Sermon Reflection 4/20/14 "Why Grieve , HE is Risen "

Why Grieve , HE is Risen 4/20/14

Our past Sermon addressed how we should take a look at the empty grave of JESUS Christ! Our Pastor talked about how many times we talk about how JESUS died for our sins and that is good recognizing that JESUS died for our sins. At the same time we have to be sure not to focus to much on that and negate the fact that JESUS rose! JESUS had to rise from the grave showing us that we serve a living GOD! We should make sure we stay focused that we have reason to hope because death is not the end for us! We as Christians shouldn't be looking at death as the end of the road because this life is not for us, we have something greater to look forward too! We are told not grieve like unbelievers. We have to know that this is just a phase. We should know that death is just a pathway to heaven so we do not experience true death. We was also reminded of something else that makes our faith different than others. We serve a living GOD , Buhda , and the Islamic patriarch Muhammad died. But JESUS shown the grave did not hold him! JESUS left the grave in perfect order, showing it was all a plan. HE wasn't stolen in haste. HE Rose! The final point was the fact that JESUS had to rise so that we may receive the HOLY SPIRIT on the day of Pentecost! We were challenged to celebrate that day like Christmas and Easter, we should abhor this day because the HOLY SPIRIT dwells in conforming us to GOD’s will. We are incapable of doing good works and baring good fruits without that HOLY SPIRIT!

I was spiritually lifted as I rejoiced at my living GOD. Reminding myself not to get to down because of my problems in life because this life is only temporary and I have a destination in heaven. I was smiling and elated to think about how I am just a visitor here and I am on the list for Heaven only because GOD loved me enough not because I was good enough. Nothing better than a free gift. But I will live this life I’m visiting thanking GOD for HIS GRACE until I can thank HIM more in Heaven!

I am also going to make a great effort to honor GOD on the day of Pentecost. I want to make sure I recognize and thank GOD for a true undeserved blessing in the HOLY SPIRIT! I don’t want to be another selfish Christian only celebrating the days in which I get gifts. I want to truly praise GOD for his blessings and Grace! It’s a blessing to truly learn about GODs grace on Easter Sunday, or more appropriately, Resurrection Sunday!

Sermon reflection 4/13/14 and my spiritual journey to JESUS!

This past sermon talked about JESUS triumphal entry into Jerusalem to die for our sins being the final sacrifice. We were filled with excitement and praise as our pastor talked about how blessed we are that we have a reason to praise because JESUS sacrificed for us! HE was blameless, sinless, yet HE died for sin, Our sin! That alone is reason to praise knowing that JESUS CHRIST died for us, but  the grave didn't hold him. HE is RISEN!
I was crying in the pew as I was reflecting on GOD's mercy. I grew up without much religion and was exposed to Islam. I considered myself wise and a forwarded thinker so I looked at religion as a science or a case study but I was curious. GOD placed people in my life to drop seeds like my sister , and grandmother. I was still questioning and wondering until my father had me read the Quran. As I was reading GOD began talking to me , he began making me pull JESUS out of what I was reading. Ironically I was given the task of helping to translate the Quran for an English speaking audience so that I can learn more about Islam. But GOD decided to let me pull out hints that Islam was missing the true beauty and answer to life. JESUS! I began praying more and more and asking GOD to forgive me for my confusion. I never really reflected until the sermon a special moment. ..
By the time I met my wife I have accepted that Christianity was the path GOD wanted me to take and it was JESUS that will be the only path to get into heaven. I was still not understanding the true essence of JESUS CHRIST. I was standing in Church on New Years Eve when JESUS Finally put the last piece in me! The HOLY SPIRIT entered me as I realized, JESUS is GOD in the Flesh. JESUS came down as the SON of GOD to model for us to do GOD's word and dying for our sins so we are Forgiven. Only because of JESUS CHRIST I have a place in Heaven and since I am Saved I am filled with the HOLY SPIRIT which is the true essence of the TRINITY of GOD. I went from a unbeliever, to a believer in GOD , to knowing I needed help, to a believer that JESUS was the way to Heaven , to understanding the TRINITY and only being saved by GRACE!
My plan for writing this sermon reflection during Resurrection week wanted me to reflect on Good Friday! The way every believer should celebrate is by sharing a testimony! Sharing who JESUS CHRIST is is true love and true worship the Easter Resurrection weekend. Testify so much there is no room for bunnies and egss,,,,, GOD BLESS!

