Monday, December 29, 2014

God's personal name!!!!

God’s personal name, as we have learned over the years is YHWH, Yahweh, or Jehovah. At the burning bush, the LORD identified himself as the “I AM,” the self-existing one, the one not dependent on anyone or anything else (Exodus 3). He is not just any God. He is different and distinct from the imaginary gods of the nations. He wants those who pray to him to know him personally and individually. He is a God who identifies himself in terms of those who rely upon him. He is the “God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
When I first heard  " I Am For God's name I must admit that it did not mean much to me. Now that I have had more time to delve into his word I have a better understanding. I Am to me, means, I Am and there is no other, I Am God, and there is only one God, I Am everything and all that you need, I Am the Great I Am and there is no one else greater... So I thank the Lord because he is who he is, there is no one else in which to compare him to, therefore I love him because he loved me first. 


Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas!!



Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, so it is supposed to be. 
However, I am doubting that more and more. Ever since I read some years ago in Jeremiah 10.3&4 for the customs of the people are vain; for one cut a tree out of the forests ( which is the work of the hands of the carpenter) with the axe. 
4, and another decks it with silver and with gold: they fasten it with nails and hammers that it fall not. Some people may disagree but I stopped purchasing Christmas trees after that. I use to love the real trees compared to artificial ones. The smell of pine in the home would help in the celebration, but the more I thought about that verse the more I felt wrong about something else, the giving of Christmas presents. 

I fully understand why Jesus was given gifts at his birth. He is the light of the world, the one sent from God the take our sins away, the one who came to bare our burdens, the one sent to die for us. He is the gift to mankind. So me receiving gifts and sending gifts supposedly on his birthday just tells me that now I have made a total mockery of who Jesus is and I am also saying that I am equal to him. I only hope that one day my children will see the truth for what it really is because God said he should be celebrated in truth. There are parts of the bible where God is asking the people " when you celebrate? Is it about me or were your celebrations about yourself. It's the same as when he says" these people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me. ( there is absolutely nothing wrong in celebrating Jesus's birth I just believe the gift giving should be left out, and if we celebrated life, more people would not be so quick to take some one else's) 

Christmas turns out to be a time for businesses to recoup all their losses because more people shop at this time and we are encouraged to shop and spend money. The ones who spend takes out loans, most often bills don't get paid and some people find themselves being very unhappy at this time of year. Why ? Because they have made it about themselves. 
If Christmas is a time of giving why do we only want to be nice at Christmas, what about all through the year. As a homeless man begs for a dollar he is given $100.00 at Christmas. If we truly had Christ in our hearts there would no longer be any homeless people, because we would adopt the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Love one another as yourself, if you freely give you will freely receive. 

Jesus came and died for those who believe and like the earlier church in paul's day acts 4: 34&35 neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold. 
35, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.  Merry Christmas


Sunday, December 21, 2014

Trying to stay positive amidst chaos!!!

The enemy hate you because you do not belong to him, so he wrecks havoc in your life by trying to destroy you. But you must know that the enemy is satan and God loves you so much that he made a way for your escape. It is the blood of Jesus. By his blood we are able to resist the devil and his trickery.

Do not lose focus, and do not lose hope!!!

Ok, I have a tendency to read about the end times and what the establishment have planned. I suppose instead of filling my head with man made  plans I need to acquaint myself with the word of God which also offers Gods plan. 
 God has a plan for the wicked as well as the righteous. No matter how bad things look on the outside I know their is only one thing worth doing and that is to pray and staying focused on his word. I know that prayer changes situations and this chapter from Isaiah just reaffirm me to not worry but to give it all to God. 

Isaiah 29 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

29 1 A prophecy against Jerusalem. 13 The vengeance of God on them that follow the traditions of men.

1 Ah [a]altar, altar of the city that David dwelt in: add year unto year: [b]let them kill lambs.
2 But I will bring the altar into distress, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow, and it shall be unto me like [c]an altar.
3 And I will besiege thee as a circle, and fight against thee on a mount, and will cast up ramparts against thee.
4 So shalt thou be humbled, and shalt speak out of the [d]ground, and thy speech shall be as out of the dust: thy voice also shall be out of the ground like him that hath a spirit of divination, and thy talking shall whisper out of the dust.
5 Moreover, multitude of thy [e]strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of strong men shall be as chaff that passeth away: and it shall be in a moment, even suddenly.
6 Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and shaking, and a great noise, a whirlwind, and a tempest, and a flame of a devouring fire.
7 And the [f]multitude of all the nations that fight against the altar, shall be as a dream or vision by night: even all they that make the war against it, and strongholds against it, and lay siege unto it.
8 And it shall be like as an hungry man dreameth, and behold, [g]he eateth: and when he awaketh, his soul is empty: or like as a thirsty man dreameth, and lo, he is drinking, and when he awaketh, behold, he is faint, and his soul longeth: so shall the multitude of all nations be that fight against mount Zion.
9 [h]Stay yourselves and wonder: they are blind, and make you blind: they are drunken, but not with wine: they stagger, but not by strong drink.
10 For the Lord hath covered you with a spirit of slumber, and hath shut up your eyes: the Prophet, and your chief Seers hath he covered.
11 And the vision of them all is become unto you, as the words of a book that is sealed up, which they deliver to one that can read, saying, Read this, I pray thee. Then shall he say, I [i]cannot; for it is sealed.
12 And the book is given unto him that cannot read, saying, Read this, I pray thee. And he shall say, I cannot read.
13 Therefore the Lord said, Because this people [j]come near unto me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but have removed their heart far from me, and their [k]fear toward me was taught by the precept of men,
14 Therefore behold, I will again do a marvelous work in this people, even a marvelous work, and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall [l]perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
15 Woe unto them that [m]seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord: for their works are in darkness, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
16 Your turning of devices shall it not be esteemed [n]as the potter’s clay? for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or the thing formed, say of him that fashioned it, He had none understanding?
17 Is it not yet but a little while, and Lebanon shall be [o]turned into Carmel? and Carmel shall be counted as a forest?
18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
19 The meek in the Lord shall receive joy again, and the poor men shall rejoice in the Holy one of Israel.
20 For the cruel man shall cease, and the scornful shall be consumed: and all that hasted to iniquity, shall be cut off:
21 Which made a man to sin in the [p]word, and took him in a snare: which reproved them in the gate, and made the just to fall without cause.
22 Therefore thus saith the Lord unto the house of Jacob, even he that redeemed Abraham: Jacob shall not now be confounded, neither now shall his face be pale.
23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my Name, and sanctify the Holy one of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
24 Then they that erred in spirit, [q]shall have understanding, and they that murmured, shall learn doctrine

Isaiah 29:1 The Hebrew word Ariel signifieth the Lion of God, and signifieth the Altar, because the altar seemed to devour the sacrifice that was offered to God, as Ezek. 43:16.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

The Greatest Gift!!

What is the saddest story ever told mankind? the death of Jesus Christ. 
What is the greatest story ever told to mankind. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

The greatest Gift to us all is Jesus, the gift of Everlasting  Life. 

