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Put Your Name On Me


This song stands out to me due to its humble sound, reminiscent of an era long past, almost akin to a ballad from the Old English period. What sets it apart are the words it employs, such as “wretch” and “shambles,” which have fallen out of favor in today’s vernacular. Similarly, terms like “signs and wonders” harken back to older Christian traditions, not frequently encountered in modern Christianity. It’s evident that the songwriter must have experienced these signs and wonders at a young age. Even the word “overwhelmed” is not commonly used by today’s youth, giving the song a distinctly old English tone.

Amidst this, there are the modern words, “I was a label, no identity,” which succinctly capture the state of today’s youth. In an age of identity politics and the labeling of various social groups, it seems being merely human is no longer sufficient. The concept of Imago Dei has lost its relevance. “I was a sinner, thought I was over” reflects a contemporary usage of the term “sinner,” often employed mockingly to undermine the traditional view of human nature and God’s perspective on it. From this perspective, humanity is irredeemably flawed, and hope for individual or collective change is nonexistent. Life is seen as futile, with no prospect of redemption.

Have we ever considered that people behave the way they do because they harbor a desperate sense of hopelessness and a belief that life lacks purpose, leading their broken hearts to a path of self-destructive behavior?
This phenomenon can manifest in various ways. For those in positions of power who view people as pawns incapable of growth, they may continue to abuse and oppress. Alternatively, an intelligent college student, armed with statistical knowledge, might rationalize abortion as a logical choice because, statistically speaking, it may not seem sensible to bring a child into the world.

While governments position themselves as caretakers of society, the reality often falls short of genuine care and concern for the governed. Consequently, when injustice occurs, some may adopt a nihilistic attitude, thinking, “Why should I care about my environment if they don’t care about me?” This can lead to destructive behavior.

The name Jesus represents a transformative power that begins within an individual. It’s time we grasp how God operates. He initiates change at the personal level, altering not just external appearances but also hearts and minds—a gradual process. The name, the person of Jesus, imbues individuals with a new way of life, prompting them to live more virtuously and purposefully.

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Good Old Friends

Good Old Friends

Life can be whimsical at times. In 2017 and once more in 2022, I found myself in Jamaica. The first time, it was to celebrate Cousin Ashley’s Sweet Sixteen and to meet my extended family for the very first time. It’s moments like these that urge us to pause and truly grasp our emotions. Sometimes, understanding how and why we feel a certain way eludes us, but in moments of quiet reflection, clarity often emerges.

In 2022, at this very same time, I stood at my father’s funeral. Papa, Dad’s lifelong friend from their younger years, had passed away just two days before. Today, in 2023, marks a year since Dad’s funeral, Papa’s departure, and six years since I first met my extended family – Sanjaye, Mark, Eric, and Lisa. New bonds have formed, and generations have moved on. Tell me, don’t we all need a bit of faith? I certainly do.

I’d like to honor the enduring connection between my father, Wesley, and my step-grandfather, Harold. This month would have marked Papa’s 90th birthday and Dad’s 81st. In their final days, they managed to exchange a few words, a testament to their enduring friendship. In this lifetime, we encounter numerous individuals, but only a select few friendships endure until the very end. So, in this month spanning from August into September, I’ve chosen to celebrate the essence of friendship. Yes, tears may fall, but from their lives, I draw profound lessons about the significance of these enduring bonds.

  • August 21, 2023
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Relinquishing the Rights to Feelings

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” – Psalm 119:165

The inevitable Offense
“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!” – Luke 17:1
Offenses are at an all time high.
The man made Righteous
Psalm 112:6-8 ESV
For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
Explanation
Psalm 24:5
5He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Acts 10:1-8 – The Account of Cornelius – The justification from God. Not of works
By Grace are we saved through faith.
The main offense Johns Inquiry Luke 7: 18-23
Blessed are those who are not offended because of me
Let’s examine the Situation
How did Jesus see John.
About Us – Let us have this peace in us. Let us have this truth in us. Let us have this rest.
David the Forgotten Lad.
The introduction of David.
The Basis – The setup
Despite his glaring flaws, the David is described as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). David was far from perfect, but his faith and zeal made him the standard against which all Israel’s future kings would be measured against.
Saul was rejected by God as King. Here we find David. A man called to do God’s will. What we cannot see. The background. What would entice a young man to know the Lord. What gave him the ability to stand up to Goliath?
These are attributes you can only cultivate in the secret place of your heart with what you have and what you have been given.
Character is who you are when you are alone
God’s Will – David wrote and wrote and wrote some more. Over 2000 years we are reading and learning from the Psalm of David.
This mission was started in 1969 and in 2022 it has expanded till today
Billy Graham Evangelistic Ministries
The Daily Bread – Mat Dehaan – 1938
There is a dream in your heart and your heart is His prayer.
Humility and boasting in the Lord:
Confidence in God – Psalm 119: 98 – 100
Hebrews 3:6
Verse Concepts
but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
Such confidence before God is ours through Christ. 5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. – 2nd Cor 3: 4

