Nosaka

Nosaka comes to me from the strength of the young tennis champion Naomi Osaka. Established in 1997 this champion won my attention with her struggle with her challenges. The battle that ensued while she managed to address her challenges and say no to the sports and tennis world was outstanding. To say no to millions of dollars while on top of her game. She is breath of fresh air to all who struggle with taken time off instead of hard charging into death through mental illness. Her decision to leave the game for an indefinite amount of time speaks volumes. There is a piece in the bible written by King David which I believe speaks to her heart.  The king worships God with this;

 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works ; my soul knows it very well.     Psalm 139:14

     In these trying times we need to be reminded of the challenges we face in our mental health . Be encouraged to address and confront them instead of saving face and going off the deep end to please others. Remember it is our uniqueness which presents our greatness unto the glory (goodness) of God. Amen

Misunderstood (Blood Brothers)

 Two of the greatest African American men to grace the twentieth century. Malcom X and Muhammad 
Ali were aligned like blood brothers . The evil of men misaligned the two and the result one life (Malcolm X) ended up in a tragedy. Although Muhammad Ali lived a life of great triumph and success each one of these men encouraged generations of African Americans to do great things. As I celebrate African American heritage this Feburary I am grateful for both Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X for standing for something and not falling for anything. Amen.

I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO

Inspired by James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript, Remember This House, a collection of notes and letters written by Baldwin in the mid-1970s.[6] The documentary I Am Not Your Negro includes some of Baldwin's thoughts on the lives and deaths of his close friends and civil rights leaders Medgar Evers (assassinated in 1963), Malcolm X (assassinated in 1965), and Martin Luther King Jr. (assassinated in 1968). In the documentary, the voice of Samuel Jackson softly reading James Baldwin's notes clarify his intention in writing this manuscript: "I want these 3 lives to bang against and reveal each other, as in truth they did, and use their dreadful journey as a means of instructing the people whom they loved so much...and for whom they gave their lives..." [taking on "the lies and the hope of a nation"].One of the most interesting revelations about this documentary it reveals the present day America. Our suppose to be diverse society still struggles with the race and class ,rich and poor, good and evil and most of all reverence to God. The day when all of us can firmly stand on the power of God's word then and only then will we live. In the 42 years since Mr Baldwins manuscript the formula necessary to make ths diverse nation palatable (an action or proposal, acceptable or satisfactory)has eluded us by way of our arrogance, fear and greed. Our narcissistic (infated since of self importance) disorder that is present in some of our politics and culture tend to remove us from the love necessary to heal this nation of its ills. May God have mercy on our souls. Limited Edition Print 15 

 http://www.mirhezimages.com/iamnot.html
 

Good Trouble

 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble Psalm 37:39

This image takes its place as I was reminded of the challenges we face as a nation of those which encourage an atmosphere of division and hatred. We have become so troubled as a nation that it removes us from the  kindness necessary to love one another as we do ourselves. 

There are many among us who cause trouble in ways that moves our hearts and minds to reconcile our differences and  move  as one nation under God with Liberty and Justice for all. That is good trouble. The foundation of this images stems from US house of representative from Massachusetts Ayanna Pressley who represents her district with great power and love. That is Good Trouble. Amen

Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God                                                                                   John 1:1
 

Good Morning! May grace find all of you and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus the Christ. I begin with these words this morning because in my heart I believe that as i speak them they become alive to everyone who reads this. In the book of Genesis beginning in the first chapter there is an image on how the word is so important to the execution of God's power in our lives. Check it out look at Genesis 1:3And God said,let there be light Genesis 1:6 And God said Genesis 1:9 And God said,Genesis 1:11.And God said. Notice how in all of those scriptures what God said was created. Again I say what God said came to pass.  The apostle John informs us in John Chapter 1 beginning in verse 1 that the word came first it was with God and it is God.

Today I find that many of my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ dismiss the power of the word. I remember a time when my father and I would be discussing a issue or challenge he would always say to me I wish I was as versed in scripture like you are. My reply to him would always be you are it is built inside of you. The reason I quote it because without it there is no power.  Take for instance Hebrews 11:1 It begins like this; Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Think about the words that create this statement. Faith is the word we speak out of our mouths that brings to life the thing we are hoping for in which we have no evidence. This the power of words and according to what we beleive these words can either empower us or fail us. These words out of James chapter 3 beginning in verse 5 provides us with an image of how powerful the tongue is although it is one of the smaller member of our body it can set on fire and speak to whatever course we set out on rather for the good or evil. 

