Psalm 51:6
6Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom inn the inmost place.
What
is the inmost place of you? It's your spirit then your soul (mind and
emotions). David had sinned and asked God for forgiveness. David
admitted that he knew exactly what he had done that was against God.
When each of us sins, we outright deny God. David knew that he had gone
against what God taught him. He admitted that he knew better and
recognized that God wanted nothing more than for him to be truthful
about what he had done. Yes, God already knows what we have done but
it's nothing like hearing the confession, because the confession is a
sign of humility and admittance that what was done was willful. Yes, God
desires truth from you. He wants you to use the wisdom He's taught you.
What good is wisdom and knowledge given if never applied? It just
becomes information. We live in an information overload and a constant
downloading society so God's intention is never about just giving more
information. He wants you to be wise, obedient and live with integrity.
In order to live with integrity it starts within your spirit and being
truthful with God. Most would rather not be truthful with God because it
also means being truthful with yourself and anyone else who has
believed the lie you sold. What truth do you think you're hiding from
God? He already knows your transgression, He's just waiting for you to
say it. What wisdom has He already given you? Have you used it or is it
just another piece of information? What if God treated your prayer of
need the way you treat the wisdom He has given you? What if it was just
another piece of information to Him? How would you feel?
P.S. Check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Network on www.live365.com! Check out my man V of the Artist to Artist show this Saturday at 8am CT/9am ET!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tomorrow May Never Come for You
Matthew 27:50-52
50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
Many would call the hour Jesus died as just a story but last week I came across an article on MSNBC from the Discovery Channel called "Quake reveals date of Jesus crucifixion, researchers believe" which talks about geologists who have now been able to prove Jesus time of death based on seismic activity. From the article:
Geologists say Jesus, as described in the New Testament, was most likely crucified on Friday, April 3, in the year 33.
The latest investigation, reported in International Geology Review, focused on earthquake activity at the Dead Sea, located 13 miles from Jerusalem. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27, mentions that an earthquake coincided with the crucifixion:
To analyze earthquake activity in the region, geologist Jefferson Williams of Supersonic Geophysical and colleagues Markus Schwab and Achim Brauer of the German Research Center for Geosciences studied three cores from the beach of the Ein Gedi Spa adjacent to the Dead Sea. Varves, which are annual layers of deposition in the sediments, reveal that at least two major earthquakes affected the core: a widespread earthquake in 31 B.C. and a seismic event that happened sometime between the years 26 and 36. The latter period occurred during “the years when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea and when the earthquake of the Gospel of Matthew is historically constrained,” Williams said."The day and date of the crucifixion (Good Friday) are known with a fair degree of precision," he said. But the year has been in question.
Now why is so much of the article included above? If you are not a believer and follower of Jesus Christ or are only following Jesus when convenient, reading just a portion of the article is powerful enough to reconsider your stance on Jesus and your life. Many say they believe in God yet treat God as some little fairy but the Holy Bible is real, the events are real not just stories, Jesus is real, Heaven and Hell are real. The plight of your soul (mind and emotions) and spirit is real. If you are not on the right path, it's a good time to start. What will you say on your judgement day? Tomorrow may never come for you. What are you doing today? Think about the information the geologists have found that support what happened to our beloved Savior all for the sake of saving you and me from our sins if you just accept Him.
50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
Many would call the hour Jesus died as just a story but last week I came across an article on MSNBC from the Discovery Channel called "Quake reveals date of Jesus crucifixion, researchers believe" which talks about geologists who have now been able to prove Jesus time of death based on seismic activity. From the article:
Geologists say Jesus, as described in the New Testament, was most likely crucified on Friday, April 3, in the year 33.
The latest investigation, reported in International Geology Review, focused on earthquake activity at the Dead Sea, located 13 miles from Jerusalem. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27, mentions that an earthquake coincided with the crucifixion:
To analyze earthquake activity in the region, geologist Jefferson Williams of Supersonic Geophysical and colleagues Markus Schwab and Achim Brauer of the German Research Center for Geosciences studied three cores from the beach of the Ein Gedi Spa adjacent to the Dead Sea. Varves, which are annual layers of deposition in the sediments, reveal that at least two major earthquakes affected the core: a widespread earthquake in 31 B.C. and a seismic event that happened sometime between the years 26 and 36. The latter period occurred during “the years when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea and when the earthquake of the Gospel of Matthew is historically constrained,” Williams said."The day and date of the crucifixion (Good Friday) are known with a fair degree of precision," he said. But the year has been in question.
