Sunday, July 26, 2015
Judge Not!
Hello everyone, this is a post from earlier this year. I am re-posting because I believe it bears repeating. We must ALL learn to judge people for who they are and not by the color of their skin, religious beliefs or socioeconomic condition.
We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path. ~ Pailo Coelho
Scripture:
She said she wished that they would just take all of the Arab-American people living here in the United States and ship them back to the middle east and drop a bomb on them all. I was appalled at this statement for a number of reasons.
The first one being that I am a Christian and believe whole-hardheartedly in the credo, Love thy neighbor as thy love thy self. Secondly, I am African-American and I am a descendant from a race of people who have been persecuted because of the color of our skin since the beginning of time. She like so many others had set judgment against a group of people based on the actions of a few. Since the beginning of time people have been judging one another based on the color of their skin, their ethnicity, and yes, even their spiritual beliefs.
Saints, I am not condoning the actions of those who are seeking to destroy us. However, I am advocating for tolerance. I for one have experienced good people and bad people of every race, gender, and faith.
My opinion of people is based on what’s on the inside. You see, when the Holy Spirit lives in you, others can't help but see Him in your words and in your actions. It is not up to us to condemn or exalt anyone. Only God can judge the actions of others.
How will you be judged?
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, we come to You this day asking forgiveness for the words spoken against another because of who we think they are. Help us Lord, to see other as You see us. Help us Lord to look beyond a persons appearance and see into their hearts. Help us Lord, to show forgiveness towards those who have caused us such sorrow and heartache. Father we ask that You continue to cover us all with Your wings of protection. Help us Lord to rebuke those who seek to destroy us. Teach us this day to have a forgiving spirit towards those who have misused us. Father, help us to see others in the same way You see us. With the eyes of Love. With a spirit of forgiveness, and with an open mind so that we may come to understand those who seem strange to us. Father, I am asking once again that You touch those saints who have asked for prayer for whatever situation they may be faced with. Father, our prayers are not complete until we tell You just how much we love You. We thank You Lord, for Your forgiveness of our sins and for looking beyond our faults. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path. ~ Pailo Coelho
Scripture:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)
On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacked the World Trade Center in New York Trade Center killing thousands of innocent men, women and children. Since then, I have heard people say some terrible things about Arabs living in the United States. Most recently, while waiting for my dentist, a woman who was also waiting struck up a conversation with me.She said she wished that they would just take all of the Arab-American people living here in the United States and ship them back to the middle east and drop a bomb on them all. I was appalled at this statement for a number of reasons.
The first one being that I am a Christian and believe whole-hardheartedly in the credo, Love thy neighbor as thy love thy self. Secondly, I am African-American and I am a descendant from a race of people who have been persecuted because of the color of our skin since the beginning of time. She like so many others had set judgment against a group of people based on the actions of a few. Since the beginning of time people have been judging one another based on the color of their skin, their ethnicity, and yes, even their spiritual beliefs.
Saints, I am not condoning the actions of those who are seeking to destroy us. However, I am advocating for tolerance. I for one have experienced good people and bad people of every race, gender, and faith.
My opinion of people is based on what’s on the inside. You see, when the Holy Spirit lives in you, others can't help but see Him in your words and in your actions. It is not up to us to condemn or exalt anyone. Only God can judge the actions of others.
How will you be judged?
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, we come to You this day asking forgiveness for the words spoken against another because of who we think they are. Help us Lord, to see other as You see us. Help us Lord to look beyond a persons appearance and see into their hearts. Help us Lord, to show forgiveness towards those who have caused us such sorrow and heartache. Father we ask that You continue to cover us all with Your wings of protection. Help us Lord to rebuke those who seek to destroy us. Teach us this day to have a forgiving spirit towards those who have misused us. Father, help us to see others in the same way You see us. With the eyes of Love. With a spirit of forgiveness, and with an open mind so that we may come to understand those who seem strange to us. Father, I am asking once again that You touch those saints who have asked for prayer for whatever situation they may be faced with. Father, our prayers are not complete until we tell You just how much we love You. We thank You Lord, for Your forgiveness of our sins and for looking beyond our faults. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
The Game of Life: A Real Character Builder
Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward. ~ Henry Ford
Scripture:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 (New International Version)
I often wonder, why does life have to be so hard? It seems as though we are confronted with one trial after another. We are met with challenges almost on a daily basis. I have come to the realization that how we meet our challenges will help define our true character.
