Due to an Act of God

Genesis 1:9

9Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

God showed me something yesterday that I had always overlooked but I THANK GOD for illuminating it! In many contracts, including those you overlook everyday whether it be for a plane ride, trip, performance, etc, there is a legal term that appears called, "Act of God". The clause basically eliminates said party from responsibility of enforcing the contractual agreement should something happen outside of their control. The circumstances that are eligible to make the contract null and void include a flood, tornado, or any other occurrence that man cannot cause to happen. So even companies are acknowledging that there is someone above who has control over what happens in the earth that they themselves cannot touch.

So what does this have to do with Genesis? EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Genesis is the first book of the Bible. It is in the Old Testament. It is where God begins to create the earth by speaking it into existence. God thinks it, says it and it is so. The scripture above where He creates water is relevant because flooding is considered an "Act of God". In accepting "Acts of God",  it is also being accepted that God created the earth!! So if God created the earth and "Acts of God" are happening regularly, why are so many taking God for a joke whether it be His Holy Word written, the preached Word, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Why are so many attempting to control situations when simply put, only an "Act of God" can make it so or not so? If companies that provide us services everyday can admit there are situations outside of their control, why can't you?

There's No More Time Left

Ecclesiastes 8:14

14There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes is known as wisdom literature. King Solomon wrote heavily on wisdom which is the gift God gave to him upon a prayer. King Solomon was referring to death as the punishment for the wicked as many righteous felt that it was the just punishment of God. But King Solomon noted many exceptions as the NKJ Study Bible notes. Bad things do happen to good people.

I had been a little troubled in my soul as two people I know passed in a matter of three days. One had been a business partner. The other my cousin who was the sibling of the cousin we buried just before Thanksgiving last year. i was troubled as the first death came without warning or previous sickness. The second death came after a long battle but is a pattern of deaths God has shown me that have occurred over a period of time. I honestly thought the family had escaped it because three of the four that were in and out of the hospital this time last year, on the same side of the family, came home. Alas, those family members had been spared while within the year one more has been taken.  The understanding that God has provided after burying several friends and family members over the years and having my own near death experience is that sometimes, not all the time, are deaths about what one has done wrong or right. Sometimes it's simply that person's time. But the lessons are for those left behind. What are the lessons? Glad you asked!!  The first lesson is that you do not have as long as your vanity, cockiness or your own imagination has dreamed up for you. In layman's terms, you will leave here when God says you will and there is nothing you can do about it. The second lesson is if you are not doing what you are supposed to be doing or what God has called you to do, you do not have forever to "get it together".  Procrastinating and fighting God can leave you on the short end of the stick when you find out there's no more time left. I know I felt like that when I was told there was no time left. But I received a second chance to get in line with what God has called me to do. Some won't and don't get a second chance. So my best advice, if you know God has spoken to you about something you must do and has already said to do it, do not assume you have 5, 10 or even 15 years to get it done.  You ought to move like your deadline is today Close of Business (COB). Yes, God has a sense of humor but one thing He does not play with is about why He put you here. He has given you a specific purpose and He does expect you to carry it out if He has already communicated it to you. Now, if you are part of the crowd that does not understand your purpose, the hope is that in seeing your loved ones pass away, you will reflect enough to begin the steps needed to get to your purpose. The only way to find your purpose is to grow in your faith with God. God knows why He put you here so if you want to understand it, you have to understand Him and how you relate to Him. Does the alter call or call to discipleship after a eulogy has been given make sense now?

Wisdom is Greater

Proverbs 13:7

7There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing. And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

I honestly wanted to avoid this scripture because I didn't want anyone to be offended as there are various people both rich and poor on this list. However, God reminded me that I cannot offend anyone as it is His word. So if anyone is offended, there offense is with Him not me. For this is not about soothing itching ears as the word says but about His truth so that you and I can be mature in Him and not tossed to and fro.

