look in their eyes and see their heart. Their actions are respectable, their words are words of wisdom, and their walk provides echos of the Word of God. Ask your self, "Am I one of these people?"

My studies today came from 1 Thessalonians 1. Paul was writing the church of Thessalonica. He began by giving them props on their walk with God. Paul was impressed by how when they learned of the true God, they dropped their idol Gods and started living correctly. I couldn't help but feel as though I wish Paul wrote that to me. Or perhaps if he could write me, he would write me a letter similar to that one.

1 Thessalonians 1
^{7 -10}Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore—you're the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.

Can Paul write you a letter like the one he wrote Thessalonica. Would he be able to say great things about you and talk about how others rant and rave about you and your growth in the Lord. I want Paul or anyone else for that matter be able to write a letter about me, and my great works for the Lord. I want people to notice the God in me and how much I have changed. I want my life to echo God's Word. I do believe I have some ways to go, but I'm almost there. Until Next Time...

Get Comfortable being Uncomfortable

When you decide that you are ready to change your life and start living for Christ, you will see that you can not do the things that you use to do. If you are really living for Christ, you will not want to do the things that you use to do. Some people do not want to change because they are so use to doing things their way. Look at how you use to do things and ask yourself how far it got you. If you are still in the same place that you were last year or the year before last, then it may be time for a change. You may not feel comfortable doing things that your not use to, but these things may get you to where you need to be and where you want to be in life. If you want to get somewhere that you have never been, you have to do things that you have never done. Jesus loved us all unconditionally and HE did everything out of love. Try loving your neighbor or the poor as yourself. Go spend time with the needy or volunteer your time at the local mission. It may make you uncomfortable but it will begin to do something on the inside of you that will start to change the way you think and act. If you want to get out of situations that seem to have you trapped, you have to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Pray to the Lord for strength and courage and believe that HE will give it to you and you will eventually see that it is not so uncomfortable doing something different.

Ephesians 5: 1-2

^{1 -2}Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

God's Love

I remember growing up how I hated the fact that so many kids became attached to my parents. My parents were mentors to many children my age at the time and I hated sharing their attention and even more I hated when they would call my parents "ma" or "dad". Looking back on it, it was a pointless jealousy because no matter what, my parents always had time for me. They never made me feel any less important. And furthermore, they showed me that everyone needs love. I believe that some Christians today will not share the word of God or tell about God's goodness out of jealousy and spite.
We are held accountable for spreading the word of God. Don't think by helping someone else advance or telling someone about God's love you are going to be loved any less. You aren't. God loves all His children and won't love you any less because another soul is added to the kingdom.
I recall a time in college when I witness a girl purposely leave her roommate whom wanted to attend church with her. The reason the young lady left her roommate was because she felt that her roommate would steal attention from her. This always made me scratch my head like huh? She is worried about all the wrong things. Its really time to stop worrying about I I I and put God first. We are not in the position to choose who we will and wont tell about God. We aren't judges but we will be judge. So the next time you are on you blessing blocking mode, switch gears and DO BETTER

Titus 2

1 -6Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.

7 -8But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.

Reconstruction

Audio Version


One of the most important thing that happens in your walk with Jesus is establishing and maintaining a relationship with God. It is a love relationship that is needed so that He can speak to you and you understand everything He is saying. January of this year I have actually put in work into my relationship with God and it is amazing. He is closer and better than any friend I have ever had. He has never let me down, and he always keeps in 110% with me. I like that....sometimes. Since I have opened my life and allowed God to move, He has shifted somethings, taken away something, moved me out of certain situations and into new ones, softened my heart and so much more. And with all this reconstruction its left me better than I once before. Though I like my new look and my new life, I can't help but admit it wasn't easy accepting what God had for me.
I understood what He was trying to do in my life. He needed to make a new me. He needed to get rid of all those unnecessary layers and characteristics about me. He needed to remove people out my life and put some folks around me more like-minded. He needed to break me down to see that I can't do this living thing all by myself. Again, this transformation, this reconstruction was not easy and it felt very uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it was necessary to go through in order for God to be able to do with me what He wants to do with me.
My process is far from over, my question to you is has yours even begun. God wants the best for us. God wants to bless us so that we may be able to go out tell others about His goodness. However, He is not going to send just any body. He needs to send trusted workers in Christ as representatives of His teachings and the Christian faith.
I challenge you began working on your relationship with God and allow Him to reconstruct your life. Its a never ending process but it consistently makes you better than the day before.

