I gave Birth

It don't matter to me, whatever you seem to see
things that make you weak are only temporary
Gotta keep ya head up and keep on moving
Put pep in ya step and pride in ya stride
This will only last for a night

In the middle of the week
I'm so glad that God is watching over me
Every day of the week
I gain joy knowing that God cares for me
When I think on this, meditate on Him
I gotta keep on going...

Birth by Optimism and Faith Monday Afternoon at 1:30pm



Just 12 hours ago, I probably would have been at my lowest of lows. I fell asleep thinking with tears running from my eyes. Pillows dampened with sorrow. I was low! I woke up this morning. I sat up. I looked at the sun shining through my window and I smiled. I had a feeling that everything was going to be alright! I sent out the Mornin Manna Text and I grabbed some food. I sat back down and felt a peace within me. I remembered the scripture saying that weaping only lasts for a night and joy follows in the morning.

Things haven't worked out. Nothing was ironed out. Everything is the same. But I am persuaded that everything will be alright as long as I believe it will work out for my good. As my poetic passage reads, I'm going to keep on going, keep on moving!

Distractions and Overcomers

I just have to say that we can't get a word that's going to stroke our ego all of the time. We can't get a message of prosperity all of the time. We don't need a "everything is going to be alright" type of message all of the time. You've got to get hit with the truth every now and then. Let me tell you, the truth hurts! Some may not get that... when I say the truth hurts I mean that whatever truth was said it convicted something in you. Stirred something around inside you creating unrest making you aware there is something out of order! The truth is not about causing harm, rather to make us better people.

There are so many distractions set before us. So many little, average to large scale things than can occur that cause us to lose focus on living a life that's holy and acceptable unto God. Little things like arguments amongst one another that are never worked out. They fester feelings and further emotions and lead to further problems which distract us from our goal off meeting Jesus one day! Distractions like family issues that are present everyday. We wake to these people and sleep again with these people. Peace and unity has to be present. The family and household unit needs this to keep the home a place of love and joy which are apart of the fruit of the spirit.

distractions, distractions, distractions!!! All around us! Everywhere, at any time in any place. If we let our guard down, we are subject for an attack from the enemy that we weren't prepared for. when we're hit with a distraction, we need to recognize it for what it is. something to throw us off balance, something to make us fall. we have to press forward! we must go onward! even if we fall, even a righteous man falls seven times! we've got to roll up our sleeves and be ready to roll with the punches and dip in the curves of life. cause we are gonna fall, but as long we get up with the determination to press forward, while trying to do better and be better we elevate ourselves to the next level!

Don't be overtaken by distractions, be an over comer of distractions!

God Has Ya Back!

I was thinking the other day, after talking with someone who wasn't exactly thankful for the holidays, and I had to share some enthusiasm for someone that may need it. This person was having problems on the job, problems using the money he earned to make ends meet and having family problems. I really couldn't promise him everything was going to be alright. Reason being that I don't know where his faith was and how he believed. What I did tell him is that God has his back if you have his!

He looked at me confused, as if he didn't know what I was talking about. I explained to him what God expected from us. A tithe of our income. He passionately expressed how he just told me he strained to make what he had to cover his expenses. I told him, I have been in places, hard spots and difficult situations and I kept tithing! I went without only because I believed that God would supply all of my needs! Philippians 4:19 It might be hard for a moment, but if you're faithful over the little he asks, its sooo worth it!

"What about my family", he asked. I told him to hold his peace. "But they try me on the reg man", he commented. Just pray man. You have got to pray. "Man all of this religious stuff isn't for me!" I told him I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. Then stated that I could promise him that if you tried God, and stay with him, it will be the best choice he'd ever make!

Hesitantly, he said he'd think about it. I stressed that if you would just try god he will have ya back! I've been through so much, death, health issues, unemployment, strained family relationships, relationship trouble, love trouble and much more! I put my hand in the hand of the man and haven't regretted it since! Yea, I get in my ruts, but I remember sooner and sooner where my help comes from! I smile my way through hard situations. I know God will take care of me as long as I keep on praising, keep on praying, keep on worshiping and giving God the Glory. I invited him to join me in church and he said he'd come. I said if you step out and meet God halfway He'll meet you and bring you the rest of the way! Trust and believe that God has ya back! Isaiah 26:3

Blessed From Beginning to the End!

I'm just going to put this out there just to inform you on exactly how I was blessed.

