ignite your spirit

How to Overcome Temptations

2011-09-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

“The more I try not to, the more I do. Gosh! I just wish there was some way I could control myself. All I really desire is some good fun without the sin attached. ”

These are the words of frustrated sixteen year old Andre as he explained his difficulty to his friend Marissa.

Do you feel like Andre at times?

Is there something you are struggling with and you wish you could overcome it?

Both Andre and Marissa decided they needed to talk with someone with wisdom, so they went to talk with their Youth Leader - Daniel who shared the following insights with them:

These are the three ways in which you can be tempted and we each will face one or more of these at some point in our lives:

1. Temptations by objects or encounters

 Temptation is a pornographic movie or magazine

 Temptation is looking at an attractive person and allowing their body to preoccupy your mind

 Temptation is chocolate or cheese cake when you are already struggling with overweight issues.

2. Temptations by being in pressuring situations

 Temptation is seeing money falling from someone’s pocket and wanting to take it as your own

 Temptation is your friends forcing you to do something you know is wrong

 Temptation is being jeered to the point of fighting.

3. Temptations by hearing voices in your head

 Temptation says, “Everyone is doing it and you would be strange not to do it too.”

 Temptation says, “I am going to give them a taste of their own medicine.”

 Temptation says, “You can’t do it, you are worthless, furthermore nobody likes you anyway.”

The most destructive is the third one as it aims to destroy both your confidence and your belief in the word of God.

Fighting temptations – Knowing and understanding the truth can save you from falling for Satan’s lies. On hearing this, Andre took a deep breath.

The negative thoughts and the weaknesses you have usually serve as an open door to be tempted. James 1:14 says, “…each one is tempted when, by his own desire, he is dragged away and enticed.”

This therefore means that you will be tempted (excited or aroused) by those things that you like and provoked (incited or roused) by those things that you don’t like.

Daniel then went on to sharing the following 7 ways of overcoming temptations with Andre and Marissa. See how these too can help you:

1. Stay away – (Know where your weakness lies)

You stand a better chance of not falling into temptation if you stay away from the things which may trip you over. 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness…”

Youth is a time when lusts strike the strongest and you have the least experience dealing with them. The hormones flowing through your body cause your emotions to fluctuate between extremes. Therefore, find creative activities to divert your energies such as sexual urges. Know your weakness and stay away from those things which will bring you shame.

2. Talk with someone

Just like Andre and Marissa did, they found Daniel who was able to guide them into understanding themselves and making the right decisions. You too can find someone who will help you to overcome your temptations and check upon your progress from time to time. Find good counsel.

3. Use the bible as your inspiration

The bible has very good instructions to help young people with their everyday challenges. In psalm 119: 9 it says, “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.”

Sinful acts usually come with a lot of pleasures and enjoyment but the consequences later on are painful and can be devastating.

4. Watch your attitude and your thinking

You will eventually do and become whatever you feed your mind on. Be careful of the type of thoughts you entertain. A man is literally what he thinks – Proverbs 23: 7.

Keep your thoughts and your conversations pure and avoid negative thinking. You can also commit a sin from your thoughts, even if you never performed the act (Mark 7:18-23).

Think positive at all times. – Philippians 4:8

5. Change your environment

Staying pure sometimes require changing your friends or the people you hang out with, especially if they are not encouraging you to do the right things. You are young and you will need to use your strength for godly and righteous activities.

If you have a tendency to gossip, then see how much you can get involve in activities which allow you to use your talent of speaking for good. These are activities that will bring glory to God. Perhaps you can try debating.

6. Get into the habit of making the right choices

Your entire life is formed around a series of choices and decisions, good or bad. Every time you overcome a temptation it gives you more strength to overcome the next one.

7. You can receive forgiveness

If you fall, get up. Don’t allow your guilt to get the better of you. Jesus loves you so much that he already made provision for when you do fall. He says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Be careful now; do not fall into the dangerous trap of repeated sin because you know God will forgive you.

Jesus told his disciples in Matt. 26:41 to watch (Stay alert) and pray so that they will not enter into temptation. This raises an interesting question, whenever we fall into temptation, is it because we fail to watch and pray?”