- All four gospels and Tacitus in Annals (XV, 44) agree that the crucifixion occurred when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea from A.D. 26 to 36.
- All four gospels say the crucifixion occurred on a Friday.
- All four gospels agree that Jesus died a few hours before the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath (nightfall on a Friday).
- The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) indicate that Jesus died before nightfall on the 14th day of Nisan, right before the start of the Passover meal.
- John’s gospel differs from the synoptics, apparently indicating that Jesus died before nightfall on the 15th day of Nisan.
Now why is so much of the article included above? If you are not a believer and follower of Jesus Christ or are only following Jesus when convenient, reading just a portion of the article is powerful enough to reconsider your stance on Jesus and your life. Many say they believe in God yet treat God as some little fairy but the Holy Bible is real, the events are real not just stories, Jesus is real, Heaven and Hell are real. The plight of your soul (mind and emotions) and spirit is real. If you are not on the right path, it's a good time to start. What will you say on your judgement day? Tomorrow may never come for you. What are you doing today? Think about the information the geologists have found that support what happened to our beloved Savior all for the sake of saving you and me from our sins if you just accept Him.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
You Can Walk in Purpose No Matter What
Acts 7:30
30After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.
Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin and gave an account of the life of Moses before he was stoned to death in the presence of a man whom Jesus would call to bring the gospel of Jesus to the gentiles. Moses was eighty years old before he actually walked in his God-given purpose. Moses was forty years old when he left Egypt. He was well versed in Egyptian culture and education. As the word says, "he was educated in all the wisdom of Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action." So it's no wonder that God sent him back to Egypt as His spokesperson to free the Jews. Moses was raised by the enemy to then become the deliverer and defeat the enemy with the mighty power of the Lord. What a purpose! Do you know that God can use you at any time and any age no matter what your past? What you may not know is the Lord can use aspects of your bad past and utilize it for good. And yes, the Lord can get your attention with a burning bush experience if needed. When He says He wants to use you, do not run because He will find you anyway. The best thing to do is to accept whatever purpose He has made especially for you. There will not only be joy and fulfillment but you'll have a peace that you won't have if you keep running and denying Him. The lack of peace will be torture to your soul. Do not fear giving up what the Lord asks you. He can give you double as He did Moses. Moses made a greater impact as a deliverer and leader of a nation-remembered by many more than if he had taken his place in Egypt.
P.S. Check out the Top 10 Countdown on Church Beat Radio at www.churchbeatradio.com!
30After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.
Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin and gave an account of the life of Moses before he was stoned to death in the presence of a man whom Jesus would call to bring the gospel of Jesus to the gentiles. Moses was eighty years old before he actually walked in his God-given purpose. Moses was forty years old when he left Egypt. He was well versed in Egyptian culture and education. As the word says, "he was educated in all the wisdom of Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action." So it's no wonder that God sent him back to Egypt as His spokesperson to free the Jews. Moses was raised by the enemy to then become the deliverer and defeat the enemy with the mighty power of the Lord. What a purpose! Do you know that God can use you at any time and any age no matter what your past? What you may not know is the Lord can use aspects of your bad past and utilize it for good. And yes, the Lord can get your attention with a burning bush experience if needed. When He says He wants to use you, do not run because He will find you anyway. The best thing to do is to accept whatever purpose He has made especially for you. There will not only be joy and fulfillment but you'll have a peace that you won't have if you keep running and denying Him. The lack of peace will be torture to your soul. Do not fear giving up what the Lord asks you. He can give you double as He did Moses. Moses made a greater impact as a deliverer and leader of a nation-remembered by many more than if he had taken his place in Egypt.
P.S. Check out the Top 10 Countdown on Church Beat Radio at www.churchbeatradio.com!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Eating Rocks
Proverbs 20:17
17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
King Solomon used food to denote what can be consumed. Actually, the preparer of the food was considered to be someone not of good standing with the Lord. For the man keeping company with one not of good standing, it's a sure way to fall and most hurtful to him. Anything gained and consumed by less than desirable or truthful means may seem good in the beginning but it ends up being distasteful and unpleasant in the end. What does a mouth full of gravel taste like? If you know anything about gravel then you know gravel is loose, small rocks often mixed with dirt. Rocks are hard and can shatter and chip the contents of anything with enough force. Chewing on gravel most certainly cannot be a pleasant experience and must be very painful. This is exactly what God wants you to understand. If you gain something the wrong way, it may seem like you have retrieved something sweet and valuable but it will soon become very painful before it is said done. Fraud as defined by Merriam-Webster's Online dictionary is simply deceit, trickery or misinterpretation of what something really is. Have you ever obtained anything based on lies, deceit or misinterpretation? How bad did it hurt? Did it feel like you were eating rocks?
