Binding the Strong Man

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?  And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strongman? Then he can rob his house.

Matthew 12:25-29

Good Morning. What a beautiful and glorius day the Lord has prepared for us. During my morning meditation I found myself meditating on the scripture from Matthew 12:25. The challenges I am facing this morning normally rest on the breath of my experience  which as a result doesn't accomplish much because I am void of the solution. Today through my meditation those challenges are filtered through a different light.  That light is the Kingdom of God which has come upon me.

Here is an illustration of this living word.  In the passage of scripture out of Matthew 25  it provides me with a solution to bind the strong man.  To reference the term strong man it simply is a way of saying the issues that bind you and hold you down from receiving your best. Those issues can  include your finances, relationships, friendships, employment and so on.  Whatever situation you find yourself in that you can’t see your way clear of. Prayer is the first step in this process because you are seeking the kingdom of heaven and the Spirit of God  to bind up the strong man and allow you entrance to retrieve those things he has taken from you. The principles of the Spirit of God allows you to bear its fruit and provides you with access to victory over the strong man. In Galatians chapter 5 starting at verse 22. It says; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness,  goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control. It goes on to indicate that against such things there is no law. Those of us who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

What has become essential for me as a believer and a man being transformed into the image of the risen Christ is the ability to pray and seek the kingdom of God concerning every area of my life. To break off those chains that bind me from the glory of God.  To live out the heaven here on earth which God has promised.  Satan is real and he will try bind you in every area of your life. Allow yourself be available as a witness  to the awesome act of love God presented to us through His only begotten son our Lord Jesus the Christ. Amen.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Matthew 16:19

The Supremacy of Chirst

Worship

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all of creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross
Colossians 1:15-20

As we continue to move through our lives when we look to the heavens and acknowledge the supremacy of Jesus Christ peace is at hand. Imagine the image that the apostle Paul paints of the supremacy of Christ  which centers on the great love God produces at the cross with His only begotten. Given to us that we may reconcile our evil with God and acknowledge the eternal gift presented to each one of us. The beauty of a creation that removes our sin to be remembered no more is without words. It can only be acknowledge in worship and praise to our King. Visit that place in your soul which provides the conduit necessary to communicate that eternal love to our King. Today find that place and worship in spirit and truth.  Find moments in your day that represent and produce His unconditional love and use it as a source for the peace that surpasses all of your understanding. Remember everything that was created was for Him and by Him. Amen

Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Psalm 99:5

Worship is available as a print

Prices

Print 31'' x 23" $35.00 USD Print on Canvas 31 x 23 $125.00 USD

Rejoice

  The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take a great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17      

  Good morning!! what a wonderful and beautiful day the Lord has blessed us with. The spirit of the Lord moved me today to the scripture from the prophet Zephaniah chapter 3 verse 17. It begins by stating that the Lord God is with you and He is the Mighty Warrior who saves. Just in that statement alone my faith should be encouraged enough to know that whatever challenge I face today the Lord God the Mighty Warrior is here to fight on my behalf. I bless God today that where ever I end up he has already won the battle I'm facing with the death, burial and resurrection of my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Now matter what it is I have already won. How wonderful it is to know that the Lord King of Israel delights in us. His love will no longer rebuke us and He rejoices over us with singing. Amen.

References for Zephaniah 3:16

• Cross References

• 50 3:16 - S 2Ki 19:26 ; S Job 4:3 ; Isa 35:3-4 ; Heb 12:12

References for Zephaniah 3:17

• Cross References

• 51 3:17 - S Isa 63:1 ; S Joel 2:21
• 52 3:17 - S Dt 28:63 ; S Isa 62:4
• 53 3:17 - S Hos 14:4
• 54 3:17 - S Isa 40:1

Mom and Mom 1

Mom

Mom 1

This Mothers day celebrate Mom with these beautiful images of mother and son created by the artist Anthony Crudup. His portrayal of mom in these images invites us to the wonderful relationship that exist between mothers and there sons. The 32" x 19" inch museum quality canvas prints will be available for Mothers Day. To receive the prints in time for Mothers Day please submit your order by April 27 2016 The cost of each print is 125.00. Order your print today through Pay Pal

 Mom

  Mom1

High And Lifted Up

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
                                                                                Isaiah 6:1-8