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Boasting-In-God

Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies – 1 Corinthians 8:1
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than himself. – Philippians 2:3

What Is Pride?
It is boasting in self and not the Lord.
It is taking credit ourselves for what God alone can do.
It is relying on self and not God.
It is feeling sufficiency in our own strength and not in God’s.
It is the disinclination to admit that we are mere earthen vessels so that another gets the glory.
It is the unwillingness to admit weaknesses that may accent the power of Christ.

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The Power of Grace

Today I’ll be sharing with you what God has taught me since we last met.
The Great Commission Matthew 28: 19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Disclaimer
Revelation should not be seen as doctrine. I’m not sharing this as a doctrine. Doctrine are teachings that can be proven in scripture and backed up by said scripture. Revelations are not meant to replace the teachings of the Bible, but to encourage a believer in doctrine or faith that is already established. It’s not meant to replace scripture.

Love Comes from God – 1 John 4:10
…This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.…

The angels did not get repentance.
The battle and the need for faith.

Original Translation and Meaning of “It Is Finished” – Greek word tetelestai

  1. This was Jesus’ exclamation that He had finished the work the Father had sent Him to do.
    Jesus could cry out to the Father, “I have done exactly what You asked Me to do!” or “The mission is accomplished!”
  2. The word tetelestai was the equivalent of the Hebrew word spoken by the high priest when he presented a sacrificial lamb without spot or blemish.
    Thus, when Jesus said, “It is finished!” He was declaring the end of sacrifice because the ultimate Sacrifice had finally been made! Atonement was completed, perfected, and fully accomplished. It was done once and for all – finished forever!
  3. In a secular sense, the word tetelestai was used in the business world to signify the full payment of a debt.
    When Jesus uttered those words, “It is finished!” it was His declaration that the debt was fully satisfied, fulfilled, and complete. His blood utterly and completely cleansed us forever. It was far-reaching and all-embracing for all of us who put our faith in Him.
  4. In classical Greek times, the word tetelestai depicted a turning point when one period ended and another new period began.
    When Jesus exclaimed, “It is finished!” it was indeed a turning point in the entire history of mankind, for at that moment the Old Testament came to an end – finished and closed – and the New Testament began. The Cross was “the Great Divide” in human history. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” He was shouting that the Old Covenant had ended and the New Covenant had begun!
    How Do I Change and What is Expected of Me?

Let us take a look at Andre Norman


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jzd803DzD-k

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How To Step Into The Future

The last time we learned we don’t need to regret the past, however we can accept the past in hope of a brighter future.
The key scriptures for this topic are
Deut 30:11-20
Rom 10: 6-9
The focus word from Romans is The word of faith.
This word of faith is the God news of Jesus Chirist. I believe our sins make or give way for us to relate to the gospel. As we see ourselves it gives us the opportunity to align ourselves with God’s truth in His word. Which will encourage us to make better choices.

What do we need to understand to move forward?

1.The faithfulness of God.

  • Promises – God is not a man that He should lie or the son of man that He should repent – Num 23:19
  • Sanctification – 1 Thess. 5: 23-24

1 Thessalonians 5:24 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own].
Presence –

Don’t be obsessed with money but live content with what you have, for you always have God’s presence. For hasn’t he promised you, “I will never leave you alone, never! And I will not loosen my grip on your life!” [6] So we can say with great confidence: “I know the Lord is for me and I will never be afraid of what people may do to me!” – Hebrews 13:5-6 TPT

2. The Providence and Sovereignty of God
His Word – Psalm 138:2

    I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth, for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.

  • Psalm 89:32-35 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David
  • Written –
    Psalm 139:16 – Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
  • God has written a plan for your life, not only the world. You need to know it’s a good plan. A God glorifying plan. This should encourage us to think positively and expect the best or even the best offer the worst. – Comeback to writing and planning

3. Need to know why we read the Bible?

  • The Learning Manual –
    2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
  • Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
    1 Corth 10: 6 – 13 – Explains it very well.

