Is it me or is it Him

Is it me or is it Him

“Prayer changes things”, we have all heard that profound statement. How about, “God told me that you are the one or to do something”? What happen after the prayer manifested or you where obedient to what God said and now you encounter some difficulties or challenges? So many questions and it seems we can go on for a lifetime without finding satisfactory answers.

Many believers approach to the Gospel with a false sense of reality. What do you think Christ meant when he said “Pick up your cross and follow me” (Matt 16:24) or “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and turns around is not fit for the kingdom” (Luke 9:62). There is WORK to be done and we are shying away from every opportunity to grow. To walk with Christ you will get dirty, you will go through battles, you will be engaged in warfare, you will experience seasons when it seems like you cannot get a break from challenges ect. The fact of the matter is that if you are a serious threat against the plans of the devil then you become a target.

Jesus said “If the world hates you remember they hated me first” (John 15:18-25), this means you are in good company if people you were once close to stop calling you, you don’t get invites to hang out, co-workers and family members start making up things about you or your spouse.  Christianity comes with a price and once you are able to take control of the inner struggles dealing with your mind (Mind Renewal) the easier your journey becomes. When you embrace each challenge as an opportunity to grow and to give the devil some blows then you will demonstrate the PEACE that Christ gives and count ALL things joy (James 1:1-4).

I am convinced that Christianity is not difficult, I am the one that is difficult because I feel the stretching of my flesh and the discomfort of been discipline, consistently doing the word without physical proof of instant results and been patient. When I take myself out of the way, God is able to accomplish a lot more. The limitation of growth is a lack of self disciple and a lack of trust that God knows more than I think (Isaiah 55:8-10). I encourage you to continue to walk the path that seems foolish to the world (1Corinth 1:27) because your Heavenly father has a plan to use your life to be light to a world that is in darkness. We are the salt and the light the world needs to find the Jesus Christ (Matt 5:13-14) Satan does not want you to be successful living the life your creator created you to live so he will go to extremes to distract you from the path God has set for you. I have good news for you, God will restore the years you have sown in darkness (Joel 2:25) and He will not take back the plans he has for your life (purpose of your life) according to (Romans 11:29).

By: Dean Brown

The Sinner’s Sin

The Sinner’s Sin

We inherited a nature of sin; we had no choice in the matter. When you think about it this is not fair. We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. We were once there and could be still dealing with sinful habits and that is the main reason we should not point the finger at any person who habitually sins. Remember that we are slaves to who we healed our members to (Romans 6:16).

Through the sacrifice of one man we can be save by faith in Jesus (Romans 5:12-17). When you think of it this is not fair either but thank God He had us on His mind when Jesus was crucified. Jesus paid a hefty price for us all. He died for His enemies because we did not know any better and that is His Grace extended towards us. We need to extend that grace today to sinners. Jesus came to fulfill the law and to give everyone access to the kingdom of God through faith. If someone did not tell us about Jesus and what He made available for us we would not have walked out of our old lifestyles.

Recently I asked a question to several people “What is Grace and what does it mean to you?’’ One person’s response reads “Grace to me is the overflowing blessings God gives to us when we do not deserve it. He continues to give me grace I know I’ll always receive it with joy for my sorrows, hope for tomorrow and strength for everything I do and go through. He will always be there with me”. So I ask the person a follow up question: “Is it difficult to extend that Grace to others?” The response was: “If you are focused on Jesus and not the person or circumstance that surrounds them or our yourself, after all we have the Holy Spirit to help us. Remain obedient & submissive to Him,” Another question could be “Why some Christians have a difficult time receiving or believing the Grace God has given us?

As a believer we are told that the just/righteous shall live by faith, walk by faith and not by sight, and renew our mind. So there is a common theme which I believe deals with something not perceived by our natural senses but with our spirit. When a person is saved only their spirit is transformed. We would love it if our occupation, social status, habits, relationships, appearance etc. changed but no. The part of us that cannot be seen with our natural eyes, that is what was instantly reborn and received the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, faithfulness, long suffering, goodness (Galation5:22).

So we need to understand who we are and what we are capable of doing so we can be effective in our daily lives. We should be witnessing to the unsaved. Things that the church (Christians) does should be centered on winning the lost for Christ and living a life of example (Ephesians 1:18-20). We will not be perfect and we will miss the make (sin) sometimes but do not let that makes you feel disqualified as a believer. Dr. Creflo Dollar asked it well in his series Righteousness vs. the Law. “When you were in the prison of sin (unsaved) did you do good deeds, did that take you out of the prison of sin? and in the prison of righteousness you sinned did that disqualify you from the prison of righteousness?” asked Dr. Dollar.