As we celebrate Christmas lets not forget the reason for the season!! I do not have much of my own to say but these words are taken out of the NIV translation bible book called Believe by Randy Frazee.
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord almighty will accomplish this. 
 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. 
 He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 
 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. 
 Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God,stricken by him, and afflicted. 
 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was in him, and by his wounds we are healed. 
 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 
 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a Lamb to the slaughter, and as sheep before its sharers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 
 By oppression and judgement he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? 
 For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 
 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death. Though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 
 Yet it was the Lords will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life and offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 
 After he has suffered he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant  will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 
 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. 
 For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  Isaiah 53: 1-12


Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Psalm 31 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

Psalm 31  

31 1 David delivered from some great danger, first rehearseth what meditation he had by the power of faith, when death was before his eyes, his enemy being ready to take him. 15 Then he affirmeth that the favor of God is always ready to those that fear him. 20 Finally he exhorteth all the faithful to trust in God and to love him, because he preserveth and strengtheneth them, as they may see by his example.

To him that excelleth. A Psalm of David.

1 In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust: let me never be confounded: deliver me in thy [a]righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me: make haste to deliver me: be unto me a strong rock, and an house of defense to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress: therefore for thy Name’s sake direct me and guide me.
4 Draw me out of the [b]net, that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine [c]hand I commend my spirit: for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
6 I have hated them that give themselves to deceitful vanities: for I [d]trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast seen my trouble: thou hast known my soul in adversities,
8 And thou hast not shut me up in the hand of the enemy, but hast set my feet at [e]large.
9 Have mercy upon me, O Lord: for I am in trouble: mine [f]eye, my soul and my belly are consumed with grief.
10 For my life is wasted with heaviness, and my years with mourning: my strength faileth for my pain, and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a [g]reproach among all mine enemies, but specially among my neighbors: and a fear to mine acquaintance, [h]who seeing me in the street, fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the railing of [i]great men: fear was on every side, while they conspired together against me, and consulted to take my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, [j]Thou art my God.
15 My [k]times are in thine hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and save me through thy mercy.
17 Let me not be confounded, O Lord: for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be put to confusion, and to [l]silence in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be made dumb, which cruelly, proudly, and spitefully speak against the righteous.
19 How great is thy goodness, which thou [m]hast laid up for them that fear thee! and done to them that trust in thee, even before the sons of men!
20 Thou dost hide them [n][o]privily in thy presence from the pride of men: thou keepest them secretly in thy Tabernacle from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath showed his marvelous kindness toward me in a [p]strong city.
22 Though I said in mine [q]haste, I am cast out of thy sight, yet thou heardest the voice of my prayer, when I cried unto thee.
23 Love ye the Lord all his [r]Saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and rewardeth abundantly the proud doer.
24 All ye that trust in the Lord, be [s]strong, and he shall establish your heart.
Footnotes:

Psalm 31:1 For then God declareth himself just, when he preserveth his according as he hath promised.
Psalm 31:4 Preserve me from the crafty counsels and subtle practice of mine enemies.
Psalm 31:5 He desireth God not only to take care for him in this life, but that his soul may be saved after this life.
Psalm 31:6 This affection ought to be in all God’s children, to hate whatsoever thing is not grounded upon a sure trust in God, as deceitful and vain.
Psalm 31:8 Largeness signifieth comfort, as straightness, sorrow and peril.
Psalm 31:9 Meaning, that his sorrow and torment had continued a great while.
Psalm 31:11 Mine enemies had drawn all men to their part against me, even my chief friends.
Psalm 31:11 They were afraid to show me any token of friendship.
Psalm 31:13 They that were in authority, condemned me as a wicked doer.
Psalm 31:14 I had this testimony of conscience, that thou wouldest defend mine innocence.
Psalm 31:15 Whatsoever changes come, thou governest them by thy providence.
Psalm 31:17 Let death destroy them to the intent that they may hurt no more.
Psalm 31:19 The treasures of God’s mercy are always laid up in store for his children, albeit at all times they do not enjoy them.
Psalm 31:20 Hebrew, in the secret of thy face.
Psalm 31:20 That is, in a place where they shall have thy comfort, and be hid safely from the enemies’ pride.
Psalm 31:21 Meaning, there was no city so strong to preserve him, as the defense of God’s favor.
Psalm 31:22 And so by my rashness and infidelity deserved to have been forsaken.
Psalm 31:23 Or, ye that feel his mercies.
Psalm 31:24 Be constant in your vocation, and God will confirm you with heavenly strength.
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. 

Monday, December 15, 2014

Believer vs non believer!!!

John 1:1 In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God,  and the word was God. 
As I look around this world in which I live I see a lot of evil. I see nations fighting against each other, neighbors fighting, people being killed, robbed raped, molested, drugged out, many lies being told, relationships coming apart, television evangelist seeking glory, fame and fortune at the expense of those who don't have and are blinded by their deception.  Few people really seeking the truth. I suppose with all of the turmoil that goes on in the world it can lead some people to be non believers. But whatever excuse we use to not believe, his word still stands, and as sure as there is evil in this world there is a God. I have heard many people say " why does God allow all of this evil to happen? What kind of a God allow all of this to go on and if that is your God then I am not interested. I suppose that is there reason for not believing. For starters, mankind seems to forget that we are the ones who disobeyed him. Before the fall of mankind there was no sin in the world. There was no death, no hunger, no pain, no evil, no hate, no quarrels, no disease.  Animals  and mankind were all at peace with one another and we communed with God face to face.  We have never experienced that peace. Only Adam and Eve knew that peace. At the second coming of Christ believers will live as it were from the beginning.  Can you imagine being able to see a lion and not be afraid, or being able to hold a snake and not have it hiss or strike you. That is how it was in the beginning and that is how it will be again. As sin entered everything changed. The earths atmosphere changed. God even said " thistles and thorns the earth will give you, the earth will no longer yield its strength. Maybe we believe that the only thing bad that happened was us being kicked out of the garden. But it entailed much more than that,  Which is what the devil did not divulge to Eve. We must understand that he uses deception to entice people. Matthew  10:16 states" I am sending you out as sheep among wolves, therefore be wise as snakes and be gentle as a dove. So now I ask the question, is it God who bestows faith on us or is it our circumstance that creates a believer or a non believer. A person who has never been told about God may have no reason to believe. There are others who are financially wealthy and do not believe that they have a need for God. Still there are others who are financially poor but rich in spirit and therefore believe in God. In every culture on earth we as people believe in something.

Romans 12:3 says" for by the grace given me to everyone of you; do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. " God has given each of us a measure of faith. We cannot allow ourselves to become non believers. Malachi 2:7 says" for the priest lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is a messenger for the Lord of host. But ye are parted out of the way, Ye have cause many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of host. 9, therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. 10, have ye not all one father? Hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers.
Psalm 8:3-9

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Lamentations 5:16-22

The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us for we have sinned! Because of this our hearts are faint, because of these things our eyes grow dim for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it. You Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old, unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us forever.