If you pray and have regular worship sessions it will help you to be more victorious.

You can enjoy your Christian life and be holy at the same time. Trust God and always allow His Spirit to lead you, for in all these we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Both Andre and Marissa were grateful for what they learnt and so they decided they would share this information with all the other members of the youth group.

(Feel free to forward this artcle to someone you believe would benefit, thanks for sharing)

Lord Bless Me…

2011-09-02T12:49:00.001-07:00

So I will bring joy and not pain…
So I will do your will amidst the heartache and the shame…

When the sun is out, or when the weather is not quite favourable to me…
Cause me to see that even in my dislikes you are bringing your purpose out of me…

Lord Bless Me…

So I will not be a curse…
So I won’t settle for last, when you have called me to be first…

When the issues of the day become overwhelming…
The voices around me are everything except encouraging…

Lord Bless Me…

May I understand that frequent rejections
May be your way of saying change the plan and change direction

Lord Bless Me…

Let me claim all the promises you have made
So I will experience you more and more each day

Lord I ask you now to bless me

Prayer for Strength 2

2011-08-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

Dear God:

Today, I am remembering that I am your child.

I know I am safe in the arms of your love.

I know I am protected by the power of your love

I know I am guided by the wisdom of your love

Today, I know I am a beloved child of God

I know that all of my needs are met by God today

I know that all of my questions are answered by God today

I know that my concerns are God’s concerns because I am God’s Beloved child

I am leaning on God today

I am depending on God today

I am putting my faith in God today

I am putting my hand in God’s today so he can lead me safely through whatever I fear.

I am trusting God with all the affairs of my life today because I know God loves me just as I am, today and every day

For this I am so grateful.

And so it Is!

Writer: Iyanla Vanzant

Turning Point – Ja Gospel Music

2011-08-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

I sense in my spirit that yet again our beautiful country is at the brink of a change.
Exactly what am I talking about?
Approximately fifteen years ago, we were exactly at this point.
The gospel music had lost its colour, its flavour and salt.
We were just going through the motions, no anointing, and no excellence of spirit.
Most of the songs that were recorded originated from North America; we were merely putting the lyrics to reggae beats and then call them our own.

The Music Ministers became conscious that ‘concerts’ were dying and were in need of urgent rescue.
But, instead of seeking God for the heavenly sound He desired for them to sing, speak and play over the nation, they went to look at what was working in the world and guess what?

Yes…You guess right, they copied the ways of the world and brought it into the church.
Now, some may agree with me some may not.
I was but a boy when this was happening in Jamaica.
The Kingdom of God leads, the devil follows and tries to copy, not the other way around.
I am writing this from my heart as I ask God to give us Jamaica.
If you are in agreement with me then let us pray.

A series of events later followed that I will write about later called, ‘Music that holds the nation hostage’.

What can we do?
What is needed now is for the 'Praying and watchful’ people to pray.
We can hold seminars and discussions to open the eyes of the people. We can do ‘sing-shops’ and more.

But now we need to pray.

A change is on the horizon. Our land is in dire need of healing.
The Bride must prepare for the Groom. We are at a turning point.
We also run the risk of making another mistake that will render what happened over the last few years as a ‘huge joke.’

Pray, we must. Sit by and allow it to repeat itself, a risk too great to take.

If we are going to save the next generation and the present we must pray and act now.

We need to pray and ask God for music and songs that will capture the heart of Jamaica. Capture the hearts of the people and direct them to the Almighty God, a position the church once held. It is now in the hands of the ungodly.
The thoughts of our children, teens, youths and adults have been perverted by the music while the gospel music ministers find comfort in ‘entertainment’ and jesting.

My soul cries out, at this turning point, GOD PLEASE SAVE JAMAICA.

(If you know a Musician, Singer, Choir Director or Pastor who needs to hear this, please feel free to share it)

Where art thou?

2011-03-22T07:51:00.001-07:00

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? Genesis 3:9
Why did God ask that question?

In Genesis 3: 8, Adam and Eve had sinned. They had eaten of the forbidden fruit, and the immediate response of sin was that, "they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD amongst the trees of the garden.

I wonder why God ask Adam where he was, is it that God is not able to look on us in our sinful state or is it that sin hides us from God.

