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

Politics

Politics

This is not to identify my political affiliation or to persuade your voting decision. I believe every person eligible should vote and do so based on their own criteria’s. What has been my main challenge with regards to politics is religious belief. Many people say a candidate’s religious belief is not a major voting criteria for them but subconsciously it is. Every person’s decision comes from their fundamental belief system which is often their faith or religious beliefs.

I have been entertained, disgruntled, taken off guard and left wondering with the way politicians’ campaigns to be elected to leadership and office of the President. Particularly the race for the Republican nominee for the upcoming general election. If I was not living in America or have basic knowledge about the political parties then I would believe that this was the general election. The way they attack each other is almost unbelievable and a little difficult for me to believe that these people are affiliated with the same political party. This exposes the internal division on both sides of the political bench. This exposes a weakness and explains why decisions in congress are always at a stall.

USA history states that the early immigrants inhabited the land to seek religious freedom and the constitution was formed based on their religious beliefs. So it is fair to say that leadership and individual decisions were made based on their faith. In today’s political landscape religion is taboo and a point nominee try to stay away from discussing. The first time I have seen so much interest on religion was in the election of President Obama. I strongly believe that in every area of politics this will become a common theme, from general to local government. The body of Christ is paying closer attention to candidates as individuals. I am not naive, my trust and neither should yours be on the office of the President or any man/woman. We are to exercise our right to select the candidate that meets our criteria’s (natural responsibility) and pray for whoever is in the office of President (spiritual responsibility) 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

The religious group that is suppressed the most is Christianity but almost every church building is a voting station, a bible is present at the swearing in if a President, Presidents first church visit after taking office is always major televised news. On the flip side decisions to follow is often made without biblical principles, church groups are constantly attacked for various reasons, the name of Jesus is not permitted to be used in public assemblies.

These are questions I have regarding political campaigning: Where did they come up with the term party? Why is so much money wasted on the party trail? Where did the term politically correct come from and what is the purpose? If these politicians have so much money to fund their campaigns why do we have so many people without homes, insurance and proper education?

God is in love with Us

God is Love (1 John 4:8 & 16) and there is nothing we can do for God to love us anymore our less. He is one constant Love, never changing. His love is not based on our earthly merits, works or rituals. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. We may experience a period(s) of broken fellowship due to not accepting salvation, of operating in fear but during that time Gods love is still there. The Cross has a purpose and that purpose is salvation(Romans 5:8). Salvation is nothing missing; nothing broken; saving from harm; destruction; difficulty; failure; loosen from bondage of sin through Jesus, to name a few. Many things are embedded in this one act of love and we may live our entire lives without using many of the benefits of the cross.  

 I am guilty of allowing my experience with others and the way I handle my relationships to dictate my expectation from God. God is not like man and when I confine my expectation from God to the reasoning of my mind and past experiences then I am limiting my level of manifestation of God’s love in my life. I believe that part of the reason the body of Christ has not seen the level of signs and wonders in operation is due to our lack of understanding of God’s love for us. The bible says that if we, evil man (natural parents) knows how to give good gifts to our children, how much more does my heavenly father knows how to give good gifts to His children (Matt 7:11). Many people may take this as an insult when the bible refers to us as evil (born again) and heathen (unsaved) but God says the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) meaning we are not perfect and He is the only person good. When I think of my children and the things I want to provide for them, things I want to protect them from and the lifestyle and want to live before them then I compare that to my limited understanding of God’s love and find there is no comparison. God’s love cannot be fully understood by the natural mind and should not be compared to our natural love for each other because at some point we all have disappointed each other even thought it may not be intentional but God’s love never fails.

No man can boost about salvation because it is free and available for ALL. If you have been saved a day after your first birthday or when you were in your forties, God loves you the same. I struggle at times to remember how much God really loves me. Things he has done is for His sake and not mind (Psalm 103 8:17) Sin cannot stand before God and it does hurt Him to see His creation go astray because of sin and the ignorance of His grace, love and forgiveness. When we get more and more revelation of God’s love we will start shedding scales of sin and when we understand that been saved is God’s plan to make us who we really are before Adam sinned: to rule and have dominion over all things, then our words and expectations will experience change.

God loves us and he wants and deserve our best love. He is the only one who should get our worship, praise and devotion. If you have not allowed Jesus to be Lord of your life it is not too late. His return is not known and based on His character He operates suddenly so your time is now. Get to know God more intimately and allow His love to manifest in your life. Read Romans 8:35-39, Ephesians 2:4-5 & 3:16-21

By Dean Brown

Live11 Radio

Victory

Recently I felt discouraged and all the messages, meditations, reading and words of encouragement I could hear where: Be courageous, Everything is going to be alright, You serve the God who sent His son to conquer the prince of this world (satan) (Romans 8:3-11), The rest of your life is the best of your life etc.

I went through the weekend seeking to get clear instructions from God and can I tell you that it seems like satan had other plans for me. I felt drained, powerless, defeated and heading to hopelessness. I quickly examined my actions and realized I was not speaking God’s word and taking authority over the thoughts in my mind (2 Corinthians 10:5). The mind is a battlefield and this was what satan was trying to get control. The mind is a battlefield and the devil playground if you will allow him to. This is why guarding the heart, mouth and eye gates are so important.