Frowning or points the finger or been disgusted with sinners’ actions is almost like having a baby and not expecting to change their diapers. We have to be compassionate, loving and extend grace to the unsaved. Remember there is amazing Grace which is renewed every day. God’s plan is still the same and will be done through willing vessels who are ready to blow God up in their lives. Remember you were once a sinner and someone minister the love of God to you the sacrifice of Jesus (Romans 2:1). Be bold, courageous and loving in the harvest field because Jesus said in (Matthew 4:19 NIV) “come follow me and I will send you to fish for people”. This is an invitation that many people will not accept, unfortunately. There is an abundance to be harvested but the word says in (Matthew 9:38) “the workers are few”. Be counted in the number of committed workers who will share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many believers are comfortable sharing with other believers but the sinner needs to hear about how God has transformed you and He can do the same for them if they will repent, confess Jesus as Lord of their lives and get baptize (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Work Place

I constantly have to keep my mind focus on the word of God by not taking thought when others around me start discussing activities in their lives. Even during work especially after a weekend or holiday that’s when I realize that the voices seem louder. Everyone talking about their overwhelming weekend activities and is it a coincidence that none of their activities had anything to do with God or their so-called faith in Jesus. I may sound a bit harsh but I am extremely tired of people who say the know Jesus, they love Him and they are Christians when they never have anything to share about what He has done or what they desire to do for His Kingdom. I would be more at ease if none of these people said they were Christians.

As the week progresses then their problems start unfolding: Marriage, kids, job, family members other social relationships, health and so on. No peace, no joy, no fruit of the spirit growing in their lives. What I think is the worst part is that the persons who say that they are faithful to Christ are in the thick of these conversations and at times leading these unfruitful conversations.  Then I remember and read Matt 28:19-20 which tells us/believers to go and make followers of Christ, teaching them the word of God through our conversations/lifestyle and He will be with us.

I think that many Christians are not bold or zealous enough to share the gospel with others. Been saved is not for us just to get to heaven/ (fire insurance) but to encourage others to want to live for Christ. The term keeps been pushed around: “I don’t want to offend anyone”, this is just an excuse and an area we all can work on. Our lifestyle, conduct, conversations should be a reflection of who we serve. All of us are serving something or someone and we have to wear our salvation jerseys, hats, ride on our salvation rims and blast our salvation music. Living for God is not about behaving goofy or super spiritual but more so of renewing our minds, going to a church that teaches the word of God, diligently seek Him and ask Him to open your heart to his truth. Psalm 37:1-9

When I really got serious about living for Christ I had to get ride of the religious things I’ve been taught and get to know God for myself. The amazing thing that was revealed to me is that God created this world for His children to enjoy. Many things have been perverted by satan and we have to be very careful when we entertain certain thing. The bible says that we need to shun all appearance of evil 1 Thessalonians 5:22.  Having a personal relationship with God will reveal what is acceptable and what’s not. So let’s become the ambassador for Christ in the work place and everywhere we go. I am not talking about slapping people with the bible but rather your conduct. Romans 15:5

By: Dean Brown

Shaking..

I overheard a couple ladies having a conversation about couples living together before getting married.

Two of the three ladies were born again, of the two one was living what could be identified as a Christian life while the other is a backslider.

The conversation was quite interesting to listen to and while it is a topic that I have an interest in I decided at that time to observe. My wife and I lived this shaking lifestyle for a few months before we got married which we both regret and which we could have done differently. I found in God’s word that what the enemy meant for bad we as spirit filled believers can use it for good. My wife and I can both identify roadblocks that couples may face and advise them to avoid making these mistakes and do it the RIGHT way, God’s way.

The conversation was supporting couples living together before getting married so you can know who you are getting married to. I was expecting the more matured Christian to outright oppose this topic and in fairness she did not voice her approval either. Her input was for each individual to get family medical history. The backslider had a strong point due to her experience with been rejected by a pastor to marry her and her husband due to the fact that they were living together. Her response to the pastor was who is he to judge them for living in sin and refusing to perform the ceremony. She was at this point a young mother and wanted to marry her boyfriend to make their union legal. Her take is that this will reduce the divorce rate (testing the waters before signing the papers).

This is an area of great concern in this common culture we are currently living in. We are seeing clear signs of the breakdown of the family structure and the fundamental principles of God’s laws and total disregard for the family. Recently the President Obama administration decided not to continue to uphold the marriage constitution with regards of marriage had been between a man and a woman.

If we are sending these signs to the coming generations what are we to expect in the roles and responsibilities of a FAMILY.

I Corinthians 6:12-20 Paul clearly points out the danger of subjecting our bodies to sexual sin. He says “RUN AWAY FROM SEXUAL SINS”

This is where many of us gets tripped up when we know we are doing wrong or have sinned and we say “don’t judge me”, “ You’re acting holier than thou” but fail to understand that grace is abounding. Where there is darkness, God is offering us light (1John 1:5-7). So you are living a shaking lifestyle and God allows someone to bring some light in your direction(talk to you about it) don’t take offense just accept the light do what 1John 1:9 says, repent/confess and He WILL forgive

We all sinned, 1John 1:8,10 (in basketball we know of the Hack-A-Shaq where the player intentionally goes for the player and when a fool is committed unintentionally going after the ball) that is how believers/I, normally sin. As a believer I don’t have to sin. Sinning is no longer my lifestyle and I quickly repent of whenever I sin because satan can easily attempt to use that as a stronghold in my life.