Sending Judah

And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
Judges 20:18
Such as the time of the book of Judges it is necessary for us to send Judah (praise) first to battle . There are times when my praise envelopes into the glory of God and the blessing of the Lord develops and delivers me from the hand of the enemy. In this time of grace and mercy calling on the name of the leader and king of the tribe of judah results in great praise .
As a memeber of the tribe of Judah I am greatful for the Lion of the tribe of Judah ( Jesus Christ) who is soon to return. While making a reflection of this week (Resurrection week) the celebration that was set forth by Passover (celebration of the Jewish people exiting from Egypt) and Jesus Christ who provides for us the Passover from death into life by claiming victory over his ememy (Satan) and preparing us for an eternity with Him. Amen.

Living Water Hope

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him ……………………… Lamentations 3:24

Good Morning. On this morning 1/17/2015 God spirit is present and available to me for the Lord is my portion. I have a hope in Him. The scripture in Lamentations the third chapter alludes to the fact that the hope of us as followers and disciples of Christ rest on the hope of Him and His return .Until the time of the return of our Christ we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit available to guide us through until his return. This is our portion for us who believe on God’s greatest gift, the Lord Jesus Christ.

One of the greatest challenges as a result of my walk with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit centers on my expectations of hope. Without the hope of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit my expectations would be centered on fear and death. In Deuteronomy 30:19 it gives us a clear distinction on how God has set forth each day of our lives. It reads “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live:

Each day that I live now and until eternity my hope will rest on the word of God in the hope of my eternal king returning to his throne forever and ever. To continue keeping my eyes on the prize offered to me upon my confession of the Lord Jesus and his resurrection from the grave. My dependence upon the Holy Spirit of God to continue to lead and guide me to all truths that center on my purpose for God and not my pleasure of this world. This is not a simple or easy task. It takes daily meditation for me in order for me to see just the tip of what God has in store for my life. Not only my life but the life of my son Emmanuel James Crudup.

So today my hope is centered on Jesus Christ. Without him there is no hope for me or my seed. Today I will bless the Lord with all of my soul. In return my hope in Him will result in His glory in every area of my life. Amen

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing……………………………………………………………John 15:5

Faith

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.   Romans 12:1-2

Happy New Year!! . On this second day of January 2015 I awoke in the presence of the Spirit of God. It moved me to the scripture in Romans 12. In the first 2 verses it informs us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice set apart from the world and acceptable to God. Transforming our minds that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. After reading this I began to meditate on the purpose that God has for me in this New Year the year of our Lord 2015. The first action that moved on me was that old friend of mine fear.  It began to present itself in the form of I am not going to be able to transform my mind into the good acceptable and perfect will of God. How foolish of me to even consider this.  Remember now the spirit of God has led me to this place in scripture in order for me to position myself to live up to the purpose God has for my life. Then again fear presents itself in the fashion that it always have. That is to present failure to Gods plan when it concerns me.

As I consider the alternative to my past failures of living out the will of God I began to feel the shame I always feel when I see that may actions steer more to my flesh than to the spirit. The spirit that put Jesus on the cross and raised him from the grave is present and available to me.  How come it continues to elude me?  To miss me during times where its presence will assist me to victory and the acceptable and perfect will of God. While examining this issue the spirit of God presented to me Faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. In order to enter into his presence you have to first believe that He is. This isn’t a onetime thing. Faith should be present and available to you at all times. It is through my faith which provides me with every opportunity to see the cross high and lifted up. To make the tenants of the cross available to me during every waking hour of the day. To present each day as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. This is my reasonable service. Without faith to be transformed to the renewing presence of mind becomes an arduous task. Knowing that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen therein lays the process which provides us the entrance into the kingdom of God.