Why did Adam and eve hide among the trees?
We also see in St. Matt 27: 45 – 46, one of the more puzzling things for many Christians, the lamenting question that Christ uttered on the cross in His cry of, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

So whenever we sin is it that we are no longer under God’s protection as He is not able to look at us with all that sin and so we become even more vulnerable?

David also cried unto the Lord, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments," Psalm 119:176.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way," Isaiah 53:6.

In this plan of salvation just like a lost sheep needs the shepherd to find it, we need our Great Shepherd to find us whenever we go astray. But also important to the salvation plan must be a willingness to be found. If we keep hiding then grace will not be able to cover us and clothe us in God’s righteousness.

Where are you now?

Can God see you, can He look upon you?

If you are not sure where you are with God, use this moment to ask God to restore your heart and soul back to Him. He is waiting.

Set the level…

2011-01-26T08:46:00.000-08:00

In sound technology it is very important that the levels be set to get the best out of your microphones and other sound equipment, this also help to minimize or prevent feedback and other disturbances.

I want to say to our leaders of worship, musicians, singers and psalmists.

When you stand to lead the musical aspect of your worship services, set the level.

Determine ahead the level you want to initiate at, and then build on it. God works on your desires to promote His glory.

Seek God and then lead the praise service powerfully, set the level.

The songs, the scripture, the acts of worship, do them with passion and set the level.

Always be conscious of your own attitude and spirit not just when you stand to lead but even in your preparation and the night before, days before, set the level.

When we begin to set the level of the service and with the Holy Spirit working in us, we will see miracles, super natural workings and regeneration like no other.

Prayer of Purpose

2010-08-25T06:29:00.001-07:00

Dear God

I know you are great and wonderful and I also know you are listening to this prayer.

From a very early age you called Samuel and placed him to serve your people.
God You showed Joseph the blue print of his life through his dreams...but God what do you want from me?

I look at the moon each time and its purpose I can clearly see...but God what do you want from me?

You groomed and trained David to be King and from he was a little shepherd boy you knew his heart... God what about mine?

At times I feel so far away from where you desire me to be...God you are able to fulfill your plans in. What do you want from me?

You called Ruth, Esther, Naomi, Elizabeth and Mary...God what do you want from me?

You said I should call unto you and you will show me hidden secrets.
Well…here is my mind, use it, here are my eyes show me and here is my mouth let me speak boldly.

God what do you want from me?

You have given me a name, a name which means something.
Help me Lord to live my name or change my name.

Show me your way for me to go there.
Teach me to walk its path.
My ways are not always yours; help me to walk in purpose in Jesus name, Amen.

Do I Have Your Attention?

2010-08-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Jesus asked me an important question today:
He asked, “Do I have your attention?”

He said, “I ended that bad relationship so you could see how much you really needed me
Do I have your attention?

Your finances have dried up, for you to learn to trust me to supply your needs:
Do I have your attention?

You have repeatedly made bad choices and wrong decisions
Do I now have your attention?

Your earthly appetite has become overwhelmed with wrong enticements
Porn, drugs, sex, lustful and flirtatious entertainment

All too often you give more attention to these and others rather me
Do I now have your attention?

You even worry so much about what others think about you than what my word says about you.

Your dressing, your body, your attitude and your friends all take precedence over me and what I desire from you.
Do I now have your attention?

How many more failures will it take for you to learn?
How many more heart break, scars and how many more burn?

As soon as you realise how much I have allowed for your heart to find me
You will return with a heart of thanksgiving.

Thanking me that even though you’ve been through it all, you still stand tall
Do I now have your attention?”

I Was Made For Better

2010-07-31T22:30:00.001-07:00

I was made for better
By Author Jermaine Gordon

Though I was born a sinner
I must not remain in the gutter

I was exposed to better
So now, I desire it and I want it

I was created with ambition
To change my situation

I was made to love
So I must be a lover

I was made to give
So I must become a giver

Evil words spoken against me
Will no longer blueprint my destiny

I wasn?t made for this
To better I must switch

I was born to see a better day
I was born to find a better way

Born a boy, I now aspire to become a man
I can do right with these creative hands

In my heart I now believe
Ask and I shall receive

If God writes my plan
I have got to become a better man

I was made for better
I was made for better

Remember who we serve

2009-11-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

Colossians 3 v 23-24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

I must find God

2009-09-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

I must find God, though He isn’t lost, I am.
I must find God for I have wandered off far away, on a lonely, lonely road.