Sermon reflection 3/9/14 A pursuit of Holiness

Sermon Reflection
1 Peter 1:13-16 "Pursuit of Holiness"
This past Sunday one of the elders of our Church delivered the sermon because my pastor was out on vacation. The pastor spoke about living your life pure. The pastor talked about how we must protect our mind before it leads to sin and how we should protect what we are allowing our mind to dwell on. He challenged us to take a look at what we watch , laugh at , and listen to because we are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, Since we have GOD with us, we must ask ourselves would GOD feel comfortable with the thought inside us. The pastor pointed to the scripture calling us to strive to be Holy for GOD is Holy. The Church was deafly quiet!
I was sitting staring at the pastor but my mind was with GOD thinking about the thoughts that is inside my head. When I watch tv and a scantly clad women grace the screen, do JESUS want to be bothered with the thoughts that may fleet through my mind. When I was thinking of the songs I recite from my childhood in the 90's rehearsing gangster rap lyrics filled with sin, and so called love songs filled with lustful ideas. I became ashamed and repented knowing that at those times , I am not holding my thoughts captive protecting myself from sin, instead I was sinning! I shouldn't dance around the issue of sin I need to flee from it before those thoughts have a chance to manifest itself in my head.
So I have to be proactive on my spiritual walk. I need to run from sin. I have taken some proper steps on fleeing from sinful language and concepts by abstaining from certain secular music but I know I have to refrain from "Holy Vacations" so that I am Holy at all times. I have to continue to change the channel when confronted with sin on tv. I have  reduced most of my television programming to sports and wrestling and I know I have to be proactive in changing the channel when sinful scenes come about.
The greatest challenge of the sermon was daring us to strive to be known as "Holy"! We have to strive to it, I hear people criticize people from being a "holy roller" or hollier than though" . Now I know it should not be my goal to condemn anyone else, actually that is a sin for me to turn my nose on others as if I am above reproach. But I must strive wholeheartedly to be Holy so when I come short I gave it my all.... How close are you magnifying your Christian life? Are you ok with just being saved or are you trying to create a environment in your soul that GOD is comfortable with dwelling in. I challenge you and especially myself, to tidy it up for GOD! AMEN

Sunday Sermon 2/23/14 Faithful means to be counted on

Lamentations 3:19-25
This past sermon was about being faithful. Our pastor challenged us by explaining the difference between having faith and being faithful. He pointed out that when the Bible points out how GOD is always faithful to us, it is not saying GOD always believe, it is saying we can always depend on GOD! In turn , GOD expects us to be faithful as being saints that can be counted on! This where the challenge for me came in.
I felt that this was something I definitely needed to hear as I continue my service to GOD. I was placed in charge of the mens ministry for a season and I started very strongly wanting to the best job possible. I later allowed life to get me be busy when I should have continued to put my best foot forward. While I try to push forth and pray for improvement, I got the extra boost from reflecting that the job I do is for GOD so therefore I need to be faithful to GOD on anything he commissions me to do. That's including being someone who can be counted on  respecting my actions serve as a reflection of GOD! In the past I even made conscious attempts to let people down so that I can avoid responsibility but this is the exact opposite of what GOD wants from us! I have to make sure that I try hard in all my tasks so that I can hear well done my good and faithful servant! Over the weekend I went to a mens conference in which a speaker pointed out in Colosians in which Paul was praying for the people because they where faithful. When we are serving GOD faithfully we are the people that are prayed over because GOD sends people are way to pray blessings upon us. I want to gain that reputation but not for my glory,,, for GOD's glory! That includes this blog, I have to be faithful in the direction GOD sends me to give HIM the glory and honor. For I am forever in HIS debt for the un-repayable gift of Salvation! Thank GOD that He is Always Faithful!  GOD BLESS!

