DAMAGED HISTORY AKA THE PAST

Posted on July 29, 2015 by #4GIVEN

Back to The Future was one of my most memorable movies from the 80’s. In this movie, teenager Marty McFly is sent back in time to 1955 to repair damage history by causing his ‘parents-to-be’ to fall in love, and with the help of eccentric scientist Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown, he must find a way to return to 1985. Great movie however, you don’t need a DeLorean, a “flux capacitor” nor plutonium to break free from your past. Many people believe that God convicts us for our sins by showing us our shame. If that’s you today, I am here to tell you that’s not how God works!! God convicts a believer of their sin by reminding us of our righteousness in Him. God doesn’t look at our lives through the lens of our failures; He looks at us through the lens of Jesus’ victory. One of Satan’s greatest weapons is using the memory of damaged history against us. He may see us broken, beat down and covered in shame but God sees us forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The only thing you can do with damaged history is learn from it and move forward. If God can let go of it, why can’t you? Unlike the movie, we can’t travel back in time to repair damaged history but we can break the chains of damaged history by believing and trusting God’s word in 2 Cor 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come.” You don’t have to live in failure, discouragement, and defeat rather, you can live in God’s promise, purpose, and provision.  

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Y ME?

Posted on July 28, 2015 by #4GIVEN

Why me God? Philanthropist and professional tennis player Arthur Ashe said, “If I were to say, ‘God, why me?’ about the bad things, then I should have said, ‘God, why me?’ about the good things that happened in my life.” For many of us this is the go to question when we experience trouble. When we ask “Why Me?”, we are really saying God this problem is greater than You. Undoubtedly, we forget that God causes all things to work together for our good (Romans 8:28) Trouble and pain both equate to preparation! Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “The little troubles we suffer now for a short time are making us ready for the great things God is going to give us forever.” Trouble has a way of kidnapping your attention so that you focus more on the pain rather than, the pain reliever. Rick Warren said, “This “why” question is human nature, and we all ask it. We have this misconception that if we understand the reason behind our pain, then it will make the pain easier. You don’t need an explanation; you need strength. You don’t need an explanation; you need a Savior. You don’t need an explanation; you need comfort and support.” So today know that one day “it” will all make sense. We will be able to say, “So that’s why God allowed that in my life!” Until that day, trust God and trust that He will never end on a negative!   

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JOHN 16:33

Posted on July 27, 2015 by #4GIVEN

When I read about what’s going on in the world around me; I feel hurt, angry, and encouraged. I’m reminded everyday that our world is in desperate need of Jesus. People’s lives are being taken senselessly without remorse. Christians are being tortured, beheaded, and falsely imprisoned. Racial and religious tension continues to be an issue within our communities, law enforcement agencies, and in our governments worldwide! Politically, who knows who is really telling the truth? Our present challenges pale in comparison to what some have gone through and/or presently going through. In John 16:33 Jesus said,“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Here’s some more refreshing news; our suffering is not in vain. According to Romans 8:18; “Our present sufferings is not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed.” I am spiritually encouraged because God’s plan for His people by far out weighs the struggles His people is, has, and will endure in this lifetime!

  

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REMEMBER M3!

Posted on July 25, 2015 by #4GIVEN

“I am not going to Heaven because I have preached to great crowds or read the Bible many times. I’m going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: ‘Lord, remember me.'”
-Billy Graham
#dropsthemic

#nomorewordsneeded

  

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NEGATIVE MEDIA

Posted on July 23, 2015 by #4GIVEN

Media studies show that bad news far outweighs good news by as much as seventeen negative news reports for every one good news report. Unfortunately, the media is filling our news feeds with social issues involving family, inappropriate sexuality, violence, celebrity scandals, war, death and horrific tragedies. Ok, some will say, “turn it off or don’t pay attention to it” but, that’s an archaic and hermit mindset. Shutting down is futile because negative news, sensationalsized stories, and people doing crazy things; like abusing their infant child and recording it to gain viral notoriety are littered on every corner, in every community, on every device. If you wanna hear some good news, your gonna have to go old skool; the NT Gospels! The word gospel means “good news,” which is the message of forgiveness for our sins through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is essentially God’s rescue plan of redemption for those who will trust in His divine Son in order to be reconciled to a just and holy God. What better news can you receive? I guess for now, i/l/o shutting down we can use all the negativity in media rotation as more motivation to spread the “good news” in our families, communities, churches, state, and nation!  

