TBT Christmas Volunteers 2014

Yes, what you have heard is true, you can now get a citation ticket for handing out food to the homeless in Atlanta. Our area actually low key knew this was coming for over a month now, as another group who goes to Little 5 Points during the week got ticketed and let the grapevine know. However, want to hear a blessing? That same week one of our partners, Tapesty Church, secured a space in the community center down the street for two days a week (Sunday morning and Thursday afternoon). For over 30 years one of these rooms was served by a Rev Meeks (and his wife), who had a huge heart for Jesus and helping the downtrodden. However, he has is gotten up in age, and had a series of health issues, so he had to finally step down earlier this year. Tapestry (as they are an official 501-C) tried to get the space earlier when we informed them of the change, but were denied, however God came through right one time. :D Has it been a bit of an adjustment? Sure, as I have been standing outside on a street corner for over 6 years. However, I keep reminding myself of how warm it is going to be when winter comes and I don’t have to rock 3 pairs of pants, 2 socks, 4 shirts, a jacket, gloves and hat in order to feed the people and share the love of Jesus.

What do I think about it? I think it is ridiculous (just as I did when FL tried to pull this mess)! I have seen the city over the past 6 years try to get rid of the homeless (well poor people in general) by just trying to move them out instead of offering actual solutions. We have a homeless problem .. because we have a house problem .. we have an outreach problem both on the organization level and resource level … i.e. organizations end up fighting for the same people, organizations end up being corrupt, resources that will actually help people long-term are limited or non-existent. Do I have all the answers? I do not, but I have always said we need to stop fighting against one another, and start working together. I know that I am not alone in my efforts and know other individuals have banded together, outside of the traditional 501-C mold in order to impart real personal change/influence with the individuals living this lifestyle day in and day out. Because newsflash, there are some people out there who will ALWAYS be homeless, they live outside BY CHOICE and even a blizzard won’t bring them inside (I have seen it, and yes they were in their “right mind”).

I extend a personal invite to anyone who would like to come help out any maybe doesn’t have a place to go. We have a lovely group of folks, count varies from week to week, so just hit me up and I will be more than happy to give you the specific details.

It is easy to look around and see how the world is turning away from true love (God), but we must not lose hope. Seriously, we must not. As I keep reminding myself, since I am living right now, it was chosen by God for me to be alive during this time, and thus I have my Father’s business to carry out. This applies to you as well. The darker it gets, the more we as believers need to shine, so that we are examples of the genuine and pure love found only when you come face to face the Creator (God), Savior (Jesus), and Guide (Holy Spirit) of this world!

Dear Father God,
Personally I thank you for putting homeless outreach in my heart. I know without a doubt it came from You because I am not the best at sticking with anything, and this is something that enters my thoughts on the daily. The idea that there is someone out there that feels unworthy and unloved jars me (as I know what it feels like to have such untrue things go through your mind), and if I can change that thought for someone by showing YOUR love to them, then that is a win for You, a win for the kingdom. Strengthen us during this time, as we look about a see a world we don’t recognize. People can’t help people? What a shame that is! However, regardless of what man may say, You are God, and in You we will find our commission and way. Protect Your children as they follow your commands, solidify their faith so they have the courage and ability to stand, may their trust be in You.
In Jesus name, Amen. 

Can I get an AMEN on this graphic? I have been petitioning and pondering about what to write about for the last two days and a host of topics have floated through my mind, but when I saw this on muh bestie’s Pinterest page, I knew what I was to do. Don’t worry I know I will eventually talk about the awesomeness that was City Rock Fest and how God without-a-doubt uses ‘hard rock’ to reach lost souls and rejuvenate, but today is not that day. Today, we talk about FAITH IN GOD.   

It was my mom who impressed upon me that it was one thing to say you have faith in God, but a whole other level when you have to work that faith muscle (in times of distress). It is easy to start doubting … worrying .. and lack of a better phrase tripping over what may come next, when you cannot see two feet in front of your face. It is easy because in times like these you are being attacked, but you are also in growth mode. You have faith vs fear at work, and one is going to give way to other, because there is no middle ground. One of my “tells” of discontent is my mental vocab starts to put a lot of effort into what ‘I’ can (or can’t) do suddenly, instead of my more frequent shut-it-down phrases such as “God's got this”. However, do you ever wonder why we should trust in God time and time again?

