Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23

It’s a whole lot of worship going on in the church, and the body of Christ as a whole, but it all isn’t the worship that God requires. People who worship and follow Christ intimately understand that true worship is rooted in obedience to Christ. It is rooted in denying one’s self for the glory of God. What we have going on too often is the exact opposite. It’s almost as if we get all that we want as far as worshiping ourselves, flesh, and own desires and we give God what is left over.

Here is a little worship Lord, a little singing, clapping of the hands, and attending church, but my obedience to you is on hold, my life is mine, I am not willing to give it up for the sake of glorifying God. This is the exact attitude that got Cain’s offering rejected by the Lord. Able took his best, the first-fruits of what he had giving God his best; while Cain gave God what was left-over. Obviously, he did not understand the Lord that he attempted to worship. He did not reverence the God that he “worshiped” in his self-ordained routine.

Our worship is a reflection of our heart. The Bible says that where our treasure is there our heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). This scripture is not just in reference to money, but treasure can be anything of importance or worth to us. Whatever we give our hearts to the most becomes what we worship whether money, things, people, sex, lust or God.

The problem comes in when we have one ideal of worship and God has another one altogether. Who’s ideal of worship will we believe? Unfortunately, we often take on our own opinion of worship because it is easier for us; however, at some point in time if we are going to worship God and deal with him on his terms, we are going to have to humble ourselves. It is a wonderful thing to humble ourselves before the Lord and do things on his terms because it increases our intimacy and that is what worship is any way. True worship shows an understanding of the one that we are worshiping. It shows an affinity and passion for that person or thing.

We should not worship things, but we should reserve our worship for Christ alone [i ] There is an exclusivity to worship. It is pure when it is given to God only and not anything else. Just like the husband and wife who get with one another and no one else. It’s a pure stream.

Worship is not giving God our last after we have satisfied our flesh with sin, but it is denying ourselves rejecting sin while giving God our best because he gave us his best. He gave us his only begotten son. It’s our reasonable service to be a living sacrifice unto the Lord. Do we realize who we attempt to worship? He is the one who is God. He made the world. He sits high, but looks low and is concerned about us. He considers us to the point of answering our prayers, being patient with us as he was with Cain sharing that if he acts right he will be accepted.

True worship is rooted in truth, and truth is rooted in God’s word. When we take on perversion which is to go out of the way of truth; we dishonor God instead of worshiping him we instead worship perversion. I am sure it grieves the heart of God to have to reject our worship that we attempt to offer him, when we worship perversion, but he only loves us and desires truth for us. God is truth and cannot compromise with sin. Therefore, he will not intimately commune with those who love sin. We have a choice to either love God and worship God or to love the things of the world and to worship them. There is no in between.

Lastly, worship is rooted in a fear and reverence for the Lord holding his word above all with the ultimate respect.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Psalms 96:9 (KJV)

Oh worship Jehovah in holy array: Tremble before him, all the earth . Psalms 96:9 (ASV)

The above scriptures reference the exclusivity of holiness again or being set apart in a beautiful manner that shows exclusive allegiance to Christ, and secondly it promotes fear, reference and respect for God. These are the things that make up the worship that God requires.

If you find yourself worshiping something other than Christ and walking in something other than truth, humble yourself before God and ask him to change your heart to a true heart of worship that he will accept. Worship that is rooted in truth, intimacy, holiness, fear, and reverence that puts God first before your own needs #Living Sacrifice.

i Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt you serve. Matthew 4:10 (KJV)

Only God can judge me only God. Most of us who grew up on 90s hip-hop remember that popular song from Tupac that says, “Only God can judge me.” This phrase has become popular or rampant even in the church to put up a defense saying that God is the only one who has the authority to judge others including believers.

However, I was listening to the Word of God as I got ready for work today, and came across the scriptures below that give clear instruction on how we are to judge in the body of Christ.

But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister that is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 (NIV)

It appears that the scripture is implying that we as believers are to judge one another simply because we are called to be set apart. We are the ones who are supposed to know better and to act right. Also, God has given us brothers and sisters in Christ to help to keep us in line when we may ignore our conscience. The truth of the matter is it is a good thing to be judged by a mature believer who walks in love. When we tell each other the truth it shows that we love one another.

Another scripture in God’s word that supports the idea of judging our brethren:

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1

The above scripture promotes the idea of judging for the purpose of restoration. It also promotes the idea of judging being done not by people who are immature walking in their flesh, but by those who are mature, learned, and who savor the way of walking in the Spirit. Those are the ones who will judge with the heart of God and God’s purpose in mind.

So, no the idea of believers not judging one another is of the world. We are to judge one another, and not to judge the world because the world naturally sins because they have not subjected themselves to God having not accepted him as Lord just yet. Therefore, God will judge them for not accepting him as Lord when the appropriate time comes.

We don’t want God to judge us; we want our neighbor to judge us so that when we go before God on judgement day, we only hear well done my good and faithful servant. God used Nathan to judge David and to push him toward restoration after he had sinned with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-15). The judgement of God through our brothers or sisters in Christ, or through the Holy Spirit leads to repentance.

God doesn’t like hypocritical judgement. That is the judgement referenced in Matthew 7 that says, Judge not lest you be judged, because with the measure that you set, it will be measured back to you again, and it goes on to say that why are you trying to pick a speck out of your brothers eye when you have a huge pole in your own eye?