Sermon Reflection 2/16/2014 say Mercy

Lamentations 3:19-25 "Lord have Mercy on Me"
This sermon talked about the Lamentations of Jeremiah. How he felt broken in spirit and finally reached the point of despair and hopelessness due to the captivity and slaughter of Israel. In the midst of his sulking he prayed for mercy and realize that it was something in him that stopped to give praise to GOD recognizing that GOD will still lift him up and he can depend on GODs mercy.
The Pastor brought up a good point about how sometimes GOD allows us to go through pain and feel so broken so we have no other place to go but to him! It seems as though if you have been a believer long enough , you have reached a point sometime in your life that you felt a little hopeless or if things are as low as I can get. That's when you forced to just cry out to GOD asking him for forgiveness and mercy and praising him for his comfort.
The next major point was the contrast between Grace and Mercy.
1. Grace is a gift to someone who doesn't deserve it. Like a ticket out of hell even though we don't deserve it!
2. Mercy is not giving someone something they DO deserve. Like not giving us hell like we deserve and comforting us every day!
JESUS blood on the cross is the ultimate grace, and our daily bread is partly our daily mercy. For our continued fleshly mistakes GOD gives us a chance to repent and turn away.
He finished with an important lesson , if we are going to ask for mercy from GOD we must also show mercy to others. How many people hold back from what people deserve!

I was taken aback thinking about how GOD has repeatedly shown mercy to me. I was given grace because GOD chose me to be with HIM in heaven as I pass this earth but he also had shown mercy on me for the countless mess ups I did in life. I deserve to be lonely and poor because of the poor choices I made towards women in my past. I deserve to have a record for the reckless things I did while drinking in college. I deserve to be dead for risky things I participated in or did but I am still here and I give GOD all the glory for he is so merciful to me! I am still able to praise him because GOD didn't give me what I deserve!
So I must remember that when , that parent says something to me rude, my sons realize their errors and repented for it, I see the guy walking down the street who robbed me , I have to be willing to be the "punk, the pushover" when I know GOD is saying , Move On. I know we shouldn't live in a world when we have pervasive acceptance of sin, but holding that grudge especially against the repented,,clearly one must pray , brokenly.
I brokenly bow my head to GOD thanking him from the affliction I have been for days, weeks, maybe years, asking for GOD to take away. Instead those infliction's shall lead me to GOD knowing he is the only refuge, bringing peace in my soul, despite the circumstances. Thank you GOD for YOUR Mercy! Amen!

Im No Apologetic But I Know JESUS !

I was enthrawled with a commenter to a post I wrote about Psalms 22. I am running late for Church but I felt the LORD wanted me to write this below, I wanted to give an opurtunity for my brothers and sisters around the world to read it too. Please take time to read and reflect. GOD BLESS 


im no apologetic, I had many years trying to break down the Bible in technicalities, (my grandfather is a imean of sorts, most of the males in my fathers side is as well including him) I came to the conclusion that I cant use facts, that was the basis of the argument against (the people of the book) but I know JESUS is the stumbling block, I simply know that the greatest folly of men is to measure worthiness for heaven , I know Islam preaches that heaven depends on Allah mercy but miss the point that point that GOD has already shown mercy if you just lean on faith and not human understanding, thats the beauty of the GOSPEL, thats the beauty of Faith, as I was helping to relate the Quran to english readers in a book for a job in my younger years, GOD began revealing JESUS to me  as I read we in the Quran. I began much prayer and it all began to make sense to me, trying to achieve heaven is a endless journey in which leads to utter failure, but accepting that it has already been done give me a sense of peace, and then being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT (the true helper JESUS was referring to) give me guidance through my day including the decision to reply before going to Church today. Satan has made a small difference like "recognizing JESUS as GOD in the flesh and key to salvation" a small difference, which is the greatest lie because that difference is all that matters. On a side note, David is poetic, JESUS was treated as a warm as he was spit on , beaten , mocked and laughed at , hung from a cross to be mocked further while experiencing a slow gruesome death, no way to treat a king , yet alone the KING of Kings. Thank you for inspiring me to write this, I pray you read more of my Biblical reflection.  GOD BLESS 

