MORE than a CONQUEROR

Lately, God has had me at this place of identity. You know; knowing who I am in Him. We all search for our purpose and our identity, and a lot of times we lose our identity to sports, the oposite sex, drugs, alcohol, anger, jealousy, and the list goes on. We lay down the identity God has given us for a lesser identity, but how would we know that if we never know who we are in Christ. Yes, we are beautifully and wonderfully made in His image, but we've been told that all our lives and it hasn't done anything for us. We still turn out to believe that we were born to play a sport, born to be a homosexual/lesbian, or just born to graduate high school, go to college, get a good job, retire and die. When they aren't who you are or what we were called to be, but we lose ourselves in them. God has a much greater identity for you to get lost in. So, I'm thinking my next couple of blogs are going to be about identity but we'll see. I hope you enjoy the journey of learning your true identity as much as I do.

It says in Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him who loved us." This is one of the attributes to your identity in Christ. You are MORE than a conqueror. You know, we look at this and say, "yes, I'm a conqueror..", but you have to understand that you're more than that. You don't have the authority to just conquer your flesh (anger, jealousy, fornication, masturbation, addictions, homosexuality, etc..), you have the authority to do more than that. You can overtake them, snatch the roots out, and kill them. We control the sins that are hidden in our hearts. When Jesus defeated sin and death through His resurrection, He came back up with the keys. Those same keys we hold because He is in us. So, we have the authority to unlock the handcuffs of this world and be free. This is who we are. We are MORE than conquorers!!! Don't give the enemy so much credit and power that he doesn't have. He only can do what you allow him to. He's so scared of you realizing who you are that he tries to throw anything and everything to tempt you to walk away from who you really are. Recognize his plans, and let him know you aren't falling for it anymore.

This is a nugget for believers just as much as unbelievers. We, Christians, can also lose our identity to hypocrisy, perfectionism, performing, etc... So don't be so quick to point the finger, but really take a look at your heart and see if there's anything there that doesn't hold the DNA of our Father. If so, then understand and walk in your authority, Christ has given you, and kill it. The world awaits you, children of God. Walk in your identity in Christ.

*Romans 8:19 NIV, "For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed."
 
danielSON

They're Just Going to Have Fun... Right??

Earlier this week the question was asked what would I say to parents who claim to be "Christians", yet are still deciding to let their children go to prom. So I decided to blog about it. Please feel free to comment, I would love to here your opinions on the subject.

The first thing that came to mind when asked this question was Romans 12:2(NIV), "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." I'm sorry to say, but the prom isn't a gathering where kids get together and pray all night until something shifts in the atmosphere, it isn't kids getting together to have a night of worship (well not to worship God anyways), it isn't a night of kids coming together to have a night of bible study. No, it is a night of materialism. Kids spending huge amounts of their parents money so that they can be glorified in the eyes of those around them. Kids go out lookin for the best dress/tux, the best accessories, the best hairstyles/haircuts, the best vehicle to pull up in, the best looking dates to make themselves look good, and if it's no more dates left then they go with they're friends so they won't walk in alone. It is a night of sexual immorality. Females go out looking for the tightest/little dresses so that they can rub their butt up against a penis all night, and males are looking for the females like that so they can get aroused and try to go and dance with them. Kids meet up to have sex before prom, during prom, and after prom. I've known kids who planned to have sex after prom a month before prom comes. They go ahead and get hotel reservations and everything. It's so sad, but yet very true. It's a night of drunkeness. Why do you think they had to enforce the breathalyzer before you can even get in the door..? It wasn't so they could waste time at the beginning of prom. No, it's because kids would come to prom already drunk out their minds. So, now instead of getting drunk before prom they wait until after prom to get drunk. This is how a lot of drunk driving deaths occur when prom time comes around. Last, but not least, the music they play at these proms have nothing to do with glorifying God and the advancement of His Kingdom. The music they play at proms promote sex, drinking, materialism, smoking, and sin in general. These secular artist that are being played do not serve the God you say that you serve, Jesus Christ; nor do they intend to. As long as that music is being played, the more your child becomes accustomed to it, the more they start singing it, and eventually they begin to walk out what they're saying. Whether it be smoking all the time, drinking until they throw up, having sex with as many people as they can, or striving to have the best materials. If life and death is in the power of the tongue, and you're child is singing the carnal lyrics of the next best rapper then they're speaking to life what they're saying. What do you think that is doing to them spiritually? It's pushing them farther and farther away from God, but hey they're just going to have fun... right??

