End Of 2012

As this year comes to an end, it is a good time to look back at what we have lived through. The times when we didn’t know if something was going to go our way and those times that we had to go through tough times that we knew were inevitable.

 It’s amazing how we can be in front of a situation thinking ‘how can I get through this?’ and then past the situation looking back like ‘Why was I worried?’ Isn’t that funny? I liken it to taking an exam, you know you have to do it, you get nervous every time even though you know every time you make it through the exam, regardless the grade outcome.

This year has been full of political ups and downs and many controversial events. Just know that this is only the beginning, there will be tougher situations that will divide the people even further. There will be more unrest in the middle east and more sinful behaviors being condoned.

But always know that as long as you keep God first and stay out of sin, you won’t have to worry about what the “rest” are doing around you because you are covered by the blood of Jesus.

Desires

What do you think when you think of the word “desire”? For most of us we instantly think “Oh it’s something sexual or taboo.” I know there are more people that think that for a second when they initially hear that word.

Due to the fact that people are openly divided on their opinions about what “desire” entails, other people try to avoid using the word unless they are referring to something that they are passionately wanting-for another person or a group or a circumstance-not for their own benefit.

There is nothing wrong with desiring something for yourself…It can be something small such as a new camera or something larger like a new home. Regardless, you should not be ashamed of having things that you desire for yourself. The way to know if you are on the right path-in God’s will is if you are aware that if you received those desires you would be consumed by it. Another is to weigh the importance, is it something that you just want to accumulate or something that has a purpose other than just ‘because’. 

Look to the word to see if your desire lines up with what God has said and pray about it, if you keep feeling like the desire is not in line with the scripture and it doesn’t seem right, then drop it and find a new desire that will work.

Convincing is believing...

Genesis 15:4-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” ⁵ He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring^[a] be.”

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

I had an “Ah Ha” moment during bible study in which we discussed walking by faith. Pastor Drew Harris (The Spoken Word Church),brought to our attention that we all need/needed to be convinced in order to believe the word of God.

When we say that someone was “convinced” into believing something, it makes it sound like they were fooled or swindled, but it is actually not true. If someone were to tell you that they can say the alphabet backwards, you may not believe that they can do it without stumbling-until they reach ‘D’ now you believe that they can say the alphabet backwards. It took you to be convinced that they could do it when they showed that they have to capability to do it even though they hadn’t finished it yet by the time you believed.

The Lord knows we have to be convinced in order to believe, that is why He tells us to prove Him and like with Abram, He gives him a visual example to help him believe that he will have many sons and daughters.

“Rainy Season”

“Rainy Season”

I don’t know about you, but there has been a cooling down in the fire for Christ. All of those who were on fire have experienced a noticeable decrease in the yearning to go further. I have experienced that as well.

You are not alone if feel the same and want to get that fire back like you once did when you first got saved. I have noticed that there is a pattern that most people unintentionally follow from the time they get saved until now.

1)      Receive Salvation

2)      Enter a state of confusion-not sure what to do next, expecting a “feeling of change”.

3)      Start going to church/Begin to enjoy going to church.

4)      Go highlighter crazy-marking every scripture you hear about and have read.

5)      Researching scriptures.

6)      Read a copious amount of Christian books.

7)      Start acting super “religious” to the point where everything around you that isn’t Christ centered, repulses you.

8)      Continue to research and absorb Christian material-such as videos, movies, books and audio.

9)      “Crash”

10)  Begin to get tired of listening to only Christian programming.

11)  Start to revert to old habits- music artist, books, movies,etc…

12)  Viewing church as a Sunday routine.

13)  Notice that things aren’t the same anymore.

These are just examples of the steps that most people tend to fall under during their early stages of their walk. It doesn’t end like this, we must reignite the fire and learn to not over due it.

Tis The Season

Holiday Season

This is the part of the year were everyone shops ‘till they drop, spend money that they don’t have and try to outdo each other in holiday décor.

We have all been raised to celebrate Thanksgiving, in which if you look up the holiday history isn’t exactly a joyous occasion. As well as to believe that Santa Claus will being “watching you-day and night to see if you are naughty or nice” and will come down your chimney to leave presents under your overly decorated tree. When you actually think about all this it seems really silly, however there is something about the Christmas season that makes us feel warm and fuzzy.

There is nothing wrong about giving gifts to each other, but do not let it dominate you. It is not about receiving gifts nor is it even about Christ’s birth. Jesus was not born in December. Pastor Drew of the Spoken Word Church spoke about how the Lord is not about celebrating Him on certain holidays when we are to worship and adore Him every day, not Christmas.

Israel!

Israel

As many of you know by now, there has been a much elevated tension between Israel and the Paestines on the Gaza Strip. We are to keep an eye on Israel because the war between Israel and surrounding countries will be the “official” sign of the end of days drawing nearer to the end.

At the Spoken Word Church we are always told to stay in tune to what is going on in Israel as well as in the rest of the world. Just on a simple level it would be wise to follow what’s going on in Israel because those are His chosen people.

For what seems like a long time that people have been saying “it’s the end of days…” I honestly never put it in perspective until the news broke about Israel and the fighting in the Gaza Strip. We are truly in the last of days and things are “wrapping up” quickly. Now is the time to repent and give your life over to the Lord, because it’s He that will save us and keep us. Still some people struggle to come to Christ because they think that if God really existed nothing bad would ever happen to them or others, totally disregarding the fact the we all have free will and that not everyone is saved.

Be watchful and do not let another day go by without having Christ in your life. It’s easy and quick to let Him in, but it is up to you to make the decision…..

Don’t Let The Devil Win!

Today was a prime example of how the devil will try to get under your skin. Having people have conversations around you and make glances toward you as if they are talking about you, or dealing with customers who aren’t very friendly or in a good mood and so on.

There will always by days where it may seem like everyone is “out for you” or that everything just isn’t going good. However those are the times that you HAVE to remember that you are the child of the Most High. There is nothing more that Satan would want to do but to distract you from your mission and get you out of faith.

It’s easy to say “yeah, I know. I won’t let anything get under my skin!” until the day that you go through some unpleasant matters. We may expect our trials to be disguised as a certain way but come to us as a completely different way which can “blind side” us and either knock us completely of our path  or help us build our faith.

Know that nothing and no one can harm you if you have faith that what God said about no weapon formed against you shall prosper is true!