17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
King Solomon used food to denote what can be consumed. Actually, the preparer of the food was considered to be someone not of good standing with the Lord. For the man keeping company with one not of good standing, it's a sure way to fall and most hurtful to him. Anything gained and consumed by less than desirable or truthful means may seem good in the beginning but it ends up being distasteful and unpleasant in the end. What does a mouth full of gravel taste like? If you know anything about gravel then you know gravel is loose, small rocks often mixed with dirt. Rocks are hard and can shatter and chip the contents of anything with enough force. Chewing on gravel most certainly cannot be a pleasant experience and must be very painful. This is exactly what God wants you to understand. If you gain something the wrong way, it may seem like you have retrieved something sweet and valuable but it will soon become very painful before it is said done. Fraud as defined by Merriam-Webster's Online dictionary is simply deceit, trickery or misinterpretation of what something really is. Have you ever obtained anything based on lies, deceit or misinterpretation? How bad did it hurt? Did it feel like you were eating rocks?
Friday, May 25, 2012
The Best Life Ever
Romans 12:2
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The apostle Paul stated to the church in Rome how important it is that once you become a follower of Christ you are not to follow the pattern of the world. The pattern of the world is what leads you astray and away from God's perfect will for your life. God is the one who created you so He knows what He created you for. The only way to be transformed is to grow. Unless you are willing to grow, you will eventually go backwards. The next level in Christ will not just arrive. You have to do your part, which is to grow in Christ. You have to do the work of reading more, praying more, talking and listening to the Lord more and then doing what He says to do. Many people talk to the Lord but don't stop to listen to see what He's saying. Doing so will lead you to His perfect will for your life, His perfect will is the BEST choice, not the good choice for your life. Good choice versus BEST choice has less consequences for you. The BEST choice allows you to still maintain your joy and sanity in a world where so many lack both. You have to be willing to do the work to get to the optimum place. But you say, "what if I don't want to grow and I'm fine where I am?" Guess what? If you knew anything about your Heavenly Father, you would know He has something better for you on the other side of growth. You would know that He knows you can do more and be more than you ever imagined. Believe it or not, if you're not growing then you're dying. You're dying in your spiritual life when you don't grow and it actually leads to death in other areas of your life. Everything starts in the spirit and manifests in the natural. So if you're dying spiritually because you refuse to grow, what else in your life will die as a result of it? Think twice before you say you don't want to grow and are fine where you are. God always wants you to grow. And why not want for you what He wants for you when He desires to give you the BEST life ever?
P.S. Check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com Saturdays at 8am CT/9am ET!
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The apostle Paul stated to the church in Rome how important it is that once you become a follower of Christ you are not to follow the pattern of the world. The pattern of the world is what leads you astray and away from God's perfect will for your life. God is the one who created you so He knows what He created you for. The only way to be transformed is to grow. Unless you are willing to grow, you will eventually go backwards. The next level in Christ will not just arrive. You have to do your part, which is to grow in Christ. You have to do the work of reading more, praying more, talking and listening to the Lord more and then doing what He says to do. Many people talk to the Lord but don't stop to listen to see what He's saying. Doing so will lead you to His perfect will for your life, His perfect will is the BEST choice, not the good choice for your life. Good choice versus BEST choice has less consequences for you. The BEST choice allows you to still maintain your joy and sanity in a world where so many lack both. You have to be willing to do the work to get to the optimum place. But you say, "what if I don't want to grow and I'm fine where I am?" Guess what? If you knew anything about your Heavenly Father, you would know He has something better for you on the other side of growth. You would know that He knows you can do more and be more than you ever imagined. Believe it or not, if you're not growing then you're dying. You're dying in your spiritual life when you don't grow and it actually leads to death in other areas of your life. Everything starts in the spirit and manifests in the natural. So if you're dying spiritually because you refuse to grow, what else in your life will die as a result of it? Think twice before you say you don't want to grow and are fine where you are. God always wants you to grow. And why not want for you what He wants for you when He desires to give you the BEST life ever?