Having faith in and believing God is the key component in receiving His presence in our times of need. In order to sustain victory over the god of this world the helmet of salvation has to be in place. The breast plate of righteousness also needs to be in position. The sword of the spirit the word of God is necessary to stand against the wiles of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. Never forget to shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all taking the shield of faith to stand against the fiery darts of the wicked.(Ephesians 6) Therefore as we embark on another year let’s  get the fullness of God so that we may find his glory in every aspect of our life. Amen.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91

My Brother

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10

Ferguson Ferguson Ferguson Missouri.  Outside of the death of Michael Brown what and where is Ferguson Missouri.  How can I imagine the place?

The image of Ferguson, Missouri is a microcosm of the image of America. It fosters the separation of lives through race, class, sex and culture. Our nation lives in the imagination which pervades this spirit on many levels. The root of this image makes its presence through cold and greedy hearts.  Hearts that desire self-more than anything else. Hearts which are at war with the spirit of God which is rooted in love.  The apostle Paul paints a picture through an issue that was prevailing in Rome which is reticent in the American culture and psyche today. The apostle points this out by making this statement. But why do you judge your brother?  We are a nation that makes judgments about lives of others that center on the image which is most dominant in our soul. For instance the image of the African American male centers around violence and low self-esteem.  It  also paints an image of the African American male as an animal with no self-control. These images manifest themselves through many forms of media (television, film, music, and radio) and concludes with a prison population which is largely African American. Most of the institutions created in this nation primarily exclude rights for African American men to succeed.  Without tremendous effort, sacrifice and determination most of them will never see the glory of God for their lives. . Therefore the only way of smashing this image is with the spirit of a Mighty God who created our imaginations in the first place and is above it all. There is a place in the scriptures that set forth the action necessary to remove the stigma that plaques our American imagination. Matthew witnesses through Jesus Christ this action. Here is the action presented by  our Christ "Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” It is in these words the will we find the peace of God that surpasses all of our understanding. To set forth the process of healing that was present when Madiba(Nelson Mandela) became President of South Africa this nation needs to begin to reconcile them one to another and begin a process of reconciliation such as the one that fell on South Africa. For Jesus said that the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)  Amen.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.Revelation 7:9-12

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Timothy 2:10

By The Blood

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:20
Acknowledging the precious blood of Christ I am overwhelmed with the image of the blood from the cross which cleanses us unto righteousness. It blesses me to know that the blood of the cross takes care of all my sins. It enables me to come to the throne of God with all my cares. Everything no matter what it is. It is finished by the shedding of the precious blood of Jesus the Christ. My hope rest at the right hand of the Father as I cry “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Thank you Lord for your son “who through his precious blood not the blood of goats, calves , but with His own blood entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption”(Hebrews 9:12)
This day I choose to” live and not die” (Deuteronomy 30:19) through the precious blood of the Lamb of God. Knowing this I am reminded that the things of this world (flesh)” will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21) For as in the time of Noah we are in His grace and mercy for He will soon return to the Mount of Olives for His eternal Kingdom. Amen
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Hebrews 9:22

Blood Moon

Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

 Here lately there has been much discussion concerning the four total eclipses (Tetrad) appearing over the next two years (2014, 2015). To some it is an unbelievable attempt to try and schedule the day of our Lord Jesus the Christ. With others it is an indication that He is soon to appear. The scripture appears to mention its occurrence in over 90 different scriptures (Red Moon) located in the Holy Bible. I believe that its appearance in scripture should only verify that we look to the Heavens for the sign and begin to celebrate His coming. In particular the occurrence of this Tetrad seems to set itself around very important Hebrew celebrations. The time of His return in near.

