The Undeserving Can Be Forgiven

Lord, I come to you today, as humble as I know how Father, to say thank you.  I thank you for your grace and mercy.  I thank you for your Agape love Father.   I thank you Lord for always answering our prayers and guiding us to where you need us to go. Father, it’s all about you Lord, all about what you want us to do Lord.  I pray that you decrease us Lord, and increase the Holy Spirit in us.  Remove any thoughts or desires that we have Father that will cause us to sin against you.  Give us pure and holy thoughts, Father.  We continue to pray for our family and friends that are in need Lord. Father you know who they are and you know their circumstances and what they are going through Lord. I pray that you guide and protect them.  Father all these things I ask in your Son Jesus’ name.  Amen.

                                                                                         Prayer by: Judith Notice

The football season which just passed had many players that were the topic of discussion from sportscasters.  One in particular was Michael Vick.  We all heard of how he participated in a dog fighting ring, and possibly witnessed or was even part of the killings of underperforming dogs.  He was charged, he pled guilty, he was given jail time, and was released.  He lost many endorsements and to the physical eye, his career was done.  He wanted to return back to the sport he loved, and many teams were reluctant to sign him because of the bad publicity that followed him.  Andy Reid, who is the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, convinced the owners to give Vick a chance and they did.  The protests were disturbing.  No one was standing with picket signs, but many voiced how Vick should never play football again, he is an animal, he deserves to rot in jail, so forth and so forth.  I could not believe what I was hearing.  Nonetheless, he was signed to the Eagles in 2009, the same year he was released after serving 18 months in prison.

He became a backup quarterback and touched the football here and there.  His 2009 season was not a good one.  In 2010, although still a backup, he was getting more plays and he seemed to be a bit better than he was prior to prison.  The Eagles starting quarterback got hurt, and Vick stepped up, and man did he step up.  It was win after win, to where the coach had no choice but to make Vick the starter.  Oh my goodness the protests and outrage were pouring in.  What amazes me, the organization PETA, who were at the forefront of protests regarding Vick when this mess started, has accepted his apologies, has accepted the jail time given, and are no longer condemning him. So why are these people not following suit?  One person said they will no longer watch football if any team signs him.  Are you serious?  As ridiculous how it may sound to some, and I pray that none of the protesters were Christians, we must be reminded of this question; how many of us, did not get what we deserved?

In the story of Jonah, the prophet displayed resentment regarding the inhabitants of Nineveh.   The bible states “Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.” (Jon 1:1-3)  Jonah was a prophet of the Lord.  His duty was to speak what thus said the Lord to people who the Lord has directed him to.  He chose to do the contrary?  Why did he do this?  The bible states “So he prayed to the LORD, and said, "Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.” (Jon 4:2)  Jonah felt that these people were undeserving.  He eventually did speak as the Lord instructed, but part of him was concerned that if the people repented, the Lord would not punish them.  When he received confirmation that the people indeed repented, and that the Lord held His punishment, Jonah became angry.  The Lord said “Is it right for you to be angry?" (Jon 4:4)

This is the challenge many of us face.  We forget that there is a God who resides in heaven.  His abode is higher than ours therefore His thinking is higher than ours.  The bible states “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says 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.”  (Isa 55:7)  We, with our limited capacity of thinking would want someone to hurt or be severely punished for something they have done, where God knows that there is none righteous, no not one (Rom 3:10), and that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).  But there is room for redemption and it can be had if one repents of his ways.  That is what God’s word stipulates. 

We need to be mindful of allowing vengeance and condemnation to enter our thoughts regarding people.  We need to remember that we too have been forgiven for a wrong.  Michael Vick has paid his penalty and deserves the right to move on.  Now all of these people are angry that Vick is now successful again.  They need to be angry at themselves.  God’s word is just.  It states “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;  Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.” (Pr 24:17-18)  These animal lovers no longer saw Vick as a human being who makes mistakes.  They actually exalted their animals higher, and these animals have no soul. They were not made in the image of God, yet nonetheless, they wished him the worst.  God saw this and removed his wrath.   The ones who we feel are undeserving, God will forgive them.  Remember this, there was a time when others did not feel you deserved forgiveness, yet God saw otherwise.  Amen!