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WHO’S HUNGRY

Posted on July 21, 2015 by #4GIVEN

I’ve heard it said, “God wantsfull time custody of His children, not weekend visits.” There is a lot of truth to this axiom! God desires a relationship and fellowship with His children. The Greek word for fellowship is koinónia (coin IN ee ah). In the New Testament koinónia essentially is a partnership to the mutual benefit of those involved. When we are in koinónia with the God, we are able to deepen our knowledge, love, and understanding. Philemon 1:6 says, “and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.” Let’s be honest, when we are riding through one of life’s many storms, the koinónia barometer is off the charts. However, when the waves of life become silent; so do we. Jesus is knocking will you answer the door to your heart? In Revelation 3:20 Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Koinónia with God is one of our greatest priority. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). Who’s hungry? 

 

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IS GOD DISTANT?

Posted on July 20, 2015 by #4GIVEN

Have you ever felt distant from God? After reading Psalm 13, I guess you can say King David and I have something in common. Steven J. Cole writes, “Psalm 13 falls into three stanzas of two verses each: 1. The problem (13:1‑2); 2. The petition (13:3‑4); 3. The praise (13:5‑6).The stanzas seem to decrease in their magnitude or turmoil. At first David cries out in anguish. Then he offers a more gentle petition. Finally, he rests in the joy of knowing that God will answer him. Franz Delitzsch said it well: ‘This song as it were casts up constantly lessening waves, until it becomes still as the sea when smooth as a mirror, and the only motion discernible at last is that of the joyous ripple of calm repose.'” I’m convinced that something happened between verses 4 & 5. Perhaps in Psalm in ‘4.5’ David made his mind up to stop complaining and start praising. Psalm 22:3 says, “God inhabits the praises of Israel [His people].” So today if God seems distant, call out to Him in praise and trust that His unfailing love will never leave you stranded, abandoned, or alone. God loves you whether you feel it or not! 
   

 

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ROCKY

Posted on July 18, 2015 by #4GIVEN

When life, people, or family knocks you down; get back up and keep moving forward, even when it feels like it would be easier to just lay down and give up. It doesn’t matter if you have experienced another setback chasing your dreams, been rejected by someone you care about, faced tragedy, or you’re just feeling drained with life’s ups and downs. A knock down doesn’t mean a knock out. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:9, “We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” Do you remember Joseph and Paul? Joseph got knocked down but he got back up and rose to be the 2nd highest in command in all of Egypt. Paul got knocked down on his way to persecute God’s peeps but he got back up and is responsible for writing two thirds of the NT scriptures. Ultimately, at some point we will experience sufferings however, we are never alone in our sufferings. (See Hebrew 13:5) At the end of the day, Christ is the reason we are able to keep going; despite life’s disappointing knock downs. Les Brown said, “When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because is you can look up, you can get up, let your Reason, get you back up.” 
  

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T.G.I.F

Posted on July 17, 2015 by #4GIVEN

  

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WITHERED FIG TREE

Posted on July 16, 2015 by #4GIVEN

Do you have a mountain size dilemma that you can’t move nor climb? If this is applies to you, best believe you might be harboring un-forgiveness. In Mark Chp 11 Jesus was not happy to find a fig tree with leaves and no fruit. He said to it in V14, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” Shortly thereafter Jesus drives out the money changers from the temple and the next morning He and the twelve passed by the same fig tree and it was completely withered from the roots up. How did this phenomenon happen? Peter and the gang was as perplexed back then as we are today. In V21 he said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” In V22 Jesus responded, “Have faith in God.” Jesus continued in V23 with, “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.” Watch this, there is a condition to this bilateral promise found in VV25-26. Would you like to guess what it is?? FORGIVENESS. Some of you are walking around with mountain size problems and you have been praying, reading the bible, fasting, tithing, and counseling all to no avail. God is not as concerned about your actions more so than He is concerned about your heart. Jesus was really saying that if you were amazed at this little fig tree, you can move this MOUNTAIN of olive trees through faith, prayer, and forgiveness. If all you have is faith and prayer your are missing one key quintessential ingredient; FORGIVENESS!
  

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