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Relentless Pursuit!

So recently I have really been focused on dialing in on my purpose. My pastor has been ministering a very powerful series entitled “Its Your Time”.  Recently he delivered a message called “Your Assignment”. It really challenged me to dial in on my specific assignment.

Earlier in the week while in my God time, the Holy Spirit gave me this. “The only thing between you and your DESTINY is your relentless pursuit”. Take that in.  For many of us the only thing in the way is the fact that we haven’t went after our purpose with a reckless abandon.

The Word of God tells us that God has a purpose and plan for our lives in (Jer 29:11) and that he planned it before our first breath (Jer 1:5). That should assure us that we aren’t here for a life of nothingness. God has called us to an abundant life (John 10:10) and its only through our purpose that our Financial Provisions are guaranteed.

When you know what your supposed to do the Word tells us to PRESS toward the goal…(Phil 3:14). To me the word press doesn’t seem passive but it instructs you to go after it and press against any resistance. Be RELENTLESS ( aggressive, intense, etc.) Let no circumstance, situation, family member, or thought from the pit of hell detour you from your promised place. You have all of  Heaven cheering you on. You have the Lord who is working on your behalf perfecting all things that concern you (Ps 138:8)

So I charge you dear friends to be BOLD. To follow the pattern God has set for your life and things will begin to flow. Nothing can stop you, you have the authority and power to trample on anything that would try to take you out (Luke 10:19)

LOVE YOU!

If you are unaware of your purpose pray this simple prayer:

“Dear God help me discover where my deepest gladness and the worlds biggest need meet in my heart. In Jesus Name Amen”

and then meditate on Matthew 6:33.

Grace and Peace to you all,

Bryson M. Sharp

I Give Myself Away by: Zakiya S. Kyles

Everyday we give ourselves away to a number of things. We give away to our family, job, the environment, and people in general. We give our finances, wisdom, energy, information, and our bodies to the point we are like Bill Withers says:”Till you use me up”.

Have you ever considered that in all your giving and your using the things that you give to God or how He is using you? Do you evaluate His daily use of your life to bring Him glory. Is God REALLY using you in the best way possible?

Many times we place restrictions, boundaries, limitations and even a barricade on what and how God can use us. It generally is on the terms in which we are comfortable with being used. However, if we are to live fulfilled lives for God it sometimes involves a sacrifice and denial of self to be utilized completely and fully.

To give ourselves away requires that we fully rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide and direct where He sees the best fit for our use. That involves seeking, knowing, acknowledging, and living out our purpose. (SN:It’s never too late to find your purpose.) Giving ourselves away also includes exercising faith and knowing that God will provide the balance needed.

If we look at scripture God has allowed the most unlikely people to be used for His glory and benefit His people. We are no different and truly have no excuses! Let’s look at two of my girls from the Bible that allowed God to use them in incredible ways!

Rahab hid the spies and showed great allegiance to God. If Rahab, a prostitute, who had “heard” of the Israelite’s God exercised extreme faith and allowed God to use her why can’t we? (Joshua~2:8-11)

Queen Esther allowed God to use her by exercising great faith to save her people (Jews) by approaching King Xerxes, and asking him to intervene on the plot of Haman who intended to destroy the Jews. Do you exercise your faith in the uncertainty of results so that the lives of others can be saved? (~Esther~)

I encourage you to give yourself away to God and earnestly seek Him for your “best fit” in the kingdom. When we seek God for the “best fit”, the standards and approval of men become very small and minute to what God’s “best fit” is for us.

Be Queenly, Be Confident,

Zakiya!

http://queenlyandconfident.org

“Discover the Royalty Within”

I Give Myself Away\” by William McDowell

Wanting You by: Zakiya S. Kyles

Wanting You, Wanting You each day I want more of you in the worse way.

Wanting you, I put off my childish and foolish ways so my days are not spent in a maze of confusion and strife. Wanting you, I look to you for my strength for you are strong and mighty.

Wanting you, I long for your gentle touch and warm embrace that tells me life is not too much. Wanting you, you gently and softly tell me to be still and wait on you. Wanting you, you tell me you are Jehovah Shammah for you are always there.

