Author Archives: Dr. Marva

Provision

Never Seen the Righteous Forsaken

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Category : Gird Up , Religion and Spirituality

Never Seen the Righteous Forsaken

As the year 2022 comes to a close, and if we could just look back at how many lives have radically been affected by the Pandemic (COVID-19) (circa 2020), all we can say is Thank You, Jesus.

Even though many of us have lost family members, friends, neighbors, church members, and coworkers due to the pandemic, we just want to say, …Thank You Jesus.

Hopefully those who died due to the Corona virus were saved and now living in Paradise with Father God, Father Son, and Father Holy Spirit; and for that, we say…Thank You, Jesus.

Since the Pandemic, our nation has experienced a drastic shift in the economy.  Our economy is now facing a recession, the supply chains in the U.S. are collapsing, our transportation system is becoming dysfunctional, homelessness has more than doubled, families go to the grocery stores to find empty shelves, and necessities like baby formula for young mothers has been hard to find.  Research says that food prices are up more than 13 percent, the highest increase ever.  For senior citizens, a lifetime of savings is being wiped out.  For mid-career workers, wages are being ravaged.  Young people cannot afford rent.  Mortgages are now out of reach.  Families are barely able to make ends meet. Electricity and energy costs are consuming household budgets.   Repeat after me.  I might be in the recession, but the recession is not in me.

For you see, those of us as believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord, can find sweet peace in knowing that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will take care of us.

King David knew God.  The Bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart.  David in his old age, surmised and proclaimed with authority and great faith, these words….I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalm 37:25)

God will take care of those who trust in Him, who believe in Him, and who stay in His Word.  Our God Yahweh is a God of the miraculous.  The Word of God says… But my God shall supply all your (my) need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)  

God showed our ancestors how to be resourceful.  And we need to pray to God to show us how to be resourceful as well.  It’s okay to use Similac and other baby formulas, but God blessed young mothers to be able to nurse infants at their bosom, or to mix clear Kayro syrup, water,  and canned evaporated milk.  So, fear not, be not dismayed, God will take care of you.

And if you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation on the website.  And please feel free to leave a comment if you have accepted Jesus Christ or if you have renewed your relationship with Him.   Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

The Omnipotence of God

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Category : Gird Up , Religion and Spirituality , Uncategorized

Wow!  2020 has been an incredible year.  So much so, that I realized that I had not written a single blog all year.  And today is Christmas Eve! Have Mercy Lord!

As I was going about my daily chores this week, in my spirit, I heard the word, “Omnipotence”.  And how fitting to write about the Omnipotence of our Lord and Savior on the eve of the day in which many Christians celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

The Greek word for omnipotent is “pantokratōr” and which means “the all ruling that is God (as absolute and universal sovereign)”.  Other definitions are “he who holds sway over all things”, “the ruler of all” and “almighty: God”

Obviously, George Frideric Handel, who penned the famous Handel’s Messiah was captivated by Revelation 19 and the chorus is replete with many of the scriptures found in the passages.

I don’t know about you, but I assumed that the year 2020, would be all about vision.  Boy, was I mistaken; because it appears that this year was wrought with shakings (Hebrews 12:27).

And I’m sure that you would agree with me that none of us would have ever envisioned that we would find ourselves engulfed in a global pandemic known as COVID-19.  Here in the United States of America, I for one, assumed that our great nation would be insulated from the virus that was first mentioned in China.

But in March of this year, the Coronavirus would grip Corporate America and many families with sickness and death, fear, foreclosure, eviction, closing of businesses, economic collapse, sheer hopelessness, and with a by-product of looting, protests, and anarchy.

But God in all of His sovereignty was not caught off guard.  For you see, vs. 16 proclaims that He is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  He is sovereign and knows all things.

Yes, we as Christians might have experienced fear and hopelessness at the seeming unending array of devastation that our nation and our world experienced this year.  But if we continue to trust God and to stay faithful to Him, He will be faithful to us, whether on this side of heaven or if He should call us home.  Our God is Faithful and True (vs. 11).  We must stay in God’s Word to be edified and sustained and vs. 13 reminds us that the name of Jesus is the “Word of God”.