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Numbers 23:19 KJV

God has a purpose and plan for your life if you are walking, crawling, rolling aka breathing upon this Earth and guess what, God is Love … God can do no evil … God sent His Son to save the world …  The “Hall of Famers” in Hebrews 11 surely encountered stuff along the lines that you and I do (on a psychology temptation/response scale .. golden calf after just sauntering through the parted Nile waters, anyone?), but they kept realigning themselves with the true Creator over and over and over again, no matter what they did or what they saw or what they thought. This is what it means to daily take up your cross, it means regardless be in communication with and put your ultimately trust (faith, hope, love) in the Trinity.

This is the truth, when Jesus suffered the horrific death upon the cross, was resurrected three days later and ascending to the Father a few days after that and the then Spirit of God came down, all of the divine plan came into completion (for this phase). I mean that sin (the evil one) was defeated, the possibility of an eternal life of awesomeness was opened up to all people, and that the same Spirit who rose Christ from the dead is available to live inside of us humans should we believe, ask and trust. There is no reason to NOT have faith in God. As believers, sometimes we can get caught up thinking God didn’t ‘do’ something, when a lot of the times the thing He did was protect us. There is nowhere in the Bible that says once you accept Jesus as Savior your life will be easy and that you will get so rich you can afford a mega mansion and/or a McJet, actually it can get a bit tougher, but we have the promise for a better hereafter and the available peace that comes with knowing that you are in ONE with the Creator OF THE WORLD!

So I say all of that to say this, stay strong in your faith of who God is. Do not be scared to speak the truth of salvation, even if no one wants to hear it or people tell you it is wrong to say. You are a witness of God to a lost, dying and corrupt world. You are not perfect on your own, but in God’s eyes through Jesus’ sacrifice you are. You have the right … the honor to tell about His goodness and love, do not let any doubt or fear or feelings of unworthiness silence your lips, let all of the people be reached in Jesus' name.

This weekend I got the lovely opportunity to volunteer as a Saturday greeter at the Jesus Culture Conference in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia World Congress Center. Normally, merchandise is my area of choice when giving time to such events, but circumstances voided that as being possible and I now know why ... I needed to be given a new dose of perspective.

By no means was I what I refer to as one of the "lucky ones" in my own youth.  The kids and teenagers that grab a hold of the truth of salvation, and just DON'T LET GO. They embrace Jesus and the truth of the Bible with all of their heart(s), and from a very young age seek to do His will, and in the process end up sparing themselves a lot of pain and regret (that we bring upon ourselves for the sake of/fight for "independence"). I believed in Jesus, trusted Him as savior,  was baptized, did Bible-drill, choir, and various other church participation things, but did not really experience Him (as I know now He can be experienced via the Holy Spirit) until I was out of high school. Not to mention that time in my life was a bit out-of-the-box as far as environmental factors go, but I digress.

To say that I have an optimistic view of the world be far from the truth. I would most likely be considered realist (some circles may even say pessimistic). I believe what the Bible says about the later days, and stand in agreement with many others that we are in them. I don't believe social security will be around by the time I hit retirement age (if the world even stands that long), I think that we are distracted by many unnecessary things, and are (as believers and followers of Jesus) more focused on making people happy with what we speak, rather than speaking the truth (salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone, would be a prime example). However, make no mistake, while I denote realist instead of optimist, I do have HOPE .. HOPE and FAITH that all things work out for those who call upon God as Father. HOPE and FAITH that one day this world will end, and those who have accepted Jesus as Savior will bask FOREVER in His greatness with no more sorrow and no more pain. If you have had a chance read 31 Rays of Hope then you know I also view the word FAITH as KNOW.  

Saturday, I saw that hope manifest itself in a room of children, teenagers, and (a handful) of adults alike. All worshiping the Father in one accord, giving thanks to the Son, and giving reign to the Holy Spirit. You see as a greeter my job was to stand in the ballroom, and help assist people with finding a place to rest their laurels, and the perk being I got to see the worship bands and the speakers. I got to commune alongside of a variety of faces, in which admittedly I was curious if many of them even gave a hoot about God and the great commission, or where just there for some awesome music. Of course the church I attend rarely has youth (homeless ministry in Little 5 Points, Atlanta, Georgia), so color me floored when Lou Engle announced partner prayer time, and two delightful teenagers asked if they could come pray with me.