Wanting you, wanting you I plead with you to purify my heart and turn me from my evil ways. Wanting you, you reassure me that goodness and mercy will follow me for the rest of my days.

 

Wanting you , I believe I can do all things because it’s the God in me, given by the earthly example of Jesus Christ. Wanting you I bring light in the midst of darkness, because of the light that shines within.

Wanting you, wanting you I am more than a conqueror for you are the Lord God our Banner and for that I will act in a Queenly and Godly manner as I represent your majesty.

Wanting you I emerge myself in your word to discover myself, connect with you, and take action on the things you have called me to do. 

Wanting you I want soo much more of you.

Be Queenly, Be Confident,

Zakiya!

http://queenlyandconfident.org

“Discover the Royalty Within”

Check Yourself! A message to be shared with Today’s Teens. By Rev. Albert Cotton Jr., © 2010

Deuteronomy 5:16 says, “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” [AMP]

Matthew 15:4 says, “For God commanded, Honor your father and your mother, and, He who curses or reviles or speaks evil of or abuses or treats improperly his father or mother, let him surely come to his end by death.” [AMP]

Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “¹CHILDREN, OBEY your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. ²Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother–this is the first commandment with a promise– ³That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” [AMP]

In thinking about today’s generation of young people, I felt led to write about the principle of honoring mothers and fathers.  While the three scripture references above are not the end all to be all with regard to honoring parents, they definitely serve as a great foundation for looking at how God has ordained this principle. 

Many are familiar with what has been termed the ten commandments.  Generally, these are thought to be the only commandments ever given by the Lord.  However, if you’ve done any bible reading whatsoever outside of these ten, you know there are by far many more commandments that our Heavenly Father has given.  Knowing the ten is definitely good; it’s living them and the others the best we can that brings about a blessed life.

With regard to today’s children, the commandment in question, honoring father and mother, seems to not only be seldom practiced, it is also seldom known.  This lack of knowledge can be caused by a myriad of circumstances.  It could be that they have never been exposed to the bible, church, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  It could be that they have experienced these in one form or other, but the commitment is not there, thus a relationship with the Lord has not been formed, or developed.  It could be that parents themselves are not holding their children accountable to what they are learning in the word.  It could even be that parents themselves did not honor their fathers and mothers, thus they are reaping in adulthood what they have sown as children.

The scripture from Deuteronomy, says that children should honor their mothers and fathers as the “Lord” has commanded.  One thing we have to do is let our children know what God has to say about the principles we try to live by.  It is not our word; it is the word of God.  He is the One who set all of creation in motion and handed down his laws, or commands, that we should govern our lives by daily.  Man or woman in all of his or her intelligence, could not orchestrate life to operate in a decent and orderly fashion that in any way compares to what God has designed and implemented in the earth.  Therefore, it is vital to understand the origination of a thing before it can be fully accepted and appreciated, which for this commandment, as well as others, means starting with the Lord.

The result of giving this honor is a prolonged, or lengthened life.  This is how godly principles work.  There is usually a requirement and as a result of fulfilling it, a blessing is obtained.  With so many young people dying at early ages I believe this message needs to be clearly and emphatically proclaimed by every believer who knows it is right to honor one’s mother and father.  This is because in a lot of instances disobedience and in some cases down right hatred towards parents has been a part of the reason for their pre-mature deaths. 

Some may question this reasoning, but if we look at the lives of those who died because of gang-related, drug-related, sex-related, and other reasons, you are sure to find in many instances rebellion, disobedience, etc., towards parents.  Now, if those for whom this holds true had been honoring their mothers and fathers with obedience, respect, and love, they would not have been in position to have their lives extinguished in such a violent and/or senseless way.  Obedience equals blessings, while disobedience yields curses.

It is appropriate to insert the scripture above from Matthew here in light of what has just been stated.  God Himself commanded that fathers and mothers are to be honored, and to dishonor them in any way should result in death.  Wow.  This is coming from a loving Father who gave His only begotten son to the world so that none of us have to taste spiritual or physical death because He conquered them all because of His work on the cross?  As confusing as this can be, rest assured that even a child who dishonors his or her parents are still able to receive the grace of God in light of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross if they confess their sins and believe He is faithful and just to forgive them and cleanse them (1 John 1:9).  If a child still has life in their bodies, they still have access to His mercies.