The word of God presents us with the power to gain victory over whatever the enemy challenges us with. If the word that comes from your mouth is associated with fear then that fear will manifest itself. If it is associated with faith whatever you are believing it shall come to pass (Mark 11:23)

It is important to study the word of God and apply it in every area of your life For Jesus is the word(John 1:14) and from my life experiences I need Him in every area of my life. There is nothing more powerful than His word when he becomes our righteousness concerning our truths.(Matthew 6:33). Amen

Revelation

 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ        Galatians 1:10

   

May grace find all of you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Christ. Today I am blessed with the opportunity to share this gospel not to please or persuade anyone. It doesn't come from men or is it taught, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ

During this heavy time which we are in the blessing for all of us is to realize the power of God to save us through the Lord Jesus the Christ. The main part of the revelation today is to recieve by faith that Jesus is Lord over all of your troubles. There is nothing that we are going through at this time that His power through God the Father can't be defeated. The victory is ours. 

A word came to me today from John 13:20 It says; Verily,verily I say unto you He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me and he that receiveth me recieveth him that sent me.

My prayer today is that all of us who call on his name will be generous in presenting His gospel to a neighborhood, community, nation and world starving for His spirit and His peace. Lets continue to humble ourselves and wash the feet of  those in need of his Living water. Lets begin to sooth those feet by drying them so they can walk on and be a blessing to someone else. It is the ministry of the gospel of Jesus the Christ that provided salvation to our grandparents generation our parents generation and our generation. It is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will only reign in life by one, Jesus the Christ(Romans 5:17). Amen. Remember the foundation of the gospel is love (1Corinthians 13) without it all you are doing is making noise. 

                                                                                                                 

Legacy: Martin Luther King Jr

 As a 60 year old black male today has some significance for me. I vaguely remember the day Dr. King was assassinated If my memory is correct Dr King's assassination occurred in the spring after the City of Newark suffered its riots in the summer of 1967 between my 6 and 7 birthday. I am blessed to have not been scared with racist hatred as a result.  I do remember the National Guard or(green army men) rolling down the red cobblestone streets which was the normal landscape during my childhood. My knowledge of Dr. King assassination did not reach me until I was in middle school when the teachers and the adults in my life began to share with us some reverence towards his life.

As the legacy of Dr. King meets some great challenges my hope still rest in the hope of glory. (God's goodness) As it ministers to lives, hopes and dreams of all of us present in America my prayer is that we find the time to shut down the noise. The evil that is predicated from the darkness of America's racial and economic past is the narrative in some communities that compel us to this place. This image of America during the early life of Dr. King was put on the shelf in the darkness out of the way.

Large crowd watching the lynching of Jesse Washington, 18-year-old African American, in Waco, Texas, May 15, 1916. 

 The leadership in this nation in the White House and with some members of Congress begin with a desire to shine the spotlight on the image of America which was put on the shelf during our present and recent past. What has occurred is the image has become real to this generation of white Americans. Some believe that the dark image of America is necessary for White men to be supreme. 

One of the most beautiful documents ever to be written towards mankind has been standing on strong  legs as a result of the divine(which is preceding from God)breath which was present among the authors of the Declaration of Independence. The second paragraph of the Declaration begins with this prophetic statement We hold these truths to be self -evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It is these prophetic words that find there way into the hearts and minds of Americans who believe in the declaration. It was part of the foundation for Dr. King dream and vision of looking over the mountain top and seeing the greatness of America on the other side. God bless you Dr. King and God bless America.

What resonated on January 6 was not only the work of Donald J Trump it is the darkness in the heart of man to live out the peace and love of God towards His creation. and mankind. Satan you are a liar. Amen

Image

 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.                                                                                                                               Luke 22:31,32

Good Morning! Today is a day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I was blessed this morning with the peace of God concerning the time that we are in. The blessing reached me through the word of God out of Luke Chapter 22 starting in verse 31 through verse 32. It paints an image that while Jesus was dealing with Simon(Peter) that the desire of the enemy(devil) was to sift him  as as wheat. Think about it when you sifted as wheat you will be tossed  all over the place. As a result of the process the wheat lands everywhere. Moving through the rest of this scripture Jesus informs Peter that he will let Him down . Our Lord prayed for his faith which would included his conversion to Christ in order to strengthen us.(brethren)

The image that the Lord impressed upon me is the victory  belongs to Him.  He is in control. As a result of it He will get the glory. There are many images presented to us in His word that reinforce this truth(Jonah 2:3-9, 2 Chronicles 7:14 Matthew 21:28-31) Be encouraged that the image presented by the god of this world is a distorted one. It is completely upside down from the image presented by the word of God . Our end(future) is greater than our past.(Revelation 7:9) Fall on those knees and bless Him!!  We gonna be allright !!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.                                                                                           Revelation 7:9-10