There is only one God, one bible, but many religions and I suppose that religion itself will cause one to not believe but, that is why we should never leave it up to the church to teach us. We must read and pray for understanding. As the good book says" test the spirit 1 John 4:1 beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

A quick fix or patience!!!

Should God be a quick fix to what's wrong in our lives. We need someone to blame so blame God. I will seek God today because I need him but as soon as things go well I will denounce him. We cannot pick God up and lay him down as we please. Worship is forever not just on Sunday's.  Is 
 this where our selfish mentality comes from?  Psalm 27: 14 states" Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, i say, on the Lord" . We want things done When we want it done, fast food, fast delivery, fast healing, quick solutions to problems, too many problems either drink it away , drug it away or commit suicide. No waiting on God even thou we all know patience is a virtue. But who has time to wait? God's timing is quite different from ours. We are made in his image yet we want to deny him , we think everything should be handed to us on a silver platter. Brainwashed into thinking working hard for what you want is a crime but let me rob you because it is fast money. Not considering the consequence of early death or jail time. Not even caring about your eternity. Believing we only live once and then we die. The bible says there will be 2 resurrections .one for the just and the second resurrection for the unjust. Those who take part in the first resurrection will not be judged in the second resurrection.  It is full time to awake. The bible states that Satan saw that Eve had a weakness so he tempted her into disobeying God, let's be strong and vigilant in our faith because the end is near. No more being deceived.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

The Battle!!!


Throughout the ages countries have fought each other for whatever reasons.  To prepare for battle we need an army and we need protection against the enemy.  There are countries like Costa Rica who does not have a standing army.  

We as individuals sometimes find ourselves in a battle for survival. Be it a fight against cancer, a fight against smoking, and drugs, a fight for our sanity, a fight for our freedom and will to live.  Most importantly a fight for our soul.

There are many battles but as the saying goes" we must fight the one worth fighting for. Some people are cantankerous and loves a good fight. Gods' children knows that in order to win the battle placed before them they must put on their armor. Their protection is the word of God. It is a shield and guide. Able to break down strongholds. Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. 6:14 stand therefore having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace 6:16 above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to Quench all the fiery darts of the devil or wicked one. 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. 

So never get weary about the battle and believing that we cannot win because Jesus Christ won on the cross. God does not lose battles. We as people get intimidated by the enemy and we may lose hope but as David said in psalm 91, 7:16 
Ten thousand may fall at my right side and ten thousand at my right hand but it shall not come near me. Verse 9 because you have made the Lord who is my  refuge, even the most high your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. Verse 15 he shall call upon me and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him, with long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. 
There are many more passages in the bible where God tells us that he will fight for us. So before I become disillusioned with life I will remember that God has me. He is my battle axe.  1 chronicles 20:15 states: The battle is not mines but it is the Lords. 

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Oh give thanks!!!

Psalm 107:1 

Oh give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever!! Happy thanksgiving

Monday, October 27, 2014

Morning Wisdom!!


What ever you do today and in life make sure that you are happy doing it. Make sure that it is acceptable to God, always tell the truth because anything else comes from the evil one. Make sure to thank God each day because he should always come first, you second and everyone else third. Never put anyone else feelings over your own because it shows a sign of weakness. Honor God in all things because it pleases him when we consider him first in every decision that we make. Never belittle yourself to please someone else. Always stand up for what you believe in even if it means you stand alone or will be alone. God hears your cries, he reads your thoughts so never be afraid to talk to him because he does answer. When he starts talking to you, LISTEN. Never do to some one what you would not want them to do to you. Because what goes around comes back around 2 and 3 fold. Know that I love you but neither I nor yourself loves you better than God almighty.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Looking Forward!!


In the bible there are so many reminders of future blessings for those who believe and who lives by the word of God. So after feeling overwhelmed with life, I was reminded by a sermon from Tony Evans. He  was preaching about the holy city of God, the new Jerusalem. I have never heard anyone explain it quite this way before. I have read the measurements of the city and it's foundation, but  I was never able to envision it. Revelation 21:2 says" And I saw the holy city, the new jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Mr  Evans gave me a pretty good visual view. The cities length and width is the exact same. Basically he said that from America to half of Africa is one length and the height is the same. There are no oceans to divide this city.  The bible says that its streets are made of pure gold. In my mind I look to the sky and try to picture this city glittering like a diamond. Ezekiel 48:31 also tells us that each gate is made of large jewels which gives the names of the twelve tribes of Judah. This has got to be the most beautiful sight to behold. So for all the suffering that goes on in this life, future terrorist attacks, wars, and rumors of wars, diseases, pain and suffering, peoples lies, government meltdowns, We have a future with Christ to look forward to. So giving up is not an option. We must always be watching and waiting patiently for his return. Mathew 25 :1 tells us of the 10 virgins who went out to meet the groom, 5 were prepared and the other 5 were not. We can not be caught off guard. Our future with Jesus Christ is not the only example that we have to go by. The book of Deuteronomy also gives us curses and blessings. The way the world looks it may seem that we are experiencing some curses, but  the bible also says that God would bless the fruit of our womb, he would bless us in the field, bless us in our homes, he would give us long life. Psalm 91: 5 says, thou shalt not be afraid of the fear of the night: nor of the arrow that flies by day: nor of the pestilence that walk in the darkness: nor of the plague that destroys at noon day. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand but it shall not come near thee. Some people  believe now more than ever that the end is near.  When Jesus was laid on the cross it became clear that the end was near.
Revelation 3:11 says" I am coming quickly, hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 

Friday, October 3, 2014

Part Time Love, Or Full Time Prayer!!!


I was at work one day when I asked myself this question. Is  my love for God a part time commitment or full time. l try to pray every day but there are days when I get so busy that I actually forget. My job consist of selling Christian items. So each day I assist each customer who needs help. I also present to them the new app that the company now offers which cost. Being able to sell this app to customers becomes a benefit to myself  and the company. I receive a small commission and I feel good knowing that I helped someone make an important decision with their life. There is one small issue with selling this app. There are days when business is not so good. We either do not have enough customers coming in or it just happens to be one of those days when everyone says no " not today". Well' on the days when business is relatively slow  certain employees have a tendency to say " lets pray" in hopes of making a sale. The thing is, I pray and I don't have a problem praying but, should I pray only when I need something or do I pray always. Personally I pray by giving thanks and realizing what God has bought me through.  I don't feel right praying just to get a sale. It is like a person who constantly wants but never willing to give. It also makes me feel as though I am in some way trying to use God. If I decided to only pray when I needed something wouldn't that be like using God just like humans use each other, " I will only call when I need something and if I don't need anything then you will not hear from me. What if God was like us and he only dealt with us part time. I feel ungrateful to only call on him when we need things. We should also pray in giving thanks. I actually told my supervisor that I believe that when I read the word and pray my days at work goes good. So if we would read the word plus pray then God would take care of the rest. She actually laughed in disbelief.  I truly hope that we see and understand that Jesus Prayed. The bible says that we should pray often and for us to pray morning, noon and night, Psalm 55:17.  The prophets in the bible spent most of their time worshipping and praying to God. I am not saying that we need to become saints but I truly believe that praying often removes a lot of hell out of our lives.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

My Rock!!