We grabbed a hold of each other's hands and took turns praying for our loved ones, our hometowns, the future of this nation, and on about the third go around, I remembered what it was like to be a teen. The words that escaped my lips were utterances for the youth that feel abandoned, that feel like they have no value ... the ones that seek to end their lives, the ones that cut themselves, the ones that feel unloved, and are victims of abuse (all forms). As the words in Jesus name amen passed my lips, the pressure tightened on my left hand, as the young woman who was standing on that side started to cry. As the tears rolled down her face, she spoke to God, and asked Him for protection, and strength to get through all that she had to encounter in her life which touched on sexual purity, drug resistance, (being a victim of) bullying, and a variety of other things. My heart broke as I heard her honest confession. You see I know what age we are living in, but I failed to think about the emotions of the generation who are being brought up it. A generation that is without-a-doubt hurting, but who still demonstrate a desire for God, because they know it is Him who provides their strength!

 

Their light has to shine brighter, their focus as to be spot on, their convictions grounded in Truth , and their faith has to be unwavering as to not be persuaded by one of the mixed "religions" that are being peddled. They must be brave, and willing to stand up and proclaim I AM COUNTER CULTURE and I AM OK WITH THAT because I SEEK TO PLEASE GOD rather than man.

What can I do? What can you do? Well most importantly PRAYER. Pray that the almost-growns, semi-littles, and uber-littles of this world be "lucky ones". That they develop an unquenchable thirst very early in their lives for Jesus, and for spreading the Truth of the Word. Next, and just as important, would be to simply show love to whomever you meet (*LoveIs* John 15:12 after-all), as you never know what small act you could do for someone could spark their path towards salvation, or point them in a direction towards their destiny.

As a previous post mentioned I am reading through the Old Testament at the moment (will parts of it). The journey started with Jeremiah – moved on to Daniel and it now currently in Isaiah. All I can say about this book is WOW, GOD DON’T PLAY!

Honestly, when I was in my early twenties I simply logged for this “all to end”, I was not unhappy on this Earth, but the idea of it being over and getting to chill with the Creator seemed (and still does seem) much more appealing. However, as I near my 30’s and since my outlook on the lost has changed, I am more considered with those that are blind to the truth and after reading Isaiah 24 – I am just well “whew”.

I know that not “everyone” will be saved, I know that to be truth, but my hope still remains that EVERYONE is, especially all of my friends and my family. I am very well versed in Revelations and as I am reading the Old Testament (which is my opinion is a lot more descriptive and illustrative than one of my most beloved books) I wish for no one to suffer that fate.

We (the collective church) preaches SO MUCH on God’s love and forgiveness, which are both VERY well and VERY good and VERY true, but I cannot help but wonder, do we preach the truth on the devastation of here-after enough? Do we go into specifics, not just as “you will go to Hell” but actually what all that the separation from the Creator entails?

I will depart with this, a personal from Little 5 Points and I had a conversation a few weeks ago. He said to me, “I wonder how many of us are murders?” I, very intrigued by where this was going was glad he continued on to explain. “Not in the physical sense, but rather in the Spiritual. How many of us has killed someone, by not sharing the gospel [listening to the Holy Spirit when He tells us to talk], so they die without have accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior?” Wow is what I said then, and wow is what I still say now.

To God be the glory for ALL things; may we rejoice in His peace, presence and gifts that He has given us from life to salvation to death.  We thank You Father, Son and Spirit for all things – that which we know of and that which we don’t. May You strength us, may we cling to Your will, may we choose Your way instead of own on, in the name of Jesus we ask. Amen. 

!Happy Sunday Everyone! 

(or happy –insert whatever day you are reading this-)

In thanks to the prompting of a Veggie Tales story, I found myself taking a gander at a place I haven’t been in a while [aka the Old Testament]. Of course there are a few verses, here and there, and everyone loves the Proverbs and the Psalms, but sure before the free salvation offered through Jesus Christ came, things were a bit different, so yes the old testament can seem a bit “rough” at times. However, it is in the roughness we find how God really can move!

What am I on about you ask? Well, let me share a little story of truth and awesomeness with you.

So Joshua led the Israelites after Moses died (Moses wasn’t allowed to see the Promised Land because he disobeyed God and hit the rock more times than God said, so unfortunately he had to pass on before they made it there  - no fear though He is rocking it in heaven). The first place they came upon was Jericho (as you read Joshua you learn that God gave them many kingdoms aside from this initial one), however this land, which God had given to His Chosen People, just so happened to be within and in a stone wall casing. Of chose the people of Jericho weren’t just going to hand over their city, so what where the Israelites to do?  Well, Joshua asked and God answered in the form of a heavenly messenger.