Many days, many nights I longed for a better way, a better life

My body in pain, from sickness and weakness
The burden, the care as grown like a tree now it is too much to bear
I must find God, for though the medical report says I am sick, his truth says I am healed. I am whole.

I must find God, for in my heart I find it too difficult to forgive and so into the past I continue to live.
Today I must find God for as often as I forgive, I am forgiven and as often as I pray this prayer: Lord Help! Then I am healed.

Healed of my broken heart and hurt
Healed of my disappointments, my resentments
Lord I yearn to live in peace and contentment

Like water needs rain and the fire needs the flame
My heart and soul needs God

My mind so confused
So many choices, not sure which one to choose
I must find God, for he has promised to direct my path, for if I but trust his gentle hands, He’ll guide my heart.

In times of solitude and quiet meditation, when his voice is the only voice I hear…….…I must find God
In prayer, ridding my heart of all iniquity, my voice will God hear

In fasting and self sacrifice, my obedience is the greatest sacrifice……..…I must find God

In worship, I must yield to the precious Holy Spirit total control……….then I must find God

Today, tonight, right here, right now, this very hour, Oh my soul find God
I must find God. Not another minute without surrendering, Oh my soul find God.
I must reach that place he waits patiently for me to be. I must get there. I must find God.

A Heart of Thanksgiving

2009-07-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

By Jermaine Gordon © copyright 2009

A heart of thanksgiving...
Like music from the heart flowing...
Played on a silver bagpipe...
Gloriously greets the morning, the day or night...
Its melody removes the bitterness from the sweet...
A place where laughter and joy embrace as they meet...
Heart-music loved by its players...
Charmed and adored by its hearers...
A heart overflowing with thanksgiving...
Sing songs that are always healing...
Played on the strings of the air...
You can sense it so tangibly that God is near...
Remedy from your demons of fears...
Therapy for your mountains of cares...
Like the beating of the drums...
No murmur, the voice of the spirit quietly hums...
A heart of gratitude...
Bestows praise with an attitude...
A heart of thanksgiving keeps the man...
In tune to the rhythm of God and His plan...
Most perfect way to be led by the hand...
Things thought impossible, I now Know and believe I can...
A heart of thanksgiving causes the soul to see...
How blinded the eyes can be...
For misery is but the devils’ ballroom...
To craftily deceive the heart that all is gloom...
A faithful heart of thanksgiving...
Like music from the heart and streams of water flowing...
‘Tis God’s gentle reminder He cares...
Heaven resides in our hearts, God lives there...

A prayer from a changed heart

2009-07-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

Dear God….

When I am to react to the things around me
Let me not respond as I would, rather as your word says I should

When evil committed against me is brutal and painful
Let me operate with wisdom and render not evil for evil rather overcome evil with good

Lord when I am tempted to sin
Oh Lord and these are many
May I be reminded than keeping a distance
Is a powerful way to protect me from myself

When I believe I cannot and it is not within me to resist the wrong
May I be reminded that in my times of weakness you have promised to make me strong

Lord when I am hurting, really hurting, may I not be too hasty in my responses
For I may cause more hurt to others who are already hurting and by so doing turning the situation into a more complex one

Help me to understand that some things are already too difficult to comprehend each day and my own actions, reactions, perceptions and beliefs could create even more perplexing ways.

Lord in my times of need and lack
Cause me to see how much you have my back

I have sinned and fallen short of your glory
But I no longer desire to miss all you have made me for and made me to be

If I have been missing the mark, cause me to return to you so I will no longer fall short of your glory. Let me see the way you see and hear the way you hear.

And finally Lord, when your word is spoken, some times it just doesn’t fit and when it doesn’t fit it becomes even more difficult for me to wear. Help me Lord to wear your word even when it may be too tight or too loose on me, cause me to grow into it in Jesus name, Amen.

Is it night where you are?