Peace

 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.                                               James 3:17-18

God Bless. While in my morning meditation I asked God to encourage me with a word so that I can go into this day aligned with him. This scripture in James Chapter 3 filled me with great joy. Understand the times we are in it is challenging to exit your door to do anything.You see it Covid 19, institutional racism, death, addiction , and of course mental illness. This morning the word of God informed me that the battle that is in front of me is not mine but His. Encourage yourself today with the wisdom from above because it is pure full of mercy with good fruit and without hypocrisy. It says the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace with them that make peace. Wherever you go today find peace so that you can minister to any situation that presents itself to you.  God Bless. Amen

What!!!

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.                                                                    Revelation 6:1,8-9                                                                                                                                                                                        
What!!! No way not the lamb! why would he open a seal that commits a fourth of the earth to death and hell. Understand and know that death is defined this way; the termination of life. The rider with death on that pale horse is Hades also known as Hell. There are many definitions of hell but the summary is this ; "hell," the place of disembodied spirits. The inhabitants of sheol are "the congregation of the dead". 
The good news for all who have confessed Jesus as Lord  is that His word is alive . Given to us through the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans it reads as this; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10: 9-13
Today this word comes alive in me to live. The living word of God also instructs us to understand and know that we make the choice to live every day. It reads like this;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:  That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, [and] that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he [is] thy life, and the length of thy days: Deuteronomy 30:19-20. 
Please be encouraged that He who has allowed the supernatural plaque to envelope the earth Has given us His word on how to proceed through it . It has gotten my attention . Trust and know that God intents is to dwell with us forever. Lets not get fooled by the father of lies in this hour that death is upon us. No. It is time to live. Amen! Amen

BLM 1

Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

2 Genesis 7

In this passage of scripture which is the foundation of the major faiths in the world suggest that the breath of life which we all have is presented and produced by God. As men we are granted with the purpose and power to protect, guard and take dominion over everything that God has created. (Genesis 1:27). There was no instruction to destroy what He created which includes other men. 

All of us who are blessed with darker colored skin who are decedents of Africa have meaning to. In other words BLACK LIVES MATTER.  

The images in the world over the last four hundred years  seem to indicate that men of African descent are animals who are not worthy of God's original intentions for man ; to have dominion over His creation and to be fruitful and multiply. Over the past four centuries the intentions of the Europeans who have inhabited the Americas is to take away and tramp on all of the God given rights to all of the decedents  of Africa who were brought to become there servants and property. The very nature of their actions is still with us and present today. The evil of the European descendants to African men and women is deeply inherited in their souls here in America. May God have mercy on their souls. Amen.

Death

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Rev 21:3-7

Visiting the living word of God (Bible) I was impressed greatly by the account in Revelation 21 starting in verse 3 as it presents us with an image of death. God created us  so that he may dwell with us throughout eternity. What a powerful revelation of what the results will be when we enter into the presence of God. The witness of this virus provides us with a reality that death at any time can come and visit  us. Ask yourself are you prepared to enter in the presence of God. Jesus will receive us on the other side. These living words from Revelation 3 gives us an image and the reality concerning our transition into eternity. It reads:  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels Rev 3:1-7. For all of us who have not transitioned into eternity the living word reminds us to hold fast to what we believe and repent (turn away)  we need to shut down the noise and prepare ourselves to reside in the presence of our Holy  God. Amen. 

FDNY

Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake. Psalm 44:26

Warrior

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go   Joshua 1:9

The term “Warrior” is referred to in Websters dictionary a person engaged in some struggle or conflict (warfare). Today I am grateful to those who have taken on the warrior mantle and put their lives on the line to battle this invisible supernatural enemy of our human existence. I bless God for His supernatural spirit of love which rest in each one of these warriors. Each one deserves to honor (value) worthy of their efforts to engage and save the lives of their fellow man/woman. I am moved by the courage of these individuals in risking their lives. I am also encouraged by the supernatural spirit of the American and Global  communities to continue exercising the mitigation  necessary to protect one another. God bless each of the Warriors. God Bless America and the World. Amen

Overwhelmed

Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends...…………………. John 15:13

The work of those in the medical community and the first responders are a blessing in this sea of illness and death. Challenges presented to us by some leaders are becoming an hindrance to the valuable efforts made  in this trying time. In essence this valuable individuals are overwhelmed with the challenge to mitigate the death and illness.. The victory necessary for the American people starts with each one of us . When we align ourselves with the true nature of who are and the spirit of God  inside of us it  will bring life instead of death.