The Word of God says, Jesus is the same, Yesterday, Today, and Forever and He will take care of us.  The Word of God says that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deut 31:6)  So, whatever time we are afraid, we will trust in the Lord. (Psalm 56:3).  Alleluia and Merry Christmas!

And if you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation on the website.  And please feel free to leave a comment if you have accepted Jesus or if you have renewed your relationship with Him.

 

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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Category : Gird Up , Religion and Spirituality

Are you using your spiritual gifts? More importantly are you operating in your spiritual gifts in the Body of Christ or as led by Holy Spirit?

Do you know what your spiritual gift is and please know that you may operate in more than one.

The Apostle Paul in speaking with the Church at Corinth outlines some of the gifts of the Spirit.

4 There are [d]diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works [e]all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [f]the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12).

Paul further speaks to the Roman Church about spiritual gifts that should be in operation by declaring….6 differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12)

The above gifts did not go away with the 1st Century Church but should be fully operational in the 21st Century in every church. Spirit-filled born again believers should be using and ministering in their spiritual gifts based upon what Holy Spirit has endowed them with! I say spirit-filled, because even Jesus himself did not perform the first miracle until after a dove descended upon Him (Baptism in the Holy Spirit).

Yes, the Holy Spirit dwells in you once you confess and repent of your sins and receive Christ Jesus and accept Him as Your Savior. But there is more! To be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit, to operate in the gifts of the Spirit, you must pray to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

This blog is not written to convince you, but the proof is in the pudding so to speak, and below are a few scriptures as evidence of the need for the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. (Acts 19:1-6)

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)

And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Acts 1:8)

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them  (Acts 2:1-4)

“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt 3:11)

And guess what, people of God, the Holy Spirit baptism is not only for select people, but Apostle Peter asserts that the promise of the Gift of the Holy Spirit is for you and your children. (Acts 2:38-29)

All you have to do is to ask God to fill you with His precious Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13 says “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

It is important to establish the foundation that as a born again believer, we must be spirit-filled and baptized in the Holy Spirit to be able to effectively function in the gifts of Holy Spirit.

Then and only then will the church be effective in advancing Kingdom of God!  And don’t take my word for it. The Word of God in Ephesians with the 4 chapter speaks on this wise….

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [e]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11

So, if you have been like…its gotta be more…I’m reading my Bible on a regular basis, I’m attending church on a regular basis, I’m spending time with God on a regular basis…or I feel dry and I’m not seeing any healings, miracles, signs and wonders as the Bible outlines, then my friend, you have come to the right place and this word is for you.

PRAYER: Father God, in Heaven, I thank you for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who sent the Comforter, the Enabler, the Dunamis (Dynamite power), the Teacher, the Gifter, and last but not least, the Helper in the Person of precious Holy Spirit. Lord, fill us with Your precious Holy Spirit so that we can get busy doing Your business in Jesus name, Amen!

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation on the website.

A KNOCK AT MIDNIGHT

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Category : Gird Up

Today is January 21, 2019, and a holiday in celebration of the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This morning, I was blessed to google a sermon delivered by Dr. King, Jr., in 1963 entitled: A Knock At Midnight. The sermon text was taken from Luke 11:5-13.

Interestingly enough, many points in his sermon are still relevant today with regard to the great racial divide, bigotry, hypocrisy, a lack of love for all of mankind, and of the complacency and deafening silence regarding the aforementioned issues in the Body of Christ (the church).

More than fifty five years later, we as a nation, as a society, as a community, and as a church have a long way to go as it relates to love and unity. And the only way that we can stem the tide of all of the ills that face our society is unfeigned, unbiased, and sincere prayer.

The sermon text in Luke 11:5 is actually a parable (story) as told by Jesus to His disciples. This parable is about persistence in prayer.

In this parable a friend knocks on the door of another friend at midnight asking to borrow three loaves of bread because a visitor is coming to stay at his home and he wants to be able to adequately feed him. But the friend tells the one at the door that it is late and that he and his children are already in bed and he further tells the friend to go away.

Jesus provides a discourse that even though the friend initially said no; because of the persistence of the friend at the door, the man in the home would eventually get up and give him the bread.

Jesus went on to say this: 9 “So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who [h]keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened.