Psalms 51 7-15
7 -15 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don't look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I'll let loose with your praise.

Until Next Time

Never Be A Victim of a Circumstance!

I read a scripture today that really spoke to me. I was a little down and confused about my situation, but the scripture cheered me up. The scripture was Ephesians 3 : 20 - 21 and it said
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." This gave me the encouragement that I needed to keep the faith and continue to trust in the Lord God Almighty. Many of you may be going through somethings that have you down and questioning your path. Just remember that God is a good God and HE can do anything but fail. If you think that your situation is so bad that there is nothing good that can happen, pray to the Lord and ask HIM to give you the strength and the faith to make it out of the situation. NEVER BE A VICTIM OF A CIRCUMSTANCE, EVER!!!! God can do ALL things and HE can change your situation around in an instant. You have to make sure that your spiritually prepared and ready for the change. Look at ever aspect of your life and make sure that you are doing the right things. You may think that you are doing everything the right way, but take a serious look and make sure that you are on the straight and narrow path. When you do that, I GUARANTEE that God will deliver you!

Psyhic Powers

Jesus Cousin Ministries is steadily growing and starting outreaches in the community. In order to accomplish some of the things planned, it takes workers and people who are willing to serve in the name of Jesus. I currently have a great team of people and I am so blessed to have them. Nevertheless, there has been some people I have approached who have blown me off or pushed me off leaving me with a mere "I will get involved after I...."

Crystal balls are not real. They can not tell you the future. You yourself do not know the future. You make your self believe that you will have time tomorrow to do this, and next week you will do that. In all actuality, tomorrow is not promise to anyone. How many times have we seen someone here today and gone tomorrow. I have seen it PLENTY of times. Some hit close to home leaving me like "I just talk to her yesterday and she was fine".

I say this not to say you should be working with Jesus Cousin Ministries, but do not take the day for granted. Tomorrow is not promise so you must do what you can today because we are not blessed off intentions, we are blessed off our actions and the purity of our hearts. I think James put it best...

James 4

13 -15And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money." You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."

Until Next Time

BIBLES NEEDED

We are asking for people to donate a new or used BIBLE. We will be giving these away during our community events. May's community event is called Fancy Feet. Learn More If interested in donating a BIBLE please email us at jesuscousin.blogspot.com or call 980.428.6822. Thank you.

Let's Get Reeeeaaaddddy to Ruuummmbbllleeee!

It seems that when you try to do right that EVERYTHING seems to go wrong. The devil will try his best to knock you off track. There is a scripture in Galatian 6:9-10 that says "So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith". Do not EVER get tired of doing the right thing. There is a spiritual warfare going on and you must put on the FULL armor of God. The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, The Gospel of Peace, The Shield of Faith, The Helmet of Salvation and The Sword of the Spirit. The full armor of God will help you fight the battle against the devil. Stay strong, faithful and prayerful and God will be there for you in your time of need. When you do good, your not suppose to do it to get something in return. You should do good because it is the right thing to do. Doing good because you want to will always pay off in the end. Never stop doing good.


Galatians 6: 9-10

^{9 -10}So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Ephesians 6:14

¹⁴ So stand firm. Put the belt of truth around your waist. Put the armor of godliness on your chest. ¹⁵ Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace. ¹⁶ Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all of the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Put on the helmet of salvation. And take the sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God's word.

Off the Team

In addition to all the other things I do, I also coach a track team. Track has always been that one thing that I could relate to my own life. I could always align the work ethics one must put into track and field with the work ethics that go into succeeding in life. As a coach, I have to do what is best for my team to win. I have to observe performances in their events, and if they aren't producing in thier event, then they get demoted in the rankings, or even removed from the event as a whole. There is this one young girl that I spoke about in a past blog. I had her on the 4x800 relay team. Four weeks ago she did excellent. I praised her for her improvement and her persistence and how well she performed. However, as the weeks passed her performance dropped and she cause the team to loose the lead a few times. This meant I had to replace her. After seeing that she was replaced, she approached me and asked if why she was no longer running the 4x800. I told her that she had to start listening to me and improve. I assured her I knew she could do a great job, but to disobey and do your her own thing in the race was causing her to produce a poor performance. Because it is a relay, we can afford a poor performance and therefore I had to sit her down. I let her know that if she improves then she can come back. But she has to produce better times.