King Solomon, who himself was considered both the wisest and richest man of the Old Testament, received from the Lord himself that one can be rich but still have nothing. And one who is poor can have great riches. How can this be you ask? In the translation of the verse of the New King James Version it says in bold, "Money is only a small ingredient of both wealth and poverty. A person may be rich in material goods but have nothing of wisdom." And remember the beginning of Proverbs emphasizes heavily on wisdom. Solomon didn't pray for money when he inherited the his father David's kingdom. He prayed for wisdom and because he did, God gave him riches. Praying for wisdom means that God can give you the ability to get riches as the heavens and earth and everything in it belongs to Him. So He is the richest. Having wisdom is greater because one can have money yet be reckless with it and the decisions they make which can lead to a loss of material goods. Having God's wisdom will show you where to go and where not to go. Where to invest and where not to invest. You don't have to listen to what the world says if you are listening to God. So if you have been feeling down on yourself because you don't have, Remember, to pray for wisdom. For with it, you are rich. Within God's wisdom, He may well indeed give you an idea that can lead to great material wealth and more importantly, you may end up helping hundreds of thousands of people with His wisdom. God's wisdom is endless so don't be afraid to pray for it.

Remember Me

Psalm 106: 4-5

4Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You Have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation. 5That I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation. That I may glory with Your inheritance.

God's patience and love for the people of Israel was recounted in this Psalm after showing the sins of God's people and how many times they sinned and the consequences of their sins. Each time they cried out to the Lord, HE remembered them.

You often hear people say "remember me" when they have a feeling or can see that someone is on a great path. But do you and I ever ask God to "Remember me"? Our God is a God who forgives because of the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. When you and I call out to Him in pain, He still hears though we are not deserving. His love endures forever as the Word says. Like the people of Israel, you and I ought to be asking God to "remember me". He is, as Hezekiah Walker's song says, "A God of second chance." How many times have you had a second chance? How many times did you get a third, fourth and fifth chance? Asking God to remember you is not about having your name in great lights or getting crumbs from someone else being in a spotlight. Far from it. Asking God to remember you is about being His chosen, having his loving heart, knowing He will never fail you. His grace, His mercy is beyond what you and I can count and that His inheritance is greater than what any one family member can leave for you. He owns the Heaven and the earth and everything in it.

Lord, Remember me.

P.S. If you plan to attend next week's Revival on September 25-27 or have questions, let me know. If you plan to attend the October 5th DC Community Book Signing and Q&A Panel Event at Caribou with myself and Teria Powell of Good Life Radio on the Leap of Faith Network. please RSVP by October 2nd. A reminder will be sent. Great information and "new laws" that have not yet been released to the public per a government agency!!  Thank you to Jennifer Gillyard!!

Jesus Can Still Use You

Matthew 26:75

75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

Peter was a proud fisherman who had a temper, mouth and who wasn't afraid to live by the sword when necessary. Peter did not choose Jesus, Jesus chose Peter. And Jesus once told Peter that he would build his church. Peter spent three years with Jesus. When Jesus said He would be going away soon and how it was what had to happen, Peter's proud behavior took over and he stated Jesus wasn't going anywhere. But Jesus rebuked him because he was speaking against what God commanded. So when Peter realized Jesus really had to go he was the first to stand up and say, "I will go with you". Jesus gave a word of how Peter would deny Him, how many times he would do it and by when.  Sure enough, when Jesus was falsely accused and taken into custody, Peter claimed "he didn't know the man" three times when asked by three different people. When Peter realized the word Jesus gave came to pass, he wept in pain.

Jesus is a man that does not and cannot lie. For it is against His very nature. Peter was one who did whatever he needed to do. Sometimes that is dangerous. Because it can mean even lying to save face. But when the word came to pass, Peter was what we call in the "Kingdom of God" convicted. Convicted means to prove or find guilty as Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines. The Holy Spirit will do that the minute you and I do something we know is off or know not to do. Even if the words come from the mouth of a person, what you and I feel inside doesn't come from them, but rather what we already know to be right and true.

Most think the story should end there. But GOD! Jesus died on that cross for our guilt also known as sin. And He arose three days later so that you and I can be redeemed. But to be redeemed means you and I must admit the fault and guilt. When Jesus met up with the disciples later, He redeemed Peter. Peter did not feel worthy of it which is a sign of humility. The proud behavior Peter once had, was now broken in him. And Jesus could then use Peter the way He needed to use him.