My Rock

Some people say that their husband or wife is their rock.  There use to be a commercial for prudential insurance, " stand on the rock", as if to say you can never go wrong. The definition for rock is ' relatively hard  naturally formed mineral, stone.  The bible also uses the Term rock in describing God. He is our rock,  He is strong and mighty.  He stands forever.  
Some people need a drink to get them through the day. There are others who need to smoke or take drugs just to cope with life, then there are those who must be in a relationship to feel wanted or needed. In order to have a true relationship with someone we must first have a relationship with Jesus Christ. In order to love ourselves we must first love Jesus Christ. When we love and seek him first, he will give us the understanding of his love, mercy, grace and power over our life. Once we start to walk with him, talk with him, commune with him we start to feel his presence and no longer become dependent on those worldly negative things, because in reality, we are only masking a deeper problem. In no way does drinking, drugs and ungodly relationships help us. They only destroy us slowly over time. I remember being told by someone close to me that I needed a psychiatrist to help me with my mental issues. I told this person that God was my psychiatrist. I just have a strong belief that Jesus being here on earth and healing people From all kinds of ailments is proof enough for me to continue my belief in him. He is still healing people and there is nothing impossible for him to do. No matter the problem or situation just give it to God. If we pay attention to every one in the bible who Christ Jesus healed, they all were healed because of their faith. They believed that he could heal them and they were healed. Mathew 7:8 says' that for everyone who ask receives, and he who seeks finds, and to everyone who knocks the door shall be opened. 
Mark 11:24 says' therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it and it will be granted unto to you. James 1:6 says' The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea being driven and tossed by the wind. So when we pray we must have faith in our prayer in believing that God will answer our prayer. Luke 17:6 say' if you have faith  as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mulberry tree " be uprooted and planted in the sea and it will obey you. Psalm 18: 2 says' The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock in whom I take refuge. Beyonce has a song called 'baby you are my rock, ' but there is no greater rock than Jesus Christ, my shield and my deliverer. 

Committed.

Committed

We commit ourselves to our job, our spouses and family but I am working on committing myself to God.   There is only one God, the God who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it.  To him do I commit my life.  I have had so many ups and downs, sometimes more down than ups. I have struggled trying to raise 2 daughters by myself, sometimes maintaining 2 jobs while going back to school. It was very hard but I lived through it. I have been evicted more times than I care to remember, But in the words of Maya Angelo " still I rise". 
In good times and bad times I have learned to call on God. I never had friends that I could run to and ask for help. I do know however that if someone decided to help me that it was God who sent them. I remember being in my 20's and I only had one child and without a job. I was home with nothing to eat and wondering what will I feed myself and my child for the next day. I felt I had no one to call and was too proud to ask anyone for help. Well" I went to bed that night  with nothing in my cabinets or refrigerator to eat. The very next day I woke up to someone ringing my doorbell. To my surprise it was a friend who I had not seen nor spoke to in 2 weeks. Out of the blue she decided to send her daughter to my house with a basket of food. I was so surprised because I did not tell her my troubles nor did I call her to ask for anything. I could only ask the question " how on earth or what made her do this for me. My only reasoning is that it was God who gave her the inclination to bring me that basket of food. This shows me that almighty God is very real and he truly cares about me. Not only does he care about me but he cares about his children, ( we are his children) This world belongs to God and he loves and cares about all of his creation. What he does not have a love for is wickedness and sin. Job 38:10 States" by the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straightened. 11, also by watering he wearies the thick cloud: he scatters his bright cloud; 12, and it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commands them upon the face of the world in the earth 13, he causes it to come , whether for correction, or for his land , or for mercy. 41, who provides for the raven his food, when his young ones cry unto God. 39, wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? Or fill the appetite of the young lions. Luke 13:34  states " Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets and stones them that are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings and ye would not". As I am writing this I am understanding the love that God has for us and the love that we should have for others. I know that when I get angry I tend to be angry at everyone and everything.  Being angry at everyone and everything is very unlike  God. God says for us to love one another just like he loves us.John 13:34 says " a new commandment I give you' that you love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciple's if you love one another. When we make it our responsibility to hate we  are showing God that we hate his creation. As if to say that we do not care about his commandments. The bible ask the question" how can we say we love God who we have not seen but hate our fellow man who we see each day. At times I find myself having hateful thoughts but thankfully God is a forgiving God and as I commit myself to him he is teaching me to love my neighbor as myself. It is hard especially when someone is displaying hate towards me but when I think of all the moments when Christ has had my back in situations. The times when he has proven over and over that he loves me, ( undeserving as I am, as we all are) who am I to harbor hate when someone like Jesus Christ from the beginning has only showed me love. Yesterday I was talking to a co- worker and I told her about a company that I heard of that puts God first, family second and business third. Her response was" I'm sorry but family comes first for me, I said to her" what do you mean? It is God who gave you your family. I don't think she grasped what I meant.  The point is that whatever we acquire in life or whoever we are " God gave it all to us. Whether we are African,  European, Asian, Spanish, Arabic, Indian, rich or poor God gives it to us all. None of us can change our DNA and I don't know of anyone who wants to.  
Committing myself to God is not easy, I have to be forgiving just like him and God knows it can be a hard task. I must love others just like he loves us. That's another hard task. I am a work in progress. I write this blog to help myself and hopefully help someone else. Not only do I have the bible as an example of Gods love but my experiences in life also serves as examples of his love towards me. So I have no other alternative but to thank him and try my best to honor and uphold his words because it is he who has kept me this long. It is he who has protected me from harm. There is no one else who came to my rescue but God. 




Saturday, September 6, 2014

How Valuable Are You!!!

How valuable are you?