Parents, the Word of God tells us that you are to, "train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (Proverbs 22:6 NIV) So, what exactly are you training your child for when you send them out to prom looking and acting like the world? You're teaching them that it is okay to compromise their beliefs and values for certain occassions. Eventually, as they get older these certain occassions will turn into a lifestyle of compromise. It's all because you taught them, when they were young, that it was okay to compromise, and so when they get older they won't depart from it. You're also teaching them to be enemies of God(James 4:4 NIV). Now if this is what you want, as a so called believere and follower of Christ, for your child to become an enemy of God; then continue to give into their whining, selfishness, and that entitlement spirit. Giving them everything they WANT when they WANT it. Keep compromising with them. You're raising them to be profesional hypocrites. Now, if you truly want your kid to be on fire for God then no longer compromise with them so that you can liked by them. You're the parent; you're not always going to be liked for the decisions you make, but they will love you and thank you in the long run for teaching them to stand for what they believe in no matter how many people they know are doing the opposite. You're teaching them to walk this earth as the salt and light; bringing change to the standards of this world. Parents get bold and stop giving in to your child's every little desire.

1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV, "Everything is permissible for me-- but not everything is beneficial."

2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV, " Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness."

Romans 6:16 NIV, "... you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness."

danielSON

Who is Your Warden?

Romans 6:16 (message)

"Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are
slaves to the one whom you obey- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness."




We were all called to be a slave to someone. Even Paul considers himself a slave to Christ, Galatians 1:10 (message), "... If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave." So, my question is who is your warden? Who do you allow to be the boss in your life? Is it satan who gives you the automatic torture sentence. He tortures you for eternity. Or will you allow Christ to be the boss. He offers you the life of eternal joy and peace. Whoever you give yourself to, know that you have made them your master.

Focusing on African Americans right now; we were fighting for freedom even before we were born. We've fought so hard against becoming slaves that we've done just that. We've imprisoned ourselves to the point that 1 out of 11 adult (men and women) african americans are enslaved to a cage call jail. Where they put hand cuffs on you; just like the slavery days. They take your freedom; just like the slavery days. They take your name and make you a number, just like the slavery days. You've allowed yourself to become a slave of this world which is ruled by who... no other then the devil himself. You've given into his lies that his way is better. Just because it's easier to sin doesn't mean it's better for you. 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV), "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial." The devil will make the wide road look pretty to appeal to your flesh, but you have make the decision either to walk on it or follow Christ. Don't give in to the enemies plans to enslave you in a life of emptiness, failure, disappointments, depression, addictions, lying, stealing, murder, death, and most importantly hell. Now, he even has us in slavery to abortion. We make up 35% of abortions that happen in the US. But yet you think you're fighting against slavery. Come on people we've been slaves to the wrong master for long enough. Let's raise a standard for the African American race. Let's show the devil that he can no longer control us. Show him that our God is greater. Show him that the standards that he's placed over our young men (anger, murder, death, revenge, addictions, lawlessnes, lack of respect, fatherless, emotionless, sexual perversion...) will no longer be held over them. Show him that the standards that he's placed over our young women (babies out of wedlock, abortion, depression, oppression, fatherless, sexual perversion...) will no longer be held over their heads. Show him that as a people we will not back down, and that our God reigns. Become slaves of God and allow Him to take control.

DanielSon

TRUTH=LIFE

One day (2002 or 2003), after the snow had cleared the road, my mom was driving us to school. She had to be there early because she had to open up the doors for the morning care kids. Now we were thinking just because everyone else was driving on the road with no problems that the roads were fine not thinking about black ice. Here we are coming around a curve, and SLIP!!!, our tires hit black ice, we roll about 3 times, hit a ditch, fly up in the air, land and roll 2 more times, eventually landing on our four wheels. I was laying down on the 3rd row seat of our expedition, and during the violient tossing of our over 5,000 lb. vehicle i flew out the second row window and landed directly on my neck. The doctors say that the way I landed I should've been dead or paralyzed at the least, but no I got up and walked to the car as if nothing happened and checked on my family. The only person scratched up was my mom, she had minor scratches and memory loss. The scratches went away in a couple of days, and her memory came back just as fast. If this wasn't the hand of God, then I don't know what is.

I say this to say that it's only by God's grace that me and my family are alive. 3,000 people die daily at the hand of car crashes and accidents. That could've been me, or one of my family members; BUT GOD!!!