Very specific instructions were given to the whom, the line order and such, but to sum up for 7 days the Israelites where to go around the city, on the 7^th day they were to go around the city 7 times and during the last go around sound your trumpets and when you hear that everyone yell and the city shall be yours.  It sounds a little too good to be true right? It wasn’t, Joshua and the Israelites did has God had commanded and the walls came tumbling on down. The city was theirs for the taking. By taking however, God had strict rules over this. Everything was to be burn (Less Rahab and her family to protecting the spies), the silver and gold was to be collected and put in the house of the Lord.

However, this is not exactly where the story ends. You see, although God had brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, parted the red sea before their very eyes, provided them manna from the heavens to eat during their years of wandering the desert (in an estimated like 7 mile radius because they kept disobey God) and though they had all just seem a miraculous task done, someone disobeyed God and stole some of the precious metals for their own. Alas, when this was discovered (through the Israelites being beaten by a smaller army when they went to take over the next “kingdom” and Joshua petitioning of the reason to God) the man and his entire family was stoned and burned to death.

Points of reference:
God can do anything, He will perform great miracles for You in order for His kingdom to be glorified.
Even if what God tells you to do sounds a little crazy, pay no attention He knows what He is doing.
Do not disobey God, though we have the free redemption through Jesus Christ (aka can you imagine in this day and age if you had to slaughter a firstborn lamb for all your sins?), that does not give us a license to act as we will. This wrath that is shown here is likened to that which will be for those who do not accept Jesus as savior. We preach that God is a God of love, and this is true, but there will come a time, where-as God’s wrath will be poured out and the One who came and died for us will hand out judgments.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for giving us Your holy word as instruction, as a guide in which we might read – meditate upon and share with others, so we might have a better understanding of You, Your will and what this all is about. Though not everyone believes in You, we know the truth, that there are one of two places that each man will end up at, heaven or hell. We pray for everyone, from our loved ones to the people we do not know, that they one day embrace the truth of Salvation. Mend our broken hearts, broken bodies, broken minds and fill us with a peace that only You can provide. In the name of Your son, Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen. 

SiC!

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

The truth is, if you are saved … you are saved … and being saved is everything and everything is good.

As we study all of Paul’s writings we see him encompass the above, time and time again. Though he is imprisoned many times, on the run and truly hated by his peers, He did not let that slow him down. The life he lived was one for God, regardless of outside circumstances.

 It is something that I earnestly pray to one day be able to achieve in full, before this all comes to an end. You see, I have a nasty habit of sometimes complain first, pray later; when it should be pray first and leave it with God (for all my troubles). My conviction is that it makes me seem ungrateful for that which I have been given, as there are many more with less. Even more so heartbreaking that there are people who do not know the Trinity! Yet I know of the truth, I know that all of this is temporary, yet and still I allow it to put a block between the Father and I.

As it is written in Philippians 4::6-7 (NIV), “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

So, in effect if you are not following the word, you are living apart from the word, so you knowingly (or unknowingly) laying blocks down.

It is little things like this, that are the foundation for a wall to replace the open space that God has with His children. Yet, when you truly seek an open door (per say) between the creator and yourself, you should call upon the Holy Spirit and ask Him to show to you and remove all the hindrances (negative traits) that you possess.  As Romans 12:2 (NIV) tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will”.

I pray we all in this age and future cling to this, as so easily the true word of God being manipulated and miscommunicated to our very ears.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for given to us the Holy Bible, Your love letter to Your children. May we be apt to us it, so that we may know Your commandments, Your will for our lives in all areas and be aware of that which is to come. May You search our hearts Father, and remove the areas that You find displeasing. May we be but vessels for You to use, for that is our purpose, You so graciously gave us life, and we willingly give it back to You. In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

SiC ♥

So, who would be your favorite biblical person (aside from Jesus of course)? Mine would have to be Paul, of course if you have read some of the other devotionals or have been reading for a while, you may have picked up on that or even seen me say it before.  Hooray repeating and consistency!