There are many ways to experience death, both literally and symbolically.  Literally, as previously stated, death has called the names of a lot of our young people.  Symbolically, and some would even say spiritually, death has reigned over a lot of our youth.  It’s evident in the choices many of them are making.  Promiscuity is high with a large incidence of STDs; drug use is high with a large rate of school failures and incarcerations; violence is running rampant, resulting in deaths or permanent disabilities.  Self-esteem amongst many of our youth is lacking or non-existent.  Self-expression has taken on the forms of tattoos and piercings and other physical as well as mental mutilations.  Music is laced with profanity, sex, drugs, and instant money.  All of these things work in concert at the hand of satan to thwart the plan of God for our lives which is to bless us and give us a hope and a future (see Jeremiah 29:11 and John 10:10) rather than curse us and cause our demise. 

As a result, many young people lack knowledge of self and they wander aimlessly from one flesh gratifying experience to the next which does nothing more than leave them feeling  empty on the inside each time.  Instead of finding their sense of self and validation in living a life for God, even when any of them remotely know anything about Him, they look to outside stimuli (people, places, things) that cause them to sink deeper and their dishonor and disrespect to go higher.  This is because they’ve attached themselves to the world instead of to God both for themselves and through their parents.

Parents are not exempted from playing their part in this equation as well.  In order for an equation to hold true, it must be balanced.  Parents must live before their children in a manner that shows for righteousness and godliness on a consistent basis.  As mentioned previously, some parents are reaping what they’ve sown in the way of dishonor toward their parents.  However, I believe even if they take a stand for what is right and reconcile themselves to the truth of their actions as children and ask God’s forgiveness, they now have a strong foundation to stand on which says to their children, “you will not dishonor me.”  If any parents are not presenting themselves in ways that position them to receive the honor God intends for them to have, they too shall reap what they’ve sown.

Many children come from environments and experiences that have literally shut them down when it comes to their parents or other loved ones and even God.  Many have been hurt in some way either physically, mentally, or even spiritually.  However, no matter how negative a person’s experiences have been, they are still held accountable to live out the truth.  They must come to grips with the fact that their current behavior is directly linked to whatever they have had to endure.  To overcome it takes more than just an “I’m sorry,” it takes communication with the Father that involves a plea for strength and help to forgive, move on, and even show love to them that have been abusive.  It is critical that we understand the commands of God are never to be put on hold just because we have been through some horrific experiences that have left us battered and bruised.  It is therefore our responsibility regardless of age to ensure we are obedient to God and hold Him in higher regard than our hurts and pains.  Doing this will in fact cause a shift in us called faith that He will respond to with His favor.

If our children honor their mothers and fathers and obey them, then it would seem there would be little room for them to engage in the previously mentioned negative acts, thus leaving themselves in position to be blessed by God with a joy and zeal for life that only He can give.  Thus they would avoid death or a “death-like” existence.  This is not to say that children will be completely perfect in the sense of not satisfying any curiosities of their fleish, however, if the regard they hold their parents or guardians in is high, they will not have enough room to add much else to a place of priority in their lives.

The scripture from Ephesians shows again the benefit of honoring one’s father and mother.  Doing so makes life “well” with a person and promotes long life.  Today’s teens, need to take a long hard look at God and His command to hold fathers and mothers in high regard regardless if they are godly parents or not.  The command does not give a qualifier that says it is okay to not honor them if they are not godly, or are living without regard to God, or if they have been abusive.  It simply says to honor. 

If our children are going to be all that God created them to be, they have to get obedience and honor rooted deep down on the inside of them.  All of the soul-ties they’ve established to the things of this world have to be broken and replaced with ties to their parents, which will thus tie them to the Lord.  This will bring pleasure to Him and cause His grace and favor to abound in their lives.  As a result, there will be fewer deaths and more graduations; decreased promiscuity and a better sense of self-worth; less drug use and more children high on life; less living like the world and more living for God who made the world and will cause them to be positioned to fulfill their destiny. 