There are people that I know who meet their challenges with anger. They are just mad at the world and they show it in every thing that they do and say. These people could be described as mean or evil. Very seldom do they have anything nice to say and they actions are often contrived and undermining. You could label them as bullies.
Then, there are those who go through life acting as if they are invisible. They don’t want anyone to notice them or say anything to them. When confronted with a problem, they just try to fade into the background. They don’t want to be seen or heard and would be content if the rest of the world would just leave them be.
Another group of folks that I notice, are the fence sitters. They don’t really stand for anything. They sit on the fence and just kinda go with which ever way the wind is blowing. They don’t really meet challenges but rather, just kind of go with the crowd.
But my favorite group of people are those who meet their challenges head on. These are the types of people I like to be around. You see, they realize that in order to become better people, they meet their challenges with a spirit of determination and with the resolve that they will the victors. They realize that God has not given them a spirit of fear but rather a spirit of hope.
A hope that can be found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father God, sometimes it seems that life is full of grief and sorrow. We look around and see only death and destruction. We see our brothers and sisters forsaken by the powers that be. In the midst of riches, we see the poverty. In a country of abundance, many suffer from hunger. We see arrogance instead of humility. But even in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us, we can still see the light. Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Father God, we come before the throne of grace, seeking Your face, Your grace and mercy. Lord, we seek the comfort of Your loving arms. Lord, help us to always remember that this world will one day pass away. You are not of this world and neither are Your saints. Your Son was sent to save a dying world; we come thanking You for saving us. We realize that weeping will endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning. Thank You Father, for that promise. Now Lord, we ask that You would empower us to help a dying world. Magnify Your light that is within us. Strengthen us so that we may look outside of ourselves and reach out to help others. May Your light so shine within us that others may see it and be drawn to You. Comfort our grieving, strengthen our weak, heal our sick, give us new hope where there is none and unspeakable joy. The joy of the Lord. The joy that the world can't give nor can the world take it away. Thank You Lord, for second chance. I know that I didn't get it all right yesterday, but I thank You for another chance today. I love the Lord, He heard my cry. Thank You for wiping away my tears and giving me new hope in Christ Jesus, it is in His name we pray, amen.
Scripture:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 (New International Version)
I often wonder, why does life have to be so hard? It seems as though we are confronted with one trial after another. We are met with challenges almost on a daily basis. I have come to the realization that how we meet our challenges will help define our true character.
There are people that I know who meet their challenges with anger. They are just mad at the world and they show it in every thing that they do and say. These people could be described as mean or evil. Very seldom do they have anything nice to say and they actions are often contrived and undermining. You could label them as bullies.
Then, there are those who go through life acting as if they are invisible. They don’t want anyone to notice them or say anything to them. When confronted with a problem, they just try to fade into the background. They don’t want to be seen or heard and would be content if the rest of the world would just leave them be.
Another group of folks that I notice, are the fence sitters. They don’t really stand for anything. They sit on the fence and just kinda go with which ever way the wind is blowing. They don’t really meet challenges but rather, just kind of go with the crowd.
But my favorite group of people are those who meet their challenges head on. These are the types of people I like to be around. You see, they realize that in order to become better people, they meet their challenges with a spirit of determination and with the resolve that they will the victors. They realize that God has not given them a spirit of fear but rather a spirit of hope.