Childlike Faith

Father,  I come before you on bended knees as your child saying thank you.
Father I thank you for allowing us to see another day, I thank you for choosing me as your daughter and you being my Father. I pray that you forgive our sins that we have committed, those known and unknown. Father I ask that you renew a clean heart in us, and help us to forgive those who trespass against us. I pray that you bless this day, and that I will be a light and a blessing in someone’s life. Lord I pray that in all that we do and say, that you get the glory Lord. Father everything that we have, the material things, all are because of your grace and mercy towards us, so we say thank you. Father I petition all these things up to you in the precious name of Jesus.  Amen

                                                                                      Prayer by:  Faith Narcisse

Have any of you observed children behave and converse with one another?  Those of you who work in education or are parents may be able to relate more.  I have two little ones close in age, and when I pick them up from school,  sometimes I kind of sit back and watch their behavior.  They are amongst a diverse bunch and there is not a care in the world, just whatever they are focused on.  All of them have smiles on their faces, and each one of them is sharing whatever they have on their minds.  They are not focused on what clothes the others are wearing, or the color of their skin.  There are some children who are more educated than others, but that does not stop them from having fun together.  My daughter is fair skinned and has long hair, and yet I do not see any other little girl staring at her with jealousy.  I do not see my son expressing anger because another boy keeps getting the football thrown to him.  He is just waiting patiently.  Oh, and their conversations are beautiful.  Just to see their imagination expressed via their words is just amazing.  It is that type of mind that we as adults need to mimic when it pertains to our faith. 

As adults, we have thoughts of anger.  We have numerous desires of the flesh.  We have thoughts of segregation.  We have feelings of jealousy.  It is these types of thoughts that hinder us from truly being receptive of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus warned his disciples for displaying an unnecessary attitude towards children.  The bible states “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." (Mr 10:13-15)  The nerve of those disciples.  Jesus is preaching, teaching, and healing, and people were bringing their children to be introduced to such a man, and the disciples had the audacity to rebuke those who brought them.  Rebuke?  Do you know rebuke is defined as to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; or reprimand?  Why did they do this?  What kind of mindset did they have where they felt they knew the mind of Christ?  Christ was absolutely justified in being displeased, and I am glad that he put them in their place.  The same children they were preventing from being amongst Jesus, is the exact example these children displays that the Father desires for us to have.

What does it mean to have a childlike faith?  Have you ever said anything to your children and they called you a liar?  When you are speaking, do they not hang on every word that leaves your lips?  What major thoughts could they have that would hinder them from being open to the Holy Spirit?  Simply, a childlike faith is that of a person who is humble, teachable, simple, and have a temper and spirit of a child.  Can you imagine the possibilities of not having the worries and distractions of everyday life, as we allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us?  What mysteries would we uncover if we were to behave like a child when receiving God’s word?  I don’t want to grow up.  Amen

Even The Elect Falls

Gracious Father, I come before your thrown again once more expressing gratitude for the mercies you have bestowed on undeserving children.  I thank you for life, health, and strength.  I thank you for family.  I thank you for my job.  I just thank you for your awesome transforming power that I have experienced since I understood that I am nothing without you.  Oh God, I just thank you.  Now Father, I just pray that your children would take an inventory of this world, and see that it is decaying, and that they seek you with urgency.  I pray that they humble themselves, and not allow the wisdom of philosophers and scientists trump your godly wisdom.  I pray Father, that more and more of your children just prioritize their lives with you in the center.  Lord if there is anytime we need you, it is right now Father, and I pray that your will be done rapidly so that many can be saved.  I pray a blessing on all who will be reading.  I pray that you meet them where they are, and I pray that you will be a comforter in a time of despair.  And Father, please forgive us of our sins committed, whether by thoughts or deeds.  I honor you, and praise you, and exalt your name above all names, and I pray this prayer in the name of your son Jesus.  Amen

  I was speaking with a sister in Christ yesterday, and she shared some news that I prayed would not have come to that.  A local pastor’s church is in debt of 11 million dollars.  I have heard disturbing news regarding this pastor, but I did not put too much stock into it because it was hear say.  Unfortunately, it has been substantiated.  The final judgment issued by the court was sent in December of last year, and it appears they have begun the foreclosing procedures.  This church is not failing because they just simply fell on hard times.  This church is failing because the leader of the church had a high taste for the finer things in life.  He wanted a million dollar home and went after it.  He wanted “mega” church status, and achieved it.  He was crafty with his words, and bedded gullible women of the church.  He opened up many local businesses in the name of the church to add to “his” success.  This church is failing because the wrong focus was the root.  I learned a long time ago, that whatever the flesh causes you to gain, most likely the flesh will be needed to keep it.  When we are addressing matters of the spirit, flesh cannot be involved.  This was a powerful man of God.  He can captivate you with his unique style of preaching.  It was evident, that he was called by God.  However the one, who was called by God, is now being punished by God.

