Thursday, July 31, 2014

"Ride or Die"

Hebrews 13:5
 
5Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
 
When you think of the Lord do you think of Him as your  "ride or die" friend? Do you realize that when the Lord says He will never leave you, that it means no matter, who has cast you aside that HE has not forgotten you? The Lord said that even when your family has not received you that He will care for you as said in Psalm 27:10? Do you understand that even the thief who wronged others was recognized by Jesus and accepted once he confessed his sin to Jesus believing Him to be the Son of God and asked to be remembered? Do you understand the Lord is more of a "ride or die" friend then even your closest confidant? Wikipedia gives the background of "ride or die" as a combination of the phrases "ride it out" or "die trying." The term is very popular in biker and even gang culture. Not glorifying gangs at all but the term is for illustration purposes. Interestingly enough, the verses at the beginning of chapter 13 are speaking of Christian conduct toward one another including in marriage. The term "ride or die chick" has also become popular representing that woman who is supportive of her man no matter the circumstance and has his back no matter what he steps into. But as Solomon said in Proverbs, the Lord is even closer than a brother. So if God the Father, God the Son, who is Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit are "ride or die" for you, are you willing to be "ride or die" for them? Are you willing to go where God tells you to go by the direction of the Holy Spirit? Are you willing to let go of what God tells you to let go of by direction of the Holy Spirit? Are you willing to say what He desires you to say by direction of the Holy Spirit? Are you willing to be an instrument for the one who has you, loves you, forgives you even when  you don't deserve it? Are you willing to be "ride or die" for the one who is "ride or die" for you? Remember Jesus died on the cross for the remission of your sins and the world's. That's TRUE "ride or die" but Jesus didn't die trying. He died conquering and victorious over the enemy of our souls because He got up. Are you "ride or die" for God's kingdom or only when it's convenient? God is faithful to you in so many ways and provides for you. When will you be that "ride or die" for Him like you are for your "family," your "boys," or your "girls" all whom the Lord will outlast?

Monday, July 28, 2014

The Blind Will Fall

Luke 6:39
 
39And He spoke a parable to them: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?"
 
As a man or woman of God, if you are leading or teaching people, whether formally or informally, then you are held by God to have a greater level of responsibility.  Yes, it is true that we are ALL a work in progress, however, there are some things that you blatantly know are off. 2Peter 2:19 says "while they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption."  For example, preaching and teaching the word, yet you are having sexual intimacy with every man or woman in every state your foot steps in is deception to the people and God whether you are married or single.  This is an example of having a spirit of lust which requires deliverance. But in order to be delivered, you have to admit that you have a problem and need deliverance. There are many examples of many spirits. Remember, people usually do what you do not what you say. So as Jesus said, you are leading people to stumble but the stumble can lead people busting hell wide open. I remember meeting and hearing the preaching of a prophet from Ghana. A very dedicated man of God who saw very clearly in the Spirit of God. He spoke a word to a woman and her husband being very arrogant in his walk coming beside her was called out by the prophet for his other deeds. Now the prophet had not met them before or anything. Another example, my Nubian/dreadlocks were created as a vow to God fifteen years ago. Now with that, I am very particular as to who touches my hair because too many times I have seen what spirit(s) occupy that person that are not of God after they have touched my hair. Just because no one else is around when the deeds are done doesn't mean that God doesn't allow true men and women of God to see in the Spirit. God is Jehovah Roi, the God who sees. So attempting to teach others in the word of God yet not striving yourself to live upright before God will show. But you also leave blood on your hands. Ezekiel 33 talks about the watchman with the trumpet that fails to warn the people of danger when he sees it. Though the people doing the deeds must answer for what they've done, the one leading will also be held accountable. Jesus said that to whom much is given, much is required. You cannot lead without responsibility. You cannot lead without checking your own walk before God. You have already been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Take hold of it by sincere repentance.