It is time for our youth to check themselves against the word of God instead of just hoping they will get it sooner or later.  It is up to use to live the word, speak the word, and honor God who gave the word which is life to us who believe.  We have to raise the standard of our honor and obedience to God as parents so that we will experience blessings and not curses (see Deuteronomy 28) where our children are concerned and in our lives overall.  Obedience yields a harvest in our lives that will not run out and leave us to die, however, disobedience causes a famine that leaves us physically and spiritually starved and open for death to come in (see Isaiah 1:19-20).

What Book Is You? by Rev. Albert Cotton Jr.

Now at reading the title of this blog entry you may have immediately concluded that it is definitely bad grammar. However, if you stay with me you will understand the reason for using it.  Paul writes to Timothy in 2^nd Timothy 4:7 saying, “I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.” (AMP).

Paul wrote this passage of scripture in light of his impending demise that was to be the culmination of what appears to have been a long stint in prison.  However, the focus is not the end in this case.  Rather it would be beneficial to look back at his beginning after being named Paul.  As many people who have been apart of the church of Jesus Christ have come to know, before being named Paul this man of God was known to the world as Saul a Pharisee who was zealous about the suffering and death of God’s people, the early church/Christians.  (Read Acts 22 as he recounts his upbringing and how went about persecuting God’s people.)

Now, if Paul, who as Saul could do such grave harm to people because of the Lord they served, yet be changed by that same Lord so that he could do a more noble and righteous work, it tells me that no matter what I’ve done in my past, I can fully embrace who God says I am and be all that He created me to be.  However, I must make the choice to heed his voice as Paul did, or reject it as many today are doing.

You see, many of our young people are demonstrating a lack of reverence and honor for God and it many cases this how they view their parents or any adult authority figure they come in contact with.  Thus, they reject obedience choosing to attempt to live life on their own terms which, more often than not, yields consequences none of them are mature enough to handle.  Rejection of the Lord sets one’s life up for eventual failure after failure.  Yes, a person may think they’re getting away with something in the interim, but reckoning is sure to come and that which has been sown shall be reaped because God will not be mocked by anyone. 

What does this have to do with the title at hand?  Plenty.  Once rejection of the Lord was done away with and a recognition of who He is took place, Paul then found himself obeying the very commands of God and thus we have a person who is responsible for writing over two-thirds of the New Testament.  His letters have sent to various churches and to his son in the ministry Timothy providing instruction for godly living, being a Christian, living a life of faith, overcoming trials and tribulations that accompany being a child of God, and living as such until the very end of one’s life.

If we look at Paul’s life, we can see how he practically is his own book.  The closing chapter would, in my mind, consist of the scripture used above in the opening paragraph of this entry.  I recently (and please don’t laugh) and finally watched the movie, “The Book of Eli.”  I’ve always wanted to watch it and since seeing it at the theater didn’t happen for me, I purchased the DVD.  As I watched it, I found myself in awe of Eli’s character.  His resolve to protect what was the last bible in the world he knew and to also carry it “West” was remarkable to me.

When asked why he was taking the book West, he simply said it was because he heard a voice tell him to do so.  Now as believers, we know the Lord speaks to us and it’s not always in a loud, thunderous, burning bush kind of way.  In 1^st Kings 19:12, Elijah hears the Lord in form of a “still small voice.”  I imagine that’s what Eli experienced when he said he heard the voice as clear as he was talking to the young lady who wound up accompanying him West.

In the face of threats against his own life, Eli at first would not give up the book.  He wouldn’t even let anyone touch his backpack in which the book was being carried.  He would defend that book and himself at all cost.  He wouldn’t even let the young lady who decided to flee her former life and go with him touch it. 

The day came when he actually gave up the book.  The person who wanted it so badly that he would prostitute his step-daughter to get it, or even cause harm to her mother who was blind just to get it, only wanted it as a means of manipulating the society in which he lived since it was almost like a wasteland with limited resources and not much else remained after an Armageddon type event had taken place.  I found myself puzzled as to why Eli eventually gave it up. 