We have read about Saul’s fall.  We have read about David’s fall.  Even Moses, some can say failed because he did not enter the Promised Land due to his disobedience.  This shows God is consistent with His word.  If you choose to obey, blessings are there, but if you choose the contrary, there will be consequences, even for the elect.  Moses was commissioned to do a great thing, however he nearly lost his life because of disobedience.  In order to understand why, we need to understand parts of God’s covenant with Abraham.  God made a covenant with Abraham, and this covenant was not only for Abraham, but Abraham’s descendants. (Gen 17:1-9)  Part of this covenant was every male child of 8 days old and older had to be circumcised. (Gen 17:10-12)  Moses, may have been part of this covenant but had no knowledge of it, since he was raised as an Egyptian from he was 3 months old.  The scriptures at no time indicate that Moses was instructed regarding this covenant.  It could have happened later when God spoke with him regarding the cries from the children of Israel.  The bible states “Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.  "Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt” (Ex 3:15-16) One could say when God spoke about being the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that the covenant was explained there.  Or one can say when he gathered the elders and when they were in agreement that God did send Moses; it may have been explained there.  We really do not know.  

What is certain is that Moses’ life was in danger.  In Exodus 2, Moses was married and had a son, and this was prior to seeing the burning bush. (2:21-22) In Exodus 3 and 4, he meets God and receives his instructions, and possibly an understanding of the covenant.  (Ex 3:1-4:23)  Now here is where Moses nearly loses his life.  The bible states “And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him.  Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses' feet, and said, "Surely you are a husband of blood to me!"  So He let him go. Then she said, "You are a husband of blood!" -because of the circumcision.”  (Ex 4:24-26)  It is at this point and this point alone that the act of circumcision was not performed and because of this, Moses nearly lost his life. 

God is faithful and just.  His word has purpose and it must be obeyed.  The bible states “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” (Ps 138:2)  This shows the importance of God’s word, and the significance of how the hearer of God’s word should handle it.  It did not matter who it was.  Whether it is Saul, David, or even the great Moses, disobedience to His holy world will eventually bring destruction.  But God is a loving and forgiving God.  Even though the covenant was made with Moses, and it should have been his responsibility to perform the ritual, God allowed his wife to do it, in which He accepted it.  That pastor could have turned from his wicked ways and God would have raised him up.  That pastor could have confessed to his Father in heaven and begged for forgiveness, and God would not have remembered it no more.  But this pastor let time go on, and figured because he was God’s elected, that it would have been alright.  The bible stated “and it came to pass”, meaning there was no determined time, but a time came, and God decided to act. 

Here is what we can learn from this.  The bible states “He who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”  (Col 3:25)  Amen!

Life is precious

Father God, I give thanks this morning to see another wonderful day you have made.  Who are we why we are so blessed that the many ailments that befall others, it does not fall on us.  Lord we just thank you!  I pray this morning a blessing on the reader.  I pray that all is well with them and their family.  I pray that each day they draw closer and closer to you.  I pray that their faith is increasing, and that they are learning to trust in your word which is the manual for our lives.  Oh God we just thank you for your Son and his instructions.  We pray Father that you forgive us for our shortcomings, and continue to love us as you always have, and that we remain covered under your hedge of protection.  We give you all honor and glory, and we pray this in your son’s Jesus name.  Amen.

