Bless my girl and xyz

Here are two of many blackberry messenger messages and texts I receive weekly. Of course it says to share but its the reason why it asks you to share that some may see at fault. It ends with a promise of goodness if only you share.Yet God teaches you to ask and it shall be given unto you. You get what I'm trying to say. I will post more of these just because most contain nice prayers and inspiration.

Dear God,
This is my girl,my friend n sister, whom I love and this is my prayer for her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most and let her know when she walks with you. She will always be safe. I Love You Girl! Now you're on the clock . . . In nine minutes something will make you happy ;) But you have to tell nine sisters you love them, including me. Get going girl !!! Walk byFAITH!

So now read this one below. It definitely pulls at or tries to pull on guilt and bring into question someones faith

When you carry the Bible Satan has a headache,
When you open it he collapses,
When he sees you reading it, he faints,
So let's read the bible,
Every time so that he keeps on fainting.
(maybe one day he'll have a stroke and never wake up)
And did you also know that when you are about
to forward this message to others the Satan will discourage you, but
forward it anyway, and DON'T let him stop you.

Surely the idea is to share the gospel because it is good news and not because of some guilt trip. I hope I will receive an email without the endings that these contain one day.

Luke 12:13-21. The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness,[a] for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (NKJ)
 

I was watching the God channel a while ago and heard a sermon about this very chapter and verse. I do not know who the preacher was but what he was talking about was interesting. He spoke about tithes and offerings and also if people saw themselves as being rich.

He asked the audience if they felt they were rich. Then he asked various questions like, are you able to replace clothes or fix things when they are broken, are you able to save and do you ever have any left over. By that equation you are rich as you have more than what you need.

He further went on to discuss the actual parable above. A rich man has been blessed with an abundance in his crops. He has far more than what he needs or can currently store in the barns he has already. He decided to build more bigger barns so that he can store all this excess and feels that he will truly be living the good life as he as over an abundance of what he needs. However in his reasoning and his conversation with God he learns of missed opportunity. Instead of being able to sit back and enjoy these new found riches he has passed away and no longer has what he has hoarded.

The verse is not saying that you are not allowed to be rich. However what is the point of being rich when the people around you are not. In what way could your riches or your abundance be used to be a blessing to someone else. After all when you pass away you can no longer control what belonged to you. People will more likely remember you for what you didn't give. Whilst many will decide how to share up what you left behind. 

So by using your abundance to be a blessing to someone else does not mean you can not have your luxuries. You can enjoy your abundance just do not get too caught up in your riches that you fail to be a blessing to someone else.

So that is the basically what I am understanding. If you have any other intepretation or angle from this. Please leave a comment. I really would like to know more.

You are my Joy

This is such a lovely and uplifting song. Whenever it sung during Praise and Worship at my church it always gets a reprise. I wish I knew of any artist that has this song available on their album or as single that I could purchase. I really do need to get to know more artists who spread the good news.

You are alive but you are dead

I managed to attend one evening session of my church's conference. It was held over 5 days. Below are the notes that I took. I should have typed these up the very next day so I do hope you still take away what I learned that day and things to ponder.

The speaker was called Dr Kervin J Smith and I had never heard of him before but wow he had some powerful things to say and remind people about. The focus of the session was around Revelations 3 verses 1-6. 

"I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead"

When that part was being read I did not quite understand what was being read out until I listened to the whole service. Well rather when I got home and re-read those verses. 

So basically he said that one of the most dangerous places to find yourself in is yesterday. Staying in your past stops you getting into the future. Think about it. How many times do you sit and think about the "what ifs" ?What if  are the things  that plague you. These things can be from your past or things you wanted to do but have yet to do and keep you in that state of thought. What if I did this or that instead of this. When you settle for mediocrity you accepting what is average and stopping yourself from reaching excellence. 

He went onto say that before you can get to the glory, you got to allow God to kill you first. I take it that he meant that there needs to spiritual birth from deep within our souls lead by God. A new you a better you. The holy spirit is needed by all. 