It came time for her to run the open 800, and I could tell she was "feeling some kind of way" about our conversation and her demotion. She got up to the line and she flew when she heard the gun. She ran the race perfect. She did everything I told her to. It was a close finish, but she finished second. When I spoke to here after the race she let me know that my words were running through her head to "push push push" "go hard!". She also let me know that she really wanted back on the 4x800. And though I would have love to tell her she could be back, I told her she was going to have to be consistent with the performance before I could put her back on the team.

God is our coach. He is the same way when it comes to our position in the kingdom. He is observing our performances and if we fail to put up a good performance, (and he knows what we can do or he wouldn't have put us in the position in the first place) he will take us out the position. To get back will take persistence and consistency on our part to show God that we are serious and we want back in our rightful spot. I say this to say that today you may be feeling "some kinda way" because God moved you out your spot. Check your performance. Were you giving your all? Where you giving 110% of yourself to God. The show will go on with or without you.

Acts 26:20

but I declared to those in Damascus first, and then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles that tehy should repent and turn t God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.

Interaction

At some point you need to sit back and check out the interaction you have with all people. Are you the type of person who prefers to only be around people who look like you, who are from the same tax bracket, who matches your style of dress, who speaks your language, who been to college, who are from a certain area? Is this you? If so, its really time to check yourself. As a Christian, it is our job to interact with everyone and draw all souls to Christ. Not just the people we went to school with, or the people we feel comfortable around.
Jesus didn't have a certain people he ministered to. Everyone's soul and salvation was important. Whether it be a rich man or a poor man - healthy or sick. In reality, everyone needs Christ and it starts with people being able to see the Christ in you.
Do not be the type of Christian who will only witness in comfort zones. Step outside of your bubble and lend a helping hand to someone who looks nothing like you. Tell someone about Christ even if they are a millionaire and you barely have a dime in your pocket. Don't discriminate when in comes to the Lord.

James 2
1 -4My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, "Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!" and either ignore the street person or say, "Better sit here in the back row," haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted?

Until Next Time...

I Got the Power!

You know what I've been thinking about the last few weeks? The subject of authority. As a Christian, I always hear about how we have authority, yet I hardly see it in action. All I see is "inaction". How is it that we can talk so much talk, better than anyone else might I add, and we don't seem to turn that talk into walk? It amazes me how Christians are the most eloquent people I know (besides politicians), yet they cannot (and do not) turn that linguistic rhetoric into faithful, authority-filled action. In scripture it says we [Christians] are the head and not the tail. Hmmm....commonly we think that means we sit and reign on top...which is a part of it. I wish we would look at it from this perspective: the head contains the mind. The mind is the thinking component, the creative headquarters of the body, the action-initiator of our souls. When will we act like it? I've made a vow to myself and God that I would walk out what I know I have been given authority to walk out. All I sense in my spirit is that it's time to move. I cannot sit idly by letting time and opportunities pass, knowing I have the powerful to do anything.

I don't want to be an "inactioned" (totally not a word) Christian; I want to be a Christian in action.

Deuteronomy 28: 13 The Lord will make you the head, not the tail...

Fancy Feet: May Community Event

The month of May will be focused around making sacrifices. The community event for the month of sacrifice will be challenging Christians to go into their closets and pull out their best pair of shoes. There are many people who are homeless and are forced to wear shoes that are too small or falling apart. There are also people who are trying to get back into the work force. Send them into their job interviews in a nice pair of shoes.

Proverbs 21:26 says "The righteous gives and does not hold back."

So give and do not hold back. Don't give your second best pair of shoes. Give your best pair of shoes and do not give it a second thought.

Sign Up Now

Don't Play the Victim

When it rains it pours. When it seems like one thing starts going wrong, it seems as though everything starts going wrong. I have been there and done that. To be honest with you, I may still be in it. Yesterday I wrote a song called "I choose to survive". When I write the songs, it ministers to me and everything that I seem to go through. I open myself up and allow God to move and speak to my situation so that the song may minister to others. In one of the stanza it says "I'm here to praise you while I have the chance, I refuse to fall victim to my circumstance". In othere words even though times are hard, I won't stop praying, I won't loose faith, I won't give up. I won't allow what is going on around me to suck me into a depression or worse, I won't allow me to stop worshoping the Lord.

James 1

12Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

13 -15Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.

Do not become a victim to your circumstance. Do not play the role of a helpless, down and out person. If you are going through somethings, cast your burdens on the Lord and keep it moving. Don't show it in your face, your walk, your talk. Use this time to be an example to those around you that you will praise God anyway. You should praise God in the good times, and praise HIM in the bad. Don't play the victim.