 

I want to talk to you about the Rib Cage.  The Rib cage is one of the largest conglomerations of bones in the human body. This large body part serves as vital protection as well as skeletal structure for the human physique. The cage is made up of several bone types and cartilage. It is also one of the toughest and most painful areas to treat if any of the ribs become broken.  The main purpose of the rib cage is protection. The rib cage forms a barrier that encloses the heart and lungs. The most durable bone, the sternum, is directly above the heart and it offers the most protection. The sternum is so durable that a special bone saw must be used to cut it open for operations or autopsies.  Vital is defined as pertaining to life.  Durable is defined as able to resist wear, decay, etc.
Looking at how God designed us with such meticulous precision, the rib cage protects, or should I say guard what is essential to our life, which are the heart and lungs.  These things are so precious that God made sure that we had a protected barrier around it.  God created us complex but sensitive, and we should be mindful of how precious life is.  For example, when we work, if we are handling something that can break, we are extremely careful.  Do we really show the same care for our life? It would be appropriate for a man to remind us on how precious life is especially one who knows his life will be cut short because he did not handle it with care.  This man is Moses.

In Psalms 90, Moses speaks about the goodness of God, and how we can take God’s gift of life for granted.  In verses 10-12 it reads “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their (mankind) boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.   So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”   It alludes to how we are bound by time, and what we are to do with our time.  It is amazing when you look back on how long people lived in comparison to now.  The closer to creation, the smaller the effect of sin was on the body, and the longer man was able to live. Now, we are steeped in sin, and its effects have warped our bodies so that our life span is much shorter than it was at the beginning.   Our life now is 70 years, and by faith or will power it can be 80 years.  Anything above that is God’s will and the question is why.  In Genesis 6:3 it reads “And the Lord said, My spirit will not be in man forever, for he is only flesh; so the days of his life will be a hundred and twenty years.”  This is not saying that a person will live up to 120 years, but if you understood what took place before the flood, and the warning God gave Noah, it is evident that God waited an additional 120 years before he sent the flood, to give man time to repent of his ways.  Oh the mercy of God!!!  So if we are given 80 years on earth to live, what would be the reason for those who are living past 80 years?  Is it because of mercy and giving time to correct his/her ways, or is it because of an exception like with Moses to do a specific work for the Lord?  In either case, if we believe this Word then it is what it is.  Whether they correct their ways or do as the Lord instructed them is another story.  We will leave that up to God.

The point I am trying to send home, is that Moses in Psalms 90 understood, when it was too late, how he did not manage his life properly.  He could have lived longer, but because of his disobedience, his life was cut short.  Our life is precious.  What are we doing with our lives to make sure we live it to the fullest?  The bible states "You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your  days in the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time." (De 4:40)  This would be the root for a long life.  How precious is life to you?  Amen!

Eyes Wide Shut

Father God, I come to you in the only way I know how, with my head bowed and my heart humbled, to say thank you.  I thank you for the many blessings bestowed upon me, Father.  I thank you for your mercy and grace.  I thank you for your covering you have placed over my family and me.  And I thank you for your son Jesus.  I pray this morning Father a blessing on all who will read your message.  I pray that it will be helpful in their daily living.  I pray Father that you will remove any hindrances Father, that would cause anyone not to have a spiritual eye to comprehend your word.  I pray nothing put peace and blessings on your children.  If there is anything Father, that is not worthy of us to be called your children, I pray that you remove it from us Father, for you are able.  This I pray in your son Jesus’ name.  Amen

There are two guys.  Their names are Craig and Randy.  Both of them were friends of mine.  Yes, I said “were” because I do not consider them friends anymore.  Craig, I call him my brother, and I have love for him as so.  Randy and I had a falling out prior to me being saved, and I have not seen or heard from him in 10 years.  Here is the story.  Craig, Randy and I went to the same Junior High and High School together.  We hung out together, we worked out together in the same gym, and we even worked at the same job together for two years.  So when I was about to get married, of course I wanted my two buddies in my wedding.  Due to my ignorance, and not knowing anything about the different titles of a wedding party, I asked them if they would be my ushers.  What I meant was for them to be my groom’s men.  Craig said no problem without hesitation.  Randy on the other hand said he would think about it.  As the time was drawing near to pick out the tuxedos, I asked Randy have he made a decision, and he said he would not be able to participate.  Of course I am disappointed and I asked him why, and he repeated it again.  I expressed how we have been friends for a long time, and I would really want him to be a part of the wedding, but his answer remained the same.  I respected his decision and did not hold it against him. 