If you acquired all the luxuries and money in this world it would not be as valuable as you. Do you understand how valuable you really are? You are more valuable than silver and gold. The enemy understands this fully well. You were thought about long before you were born. You are no accident, nor are you a mistake.  John 10:10 says" the enemy comes only to steal, kill and destroy but I have come so that you may have life and have it more abundantly.
Nowadays it is very easy for someone to pick up a gun and take the life of another or even themselves. In my opinion we have been brainwashed by television. How many programs or movies can we watch without someone getting shot or murdered. It happens so often that it has become the norm. We must be careful what we allow into our spirit. We are moved by what we read and see. It all has a great affect on us. We can sit back and say " well" I have watched those kind of shows and it does not affect me, but if we take a good look around us we will see that it does have an affect on us. Is it possible to hear the evening news without someone getting shot and killed. It seems as though the poor are most affected. If we do not have an outlet, what will we do or where will we go? If we as a society decided to spend most of our time focusing on God and reading his word instead of being more focused on television, Facebook, texting and the Internet. What kind of society would we be? All these things are distractions that the enemy uses to get us away from our real purpose. We were put here on earth to honor our creator but as we can see the enemy has been disrupting this from the beginning.  Why does it seem so hard to believe that we are all brothers and sisters. We are also sons and daughters of the most high God. How can one persons'  life be more important, or valuable than another. Evidently Jesus did not think so because he died on Calvary for you and me and anyone who believes. If someone died for us shouldn't it be enough for us to understand. I know life can let us down, and sometimes it seems as if we are all alone but believing in the positive things in life and not allowing our negative feelings and situations get the best of us is what we need to work on. God did not say it would be easy but having him to call and depend on is much better than going it alone.
Matthew 11:30 states " for my burden is easy and my yoke is light. Jesus has given us many reasons to know that he truly love and care about us. We are not alone in this because someone greater than us took our sins and got on the cross for us. We are precious and very valuable to Jesus Christ, so we cannot let sin, people or the trouble life gives discourage us from believing that we each are truly precious, and valuable in his eyes. If we understand how valuable we are then maybe we will understand how valuable the next person is and then we can allow love to overpower and rule  us instead of hate. 

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Heaven or Hell

Heaven or hell

If there is no heaven then there is no God, and if there is no hell then there is no devil.  If there is no God or Devil then why do we have to die? If the earth and everything in it came about from a scientific standpoint then why don't we live forever? Why does plants, organisms, people and animals all die? If we all die then why can't we all live. 

As humans we create things, form structure and make rules. If we just haphazardly came about then why do we have structure, get things organized and have a judicial system with rules, regulations and laws in place. If we just haphazardly came about then every thing we do would be out of order and nothing would make sense. Even the animals have structure. A lot of the things we know we did not acquire this knowledge on our own. Someone higher than us taught us. I believe that that someone is God. I cannot deny this fact no matter how hard I try. As I look around me I see God in everything. I see him in the tallest mountains,  just like I see him in the tallest skyscraper, I see him in the wilderness as well as the forest,  I see him in the tallest tree as well as the tallest house, I see him in every animal, as well as all people, I see him in all plants, as well as the sun, stars, moon and planets. Coincidentally they all have order and a cycle that they follow. I see God in the wind and the rain as well as the tallest vessel sailing the deepest ocean. How can I not see God in all of this and how can I not see him in every human being. No matter how downright wicked and cruel a person may be I still see God. Why? Because we are all created in his image, in the image of God he created us, male and female he created them ( Genesis 1:27). 

So if there is no God then how do we know that to murder someone is wrong. If there is no God then there is no right and no wrong. There is no sin because people would just do what they feel without giving an account to anyone. What kind of world would this be if everyone did what they wanted when they wanted without any acknowledgement to it being right or wrong. No one would have any morals and no conscience to convict or set us free. 

Because there is a great and mighty awesome God we do not get to kill without a cause or commit sin without consequence. Yahweh gave us the commandments and rules to follow centuries ago. We have no excuse and no concrete reason to deny his existence. All evidence proves that their is a higher power, beyond our capabilities. 

Isn't our law books and court system based on the commandments? And if they are not then who told us or taught us right from wrong. We can say our parents but they learned from someone who learned from someone else who also learned from someone. If there is no God and no heaven then there is no spirit and God is a spirit and he is the holy spirit and we all have a spirit as well as a conscience. We all must give an account for our actions, either in a court of law before man or in the judgement before God. If there is no heaven and no God then we and everything in this universe came about of our selves, we were born of our selves we are ruled by each other, there is no higher power, so we are free to do as we see fit. I am certain that there are some people who would like for the majority of people to think this way but I cannot. I know that is was and is still Gods grace that sustains me.  It is God who wakes me up each morning, if I did not believe in God the enemy (that old serpent devil) would have destroyed me long ago. I believe in God, I trust and pray to God who helps me out of difficult situations. 

Since there is a God we have heaven, and since we have heaven we have hell and a devil. Many people say they have seen heaven during near death experiences, others say they have seen hell. I remember being told of a man who was dying and saw flames and hell before he died. Are these figments of ones imagination or does heaven and hell really exist. We are told that God lives in heaven and that the devil Also lived in heaven. Due to sin he was kicked out better yet hurled to the earth. So he is not in hell but lives right here on earth. We don't see him because he is also a spirit but he is that wicked and evil spirit which goes about creating havoc and causing confusion among humans. Heaven once was his home but no longer. Now he gets to go to hell that place prepared for him and the angels who rebelled along with him. Every human who rebells against God also gets to go there. We are told that hell is a place of intense heat, and torment.  There  is no comfort or happiness in hell.  If there is no heaven or hell then when we die, we are just dead, there is no hereafter or afterlife, no soul or spirit, no standing before the judgement, no going to hell no nothing  the end. That within itself sounds worse to me than believing in a God who created all of this and formed man of the dust and is sending his son to come back for us because we are his, he created us and we cannot allow anything or anyone to discourage us from believing in him. Isn't it Galatians 3:1  who says" oh foolish Galatians, who bewitched you into not believing? 

As people we tend to think highly of ourselves, we love who we are regardless of skin color, we tend to love and accept the family we are born into regardless of wealth or poverty. We each love and celebrate the culture and life we have been given. Why not thank the one who gave it to us. Since we were created by someone with great love, skill and wisdom why deny him. If there really is a heaven and a hell why not make the right choice now instead of waiting to find out in the end where there is no turning back, where the worms and maggots do not die, where the fire is not quenched. 

Pick and choose,  in heaven the streets are made of Gold, heavens gate is made of precious stones, and the light of God shines eternally.  In hell it is hot, the worms don't die. Also  if the worms do not die, will we be given a new body, the kind that can withstand worms eating you continuously, hellfire burning continuously.  Worms only eat decayed rotted flesh so how pleasant can hell be. Who can imagine. In heaven we will be given new bodies and new names. So just to be on the safe side, try life, the everlasting life with God in heaven and not the devil in hell.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

To give or not to give.

To give or not to give

Now that I take a new route each day, I see the same 3 men 2 blocks away from each other. Each of these men holds up a sign which says " hungry will work for food" .  I find myself wondering do they know each other, and where do they live. I also ask myself do they have families. I also wonder how can we see our loved ones homeless and not be willing to give a helping hand.  Whether we know them personally or not they are our brothers in Christ, because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. There are times when I have reached into my pocket and gave what ever change I have but I personally know someone who will give $5, $10, or even $20 if she has it.  

Just the other day I met a customer who was bewildered with giving. Not that she did not mind giving but the person who is asking for help is well dressed and always at the same location. He does not appear to be homeless, nor does he look like he has missed any meals and he is a young able bodied man. Jesus tells us that if anyone ask for help that we should not turn our backs on them but we should help.  I understand that jobs are getting harder and harder to find and many businesses are closing. So should we try to define who needs help or should we just listen to Gods word and give to those who ask. 
How do we know if someone is trying to take advantage of a situation. I only ask for help if I need it so trying to decide whether someone actually needs the help or not would mean that I am prejudging their situation.  I know that the Christ within me would and should give without question.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Proverbs 4

Here is a little wisdom from Proverbs 4:
Proverbs 4 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
4 1 Wisdom and her fruits ought to be searched. 14 The way of the wicked must be refused. 20 By the word of God the heart, eyes, and course of life must be guided.