Realizing where I was mentally and spiritually, I started declaring something’s in my life according to God’s word and immediately sending the devil a warning that he has no strongholds in my life, Glory to God! I became excited about my situation because I know that it is temporal and subject to change. Later that night I felt in my heart the need to let go, let loose and allow God to bring His word to past. Throughout the process I was not enjoying life enough and allowing God to put things in place without my help, God does not need my help; He needs me to agree and trust Him. I was trying to learn where or when my input was necessary which comes with experience. See I am a child of God and He has started a good work in me and He will finish it (Philippians 1:6). That’s His job not mine. The fear I had and still have at times is not doing what God wanted me to do which is not a bad thing but like anything else there is a healthy dose and there is overdose.  Can you tell which side I was on? God does not want us to live in fear of anything and He never gave us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind (2Timothy1:7).

Situations will always come with various magnitudes and the bigger the magnitude of the situation will determine the amount of pressure you need to apply to your faith in God and this is the area where faith grows and character is developed. How a situation is handled now will give an idea of personal growth the next time you are faced with the same or similar decision. When temptation, test or trials presents themselves know first of all that God is not the tempter but satan is, but also know that this is an opportunity for growth and if you are not ready now or you did not handle things the best way don’t be too harsh on yourself because God is not mad at you but His love and power will allow you to be a conquer and victor the next time you are in that position or even if you are in that situation you can come out with a testimony that will set someone else free. For me, I have learned not to take challenges so personally because I would start casting blame and not realize the opportunities. As a father, I am able to navigate through these challenges, learn lessons, become stronger in my walk with God and become more able to pass wisdom on to my children. My wife and I have declared that our children’s lives will not reflect the hardships we had and we will be able to give them wisdom (natural and spiritual) our parents could not give to us.

By Dean Brown.
Live11Radio.com

Church Clicks?

In a conversation with someone the term church click came up. I do believe that this is part of many church groups but I don’t believe that this is as surface driven as clicks in the world. Note, I am not saying that there may not be clicks as we know it but for the majority this is not true.

Many people in church groups will be drawn to others with similar likenesses to theirs and this is true in any group, culture and society. Often we use this term in a negative context when in all essence it is really not. The fact of the matter is that there will always be a person or a small number of people that any person will hold close. I think it is unfair to expect a Christian to be very close to every member that attends the same church as him/her. There has to be a balance if we are going to walk this life successfully and wiser than the devil. Jesus did not need anyone to help Him perform any miracles; He did not need anyone to walk with Him as He ministered. He had a multitude of followers, 12 that He chose and 3 that He let into His inner court. If we are to live like Christ then we have to follow His examples. The point is that we need others to pour into us and for us to pour into; this is why we have this common phrase “Iron sharpens Iron” Proverbs 27:17.

Ask yourself this question, “Am I sharpening or am I been sharpened”? There is nothing wrong with having a group of saints in your corner and you in theirs. Once you’re not bringing down the lives of others saints, gossip, back bite etc. Doing things to make hell stand at attention by encouraging others to grow; declaring Gods word in each other’s lives; working together to unload hell, then I believe you are in good shape.  Don’t allow others to discourage you form having a small group. The enemy is cleaver in how he tries to create discord and I guarantee it will come in the form of a person. This person can be an unbeliever or another saint but again if your small group is Christ centered you have nothing to worry about.

By: Dean Brown

Marriage

The Schwarzenegger-Shriver split added fuel to a firey headline in the June edition of Maxim magazine. Actress Cameron Diaz told the publication, “Marriage is a dying institution.”
“I don’t think we should live our lives in relationships based off old traditions that don’t suit our world any longer,” she said.
Could someone say with me “the devil is a liar; again the devil is a liar”. I hope the church, which is the body of believers don’t accept the world’s thinking and selfish ambitions. Not too many people like to be: loyal, committed, unselfish, responsible, forgiving etc. Apart from salvation/intimate relationship with God, marriage is the next most important relationship. The culture and world we live in today is trying to break down everything that represents God and a Godly living. This has been mentioned in the bible that man will become lovers of themselves so it should come to know surprise when we witness the manifestation of God’s words.
As a married person I have to pray and do the natural things that will maintain my marriage and increase my intimacy with my spouse. It is difficult at times but we made a vow with each other and God that we are not willing to break. The foundation of my marriage is on the word of God and not the counsel of unbelievers, unmarried, or the world’s wisdom. Isn’t it obvious that television, Hollywood, Opra, Dr. Phil and other celebrities does not have the answers for marriage?
I want to congratulate all the married couples who are loving each other and maintaining their marriage the way God instituted. Seek Godly wisdom in times of challenges; make up your mind that you are in covenant marriage relationship with one person; extend forgiveness to each other and enjoy your marriage. 
Marriage is not dead, it’s between one male and one female, God has not changed His mind on what marriage is suppose to be. Don’t allow the devil’s perversion to affect your marriage.
Love, Laugh, Live and Let go of the past.

Dean Brown
5/18/11