With that in mind, we in the Body of Christ must keep on praying fervently that God will heal our land, our nation, our communities, our churches, our schools, and our homes.

There is a promise in the Word of God found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that states thusly:  14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

PRAYER: Father God, we thank you for a modern day Moses in the person of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Raise up others, with a heart of Christ such as Dr. King had, those who will selflessly and courageously fight against the ills of bigotry, hypocrisy, and hatred in our nation. Humble the hearts of those of us in the Body of Christ that we will not make a political party our God, but that our hearts will be turned to You and that we will walk in complete holiness, righteousness, unity, and impartiality in Christ Jesus name, Amen!

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation on the website.

SHOW FORTH HIS PRAISES

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Category : Gird Up

Greetings, and Merry Christmas to all!

I had the very profound pleasure to deliver my very first homily at a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service after 17 years in ministry.

I will share it with you with a few minor editions for blog purposes.

Our text will be taken from the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter 2:13-14.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And if I could use for a title, it would be on this wise. SHOW FORTH HIS PRAISES!

Since elementary school, the aforementioned passage read above has always resonated with me.

For the most part, verses 8 through 14, was oftentimes recited at our Christmas plays many years ago in the Chattanooga Public School System as well as at church.

And back in the day when there were only three TV channels at our disposal, 3, 9, and 12…I was always eager and blessed to watch Linus Van Pelt recite verses 8 through 14 on the Charlie Brown Christmas special.

So, yes, I love hearing it and I love proclaiming it…Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace goodwill toward men and women, I might add.

A whole host of angels also enjoyed giving Glory to God and pronouncing this same passage of scripture.

No doubt the angels were excited that prophecy was finally being fulfilled about Jesus, the Captain of the Hosts.

One prophecy in the book of Micah reads thusly about our Savior, But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2)

Another prophecy noted in the book of Isaiah proclaims ,  For to 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. (Isaiah 9:6).

And my brothers and my sisters, there is no fake news, no prophe-lying in these prophecies.

And this is for free. “Fake news” was not a term many people used three years ago, but it now seems to be a favorite term of our current president and not a few media news outlets.

But make no mistake about it. The Word of God says that the Lord himself, will give you a sign, Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

And we all know the story that Joseph was about to put the virgin Mary away privately after he found out she was pregnant. But an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream saying, “don’t be afraid to marry Mary.” For that which was conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost, and she shall have a son and His name shall be called Jesus, and He shall save his people from their sins.

NOW, WE OUGHTA BE SHOUTING AND PRAISING GOD RIGHT NOW!

Because Even Mary gave God praise when she exclaimed, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47) And these verses are Mary’s joyous response to the announcement that she will be the mother of the blessed Messiah.

Now, If Mary could show forth praises to God. Certainly we can too.

And so let’s reflect a little bit, shall we?

Those of you in attendance here this evening, you could have been anywhere! You could have been baking that last sweet potato pie while listening to Merry Christmas baby, you sure did treat me right! Or you could have been in your feelings with the repeat button playing over and over….WHAT DO THE LONELY FOR CHRISTMAS.

But you chose to be here instead, on the eve of the birthday that traditionally, we celebrate for Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Now, for some of you, and as we reflect, this may be your first Christmas without your loved one. In a recent article, Franklin Graham, son of Dr. Billy Graham, recounted and I quote…

“It has been almost a year since my father passed away. This is our family’s first Christmas without him, and to be honest, it is sad, as it is for everyone who has lost loved ones. But the joy we have, is knowing that my father is with the Author of Christmas. He is with God, who designed the plan to send His Son to earth”. End of quote!

Now, If you haven’t lost a loved one this past year, perhaps your year has been fraught with other unfavorable circumstances. You might have experienced job loss or financial setback.

If not that, you may have experienced bouts of hopelessness, humiliation, rejection, the guilt and shame from past mistakes, despair, depression, disappointment, broken-heartedness, broken dreams, and loneliness, or being so sick that you didn’t think that you would get well. MASTER, CAREST THOU NOT THAT WE PERISH.

 Perhaps that was the cry of Mary and it certainly was my cry in that we both held our sons when they were warm, and we held them when their bodies grew cold.

Some of ya’ll know what I’m talking about! Master, carest thou not that we are in this storm!