Sermon Reflection: Praising at Midnight: Acts 16:25-35

Acts 16:25-34
Today Sermon talked about Paul and Silas singing praises to GOD while being locked up in prison after being thrown in by a guard. As they sang praises the other prisoners came to discover their faith in GOD and then an earthquake struck letting the prisoners free and the guard awoke fearing they left and was about to kill himself. Paul told him to stop because no one left. This prompted the guard to ask Paul about Salvation, Paul answered with that beautiful answer.. Believe that JESUS is our Lord and Savior and the guard with his family will be blessed. Paul and Silas was invited to the guards home where they continued to share the word.
The pastor talked about Paul and Silas praise at midnight in prison was used as a tool to reach the other prisoners. Their faith and obedience to GOD which led to them staying put in jail instead of doing the instinctual running when they had the chance.led to the guard wanting to hear the Good News. The pastor talked about how our reaction during the dark times can serve as evangelism to others. People are watching us when we are in the midst of tribulation. We reveal our theology at midnight, the dark times. He point out how people see if we really believe what we are saying when things are hard. We also touched on how sometimes we need to stay put in "jail" if GOD wants us there . All too often we jump to do what we want to do and go where we want to go but GOD puts us in places for a reason and GOD tells us to leave at times that may not be convenient to us.
This is very relevant to my life as I go through the pains and motions of life. We had a ton of transition and drama at work and I don't know if people know, but teachers have a tendency to complain a lot. I like that I can use the teachers lounge and the teachers office as a avenue to praise GOD, to walk around with a smile on my face so people can ask, "what gives you so much joy? " I can say "because JESUS saved me from sins! Would you like to know about him? " It's those little things we do that are the greatest of all!. Digging out the 6 inches of the snow in -25 midwest weather can make me share on social network, "I'm so blessed I have such a large driveway to shovel" rather than " I'm tired of this stupid weather".
The pastor talked about how people discover your theology in times of adversity. I will never forget about when I found out my Elder of the Church lost his job, I was nervous for him and praying that he remained faithful. I was watching... He shown up to Bible Study that Wednesday not missing a step. He led the worship service praising GOD smiling and sweating in praise as he talked about how GOD IS GOOD ! I seen so much passion in his face as if he received news of a new job! But he got better news than that. GOD continued to speak to him letting him know that he is blessed, he is loved,  he is a Child of GOD! He didn't get a job for another month but GOD used him to teach me to be faithful, even when I thought my son was sick be faithful, even when my grandfather was dying be faithful. Remember to praise GOD during the midnight!
The next thing is moving when GOD tells you too. I wept at the thought that I felt GOD was leading me to another positron but I feared the change. Teaching the classes I teach was easy for me. I knew the book like the back of my hand and in my free time I absorbed more knowledge on the subject making me feel like a true scholar of the subject. I was thinking I am in the safe zone but GOD gave me opportunity to move up. I didn't. I have been feeling a bad feeling going back to the safe zone ever since. I try to ignore it. I try to compromise my way through it. I try to say I got to pray about it more. The more I pray the more I see I need to move. I have finally been brave enough to express that feeling to others. Since then I have been getting clues on the next step! GOD is good, he has been merciful to me as he continues to push me where he wants me! I don't see the path but I must remain faithful and take the inconvenient path to serve my GOD!  Amen.

Sermon Reflection: True Outward Praise

Luke 2:21-28c
The story of Simeon rejoicing that he was not going to die until he saw the SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! We ended the year with a bold sermon that challenged our "conservative congregation:". We talked about outwardly praising GOD! We should be expressing our love for GOD because of all that he did for us. The shear thought and mention of JESUS name should spark praise and feelings of emotion. We was called to reflect on the blessings of the past year and even the blessings of this morning. Ultimately thinking about the blessing of being redeemed even though we don't deserve anything but hell. I PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MERCY IN JESUS NAME!
This hit home to me because I too find myself bottling up praise at times for the sake of being in control of my emotions, what a joke! I found myself weeping out to GOD in the mist of the sermon asking for forgiveness for my lack of humility. So what if it might be embarrassing. I remember laughing at the people "catching the HOLY SPIRIT" as a child and imitated the jerks and pulls and yells. Now as a child of GOD I rejoice thinking about the fortune of being overcome with emotion. The feeling of forgetting where you are and crying out to GOD in indescribable joy! Money , sex and alchohol cant give you that joy. Only GOD in the HOLY SPIRIT can give you that joy! We cant let our flesh get in the way of that praise!
I was reflecting on my past year. I grow in emotion with each press of the keys, I lost my maternal grandfather, but I found so much in him in myself. I felt belonging and connected like I never did before. His love for technology inspired me to become dedicated to this blog. ONLY GOD can bring his death to a blessing..I seen my mom reach a whole other level of spiritual maturity as she continued to share the GOSPEL with him through his last days and be a rock for both him and his loved ones! His death brought pain that created understanding needed as I dealt with my wife loosing her father! At the funeral she met a family she didint know she had. She learned so much about who her father really is and help her understand the complexity of parenthood that helped her and I future. We had a false positive of a blood illness for my son that gave me persepcetive of my love for him and we praised GOD when we found out he was ok! The list goes on and on, I chose the seemingly bad things that the world looks at as bad but made me rejoice! Simeon knew death was aproaching and the road ahead of JESUS but he rejoiced because he knew GODS grace! I rejoice for I know GOD is perfecting us and always showing grace for us whom he loves!
I conciensouly praise GOD around others , online , in person, etc.. I want people to see me smiling about my GOD! I habitualy follow every slip of a sinful complaint with a holy praise!
The pastor brought up how easy it will be for us to go to work and talk about the NFL playoffs, lets bring up when GOD caught that lonely soul that got saved sunday instead of continuing a life of sin. Lets spread the news about that last minute salvation people like my grandfather recieved before death. Im going to work monday to brag about how long GOD delievered me from drinking rather than how many times I lifted my weights. .. If I feel like Shouting in Church Im going to SHOUT ! THANK YOU JESUS ! AMEN!