Eventually, the two would make it west to what was left of San Francisco and then have to take a boat to Alcatraz. Upon being allowed to enter was set up as a compound of sorts for survivors and surviving works of literature art, etc. Eli was still able to make his delivery of the book he had waged his life to protect.  The evil person who thought he now had it made so that he could manipulate and control the world with the word of God, wound up unlocking the bible only find it was written in braille.  He was now powerless for even his blind wife, whom he had abused and whose daughter he tried prostituting, would not read it for him.

Eli, who throughout the movie read this book intently actually memorized the scriptures, all of them.  My mouth literally dropped open as he began reading Genesis 1:1 to the person who would write and bind a copy of the bible thus preserving the word of God on paper that Eli had preserved in his heart.  The book of Eli was far more than a movie in that it actually taught me about persevering faith, triumphant faith, commitment at all cost faith.  He not only carried the bible, he studied it.  He not only read the words, he memorized them to the point of being an instrument for his physical preservation.  At the close of the movie he recited the scripture from 2^nd Timothy above.  As he had been shot for not giving up the book, he was slowly dying from his wound, but he did not expire until his work was done.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” means fulfilling one’s God-given purpose to be a conduit of His in the earth to bring about His glory and honor through the spread of the His word.  Paul did this in spite of being shipped wrecked, beaten, and imprisoned.  He went from slayer to instrument being used to save lost souls through his preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was content to do so (read Philippians 4:11-13).  He endured much, yet accomplished much.  He and Eli lived out their books, the word of God, which they carried with zeal in spite of the hardships they faced.

The question begs to be asked of us who call ourselves Christians/Children of God today, “What Book Is You?”  Is the book of your life going to play out this same way where you can fully maximize your potential, in which you, as Dr. Myles Munroe states, die on empty having given out of your being everything God placed in it to accomplish His will?  Will the book of your life read of your faith fight or will it read of the comfort of your life?  Will it read of your out of the box, spiritual call and corresponding steps of faith, or will it read of your desire to stay in the boat for fear of sinking once you get out on the water?

While I know “The Book of Eli” is a secular movie, do not find yourself so holy that you miss the spiritual lessons it teaches.  Fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.  If you read further down in 2^nd Timothy 4, you’ll find Paul’s account of what awaits him in eternity.  It seems in my mind’s eye as I’ve read of his works that he actually enjoyed some of it right here on earth as well. 

Rev. Al Cotton

ALL or NONE by Zakiya S. Kyles

You’ve been introduced to me, accepted me, taught about me, and even experienced me. You pray to me, seek me, praise me, and even express your love for me.  You’ve talked to people about me, worked in my name, written about me, but where is your ALL.

You’ve done all these things yet straddle the fence when it comes to me with friends and even family whom you’ve told about me. Do I REALLY mean ANYTHING?  ALL or NONE?

You’ve repeatedly asked for forgiveness yet succumbed to the pressures and influences of people not following me or have no desire of me.  You use me like a vacuum, only as needed then put me up until I’m need again. How much do your REALLY value me? ALL or NONE?

You’ve studied my Word with the best, received a solid, firm foundation, yet wobble with your faith walk like a toddler taking his first steps. Will you try to only survive on milk until you are the age of Moses? ALL or NONE?

You’ve asked for my guidance, you ask for my direction, and to lead you in the path for which you should go, but go left when I said straight or seek wisdom from those who live unfruitful lives and have no direction at all.  Have you REALLY sought me for wisdom? ALL or NONE?

So today I ask the question sincerely, whole-heartedly, candidly, and truthfully, asking that you are truthful to me. Do you want ALL of ME or NONE of me? It’s your choice.

Inspired by Joshua 24:15 and Matthew 6:24

Be Queenly, Be Confident,

Zakiya

http://queenlyandconfident.org

The Harvest Will Come

In thinking about the challenges we face as believers on a day-to-day basis, I’ve come to realize that it can be a bit daunting at times.  There are days when it seems like the difficulties we face are insurmountable and our faith is too low for pressing our way through.  There are situations that arise in our lives that overwhelm and can consume us if we become too focused on them and the “feelings” they produce instead of what “is” which is the word of God, or His will for our lives.

