A Checkbook Revelation!

Show me your checkbook, bank statement or latest credit report and I will show you who you love. Read Luke 12:13-21 & Matthew 6:21

Where do you spend your money and on what or whom do you spend it? Lets be real about it, money is one of the most treasured assets in the world. People die over it, kill over it, betray people over it, commit lewd acts over it, steal for it, and the list could go on forever. But money isn't the problem cause money is not evil, it's our love for it and the things we do when we get it that causes us to lose our mind (see 1 Timothy 6:10). And that is why it is important to examine our spending habits. Are you giving god His share? I'm not just talking about when you have it. Are you giving out of your lack? Are you giving when the bank account says we maybe you shouldn't give this week? God gives to us regardless of our spiritual condition. Not because he has to, but because he loves us so much that he desires to. Do you feel the same way about him? Do you love him enough to trust that he will keep his word to provide for you. Do you believe that he will not fore sake you and that you will not have to beg, borrow or steal to meet the needs of your family? Notice I said needs and not wants. Don't believe me read it for yourself. 

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:8-12 NKJV)

How May I Help You?

Today I read Proverbs 18:12-21. The text talked about how when we focus on the faults of others we are walking in pride. This type of behavior does not please God. Especially since he has told us in Philippians 4:8 what to think on: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (NKJV) So the next time you find yourself criticizing the behavior of the people around you remember this one thing: God is not pleased with this type of behavior. So does this mean you can't address bad behavior? Absolutely not. Go to your brother or sister in private and share your concerns, but before you do ask God to help guide and direct you and to prepare their hearts to receive you. For He is the only one that can change a mans heart and thereby change his or her behavior. Talking to anyone else about it won't help them, so why do it? Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” (Romans 15:1, 2 MSG) Amen

I'm No Expert

If you haven't seen it already, you surely will, it's trending on Facebook and it's got a whole lot of people talking. 

So what exactly am I talking about? I'm talking about the recent discovery by some Christians, including myself, that some bibles do not include every verse or passage that the authorized King James Bible does. 

Exhibit 1

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

Matthew 17:21 KJV

If you search for this scripture in the English Standard Version, the New International Version or the New Living Translation and a few others you will not find it. The begging question is why?

I'm so glad you asked, because that's the same question I had!

And then there were eight

If you are at least thirty years old you were taught that there were nine planets in our galaxy. However, if you ask a school age child today how many planets are there, she would proudly answer eight. Wait, what happened? Did one of the divine nine suddenly stop existing? Or Is there is a more reasonable explanation for the new understanding?

Yes, of course there is a reasonable explanation, and it's called technological innovation. Today we know more about our world then we have ever known before. And believe it or not, it is this same innovation that has allowed us to unearth even earlier versions of the Holy writ. Versions that do not include verses like Matthew 17:21. 

Are you suprised by my last statement, well I was too! 

As my title suggests, I am not a bible scholar and nor am I an expert; however, my research has lead me to believe that the authors of the ESV, NIV, NLT and others were not and are not trying to deceive us. In fact, if you were to read the introduction to these bibles, you will find that the authors not only admit to the omissions upfront, but also explain why as well.  

Conclusion: Don't throw the baby out with the bath water

Even with this being said, it doesn't change what I believe to be consistent in all versions of God's word: Jesus is the Messiah, He was born of a virgin, He lived a life free from sin, He died on the Cross for our sins, He rose again on the third day and now sits at the right hand of the Father as our Priestly King. As a result Jesus' obedience, I now have access to the tree of life and my relationship with the Father has been restored. 

The Take-a-Way

Know the Word for yourself! God is still on the throne and there is absolutely nothing you, I or anyone else can do about it. And so I leave you with a few words from Isaiah 55: 8 - 11

My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Amen

                                                                                                                                        

The Cover Up

The truth is not so easy to tell

It's so easy to hide the truth, in fact, I would even go as far as to say it's even encourged in the Christian community. Especially amongst those whose gifts have the ability to propel them to the ranks of notable preachers like T.D. Jakes and Paula White.  

However, before I go any further I need you to understand that I have no angst against Jakes or White. I mean how could I? Their ministry has blessed me in ways that I can't even begin to number. 

Even still, I must share what God has directed me to share. For I truly believe that my transparency will help someone to be set free. No longer will you be shamed by a decision you made yesterday. You will go forth with boldness knowing that God has not only forgiven you, but He has given you a new lease on life. Because of this you will see differently, you will do differently, you will speak differently and you will think differently; and more importantly you will live differently. This is the blessing Isaiah 61 speaks of and this is that which I share with you. 

The unveiling 

About a month ago I was asked to speak at my uncles women's day celebration. During the service I testified about how God used one of His daughters some fifteen years ago to bring correction in my life. She saw me for what I was (a fornicator and adulterer) and called forth the woman I was ordained to be (a pure and holy vessel set aside for kingdom purpose). After this revelation, I was determined to live life differently. 

However, my determination was centered on man's approval and not God's. I say this because I wasn't willing to give up my ungodly ways. I know this because I continued to have sex outside of marriage. 

As a result of my continued disobedience, not one, but two children were conceived in the years I played the role of the heavenly bound saint. Two, whose lives were cut short before they even got started. 

Nothing but the blood 

Today I ask the Lord to forgive me, I ask those who helped me cover up my sins to forgive me and I ask those of you, who believed the lie I presented to the world to forgive me as well. 

The lesson

Ministry is not easy and nor is it pretty, but nor is living a lie. It's time for those of us who have been called to proclaim God's word to stop perpetrating the lie and end the deception. We've been through somethings. Even so we've had the privilege of seeing God's power work in our lives. And whether you realize it or not, someone is looking up to you. They aspire to walk in the excellence they believe you walk; and they condemn themselves when they fall short. 

It's time to open your mouth. It's time to tell your story. It's time to use the adversities and mistakes of your life to bless those you've been charged to speak to. No more cover up, no more pretending we have it all together. There's power in our testimony! 

For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)