The Apex

Today I rededicated my life. The first time I took this step towards Christ  was when I was 11 years old. I will not say that  I did not know what I was doing. I was of an age that I could understand the word. I had been taught since before I could remember. My father was not at the time but is now a Pastor. To be honest my household was ran like a Pastors house would. We always knew that time would come. However as with many people when outside of that upbringing  I seized the opportunity to explore and go my own way. My way was to escape the constant preaching and disciplines of the the bible. I'm sure I am not the only one who has done this. I will say from 18-30 I went in and out of what I was taught and attending church as a whole. However the older I got the more I heard his voice calling me back. When I turned 32 i started this blog and was being pulled back into the direction of Gods will.  Proverbs 22:6 says:

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

That couldn't be any more accurate. Since this blog I have found myself in a direct relationship with God. It is completely different to know God for yourself. There is definitely something to be said about having a foundation where parents get you started but I can not explain the revelations and insight gained from moments of quiet when its you in your alone time with God. I am growing in him and learning more about him and in turn learning more about me. 

With the new phase/shift in my life it was also important to be baptized again with the full  understanding as an adult. Also with a direct relationship. I have found peace,love,security,strength and hope in times of struggle,dissapointment,fear and doubt. Today is the apex of my life and is the most beautiful reset button I could have. I am excited for the future and know that God has great things in store for me. I strongly suggest those that never have to get baptized as it is an outward symbol of an inward growth. Also those that feel or even question if it is needed to get re-baptized to just do it.  I have an unmatched peace and inner joy right now. You can too. Why wait another day.

Noah's obedience

Noah's obedience

I just recently begin reading the book of Genesis and read the passages on Noah. Going back and reading it now as opposed to when growing up there is a lot more to the story of Noah. God spoke to Noah and told him that because of the violence of mankind that he would be wiping the Earth clean and starting over by way of flood. He also told Noah to build and Ark and he would allow his wife and sons and there wives to join him on the Ark. He also instructed him to gather a male and female of every kind of living creature to start over. God provided him instruction on how to make the Ark. Noah heeded his word and built it just as he was told.  The bible said it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. He then allowed the water to remain on the Earth for 150 days. The waters rose to the mountains before descending. Looking back on this passage it is a clear account on how to be obedient to Gods word. No matter how outrageous or extreme the circumstance. He followed Gods plan. God's thoughts are not our thoughts therefore we will never understand fully his plans. We must trust in him when in instructed. I am sure that there were others Noah would of like to take with him but he was obedient to Gods word. The bible says that when there were on the Ark God shut it. God will insure that his will and way is carried out. He made sure nothing was to get in or out while on the Ark.  As Christians this is a great example of  following what God tells us. Noah after 150 years got off the Ark with his wife, sons and there wives and all the living creatures to begin mankind again. God made covenant with Noah that never again would he cause a flood to wipe out mankind and that the sign of the covenant would be a rainbow after clouds and rain. As Christians it may be hard sometimes to follow Gods word because we do not see or understand it but we walk by Faith and not by sight. Prayer and meditation is crucial to listening to what God has to tell you. I urge you to spend some time with God today and let him work in your life.

Bishop TD Jakes on TBN w/ Steve Harvey

Powerful unexpected sermon while being interviewed by Steve Harvey on TBN.  Men of God need to hear this. (2011)

Reflection of James 1: 1-18 Trials and Temptations

 

James 1

New International Version (NIV)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Reflection of James Chapter 1 1-18

James begins with addressing this book to the twelve tribes scattered among nations. It is actually the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob.

James informed his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ not to consider it pure joy when they are faced with trials and temptations. He explains that when your faith is tested it brings on perseverance.  Perseverance brings on maturity that will strengthen you. Just like weight lifting comes with pain that ultimately will strengthen you from the maturation so will your faith.  We are to view it as a positive thing. Just as a body builder still feels the burn but enjoys it because he knows the end result will be better than the present. 

 James 1:12 says: Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

He also told the twelve descendants if there is something you lack to ask for it. If you lack wisdom, ask and it shall be given.  However there can be no doubt. He stated a person of doubt is like a wave of the sea…blown and tossed away by wind.  Doubt prevents you from standing firm and holding true to what God has planned and promised you. There is no way to find direction in doubt…just as an always shifting wave. Faith gives you stability and strength.  Faith comes from studying and establishing a relationship through consistent communication with God.

Lastly,
He informs that no man should say God is tempting me. It is impossible for God to be tempted  and he does not tempt. Temptation comes from the enemy and if conceived or acted on brings on sin. Full blown sin brings Death. That is why it is important to ask for forgiveness and repent. We sin daily whether we know or not. However all good and perfect gifts come from God. Through the word of truth he gave a perfect gift of life that we might be the first fruits of all created.  We would be the first taken and of high value.  

James  provided hope during Trials and Temptations by informing it strengthens you in your walk with Christ. God also blesses those that persevere. During those times never curse our Father in heaven or his son for temptations do not come from him but he will be there to guide you through it. It will require faith and without faith you will be lost.  Spend some time strengthening your relationship and Faith in God today.