In all of my wrongness, God was still looking out for me. Times were hard and my money situations was not what it was supposed to be. I dropped my car insurance. I simply couldn't afford it. Without it, I would be able to afford the remainder of my bills. So it was 5 months of not paying my car insurance and without being pulled over. Situations in my life were becoming better, I began catching up on unpaid bills and had intentions of getting car insurance back. Lo, and behold, I get pulled over, for making a seemingly correct but wrong right hand turn, the week I declared to get the insurance on my car! I found out that My license was suspended, along with my registration, and I didn't have car insurance! I was screwed! They coulda took me in, towed my car, and God knows what else! That night, I was blessed and allowed to drive away! I got tickets for no insurance, license and registration! He didn't even give me a ticket for the turn!

I'm getting my documents right at the moment and calling numbers and paying parking tickets. I found out that my license was never suspended. I paid a fee to restore my registration. I got cheaper insurance than my last policy. When i went to court, he threw out all the tickets and violations I was charged with and gave me a fine for not having my insurance card with me, which is a lesser charge! I was faced with possible jail time, more than 500 in fines plus more! I tell you I walked outta that courtroom with my license and only having to pay $173! The goodness of God!

I'm not condoning what I did, I'm only thanking God for his outstanding grace and mercy for allowing the situation to overcome me and be unbearable!

He worked it out for me! I believe he can work just as greatly on your behalf! I dare you to trust God!

Rising From Ashes!

Some one very close to me, told me about how he likes the phoenix. While the phoenix is mythological, the story behind it is what intrigued me. This amazing bird is said to set itself on fire in a bed of twigs and then is reduced to ashed. Then, a new phoenix is reborn! From nothing but ash comes something so beautiful!

Some of us are in something that is wearing you down. Some are about to go through something that will try them. Others have gone through and are there to give you hope for a better tomorrow! Some things will reduce you to nothing, literally nothing at all! Loss of money, possessions, health, emotions and more! There is nothing left to you but that faith you have gives you hope.

God can heal. God can deliver. He can mend your brokenness! God just can, if only we trust him we could see these things come to pass. You can rise from your depression. You can rise from whatever sickness you may have. You can be set free. You can have the victory over your situations. You can do more than what you even know you can do! You can rise from the ashes, looking more beautiful than ever! Remember who enabled you to be reborn. Remember who lifted you from those ashes. Remember God gets the Glory!

Isaiah 58:1-8

1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.

Its A Mind Thing

It used to be a time when you would be able to tell the difference between an ordinary Christian and an unbeliever. You still should be able to tell in this current day! Can you really tell? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

We have to stand out from what the world views as a normal person. We are anointed by God. Whether you just accepted Jesus as your savior or you're the head of the church or anyone else for that matter, you are anointed by god to do the best you can do in that position! In order to do the best you can do, you have to be the best that you can be.

This starts by getting your mind right! You have to loose yourself of the sin that holds you down. Repent and be renewed. You need to have a clean plate to start with and repenting for your sins does this. Now, you have to have a mind fixed on God. Fixed on what would please him. Focused on doing all you can do to live a holy life, which is only living as Jesus lived. Isaiah 26:3 Once you do that, you will receive peace of mind. That peace is a marker and can be seen in your face, speech and actions. This is the beginning of the visible evidence.

The fowl words that come from our mouths make us the same as everyone else. Not to mention them being very demeaning! This includes racial slurs as well. We have got to be better than that! We are different! We are a peculiar people and we need to start acting like it and being an example! 1 Peter 2:9 This includes everything that unbelievers do! If we do everything that the unbelievers do, how can we be told apart? How can we effectively witness to people that need it if we can't even be spotted?

I know, that limits many things. Some will say we can't do this and we can't do that, but look at it like this. When you're picked out from a group and you are that example of positivity, representing Jesus, that soul you've just saved will make it all worth it!

If we are Christians, we represent Christ Jesus. As you go along with your day, just think about some of the things you do. Do you think Jesus would be thrilled? Its a mind thing, get your mind right and the rest will follow.

From Beginning to End!

One thing we, as humans, tend to do is complain! It's like someone decided to make this the number one hobby to have! On top of complaining about everything, ungratefulness enters the picture. People blame god for their problems. People blame each other for mishaps. Then what takes the cake is when people act like they have never been blessed with anything! Really? You haven't been blessed? I thought to myself, when someone told me something like that, "you just don't know how blessed you are!" Open your eyes!

It's been happening since Adam and Eve, when they had everything and wanted the only thing God told them they couldn't have. ONLY ONE THING!!! King David had everything he could want and wanted more! Be content with your blessings! After all, you've been blessed with certain things for a reason.

Living today, we even have something to we can be grateful for. Look at the little things we have. the movement of our limbs, a sound mind, even good physical qualities! Just being real, some people have been blessed with beauty and looks! Look at this... when have you ever took the time to sincerely give thanks for it? When was the last time that you genuinely thanked God for allowing you to wake up? Keeping you going throughout your day? Your health?