Many people read only the first part,” judge not”, and say that we are not supposed to judge, but that isn’t what that passage of scripture is referencing. That passage of scripture is referencing our human nature to believe that other people’s #2 stinks , but our own #2s do not stink. It’s human nature to see the negative in others more than ourselves.

This is clearly seen in the fact that when Nathan judged David; he did it in the form of a parable. David did not know that Nathan spoke of him. Therefore David pronounced judgement on the man saying that man shall surely die [i].

Nathan told him you are the man, and David’s reaction changed. He humbled himself saying that he had sinned against God. According to Matthew 7, David should have died because that is the judgement that he pronounced upon himself when he thought that it was for someone else. However, after David humbled himself, Nathan’s response was the below scripture:

The Lord also has put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 2 Samuel 12:13

David was able to obtain mercy against the judgement that he had pronounced upon himself. God’s purpose for sending our brothers and sisters in Christ is to seek an occasion for us to humble ourselves and obtain mercy against the judgement that we should incur for our sin. This is why we ought to maintain humility and examine our own selves when we are judged by our brethren.

Yes, sometimes brothers and sisters in Christ are not right in their judgements nor are they sent by God as Nathan was, but if we take everything to God in prayer we will know the difference.

We don’t want to wait until we get before God on judgement day to say, “You are the only one that can judge me God.” We will receive the greater damnation for knowing what is right to do and not doing it. The Bible says to do so is sin.

It’s God’s love judging us through our friends, trusted prophets, and teachers of the gospel. It is better to get things right now than to go before God on judgement day saying Lord, I rejected your correction and judgement through my brethren because they were not you. That is foolish! So, let’s re-evaluate some of these popular sayings that have made their way into the church. We do not govern our lives as believers based on popular culture, but by the Word of God. Amen!

[i] And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die. 2 Samuel 12:5

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Yo, today is good Friday, and we have been celebrating holy week all week, which is where we celebrate Jesus Christ dying for our sins. This Sunday we will celebrate not only the death but the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I was chilling Wednesday night as my pastor nailed prayer requests to a cross that we have at our church and I was immediately hit in my spirit to remember the Lord as I heard the sounds of the nails, I began to worship.

It all hit me reminding me of when I feel like I am going through a difficult path to remember the path that Jesus Christ took. Jesus took a path that was mapped out specifically to benefit not himself but someone else. That someone else was us. Jesus took on that path by choice, not by force to give his life for our sake. The Bible says that his life was not taken from him, but that he laid it down.

He held any shame in contempt. In other words, he was focused. He did not allow himself to be distracted by anything. He had a one track mind to show the father’s love to us by paying for our sins once and for all.

Jesus was a voluntary sufferer for our sake. That is so deep and so real. Often as believers in America we do not want to suffer for ourselves let alone someone else. We can be very selfish placing our needs and wants above what we really should be focused on. In those moments when we get lost for whatever reason we can look to the Lord. He lived a life of consecration meaning to be set aside for a specific purpose.

All while Jesus was alive and went through the many shared experiences that people of his day went through whether it was going to school, learning to work, help around the house or make friends. He had his purpose or consecration in mind all of the time. He must have been thinking to himself, “Don’t get to caught up in what is going on around you; you are here to save the world.” That is what he did.

That is the highest calling that he endured. He shut himself out of a lot of things that many of us are bent on experiencing such as finding a wife, having kids, or paying off a mortgage. He had a greater calling with us in mind. Anytime, we want to feel as though we are giving up a lot, we need to again look at Jesus.

He was faithful to his path unto death, and resurrection.

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4

Lastly, Jesus saw the result of his consecration.

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.Isaiah 53:11

After enduring a life where his primary focus was to live until the age of 33 not experiencing marriage, or kids among other things, but experiencing being misunderstood as a crazy person who saw himself equal with God, and upset religious authorities, was spit on, put down, and diminished to be much lower than who he was which was the Son of God, he saw the result of it all and still sees the result even unto this day.

He is at the right hand of the father interceding for us reminding the father that he shed his blood for our sins. Therefore many have come to know him. Jesus Christ has the largest family known to any. He is the most famous person in the world spanning through out every generation that has hit the earth and that will hit the earth. He has his very own bride which are us his believing church. He sanctifies us, loves us, and calls us his own.

So, whenever you feel like giving up from carrying your cross no matter what cross you have to bear, remember to look to Jesus. He has done this already and won! We love Jesus!

I have this teaching that I listen to 3-4 times a year by John Bevere called Intimacy with God. The teaching speaks to the core of me because being close to God is one of the things I most desire and need. In his teaching, John goes over the difference in obeying God out of law instead of delight. He mentions the scripture in Romans that talks about how the strength of sin is the law. He goes on to say that obeying God out of law is when God’s word is restricting us from what we really want to do instead of delight for God’s law. Not having a delight for God’s law and way, is an indicator that something is wrong in the heart. However, our God is so good that he will allow us to go through various situations to humble us and bring us back to the correct focus which is on him (See focus for the new year blog.)

Basically, God wants us as believers to get to the point where we are so in love with him, and his way of doing things that it becomes our delight. The very thing that we look forward to and take joy in. People who truly are delighted in the Lord are the ones that God gives the desires of their heart. Not those who seek God to get things. Our disposition as it relates to the desires of our heart should be that those desires are entrusted to him to bring to pass in his time. We should be at rest as we enjoy the Lord. There is some teaching in the church that encourages people to seek God only to get things, but that is not God’s will at all.

It is God’s pleasure to give us the kingdom meaning the things that are promised to us in his word, but his desire is to also be in relationship with us and to fellowship with us. Many of us do things out of repetition, fear, knowledge, or like robots, and even though the things that we are doing are right, it still isn’t enough for our relationship with God.