Now the reason I bring this up is because, somehow, my generation feels as though they have forever and a day to give their lives to Christ aka "turn themselves around," and the sad thing is that the body of Christ has accepted this as a reasonable answer to NOT tell this generation the TRUTH. The truth is this my generation; 155,000 people die a day, 6,461 people a hour, 108 people a minute, and 2 people a second and we don't know who's next. So, the more you commit yourself to the world and think you have a long time before your time is up; the more and more God is removing His hand from over you. Eventually He will remove His hand completely and let you have what you want... THE WORLD!!! Yes, His word says that He will never leave you nor forsake you, but He also says in Romans 1:28 (Message), " since they did not bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose..." So, the longer you CHOOSE ignore God, and act as if He's bothering you because He wants to offer you the love you're looking for then the more and more He has no choice but to remove His hand. He'll still love you the same, but He can no longer pull on you if you keep telling Him to stop. He's too much of a gentlemen for that.

Now back to those who call themselves christians. Why is that you've accepted this as an escape for you to NOT speak truth to this generation. Yes, I understand that this generation is rude, prideful, selfish, disrespectful, and getting worse by the day, but does that give you are reason to stop loving them??? You have to remember that you weren't the perfect little angel when God called you either (1 Corinthians 1:26-30), so who are you to turn your back on this fatherless and motherless generation. They only do what they see, and say what they hear. The body of Christ are no longer raising the kids. It's the lil wayne's, jay z's, beyonce's, lady gaga's, oprah's, and all these other carnal people that are raising this generation. What has the church done; given them a false image of who Christ is. You've taught them how to be in religion instead of a relationship with Christ. You've taught them that you can look the role on sunday, but live how you want to on monday-saturday. This false image of Christ is what's killing them and turning them to the world. So church, can you please get your nose out the air, come down off of your high horse, and get over yourself long enough to show this generation the true and living God. To show them the LOVE that they're searching for. They need God just as much as you do, but they won't know who the real God is unless you speak up and speak truth!!!

Romans 10:14-16 (message)

"But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?"

*They won't know if you don't speak TRUTH*

*They will die if you don't speak LIFE*

*Death waits for NO ONE*

All...Most

This is a spoken word done by Ezekiel Azonwu out of P4CM ministries. My only question is; has christianity become your lifestyle or are you an all..most christian? Enjoy!!

#1 "Christ did His job fully, and He proved He was God when He died on the cross like it was His duty and to pardon my iniquities that I commited rudely. He resurected from the grave just to tell death to excuse me."

Okay just incase you didn't get this; let me break it down. You went to trial, and the verdict was that you were guilty and your sentencing was life. As they were taking to you're cell just before they slammed and locked the door they got a phone call saying that the verdict was overturned because someone else confessed to the crime, and that you were free to go. As you're walking out, the person that took the blame for you is walking down with the life sentence that you deserve. That person that stepped in and took the blame for you was Jesus; now you're free to go even though you commited the crime. When Jesus went to the cross; He took on all SIN as a whole. He didn't pick and choose which to take and not take; He took it all. 1 Peter 2:24 (Amp) says, "He personally bore our sins in His own body on the tree as an altar and offered Himself on it, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." Even though we willingly commited sins against God; He came and took our punishment that we may have a chance at eternity.

#2 "An almost christian looks right, but lives wrong. Can't stand the conviction in romans, so they sit down to be comforted by psalms."

The body of Christ has watered down the gospel of Christ to appeal to our own fleshly comforts. We pick and choose which part of the Bible applies to us. When we come to a part in the Bible that corrects us or convicts us then we say that part wasn't meant for me, He didn't mean it in that context, or we get really religious and say that doesn't sit right with my spirit and so we'll skip over it like it doesn't exist. Now what spirit are you talking about? It can't be Holy Spirit who is Jesus Christ Himself, so it must be that spirit in you that hates truth and correction named pride. We've done it so much that we're now teaching those new to the body of Christ how to do the same. How to compromise and water down the word of God to comfort our flesh; instead of fitting our flesh into the word of God. Even the word of God says, "For whom the Lord loves he corrects..." (Proverbs 3:12 Amp) So, when you decide to reject correction/conviction; your rejecting God's love.

#3 "Now'a days christianity's like a Louis rag; no functional use, but we just rock it cause it's stylish. Not righteous but right..ish."

A lot of people has allowed christianity to become a nametag. They slap when on and take it off when they want to. When they're around the right people they put on christianity; saying all the right thingsand looking the role, bus as soon as they leave them they take it off to go smoke, drink, party, etc... Everytime you take your "christian" nametag off; you're denying Christ and what He's done for you. Matthew 10:33 (Amp), "But whoever denies and disowns Me before men, I also will deny and disown him before My Father who is in heaven." So, when are you going to move christianity from your nametag to your birth certificate and allowing to become who you are and what you're recognized as, or are you willing to take chances at being disowned before God?