P.S. Check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com Saturdays at 8am CT/9am ET!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
He Hears Your Cry
Psalm 6:9
9The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
David like many of us had to endure a rebuke from the Lord and His wrath for sin. But David at least accepted his wrong doing. In the psalm, David asked God to hold back from having him feel the fullness of his sin. It was during David's illness that he found out how many enemies he really had. Nothing like getting kicked while you're down. David continued to praise God even in his bleak circumstances of agony. David cried out to the Lord for mercy, and like a parent who listens for the cry of their child, so God listened for David's cry and accepted his prayer. Do you know God hears every cry from His children? He hears your distinct cry which is different from anyone else's. God sees every tear you shed and those you desire to shed but don't. No matter what mess you've made, if you go to the Lord with a sincere heart of repentance, He'll hear you. If you don't know what to say start with, "I'm sorry God. I've messed up. Tell me what to do. How do I make things right with you?" God hears you and wants to be the problem solver in your life if you let Him. God wants to make it all better for you but He also wants you to get the lesson so you don't have to repeat it. What have you messed up? What agony are you in? God hears your cry. You are not alone.
9The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
David like many of us had to endure a rebuke from the Lord and His wrath for sin. But David at least accepted his wrong doing. In the psalm, David asked God to hold back from having him feel the fullness of his sin. It was during David's illness that he found out how many enemies he really had. Nothing like getting kicked while you're down. David continued to praise God even in his bleak circumstances of agony. David cried out to the Lord for mercy, and like a parent who listens for the cry of their child, so God listened for David's cry and accepted his prayer. Do you know God hears every cry from His children? He hears your distinct cry which is different from anyone else's. God sees every tear you shed and those you desire to shed but don't. No matter what mess you've made, if you go to the Lord with a sincere heart of repentance, He'll hear you. If you don't know what to say start with, "I'm sorry God. I've messed up. Tell me what to do. How do I make things right with you?" God hears you and wants to be the problem solver in your life if you let Him. God wants to make it all better for you but He also wants you to get the lesson so you don't have to repeat it. What have you messed up? What agony are you in? God hears your cry. You are not alone.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Turning Point
Matthew 26:18
18He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' "
The passover meal Jesus had with the disciples is also referred to as "the last supper" because it was the last passover meal before His crucifixion. The passover is the celebration of the Jews being passed over in Egypt when the death angel took the first born of every living thing as a testimony against Pharaoh for not releasing the Jews from bondage. Jesus would soon fulfill the other half of His purpose. He spent three years ministering and preparing the disciples to carry on His work and He would soon release them to go forward but the climax of His purpose had to be reached. Just as in a movie, all the plots are working up to one big turning point. And once the turning point is reached, nothing will ever be the same. Jesus said, "my appointed time is near." He prepared them as much as He could for what was coming. How do you prepare someone for what is going to be an unpleasant experience when you too have to go through it? Outside of telling them, what you can do is pray. Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation with God the Father. He himself did not want to go through the experience but knew He had to. Jesus knew every piece of the puzzle but couldn't stop it. All He could do was prepare them. Have you been preparing someone for something? Is it unpleasant? Are they prepared? Have you prayed? Have you recognized that whatever it is, the time is near? Are you having that last supper of sorts? Jesus was calm in the presence of the disciples though he knew how bad things were going to get before He and the disciples could celebrate His resurrection. Are you calm and ready for the turning point?
P.S. Check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Network on www.live365.com!
18He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' "
The passover meal Jesus had with the disciples is also referred to as "the last supper" because it was the last passover meal before His crucifixion. The passover is the celebration of the Jews being passed over in Egypt when the death angel took the first born of every living thing as a testimony against Pharaoh for not releasing the Jews from bondage. Jesus would soon fulfill the other half of His purpose. He spent three years ministering and preparing the disciples to carry on His work and He would soon release them to go forward but the climax of His purpose had to be reached. Just as in a movie, all the plots are working up to one big turning point. And once the turning point is reached, nothing will ever be the same. Jesus said, "my appointed time is near." He prepared them as much as He could for what was coming. How do you prepare someone for what is going to be an unpleasant experience when you too have to go through it? Outside of telling them, what you can do is pray. Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation with God the Father. He himself did not want to go through the experience but knew He had to. Jesus knew every piece of the puzzle but couldn't stop it. All He could do was prepare them. Have you been preparing someone for something? Is it unpleasant? Are they prepared? Have you prayed? Have you recognized that whatever it is, the time is near? Are you having that last supper of sorts? Jesus was calm in the presence of the disciples though he knew how bad things were going to get before He and the disciples could celebrate His resurrection. Are you calm and ready for the turning point?
P.S. Check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Network on www.live365.com!
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