1 Hear, O ye children, the instruction of a [a]father, and give ear to learn understanding.
2 For I do give you a good doctrine: therefore forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father’s son, tender and dear in the sight of my mother,
4 When he [b]taught me, and said unto me, Let thine heart hold fast my words: keep my commandments, and thou shalt live.
5 Get wisdom: get understanding: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her and she shall preserve thee.
7 [c]Wisdom is the beginning: get wisdom therefore: and above all thy possession get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall exalt thee: she shall bring thee to honor, if thou embrace her.
9 She shall give a comely ornament unto thine head, yea, she shall give thee a crown of glory.
10 ¶ Hear, my son: and receive my words, and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have [d]taught thee in the way of wisdom, and led thee in the paths of righteousness.
12 When thou goest, thy gait shall not be [e]strait, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not fall.
13 Take hold of instruction, and leave not: keep her, for she is thy life.
14 ¶ Enter not into the way of the wicked, and walk not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, and go not by it: turn from it, and pass by.
16 For they cannot [f]sleep, except they have done evil, and their sleep departeth except they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of [g]wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the way of the righteous shineth as the light, that [h]shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as the darkness: they know not wherein they shall fall.
20 ¶ My son, hearken unto my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes, but keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them: and health unto all their [i]flesh.
23 Keep thine heart with all diligence: for thereout cometh [j]life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and put wicked lips far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes behold the right, and let thine eyelids direct thy way before thee.
26 [k]Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be ordered aright.
27 Turn not to the right hand, nor to the left, but remove thy foot from evil.
Footnotes:

Proverbs 4:1 He speaketh this in the person of a Preacher and Minister, which is as a father unto the people, read Prov. 2:8.
Proverbs 4:4 Meaning, David his father.
Proverbs 4:7 He showeth that we must first begin at God’s word, if so be we will that other things prosper with us, contrary to the judgment of the world, which make it their last study, or else care not for it at all.
Proverbs 4:11 Solomon declareth what care his father had to bring him up in the true fear of God: for this was David’s protestation.
Proverbs 4:12 Thou shalt walk at liberty without offence.
Proverbs 4:16 Meaning, that to do evil is more proper and natural to the wicked than to sleep, eat or drink.
Proverbs 4:17 Gotten by wicked means and cruel oppression.
Proverbs 4:18 Signifying, that the godly increase daily in knowledge and perfection, till they come to full perfection, which is when they shall be joined to their head in the heavens.
Proverbs 4:22 That is, they shall have health of body: under the which all other blessings promised in the law are contained.
Proverbs 4:23 For as the heart is either pure or corrupt, so is the whole course of man’s life.
Proverbs 4:26 Keep a measure in all thy doings.

Friday, June 20, 2014

To a question posted on Facebook, why does God only have 1 son?

Almighty God has many children, for those who believe, we are his children, he did create us. Yes he had one son who was sacrificed for the sins of the world. No need for 2 or 3 sacrificial lambs. Since God is omnipotent he does what he wants because he is God. We can question his decisions but make sure it is to learn more about him and not to discredit his existence. As sure as there is evil and wickedness in this world then know for certain that there is a God also. Some people have never picked up a bible and read it, but reading the word is one way of truly finding out who he really is. Satan has children and his seed are very evil and wicked.  Try God, test God, learn is God real or just a figment of poor peoples imagination( I was told in college poor people need something to believe in) yet God said we will always have the poor among us. Not because he is unable to do anything about it but mankind is selfish and concerned about themselves. Overalll GOD DOES WHAT HE WANTS BECAUSE HE IS GOD
Jeremiah 18:1-8
The word which came to Jeremiah  from the lord saying, arise, and go down to the potters house,  and there shall I show thee my words. Then I went down to the potters house, and behold,  he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay, was broken in the hand of the potter,  so he returned and made it another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, oh house of israel, cannot I do to you as this potter saith the Lord?  Behold, as the clay is in the potters hand,  so are you in my hand,  oh, house of Israel.
I suppose as people we get confused and ask ? Why does God allow bad things to happen, God is not the ruler of this world but satan is, since he was thrown out of heaven. Jesus did say " I saw satan fall like lightening to the earth. We need to realize that God is the maker and ruler of us all but he does not put a knife to our throat or a gun to our head to make us change. As surely as there  is light there is darkness, we have the son of God and we have the man of perdition, we have wealth and poverty, we have life and death, we have the young and we have the old, we have good and we have evil. I could go on but I guess what I am saying is" as surely as we have God we have Satan. I do not know how else to get a person to believe in God if they have never taken the time to know him. I cannot read the bible and then decide that I will only believe some parts and not all, or I will only believe the New Testament and not the old. Since I read the bible then I must believe all of it or none of it. It is the same as serving 2 masters, we cannot serve two masters because that means having one foot in the fire  or walking a tightrope. Life is too short to take chances with our eternity. Good things happen to good people as well as the bad ( the bible does say, none of us are good, no not one) and in proverbs it states that chance happens to all. Believing in the word may not seem so easy to do but as I look around this beautiful world I know that this did not just happen by chance. God loves us so much that his word says that 1 day is as a thousand years to him, meaning he is slow to anger. So many people are dying in the streets due to hunger or murders or accidents, none of this is his doing. It is however the work of the enemy, but we want to blame him instead of honoring and believing in him. We sit gripe and complain about things yet we seem to honor the devil in so many ways, we lie, steal, kill, cheat, gamble, debauchery, fornicate. We do all the things God tells us not do do and then question his existence. We want his blessings but cant handle his wrath or curses it's  as if we are saying"  I should be able to do what I want to do without any consequence. God is the creator of us all, the one who loves us and cares for us the most. Imagine if sin never entered the world how peaceful and serene things would be. Some non believers claim that we were not allowed to think or have knowledge but, didn't Adam have the knowledge to name all the animals including Eve. Sin opened the gateway to everything that is wrong and almighty God is the answer to everything that is right.   God has one son named Jesus and a host of heavenly angels and what he chooses  to do " who am I to question. 

One simple test!!!

To every non believer out there. The bible states that Adam named all the animals. If there is no God and the bible is not true there is one simple test I would like for you to perform, please get yourself  pen and paper and write down all the names of the animals that you know of. Now on another piece of paper I would like for you to rename all the animals without using any of the names that they have already been given. And if that is not enough then look around you and decide what is missing from this earth since there is no God and everything happened by chance or evolution!!! Can the brain create something non existent if it has not been told about it? Looks like only the one who creates all things is capable (God). 

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Taken from the 1599 Geneva Bible.