Are you a Peter? Jesus can still use you. He will show you who you are but also show you that He still loves you. You just have to be humble enough to admit you've been wrong.

Who is the Head of Your Life?

Matthew 2:22

22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee.

Joseph was chosen as Jesus' earthly father though he was of no blood relation to him. Yes, even our Savior knew what it meant to have a step-father. Joseph was afraid in the beginning to take on Mary and Jesus but the angel of the Lord spoke to him in a dream telling him that Mary was carrying a child via the Holy Spirit. And then after Jesus' birth, an angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph again in a dream about fleeing to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill Jesus. And finally above, after Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph again directing him to go to Galilee for safety. God speaking through dreams did not end in the Old Testament with Daniel and Joseph son of Jacob. God has spoken throughout the New Testament in dreams when needed. God will speak in whatever way will get your attention. When He wants to warn of danger or of a problem coming, He can use any method He so chooses.  He can use a prophet, He can allow the gift of prophecy to come upon any of His servants (gift of prophecy differs from holding the office of a prophet). He speaks through his Holy Word, His Holy Spirit within you and various other signs. Whatever and whoever is needed to get your attention, God will use. But will you perceive? Will you heed the warnings God sends? Joseph did. He was a man who obviously trusted God and allowed God to guide his life so that he could properly protect those God called him to care for.

Men, is God the true head of your life? How can you truly lead if you are unwilling to follow? God was the head for Joseph who was called by Him  to be Jesus' earthly caregiver.

P.S. You have two invitations.You have one for my home church, City of Restoration Christian Center's "Reviving the Fire" for September 25-27 at 7pm nightly. And you also have the DC Community Book Signing & Reading/Q&A Panel I will be doing on October 5th from 2-4pm with Teria Powell of Good Life Radio. If you do not have the information, please let me know. I look forward to seeing you!!!

An Example of Faithfulness

1Samuel 1:28

28Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord. So they worshiped the Lord there.

Hannah was speaking in this scripture about dedicating her only son to the Lord. Hannah prayed to the Lord for a son because she could not bear any children. Hannah was the favorite wife of Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Elkanah had multiple children with Peninnah. But the word says he loved Hannah and gave her a double portion. Peninnah tortured Hannah and constantly reminded her that she had children with Elkanah. So for all those who deal with "baby mama drama," note that there really is nothing new under the sun as King Solomon says in Ecclesiastes. When Hannah grieved so much, Elkanah even said himself, "Am I not better to you than ten sons?" He loved her just that much but of course society saw a woman's worth in a marriage back then based on if she produced heirs. But God's worth is determined by love. Nonetheless, Hannah cried out to the Lord and the Lord finally gave her a son after some time passed. The beauty of Hannah? She was faithful to God. A woman who was barren, saw the miracle of God by having a child and she was faithful in the custom of Israel. Give your first fruits. Most believe that first fruits only applies to money when giving back to God. But when God says first fruits, He means the first of all you have. Your gifts, your time, your talents, your money, your first born...your everything. The most common response for someone who has never had who then receives is to hold on tight for dear life. But what did Hannah do? She willingly gave her son to the Lord. Her son's name was Samuel. She called him Samuel saying, "Because I have asked for him from the Lord." Her faithfulness to God was not forgotten. And the Lord used Samuel. Samuel was just as faithful to the Lord. He did not compromise God's word and was God's mouthpiece in the earth.  Samuel was one of the great prophets of the Old Testament. He advised King Saul and he was called to anoint the future King David. Even as a young boy, God used Samuel to give a word against the very priest who mentored him, Eli. Let's be honest, most people who are given an assignment by God to give a rebuking word to their own mentor would chicken out. But not Samuel. Samuel was faithful and was favored by both God and men.

What does all this mean to you? 1) Love is more important as a marriage is the first relationship God ever created on earth between humans because it reflects His relationship with us and more importantly, Christ's relationship with the church. 2) For those dealing with a Peninnah, God sees but know that you have something greater, because you have the heart of that man. 3) God does answer prayers. 4) Give God the first of all you have not just your money but your time, your talent and even your children. 5) God rewards faithfulness and obedience. 6)When God says speak, do so no matter who it is.