A hope that can be found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father God, sometimes it seems that life is full of grief and sorrow. We look around and see only death and destruction. We see our brothers and sisters forsaken by the powers that be. In the midst of riches, we see the poverty. In a country of abundance, many suffer from hunger. We see arrogance instead of humility. But even in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us, we can still see the light. Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Father God, we come before the throne of grace, seeking Your face, Your grace and mercy. Lord, we seek the comfort of Your loving arms. Lord, help us to always remember that this world will one day pass away. You are not of this world and neither are Your saints. Your Son was sent to save a dying world; we come thanking You for saving us. We realize that weeping will endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning. Thank You Father, for that promise. Now Lord, we ask that You would empower us to help a dying world. Magnify Your light that is within us. Strengthen us so that we may look outside of ourselves and reach out to help others. May Your light so shine within us that others may see it and be drawn to You. Comfort our grieving, strengthen our weak, heal our sick, give us new hope where there is none and unspeakable joy. The joy of the Lord. The joy that the world can't give nor can the world take it away. Thank You Lord, for second chance. I know that I didn't get it all right yesterday, but I thank You for another chance today. I love the Lord, He heard my cry. Thank You for wiping away my tears and giving me new hope in Christ Jesus, it is in His name we pray, amen.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
There is More to the Story
It’s so important for people who are hurting to know that the story hasn’t been finished. Things are terrible now, but there’s more to the story. ~ Dr. Richard Goodling
Scripture:But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. Hebrews 3:6New International Version (NIV)
Periodically, I go through serious bouts of depression. There are times when it seems as though my world is crumbling all around me and nothing seems to be going right. People I depend on let me down and are critical of my efforts. Words meant to comfort only rub more salt into my festering wounds. Even my writing which usually bring me great joy and comfort become lifeless and meaningless. It is at times like this I feel as though my story has come to an end. And then today’s quote reminded me, that it’s not. Things may seem terrible right now, but there is still more of my story to be written.
Sometimes life with throw you a series of curve balls and each time we come up to bat, we strike out. We become angry and frustrated which only seems to exacerbate our situations. Instead of focusing on the ball, or what is going right in our lives, we focus on how many times we have struck out. We forget to focus on that one thing that can help us see the ball more clearly, the word of God.
When we focus on the promise and the victory that God has already given us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Christ Jesus, we realize there is more to each of our individual stories than meets the human eye. The word of God gives us the courage to step up to the plate, focus on the ball and try again.
Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is a little voice at the end of the day that says “I’ll try again tomorrow.”
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Lord, we lift Your name on high. I will bless the Lord at all times and His praises shall continuously be in my mouth. From every mountain high and every valley low, we will uplift the name of God. We will sing songs of praise all the day long. Though He slay me, I will have hope in Him. Even when my enemies are camped all around, yet I will give Him the glory for my impending victory. Lord we sing songs of praise even when we can't speak. We say Glory, glory hallelujah, praise be to God, even when the tears begin to fall. Even as I lay on my bed of affliction, when friends and family have turned against me, when there seems to be no hope for my situation or circumstances I will shout from the mountain tops; HALLELUJAH, ANYHOW! PRAISE BE TO GOD, GLORY! GLORY! GLORY! BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD! Amen.
Lord, we lift Your name on high. I will bless the Lord at all times and His praises shall continuously be in my mouth. From every mountain high and every valley low, we will uplift the name of God. We will sing songs of praise all the day long. Though He slay me, I will have hope in Him. Even when my enemies are camped all around, yet I will give Him the glory for my impending victory. Lord we sing songs of praise even when we can't speak. We say Glory, glory hallelujah, praise be to God, even when the tears begin to fall. Even as I lay on my bed of affliction, when friends and family have turned against me, when there seems to be no hope for my situation or circumstances I will shout from the mountain tops; HALLELUJAH, ANYHOW! PRAISE BE TO GOD, GLORY! GLORY! GLORY! BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD! Amen.
Sunday, July 05, 2015
In between blessings
It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's that place in between that we fear, . . . It's like being between trapezes. It's Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to. ~ Marilyn Ferguson
Scripture:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)
First of all, let me publicly acknowledge that today’s title and message were inspired by Pastor Larry Smith of New ST. Mark Baptist church. As I sat listening to the man of God, I was taught what it means to be in between blessings. In between blessings are periods of time when one thing has ended and you are waiting on something or someone else to begin. More times than not, we find ourselves in a place where difficulties may occur.