Luke 6:1

6 1 The disciples pull the ears of corn on the Sabbath. 6 Of him that had a withered hand. 13 The election of the Apostles. 20 The blessings and curses. 27 We must love our enemies. 46 With what fruit the word of God is to be heard.

1 And [a]it came to pass on a second solemn Sabbath, that he went through the corn fields, and his disciples [b]plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, and rubbed them in their hands.
2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath days?
3 Then Jesus answered them, and said, Have ye not read this, that David did when he himself was an hungered, and they which were with him,
4 How he went into the house of God, and took, and ate the showbread, and gave also to them which were with him, which was not lawful to eat, but for the Priests only?
5 And he said unto them, The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath day.
6 ¶ [c]It came to pass also on another Sabbath, that he entered into the Synagogue, and taught, and there was a man, whose right hand was dried up.
7 And the Scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the Sabbath day, that they might find an accusation against him.
8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Arise, and stand up in the midst. And he arose, and stood up.
9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you a question, Whether is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to [d]destroy?
10 And he beheld them all in compass, and said unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he did so, and his hand was restored again, as whole as the other.
11 Then they were filled full of madness, and communed one with another, what they might do to Jesus.
12 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that he went into a mountain to pray, and [e]spent the night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, he called his disciples, and of them he chose twelve which also he called Apostles:
14 (Simon whom he named also Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew and Thomas: James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zealous,
16 Judas James’ brother, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.)
17 Then he came down with them, and stood in a plain place with the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea, and Jerusalem, and from the [f]sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases:
18 And they that were vexed with foul spirits, and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all:
20 ¶ [g]And he lifted up his eyes upon his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be satisfied: blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22 Blessed are ye when men hate you, and when [h]they separate you, and revile you, and put out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and [i]be glad: for behold, your reward is great in heaven: for after this manner their fathers did to the Prophets:
24 But woe be to you that are rich: for ye have [j]received your consolation.
25 Woe be to you that are full: for ye shall hunger. Woe be to you that now laugh: for ye shall wail and weep.
26 Woe be to you when all men speak well of you: for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27 ¶ [k]But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies: do well to them which hate you.
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which hurt you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other, and him that taketh away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee: and of him that taketh away the things that be thine, ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, so do ye to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, [l]what thank shall ye have? for even the sinners love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good for them which do good for you, what thank shall ye have? for even the sinners do the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank shall ye have? for even the sinners lend to sinners, to receive the like.
35 Wherefore love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, [m]looking for nothing again, and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the most High: for he is kind unto the unkind, and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 ¶ [n]Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: [o]forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you: a good measure, [p]pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom: for with what measure ye mete, with the same shall men mete to you again.
39 [q]And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
40 The disciple is not above the master: but whosoever will be a perfect disciple, shall be as his master.
41 ¶ [r]And why seest thou a mote in thy brother’s eye, and considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou seest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Hypocrite, cast out the beam out of thine own eye first, and then shalt thou see perfectly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
43 ¶ [s]For it is not a good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit: neither an evil tree, that bringeth forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit: for neither of thorns gather men figs, nor of bushes gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46 ¶ But why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I speak?
47 [t]Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my words, and doeth the same, I will show you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the waters arose, the flood beat upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was grounded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth and doeth not, is like a man that built an house upon the earth without foundation, against which the flood did beat, and it fell by and by: and the fall of that house was great.
Footnotes:

Luke 6:1 Christ showeth against the superstitious, who stick in every trifle, that the Law of the very Sabbath, was not given to be kept without exception: much less that the salvation of man should consist in the outward keeping of it.
Luke 6:1 Epiphanius noteth well in his treatise, where he confuteth Ebion, that the time, when the disciples plucked the ears of the corn, was in the feast of unleavened bread: Now, whereas in these feasts which were kept many days together, as the feast of Tabernacles, and the Passover, their first day and their last were of like solemnity, Lev. 23. Luke fitly calleth the last day the second Sabbath, though Theophylact understandeth it of any other of them, that followed the first.
Luke 6:6 Charity is the rule of all ceremonies.
Luke 6:9 Whoso helpeth not his neighbor when he can, he killeth him.
Luke 6:12 In that, that Christ useth earnest and long prayer, in choosing twelve of his own company, to the office of the Apostleship, he showeth how religiously we ought to behave ourselves in the choice of Ecclesiastical persons.
Luke 6:17 From all the seacoast, which is called Syro-Phoenecia.
Luke 6:20 Christ teacheth against all Philosophers, and especially the Epicureans, that the chiefest felicity of man is laid up in no place here on earth, but in heaven: and that persecution for righteousness’ sake, is the right way unto it.
Luke 6:22 Cast you out of their Synagogues, as John expoundeth it, John 16:2, which is the sharpest punishment the Church hath, if so be the Elders judge rightfully, and by the word of God.
Luke 6:23 Leaps (as cattle do, which are provender pricked) for exceeding joy.
Luke 6:24 That is, you reap now of your riches, all the commodities and blessings you are ever likely to have, and therefore, you have not to look for any other reward, Matt. 6:2.
Luke 6:27 Christian charity, which differeth much from the worldly, doth not only not revenge injuries, but comprehended even our most grievous enemies, and that for our Father’s sake, which is in heaven: so far is it, from seeking its own profit in doing well.
Luke 6:32 What is there in this your work, that is to be accounted of? for if you look to have commodity by loving, seek those commodities, which are commodities indeed: love your enemies, and so you shall show to the world that you look for those commodities, which come from God.
Luke 6:35 When you will lend, do it only to benefit and pleasure withall, and not for hope, to receive the principal again.
Luke 6:37 Brotherly reprehension must not proceed of curiosity, nor churlishness, nor malice, but they must be just, moderate, and loving.
Luke 6:37 He speaketh not here of civil judgments, and therefore by the word, forgive, is meant that good nature, which the Christians use in suffering and pardoning wrongs.
Luke 6:38 These are borrowed kinds of speeches taken from them which use to measure dry things, as corn and such like, who use a frank kind of dealing therein, and thrust it down and shake it together, and press it and heap it.
Luke 6:39 Unskillful reprehenders hurt both themselves and others: for such as the master is, such is the scholar.
Luke 6:41 Hypocrites, which are very severe reprehenders of others, are very quick of sight to spy other men’s faults, but very blind to see their own.
Luke 6:43 He is a good man, not that is skillful to reprehend others, but he that proveth his uprightness in word and deed.
Luke 6:47 Affliction doth at the length discern true godliness from false and feigned.