In pondering the idea of a will in the earthly sense, when a father leaves material wealth and things to his surviving family, he does so via a will, which expresses his desires concerning the distribution of those things.  Well, the same is the case with the Word of God, which is His will, or desires concerning the distribution of what He has to us.  In thinking about it in this way, the Spirit spoke to me and led me directly to Galatians 6:9, which in the Amplified says, “And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.”

The desire for us from the Lord in reference to this scripture is to position ourselves to reap the harvests He has already planned for our lives if we do what is required of us.  This goes beyond reaping a harvest of eternal life in heaven; it also speaks to the life we can live while here on the earth.  Going back to the earthly father’s will mentioned above, a lot of times they have certain stipulations or criteria that must be met if the recipient is to receive what has been designated his or hers.

So then, what is our requirement?  In looking back at the opening paragraphs of this blog, it is safe to conclude that we all face challenges and they can sometimes cause us to want to give up, but the requirement is that we cannot.  Throwing in the towel and saying I give creeps into the minds of many believers over the course of their lives, but to do so means forfeiting that which is to be received or reaped because we have not sown the seeds of fortitude, faith, and perpetual “pressing” toward the mark. 

 In order for a person to reap a diploma from any college or university, he or she must sow 3 or 4 or more years of their lives studying, testing, writing, etc.  Giving up after year 1 means no degree will be received, especially if they never pick up where they left off.  In other words, we must adhere to the Word of God completely to the best our abilities so that we follow His plans and processes as put forth in it.  To do so requires our obedience which yields the blessings (i.e. Harvest) He has promised us (Isaiah 1:19).  Trying to shortcut our way around the problems, trials, etc. we face means not giving our faith the opportunity to be tested, which if it passes, grows.

Acting nobly and doing right simply means walking, or living, according to the expressed will of the Father.  This is in spite of the times when we fall outside of it.  Unlike the earthly will, the will of God has room for make up and multiple chances for getting it right.  Therefore, we must be determined to stay in line with all that we have in us despite the discomfort it causes us in our flesh or with other people.  “Be holy, for I am holy” (1^st Peter 1: 16) is our command.

The charge is to not lose heart.  This means that we cannot say, “I give up.”  We are instructed to hold our course and not waver.  When faith is active in our lives we find with each day that we have the strength to triumph according to the power of God that works in us to the point where we see that which is above and beyond our expectations manifesting.  This takes a winner’s mentality.  Just has runners who win keep a consistent regimen that they don’t subtract from or throw away, we as sons and daughters of God must also not cast away or throw away the confidence we have in God.  Hebrews 10:35-36 says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”  HARVEST!

 In conclusion, remember to not lose heart.  Yes, it may seem dark because of the situations you’re facing, yet you must remember that joy does come in the morning, but you have to determine to make it to the morning season instead of dying during the midnight season.  Keep pressing and confessing the word of God over your life as it is His will for you and the more you know the will, the better prepared you are to follow the instructions it contains so that you will receive the inheritance that is due you.  The harvest will come but you must work it beforehand.  Get in the field of your life and sow seeds for the sake of the Kingdom and you will reap a Kingdom harvest that only a child of the Most High can receive.

May God bless you and keep you and cause a supernatural shift in your world whereby that which He promised is manifested and solidified in your spirit so that it can manifest physically.

Rev. Al Cotton

DETOX “Spiritual Cleansing Process” Pt. 3 “Clean out unbelief and replace it with Faith”

Detox: Treatment designed to rid the body of poisonous substances

Why are you sitting there looking at this screen? There are dreams to be fulfilled. Okay wait finish reading the blog…(haha). Thinking about the topic of Day 3 of our blog series I thought… What should I share? What can I tell people about faith that they haven’t already heard? Then the Spirit spoke to me just to encourage you all in the Faith and remind you how much potential you unlock when faith is in action.

By definition Faith is defined as: the confident belief or trust in the truth or trustworthiness of a person, concept or thing. I’ll define  faith as: the driving force that fuels our belief and unlocks every impossibility.