The ending might be a job, a marriage, a relationship or simply a season in your life. What Pastor Smith pointed out was that while we are in between, we must hold on to our hope and our faith. He cited several examples in the bible where different people held out hope and held fast to their faith while they waited for their breakthrough or miracle.
Sarah in the book of Genesis who thought she was too old to bear children; the woman in the book of Mark who had the issue of blood. And what about the lame man who was at the pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years who never gave up hope that one day, if he could just make it into the pool, he too would be healed. The list goes on and on. These are but a few examples of what it means to hold on to hope and to hold on to your faith.
The quote that I used to day is actually an oxymoron in relationship to today’s message. The line that states being in between is like being between trapezes, there is nothing to hold on to. Personally, I beg to differ. Today’s scripture states that no matter where we travel, what we are going through or where we are, God is right there in the midst with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
In other words, things may look bad now, but hold on to your faith. Romans 15:13 tells us; “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 11:1 reiterates; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
And most of all remember, On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Hold on to His unchanging hand.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel. Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. Lord, we come before the throne of grace thanking You for our miracles. Father we come into covenant agreement and standing in the gap for our brothers and sisters who may be weak. Touch them Lord Jesus. Magnifying Your power and Your presence in their lives. Father, our city and our world is full of stress and strife. Allow Your power and Your spirit to rain down on us this day. Father many of our brothers and sisters may be faced with losing jobs. Have mercy Lord. Lord, and as we have to go through our valleys, to GET to the other side, be by our sides. Keeping us in perfect peace. Lord, use us and allow us to bless someone else this day. We love You Lord. We praise and uplift Your name. We give You all honor, all praise, and all the glory to You alone. Hallelujah, anyhow. Hallelujah in spite of. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Praise God, Amen.
Scripture:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)
First of all, let me publicly acknowledge that today’s title and message were inspired by Pastor Larry Smith of New ST. Mark Baptist church. As I sat listening to the man of God, I was taught what it means to be in between blessings. In between blessings are periods of time when one thing has ended and you are waiting on something or someone else to begin. More times than not, we find ourselves in a place where difficulties may occur.
The ending might be a job, a marriage, a relationship or simply a season in your life. What Pastor Smith pointed out was that while we are in between, we must hold on to our hope and our faith. He cited several examples in the bible where different people held out hope and held fast to their faith while they waited for their breakthrough or miracle.
Sarah in the book of Genesis who thought she was too old to bear children; the woman in the book of Mark who had the issue of blood. And what about the lame man who was at the pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years who never gave up hope that one day, if he could just make it into the pool, he too would be healed. The list goes on and on. These are but a few examples of what it means to hold on to hope and to hold on to your faith.
The quote that I used to day is actually an oxymoron in relationship to today’s message. The line that states being in between is like being between trapezes, there is nothing to hold on to. Personally, I beg to differ. Today’s scripture states that no matter where we travel, what we are going through or where we are, God is right there in the midst with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
In other words, things may look bad now, but hold on to your faith. Romans 15:13 tells us; “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 11:1 reiterates; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
And most of all remember, On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Hold on to His unchanging hand.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel. Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. Lord, we come before the throne of grace thanking You for our miracles. Father we come into covenant agreement and standing in the gap for our brothers and sisters who may be weak. Touch them Lord Jesus. Magnifying Your power and Your presence in their lives. Father, our city and our world is full of stress and strife. Allow Your power and Your spirit to rain down on us this day. Father many of our brothers and sisters may be faced with losing jobs. Have mercy Lord. Lord, and as we have to go through our valleys, to GET to the other side, be by our sides. Keeping us in perfect peace. Lord, use us and allow us to bless someone else this day. We love You Lord. We praise and uplift Your name. We give You all honor, all praise, and all the glory to You alone. Hallelujah, anyhow. Hallelujah in spite of. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Praise God, Amen.
Saturday, July 04, 2015
Forging Chains the first Link
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