#4 "Cause on the final day of judgement while God's receiving His heir; will He say son well done or... (spew) medium rare?"

Revelation 3:16 (Amp), "because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of My mouth." When you live a double life; you're lukewarm. A double life is when you're in sunday services shouting and praising God, but throughout the rest of the week no one can tell the difference between you and the rest of the world. You're suppose to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), but how are you going to be a light if you sold your oil for temporary pleasures. We have taken this term and called it "straddling the fence." How are you going to straddle a fence that doesn't exist. Heaven and hell are to far apart to have your feet in both, so there is no such things as straddling the fence. God has more respect for a person that lets Him know that they want nothing to do with Him than for someone who lives a lukewarm life. You see, God can work with a person that's sold out to the world, but for someone who chooses to be lukewarm He can't help. Because their pride and arrogance are in the way of them getting help. So make your choice before your choice is made for you.

#5 "So a halfway life is unprofitable to you. Cause after all the sunday services, bible studies, and prayer meetings, and everything that goes between; God will say I never knew you."

Basically, no matter how much work you do; it won't get you into heaven. The works you do to please God and to pat yourself on the back and say you did something isn't whats going to get you into heaven. It's your hearts condition; it's whether or not you've totally given God your heart. So you can work all you want, and you'll get to judgment day and He'll say, "I never knew you; depart from me, you who act whickedly disregarding My commands." (Matthew 7:23 Amp)

Rescued by LOVE!!

'Love Came Down'

"I remind myself of all that You've done, and the life I have because of Your Son.

Love came down and rescued me, Love came down and set me free. I am Yours, I am forever Yours."

This song is amazing, but i really want to focus on the lines above. We as human beings, but specifically to the "body of Christ", tend to forget what it is that God did for us. I know you remember that famous scripture growing up in church John 3:16. God made a choice, because He SO loves us, to send His son down to earth to take His wrath for us, so that we may have an opportunity to live eternally with Him in heaven. He didn't just come and die for us, but He took on sin, sickness, disease, and the wrath of God for us. Or did you forget because your nose is too high in the clouds, and you're trying so hard to impress people and be recognized that you've forgoten what He's brought you out of? It is only because Jesus loves us that we can live this life, but we forget that. We live this life as if we deserve to wake up, walk on our own, breathe without a tube being ran down our throat, go throughout the day without organs failing or getting into car accidents, or get to heaven for that matter. No, you want to know what we deserve DEATH!!! 'Romans 6:23' (ESV) says that "the wages of sin is DEATH." So, if you truly want to know what it is that you deserve; there it is. The religious game of going to church but living how you want to; deserves DEATH. The lying, cheating, stealing, doubt, unbelief, fear, hatred, unforgiveness, bitterness, gossip, placing things before God, and so many more all deserve DEATH. But, we were RESCUED by Love Himself '1 John 4:8'. It is His love for us that made Him send His son, but it was His hatred towards sin that made Him send His wrath against it. 'Romans 8:2' (NIV) says that, "because through CHRIST JESUS the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of SIN and DEATH." We've been set free from sin and death, it no longer has a legal right to be in our lives unless we let it. When we CHOOSE to sin then we're becoming enemies of God, and smacking Jesus in the face and saying what You did wasn't good enough. So, don't get so religious that you forget who you were and what you used to do before Christ changed your life. Romans 12:11 (ESV) "And they have conquered him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY." He wants us to remember so we can tell others; this way they won't have to go through the same things we did. If you're not going to do it for yourself; do it for the generation after you. They desperately need the body of Christ today!!!

Enjoy the song and the post and may you be blessed by it.