My goal for this image is to incite the viewer to locate an image in your environment which testifies to the glory of the Lord High and lifted up. This image is a take on the Salvador Dali image the Christ of Saint John. While viewing the Dali piece I found myself relating to the image in the book of Isaiah reading from the scripture in chapter 6 starting at verse 1. It reads : In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
As illustrated in this passage of scripture I believe that in our everyday life if we seek and remove all of the noise we can see the person and presence of Jesus high and lifted up in our homes, communities, nation and world. And as a result we are purged of the issues of this world and ready to be sent by the Lord for His witness. Amen

Hidden

 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.                                                                                                        Isaiah 59:1-4

Good Morning. What a beautiful day the Lord has made. This morning the spirit of the Lord has championed me to a place which is valid in the human spirit. Our inability to see and receive from the throne and Kingdom of Heaven where God reigns. The validity comes as we witness the events that surround us every day in our communities and around the world. In the moments when we decide and choose what is good and what is evil. To some the choice is not so simple as good or evil. Most of us believe that evil does not exist within ourselves. That the word evil is to extreme as a word to describe our separation from God. All of us at one time or another throughout our days and lives find that separation to be evident.  The prophet Isaiah presents us with the real truth in Isaiah 59 starting in the first verse. Imagine the moments of your  day and life where that passage of scripture lives. For me there are many moments when it is present. But today I am grateful for the grace of God and the mercy of the Lord Jesus the Christ  which allows me every day to remove that darkness in my spirit so that Gods  ability for me to see and hear from heaven is available. Lets not get it twisted this is a daily and sometimes hourly act which is necessary to live a life free and able to present the glory of God in those places we frequent and the other lives we interact with.  Without that ability to interact with our God through our Lord Jesus the Christ we live in a dark world which is void of light and full of darkness. Amen

And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.                                                                             Genesis 6:3

Our Refuge

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. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.  Psalm 91

Good morning. On this beautiful Wednesday morning November18, 2015 the spirit of God has moved me to champion his power through His word. Today I arise in the glory of God concerning all of His Humanity.  Stand firm and not lose hope in His overwhelming love which provides us victory over the terror that flies by night or the pestilence that walks in darkness nor the destruction that lays waste at noonday. The terror that has enveloped our communities and world has no power over the love, grace and mercy of our God and King the Lord Jesus the Christ.Today let’s summon the power(faith) that raised the Christ from the grave and see the reward of the wicked. Let’s find that posture on our knees so that no evil will befall us. Continue to say the Lord is your refuge and fortress. In Him this day I will trust. Send Judah(praise) today .Amen

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. John 3:16-20

Legality of Marriage? Moving Towards a Clean Heart

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:13

First before I begin I would like to set the stage in reference to the topic. My intentions in this article are not to condemn the person who is engaged in this lifestyle. My motivation is to save souls. To reach out to my brothers and sisters who are subject to the deceptive nature of it. Let me ask this question. If someone you loved was in a burning building would you try to rescue them? I believe that 99.9 % of the readers of this article would make an effort to save the life of the loved one. The building is burning!
Let’s examine the logical scriptural evidence concerning the legality of marriage. In the book of Genesis (the beginning) we visit the creation of man and God’s purpose for him.
Man was made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26) Being made in the image of God includes characteristics as righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24) Since we were created in the image of the divine king, delegated sovereignty (kingship) was given to man. From  this conclusion it would be illegal for another man to fill the role of companion and partner. Eve was created to fill God’s mandate for creation.(Genesis 1:28)Without female companionship it becomes impossible for man to realize his humanity. God created the woman from the rib of the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: She shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24) The term wife (a women joined in marriage to a man) presents the legality of marriage as a union between man and woman.(Genesis 2:5
24) It is the sum of marriage that completes the divine intention for husband and wife to be monogamous (marriage to one person at a time). It is in this premise that God clearly defines his intentions for His creation in reference to Man and Woman. Any relationship outside of this is illegal in the sight of God.
As a result of the violation of this creation mandate God makes it very clear what his ruling on it is and the penalty for Man as a result of it. We first visit the illegal act  during the existence of the two cities (Sodom and Gomorrah) as recalled in the scriptures in  Genesis chapter 19. The two cities were so wicked  that there wickedness reached God. He informs Abraham that the two cities will be destroyed, Abraham pleads with God not to destroy Sodom ( root word of the term sodomy meaning acts stigmatized as unnatural vice , sexual deviation and bestiality)With God’s inability to find one person who’s heart was not pure from this sin, He manifested his wrath. (Jude 1.7 Genesis 19: 24-25) Consequently God destroyed the city. I can hear some of you who are reading this article, say, what Sodom and Sodomy has to do with Homosexuality. Here is the answer. The spirit behind the homosexual life style is Sodomy (unnatural act or sexual deviation).it’s manifestation presents such a challenge for the natural that it takes a supernatural event (act of the Holy Spirit) or God to free those who are engaged in it. This is the reason God had to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because it presented an abomination ( a vile, shameful, of destable action,habit,or condtion) of His creation and His image (Leviticus 20:13)
Those who encounter and live their lives according to this deception can not inherit eternal life (1 Corinthians 6:9). Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.( Romans 1: 18-20) As a result the end is eternal death.