But I hear the Prince of Peace saying, “Peace be Still”! And I hear Him saying, Hold your heads up and come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest!

And so, as we finish out 2018, your mother may not be here, but the King of Kings is here! Your father might not be here, but the Everlasting Father is here. Your brother, your sister, your grandmother, or your child may no longer be with you in this world, but the Wonderful Counselor is here with you!

Please understand that the Bible does not expressly say that God will be a mother to us, however, He does say this,   Can a mother forget the child nursing at her breast? Yes, but even if she could, I would not forget you. For you see, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands (Isaiah 49:15)

People of God, if you could but just look back over your life, and even over this past year; you would have to agree with me, that God has brought us from a mighty long way. Oh, Yes, He has, and for that, He is Worthy of our praises!

Please remember that with Jesus on our sides, no devil in hell can up come against us! Weapons might form but they will not prosper. The Bible says.., and we overcome him (the devil) by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony.

And oh yes, we have a testimony! If you have breath in your body, you are a living testimony!

Do you mind testifying with me that The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27)

Saints, because of what He has already brought us through, it is easier to trust the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls when He says, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27

King Jesus assures us with this promise, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33

 You can testify with me that Jesus, that Wonderful Counselor, said that He would never leave us nor forsake us.

So, starting now and over into the year 2019, we might as well run on and see what the end is gonna be. And while we are at it, we might as well show forth His Praises.

And so, how are we gonna do that preacher! And I’m glad that you asked!

Well, for starters, your testimony is your story, so go tell it on the mountain because God can get glory from your story.

Tell every man, woman, boy, and girl who will listen that Mary’s little baby, Jesus, was born to die. Uh huh!

But tell them…that’s not the end of the story! And this story has a happy ending! Because King Jesus, this second Adam was raised up with all power in His hands. Help me shout!

And as we go to the mountaintop to tell our story, we might as well walk in the light, the beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright! And tell anybody who will listen that Jesus is the Light of the World.

We ought to tell them that Jesus has brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Yes, by all means, go tell it on the mountain that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice when He shed His blood on Golgotha’s Hill to redeem us back to God so that we can spend eternity with Him. Halleluia!

Proclaim from the mountaintop that…I am redeemed, bought with a price, Jesus has changed my whole life.

Go tell it on the mountain, that we serve a living God and that He is in His Holy Temple.

Tell that person that feels unloved, that Jesus loves us with an everlasting love and that we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Tell them that… I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Uh huh!

Tell somebody that when they hear the renowned and prolific Handel’s Messiah, that it was taken from the oracles of John the Revelator, making the pronouncement that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth and that Jesus, is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords and He shall reign forever and forever, Halleluia

And aint nothing fake about that!

And that’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.

Ladies and Gentleman, Thank You and May you have a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year and remember to show forth His praises.

 PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus, for stepping out of the Godhead and taking on the form of humanity to pay a debt that You didn’t owe to redeem us back to God.

 If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation on the website.

THE WORD IS YOUR SEED!

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Category : Gird Up , Religion and Spirituality

Hello, brothers and sisters, how are you and have you enjoyed living for Jesus? You might answer by saying that you are doing just fine and you might add that there have been some good days as well as some not so good days on this journey called Christendom.

I’m quite sure that if you could share your testimony, it would be wrought with times and seasons where your faith has truly been tested. Those seasons might have included chronic sickness, the untimely death of a loved one, financial crisis, marital discord, foreclosure, betrayal, deep hurts, loneliness, rejection, that wayward child…and the list could go on and on.

On the other hand, you may have become disenchanted with God’s Word in pursuit of your own ambitions, worldly allures, and the cares of this life and leaving God out of your decision-making.

In spite of following your own leads and or walking in the midst of many challenges and hardships, can you honestly say that you are still anchored in God’s Word? Do you still have the God kind of faith and hope?

Or have you been angry with God with the devil laughing behind your back? Or have you stopped attending church? Have you stopped reading your Bible? Have you stopped spending quality time with God? Has your devotion time been lacking?

If so, its okay…God still loves You! The Bible says that He loves you with an everlasting love. God is faithful and His grace abounds (generous) toward us. In this world, we will face trials and tribulations. But if we would but keep our hands in God’s hand and turn to Him instead of away from Him, He will see us through every situation that befalls us.