DanielSon

Upside Down World

First off i would just like to thank God for allowing me to go to South Africa and return home safely; still healthy, alive, and strong. I don't even know where to begin. South Africa was an amazing experience that i advise everyone to be apart of. It opens your eyes to a lot. Yes, i was able to see healings, pass out things to families, and dance for the people of South Africa, but i also got a lot from them as well. One of the main things I loved about them is their heart of thankfullness and greatfullness and the pride they took in their things. Whatever it is that they had they cherished it. We were able to go into informal settlements (shacks) where one shack was smaller then bathrooms in houses over here in america. One shack was a home for up to four families. It would be a grandmother, her children, and their children living in one shack. But when you went inside you wouldn't be able to tell that there was more than one person living in that house. Their floors and everything else in the house was spotless. Even the dirt outside their houses was swept. They took pride in everything they owned. One house we were able to go to was the home of a grandmother named Ms. Hilda. She lived with her children and grandchildren. The thing that touched my heart about her was when she said, "anytime you get something from someone you should thank God because they don't have to." As we continued to hand out things and pray for people; every person we came across said thank you. It made me think of do i say thank you for everything i get, for waking up in the morning, for a house, clothes, food, transportation. We as american christians weren't taught to say thank you, but give me more. Another encounter I had was with a young male named Ndoda. He was a dancer and it was after the concert we put on. After he got done dancing he said, i have to thank God for every move i make because He's the one that gives me the strength to dance and move; i understand that my talent is a gift from God. Do we as american take the time to thank God for the gifts and talents that He's given us or do we use them to glorify outselves leaving God out of the picture. Yes, they may have less monetary things than we do, but i bet you that they're way happier then we are. Yes, they may lack the resources we have, but i bet you they work harder than we do. Yes, they may not know how to read or write, but i bet you every christian has their Bible with them at all times. No, everyone doesn't have a car/transportation, but i bet you they don't mind walking hours upon hours and miles upon miles to get to church and they get there no less than two hours early. We have monetary things and still aren't happy, we have resources like crazy but still aren't willing to work hard, we have the privelege of being able to read and write but we refuse to carry a Bible around, we have cars/transportation but we still be late. Seems a little UP SIDE DOWN doesn't it? Like I said going to South Africa open you eyes to a lot like: how selfish we are, how spoiled we are, how ungrateful we are, and how much more we need the mercy of God. Get your passport and go NOW!!!

What Are You Seeking For???

Last night, at Cary Church of God, the question was raised, "what are you seeking for?" In Matthew 7:7 it says, "ask and it will be given to you, SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND, knock and the door will be opened to you." So, I began to ask myself what is that I'm seeking for because whatever it is I'm going to find it. I began to think am i seeking to please others, or am I seeking God's approval? Am I seeking to be seen and recognized for what I can do, or am I seeking more ways to be humble? Am I seeking to have everyone looking at me, or am I seeking to direct everyone's eyes to God? Well according to Matthew 6:33 I am supposed to be seeking after God's kingdom and His righteousness, so if I'm seeking for anything else then I'm out of the will of God. This something that the church should ask themselves. Are we looking to save this generation, or be apart of it? Are we looking to give this generation a way out, or are we looking at ourselves to much that they're being pushed further into the traps of this world? Are we seeking to be the light of the world, or are we looking to blend in witht the dark? There's a generation out here seeking love, acceptance, and consistancy, but where is the church? We are supposed to be the ones directing them to Christ; the only person that can fill that void in their heart. Yes, they may run to the world, but they aren't satisfied because they are still searching for that void filler. The world offers temporary pleasures that fulfill for a while then once that runs out they are out looking for something else, but the world is the one who is embracing this generation with open arms. The church hands are clenched so tight trying to hold onto something we don't deserve at all. We're seeking to make sure that we get into heaven, and forgetting about everyone else. In Matthew 22:39 it tells us to "love our neighbor as ourselves" so if we're not loving our neighbors enough to give them what the Father has given then we won't get into heaven no matter how hard we try. Church, we have to examine our hearts and get into alignment with God's plans. This generation is seeking, but who's waiting with arms wide open ready to give them what they need?

Is Compromise Worth It?

What is compromise? Compromise is know there is something better, and still choosing the lesser of the two. If you act one way around certain people and another way around another group of people, then you are compromising your lifestyle to fit into the world. If you say one thing then do something else, you are compromising. Most people call these incidents "little white lies." Well in Proverbs 4:24 (message version) the Bible tells us, "Don't talk out both sides of your mouth, avoid careless banter (teasing), white lies, and gossip." So, those little white lies turn into huge doors. Creating these doors is an invite for the devil to come in and have his way with you. So, is any form of lying worth going through unnecessary trials from the enemy?

If this isn't enough to make you stop compromising; here's something else to think about. In James 4:4 (NIV) the Bible tells us, " Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." If you compromise your lifestyle to be friends with the world; doing things the world does such as: partying, doing things to please other people, disrespecting people, talking badly about people, deceiving people, etc.; then you are an enemy of God. So, is compromising who you are in Christ worth becoming and enemy of God and losing your destiny?

You see it's different when you know nothing about Christ or His word, then the world is all you know. But when you know the Word, and still choose to live like the world; then you are spitting in Jesus' face, and saying I don't want what you have to offer me. You are putting Him right back on the cross, and saying what you did wasn't good enough for me to give you 100% of my life.

So wight all that being said, my final question is; IS COMPROMISING WORTH YOUR LIFE?