God desires to know us intimately and for us to know him intimately. He desires for us to be in tune with him so that if he speaks, we just simply listen and obey out of delight of knowing him. If many of us knew how good the God is that we say we worship, we’d be head over heels, skipping, jumping, smiling, and gazing with joy and such fullness that people would swear we were in love.

The truth is God’s word invites us to be in love with God. Jesus spoke of the different churches and says that he has against one church who dots every I and crosses every T the fact that they have forsaken their first love i. Can we say that we are in love with God? Can we say that we delight in his ways or his laws.

God’s stance is clear. He loved us so much that he humbled himself all the way to the cross enduring grief, shame, misunderstanding, physical and emotional pain. He was royalty, but did not focus on that when he came. He is the example of the greatest love in that he laid down his life for us whom he calls his friends. God is love. His love is the ultimate patience waiting and waiting for us to get the fact that he just wants us. Some singles have not yet gotten that they are single in this season because God just wants them all to himself. He loves us that much and then some.

The greatest pursuit of love known to man is the pursuit of God toward his creation man. We are so valued, desired, and sought after in the eyes of our creator that the word of God describes God’s love in terms of the width, depth, and breadth that he desires for us to know (Ephesians 3:17-19).

Christ’s love is deep and he wants to share it with us. He wants to be that confidant, friend, provider, covering, and lover of our soul to us. He embodies love because he is love. He is patient, kind, not self-seeking, keeps no record of wrong due to us being covered by the blood of Christ. He suffers long, isn’t envious of us, endures all things, hopes in all things toward us and everything that his word says about love.

He desires for us to know him and that there is no greater love than him especially before we get married because the one that God has for us is to love us like Christ, and God doesn’t want us to have any other god before him. He is a jealous God with a godly jealousy. I love the way Pastor Toure Roberts put it by saying that when we place something before God we put ourselves in a position of deficiency because no one can give us what we need to get and what we can only get from God.

I would imagine that when I do one day become in love with my husband, especially in the beginning, that I would delight to be with my husband. Just to be in his presence will be like whoa! I won’t have a problem doing things for him even when I don’t feel like it because I love him, not because he would now be my head as my husband, but because I love him.

God wants that to be our motivation as well. He wants us to obey him and keep his commandments because we love him not out of law. That is why he sent his son as the fulfillment of the law writing his law on our hearts and not just on scrolls. He wants obedience to be a natural part of our love relationship with him not out of fear, or control, but out of love, fear, reverence, and respect.

Lately, I’ve been falling more and more in love with God again and it is wonderful. Of course, I don’t want to keep this to myself so I invite all my readers to do the same. As you would prioritize a love partner, prioritize spending time with God not only speaking to him in prayer, but waiting quietly at times in prayer, singing songs to the Lord, and acknowledging him daily.

The more we fall in love with Jesus the easier it becomes to do what he commands in his word. At that point it no longer becomes a command, but our delight. That is when things begin to move on our behalf and favor overflows like rain, but don’t let the blessing be your motivation allow the Lord to be your motivation as he multiplies your love for him the more you take action to make him priority.

Other Related Scriptures:

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. Psalms 1:2-3

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalms 37:4

i Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Revelations 2:1-4 KJV

To hear a portion of the teaching from John Bevere Click the video below:

https://youtu.be/zbRhCO_oySY

Also, the full CD set of this teaching can be purchased at the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Near-Life-Intimacy-God/dp/B005ELQCIO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1427287449&sr=8-7&keywords=John+Bevere+Drawing+Near

Depression is a normal symptom of life that everyone will deal with on various occasions of life. It often occurs when unexpected circumstances happen out of the blue that breaks one’s spirit. God’s word however gives us some key things to overcome depression every time unto full and complete recovery.

One of the first times I remember dealing with depression was a long time ago. I don’t even remember what I was depressed about. I woke up and heard God speak to my spirit saying to read about Elijah, so I got my concordance and found 1Kings 18 & 19.

Elijah is one of the people shown in scripture to deal with depression to get through it.

• Depression has a way of making a believer feel as though the reason they are in their depression is because they have been standing for God and maybe things would be better if they compromised.
• Depression makes a person feel alone as if he is the only one going through.
• Finally, depression leaves a feeling of numbness making a person reject themselves and to despair of all hope even the will to live. This is why people with depression go through the motions of life without feeling often being emotionally fragile. These feelings can cause a person to isolate himself.

All these things can be seen in the below accounts of scripture.

Elijah had just come out of doing the work of the Lord proclaiming the truth to the leadership of Israel. He had just had God answer by fire to prove to everybody that his God was God (1 Kings 18:19-39).

He was then hit with an unexpected event. His life was threatened by the queen of Israel the wicked Jezebel (19:1-2).

He went through the below emotions and God had an answer for each one:

He was famished, tired, and had done all he could yet still ending up threatened and weak. He went into the wilderness which can represent being in the middle of no where, where it’s easy to ask yourself how did I get here, and what is going on[i]?

God’s first response was to send his angel to feed him. The angel of the Lord told him that he would need it for the next place that he was going to. Elijah thought God was done with him and he just needed to die but the angel feeding him was the first sign that God was still with him and that he would get through his depression (1 Kings 19:5-8).