My question to you today is that when troubles arise, when the fleshly allures of this life beckon you, where will your seed fall? Will the seed fall among thorns, will it be choked, or will it fall on good ground?

Please take the time to reflect on the scriptures below and if you didn’t get it right in the past, it’s okay…You can start afresh, making Jesus the Lord of your life and letting His Word take deep root in your heart and soul in every situation that you face and to get busy sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  For He is coming soon!

13 He continued, “Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way.
14 “The farmer plants the Word. 15 Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them.   16 “And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. 17 But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it. 18 “The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news 19 but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. 20 “But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.”   (Mark 4:13-20) Message Bible
If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation on the website.

STAY WOKE!!!

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Category : Gird Up , Religion and Spirituality , Uncategorized

I attended a banquet this past week and the theme for the occasion was poignantly stated two words: STAY WOKE.   At first glance, the natural mind might wonder, how can I stay woke and not become sleep deprived?

In the seventies and early eighties, a catch phrase at that time was, “Yeah, man, I’m woke to that or I’m hip to that”, meaning…I understand what you are saying, I agree with what you are saying, or I already know that.

From a spiritual vantage point, the Bible gives us clear messages for staying awake.

But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].” Luke 21:36 (Amplified) 

From a natural standpoint, the Bible also points out times that we should awaken ourselves or to stay awake. 

As He was praying and just minutes before He was to be deceived by one of His 12 disciples, arrested by Roman soldiers, mocked by jealous Pharisees and Sadducees, to carry an old rugged Cross to Golgotha’s Hill, to be beaten and whipped 39 times, and to shed His blood as the sacrificial Lamb to redeem humanity from the perils of hell, Jesus asked the question of a few of His disciples, “Could not you pray with me one hour?” In the wee hours of the morning, the disciples tried staying awake, but they kept falling asleep. 

We are much like those disciples. And often times, we also are awakened in the wee hours, usually at the midnight hour and at 3 a.m. hour. We think that we might be experiencing insomnia.

But what if Holy Spirit needs you to stand on the wall for that rebellious runaway teen who is facing great danger, or the child who is being victimized, or to pray and to intercede to prevent a car accident for that sleepy driver who has worked all night?

What if you are being awakened to stand in the gap for that domestic violence situation, or for those who have experienced catastrophes such as with hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes, or for those who are sick and their bodies are wracking with pain? 

Sometimes, our spirit is willing to pray but our flesh (bodies) get weak.

I remember watching the late Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson who was preaching that the saints should watch as well..And he had an answer for those complaining that they needed rest to go to work the next morning. Bishop Patterson’s reply was…..WE CAN GO TO SLEEP WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN….WE NEED TO STAY AWAKE AND PRAY DOWN HERE!

PRAYER! 

Father God Yahweh, in the name of Jesus, help us to stay spiritually awake so that we don’t find ourselves in the same position as the five foolish virgins in Jesus name, amen.

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation on the website.

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And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? Matthew 26:40 

So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed 1 Peter 1:13 (Amplified) 

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. [a]Blessed is he who [b]stays awake and who keeps his clothes [that is, stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return], so that he will not be naked—spiritually unprepared—and men will not see his shame.”) Revelations 16:15  

11 Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ]. 12 The night [this present evil age] is almost gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. 13 Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for [nor even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires. Romans 13:11-14

Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the [a]body is weak.” Matthew 26:41

 

 

 

Who Are You?

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Category : Gird Up , Jesus is Better in Every Way , Religion and Spirituality , Uncategorized

Jesus asked the question to some of his disciples, who do some say that I am? Some answered, John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah. Jesus then asked, who do you say that I am? Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said, you have rightly said. (Matthew 16:13-16)

So, in your self-reflection, you may ask yourself, “Who am I”. Condemnation, guilt, bad memories, or even self-hatred, might cause you to think on what you used to do. Uh huh!

You used to be a drunk! You used to be a drug user and a drug pusher! You used to hang out in the clubs all night long! You used to sleep around! You used to curse like a sailor! You used to break up happy homes! You used to be a notorious gambler. You to be a pole dancer! Or you danced like one in the nightclub! You used to be a gang banger! The list goes on and on.

