When Nothing Else Will Do

It's easy to trust God when things are going well, but what do you do when things aren't working out the way YOU planned or hoped they would? Will you still trust Him? Will you make a conscious choice to take captive every thought that speaks a word contrary to what He has already declared in His word concerning you? Will you continue to smile even though everything around you seems to be falling apart?

What will you do?

You will praise Him, that's what you will do! You will look your troubles square in the face and tell them about the awesome God you serve. You will tell every disappointment how nothing is wasted with God, and boldly proclaim how He will use your setbacks, your let downs and your failures for your good. You will confuse the enemy and startle the nations with your ability to walk on the very thing that was sent to trouble you. Yup, that's exactly what you will do!

Beloved you will do this because despite everything that is happening around you, to you and in you; God is still God and of His Kingdom there is no end (Isaiah 9:7)! You will remember and meditate on the promises He has declared to you, promises that speak of His plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11), promises to carry every weight that burdens you (1 Peter 5:7), promises to be ever mindful of you and to take time each day just to see about you (Psalm 8:4).

As you began to reflect on all that God has promised you, you will experience the release that only comes from being in His presence. A presence that not only promises to bring you joy, but also knowledge concerning the path of life He has for you. (Psalm 16:11) It is then and only then can you get to the place of praise. A place that is not controlled by the circumstances before you.

The truth is, this life will be filled with trouble (John 16:33). We know this because He said it would, but this does not mean that we have to be consumed or beat down by this trouble. In fact we are told, to fear not, for He has already overcome the world, which means we already have the victory.

Beloved, today you will decide like Job, to accept both the good and the bad that comes with this life. You will choose to look at every situation from God's perspective. You will make a conscious effort to seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal unto you the purpose behind every experience.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory. Selah Psalm 24:9-10

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Is there not breath in you? Then you know exactly what you should do.

Amen, until next time...

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)