Trust?

We come across a lot of liars in our personal experiences. Our bosses may lie about our shifts, raises or even pay on our cheque. Our friends may lie about who they are, what they mean and intend to do. Our families may lie about certain stability, our relative bonds and how they see us. We are lied to in relationships with promises to never let go, never to harm and always being at our sides. Even we lie to those we care for and love at times when telling the truth might just be a little more difficult or hard to bare. It's also not easy letting someone else take control of who we are and what we seek to accomplish. No wonder when it comes to trusting God that we tend to be met with fear which leads to doubt, to backsliding and eventually unbelief. God calls us to trust Him in a world that expresses trust so apathetically. Trusting God is part of the renewal process. Allowing Him to change our hearts and minds on the conditions of trust and braving the opportunity to comply with His word over our life. Letting God in is not just a choice, but a determination. Knowing that God is not a worldly being who turns our vulnerability into a moment of pain, but allowing trust for God to set aside worldly standards and expectations. Allowing that trust for God to truly make a difference in our lives. Trust God, with everything in you. He won't let you down once you've surrendered your life, your existence and soul to Him. Trusting God is not just a tide of words but there's a responsibility of action on our part. We have to act on the belief that God is in control, and confirm that belief through spirit and word. Trust Him beyond the pain, beyond the let downs and disappointments. He's more than any of that could possibly amount to, and the best part about trusting God is there are no regrets. God Bless.

Michan Carter, “Relation Ships” Right Voices/ Right Choices

“The strength of a voice is built on time and trust” – Michahn Carter

No matter what we know about evil, if there’s a voice you trust you will falter to it. Influences can build you up, or bring you down. Bring out the best, or bring out the worst in you. Who you surround yourself with and give your time and trust to reflects your actions. What you think on, you will act on.

“To know if the advice you receive is Godly, you have to read the bible. It doesn’t matter if the bible is confusing or difficult to read, it wasn’t meant to be understood the first time around. If you understood the bible the first time you read it, you’d never read it again. But reading again, is like layers to an onion. You’re going to be around alot of people who give “advice” T.V shows, your friends, your family.. everybody has advice, reading your bible will make sure it’s the advice you need.”

“When people say “Only God can judge me” they are usually doing something they shouldn’t. But if someone punched another in the face, can they be saved with “only God can judge me?” I won’t let pride get in the way of learning something new. If it matches God’s word, it’s a chance for me to change. If it doesn’t match God’s word, I don’t have to consider their opinion. Will their age, being younger or older effect their advice? We will be wise for “some times” in our life, not “all our life”. Don’t let status or reputation or age interfere with wise living. And to be sure of that is to invite Godly individuals who live by God’s word into my life.”

“Negative people don’t speak to your potential, they speak to the now. Observational communicators only notice the obvious. “You have a pimple”, “Thanks, thanks I didn’t know”. We need people to help us see the good. There’s going to be good and bad things, but I want to be focused on the positive. It doesn’t mean I’ll be unrealistic about negative things, but not let negative things consume me because all I’ll be is bitter and destructive.”

http://vimeo.com/78015668#

“Gosh and Jeez”, Derivatives of “God and Jesus”

I was having a discussion with a friend of mine about Pastor Rick Warrens sermon on the words Gosh and Jeez and how in turn they are breaking the 4th commandment, “Thou shalt not use the Lord’s name in vain.” We both agreed that using the Lord’s name in vain has many distinctive properties. A few of those properties were respect, love and truth. While I agreed with him, he said that many won’t find it a problem to say, “God damn it”, “God damn” “Oh my gosh” etc. because they feel it is a small offense to God. What he said to that was there is no such thing as a small offense to God, that all sin is equal no matter how we minimize or expand our preconceived notions. He writes, “Using the Lord’s name in vain has become so common in a world of sinful culture, that it’s not uncommon for a culture to become inconsiderate to His name for momentary pleasure and relief.”