something to think about: Happy JESUS DAY!

This past week my pastor had me thinking about something very powerful. Now that its Christmas Season what are we going to do? We give gifts to sinners of darkness and don't share JESUS. My job has secret santa, no mention of JESUS, if your secret santa dies tonight where are they going? Lets take Christmas back,, Atheist are serious about Christmas, they are on the attack,,ie "seasons greetings" . I never see people hesitate to say they are not a believer , or that they think the Bible isnt true, why do we hesitate to say we believe? Darkness never been bashful , always bold! If it wasn't that serious they would not try to stop Christians from saying Merry Christmas.  Or better yet , Happy JESUS DAY! I know we have the intellectuals that want to point out the negative historical origins of Christmas, but that is all the more reason we can use JESUS to transform it into a beautiful celebration of the ultimate gift, our salvation. GOD did it already when he Repackaged our sinful nature into his image, worthy of heaven. I need some more family members in the family of CHRIST! Lets get on it! AMEN! GOD BLESS

Sermon Reflection 12/8

This was a good sermon about Matthew 1:1-17 "The Tree"

The sermon focused on 2 trees in our lives. We first addressed how Matthew went through the family line of JESUS. The pastor talked about how JESUS was twice qualified to be the savior due to Joseph through David's son and Mary through marriage. It was a lot of factual background for this sermon but in summation it addressed how from Abraham to David, they often predicted how one day a Savior will emerged from among them! This was amazing when we think about the foretelling of JESUS CHRIST! The unsaved who claim to know GOD don't pay attention that. This is all the good stuff.
Like our families JESUS family had a lot of dirt on their record. We can look at the prostitutes, murderers, adulterers, idol worshipers, you name it. This hits home for me!
We lastly touched on the second tree. We are HIS children! We are in GODS family! We have the blessing of knowing that we are all family in CHRIST so we can always be proud!

The dirty  family hit home with me. Living as an African American I am faced with so much hurt and disgrace in my family. My family has always taught me self pride and not to fit into the racist stereotypes for my race but I was inundated with negative contradictions to my parents teaching as I consumed media and interacted with my peers. Unfortunately even from some family members negative influence despite my parents attempt to shield me from it. I walked the border line of being ashamed of my association with the negative perception that comes with the skin im clothed with but what keeps me going is what my mom taught me, more importantly what my GOD tells me in the Bible! My tree contributed to what I am! I understand the history of my race leaning on GOD when this world seemed against them. Singing songs of faith and finding courage and dignity when no one taught them that but GOD! Not accepting racist beliefs that they where incapable of education and organization but educational and organizational institutions where led by GOD's people! GOD used that tree to make me who I am and I shall stand strong. My maternal grandmother hummed hyms in the morning, and my paternal grandmother told me to read proverbs every night. My mom was validictorian and father woke me up most mornings before he went to work everyday. My mom tauhgt me it was not cool to not know so even though I didnt go to church as a youth I began trying to read this Bible people talk about. The Jews in the old testament lauded their history despite the oppression, wickedness, and suffering. They felt they where children of GOD. I am a Child of GOD so why hold my head down. GOD shown grace to make me who I am! I'm typing comfortably inside my personal classroom on my laptop and its 12 degrees outside, I am fully clothed and thinking about how long do I have before my wife and kids will be waiting for me! The greatest part is that I am on here boasting about the LORD!!! HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT! I don't deserve it but GOD BLESSED ME! I don't have a criminal history GRACE! GOD gave me those grandparents, and parents! GOD chose me to type this , he set it all up perfectly! I didn't have to come from some elite family, I didn't have to have a Pious parent. HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. My pastor kept saying it and it makes since!