And yeah some of your so called friends and even family members try to remind you of what you used to do.

But the operative word is “used to”.

Because once you give your life to Christ, once you accept Him as Your Savior, once you ask Him into your heart and repent of your sins and ask Him to wipe all of your sins away; (Romans 10:9-11) by faith, you become a new creature in Christ Jesus, old things are passed away, behold all things become new.  (1 Corinthians. 5:17)

You are no longer defined by what you used to be and do. You are defined by what God ordained and purposed for you to be and do before you were formed in your mother’s womb. You are unique, with unique gifts and talents. You are now a part of God’s family and you have His DNA.

So, who are you? You are a child of God. You are a mother, father, sister, brother, singer, soloist, artist, prayer warrior, intercessor, teacher, preacher, usher, greeter, an encourager, writer, a good worker, a listening ear, a helper, a giver of gifts, a lover to the poor and downtrodden, are a protector of the weak. You are all that God has called you to do in the body of Christ (Romans 12:6-8), (1 Corinthians 12:4-11.)

Walk in the new you and do you in Christ Jesus. Remember that you are fearfully (awesomely) and wonderfully made in God. (Psalm 139:14). You are not bragging on you, you are bragging on Who made You! Hello, somebody!

Don’t look back, but march forward, as a faithful soldier in the Army of the Lord, knowing that you are here to impact the Kingdom of God. Because of a surety, Jesus is coming back very soon!

PRAYER!

Father God, in heaven, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we thank You for Your darling Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Who died on the Cross for our sins.

Lord, we thank You that You made us in Your image and that we matter to you. You said in your Word that you know every sparrow that falls on the ground and you know how many hairs we have on our heads. (Matthew 10:29-30).

Thank you for your patience and great love for us and wishing that we would not die in a burning hell but that we would come to repentance in Jesus name Amen!

If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, please pray the following prayer of salvation:

Dear Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus is Your Son and that He died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day so that I could spend eternity with Him. Lord, I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins in word, thought, and deed. I forgive all others who may have hurt me. I know that you will not forgive me if I do not forgive others. Lord, I thank You for cleansing me from all unrighteousness and for making me whole.

I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9 that says, “If thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord, Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved.”

Lord, I admit that I have been doing my own thing and not living for You. Lord, take over my life! Lead me and guide me all the way! Help me to know the plans and purposes that You ordained for my life before the foundation of the world in the name of the blessed Messiah, Jesus Christ, my Savior, Amen!

For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Amplified translation

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING WITH?

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Category : Gird Up , Religion and Spirituality

As I write this blog, the Carolina coastal lines and even shore lines are being plummeted by Hurricane Florence with some cities receiving as much as 20 feet of flooding water.

Thousands have evacuated to safer ground due in part to torrential wind and rain which have topped and washed away many homes and buildings.

Even after emergency warnings, some decided to wait it out to avoid evacuation for a number of reasons including not wanting to part with their possessions or thinking their neighborhoods might not be affected but then discovering that they made unwise choices.

For the most part, the Carolina states are surrounded by beautiful beaches and sandbanks and many love to flock there to take vacations or to permanently live there because of the otherwise pleasant weather and fun water activities.

Regardless of where we live whether on the mainland or coastal shores, when natural disasters strike, when devastation hit, we are at the mercy of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It does not matter the sure footing or the foundation that our homes or built upon, they are no match for hurricanes, fires, tornadoes and the like.

So it is with our spiritual lives, troubles will come. In this life, Christians as well as unbelievers will be faced with many trials and tribulations including the death of loved ones, marital troubles, wayward and rebellious children and grandchildren, job loss, foreclosure, homelessness, sickness and disease, church hurt, and so on.

But the question that arises is this: What are you working with? Are you trying to do it all by yourself and leaving God out of your decision-making? Is your foundation being built by you and you alone?

Did you seek God for that marriage that ended up failing? Did you seek God for that prospective job which ended up terminating you? Did you check out the family line of that spouse before marrying, only to discover that your children have inherited some unwanted and unforeseen generational curses?