He then broke it down into an interesting parable,

“A father has a son who enjoys saying God dammit. The father warned his son not to use the Lord’s name in vain and even asked him how he would like it. The son ignored his fathers teachings and so the father decided to take matters into his own hands. Every time something went wrong or were upset he would replace “God Damn it” with his son’s name. The son of course naturally became humored at first until the prolonged exposure of such incidentals made him agitated and upset. The son no longer felt respected or loved, and recognized the wrong of his ways and decided to change after all.”

I agree with my friend that if we were to use one another’s names in vexation or for relief of stress and/or anxiety we would create strife and conflict among one another. Using God’s name in such a manner denies his authority and turns our back on his command for respect and fear and love.

However you decide to pick apart our conversation is up to you.

Truth is relative.

God Bless.

Lords Name in Vain?

Here’s an excerpt from Pastor Rick Warren’s Sermon,

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7 NKJV). Our society constantly takes the name of the Lord in vain. We hear it so often it doesn’t even offend us anymore. But it should! It bothers God.

I grew up in a family where we were not allowed to use God’s name in vain, but we also we weren’t allowed to use the subtle derivatives that are so common – gosh, jeez. I bet you didn’t even realize those are derivatives of God and Jesus. But my parents were firm that we not take God’s name in vain and that we wouldn’t even get close to it because they knew how serious it was to disrespect God in that way.

If we teach our children that God is able to meet all of our needs, then shouldn’t we also be teaching them to honor and respect him? His name included? He not only commands it, he deserves it.

http://www.purposedriven.com/blogs/dailyhope/index.html?contentid=6481

If you use the phrases, “Jeez”, “God know’s”, “Oh my God” , “God d*mn” and etc. then you’ve used or are using the Lord’s name in vain. Jeez actually comes from the word Jesus and is also spelled with the letter “G.” Repent and be pure. God bless.

Even using the phrase, “Got Damn” is considered by most scholars as using the Lords name in vain as “Gott” is german for God.

Money?

World says, you're a nobody until you show us the money!

God says, you're a somebody when you show them to Christ!

I Don't Know?

I don't know what God see's in me. 

I really don't know what God wants from me. 

And I definitely don't know why God created me.

But, I'll do my best to live a life worthy of an answer.

Self?

If you don't read the bible, how would you know you are not just being a God to yourself?

Conformity?

Conformity says, "It's too late for me to change. I am the way I am so God should accept that." 

Transformation says, "It's never too late for me to change. Who I was, is not who I am and God will help me to accept that."

Reading?

When reading the bible, take your time and make room for rereading as not to skim over important details.

Lukewarm?

Revelation 3:16 

So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

The metaphor exemplified by being hot or cold demonstrates whether or not one is a believer or a non-believer. Whether one is pure or whether one is sinful. Whether one is saved or wicked.

The mouth represents heaven.

We all at one point have walked up and down a flight of stairs. But focus your attention on that one step. If we tried to walk on the angle of that step we would be out of balance. One foot to the left to catch our balance (Believer, Pure, Saved), and often our other foot to the right (Non-believer, Sinful, Wicked). As we attempt to balance ourselves between light and darkness within our indecisiveness Christ tells us that such an individual who is confused with the commitment of His ways is just as bad as someone who refuses to commit to His ways and therefore will be spit out.

The best way to rid ourselves of such confusion is to dig deep into the love of God and follow through with daily scripture reading. To embrace the opportunity of Heaven by committing our lives to be lived as believers who are pure and saved.

God Bless.

Suicidal?

If you are considering suicide because of disadvantages, loss or neglect then reconsider. Not because it’s simply the right thing to do, but the best thing to do. Everyday I’m at disadvantage, at a loss and struggle with feelings of neglect but I attend to those thoughts with a question, “What if?” What if tomorrow my break through comes? What if tomorrow I meet someone who will change my life? What if tomorrow, what if tomorrow… What if tomorrow? The key to conquer those suicidal thoughts is to prepare yourself in this present day for the joy you are expecting to see. I know we all want material things to prove to us why we should hold on to hope but satisfaction first comes from acknowledging ones self. Persevere, hold on and don’t give up. Keep asking what if and work towards that answer each day. God bless you.