Enter now another friend.  His name is Paul.  Paul called me and asked me how things are going with the wedding.  Paul was invited but he was not part of the wedding party.  I told him things are going ok and that the following week I will be picking out tuxedos.  I also expressed to him about Randy.  He said he had heard about it.  That caused my left eyebrow to rise.  I continued to tell him the colors that my wife wanted the ushers to coincide with the colors the ladies would be wearing.  There was a pause on the phone.  Paul asked me to explain exactly what I wanted Randy to be.  I told him an usher.  He reiterated for me to describe what an usher would do. So me being annoyed I said “duh, the men that line up on my side at the wedding.”  He busted out with the most uncontrollable laughter.  I am angry now, and when he calmed down, he educated me on that they were called groom’s men.  At that time, my right eyebrow raised.  I rushed him off the phone and called Craig.  I asked Craig what he thought I meant when I asked him to be an usher.  Craig responded by saying the person who tells people where to sit.   A tear ran down my cheek.  I asked Craig, why would he do that, and he said because I asked him.  What Craig did not know at that moment, is that I valued his friendship alone, and as silly as it may sound, I cut off all friendships instead of his, including Paul.  I explained to Craig that was not what I meant, but asked him if he would be my best man instead, which of course he obliged.

Now to the title.  Again family, this took place about 4 years prior to me being saved.  Before I chose to not speak to Paul anymore, he called me back and said I should call Randy and clear things up because of the misunderstanding.  I told him that it would not be necessary.  He began to address me as being wicked and that I did Randy wrong, and so forth and so forth.  So when he was finished, I told him that Craig thought the same thing and that he was cool with it.  It went right over his head.  He started in again with me being wicked and I should not do this or that.  I calmly reminded him on Craig’s position, and further stated how disappointed I was that Randy went to him with his concerns instead of coming to me.  It went over his head again, and before he started in with the wicked part, I hung up the phone.   I rescinded the invitation to him.  This was in 2002.  I spoke with Paul briefly in 2009 via Facebook, and when he seen that I am a Minister, he was no longer interested.  Hey!  It is what it is.

Forgive this long story just to prove the title.  Both Randy and Paul were fully aware of my error, but because of hardness of heart, and limited mental vision, they could not see the bigger picture that I was trying to show them by way of Craig.  Craig thought the same thing that Randy thought.  He agreed to it without hesitation.  Why, because he is my friend and because I asked him.  They were unable to see the profound affect that it had on me, hence the phrase “eyes wide shut”.  They are seeing but they are not seeing.  When I took psychology they called it a mental scotoma, which means not having the insight to see the obvious things.  In Matt 13:1-15 Jesus was speaking to the multitudes but he was addressing them in parables.  His disciples question that, and he answered "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.   "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;  15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.”

Family, there are people out there who will not understand why you love the Lord so much.  They would not understand why you try so hard to show them the light.  They would not understand why you are so forgiving to those who try to hurt you.  They will not because they have become so morally and spiritually diseased that they only will comprehend a dressed up lie rather than the naked truth, hence the scripture which reads “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  (1Co 1:18)  Their eyes are fully open, but see nothing.  All we can do is pray for them.  Amen

Who or What We Listen to Matters (Archived)

The Lord has exposed me to something last week that I kind of had an idea but chose to ignore it.  I received confirmation in the latter part of the week, and it has put me in a position where I am not spiritually connected to receive direction on what messages to bring forth.  Before I created this blog, I had a distribution list that I sent via Outlook email.  Now I send it via FaceBook,(via the link) which is a complete different audience.  Only a handful of people are of the original audience.  Below is one of my messages that I have archived since creating the site.  For those who remember the message, please pardon the repeat. 

Who or what we let in our ears will determine who we will eventually become.  The bible states “Faith come by hearing and hearing…”  In essence, who or what we listen to, we will eventually believe.   The more we hear, the more it is in our memory.  The more we hear, the more it will then be a part of our speech.  The more we hear it will eventually be our deeds.  Have you really considered who or what you allow to enter your ears?  Many of you use lines from inappropriate songs as part of your conversation.  I saw a movie, and a one liner caused me to tattoo myself with it, “Rude Bwoy Don’t Fear”

A historian of war and nations was asked this question: What causes nations to disintegrate and disappear?  His answer was in 3 parts.  Let’s just focus on one.

“First, they’re conquered by another nation and eventually they assimilate into the dominant culture.