We have to be grateful over what we have. From the grain of rice that kept us from being hungry, to the cars that we drive and the transit cards we buy. You must be grateful over whatever you have and watch and see that you will gain more! Matthew 25:14-29

We are so blessed that we place ourselves in a comfort zone and don't realize how good we have it! People have much less and can be truly thankful but we can't even do a good job faking it! Let's get serious, we were blessed to be born. We are blessed to make it to the point we are in at this moment. Everything, even our trials and hardships, work as a blessing to us. When you think of it from that perspective, Jesus is the silver lining to everything. We know he is a keeper, and we know that His grace and mercy abounds on us. We were blessed in the beginning and will continue to be blessed until the end!

A Need to Ad Lib

I was listening to a sermon at a church one Sunday. The preacher said we, as believers and unbelievers alike, know so much about the world and don't know about Jesus. He said that we know about the world's music, the world's habits, but we don't hear about Jesus. I sat and thought! I prayed quietly to myself, in search of a revelation.

I'm not going to go against the man of God, but I am going to have to disagree with what he said, to some degree. I disagree with the idea that we don't hear about Jesus. He down-played worldly activities, in efforts to make a point that wasn't totally correct! Jesus is plainly out there. He is available to be sought! People know he's there. Keep in mind he was speaking to a sanctuary of church members, there were no visitors present!

We clearly know about the Savior. We know how he died on the cross. We know how he is going to come back like a thief in the night. We are not in the dark on this. The problem lies in the choices that we make. We knowingly choose to do the wrong things. We take advantage of God's grace and mercy. We commit premeditated sin. We chose not to live right! We chose to do the wrong things. In other words, we are choosing to go to hell bound up!

Breaking that down just a lil bit... We play church. We play Christian! We give up what we want to give up and hold on to what we wanna hold on to believing that God's grace will cover us. Think again! What is the point of sacrificing all of that if you're still not going to completely yield to God! You need to realize that when you choose to walk as a Christian, that means devoting your life and your choices to making God happy. Not just giving up what makes you comfortable. You have to either be with Him, or not. There are no healthy in-betweens! Rev 3:15,16

You've got to be serious about this. After all, it's your own soul salvation that's at hand!

TestImony Tuesday!

I thought that it would be cool to create a place for people to share their testimonies. We have overcome if we have a testimony. By sharing what God has done for you, it is possible that a reader may gain some type of encouragement. Maybe they can rekindle the hope they once had. It could possible spark someone to take a closer walk with Christ!

I have a faith testimony. Recently, I was unemployed. For 3 months I was without steady income. When I had income previously, it was not a consistent amount. I prayed and asked God for a way to make my ends meet. I prayed for a job. I mean I really got ugly in front of him. Snottin, sniffin and my boo hoo face! I let him know I was serious. I prayed that there was something that would work with my first job when I resumed it in September. It could not take me from any of my church services. I was firm in my prayer and I wanted a job and wouldn't accept anything but what I prayed for. 2 months past and still no job. Some might say you better take what you can get and pay your bills! I said NO! My God shall supply ALL of my needs. I believed that he would give me a job to my specifications AND it would come JUST in time!

So, bills became overdue. Yet, I still trusted! Food in the fridge got low! Yet, I still trusted! I had no money, zero dollars in all accounts and few pennies to rub together! I STILL TRUSTED GOD! That same trust brought me through the 3rd month and now I have that job that meets all of my requirements and all of my bills are up to date! All that to say, God will take good care of you if you believe he will. I mean believe without a shadow or tiniest amount of doubt. God will take care of you!

So, I've gone ahead and gave my testimony. Don't be afraid to follow suit! Post your testimonies in the comment section and see how God has been moving in our lives!

You Are God, Alone!

I do believe that often times we forget that God is God! We forget what he is capable of doing. We get caught up in our issues and drama, I call them distractions, and lose focus on reality. The reality of it all is at the end of the day, God is STILL God. Situations come and go, but God is the only constant that remains unchanged and will never change.

I have had the Chance to speak with this artist one on one. I have to say he is one of the realest and most approachable artists I have met yet. He speaks to you and your problem in his music. His latest album is called "Thirsty" and it speaks volumes to you in every work of every song! I thought I would share this with you!

Easy on my ears!

Cruising down the highway, with the radio pumping out what makes a ride seem short, we're feeding our ears. Taking the metro in our morning and evening commutes, we feed our ears. In our homes, with our TVs, we feed our ears. When we're around our friends we are feeding our ears! With what? The weather perhaps. The latest news maybe. Gossip corner anybody? Listening to friends slander someone else's name! It happens, whether you know it or not!