Key # 1: We live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God

(Matthew 4:4). In other words we are not alive simply by natural nourishment, but we live by the Word of God. We have to look for, expect, and seek God for his daily bread especially during times of depression. There is only so long that we can go without hearing what God is saying to us. When we hear him and eat of his word, it gives us strength to continue in the journey.

Next, Elijah isolated himself in the doorway of a cave. He was probably still thinking those negative thoughts of wanting to die and rejecting himself saying he was no better than his father’s (1 Kings 19:4-9).

God gently spoke to him saying What are you doing here? He states how he has been zealous for the Lord and look where it has landed him (1 Kings 19:9-10). God proceeds to make a point to him in so many words saying I know you are used to me moving in big stuff with you closing up the sky so it would not rain, and sending fire from heaven, but I want you to get quiet before me right now. I have some things and instructions I want to show you for what is to come (1 Kings 19:11-12).

Key # 2: Get quiet before God.

Sometimes, we may be used to ripping and running and working in the kingdom of God watching God make power moves in our lives, but there also comes a time where God simply desires for us to get quiet before him. He uses that time to strengthen us. To multiply our passion for him, and to show us how he wants to move for the next phase of life that he has called us to. Lay out before God in his presence. Listen for God’s instruction and get your worship music going along with the word of God to place your spirit in preparation to hear from God. He has specific things that he desires to share with us while we are in the middle of depression. The Bible says that God is a very present help in the time of trouble. We can expect God to speak with us if we are willing to get quiet before him during depression. Satan may mean for our depression to destroy us, but God will use it to make us stronger.

Last time I had to walk through depression. The Holy Spirit would softly speak scriptures into my spirit, and he even brought songs up in my spirit to listen to such as Israel Houghton search for you. I put that song on and went right into God’s presence. My gifts inside of me began to become stirred up as I listened to the Lord, prophesied to my situation, and rested in God’s presence. Try not to get caught up in how you feel, but allow God’s presence to calm your spirit and cause you to began to trust in God.

Key # 3: We have to fight the urge to be negative and to speak negative things out of our mouths.

Staying in God’s presence is the main way that we as believers can fight the urge to be negative and to speak negative things outside of our mouths. If we are in God’s presence hearing what he is speaking to our spirit we can then speak those things instead of speaking how we feel in the moment of our flesh.

Earlier I mentioned how Elijah began to speak negative about himself saying that he was no better than his fathers and he should just die, but God did not address him in that manner. God still addressed him as God’s anointed set apart for his glory. God showed him what he was to do next which was to anoint a young man who was also zealous for the Lord named Jehu to be the new king over Israel. God had planned to d-throne the wrist-limped Ahab and controlling Jezebel. They represented the current king and queen of Israel, but God wasn’t feeling them and their foolishness. God had big plans for Elijah just like he has big plans for us if we would only place our trust in him.

It is normal to be tempted to be negative and to speak negative while going through temptation, but it will not get us anywhere. It will only set us back. Death and Life are in the power of the tongue and we eat the fruit of what we say (Proverbs 18:21).

I can remember one time years ago I was going through a depression and I don’t remember what it was about, what was coming out of my mouth was not lining up with God’s word or plan for me. I was just frustrated and would say stuff. I remember having a dream during that time, and I don’t know how I knew, but I knew that the person in my dream who looked at me in a very serious and frustrated manner saying to me, “Russelyn, Be careful what you say.” was one of the angels that God has assigned to me.

The Bible says in Hebrews that God has ministering spirits (angels) that minister to the heirs of salvation[ii]. We are the heirs of salvation. We have such a great inheritance in Jesus Christ, but when we speak against what God is trying to do we hinder the work of those angels ministering on our behalf and it frustrates them because they have an assignment by God to carry out but become hindered by our words.

Elijah’s complaint was that he was alone. He thought he was the only prophet of God left (1 Kings 19:14). God’s response was that he has seven thousand in Israel who’s knees have not bowed down to Baal (vs. 18). He confirmed for Elijah that he was not alone.

Key #4: You are not alone.

The Bible says that there are several others of our brothers and sisters in Christ that are going through the same things[iii]. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid that says you are the only one in the world who is going through what you are going through that is a lie from the devil. God knew you would go through what you are going through and he has already made the provisions for you to give you the necessary grace to get through it[iv].

You aren’t the first person to go through depression, and you will not be the last. Try to remember the word of God and stories such as Job, who was blessed double after he was bought through several trying life circumstances. Also, Hannah, who became bitterly depressed so that she poured out her soul to God and he answered her prayer, and lastly Elijah who we are studying in this blog. If God did it for them he will do it for you too. He is no respecter of persons.

To conclude Elijah’s depression, he ended up getting all the way through his depression. It slowed him down enough to hear God, become strengthened for the next phase in life and to complete the assignment that God had called him to. He along with those that God instructed overthrew the current kingship destroying Jezebel and anointing Jehu as the new king.

Just like God was faithful to Elijah to bring him through, and strengthen and preserve him; we can rest assured that God will be faithful to do the same for us. So, don’t compromise and don’t give up, but continue to trust in the Lord[v].

[i] But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:3

[ii] 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1:13-14

[iii] 1 Peter 5:9 – Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your bretheren that are in the world.

[iv] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

[v] O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Psalms 31:23

All I know about “50 Shades of Grey” is what I have seen on the commercials and the news-clips, and that is all I need to know. I recall a scene where the lead character who plays the male starring role says something to the degree of how he doesn’t want love or isn’t into love. He goes on to say that his affinity is of a different sort as he preps to fulfill is lustful fantasies.