Continuing on, while browsing upon the great social network invention Pinterest I saw a pin which was most disheartening to me. It read “Your God-fearing Facebook updates do not cause me to forget the godless –bleep- you were in high school”.  Ouch. Well someone woke up on the wrong side of life when they wrote that. Thank goodness that God doesn’t hold onto hatred like that or we’d all be doomed eh? Of course, dear person who wrote this, I am going on a limb and say you aren’t a God-fearing person now or you wouldn’t be showing hate like that on someone anyways. So, prays for you and all the people who ripped it along the way. 

So was I personally a “Godless” anything during high school? Nope not really (but I didn't have no halo over my head either), but I mean I can say without a doubt my walk now is stronger than it was back then (and common sense), so with all that one becomes a different person over time (with all the great additional ups and downs of life thrown in). Yet why must we remember things in ourselves and others that God has forgotten and that should be (us) /is (God) forgiven? Insert pseudo psychological evaluation but it is some sadistic means of torture I think, we already know that the evil one can play nasty tricks with our mind (bringing up memories we’d rather keep buried) and when he can’t win (or even when he does) at succeeding to cave into our torment, he extends our gaze to those around us. THIS is why I like Paul, time and time again, if God can love + use for His glory + betterment of ALL mankind a super mega killer of believers than ANYONE can be forgiven of what they have done / may do.  BAM! 

So yes, you may have lied with every movement of your tongue or had an adulterous span or you may have cheated someone out of money or even killed someone (or any of number of things you can think of), but guess what … you haven’t done ANYTHING that is too far out of reach that the GRACE OF GOD cannot find you and FORGIVE you for YOUR SINS if you believe.  And once they are washed away, they are done. You are made WHITE AS SNOW and God does not remember your transgressions. 

That’s truth. So let go and let God; not only of your own transgressions, but others as well. We live in a world that is FILLED with hate, what we need is a whole lot of PURE, TRUE, UNCHANGING LOVE for one another up in this space.

Be You. Be Beautiful. Be Love.

Now check the tunes (please) ->

Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to you tonight and THANK YOU for forgiveness. We deserve not on our accord, but through the death and resurrection of Your son, the Perfect One, Jesus Christ. By whom alone ALL men come to You or they don’t come at all. May You remove the hatred from our hearts, minds and lives Father. Fill us with peace, love and understanding. Have us act towards others, as You act towards us. We thank You for all things. In Jesus name, ><>

SiC <3

Have you ever had a moment, just a brief snippet of time in which you wonder, “Does God really got this?” It perhaps may come (most often) in a time during unseasonable weather in your life, it may be just a passing thought or to some it may dwell in the mind for hours or days. What do you do if you find yourself in this slump to get yourself out? Redirect your thinking and boldly proclaim that God is STILL in control in the name of Jesus, and those thoughts will flee from you. I know from experience however, sometimes it is easier said than done, so below is a cliff note (if you will) of some biblical examples to where God had it; and if He had it way back then, had it all of your life, had it enough to wake you up this morning, then He surely will have it still in the future (since He is never changing, after all). J

Sarah, wife of Abraham, who was promised a child by God (initially in Genesis 15, again in 18), but got impatient, so had her maidservant give birth to a child (chapter 16), only to ->
“And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken, For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.” Genesis 21:1-2

Moses and the freed Israelites, being chased by some less than happy Egyptians, came upon a body of water ->

“And Moses stretched out his hand over the seal and the Lord causes the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on the right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and His horseman. And the Lord said unto Moses, stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” Exodus 14:21-23, 26

David, being just a youngling, was charged to fight in some face to face combat with a Philistine giant names Goliath ->
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee and I will give the carcasses to the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And David put this hand in his bag, and took thence a strong, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead and he fell upon his face to the Earth.” 1 Samuel 17:45-46,49

Job, a man who had it all, lost it all and got a lot more after all ->
“But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse the to they face. [Jobs sons, daughters, livestock, etc were all wiped out] Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshiped, and said Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord give and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. [Job took on some physical ailments of unsightly proportions, a lot of conversation with friends, a lot of chatting with God over a significant time span] And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friend; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 1:11,20-22;42:10

The Savior of the World through a little virgin girl and the helper in which we delight in ->
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary they wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall the light of life. Jesus sayeth unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you of things to come.” Matthew 1:20-21; John 8:12,14:6, 16:13