Now to the second tree! I didn't ask my father to meet my mom and have me! They came to that... Lets bring it to a spiritual level, I didn't say , ok I'm going to live sinfully have some fun and get saved, no GOD CHOSE ME! HE said before I was born that I was going to be HIS. HE is my FATHER! I was prepared before hand. When my children mess up, they are still my child, when my child disrespects me, they are still my child, when my children need me , they are still my broken children. No matter what they do , they are sealed as my children, but I'm just a steward there is a greater father ,,,this is why I smile,,,,GOD said Im HIS child! THANK YOU FATHER! AMEN.. .

Sermon reflection 11/24/13 Ananias meets Paul

Acts 9:17-22

The past sermon spoke to me a great deal. The sermon addressed Ananias meeting Paul for the first time and the veil being lifted off Pauls eyes allowing him to immediately go out and talk about JESUS! The pastor used this scripture to have us reflect back to when we became saved! HE also used this to talk about how we should approach other new Christians, what we like to call "babys in Christ". The last part was used to address the immediacy of GOD! We need to follow GODS commands because they are not a suggestion.

Thinking back when I was first saved I like to smile. Its funny because the vision in my head is a distraught Kid angry at everyone, feeling lonely and driving to work crying. .. In my head I was contemplating how I wish it was all over and how no one could help me and while driving down a long neglected road I began crying out to GOD asking for deliverance. My eyes became open when I knew that I had a father in heaven that loves me and is there for me through thick n then and that's what JESUS was telling us. As I grew further in CHRIST he began to lift the scale more and more. 

I remember I used to listen to JAYZ chanting the words "hova" to his lyrics. My sister was upset because he was calling himself GOD and I defended it as if it wasn't really that serious,, I didn't know that I shouldn't allow anyone to even toy with the greatness of my father but again I say I had scales over my eyes! I now find myself in righteous anger, and sorrow, as I see the media making light at blasphemous monikers, claims, which craft, homosexuality, humanism, greed, etc... 

The next thing was how I know I have to be patient with new believers. I have to understand that most people drop out of the Church and become distant from the Church body because we are judging them with log filled eyes! Like I said I was a believer first but I was still listening to Jay Z. I still have things GOD is working on because if we was able to be perfect we wouldn't need grace. I thank GOD for HIS grace! Ananias approached Paul with "brother" showing him love as if he belongs. I need to make sure I consider my fellow Christians brother, family. There was a time when I had little desire to fellowship with other members of my Chruch but I see the deeper I devote myself to the LORD , the more I enjoy the company of my Church brethren. I am so happy to be apart of the mens small group and I am now trying to approach them more on a personal level. It's deep to think about who we rather spend time with and wonder if that is a reflection of our Christian walk. 

Today was a good example of following the immediacy of GOD! I know I have a habit at times of setting a schedule to when I am going to work on a certain aspect of my Christian walk. The pastor noted how the Bible never asked the disciples to do something if they can get around to it. I know I was putting off talking to a certain family member about a certain situation that I was putting off because I didn't feel comfortable at the time even though I kept feeling nudged by the HOLY SPIRIT. I had to stop telling GOD I was to scared , and say Yes! I feel better now and I am so glad I did! What have you been putting off? Have you said , "I'm going to start going to Church more next year" I'm going to tithe better next year" etc etc... When we are instructed to do something we do it. 

This also goes to spreading the Gospel. When we are truly saved , we already have what we need to spread. People need to hear the Gospel: 

GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son JESUS CHRIST , who is Emmanuel, GOD on earth who promised salvation to those who believe in HIM, thus filling them with the third part of the trinity of GOD , the HOLY SPIRIT that makes us pure before HIS throne, and that those who do not believe will be destined to the pitt of hell, and only believers will have ever lasting life in heaven. AMEN .. 

I love typing that, the rest of the job is living a life that exemplifies the HOLY SPIRIT within you! From my experience , the way we live our life helps people to ask questions which allows you to spread this Gospel, and the Gospel inspires people to examine your life giving you a chance to prove it. 