I've made it, but how many wont.

This month I turned 18. Wooow I made it to 18. This just shows you that God's grace is truely amazing. If it wasn't for his grace, I would either be in jail or dead. There are so many people out there who are doing the same exact things I was doing, and they either end up in jail or dead. On my birthday Father had me at a place of gratitude that I've never experienced before. Just being grateful that he has graced me to see the age of 18. Then he asked me, " how many young people will never make to see the age of 18?" I couldn't do anything but cry. It hit me so hard. The body of Christ is always saying we need change, we need a revival, this generation is dying. All this is true, but what are we doing to help change it. We judge this generation because of the things that they do, but how are they going to change if that's all they know. When we were in the world, we didn't know that there was someone out there who will love us for real and that we didn't have to please anyone but him, so we continued to live of the world. This generation isn't going to change unless we get out there and show them that there is something real in this world more satisfying than the things that the enemy has to offer. The enemy isn't going to stop just because we're not doing what we're suppose to be doing. He's doing his job, so why aren't we doing ours. Religion has corrupted this generation, and it is time to restore the name of christianity. Not as just a name, but as a lifestyle. We can no longer be name tag christians. Either you are hot or cold, there is no in between. Some one once said, "either you're on the left or the right because the devil owns the fence in the middle." This means that if you're in the middle then you choose to agree with the devil because Father doesn't want a christian who is going to be warm, and neither is this generation. This generation wants authenticy, and someone who is going to be real with them. They want someone who will show them that it is possible to live a life according to the word. They are tired of people saying things and not doing it. It's time to stop allowing your mouth to run while your legs are standing still. Yeah I made it, but how many will die and go to hell because the body of Christ wants to be selfish? It's time to let your actions speak louder than your words.

I'm Fighting Back

The enemy comes only to steal our hope and happiness through depression, self condemnation, and many other ways. He comes to kill us by sending his demons to set up things like car accidents, transferred illnesses, suicide attempts, and many more. He comes to destroy our destiny and the things that God has planned for us, but yet some of us so called "christians" sit back and allow the enemy to do these things in our face like it's okay. It's funny to me how we can get mad at people when they are talking about us, family, or friends, and be so ready to fight that person because of words. But when it comes to the devil coming to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY we act like we don't see it, and let it slide. We don't get mad at him when the word says in Romans 12:9 that we are suppose to "HATE EVIL", and also in Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers and authorities of the dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavinly realms." So why are we trying to fight people when the true enemy is the DEVIL. My pastor Joshua said something one saturday at encounter that stuck to me a lot. He said that"you should train yourself in the word of God so when the time comes when the enemy attacks you will know what to do because it will be natural because you have trained yourself in the word of God." How do we as warriors for Christ know the attacks of the enemy, and know how to defeat him if we're not in the word. The word of God is our instruction manual, and without it it's like you're going into war and you don't know how to work your gun. Everyone else is shooting at you, and throwing bombs but you're not prepaired to attack because you didn't follow the instructions given, so more likely to die. When you don't follow the instructions that the Father has given you to keep you protected from the attacks of the enemy, you are more likely to die spiritually or naturally. And we always wonder why the enemy keep attacking me? Why don't he bother someone else, it's probably because you let him, and he knows that you're not bold enough to use the authority that God has given you over him and his wicked ways to tell him to let you loose. We have victory over the enemy and anything he brings our way because of Jesus Christ, and the fear of the enemy isn't going to leave until you realize that. We have to begin to hate the devil enough, and trust God enough to fight back. Stop giving the devil more credit then he deserves. Stand up and FIGHT BACK!!!

"Rebel"

What happened to a time when rebelling was doing something bad like running away from home, sneaking out late at night, smoking, drinking, having sex, etc. These days those things seem to be the normal thing to do. It seems like you're not normal if you're not doing anything bad. This is so sad. It's sad to know that every time you look at the news people are dying or going to jail. It's sad to see how many females are walking around pregnant and they're still in highschool. Just hearing the conversations that go on in highschool, all of them are either about what girl they are having sex with, how much weed they smoke, alcohol they drink, how they disrespect every adult figure in there life, etc. The thing that really upsets me is that in order to rebel against the things of the world you have to carry your Bible around, not be disrespectful, not smoke or drink, not have sex, and live by the word of God and not by the standards of the world. God is calling this generation to stand out and rebel against what the world is offering. You can live in the world, but not be apart of what the world is offering. I choose to rebel and go with God. HOW ABOUT YOU???