Business?

The business of Christ involves reaching out and responding to people in need. If you are content with not reaching out and responding to people in need then perhaps within the business of Christ you are only interested in the business aspect?

1 Corinthians 3:13 

each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work.

The Cross?

Wearing a cross and knowing the name of Jesus doesn’t make you saved. Honoring the cross and knowing Jesus makes you saved.

Luke 13:27

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Sincerity?

The world determines the sincerity of your faith by the greatness of wealth.
God determines the sincerity of your faith by your love for others.

Proverbs 11:30 

The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.

James 5:20 

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Life?

When life doesn't seem worthwhile, let thoughts of Heaven bring you a smile.

Colossians 3:2 

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Repent?

When a worldly individual is told to repent and confirms it true, they are filled with anger towards you pertaining to their sudden guilt.
When a spiritual individual is told to repent and confirms it true, they embrace the opportunity to be cleansed and renewed and are thus thankful for a brother or sister in Christ.

2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Introspective?

You can't do away with sin if you don't recognize the circumstance as a problem.

Time?

If you don’t have the time to read the Bible, how will that reflect on you and your faith in the time of your judgment?

True Love?

True love doesn't worry about proving right from wrong, but proving that no matter what's wrong you'll both make things right.    

Just Remember

Just remember.. the same Jesus who died for you also died for the individuals you hate, are in conflict with, have a grudge against and see no chance of salvation in. By not praying for them we are simply saying Jesus died for nothing.

...and?

..and what if God did give us instant gratification for the things we wished for? Would we still have the same depth of gratitude? Would we treat God as a higher power and Lord or would we fall into complacency? How easy it would be to follow a false prophet in this day and age who claimed to speak for God if we always got what we wanted anyway? I believe that the gift of patience is there to allow us to confirm our wants and needs with God's will. As we wait, it is not only our time to learn patience but to also be open to God's renewing of our minds and heart.

..and what if God said that the only thing a born again has to look for is prayer for his neighboring sinner? Would heaven be so appealing without the promises of Golden roads and personalized mansions? This question is to provoke the thought and opportunity of prayer. Some of us just don't find the time to pray for others without the realization that praying for them is the recognition of God's mercy. Without God shedding His mercy over our lives and spirit what would we have in common with prayer? Then can it be agreed that prayer in itself is a gift instead of a burden? That we must become opportunists with that gift in every circumstance and situation to show God our gratitude?

..and what if God said only He will only judge you? Does this mean that a partner in Christ has no authority to correct our wrongs? That a friend or family member in the body of Christ has lack of discernment? I've noticed that individuals who use that phrase, which is from a tupac shakur song by the way, expect that what they are doing won't be judged because they affirm their belief in God. I noticed that the sin committed is not withstanding a comfort zone developed over the years of experiences and habits that they are content to have. The truth of the matter is, God has final judgment but He has also given mankind the spirit of discernment. Discernment in it's definitive form means to judge.

Things I've learned...

Things I've learned...

...Some will only accept a truth if there's money behind it.
...Some have confused salvation.. with finance.
...A saved christian won't think they are better than you.
...The more I focus on what God will judge me for the more considerate I become.
...I've realized I'm more God centered in my daily habits if I commit to the question, "What do you want from me God?
...Just going to church doesn't make you saved.
...We have to read the bible to ensure that we are living by God's intent and not our own.
...Even a room full of Christians could be serving separate God's if they aren't familiar with Him through scripture.
..."Feel good theology" is as deceptive as satan himself.
...Some sermons are no better than a false horoscope.
...Many impose fear unto others in order to appear right with God.
...Patience and wisdom bring about altruism. Impatience lacking wisdom brings about egoism.
...being alone is the perfect season for harvesting wisdom.

Apokalypse The Unveiling 2: The Link

Hi there, here is part 2 of the ATU Series, please enjoy!

Kyle is a special mortal who can see angels and demons through their hidden form. He and his friend Darius start a quest to search for the key to find some answers.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/172639682/Apokalypse-the-Unveiling-2-The-Link