2 Timothy 3 Godlessness Days

2 Timothy 3

New International Version (NIV)

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

⁶ They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷ always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹ But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

A Final Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Reflection of 2 Timothy 3

The scripture says there would be lovers of themselves.  Learning to love yourself can be healthy but not in the sense that you become selfish and unwilling to sacrifice or help others. 

It also mentions during these days there would be those that were lovers of money. It is understood that everyone needs to make a living but that’s not what is being stated here.  To be a “Lover of Money” is one that has now placed it above God and is now motivated by currency. The bible says money is the root of all evil.  When you become a   “ Lover of Money” you glorify items and possessions. This in turn changes your decision making and actions.  You begin adapting sayings like “M.O.E” Money over everything.  Words hold power. You say something long enough you are going to believe it. It is self fulfilling. Money over everything becomes your lifestyle. When this happens you experience what is going on today that was warned about by Paul.  Parents spend so much time chasing money that they are hardly at home. Sure they can purchase a few more things but  there children do not know them.  Quality time is replaced by gifts and allowances to forget the missing relationship.  In turn children begin to value money by learning from there parents.  Since  there isn’t much parenting then disobedience and disrespect steps into the household.  Crime rates go up over the  love of money.  Objects that  are not worth your soul are now viewed as mandatory to have and people do whatever it takes to get them. 

Because of what we have or our careers  we have become Boastful and Proud.  God can not use someone that  knows everything. There must be some space left for God to add wisdom, understanding and anointing.  Saul thought he knew everything until God made him experience hardship. Through that struggle came humility. God can use a humble willing vessel.

We have become Lovers of pleasure.  We are unable to deny the flesh. Things that we know are against Gods word have been tweak or altered so that it conveniently matches your lifestyle. This can not be. Timothy states that any one that wants to live Godly will surely face persecution.  Christians are sufferers on Earth. And we reap our rewards in heaven. To be a Lover of Pleasure does not fit into Gods journey for us. Every day will not be rough but we are expected to endure more because our reward is greater.

The bible speaks on us being a ungrateful people during the Godlessness days.  It now requires more for us to be happy. The reason for this is we have a false expectation that we are owed some things. Reality is we are still in debt to Jesus for the ultimate sacrifice of sparing our souls. To wake up is a blessing and enough to praise him. To have a roof over  our heads, clothes on our backs and food on the table is works of an awesome God. These are trying times and there are plenty people who do not have any of these things.  If you thought  about what you do have as much as what  you do not  I bet it would change your perspective.  It changed the way I look at my life.

Paul also spoke on men preying on weak willed women. This is prevalent today. It is shown all through society and reality tv. Women crying because there man is not faithful or is abusive. Women who do not know there worth or are not rooted in Christ allow and tolerate too much. There are men out here who want a Godly woman and when God appoints the season will find you.  However you have to be a Godly woman to attract a Godly man. The bible says that these women fall victim to these men because they have evil desires.  Men can show you money and belongings that will excite those desires. Once again the bible says money is the root of all evil. So if the weak women were described to have evil desires. They desire worldly things and can be influenced by money. This is the main reason  why corrupt wealthy men in society and on reality tv deceive these women and then they feel victimized.  Find truth in Jesus and become the woman you were meant to be. Once the anointing is on you those tricks and moves of deceit will not fool  you any longer.

The Bible was referred to as God-breathed and can be used for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training righteousness.  In these Godlessness days it is important to have a relationship with our Father and his son Jesus Christ. Spend some time with him today for tomorrow is not promised.

 

1 Thessalonians 4 Living to Please God

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

³ It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; ⁶ and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. ⁸ Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
⁹ Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. ¹⁰ And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, ¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Reflection of Colossians 1:15-23 The Supremacy of the Son of God

Reflection of Colossians 1:15-23 The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of^[g] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Reflection

This is a powerful scripture. There is no one that has ever walked this earth with the authority That Jesus has. He was created in the image of our invisible God. He was the first born of all creation.  The bible says he is before all things. There is nothing that is before him. He will always be first. People of the world tend to put priority on Careers and relationships and things that will not get you to Heaven. Jesus will always be first and keeping him first will cause everything else to fall in line. The bible says in him ALL things are held together. So that can only mean when you take him out of the equation things will fall apart. That significant other that you know is not equally yoked. It is not approving in Gods eyes. He will not hold it together because that is not of his works. That lifestyle you have that you have stubbornly chose ignoring Gods calling for you. It will not work out. It will lead to trouble because he is not there to hold it together. Sure when you come to him for forgiveness or assistance he is going to help because now you have placed him in the midst. There is nothing that he can not do.  There is power in the name of Jesus. He is the firstborn of the dead. He has risen from the dead and  has power and authority over the dead.  Through this merciful act we have been reconciled and now have a chance to be entered in to the Book of Life and enter heavens gates. Thank you Lord for all you do.