We will listen to anything we want and justify it be saying "they're my ears!" I'm not going to sit here and type this like I haven't done it myself! The point is why can't I listen to something wholesome that will prosper me! Who listens to quality things? I can probably call out every single one of my friends that loves to listen to Wendy Williams! Not going to bad mouth her, but she always has some kinda gossip about somebody! That's not productive. It's intrusively informative at somebody else's expense!

Once things enter our ears they enter our spirit whether we want it to or not! You heard a song playing in the background at work and the following week you know all of the words, backwards and forwards, and you have no idea how! You had great diction, and an expansive vocabulary and all of a sudden a cuss word is flying out of your mouth every other word! It comes from what we subject ourselves to listen!

When God tries to speak to us, our ears are so plugged up with filth that you can't hear Him speaking to you! There are going to be distractions. We have to keep a focus on what is necessary. You have to be easy on your years. When you need to listen to a word from the Lord, you want to hear what he has to say! 1 Kings 19:12-13

Right Here With You

Too scared to move, nowhere to hide. Feeling confused and all crazy inside? The sky is falling in every area of your life! You can't seem to stretch out your hands and arms to keep things up. You've been brought to your knees. Things just are not working out for you and you don't know what to do. The matters of your heart are stressing you down. You are looking for love and can't find it. you've found the wrong person to love and you're miserable! You are troubled on every end! What do you do?

Let's try casting all of your cares on Jesus! It's great to know that despite what you seem to face, Jesus always extends that loving and caring hand of compassion towards us! 1 Peter 5:7 With that said, get rid of everything that bothers you! Shake it off! Leave it where you stand and walk away from it! There is no need to go on carrying things that you know are going to hold you down. Holding things that you're fully aware will hold you back from reaching your full potential! Just put down the things that will slow you down! You'll find that life will become much easier once you've laid down those weights! Hebrews 12:1-2

Press on with life. Knowing that despite all that you go through God is there right by your side! He said he will never leave us, nor forsake us! Hebrews 13:5 That's a promise to us! He will always be there! Not only that he said until the ending of the earth! Matthew 28:20

I listen to radio broadcasts, watch tele-evangelists and this and that and they all seem to preach prosperity. They're not telling you how to get there! In order for these things to work, you need to be giving God some of your time! If you want God to have your back, show God that you care about him! Don't just call on him when the chips are tough but daily seek his face! Let him know how your day went! Thank him and show appreciation towards the little things! This is how you build a relationship with God by being real with him and trying to live as he wants us to live! Romans 12:1-2

Just remember this scripture when it all seems so very gray: "...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20

The realness of real!

I talk with many people that would belong to the 20 and younger crowd. I hear from them that they don't get anything from church. I get that they have no idea what the preacher is talking about. It's all too common for me. These kids, and some my age and older are all telling the same story. They don't understand. They seek advice and the elect men and women (pastors elders, deacons, missionary evangelists, etc) all tell them things that they need a dictionary to understand. They don't look into it and then the next thing from these elect people, they're backsliders and heathens!

I had to gain a understanding of what was happening here. I had to test the water. I believe in seeking counsel and advice from my pastor and immediate family. They have the most insight on me and my situations. I ventured outside to see what all was the real issue. I received the same confusion these needy and thirsty received! That's a problem!

I'm not going to talk specifically to the saved and anointed, nor will i keep it from the unsaved and inquiring mind. If some comes to you with a problem, you must keep it real with them. You have to get on their level and make them understand where you are coming from! You can have all the credentials in the world and then some but how can you expect to explain something to someone that has no clue! The same thing happens when we don't want to be bothered. We place ourselves so far up on a pedestal and have ourselves together, sometimes we brush off everybody else! Not right!

You have to examine the fact that when people approach you for any thing at all, there is a reason! It's a cry out for help and attention. There's something that you have experienced and/or are knowledgeable about that you can provide assistance! Jesus kept it real for us, way back when! He came down and experienced life as we know it. He experienced hardships and was even beaten and tortured. He served as that light for us, why can't we shine our light amongst the few people we come in contact with? Matthew 5:16

We've got to remember that everyone is not going to be on the same level as we are. They may be above us and need us to remind is that we're the same. They may be below us and not have our level of understanding and seeking knowledge and clarity. Keep it real with them. You can help them through a great deal if you would just be honest. Get off of that high horse. take off that crown. Open up yourself to others that you may be a blessing to them!

Taking a Position

I want to express that everyone is born with a purpose. Everyone has a place to be at a certain time. I guess you could call that an appointment. You are placed with a purpose in this life. I think most would agree with that!