Follow Instructions

The Holy Spirit has been telling me to clean some of my stuff on my dresser, and i kept putting it off and saying that i will do it later. What i didn't know is that God was trying to get rid of the last signs of lust and sexual perversion in my life, so that i can be completely delivered. Well i finally got around to cleaning up what the Holy Spirit was telling me to clean, and i found some condoms that i forgot that i had. You see i thought i was just cleaning up just because things were a little messy, but obviously the Holy Spirit had different plans. After i had found them, he told me to throw them away. Now you see i didn't feel like there was anything wrong with haveing them, but then the Holy Spirit told me that God has been trying to deliver me completely from lust and sexual perversion and that he couldn't do that if i still had things from my past in my room. He said that the condoms were holding those spirits, and that they gave those spirits access to roam free in my house. You see God will give you instructions, and you may not understand why you are doing it but don't put it off. Do what he says as soon as he tells you, so that you won't have to wait for what he is trying to do through those instructions. So I just encourage you to follow God's, and watch what he's going to do through your obedience.

He Chose Me

He chose me so that they can believe. He chose me to lead them to his sea. His sea is filled with grace and mercy. The farther you swim out, the closer you get to him. Some people are afraid of taking that risk to swim in his sea because they think they are going to drown. They don't realize that he will never let you drown. He may let you go under and struggle for a little while, but he will never allow you to drown. Some people still want to sit on shore and get a tan. He chose me to help them understand that he is not going to wait for them to get ready to send his son back. So i encourage you to take a chance and just put your feet in the water, and see what he does for you. Next thing you know you look back and you are far from the shore, and you promise yourself that you not going back. You may began to get weary, and as soon as you are about to give up, he comes in and saves you. You may struggle, but you realize that it is better to struggle in his mercy and grace then out in the world. Let every form of fear and doubt go, and trust in him and watch what he does in your life.

It's Time to STAND OUT!!!

While we were at Worshipers Arise, God began to do something new in me. He began to shift things inside of me to the point where i couldn't control my body physically. At first i was shocked because i really didn't know what was going on. Then he spoke and told me to let go and let him to take over and change what needed to be changed, so that he can use me like he wants to. God is preparing me spiritually and physically to stand out amungst my peers as an example on how to live the life that is pleasing to him. He is preparing me to be a light in Garner High, and to place an untameable fire in Garner that can never be put out. I can feel the changes that are going on. God is building up leaders for the new generation that he is birthing on this year. He has been building us up and testing us all these years and we didn't even know it. Everything that he has allowed us to go through is what's going to affect this generation so much. The testimonies that he has placed in us is what's going to bring the connection between lifestyle christians and this generation. God didn't allow his leaders to go through pain and suffering just because he can. There was a purpose behind the trials and tribulations. Now is the time where we step up in the boldness that he has placed in us, and not be ashamed of what we have gone through, or where he has brought us from. How many more kids have to die before the leaders that he has called forth step up and take this generation by force??? I know what God has called me to do and I can't stand by and watch the enemy continue to kill God's generation. I'm ready to embrace what God is doing and not be ashamed. I'm ready to STAND OUT!!!

Worshipers Arise

This past weekend Blaz-En (the dance ministry at my church, The Furnace) and I went to this gathering of worship called Worshipers Arise in Virginia. When we got there they were having difficulties with the power, so we began to pray for the power to work and run smoothly. We saw this as just praying for that specific reason, but God was using this time of prayer to set the atmosphere what he wanted to do on that day through Blaz-En. As it was getting closer and closer to the time for us to minister i could feel the presence of God getting thicker and thicker. Before we went on to minister, we came together and prayed. As we were praying God just released a new fire throughout the entire team. It was just so unexpected. The fire that was released was like a fire that he has never been released over us. As we began to minister, i could see the Holy Spirit breaking bondage off of us that were ministering as well as those who were watching. What God did in us just shifted the entire atmosphere. It just completely tipped the glass of his presence. God did something so powerful that they had to stop the entire gathering. Keith Duncan, the founder of Worshipers Arise, had Blaz-En stay at the front, and he called everyone that wanted to be prayed for to the front. He had us go behind the people and pray for them. This is funny because Pastor Joshua said that God was going to take us to a level in him where he would have us to pray for people after we ministered to them. That was no more then a month ago, and now it is manifesting itself. I don't think that any of us expected the manifestation of that prophecy to come this soon, but we are glad that God is using us in such a powerful way and he is just beginning. He is opening so many doors for Blaz-En and The Furnace. He trust us to have wisdom and humility enough to not get big headed with the gift that he has blessed us with.