Did you seek God for that particular house that you ended up losing? Did you seek God before moving to another city but never being able to prosper and excel there? Did you seek God before leaving the small church, to join the bigger one only to end up experiencing church hurt? Did you seek God before making that investment only to lose your retirement nest egg?

If your footing and foundation is faulty minus the wisdom and seeking of Jesus Christ, then when troubles come, you might be left with depression, guilt, bitterness, bewilderment, discouragement, condemnation, feelings of failure, feelings of emptiness with no meaning in life.

But oh my friends, when your foundation is built on the solid rock of Jesus, you might be hit with a left hook followed by a right hook, you might fall down but you won’t be counted out. You will get up!!!

And yes, sometimes, the enemy will come in like a flood, but if we are on a true and firm foundation, God will raise a standard up against him.

And please know that sometimes when trouble comes it’s not always the devil. Amen. Sometimes it might be due to needing to be purged and cleansed. To get us to where we need to be in Christ, to get us to the destiny that was ordained for us before the foundation of the world. Just sometimes God has to do some re-arranging.

And I will be the first to agree that the chastening of the Lord doesn’t always feel good. You know the story! Some medicines that we take don’t always taste good but it’s good for us. But in the final analysis, Papa God is a good and loving Father to us as His children.

So, if we learn to build on a sure foundation, and to fully surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, the Rock of our Salvation, when afflictions comes, God will deliver us out of them all….not some…but all of them.

As the old hymn goes…ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND, ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND.

What are you working with?

PRAYER!

Father God, in heaven, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we thank You for Your darling Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Who died on the Cross for our sins.  Lord, we thank You for giving us a second, third, and fourth chance, when we mess up. We thank You for grace and mercy over our lives and Father God, we want to live our lives on a sure foundation which is Jesus Christ our Lord in Jesus name, Amen!

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER on the website, and pray the prayer of Salvation.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it (Matthew 7:24-27)

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19b). 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (Psalms 34:19) 

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2) 

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:5-6)

THE EVERLASTING ARMS OF JESUS

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Category : Gird Up , Religion and Spirituality , Uncategorized

I don’t care what we may face in life, we must lean and depend on Christ our Lord. The road will get rocky, the hills will be hard to climb and sometimes, the way may not be easy in our lives, but must lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus.

We must embrace such a child-like faith that whatever problems we may encounter, we must trust that Daddy God will be with us to see us through.

I remember as a little girl….I would ask my daddy to pick me up…sometimes he would throw me up in the air and then catch me. I never doubted that he would catch me to keep me from falling. I had faith knowing that my earthly father would keep me safe.

And that’s the kind of faith that we need with our heavenly Father. We should trust Him completely that He will not let us fall. If nothing else, if we could but just look back on what He has already done for us, it should strengthen us when we face troubled times. Halleluia!

The Bible reminds us in Deuteronomy 33:27 that the eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’

The Bible says trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall [b]direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)

We must believe God regardless of what the situation looks like. We must get it down in our sanctified spirits that we can depend on Papa God for everything in life. We must lean on Him and not go running into traps because of our impatience or out of desperation.

We must lean on and trust in God for the right partner in marriage, we must believe and depend on God to work out that troubled marriage, we must pray and lean on God regarding our rebellious children, church hurt, financial difficulties, sickness and disease, overwhelming grief due to the loss of a loved one, unfair supervisors and unsaved co-workers, disrespectful neighbors and yes, we should lean and depend on Papa God for that upgrade of a desirable and safe place to live. Help me shout!!!

I am reminded of an old hymn of the church that says ..leaning, leaning, I’m safe and secure from all alarm. I’m leaning, leaning, leaning, on the EVERLASTING ARMS.

You’ve tried everything else…now its time to fall into His arms and say, Daddy God, I need You. Send Your Son, Jesus to see about me. Jesus, I need You, now!

PRAYER!

Father God, in heaven, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Bible, we thank You for Your darling Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Who died on the Cross for our sins. Yahweh God, we thank You that the promises in Your Word are yes and amen.

Lord, we thank You that we can lean and depend on you for whatever we encounter. We can trust that you will work out all troubles for our good. And in faith, we trust You and we thank You in advance for what You are gonna do in Jesus name we pray, Amen!

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the Menu button under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation

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