Saturday, May 3, 2014

Adam and Eve



Genesis 2: 23-24 

And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. 
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one 

Many marriages today need to be God fearing and Godly inspired. From the beginning marriage was instituted not by man but by God. Mankind however has twisted and tossed God out of their marriages believing that their  love is enough to hold it together. We must first love God and understand his love for us before we can begin to say that we love someone else. We need to understand what it means to be sons and daughters of the most high God. If my father is a great king then this means that I am a  child of a king who should be treated with honor and the upmost respect but society has removed God so now we are severely disrespecting one another. Many people get married for money, companionship, lust,  and appearance, while the true meaning of love is no where to be found.  One of the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our soul, mind and strength and the next greatest commandment is to love your neighbor the way we love ourselves which is found in the book of Mathew  22:36-40 
Marriage is between a man and a woman and anything outside of this no longer has God in it. God also called for us to not be divorced but many people rush quickly into marriage and rush quickly out of marriage. Love is the grounds for everything in life because when we know the true meaning of love, the love that God implemented from the beginning we would not allow ourselves to be taken for granted, used and abused, disrespected, manipulated, lied to, nor could we find it in our hearts to do these things to others. If we sit and watch television programs, television will have two people meet and ten minutes later they love each other and within another ten minutes they are married and within another day they are raising a family. Well the satire to this is that television is not a true dipiction of the real world. Society says its ok for people to have sex before they are married. Who are we allowing to make the rules and whose rules are we following? Are these Gods rules or mankind? Without the Lord leading things disintegrate and fall apart. We must remember that we are here to serve the Lord and not our selves. I am quite certain that if my grandparents and your grandparents were still Living that they would still be married. Hebrews 13:4 states,  Marriage should be held in honor among all and the marriage bed undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral, fornicators, and adulterers.

I myself have allowed society to lead me in the wrong direction. I did not recognize my faults and mistakes until I started reading the bible regularly and asking God for forgiveness. Now I see the road I have traveled and understand why God implemented marriage. Not only is marriage used for procreation but true love between a man and a woman is blessed by God and his word says  Mark 10:9 " what God has joined together let no man put asunder".  Knowing this should help us make better choices in the relationships we seek. Are we treating the other person the way God said we should? Are we doing unto others as we would have them do to us?. 
Now back to Adam and Eve ! Why do we suppose they stayed together? Could it simply be because God created her as his wife. When we honor each other in union we also honor God because we are his bride which is the church.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Guns don't kill people but yet people die.

The gun is a destroyer of life but Gods word is a deliverer of life. If many people picked up the word instead of the gun there would be many lives saved. So many lives cut short. Are we born just to die,? It certainly was not Gods intention. We must learn who we really are because there are only 2 roads in life. One road leads to hell and destruction, imprisonment, early death, drugs, lies, prostituting self and others, worthless, destructive, no love for self or others, just another generation of people going to hell. The other road leads to everlasting life, life with our heavenly father,   abundant life on earth, enjoying the beauty of life, being able to watch our children, children's children and great great grandchildren grow, being able to live long enough to see a generation of people come from us. But people are so wired to accept the lies and negativity being spewed at them that now its normal. Not many know and believe the real truth. Just like Eve believed the lie in the garden of Eden we also have been believing the lie which now has everything out of balance with nature and God. We are so far from our creator we don't even understand. When we align ourselves with God the the earth and everything around us balance itself with us .  Remember in Genesis the bible states for sinning the earth would no longer yield its increase but thorn and thistles it would give. As the bible states we are like wondering stars which has no light , doomed to utter darkness. 
While learning who God is we also need to learn who the enemy is because he also comes as a ray of light but he is a deceiver, liar and schemer who always has some trick up his sleeve.
Each year in the black community many young people are loosing their lives to guns. In each major city in America someone dies either accidentally or intentionally by the gun. This is not only a problem in the United States but it has become a worldwide problem. 
We talk about the extinction of animals but in black communities across every city, nation and the world the black male will be extinct if this continues. I wish I had a solution. 

For God so loved the world.

In celebration of Easter I share this post because this was preached by Jesus after being tempted by Satan in the desert.The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me, that I should preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me, that I should heal the broken hearted,  that I should preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, that I should set at liberty those that are bruised.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Jesus then vs now


I got the idea for this story based on a yahoo headline which states, " Atlanta minister explains to his parishioners his purchase of a house for 2.2 million dollars. So I did not read the story but it made me ask a question. What if Jesus was born at this time in our lifetime? Considering that he was born in a manger and before his crucifixion he came riding on a donkey and the people took off their garments and laid it in the ground. If he was born in this era would he be born at the ritz Carlton? Instead of riding on a donkey, 
would he take a first class jet or limousine to his destination? 

God gave us wisdom to create beautiful structures and their are great architects in this world  but the greatest architect that ever lived is Jesus. so I am not trying to knock anyone but I now understand certain things. Jesus came then and was born in a manger because God put him in a lowly position, even though he came from above, he did not brag nor flaunt what he knew or already had and would receive. So he failed not.  Here he is a great king who has access to all that  his father has but he came being born in a manger, riding on a donkey and then suffering  the most for being heir to the kingdom.  This story made me realize that mankind is impressed with each other and we do things to impress others, but God does not need us to impress him. We can build the greatest church or the greatest house but what impresses the Lord most is " are we doing what he told us, are those in bondage free, are the captives free, are we looking after widows and orphans, those who are hungry, are they being fed? Maybe I am wrong but I feel that if a minister can purchase a home of that cost then their should be no one in his congregation who needs a car, or their light bill paid, their food pantry should be full beyond capacity. everyone should have equally because in Acts 5: there was a man named ananias and his wife sapphira 
who lied about selling their plot of land and kept back some of the proceeds, they both died for lying to the holy spirit. In those times they gathered as they needed. It was about preaching the word of Jesus and not about getting rich. So now I must ask this question also, if this minister has 2.2 million then most likely he has a mega church. So let's say he has 20,000 members and each member gives $1.00 every Sunday then that is $20,000 per week. We really need to be careful that we do not get enticed by this world and what it has to offer. 

I honestly believe that if Jesus came now in this time that many people would find something wrong with him because he would not be wearing $1,000 suits or gucci shoes and be decked out in diamonds. He would still wear his sandals just like Moses and the israelites who's sandals did not wear out after 40 years in the desert. He would still ride on a donkey and I am sure many people would laugh and say what kind of messiah or savior is this, he does not cut his hair, he eats with sinners and he is healing all of the sick, which  the pharisees did say and they also mocked him. Now I wonder are we really Christians how much do we really believe. I am trying my best to live Christlike. God's word does say that we are to test the spirit and he gives us discernment. God also blesses us but, are we blessing others also? Mathew 26:11 says that we will always have the poor among us and this is a good example of why, because we want, want want. Mathew 6:33 also tells us to seek not the things of this world but to seek after heavenly things because the things in this world is passing away. 

It does take money to make it in this world but if those who have gave to those who did not have, I wonder would we still have poverty, and homelessness in this world. There is enough money to solve poverty but who is willing to end or solve it. Of course we will find all kinds of excuses. I wouldn't be surprised if someone said " well I'm not Jesus Christ! so in order to believe we must do. So this is a lesson to myself, I don't have millions and if I did what would I do?  I do know that Jesus said John 14 : 2 " in my fathers house there are many mansions and if it were not so I would have told you for I go to prepare a place for you. 

So since we are here but a moment and hellfire is everlasting and living with Christ is also everlasting I need to make sure that I make the right everlasting choice.