4. Be like God
Write the vision Habakkuk 2:1-4

  • 1I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
  • It is by faith you will make plans and operate and move.
  • God plans, hopes and dreams. Most of all He is a God of purpose who doesn’t waste a thing.

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These Irrevocable Things

God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good? – Num 23:19

As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake. For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of. – Romans 11: 28 – 29

Jesus willingly went to the cross, driven by the Spirit of God. This morning, I minister from a place of weakness, emptiness, and hopelessness, much like the void before creation. Just as God spoke and created the world, He also formed man intimately, breathing life into him and granting him consciousness to interact with the Creator and creation.

Our unregenerate hearts were also in a state of void and darkness until the light of Jesus shined in them, making us new creations. This new heart is nourished by faith in God, not our own abilities. Jesus, the last Adam, also relied on the Holy Spirit as He faced temptation in the wilderness, showing the nature of existence in a fallen world and the need for divine help.

When Jesus faced the cross, He didn’t do it alone; God the Father provided Him with strength through His creation, symbolized by Mark who helped Him. Just as Jesus depended on God, we too should recognize that all ability and success come from God. By relinquishing ourselves to God, we find true life and freedom from fear and death.

The thief on the cross understood his position, accepted his fate, and received salvation when he believed in Jesus. Likewise, when we believe in God and His Word, we become who He called us to be, never turning back.

In conclusion, embracing our weakness and acknowledging our dependence on God unleashes His power in our lives. We find strength in poverty, for it brings principalities to their knees. As we believe in God and His transformative work, we become new creations, forever changed by His love and grace.

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Easter Bread

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”- John 12: 23-25

I probably should have written this on Wednesday. It’s not possible to get three days and three nights between Friday and Sunday morning. Paul says in Acts 17:30 that God at times winks at our ignorance. I think that’s proof that God does understand our nature as humans to lean towards tradition.

Another aspect of this season is the Easter Bunny. What does this have to do with Jesus? The bunny represents fertility, the ability to multiply abundantly. Instead of complaining about the Pagan roots that are stuck in Christianity, how about another perspective to stir the pure mind.

“unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” – verse 24.
Have you taken a look at the harvesting of wheat? It’s more amazing and abundant than any rabbit can reproduce. Here we find Jesus saying unless a grain dies it cannot reproduce. Jesus was referring to Himself, unless He died He would not be able to multiply Himself. Unless He died other children of God would not be produced for earth to see God’s glory. He had to die to multiply. God’s idea of multiplying goes beyond natural fertility. It’s spiritual – the concept of being born again, made new. Each person alive now has the opportunity to attain the nature and character of God.

Jesus, our Messiah, was and still is the perfect example. He testified that God’s word is true and fulfilled it through His death and resurrection. Though that was good enough, the aim was also for Jesus to have a bunch of Mini-mes. A replica of His nature, His heart, His love, His power and His salvation extending through all who believe. Jesus said, as the Father has sent me, so send I you. As Jesus abounds in the Father’s Love so we are commanded to abide in the vine to bear fruit.
Jesus has been multiplying Himself for thousands of years now and He will continue until the time appointed for His return. I’m grateful to have an opportunity to share in God’s grand salvation plan of sending His Son to lose His life to gain the lives of humanity. No bunny can do that.

I encourage all of us to ponder God’s redemption plan this season. The Easter bunny doesn’t represent this season for me, the Cross could, the Empty Tomb could, how about a field of wheat? How about wheat that in turn makes bread and Jesus is the bread of life and we break bread the Word of God and we share this bread (Jesus Christ) and whoever believes gains life.

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The Importance Of Forgiveness

The Importance Of Forgiveness
The start
Matthew 18:21-35
What is behind unforgiveness is 1. Pain and 2. Anger
How are we going to deal with Anger?
Matthew 5: 21-26

What you say…

Matthew 12:35-37

Points to ponder

  • Jesus became sin – Hebrews 4:15-16
  • Forgive each other as God has forgiven you – Ephesians 4:32
  • Between God and you – Matthew 6:15

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Hope Maketh Not Ashamed

Romans 5:1-5  – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.]

Romans 4:18 – In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 

Psalm 32:1-2 – Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Satan would like the obstacles we see today to prevent us from seeing the hope of or the hope in the future. 

Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
   – Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

The conclusion is we build character by faith in God’s promises and who God says He is: in doing so we have hope for the future

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