When we look at the scripture in Genesis 6:8  it says:  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. The grace that was afforded Noah for that time has been afforded to us in the present time.  It also says that Noah walked with God ( Gen 6:9) . In this time it is important for us to build a relationship with our Lord. Knowing  His word coming from the prophet Joel and the Apostle Paul definitely heightens to urgency to fall on our knees in praise as an expression of great joy. Through the precious blood of the Lamb we will appear with him on that “great and awesome day “to celebrate His kingdom. As a member of the Lords body I welcome these great signs and look forward to his coming. There is evidence all around us that the earth is groaning his coming. Amen

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred’s, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Revelation 7:9

Free

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Revelation 5:6

As I manage my current trials and situations I’m assured by the blood of Jesus today I am a free man. Just knowing that I’m a child of the most high God there is no longer any situation, circumstance or trial I can’t overcome. The joy in knowing Him allows me to rest and let God be Lord over all of me. Not some of me all of me. Those attachments that were not meant to be apart of me leave at the sound of His name. All of the hurt, shame, guilt, anger, frustration, and so on becomes so irrelevant when I am in his presence.  His anointing empowers me to speak of His tremendous love... His power and great glory come by virtue of His grace and mercy. Through his love I become more and more like Him whose life that was given to save me. Oh the tremendous power of the cross with the precious blood of Him who gave His life to save me. Free at last, free at last Thank God Almighty I’m free at last!!

For those who encounter this piece of art and these few words let go out live freely for the one who has freed us Jesus the Christ. Amen.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36

His Workmanship

 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.1 Peter 2:14-17

His workmanship is an image of the peculiar people of the Christian faith and our efforts to represent the King in great love and honor. There are periods and times in our life where the result we look for can only be translated spritually. As we are translated we become more acute to the issues of doing the will of God. As the scripture says 'For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.'Lets take the time out to use this truth to live our the glory of God in our homes,neighboorhoods,communities and this wonderful nation we live in. Amen

Where are you at?

However, to anyone who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:  "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed are those whose sin the Lord will never count against them."  Romans 4:5-9

What a beautiful statement to wake up to. As I begin this September morning I was blessed through the word of God and how much He loves us to incorporate such a wonderful gift through his Son Jesus the Christ. In the 54 years of my life what have I done to deserve this? The truth is nothing. None of my works such as my lies, hatred, selfishness my discord, sexual immorality, impatience and all of the issues I have against the spirit of God allows me to be blessed with such a beautiful and loving gift of God. This morning I realized through the spirit of God as he writes on my heart the love of Jesus Christ which can only be translated by faith. The scripture here out of the letter to the Romans identifies with King David as he speaks of the "blessedness of those whom God credits righteousness apart from works" 

Today this blessedness is not translated through me by condemning those who are away from God by virtue of their sin but by allowing the spirit of God to live through me in believing on the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not by saying it amongst my fellow believers but living it through those who do not see, hear or live the love of Christ on a regular basis. It says blessed are those who sin the Lord will never count against them meaning that Jesus Christ has taken it all on Himself. If we believe anything other than that then we need to fall on our knees and ask the Holy Spirit to help us find the liberty that God provided at the cross through the precious blood of His son that we may be free of the sin conscience of the law. Amen.

 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Love

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge , that if one died for all, then were all dead : And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again . Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away ; behold , all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.                                         2 Corinthians 5:14-18

On this Friday April 18 2014 I found myself awoke in the tremendous love and glory of God..In his presence today I bore witness to the love commited on this day on my behalf. Jesus the Christ laid down his live for me regardless of my deeds , faults, failures and so on. 
While reading the scripture in 2 Corinthians and through the message of Creflo Dollar I began to realize in my backsliden state that his love for me set forth the ministry of reconciliation. It is in this reconciliation of the world unto himself he did not impute my trespasses. As i visited the term impute I needed to have an understanding of the term. To impute means to: ascribe to or charge(a person) with an act or quality because of the conduct of another over whom one has control of for whose acts or conduct one is responsible.
What a powerful term! It is determined by the word of God that his attention is not centered on my sin but on my belief of His love that occured on the cross of Calvary more than 2000 years ago. To weight of my sin can not and will not dismiss the love centered at the cross.  On this Friday before resurrection Sunday I am blessed to reconciled unto God through the precious love of God through His son Jesus the Christ. For what occured will seal my fate for eternity. To my religious brothers and sisters stop imputing sin on those who do not line up with your religious dogmas. Our sin will not send anyone to hell it is our unbelief in the Holy Spirit and blasphemy towards the Holy Spirit which will determine where we will spend our eternity. (Matthew 12:31) Amen.
The image Praise is available through my Imagekind website. 