Introduce the problem:

Everybody thinks they should be doing the same thing! Looking at it from the natural view, everybody can't drive Bentleys! Everybody can't have the house on the hill! Everybody can't be making 8 figures a year! It is not for everybody and everybody can't handle it! From the spiritual side, everybody can't be the Pastor, everybody can't be a Minister, everyone cannot be an Elder! There are those who are called to be average and some that are called to be great! You can be just a regular person and have such a great purpose being as regular as you can be! You can be in charge of sweeping floors and have such an impact over someone's life!

From the Left Field:

You can be called to the position of anything but it does not have to be the season for this to transpire. You can be set up to have a stylish Lexus, but what might happen if you get it before it is time for you to get it? Things begin to go wrong. Unfortunate things begin to happen! Then the next question out our mouthes is "God Why"!

In whatever you do, make sure it's for you to do. It never hurts to check with God, and never hurts to check twice! There is a time and a place for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 In due season you will reap what will be yours if you faint not! Galatians 6:9 Just hold on to your prayer, hold on to your fasting, hold on to your faith and don't be discouraged. Take your position when it is time to take it!

I'm Going Through For You

I've heard time after time, and even said myself on occasion, people question why they go through the things they go through! I mean sickness, misfortune, and trials of every sort come and slap us square in our faces! Some even come to us in the most inconvenient of times. Then you ask someone why and the first thing from their mouths is that you have to trust in Jesus! The next thing to follow is that He'll work it out! I WANT TO KNOW WHY!!!

People have to realize that we are tested and tempted. The tempting comes from our surroundings and from our enemies, and can very well be ourselves! The tempting can lead us to the test. The test is what comes from God! The test tries our faith, tries our endurance, tries our long suffering, tries our happiness and our joy. It shakes our love and our peace. If you gather up all of your determination you can make it through! Surviving the test strengthens your relationship with God and gives you a testimony!

There are some situations that we go through, as individuals, that have nothing to do with us. They have to do with us using our experiences to strengthen somebody else's walk with Christ. In other words, there are some things that you go through that have nothing to do with you! The purpose of you going through, is so when you come out on the other side of your situation, you can share your experiences to help somebody else!

This is the good part. Some people just don't realize why they are going through. They simply cannot apply their testimony to them! Other than the fact they went through it! There will be someone that will cross your path you will need to share this testimony with. There is someone that needs to hear what you have to say! It could of been something that you came through years prior, you will have a use for it!

Just as Jesus went through it for us to look to him for help, we go through to be a help for someone else. Go through your test and endure through temptation with mindset of "I'm Going Through For You"

The Power to Change God's Mind

You can be great, or you can be just the regular guy or girl on the corner. Regardless of what you are, there are things that you must do. You still have to abide by the law of the Lord.

You have this great king, King Hezekiah. He built a great temple for God! He restored worship in the land. He tore down idols and rid them from the land. There were things that were not in order with him and his house. Scripture says that The lord spoke to a prophet to say to the King to "set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live." Isaiah 38:1 You have this great King that is supposed to be close to God, but he had to hear what thus saith the Lord from a prophet! Something was just not right!

The king turned to the wall and began to pray. Isaiah 38:2 Turning to the wall symbolized that it was him turning away from all distractions and problems and he placed himself before God. He was sickly and on his death bed and did not accept it. He pleaded with God. He prayed! Not the kind of prayer that you say what you want and its over, he placed him self in the presence of God and wept before him! The Bible says "O Lord, I beseech thee..." Isaiah 38:3 He made an urgent request of God and was very serious! He meant business! He wanted to hear from God!

The word then came to Isaiah to give word to the king that "I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. AND I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city." Isaiah 38:5,6 God will let you know that he has heard you and what he will do. Not only did he promise that he would add years to his life and he would not die then, but he also promised deliverance! How Good is God?

We have the power to change God's mind! We have to power to go before him and make our requests know in faith! Matthew 21:22 says "all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." You have to believe when you go before God! You have to bring all of your faith and some to let God know you mean business and you really expect a move from him!

Don't be fooled! Don't think you can be doing any thing that you want and decide to go before God and expect miracles. IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY! You have to have your house in order! You have to be living right! You have to be treating your brothers and sisters right! You need to be doing all that you can be doing to live a life just like the life of Jesus!

Be Blessed!

I feel like going on!

Though I do get discouraged from doing this blog because I do not see an immediate response to the posts. I placed a counter on the blog and it gets very few visitors. I had to open my eyes to realize that as long as there is one visitor, and as long as that count keeps growing I should be happy. The angels rejoice when one soul comes to Christ, I am content regardless of how many people come.