The problem with this whole deal is that it places more emphasis on lust and fulfilling sexual desires than on real-love. As believers we have to guard what we have an appetite for because what we have an appetite for will become what we go after.

Movies like “50 Shades of Grey” create a curiosity and appetite for lust and sex without creating an appetite for purity or real-love. Purity and real-love are necessary to fully enjoy sex. (See the blog on purity.) It is no accident that the film was released during Valentine’s Day weekend the love holiday bringing the gift of God called sex down to mere lustful fantasies are a direct attack against real-love and satisfactory sex between the covenant of marriage.

Real-love satisfies, but lust is not satisfactory. Real-love will always be there, but lust is fleeting. A person opens the door to lust and has to search for a lustful relationship again and again to try to feel some sort of satisfaction. The high of a new sexual experience often takes the place of the high of being truly loved.

The door to lust is opened through curiosity and sets up a home in a believers life becoming a stronghold that is hard to get rid of. I met a guy who was a believer, but he opened the door to lust. He meets various girls online and drives out to any of their homes who are willing to have sexcapades with as many of them as possible. He told me he tried to get offline, but could not. He had become addicted to a negative cycle that robbed him of real-love, but gave him momentary pleasure that was fleeting meaning he had to constantly chase lust again to attempt to have any satisfaction.

That is a very sad life. The same theme is echoed through-out Sam Smith’s song, “Stay with Me”. I love the lyrics and artistry of this song as it talks about a one night stand that the gentlemen is involved in and how he doesn’t want his partner to go, but to stay with him. This song really covers the emptiness of choosing a temporary lustship over a real-love relationship. The lyrics go on to say, “this is not love it’s plain to see, but won’t you stay with me.”

If you pay close attention to the video the scene of the choir singing dressed in black appeared similar to that of mourners who are grieving the death of someone or something. Could it be that Real-love has been so gravely under attack in our generation that many have come to believe that an opportunity at real-love is dead? Thus, causing many to choose lust because of the ample accessibility. However, I choose not to believe the lie that real-love is dead, and I choose not to give into the deception that a “50 Shades of Grey” relationship can satisfy me.

Why would we as believers who know the truth and walk the strait and narrow path participate in laying down in the bed of bondage-bondage to our flesh, our emotions, and sexual appetite without love? Is it because of loneliness? Afterward, we will still end up lonely if we only have lust.

If we seek love and allow our affections and desires to be shaped to desire love instead of lust we would not have that problem of not being satisfied because love will always stay. Love endures all. Love is not fleeting. Love gives, it covers, it protects, it builds up, and it satisfies, while lust is the very opposite.

Lust takes. It is not concerned with others, but only itself. Therefore, it does not protect. It tears down when necessary to satisfy itself, and it cannot last because it is a mere imitation of love. A person in lust is not crazy in love as the soundtrack to 50 Shades of Grey suggests, but that person becomes crazy in lust.

In deciding whether to watch 50 Shades of Grey as believers, please think about what you want your affection to be geared toward, because the affection that you shape becomes the affection that you seek to satisfy be that of fleeting unsatisfactory lust or real-love.

Uncharted territory, transitions or huge changes in our lives are common places for fear. This is something that we all will have to deal with. The question is how will we respond when those occurrences happen?

Recently, I was feeling very nervous because of some moves that I am thinking about making in which I have never done before. Of course, the questions come to my mind what if I am not successful at what I am attempting to do? What if I am not as good as I think I am and then I fail?

I was reminded of three scriptures:

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1, KJV)

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, NIV)

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. (Psalms 31:24, KJV)

All of the above scriptures encourage us to be bold and of good courage even as a lion is bold. A lion does not need to be picked up or encouraged in who he is. He knows that he is the king of beasts, and when he roars it is a roar of authority and confidence not fear and disbelief. Not too long ago, I had a dream that I was walking with my dad and lions were next to us walking in the same direction that we were. We were on our way somewhere and I was sort of unsure of what was going on in the dream as to where I was going and how exactly to get there. I was reminded of that dream when I last felt nervous.

Now, I believe the understanding of that dream meant that I was on my way somewhere and that God was with me (my dad significant of God my heavenly father), and because he was with me, I could be as bold as a lion. That is how God sees me when I put my trust in him not someone who should be full of fear

At the time that I had the dream, I just kind of prayed like Lord, what does that mean? I don’t know what you are saying, but when I needed the understanding, God gave that to me. It is so refreshing to know that as believers we are not alone when we go through various circumstances. It’s refreshing to know that God is with us there to lead us, comfort us, and to cause us to be bold in the face of uncertainty.

I said to myself, I am going to start speaking God’s word of boldness and courage over myself when I feel nervous instead of saying that I am nervous because nervousness is fear, and fear has a way of becoming overwhelming and crippling. The person who becomes crippled by fear doesn’t even attempt to move forward anymore, and that is not where we want to be as believers. We want to always be moving forward toward the promises of God for our lives.

Therefore, I will make a choice to be bold until it becomes natural to me in the face of fear by meditating on and speaking God’s word concerning boldness and not being afraid. We have to be careful what we say out of our mouths because death and life are in the power of the tongue. If we say we are nervous and afraid, we will be nervous and afraid. If we say we are bold because God is with us, we will be bold realizing that God is with us.

Below are some additional scriptures to meditate on regarding fear.

Psalms 56:3 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you (NIV).

Psalms 112:7 – They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD (NIV).

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (KJV).

How do you respond to the face of fear?