The Bigger Picture

Its not coincidence that we are where we are in life. God makes no mistakes. And I'm sure you've read this a million and eleven times, but everything happens for a reason. Some of us may be in a situation where we are scratching our heads wondering what God is preparing us for, why He would have us in a certain position, and why he would have us in a particular place. Its okay to wonder these things, but you have to make sure you do not doubt God nor his abilities.

There has been many times I wondered why God had me move to Montgomery, AL. At the time, I moved there to go to college, I wanted to go to Hampton University. Yet God lead me to Montgomery, AL. I experience life there, and I went through some hard times. However, I did learn some essential things that prepared me for this time in my life. Looking back on some situation, I find myself saying thank you God for preparing me for this.

So if you are in a position and you do not see why or understand why you are where you are, just remember that God's timing is perfect. He has a plan for all of our lives. He sees the bigger picture, a picture we will never see. We have to trust and have faith and be open to whatever he will have us to do.

I have been reading the book of Ester and I encourage you to read it as well. It is a prime example on how God moves us into certain positions for certain situations.

Prayer and 51

When your down and feeling like nothing in your life is going the way you want it to go, or you feel like God is not there for you, you often hear that you should pray. I completely agree with that, 100 PERCENT! Prayer works! I recently was dealing with something in my life that was weighing on me heavily and my own "power" was not enough to get me out of the situation. I did not know what to do. The only thing that I could do is pray, so that is exactly what I did. My girlfriend and I live by the number 51. Let me explain to you what this is. We were sitting at the house working one day watching Family Feud. There was a family that won and moved to the final round where they had to try and what the majority of the people surveyed agreed on. The first member of the family went first and did ok. The second member of the family got up there are was doing pretty good and got the score up to 149. Now the final score to win is 200, so they were 51 points away from winning and the contestant was on the last question. I am thinking that they need 51 people to have agreed upon the same answer. Not a chance I said to myself, "You might as well go sit down". The host showed the contestants answer and said "You need 51 people to agree with you, SURVEY SAYS". Then you hear the ding and the number that appeared was...you guessed it 51points. When you pray, believe and have faith, God will be your 51 points!

Philippians 4:6-7

^{6 -7}Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Matthew 7:7-11

^{7 -11}"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

I GOT A FEELING

Romans 12:2

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

I am in class, but I felt I needed to say a little somethin' somethin' about how I've been feeling. The last few days (actually longer), I have been feeling something mustering up in my spirit, but I just can't explain it. This 'feeling' is impacting every aspect of my life, academic, spiritual, relationally and socially...IT'S CRAZY!! Yet, I know that God is doing something in me right now. Last night (actually about 1:30 this morning), Jackie McCullough confirmed what every spiritual thing I have heard through Bishop Alexander, "Experiencing God", and every other person who has a deep relationship with God. My heart is changing, so my mind is changing. My mind is changing, and I know my actions will be changing. Thank God for change. Not Obama's change, but God's change!! I'm excited for what is about to happen!

Never Get Tired

Its hard to understand why life seems to be going in the wrong direction when it seems as though you are doing the right thing. You are devoted to God and you obey His word. You help you neighbors and love them as yourself. You pay you tithes and you give to no extent. Yet, you look up and it seems as though things aren't as good as you like them to be. You feel as though God is over looking you.
It is indeed understandable that you feel that way. I too have felt that way and to be honest it was recently. Yet I read something that bought some reassurance to my walk with Christ.

Gal 6
9 -10So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

The Lord also revealed to me that what I do, I need to do it without expecting anything in return. I serve a good God and I know he will keep me and supply all my needs. My father told me yesterday that there is a season for everything. So if things are not going the way you would like, remember it may not be your season. Nevertheless, continue to be faithful and continue to be the man or woman that God wants you to be. Don't get tired of doing the right things.

Until Next time...

DON'T GET BRAND NEW!!!

I just sit back and laugh when I see people that "made it" say that they were grinding and they paid their dues and that is why they are where they are. They feel as it is because of them that they are in the position that they are in. Well I am here to let them know that God puts you where HE wants you to be and if it happens to be at "the top", then be glad that HE chose you to be there. People have it real confused when they think that they can maintain that spot without the help from the Lord. A person can be the hardest working individual in the world but if they are working hard on something that the Lord does not have for their life, they are wasting their time. God will shut down everything that you think is good to help you realize that no matter how far along a project is, HE will shut it down until you do what HE wants you to do. What HE has for you is a million times better than what you have for yourself. You just have to have the faith to know that God shut it down for a reason and you need to find out what that reason is. Do not get discouraged, get excited that the Lord has something for you and you were able to pick up on the signs. When God does finally put you at "the top", you better give HIM all of the glory and honor because HE can take it away faster than the blink of an eye!