Assimilate – to take in and incorporate as one's own; absorb: to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust:  to cause to resemble

“The stronger nation comes in and says, “We don’t like that you dress differently, speak a different language, worship differently… We think you should be like us.” Sociologists call this “The dislike of the unlike.”Eventually, someone figures out, “Hey, you know why we’re being persecuted? It’s that ‘dislike of the unlike’ business! Let’s drop our differences and we’ll be treated better.” And it works. The more they drop their differences, the better they’re treated. Before you know it, they’ve been absorbed into the conquering nation.

The same virtually took place in the Garden of Eden.  Take for instance the conversation that Eve had with the serpent (Gen 3:1-6) It reads. “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"  And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;  "but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.  Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Look at the process:

1.       The serpent’s question was designed to create doubt

2.      Eve, second guessed what her husband stated what was God’s command

3.      She began to show interest

4.      She then in turn rejected truth and accepted error.  Rejected God and accepted the devil.

Have what you listened to conquered your character?  Have what you listened to conquered your preference of who you associate with?  Have what you listened to conquered the way you speak?  Now, your actions will be based on all of the above.

The bible says we are to imitate God, and things that are negative we refrain from, and people who enjoy it, be not partner with them. (Eph 5:1-7).  You all have been raised a certain way.  Have you now assimilated into something completely contrary to how you were raised?  Are you partners with those who are imitators of God and enjoy church, or are you partners of those who do not imitate God, and is not even thinking about church?  What does that say about you?  Amen!

What Type Of Bird Are You? (Archived)

There is a saying that we are very familiar with.  The saying is “Birds of a feather flock together.”  In reading the saying, it is sort of self explanatory.  However, I wanted to take a deeper look into it and this is what I found:

“Birds of a feather flock together means that people who are similar to each other often spend time together.  We know that birds are of the same type when they have the same feathers; they are of a feather. Birds flock when they join together in groups with other birds. Just as birds "of a feather" often flock with other birds of the same "feather", so do people who are like each other spend time together. People (birds) who are similar to each other (of a feather) often spend time (flock) with each other.”  (together) How you think, determine what type of bird you are.  How you speak, determine what type of bird you are.  Your actions, determine the type of bird you are, and all of these will eventually determine the type of company you keep.  Amen!

               What type of bird are you?  The scripture says “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 Jn 1:6)  There are many who enjoy the title of being called a “Christian” but seem to show signs of something else.  If you say that you have fellowship with him, meaning Christ, which would mean you profess to be like him, because such a profession involves the idea of having fellowship with God.  In having such a fellowship would require you to think, speak, and act with things aligned with Christ’s teachings. To do the truth is to act in accordance with truth.  To do anything contrary, you would be a liar.  What type of bird are you?

Birds of a feather flock together.  Are you still clubbing?  What kind of music you constantly listen to?  Who are the company you keep?  When you converse with your friends, what is the content?  Are you having pre-marital sex?  When shopping and you were giving more money back for your change, do you keep it?  Do you do anything to get over?  Do you try to cheat the government?  Anyone who would answer yes to any of the questions, most likely have friends who do the same.  They would need to re-evaluate their life and re-evaluate their profession.  What kind of bird are you?

There was a time when I used hang with some of the men at my job.  We used to go to lounges in downtown Orlando, different parties, etc.  Then I was introduced to Christ.  I did the very next thing I was taught to do.  I began to spread the Gospel with my friends.  I stopped getting calls to go out.  I would here of barbeques and not be invited.  I would get angry, and the Lord had to say to me, “son, why are you angry?  You and they have nothing in common.”  Amen!  As I began to get into my word, I was transformed from one type of bird to another.  I no longer desired to flock with my old bird friends and vice versa.  The word of God says “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14)  It doesn’t matter what the relationship is.  If you love the Lord, and profess you are a Christian, then it would be absurd and hypocritical do the contrary.  What type of bird are you?

It is time we all take God serious.  It is time that we not take for granted the blood that was shed for us so that we can live.  It is time that we say what we do, and do what we say.  It is time that we take a real deep look in our lives and make adjustments.  It is time we take an inventory of our friends and remove those relationships that can hinder our Christian walk.   All such connections tend to increase wickedness or encourage sin and should be carefully avoided.  Allow God to transform you from the bird that enjoyed willfully living in sin.  When people look at you, they should see a clear distinction between your feathers and other feathers.  May the Lord continue to bless, keep and guide you in all situations, and I pray a blessing upon each of your household.  I give God the honor and glory, and I pray these blessings in the matchless name of our savior Jesus Christ.  Amen!