2009-06-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

If where you are is filled with darkness, dark times and dark moments, read on.
If it seems all gloom and doom and you can’t find your way, and it doesn’t seem to make any sense, read on.

Quite often when faced with a storm we would rather go around it or wait for it to pass and your response usually meets it with a cycle of complaints, hitting back at everyone and everything that attacks you or stand in your way, while becoming bitter, angry, disheartened, depressed or discouraged in the process.

The dark times sap your energy and you feel as though you are coming under too much pressure for one person.

Remember this, ‘stars always shine.’
Stars always shine but especially at nights, when the time is dark, when there is gloom and the environment produce fear and uncertainty, it is at that point that the stars are most brilliant. It is during these difficult moments that stars must shine, they must light the path of those who need them.

If you are a star, don’t be discouraged by the fact that you are surrounded by darkness, rather rejoice that you have been specially chosen to shine for such a time as this. Stars always shine. It is your moment to shine. God is depending on you to shine. The darkness only makes it easier to see you, easier for you to make an impression. There is a child, a woman, a mother, a son, a father, an uncle or a friend who is depending on you to light their way, go shine, stars always shine, go light your world.

Love does not keep record...

2009-06-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

If true love keeps no record of wrongs as outlined in 1 Cor. 13 v 5, then we are far from having true love. I know I have fallen short at times. The real question therefore is, 'What do we have then?'

If we do not keep score, how will we know the areas which require improvement?
How will we protect ourselves from those who desire to willfully harm us?

"Love does not keep records of wrong" - 1 Cor. 13 v5

It seems we were never created to hold on to the bad and unpleasant experiences we face in life.
Our life seems to be at its best when we learn to quickly let go, while not missing each lesson. When we learn to move on and start a fresh we experience so much more joys. Forgiveness must form a part of the daily spiritual diet.

If I keep records of the wrong done to me and build a wall of defense against everything then by the time I am 50 or 45, I would have imprisoned myself against experiences I do not want to encounter ever again.

It all sounds so crazy, but what if I don't keep score, will I be considered foolish as I just stupidly stand by and allow others to trample upon me?

What does God wants?
God desires a fresh, new love everyday from all of us.

Love that is unsoiled and which says, “Render not evil for evil but overcome evil with good.”
Love which does not become bitter and cold because of hurt, disappointments and heart ache.

Instead of writing books, stories, movies and songs about how badly we have been hurt. God expects us to live and love as though we have never been hurt. Sing as though no one has ever criticised us, serve even if we never get a hand shake. It is truly a call to divine service. This is beyond human ability, wisdom and reasoning. Something which can only be achieved by God's spirit.

It is human to keep score, but godly to love and live pure.

The Gospel According to Me

2009-04-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Over the last four months our Church – Church of God of Prophecy, organized Music Leaders, Singers and Worshippers from all across the island of Jamaica.
The Celebration was our 71st National Convention for the Church in Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

This Mass Choir (approximately 275 persons), Team of Worshippers and Players of musical instruments have experienced the awesome power of God through divine healing, divine protection and provision, miracles, counsel and wisdom from the right hand of God. Empowerment has taken place and the people have been refreshed, revived and anointed to go. New fires have started and old ones re-ignited.

The Theme for the six days of meetings was: “Wake up! Pray! Experience the power of GOD” Indeed the power of God was transferred from our imagination to manifestation.

This blog has been created to capture some, if not all the various experiences. Please feel free to share your personal encounter. Let us share the Gospel according to me and the gospel according to you. Tell the world what god has done for you. Your testimony will help someone who needs a word to lift their faith and ignite their spirit.

Revelation 12: 11”And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Share your story by CLICKING on COMMENTS below:

Mass Choir Song 1

2009-02-05T06:44:00.001-08:00

Losing your ability to worry

2009-01-23T05:17:00.000-08:00

Quite often we think about losing the ability to die as death will also die a final death. We will live forever.
But have you ever wondered what it would be like when we lose our ability to worry?
No doubt there are a few things which are causing you to worry right now.

In the scripture Revelation 21 v 4 it reads, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Since we won’t be able to cry, then we won’t have the ability to be disappointed either. The cares of life which Dr. Luke speaks of will no longer be a part of mankind. Oh what a glorious thought! Oh what a glorious day!

Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Power thought
But that isn’t all, think about this. The very things we will no longer struggle with for they will all pass away are the same things which could and will prevent some from not making it to that place. Their worrying will prevent them from experiencing a new life, free from worrying.

I struggle more with who I am, than who I am not, but why do I worry so much about who I need to become? Why not use that energy to fix who I am?

It means, my friend, that we must overcome right here, right now, in order to reap the rewards of the Overcomers. Oh what a glorious day!
Oh what a glorious thought!

This is beautiful

2009-01-22T09:49:00.001-08:00

More than most - Be Inspired!

2008-12-17T05:57:00.003-08:00

Here is a little thing I wrote for you...please enjoy

More than enough vs not enough

2008-12-03T07:13:00.001-08:00

More than enough vs not enough - check this out

Don't bite the bait - Titus 2 : 8

2008-12-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

How often do you get into trouble because of words you have used, whether directly or indirectly?
Today one of my cousins read my online profile for my first book and was so moved by the work that she decided to encourage me with Titus 2: 8. I want to share both verse 7 and 8 with you which reads:

"Always set an example for others by doing good works.
Teach with integrity and dignity.
Use wholesome speech that cannot be condemned. Then any opponent will be ashamed because he cannot say anything bad about us." - ISV

Some times persons scuff at good works and say we are not saved by our good works, but good works could make the difference between we ending up on the right side or not. Good works could make the difference in us being effective witnesses or not. What do I mean by that?

Have you noticed carefully what is happening around us? People have reached a stage where they are able to deceive themselves so much that acts which were once considered out rightly forbidden are now being entertained and permitted in some quarters.

I have found that in my own life, if I discipline my body to obey the word of God and I continue to obey and do the right, then it becomes much easier than harder. The reverse is also true.
If we indulge in perverted speaking, it becomes easier and easier to do it. By doing the wrong thing over and over, we eventually convince ourselves that there is nothing wrong with it. Self-deception.

Today almost every other word in the English language is being given some 'sexual' reference or connotation. If we refuse to go down that road we can save ourselves from the pain of lust, perverted talking and fowl conversations.

Ultimately, the child of God desires to be obedient to God and His word, therefore we must keep our mouth. Our thoughts, words, actions, play time and serious times must remain pure and without condemnation. Doing the wrong things under the disguise of 'fun' is a deceptive technique applied by the great Deceiver over and over again. Don’t be fooled, and don’t fall for his lies.

Let us be examples in our speech and the deeds we perform on a daily basis. Let us ask God to forgive us and allow us to live with integrity in our work place, schools and colleges, our communities and our homes.

My cousin did not write out the scripture at all she simply placed the scripture reference in the subject of her email. Because of the desire in me for the word of God It caught my attention and energy and the ultimate result is this blog. It really was as simple as that. It is the same method used in the devils deceptions, he sets the bait and we bite it and get caught. Don’t bite the bait, be conscious of his devises.

The gift of choice

2008-11-30T09:02:00.000-08:00

There is a recession going on and we can choose not to be a part of it.

This is one of the powerful gifts God made us with. I am in the world but not of the world. My dependence is not on Wall Street nor the White House rather my dependence is on God and he has never failed me yet.

So wherever there is fear and worry I replace them with faith and thanksgiving.

I choose not to be a part of the 'party of hopelessness'

I will instead attend the 'party of faith, love, thankfulness and hope'.

The choice is also yours. By a single choice I can make one spirit dominant in my life. The spirit I choose to rule is the spirit that God gave me..."For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."-2 Tim 1 : 7

Ignite the spirit you want to rule in your life. The choice is yours.

When next you are tempted

2008-11-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

In the book of St. Matthew chapter 26, there are ten verses which give an account of Jesus’ tormenting experience in the garden, verses 36 to 46. Jesus was going through a very difficult time in his life. In a similar way we all go through difficult times in our lives and at times feel like we are at our wits end. The common ground between Jesus’ struggle and ours is that, we expect those who are close and dear to us to support us when we are having problems. We expect them to offer words of encouragement and pray for our deliverance. We expect them to watch with us and quite rightly so.