Testimonies (spreading the good news)

One Saturday my pastor, pastor Joshua, read a scripture (revelations 12:11) and it talked about how "they overcame the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony." This means to me that we overcome the plans of the enemy by the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross, and the things that he has delivered us from. We talked about how we take the glory from God when we don't go out telling people what God has done for us and what he has delivered us from. This got me thinking about all the things that God has done for me in my life, and who I've told about what he has done. I haven't told anyone about what he has done because i was ashamed of the things that i used to do, and i placed how people saw me on a higher pedestal then i placed God. So people were my idol god. So i felt that my first blog should be my testimony. Hopefully it will touch hearts, help people realize that they are not alone, and give others the courage to tell their testimony because you never know who you can save because of your testimony.

Weed and Alcohol

Weed and alcohol were big parts in my life. I started smoking weed when i was eleven. It started out as a pressure thing. I wanted to be like all of my friends. I felt like i had to be like them to hang with them. When I knew that i didn't feel right doing it or being around it, i did it anyways because they were doing it. It was crazy because i thought i would just do it every once in a while, and the devil used that door to lead me to addiction. Before i know it i was smoking weed everyday. It got so bad to the point where i would take the lunch money my mom would give me, save it up, and use it to buy weed. No matter how bad i felt about using her, i felt like i needed that high in order to feel good. I realized the impact that weed had on my life. My grades began to fall, i became more rebellious, i began to get in more trouble at school, i always talked down about myself, i talked about other people so they can feel how i felt, my whole personality just turned around completely. I always tried my best to get back to that initial high, but i never could, and when i came back down my problems were still there waiting for me to deal with them. My weed addiction led to the use of alcohol in my life. Usually when we were smoking my friends would bring a couple drinks also, but i always say no to them. Then one day i tried some alcohol, and my flesh liked the combination of the weed and the alcohol. So i continued to drink and drink. I thought i was the coolest in the world because i could hold a lot of liquor not knowing that it could kill my insides. I used to get so drunk to the point where i wouldn't remember anything that happened that night. Even though i never passed out, I would always black out and not remember anything. My friends would come up to me the next day telling me about all the things i did ,and how fun it was, but i wouldn't remember nothing they were saying. This also began to effect my academics. Even when i moved from my friends that i started with i found new friends who smoked and drank and i would be with them all the time. God began healing my body and delivering me from addiction to weed and alcohol around September of 2009. He just began to slowly pull me away from the people who i thought were my friends. He moved me the first time because he wanted me to realize what i was doing, but i still ran back to weed and alcohol. So he was faithful and did it a second time, and this time i realized what i was doing to myself as well as the people around me. As he was removing people, I began to get tired of drinking and smoking all the time. I would get tired of being around it, and the people who had it. Without God's hand in my life who knows where i would be, or doing just to cator to that addiction.

Sexual Immorality

One of the biggest things i dealt with when i was in the world was being addicted to sex, and sexual immorality. I always had a girlfriend, and a couple friends on the side. After me and a girl would break up i would be sure to stay friends with them so that we could keep in touch, and get together whenever I wanted to. I always knew how to get the girl in the bed. I guess you could say i had a way with words. Most of the relationships i was in ended in sex, or sexual activities. Even though i wouldn't brag about it, my head was still big because of how many girls i would juggle at one time. Then there this one time with this girl, we were having sex, and a couple weeks later she told me that she thought she was pregnant because she was late. My heart started pounding, and i started to think about if i was truly ready to be a father. She took the test and it came back negative. God allowed this situation to happen, so that my eyes could be open to what i was doing and the consequences that could take place if i continued with my actions. This is when i decided to give it up and not keep having sex. I knew that if i continued then it probably would've happened again, and it could have been positive.

Self Mutilation

This picture explains what i used to do. Self mutilating was one of the ways that i thought would control my anger, and get rid of my problems. A lot of the time i would do it because i put to much on myself. I would always take on the problems of my friends, and family and i would blame myself for what they were going through, or i would beat myself up because i couldn't do anything to help them. I felt like i had to help everyone that came to me with their problems, and if i couldn't then it would be my fault that they were sad. Another reason is that I would try to live up to other peoples expectations of me instead of living to please myself, and if i couldn't meet the expectations i would be mad at myself, but i continued to try because i wanted to be accepted by everyone. God delivered me from this when one day i found out that one of my friends do it, and i told them that they were stupid for doing it. Then i realized that i was doing the same thing. He taught me how to examine myself and make sure that I'm leading by example before i try to help someone else out. Now i worry more about my problems before other peoples, and i try not to take their problems on as my own. I still find myself doing it, then i remember what he has delivered me from, and just let it go and let God deal with it.