Why does the church has an identity crisis

There are seven attributes of God (7 spirits of God)

1 - Lord , 2 - Wisdom , 3-Understanding, 4- Knowledge, 5-Council, 6-Mind, 7 - Fear of the Lord 

The church has been inundated with celebrity. Celebrity church TV and more. Some people only want to listen to the favourite pastor on TV yet the person they do not want or side steps may be the person to give the most powerful sermon or testimony you ever heard. So the church and church folk should not get blinded by celebrity.

The church at large is in a mess. People have forgotten the local church. The church that is involved in its local community and not just about getting the most people to attend the sunday service. So the church at large has gotten fat and out of shape.

5 key commandments

 1- Wake up - we have been sleeping and need to wake up at what is going on around us. The church is sleeping and does not want to offend people. However the Gospel is the truth and the church should not be afraid to offend anyone. People need to wake up Psychologically, Spiritually and Socially.

2- Strengthen what remains

3- Remember what  God has brought you out of

4- Move in obedience

5 - Repent - until the church at large repents the church will not see the glory.

Key points in service:

There is no glory without a story

God is pulling you out of the pit 

Greatest anointment happens in isolation 

If you want the glory you have to give God you

When God is getting ready to bless you in the season He will not place a classified ad.

In life you will have 12 true friends yet one of them will be a Judas.  

Start thinking Glory

Church was definitely lively yesterday.Well my church usually is. The spirit of the Lord is definitely among us. I really wanted to discuss more of what Apostle spoke about in service but as usual I didn't take notes. This is something I will definitely aim to do in future.

I am always moved by people's testimonies. One lady spoke about for years not having any feeling attached to life and life events. Such as picking up her great-granddaughter. Through the grace of God she now has those associated feelings that she longed for.

When she was speaking it made me think about myself. I would not say that I do not have any feelings attached to life events. After all anyone that knows me can testify that when it comes to my children, they are so loved by me and they know this. So this lady's testimonie spoke to me. On the front I can come across as emotion less and un-moved by certain things. I am talking about things that hurt that are soul destroying. On the outside I am always happy or appear to be so. Yet deep down inside I feel pain. I just do not know how to deal with it except to smile. Smile in the face of adversity.

I am more rambling than telling a story. I think I just need to learn or allow myself to let go sometime. I hope you got the gyst of what I was trying to say.

This song was sung during Praise and Worship. Kurt Carr - In the Sanctuary

Baptism services

I attended a Baptism service at church yesterday. It was so amazing. My friend who has been a Christian for a few years now finally decided to take the next big step in his faith. He nearly died 6 weeks ago and when he was giving his testimony at church he was choked up in tears. God has definitely blessed him with a good family support network. His family starting with his wife joined him at the altar as his chosen song by Marvin Sapp played in the background called "Never Would have made it".

I could tell that not just him alone but his whole family has been blessed by God. Jesus has truly got them in hand and in spirit. I pray this is the start of the next chapter of his life in Christ.

I had a conversation with another friend of mind about the morning events. She told me amongst other stuff she thought that I was ready to be baptised myself.  I am not too surprised by this as many people do tell me this all the time. It is just I do not see it myself. I would definitely have to concur one of my fears of having my head under water. I cannot swim and the thought of being dipped in water no matter how controlled does put a little fear in me. Just know that when I do my fear would have been concurred or met head on with Jesus by my side. One thing for sure I am going to start attending Bible study soon. Even if I have to start doing a distance learning course like I used to do it will be something a start.

Key points in service :

Apostle noted that Baptism comes from the Greek word  Baptizo which means to immerse in water. Some churches simply splash water on the forehead but that is not the example Jesus set. He Himself was baptised by being submerged in water.

Baptism can occur from the moment you choose to follow and begin following Christ. It is a testament of faith.

During praise and worship at start of service we sang Revelation song and let me tell you this. It gave me chills. I could feel the hairs on my arms and elsewhere standing. It just speaks to me in some way and I cannot explain it. I have included a video below.

Feel free to share your thoughts!