There was a lot of information and topics in this sermon but it was so helpful , in our Christian walk. Over this thanksgiving break seize this moment brothers and sisters. GOD BLESS 

Sermon Reflection 11/17/13

Today we had our Elder preach because our senior pastor was out doing a guess sermon for his former Church. I was delighted to hear because our elder is well versed and passionate about the LORD so I am sure he will always submit as GOD use him to spread HIS word.
Today's sermon was from Galatians 2:19-20 and it addressed our understanding of JESUS SACRIFICE for us. He addressed how we need to be dead to ourselves so that we may live in JESUS. Paul is a perfect example of someone who can live flawlessly before the law but we are still blemished and far from perfection because GOD is perfection so we are all given the gift of Grace! He pointed out how we sometimes full ourselves into thinking we was actually doing something good, and looking down at others as if we got it together. We where forced to look out what part of us do we refuse to let die so that we can let JESUS rule more in our life. We was reminded how grateful we should be that JESUS forgave our debt and gave us new bodies to appear before the throne of GOD flawless even though we did nothing to deserve.
What an Awesome GOD so merciful and graceful! I get excited thinking about it. The thing the unsaved miss out on, is the beauty and happiness one receive when you realize that you don't have to worry if your good enough, smart enough , wise enough,,, you just have to understand humbly that its not about you, GOD chose you anyway! Its such a hard thing to accept because our flesh and society is built up on people working for a blessing, or because someone owes it to us, but GOD didn't owe us anything , we owed him and he forgave us anyway!
 I caught a Rhema word when Elder asked if it may be a gadget or something I want to get that takes away my worship of GOD. I reflected before that I worry about that thin line between being enthusiastic about tech vs worshiping it. I can only serve one god and I choose the ALMIGHTY GOD !
I was challenged with the looking down on people part of the sermon today. As I got home I got reminded of a recent facebook post that reminds me of a sinful nature causing discussion in the family. I tisk tisk as I must pray that I am attacking the sin not the person , and if I am being sure to look at my log before I preoccupy with someone else s sin, regardless if its blatant or not.

We hear the following often but its so crucial that we constantly think about it and reflect on it in all we do.

I have a sinful nature but GOD has saved me through the blood of JESUS CHRIST his only begotten son, GOD in the flesh sent to earth so that I may be saved and filled with his HOLY SPIRIT.

Sunday Reflection Matthew 6:33-34

Mathew 6:33-34
This sermon was about how we are to put GOD first in all that we do.The pastor talked about how we like to talk about GOD is number one in our life but do we truly act that way? He gave us evidence on how we may not, such as: "saying I didn't have the time to pray this morning, our bank accounts show we give less than 10%, we will be embarrassed if people knew what was being said and practiced in our home. Do we actually live as if GOD is preeminent in our life or, is it just words.

I was thinking about this today when I noticed that it is now friday and I did not write my reflection yet. I know I was thinking I had a busy week because my whole household came down with a cold starting with me. I also said on top of that I had a hard week at work because I had to teach one of the hardest concepts in economics. I was in the midst of thinking this when I realized, I am stating things that got in the way in my worship to GOD. I know that my reflection is a tool I use to reflect on HIS word and grow in my walk in CHRIST but I neglected to do so after Church , I was foolish enough to call myself busy, as if this sermon went through one year and out the other. But I thank GOD for the HOLY SPIRIT! HE dwells in me so that I can feel when I am doing wrong, the conviction is a blessing so that I know I should have priorities. I know I wasn't that busy because I had time to live blog the Apple event! I have to be sure with this site not to cross the line between being an enthusiast of technology too being a worshiper of technology. I cant serve two gods!

I also was thinking about my bank statement. I know I foolishly found myself rationalizing that I should count 10 percent from what I have after my house and car. Because "those are things I have to have"....I was about to erase this part of my post because I know its a hot button for people but once again im convicted. The Bible predicts that we are to be considered not part of this world because this world is corrupt. This society is set up in a way that our home and taking care of our children comes up before we think about giving money to the church. So its basically saying society and taking care of my family comes before GOD. This is acting as though GOD is a little extra in our life, a little desert. I mean because c-mon we got to have balance, we cant go crazy with this faith stuff right?...

 I can talk a good game like I know many of you can talk a good game, but if we claim we trust GOD and we know the BIBLE is truth, do we live by Mathew 6:33-34? Do we seek the Kingdom of GOD first when we get paid or do we head to the grocery store and pay are bills because we worried about where we going to eat and sleep tomorrow? ,,,,,,,, GOD BLESS