The situations that stirred up so much contention and controversy in Ferguson are bigger than Ferguson. The source of contention and strife have to do with the way that we understand and relate to one another of different backgrounds, the tiredness of consistent injustice, and personal responsibility in dealing with various situations.

One of the most relevant things that the President stated the night that the Ferguson Police Department announced its verdict was when he mentioned the history of racial tension and discrimination in this country of America. I will admit we have come along way. Integration has been around for a little over fifty years with laws in place to protect the rights of all Ethnic groups, religions and such who seek the natural civil liberties that every American requires.

However, although we have made several strides over the years the war against racism and social injustice is far from over. We know that racism is more hidden now and less blatant in many cases as it relates to housing, businesses, and other structural institutions. There is a way of communicating one’s racist beliefs in such a way as to not draw immediate negative attention in order to avoid consequence, but it still exists.

With that understanding, I will not say that every problem stems from racism. Some problems simply come from a lack of understanding of a group of people. For example, when I went to California just a couple of months ago, I figured I’d go to an open mic comedy cafe’. I was sitting at the table and a comedian was on the stage. He was a White guy. He made jokes specifically about Black women. The first joke was okay. It was about a Black woman’s weave.

However, he started talking about how Black women are crazy and how he was afraid to have a Black girlfriend because she would catch him cheating by smelling his private area and he went on about the crazy Black woman. I was the only Black woman in there and I just focused on my food and ate waiting for him to get off the stage.

He was kind of embarrassed because no one was laughing especially me. I just ignored it as comedy that was based on stereotypes and wasn’t really funny. He got off stage and just left afterward. I would assume that the comedian did not have very many Black female friends. He probably watches shows like Jerry Springer, where unfortunately, there actually was a Black woman saying the things that he said during his set. However, in reality there are many other Black women who carry themselves with a since of pride, dignity, and self-respect.

My point is we cannot judge one another of different backgrounds by stereotypes perpetrated in the media or anywhere else. Unfortunately, many of the stereotypes relating to Black men are negative and therefore Black men are looked at as being more violent than other racial groups. Because of the many negative stereotypes that are aimed at Blacks in general, Black people have had to be extra excellent at whatever we have done in order to disprove the negative stereotypes of the mainstream.

Black people are not the only ones who fall victim to stereotypes. There are stereotypes that Blacks have about Whites as well. For example, normally when there is a school shooting, mass shooting, or serial killer, some Black people are surprised if the killer is Black because the norm for mass shooters have largely not been Black in the media. In a sense, every race of people can be guilty of having negative perceptions about one another, but those perceptions should begin to die the more that we begin to see each other as humans deserving of love and respect.

Many have asked why are so many people angry and saddened by what took place when Darren Wilson was not indicted for the death of Michael Brown, as if the Michael Brown incident was an isolated incident. The truth of the matter is that the Michael Brown incident is not an isolated incident, but an incident that the Black community has seen far too much. There is a reason why people are angry. People are fed up and tired. The message to those who are angry should not be to get over it and move on, but rather to channel their anger in a way that will bring about a positive outcome to prevent things of this nature from reoccurring in the future.

There is no sin in being angry. The sin comes about when we make poor choices due to our anger. Scripture reminds us to be angry, but not to sin. When we make poor choices because of our anger, it takes away from the injustice that was done to us, making us appear to be the one in the wrong (Ephesians 4:26).

To add insult to injury, when a case becomes prominent of an unarmed Black male being killed, that male is always made to look like a criminal to justify the shooting. That is extremely hurtful to the families and all involved. We have seen it with the Trayvon Martin case, of which I am still upset that his killer was not brought to justice, the Michael Brown case, and even in the case of Tamir Rice, the 12 year old boy shot by police in Cleveland. There are stories circulating about his father having a history of domestic violence. What does that have to do with justifying a 12-year old boy being shot and killed? I am not condoning any inappropriate behavior, but if we all got shot for all of the mistakes we made as young people, we all would be dead.

Do I believe that all police officers are bad? No. Do I believe that all White police officers are racist? No. Do I believe that all police shootings are motivated by racism? No, but I do believe that some are motivated by an inappropriate perception of someone who has a different racial background than that of the officers. Other cases are motivated by the lack of accountability for police officers to be brought to justice on certain actions. It is common for police departments to protect officers, and I can understand that to a degree because police officers put their lives on the line to protect citizens and sometimes they simply make mistakes and need grace just like any other person.

However, when the same occurrence of unarmed Black males dying at the hands of officers continues to occur, then something needs to be done. I believe in order to see effective change concerning this issue, there has to be a collaborative effort by everyone effected. That includes accountability from those outside of the local state to ensure that citizens have a fair chance and that their rights are not being violated. The cameras are also a good idea because it takes away from the questions of what really happened. In many cases, it has been the livings’ testimony against the dead. Lastly, families teaching their sons and daughters how to deal with the police, and more diverse examples of Black males in media.

More diverse examples of Black males in media would include decreasing the violence in our own communities. Unfortunately, it isn’t good to only see our communities of color come together when there is an offense that has taken place involving a White person, but when African Americans kill one another it is acceptable. I was very upset when I watched a documentary of the L.A. Riots that showed a truce between two popular Black gangs because of the misconduct of White officers, but any other time they would be killing one another. That is unacceptable. We have to do better.

Thankfully, in the day and age of social media, news of injustice can spread quickly and cause a positive movement that effects change that impacts all races and nationalities. I am glad to see many people who are not Black as well as other Blacks marching for Garner, Trayvon Martin, and Michael Brown, so that their lives would not have been taken in vain, but that it would effect positive change for others.