I close with this reflection. Just because the Supreme Court has made the equality of marriage the law of the land and popular culture condones the legality does not mean that it is accepted by God. Yes the sacrifice that Jesus took on the cross justified the sin nature, but the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ left it in the pit of hell. The eternal location of death and hell is in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). The spirit that champions this culture continues it’s defiance in and outside the body of Christ. The marriage vow’s is sacred (set apart) from the other institutions of mankind because its agenda is rooted on the image of God and His creation toward man and woman. I know the question is to love who you love and as a creature of the fallen nature of man it is very easy to consider. My heart becomes challenged by the virtue of the word  of  God and the strength of its eternal consequence. It is He who judges where we will spend our eternity. I don’t believe that His law concerning this eternal question is going to change because after 65 years we decide we want to be a woman or a man. He loves us as it is verified through the death , burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ and to stand on that belief is to believe His word not the Supreme courts interpretation of marriage because it wants to make it equal by law. Wrong answer. It hurts my heart to see the encouragement of love be used by Satan and these unnatural covenants resulting in eternal separation from God. Love tells the truth that it may set free those who are bound spiritually and eternally. My prayer is God let there hearts receive the eternal truth. Please allow the Holy Spirit to come and release them from an eternal hell. Amen

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:14- 17

 I ask You, Heavenly Father, to loose into me and each person what  I have prayed for today God’s Spirit of Pureness and Holiness according to Zechariah 12:10 and Hebrews 10:29. Amen

The house is burning.

The Power of the Cross

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:17,18As I attemempt to analyze these statements i begin to realize that the true witness of the cross is not the words we sometime speak or preach. Neither is it the symbolism that accompanies religious dogmas or tradition. The witness of the cross is realized and proclaimed by the heart as it dies to the nature of the world and becomes alive in the power of the Holy Spirit. As a living testimony of God's resurrection power we begin to come alive by the three virtues of the cross which begin with death, then the burial, and of course the resurrection. These three powerful acts of the cross is foolish to the natural world because it is contrary to what the world believes. The apostle Paul presents a very valid point when he emphasized in his writing that it is foolishness (ill-considered; unwise)
to them that are perishing. ( 1 Corinthians 1: 18) Try to explain  that Jesus Christ is the son of God to someone who is bent on believing that He is not is like teaching an aligator to speak Latin. With words and actions it is impossible. To illustrate to them that the trinity exist is like pulling teeth from a great white shark. I believe the only way you can succesfully pull teeth from a great white is to kill it. Get my point. So in other words the words that we speak sometimes as believers do not effectively translate or present a witness to the unbelievers who are challenged by traditon, religion and wordly wisdom.
In order for an effective witness to live in the realm of these unbelivers we have to illustrate the Love of God not only with words but with our living example. For myself it is accomplished with a daily communication with God through prayer, meditation, faith , fellowship and by the word of God. as we grow in these area's our witness to the Lord Jesus the Christ becomes more powerful and effective. We have to go into those places where the spirit of God is dead and become a witness to the light of the world by shinning brightly in those areas. But remember in order for our light to shine we have to have oil(exodus 25:6) for the lamp. (Revelation)
As we move closer to the coming of our Lord Jesus the Christ lets realize that in some of those instances were we witness the Spirit Of God has already preceeded us. (Acts 18:9) It is by our witness weather the spirit of God that was presented either lives or dies. As Christians we are to be a living witness to the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus the Christ. This means that the ways of the world need to die in us, the nonsense and wisdom of the world needs to be burried with us, and the resurrection power of God should lives in us through our Lord Jesus the Christ. That resurrection power is demonstrated through Love. (John 3:16) There should be healings, deliverance,transformations and testimonies to the miraculous power demonstrated in each witness. As I close there is one scripture that presents a powerful promise of God as we bear witness in these truths .It says; Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.(Romans 10:11)
Take the Holy Spirit with you today and allow Him to live in every area of your life
Amen

 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

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