God’s got a plan. He has had one and it will always be the same. What is the motivation and root of His plan? His divine LOVE for His creation and the desire to have EVERY ONE OF US reconciled back to Him, through the redemption found only through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Of course, we sometimes divert and change the game (for our own lives), but God knew what we would do before we took our first breathe. Seek Him, seek His will – first and foremost and I can assure you, though there will be tribulations (as that is the temporary “punishment” so to speak of doing a good job for God, courtesy of the evil one), but yet in those quiet moments, that use to be filled with negative mental houndings will come peaceful serenity, in which the Creator of all things and you are one, where as all you can do it thank Him for all He has, is doing and will do.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for this life in which You have given us. Some may be bakers, some may be waiters, some are panhandlers and some are wall street investors, but yet and still You created us through Your love and count us each as special as the other. May we delight in You heavenly Father, may we cling to You not only during times of distress, but in ALL moments. May we allow the Holy Spirit to search us Father, and we charge to remove anything that You find unclean in our lives. May with each passing second, each hour, every day, we become more of the person that You desire us to be. May we not think of just ourselves dear Lord, may we please learn to view ALL of our fellow human nation, the same way you view us, with love. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ ><>

SiC <3

This is probably the first of many to come, but a combination of the “WaxNotNeeded” devotional and the *LoveIs* ministry updates. As it is written below, is in general how it was spoke for the people who attended today.

In Ezekiel 3:17-21 God spoke to Ezekiel and charged Him to carry out His will by letting the people (house of Israel) know they were in the wrong. We all have one thing in common, well we have many things, but this is something we all could do without. What is it? Biased opinions and judgments based on our own past and that which has been taught to us. Everyone has them, but yet we are called to not judge others, as it states in Matthew 7:1-2.

Who alone knows what is right and wrong for every person? God, so let Him be the one to determine in a person’s life what they should change, not you. Of course, as Christians we do get the general basis of good and evil, but does that discernment not more so come from the Holy Spirit then from ourselves? What used to be right, now is wrong and what used to be wrong, is now right. Prime example? Speaking about God. Who ever thought that we would see the day when prayer was taken out of school. When people were asked to keep quiet about their faith and trust in Jesus, rather than boldly proclaim it and have group discussions that Honor the Creators name.

So do not go upon one another, based off of your own thoughts and feelings, but allow God to work – allow God to be the judge of your fellow man and PRAY FOR THEM. For if someone is doing something you find wrong (let’s say drinking, example only as it is one that is debated among the denominations), but yet it is written that we are ALL sinners – and if all sin is on the same level to God, well … we are pretty much all in the same boat eh? Can I get an AMEN for GRACE? Judgment divides people. Judgment created (to some degree) the many, many denominations and various “sects” all under the title of Christianity. Judgment as it is written, is better to be left in the hands of the perfect One, for He has no blame – nor basis of self-righteousness, He is put pure good. 

Does this mean to say that if God has placed on your heart to speak to a person about something that is “unclean” in their life you ignore Him? By no means, as it is what Ezekiel was called to do, but GOD told him to do it, He did not go about it on his own accord.

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Recollection, shared words and show-n-tell from Little 5 Points today ->

Don't allow ANYONE to get in your way for what you are called to do for God. Sometimes in can be the same people who are called to stand by your side that won't understand 100% what you have been called to do.

Don't sweat the petty stuff! 

Hand Made Palm Frond Cross w/ Rose, a
gift from a nice young lady (aka SISTER IN CHRIST)
who attends the Sunday gatherings. 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

We come to You today to thank you for another day. Thank You for each breath You allow us to breathe. May we use that breathe to carry out Your will and be a leading example to others. May we cling to You during all times and thank You continuously for all which You have done. In the name of Jesus ><>

SiC <3

[Disclaimer on above post :: Please note I am in NO WAY saying to negate Biblical doctrine, this is more so about personal viewpoints learned over the years in which "may not be" Biblical doctrine. I mean in years past there were movements against how "all rock music" was satanic .. sorry but there is nothing satanic about Project 86 or Demon Hunter, they ROCK OUT with their CROSS OUT for the Almighty with EPIC drum beats, angelic vocals and superb guitar riffs] 

So I shared this a few weeks ago on my Facebook, but felt led to put it here also. Please take a few moments out of your day to watch this video. It is inspiring, awakening, educational, loving, commanding, etc, etc, etc. My heart overflows for women who are mistreated like that are not the princesses they were born to be! :( *HUGS FROM GA*



You can visit It Only Takes A Girl here.

SiC <3