As the media, rides the wave of social injustice, we have to be careful to not just respond in anger, but to respond in prayer also praying for those that are in authority to make the right decisions and praying for everyone as a whole.

I firmly believe that it is God who puts people together and who causes others to be single for a season ordained for that person in order to carry out the specific purpose that God has in mind. I also believe that whatever calling rests upon an individual’s life whether single or married that God will give that individual the grace to do all that God is calling for with his specific assignment for him.

With that said we know that the Bible teaches us that singleness is a gift and marriage is a gift (1 Corinthians 7:7i). The question is what are we doing with are current state of singleness for those of us out there who are single? Are we being good stewards of this gift God has entrusted to us or are we focusing on trying to trade our gift for something else. Below are a few things that I think would help singles to better enjoy their time of singleness, and yes just like any other gift should be enjoyed, the gift of singleness should be enjoyed and maximized as well.

Having a positive outlook of what it means to be single: Unfortunately, singleness is too often looked at as a negative thing or a disadvantage, but singleness has a lot of advantages. We know that the Bible speaks about a single person’s first priority is that of being concerned with the things of God and living a life of holiness in both body and in spirit. It is an honor and a privilege that God would set us apart to be concerned specifically with his purpose. It shows that he respects us and trusts us to be concerned with the things that concern him. This opens up the door for greater intimacy with God which results in greater understanding of him. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren’t privy to this because either they have another calling such as marriage that distracts them from being able to have an intimate relationship with God in such an easy manner or they are seeking after other things.

The reward for holiness is the presence of God. God’s word teaches that the man that follows holiness and walks in peace toward men will see Godiii. I believe that is significant of a greater intimacy with God. Lately, I’ve been in a season where I’ve been waking up and going to sleep feeling the presence of God. That in it’s own way is my fuel to say, as I go into this next year no matter what I have to face, I will fight to be obedient even when it is hard because I remember God’s presence. I remember what it is like to feel his love and to love him in return, and that is what I want to do. The Bible says that if we love God we keep his commandments. Let God’s love for you and the idea of focusing on his love for you be the fuel that makes you willing to fight your flesh or any sinful threat that would seek to separate you from the presence of the Lord.

Not allowing yourself to be distracted: When you have made up in your mind to prioritize living a life of holiness to God, don’t be surprised if all of a sudden distractions pop-up out of no where. During those times, that distractions show their face, we have to be intentional in making a choice not to entertain the things that God has not ordained. Whether it is a man or a woman who is not a God-send in your life, or if it is an idol that is causing you to waste your precious time. Idols could be anything that you have chosen to give the greater attention to rather than what God has called you to for this season of your life. An idol could be a friendship that God no longer has ordained for you, or fantasying about sex where you have lifted up the idea of sex so much to the point where you can no longer focus on the fact that you are supposed to be single right now i.e. not getting any. God has called us to live a life of peace in whatever state that we are in. Normally, when we do not have peace in our current situation, we may have either outgrown that situation or we may have shifted our focus to something that it is not yet time for thus creating frustration for where God has currently called us.

Being productive: I know we have heard all of these things before, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded that the time of being single is a great time to realize those gifts and talents that God has placed within us. Being productive requires keeping our attention on the things that will bring forth good fruit in our lives and hopefully spill over into the lives of others not backbiting, gossiping, or being jealous of one another, but being mature. Being productive allows us to take leaps of faith that we may feel more reserved to take later when we have a family to support. Getting started with being productive can be as simple as using what you already have in your hands. If you have a job, you can use some of the income from your job as seed money to do whatever it is God is calling you to do. Every one doesn’t have to get behind your plan to make it work. You get behind your vision and other people will see you behind your vision and they will begin to support you as well.

I remember when God told me to put my website up. I was very reserved in doing so telling the Lord I would need confirmation before I followed through on putting up my website. I immediately got a text message after praying that prayer saying that God hasn’t lite a candle for it to be hiddeniv. It was so cool how that happened. One of my mentors who texted me didn’t even know I had just prayed that prayer.

It wasn’t my idea to be somewhat in front of people blogging and such, it was God’s idea. I never would have known what God wanted for my life without prioritizing him and seeking him for myself in prayer and reading of his word. Whenever we prioritize God we will find ourselves ending up exactly where we are supposed to be, and we’ll be the most productive than we can ever be.

Being Thankful: Being thankful helps us to enjoy the right now, to be thankful for what has been, and to have a hope for what will be. When we are thankful for what we already have, we don’t have time to wish we had more. Thankful people maximize what they already have.

Sowing into the lives of others: Sowing and reaping is one of the greatest principles that God has set up in the earth. God looks at the idea of a person not reaping what he has sown as mockery toward himself. It just doesn’t happen. God does not allow himself to be mocked in that way. Whatever a person sows, he will reap (Galatians 6:7). That’s God’s word and his word is bond. Therefore, as singles we should not be lacking in anything as long as we have some seed to sow, and God gives seed to those who have a heart to sowv. So, if we need love, we should find someone to sow love into for example, a church mother, widow, elder person, family member, or a child that we are mentoring. The point is if we sow love we will get love in return. If we sow our listening ear, we will get a listening ear. Sowing and reaping isn’t just about money although it can be used in that manner. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to look back after we are ready to settle down and get married and see all of the fruit of our labor as singles and say to ourselves wow that was really something.

Unfortunately, a lot of people who are married now did not have such fortunate single lives as some of us have been afforded the opportunity to have. Some people, who are now married, wasted their singleness trying to fit in doing any and everything under the sun that they should not have been doing and have nothing to show for it.