Job 1:21 (The Message)

21 Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I'll return to the womb of the earth.God gives, God takes. God's name be ever blessed.

Matthew 20:16 (The Message)

16"Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first."

Before I sat down to write this article, I found out some news that is indeed devastaing to me. My heart is literally in my feet and I really can't think. I would love to wallo in sorrow right now and acknowledge the defeat, yet I have written numerous articles on how not to feel defeated when it seems as though things are going wrong. As a matter of fact, I know that I have written a time or two to see the blessing in a bad situation. So here I stand, no better than the next Cousin and I search for the good. I am searching for the blessing.

If its one thing that I do know, is that God knows what He is doing. God has a plan for all of our lives, and His will will be done no matter what we think. So if God says no, then its a no. Not that we have to like the answer, we just have to obey. So here I stand, forced to take heed to what I know is right and what I know is good. I will not give up. I am not defeated. With that I leave you with a scripture that is helping me through my time right now.


Luke 18:1

"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart"

Until Next Time

Nah...I'm Not Sad...

Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Today commemorates the suffering that Jesus endured on that cross at Calvary. He was beaten crazily. He was mocked for no good reason. He was embarrassed to the extreme. Yet, although we know all of this, we still call it "Good Friday". How can death be good? How can suffering be good? How can being embarrassed be good? To many of us, there is nothing good about it at all. But I am reminded of the power of His death. Too often we rush to celebrate His resurrection--and rightfully so--but we don't take enough time to think about His death. I can't praise Him for raising up on the third day without celebrating that He died on the first.

Usually at funerals, we are sad. We cry like crazy. We are in a state of discomfort. It is hard to find peace. For all those people we cared about, who have gone on to the better side of glory, we were supposed to feel sad. They were here, and now they are gone. But...today is not the day to be sad. Today commemorates one funeral I'm not too sad about. Why? Because I know He's getting right back up with more power than ever!! WOW!! So, am I sad? Absolutely not!!

If you would allow me to sing (better here than in real life), I just want to leave this with you:

"He would not come down from the cross just to save Himself....He decided to die just for me."

Stay Strong

There is an old saying, "HE may not come when you want HIM but HE's right on time!". That is a powerful statement. People often pray to God asking HIM to help them in certain situations and they want God to help them right then and there after they pray. It does not work that way. God's timing is perfect and that is something that people have to understand. It may not be time to get what your asking for at the present moment. The Lord may be trying to show you something or let you experience something before HE gives you what HE wants you to have. People pray that they are successful in whatever it is that they are doing, but if God knows that you are not ready for it then HE will not let you have it until you have grown to the point where HE knows you can handle it. That is what people have to realize, the only reason that you do not have what you want is because A) You might not need it or B) You may not be ready for it yet. As long as you keep those two things in mind and keep the faith, you will realize that the Lord's timing is perfect. Just remember that faith without works is dead. Don't give up because you don't have it yet, stay faithful, work hard and the Lord will be right on time!

Habakkuk 2: 2-3

^{2 -3}And then God answered: "Write this.
Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters
so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness
pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!
And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It's on its way. It will come right on time.

Evaluation Time

Examining the steps you have taken in your life up to this point is not a bad thing. At some point, evaluating your walk in Christ and self checking is neccessary. Are you doing all you can do for God? Where does He rank in your life? Take a moment to re-evaluate the way you have been living your life.
I had to do some self checking. I had to stop my walk and make sure the things I was doing lined up with what God wanted me to do. Some activities I was involved in, some people I hung around, and my priorities was all out of wack. I put my company first above everything. I didn't study my Bible like I should. And I was putting more of the world in me then God. Indeed, I was headed in the wrong direction, not even realizing it.
Perhaps you proclaim that you are a Christian and you live a Christian lifestyle. It is important that evaluate your walk. This is important for a number of reasons, most importantly its how you are going to get into heaven. Secondly, by you proclaiming that you are a Christian, others are watching you and what you do. Make sure that you are being a good example of what a Christian should be. Thirdly, evaluations are not all bad. You could be reassured that you are doing what you are suppose to be doing. Perhaps you can be reminded of what more you can be doing. Either way, look over your life and make sure you are doing what thus says the Lord.

Gal 6

4 -5Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Until Next Time...