I am standing on my post, doing what I have been led to do. I have been placed with a purpose and I refuse to sit around on God. I have decided to step up and step out in faith. What are you supposed to doing for God? Let's get to it!

Power Struggle: A Daily Tug of War!

A power struggle would be two parties going back and forth in a tug of war. In an ordinary sense you would have person or team A, opposing person or team B, in an effort to win. The prize being anything on an endless list. There is never a tie in a tug of war. Even if you are equally matched with strength and power, ones perseverance and willpower will outlast the other. This defines the loser and the winner.

Let me open your eyes to something. Lets add a person or team C to the mix! There is so much tension going on in this tug of war. You now have the possibility for a unfair team going against one of the players or teams.

Lets give these teams some names. Team A will be God, Team B will be you and Team C will be the Devil.

Scenario 1: Say you decide to go it alone. Team B will do what Team B needs to do to make it! This is what will happen. You may be holding your own. You may not be losing, but you are far from winning. You are giving it your best effort. It's not enough. You may be trying to conquer a demon in your life, doing it alone may not be enough! You may need deliverance from a habit, but the harder you try by yourself the more tired you become. That healing that you are so badly wanting is not coming to pass because you simply do not have the power to do it alone! You may be missing out on a world and beyond of opportunities if you only reach out for help! Psalm 46:1

Scenario 2: You see how hard it can be so the devil is trying to convince you to join his team and they can beat God together! You need the help, so you join up with Team C. It may not be a out spoken choice or a declaration, but if you do not deny the devil it is like signing on that dotted line! Things may be better. Skies may even open up. The devil has you convinced that you've won and you did it without God! Guess what? A freak health accident or a wrongful turn of events occurs and your life has been taken. Where is your soul going? Who just won? You won't be spending eternity in paradise, you will be in the warm places of hell! It was all a deception. Ephesians 6:11 If you are not aware that the devil is out to get you, you will fall for every trick the Devil lays for you!

Scenario 3: Instead of leaning towards the ways of deception, you decided to hop onto Team A! You chose to lean to God's unchanging hand! We have to realize that God has all power! Matthew 28:18 He can do anything for us. We have to first choose to seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things will be added unto you! Matthew 6:33 The answer was right in front of us the entire time. The only thing we have to do is reach out and embrace the power of God and all that He has for us!

God gave us a choice. He wants us to choose him but allows us to do otherwise. There will come a time when we all will need help, whether it be on a major scale or a minor one! We are in that power struggle. Won't you put your hand in the hand that is able to exceedingly do anything? He understands all of the problems that we go against. He knows everything about us. The sweet thing is that He has all power it will take for him to anything for us. All we have to do is follow him! Luke 9:23

How bad do you want it?

Smoking, drinking, sexing, fornicating, healing, deliverance, restoration and transformation. How bad do you want it? How familiar does this sound?

I'm going to quit smoking, only to see yourself with a cigarette on your lip a day later. The same thing goes for drinking! Sex is so energetic, satisfying and it feels good! It becomes addicting and just like a drug! A very hard habit to kick. Do you have the help of helping hand of Jesus, and the assistance of the Holy Spirit?

Healing, deliverance, restoration and transformation are all things that believers and sinners alike seek! There is nothing impossible for God! Luke 1:37 Your faith has to be there. but how bad do you want it? Zacchaeus sought the lord and wanted salvation so badly that in a crowd of people climbed a tree so that he could see Jesus. He wanted salvation and he got it! Luke 19:1-10 The woman with the issue of blood wanted to be healed! Her faith was in a place that she knew that all she had to do was touch the hem of the garments of Jesus and she would be made whole. Matthew 9:18-22

How bad do you want what you want from God? will displace yourself to place yourself in a position to be blessed? Some times you will need to throw off some things that you are holding so dear. You will need to leave some things behind in order to move forward. You have to change some things about yourself before you can expect a change from God! How bad do you want it? What lengths will you go to get what you want from God?

We Worship You... Right?

I love you, I love you, I love you Lord today. Because you cared for me in such a special way. And yes I praise you, I lift you up, and I magnify your name. That's why My heart is filled with praise. My heart, My mind, My soul belongs to you. You paid the price for me, way back on Calvary! And yes I praise you, I lift you up, and I magnify your name. That's why My heart is filled with praise.

A true worship must come from the inside. There has to be inner desire to push a worship out. I find that the words to that song will stir up a worship in me very easily.