Happy New Year

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? And then he will spoil his house.

 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Matthew 12:25-30

Happy New Year! As the start of this New Year begins I believe that there are some fundamentals of our Christian faith in the word of God that many of us Christians need to exercise in order to see a victorious year. When I visit the scripture out of Matthew 12 starting in verse 25 it presents an image to me of the challenges I receive on a daily basis. In my house there is some division between myself and my love ones. The dividing issues usually align themselves according to the measure of faith between us. There are times when my measure of faith seems greater than those who are around me and therefore there issues and challenges become insignificant to me.  I believe in order for our home to receive the unity and blessing of the spirit of God I need to seek his face concerning the differences. God doesn’t want these differences to exist.  For verse 25 of this passage of scripture which precedes this writing  illustrates the effect of a home or “kingdom” divided against itself. The result of this action is destruction. As a Christian in the discipline of Christ can we continue to exist like that?  The answer is no. I believe that God wants us as Christians to minister the truth and work on the challenges within ourselves in order to be there for our love ones and others we encounter every day. We need to minister to our homes the power of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is that simple. He is the only one with the power to take care of every area of our lives. Let’s not get it twisted there is no way we can go into the strong man’s house  and spoil his goods and bind him only the Christ has the power to do so. Unless we champion his virtue in every area of our lives regardless how small it is we will never get the victory.

Men minister to your homes through our Lord Jesus the Christ. Allow the spirit of God to come into your home and cast out those devils which divide us (Matthew 12:28). Amen

Enter In is available at the Imagekind website

Calendar Cover

Enter  by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Mathew 7:13,14

The cover for my 2014 calendar. The theme for the calendar is set by the Spirit of God in the image of Christ. Presenting an image for African American males to align themselves in the image of Jesus Christ in order to become better fathers, husbands , brothers, uncle's  and friends. My prayer is that the message of the calendar  will help free and release us from the strongholds  that shackle the way we live our lives.. Just as the scripture give us the image of Jesus Christ as the narrow gate that leads to life it is our job to allow the spirit to lead us through that gate.

Our Daily Bread II

This piece will open my calendar for 2014. Opening the year in the presence and glory of God will set the tone for a blessed year. This is based off the scripture in Matthew 6 starting in verse 6 which says:
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 

Living Water Praise

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

John 7:38

Eighth in my living water series of images Living Water Praise presents the power of the living water of Christ which lives in the hearts and minds of those who live by faith and not by sight. In my own life there are times when streams of living water flows from my heart. During these times my heart encourages the word of God as the root of the stream of living water. It is in the image of Christ that by grace it becomes the flow necessary to usher in the Holy Spirit in the garment of praise.

As African American men in a American culture that assimilates to find issue with us there is good news  for us. The good news is the living water of Christ. It is in that good news that He who created us presents us with the opportunity to drink from the living water. It is in this process that we find great success in living out the glory of God concerning our lives. Through faith the living water becomes such a great life force that it begins to shut off the cycle of fear, hatred, discrimination, death ,poverty and the likes of that separate us from ministering to the lives of our wives , children ,family and community. This day it is necessary for us to choose who we will serve in order for us and our seeds to live. Amen

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God   I Corinthians 4:5

Our Daily Bread

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '  For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:8 - 15

Second in my series of images denoting the power which resonates as we become knowledgeable of the image of God through His son Jesus the Christ. As Jesus presents the example of the "Lords Prayer" it compels us to meditate daily on the request made before heaven and it's power to free us from the attempts of the evil one and spirit which removes us from the glory of God