Others married before they really realized who they were, or what they wanted out of life. Some married people leave their marriages to find themselves. While others wait until they are finished raising their kids to pursue their dreams. If God has given you an opportunity now as a single to be productive as you enjoy your life and change the lives of others in a positive way than maximize that gift until he decides to say you’ve done well with that gift now here is another gift. Remember, that is what God did with the stewards over the talents in Matthew 25. Those, who were productive received more, but those who weren’t productive, what they had got taken away. Be sure to honor the current gift of singleness.

Finally, Not forgetting to do something for yourself: This is the one that I had been the weakest at,but I must say that I’ve gotten much better at being purposeful to do something for myself. Unfortunately, as singles sometimes we can do so much for others that we forget about ourselves and maybe some of the things that we would like to do. If you’ve always loved to dance, now is the time to take your dancing class, if you love to travel, than budget your money and get your travel on. Make some time for yourself to do things that you enjoy.

iFor I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 1 Corinthians 7:7 (KJV)

God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others. 1 Corinthians 7:7 (Message Bible)

ii The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 1 Corinthians 7:34

iiiFollow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14

iv Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Matthew 5:14-15

v Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; 2 Corinthians 9:10

The best part about approaching the new year is the sensitivity that comes about that draws us to seek the Lord. The Lord is describes in the book of Isaiah and the book of Revelations as the one who holds the key of David to shut doors that no one can open and open doors that no one can shut.
He is the one with the authority, the kingship and the grace to do just that on our behalf. Often the new year is a time of reflection where we review what has happened the previous year and what we can improve on for the next year.

Going where God is calling us in the new year is just as simple as submitting ourselves to the authority of Jesus Christ who personally deals with us his children in closing doors in our lives that would hinder us from him and what he has for us, and he opens doors of opportunity for us to grow closer to him and to carry out his will.

I pray for sensitivity to God’s leading and a willingness to submit to him in this new year that he is allowing us to enter into. I also pray for a heart of worship for myself and God’s people as a whole. We know that the true worship that God calls us to is rooted in obedience. When we obey someone it shows fear, reverence, and respect for them.

I am currently reading in the book of Jeremiah which is a great book for believers to read when they are struggling with a sin that is happening over and over again in their lives. We know that the word of God is powerful and able to correct us, discern the intentions of our hearts, and re-direct us to the right path i.

The book of Jeremiah deals with the sin of idolatry. Idolatry is anything that we obey or place more importance on over the Lord. Jeremiah talks about how God’s people Israel were idolatrous toward God, but God still let his people know that he loved them and if they turned their hearts to him he would take them back.

Sometimes idolatrous sin can cause a person to lose a sense of what is right and wrong, and what God is saying altogether. It isn’t a good place to be in. Therefore, God being the good loving God that he is will use some form of judgement to shake us up causing us to sober up to what God is trying to show us.

That is what happened in the book of Jeremiah. God warned his people that he was about to send judgement after they had been idolatrous against him. He already had planned for another nation to take his people and subject them to the rule of that other nation. He tells them how to react when this happens saying for them to repent and to prepare their hearts toward the Lord.

“For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns. Jeremiah 4:3

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that non can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. Jeremiah 4:4

Declare in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem: and say, Blow the trumpet in the land; cry gather together, and say Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities. Jeremiah 4:5” (KJV)

The above scriptures bring balance to how we view the Lord showing him as a God of love and a God of correction, judgement, and fury. The world is imbalanced in their view of God limiting him as just a God of love and that is it, but the Bible paints the appropriate picture.

These scriptures bring an appropriate fear for God that we should maintain as his children knowing that Gods character will not allow him to look past sin, but if we obey him we can overcome sin.

The above scriptures starting with verse 3 talk about a heart that needs to be cultivated toward God. Fallow ground is unfruitful ground not worthy of planting seeds because nothing will be able to be produced from fallow ground. In the new testament Jesus gave the parable about the seed and good ground and how good ground produced much fruit some 30, 60, or 100 percent. Verse 3 also warns against planting among thorns which the Bible talks about the seeds that were sown among thorns choked whatever attempted to grow from the seed that was planted.(Matthew 13:7).

Verse 4 specifically talks about setting our hearts upon the Lord almost like a re-dedication unto him, and verse 5 where it talks about blowing the trumpet is the wake up call where God is warning his people of the upcoming judgement.

God wants our hearts to be in a place where we are ready to receive from him. Where we are ready to worship him in sincerity and in truth. If we are so bound by our sin or distracted by life he will send a wake up call.

As we approach the new year, let’s examine the ground of our hearts, and pray that our hearts would be in position to receive from God and to worship him like maybe we haven’t done in a long time. Let’s pray for an increased hunger for God instead of what he can give us knowing that what we need is already taken care of by him because his word is bond.

Let’s be grateful and thankful that we made it another year still belonging to the Lord, in our right mind, full of the vision and the Spirit of God. These are things to truly be thankful for as we approach the new year.

Let’s allow our focus to be that of true worship where we give ourselves to the Lord without distraction and in obedience. Let’s pray that every door of distraction, sin, doubt, unbelief, or anything that would hinder us from truly worshiping God to be closed, and every door that will cause us to bring forth fruit in our lives to be opened doors of discipline, consecration, obedience, vision and such which will lead to so much more. A person who has committed their way to the Lord is limitless in what God has called him or her to do ii.

i For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

ii Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3