Worship is an action word that is used to exalt the name of God. Why do we do it? It come from a spirit of gratitude. We have all been blessed in some way shape or form. Some perhaps blessed more than others. When you think of how good He is, how good He has been, and how good He will be, you should not need anyone to pull a "thank you" from your lips! When you think of God's awesome power and his greatness you have to give him a praise! Psalm 100:4-5 Hallelujah is the highest praise! It is so sweet in the ear of God when we utter it to him. "I love you", which is something that you should have toward God without question, should be voiced! It's one thing to show it, but as you probably know it is amazing and creates an indescribable feeling when you hear it!

We worship God out of respect. We worship God out of honor. We worship God out of love. Get into a spirit of worship.

On My Way...

A very close friend of mine shared this idea with me and it has stuck to me and remained in my spirit. It goes something like this, "I'm on the way to Heaven and I am enjoying the trip!" I took this phrase and I analyzed it a for a little while. I thought abd I said, when you're on the way to heaven, you get more problems and obstacles thrown at you. There seems to be more stumbling blocks ahead of you than it seemed to be when you were on your way to hell!

When God is not on your side, then the devil (Satan, Lucifer, or any other nickname you may have for him) doesn't have to mess with you. He has you. But when you cross over to God's side, and begin to live holy, The devil gets pissed. He's angry! He throws things at you to make you fall, discourage you, and speaks to you and influences you mess your own self up. He tries to sadden you and will do anything he can to bring down God's annointed!

You will experience hardship! You will experience heartache! You will be texted and tried! Despite all of that, remember you are on the way to heaven. You are more than a conqueror and you will get through it! Romans 8:35-37 Enjoy the fact that you are favored by God! Enjoy all of the blessings that God has given you and will give you! Enjoy that love that God has for you! Enjoy that change that has happened on the inside of you!

You are running down a road called life. Destination at the end of the road is called heaven. Lay aside the weights (life's situations, trials, problems and tests) and the sin (which is what will keep upi from seeing Heaven) and run with patience to the goal of eternal life! Hebrews 12:1,2 I am on the way to heaven! I may have some ups and some downs. I am focused an what God has promised me and I will appreciate all that God has, can and will do for me! I am on the way to heaven and I am going to enjoy my trip! How about you?

Fibs, White Lies, and Sin!

A white lie is something that may seem like it doesn't effect anyone. It is often told to spare one's feelings or for mutual benefit. Wife says, "How do I look hubby?" Hubby says, "You look fine dear!" What you didn't hear is how hubby truly dislikes how wifey is lookin! In his mind he spares himself a beat-down and argument while sparing his wife's feelings and boosts her ego! It is damaging and an untruth!

Fibs are lies that are lies told by kids. Usually to be manipulative and to get what they want. Kids will play parents against each other and promotes unhealthy behavior for later on in life.

Both of these seem so innocent and harmless but can have later effects that can be very hurtful and sometimes dangerous. It's something that may be argued is in human nature. Things just fly out of our mouths and so many actions and miscellaneous things we do involuntarily. Some may be intentionally on specific purpose! It all falls under the category of SIN. It is something we all do however. (please note "do" was used and not "did") Romans 3:23

What is sin? "All unrighteousness is sin!" 1 John 5:17. What constitutes unrighteousness? Not adhering to moral principles, practicing unjust or unfair behavior, being dishonest and deceiving, and doing things that are disrespectful to God.

The controversy lies in what is sin and what is not sin. What was a sin back then(biblical times), may not be considered a sin now. What may be a sin in one country may be a sin in another country. An easy way around all of the technicalities is to first develop a relationship with God. Being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT will help you recognize what is sin and what is not. He is the source of knowledge and truth. The Holy Spirit lets you know when you are about to do wrong and when you have done wrong. The Holy Spirit will lead you to the truth. John 14:16-17

God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33. Go to him with sincerity asking and seeking clarity. Once we acknowledge our unrighteousness, ask for forgiveness with the mind to stay right, God is faithful and just in forgiving us! 1 John 1:9

Be strong and Keep the faith until the next time!

Expectancy to Deliver!

To be expectant is to have a strong feeling or certainty that something is to come. That sounds just like faith, doesn't it? Ya know, faith! The substance of things hoped for and the evedince of things not seen! Hebrews 11:1

There is a saying if you are going to pray don't worry, and if you are going to worry don't pray. I began to ponder that over and over. I could not understand if I am going to worry why shouldn't I pray! Everybody worries about something and many upon many people still pray. I needed understanding and it boils down to the faith behind the prayer. If you are worrying, your faith is is doubt. If your faith is not strong and you are asking in faith, your prayer is now weak. Faith is the positive reinforcement to prayer! James 5:15 says the prayer of faith can heal the sick, that means Faith has that power!