Now that we have defined faith. Lets see what the Word of God says about faith…

Hebrews 11:1 says: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

What are you hoping for? What dreams need to be unlocked for you? To me one of the first things I seen in this passage is that your faith has to be NOW! You have to be currently applying your faith to the situation. You have to have “the confident belief” in what God has said about you. After all we know what God says is the truth. Unbelief is what the enemy presents to you to make you doubt what the Word of God has presented. Mark 9:23 says: ” ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” God wouldn’t tell you to do something that wasn’t possible. However, you unlock the impossibile by faith.

Think about if Peter would have stayed in faith when Jesus called him to walk on the water (Matt 14: 28-29). As soon he wavered in his faith he began to sink.  Sometimes faith makes you look foolish but look at the word and the examples of what faith has allowed people to do.

Hebrews 11: 3-12

³By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. ⁴By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

⁵By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

⁷By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

⁸By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

¹¹By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he^[a]considered him faithful who had made the promise. ¹²And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

You’re no different! God is ready to do the impossible through you. All your dreams are ready to come alive. You just have to have faith….NOW! God is seeking the available not the capable. Meaning He just needs someone who will allow him to work through them. Not someone who feels like they can do it on their own.

Let me close by echoing Jesus in Mark 9:23: ” ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” If I was to translate I would say…What? If we can? God is our father and ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE THROUGH OUR FAITH!

LIVE LIFE LOVE GOD

Bryson M. Sharp

DETOX: “A Spiritual Cleansing Process” Pt. 2 “Clean out Anger and replace it with Self Control”

Detox: Treatment designed to rid the body of poisonous substances

Day 2- ”Clean out Anger and replace it with Self Control”

 Ever just get really angry about something? Maybe somebody said something off the wall to you. Maybe something at work didn’t work the way you planned. Maybe you stubbed your toe on the corner of the couch, or maybe it’s just “One of those days”. Well first things first. Your not strange…lol. You aren’t the only person who has things happen that could “potentially” ruin your day. I know sometimes it seems like things just happen right after each other sometimes just to further your anger. Trust me, your normal. Ok, so now that we’ve established that your ok lets come at it with the word of God. The antidote that will remedy any situation.

Ephesians 4: 26 (NLT) says:

And “Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,

In this passage two things jump out at me right away. One being that anger is not a sin. However, secondly letting anger control you is. So you might be asking how do I respond to the things that just really get under your skin and irritate you to no end. Short Answer: Self-Control. Self-Control is one of the nine “Fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22_23). Self-Control is what you use when you take personal responsiblity for your response to those things that tick you off. Since we “Rep CHRIST” lets look at how Jesus dealt with anger and applied Self-Control.

Did Jesus ever get angry? Ummmm duh! Yes. People like to paint this very fairy like image of Christ; but Jesus was a man in every sense of the word and meant business. So naturally when dealing with people who don’t always operate in the spirit you’ll experience some things that really get you hot. We see and example of a furious Jesus in (Matt 21: 12-13). Jesus’ anger was pure and completely justified because at the root of it was concern of Gods holiness and worship. Some things as Christians should really upset us because they violate the word of God. I’m not telling you to go in places where evil is being carried out and “tear the club up” necessarily; but it should at least make you mad enough to stand up firmly for the ways of God.

 Every time something happened to offend Jesus he didn’t strike the person or persons down. He countered their attacks with the word of God and Self-Control. Think about when Christ is tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matt 4:1-11). He didn’t say “Look here blankty blank blank get out of my face!”. He remained in control and responded with the word of God. Look at (John 18: 10). Roman soilders came to seize Jesus, and Peter in defense and angry cut off one of the Chief Priest servants ear. Jesus didn’t say “YEA Peter get em!” but (Luke 22:51) shows that Jesus healed the servant. Wow what Self-Control and strength is shown there. Jesus had complete control over his emotions.

So that’s how we should be. The bible says be slow to anger (James 1:19). Self-Control means not letting every little thing send you flying off the handle. In your anger, have a pure motive, and always seek peace. After all its your personal responsibility to remain in control of yourself.

WWJD? and we Rep Christ right?

LIVE LIFE LOVE GOD

Bryson M. Sharp