In the book I am currently writing I talk about the beauty of endurance we discover after we have endured our times of hardship; when we have battled long and hard with life and come out victorious.

In Matthew’s account of Jesus praying in the garden, we are told that Jesus took three of his closes disciples and requested of them to watch with him. He left them and went away to pray saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” The pressure and agony made Jesus very sorrowful and deeply distressed. He needed support, help and a shoulder to lean on. The human part of Christ was sorrowful even unto death.
I would like to direct your focus to Jesus’ comments after he came back and found his disciples asleep. Look at what happened as soon as he came back and found his disciples sleeping:

“…What! Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matt. 26: 40 - 41

My question is this, is it that we fall into temptation because we fail to watch and pray?

As I reflect on it, of a truth the instances where I have yielded to temptation are those instances when I wanted to. I Desired to possessed and have. Furthermore, the usual disciplines and principles I would follow in my Christian walk were altered to satisfy my own selfish desires and so I ended up giving in to the temptation. In essence I fail to watch and pray like Jesus advised me to.

Being watchful and prayerful is a part of the spiritual disciplines we who have decided to live for Jesus must adhere to.
In bringing our body under subjection so that we me may empower our spirit and be empowered of the Holy Spirit, is a desire which should supersede all other desires. Someone once said that a man will know just how honest he is when he is tempted to steal.

Prayer for the perfecting of the saints

2008-11-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me." - Ps. 138 : 8

Today I read this scripture once again, only this time was quite different from all other times.
I have always read it and apply it to my life only, but this time around I was asking myself, 'what about the other believers to whom this verse applies?' The other "Me" which means you.

Surely the Lord will perfect that which concerns them too and that includes you.

God desires to bring to completion and fulfilment everything which concerns his people.
I thought for a moment about the many issues facing some of our people. Some are having issues with punctuality, integrity, discipline, leadership, sexuality, greed and obedience and the list goes on and on. I am even annoyed at times at the seemingly lack of accountability among some of our church leaders. Does it mean that God will perfect that which concerns them too?

The issues and concerns we face with our churches and the people are many and varied.
We sometimes wonder whether we will ever get pass some of these hurdles, as they seem so insurmountable.

But here God's word is confirming that in order for our Pastors, Bishops, Overseers, Deacons, Ordinary members and all to get to a state of perfection, we must offer prayer on their behalf. We ought to secure their purpose and watch over their success. Some persons will never even make it close if we fail to pray. So rather than embarking on a crusade to slander, murmur and grumble, why not let us channel that energy to a greater and righteous cause? The very person I can't seem to stand could be very much indeed of some intercession.

Have it ever occured to you that part of the reason why you can hardly stand some of the things around is that you are purpose to make a change? Bringing about that required change could be an assignment for you. I have found this to be so in my own life experiences. Sometimes too we assume that others share in the wisdom we possess. Often times they really need our help and feel helpess in their situation.

I must therefore, take those issues which annoys me so badly and offer them up to God in prayer. I must pray for my leaders that they will reach their perfection. The level which God desires to take them can only be attained if we all offer prayer for the perfecting of the saints and it starts with me.

Despite the issues we have, when we go down in prayer, a part of God's promise is described in Ephesians 4 : 11 - 13, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

We must take the bull by the horn and the issues must be laid on the altar one by one. I am not one to repeat prayer like some poetic recital. I believe in the awesome power of prayer to transform and renew. I believe in using prayer as a weapon and a shield. I have had many personal experiences of the mighty acts which effectual fervent prayer calls into being. As a result, prayer must be offered for all from a sincere heart.

Let us pray for those who would otherwise bring shame to the name of Jesus and the church.
Let us pray that they will find the strength to live holy and follow the spiritual disciplines.
Let us pray that they will reach perfection. Let us pray for our leaders that when they would have driven others away through their own ignorance, they too will see the importance of every single soul in the sight of God. Pray for their wisdom in leading God's people. Let us pray for our brethren so they will be victorious over what ever struggles they face.

Let prayers be offered for the perfecting of the saints. Pray that the body of Christ will be restored to its full operation with all its members fully functional. God has already promised that he will perfect that which concerns me and this means you too. Let us pray, "Thy will be done, amen".