Getting back to the expectancy! When you expect God to do something you are certain he will do it! You are believing it will happen and come to pass! There are so many afflicted and wounded in the body of Christ, spiritually and physically speaking. We have to realize that we have that power to Heal. We have to be certain in ourselves.

We have to have expectancy in ourselves to deliver the power from within us! When we exhibit such great acts of faith, we can now look to God with Expectancy in our hearts and minds and God Will Deliver!

Is It Well?

When peace like a river, attendeth my way - There will be many many good times that come up. There will be many joyous occassions that we will have a chance to experience. We have to be thankful for these times. Use that time to prepare yourself for a worse time that may come.

When sorrows like sea billows roll - There will be some bad times that will come and toss us. Some may bring us to our knees and even cripple us. There lies the balance There will be good and bad. You have to press on and keep on going! We have to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:14

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say - Whatever happens you have to be conditioned. You have to roll with the punches! You take the good with the bad and the ugly with the pretty. go about life with the attitude "It is well, it is well with my soul!"

In everything give thanks! 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Deliver Me From Myself

Often times we come across problems. We cast blame on the devil, the people and even the situations around us. If he didn't do this I would... If she wouldn't have done that I could have... Whatever the reason or excuse, there is SOMETHING that is blocking us. We always seem to have an enemy opposing us. I caught myself from shifting the blame. I thought to myself, the devil, along with whatever else, is not my major enemy! My biggest enemy is the enemy within me!

We are faced with situations and presented with choices. Then we make decisions. Those very same decisions is what gets us in trouble! The devil presents thoughts to us and we have the power to rebuke him. Do we? Friends put that cigarette to our mouth and sway us with a drink. No body's fault but our own! Your body is a sanctuary for God, and the bible instructs us to keep it clean! (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Our own curiosity, and sometimes even our selfish desires, begin to break us down. You know that you aren't to test the waters but you make a storm anyhow! That includes wandering minds/eyes and being sneaky thinking we wont be caught! The biggest battles come from within ourselves. If you don't know yourself in a strong way you will not know how to overcome yourself!

A good way to start is by having your mind in the right place. The bible says to let this mind that be in you be also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5) Jesus was that of peaceful mind and spirit. One that was always in prayer in every situation! When you feel you are too much for yourself to bear, give yourself to God in Prayer! Be honest with him and express your situation. Pour out your heart to God! (Psalms 62:8) Let this be your prayer, "Deliver me from the enemy within me, deliver me from myself!"

First, Second Third...

Morning procedure usually involves waking washing and leaving for work. We'll head to work and come home from work, doing our errands in between. Eat dinner, watch some TV and then we're off to sleep. I would say this is a typical work person's day.

Something seems to be missing in that timeline of events. Where is God? Where is the prayer? Everyday we give two left feet about God and then we expect him to bend at our every whim and request. Then get mad when God doesn't move when we want him to move! Our priorities seem to be in disarray.

The actual house of God is replaced with Bedside Baptist, Pillow Presbyterian, and Couch C.O.G.I.C.! We use every excuse to put ourselves first and God second, and sometimes even third! That extra few minutes of sleep that will make us late for work can be used to glorify God in prayer!

The Bible tells us to seek God first and his kingdom. Then, after that, all the other things will be added. There is the timeline of how things ought to be. Put God first. Wake up and Pray. Tell God how great his is. Tell him thank you! It doesn't take much effort to open your mouth and utter something worthwhile to God's ears!

Lets place our priorities where they ought to be. All it takes is a little effort. Watch and see when you place God first how things begin to happen for you!

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

What You Need, When You Need It!

Sometimes you will find yourself in a place with a thought "God forgot about me!" He brought you from this place and that situation only to leave you in the middle of nowhere! God IS still there and STILL looking after you!

God delivered the Israelites from bondage in the land of Egypt. God blessed them with freedom only for them to complain once they attained their given freedom. Some nerve huh? The Israelites were complaining because they were hungry though. Hunger is not one of those easy to shake cravings. Here is God, always watching over them AND still providing! God provided bread by morning, which would sustain them until the evening meal of meat. (Exodus 16:12) They called this bread Manna! (Exodus 16:15)

The purpose of this blog is to give a few words for your thought and nourishment. The intention is for personal and spiritual growth, as well as enhancement. Just as the manna kept the Israelites, I hope this will provide much needed encouragement and motivation. Whether it be a primary source or a secondary boost to your local church services.

I intend on giving scriptural reference to give support to whatever I say. I speak not for my Glory, but for God's Glory. With that said, I am not above anything that I say. I try to keep it real for a very keep it real time that we live in.

Lets Grow In Jesus!