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Are You a Time Redeemer?

How many of you, have ever said “I wish I had the time to do this or have done that?” Maybe you’ve said, “If I could only get back that time I wasted.” What is so ironic about that internal conversation is that taking the time to think about how you wish you would have taken time to accomplish something is in itself a waste of time, if you don’t reconcile a way of redeeming the waste. When I received Christ as my Saviour, got baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, as a young person I was still youthful, and began to do things that weren’t conducive to my spiritual walk. Then as I matured in Christ, I began to say in reflection back, “Oh if I could have those youthful days over again, I would serve the Lord in my youth and have the time to do this or that.” Some things you can’t recover. If you did things that lead to this or that decision, due to the environment and mind set you had, if you had the life to live over in the same environment, you’d make the exact same decision, because its due to certain constraints in your life, thereby repeating that episode all over again. That is why its so important that in order to bring our lives into some type of control and stop dwelling on the events and situations of our past understand this: there are things you can’t recover.

A. Virginity. Can’t be recovered.

B. A word that has been said. Whatever intent behind the word whether kind or evil cannot be taken back, and has no strings attached to them. The Word of God says that we will be given account of every idle word that comes out of our mouths.

C. An event after its over. Once its over its over. You can’t recover that.

D. Youth after you have grown older. Can anyone recover their youth? No, its gone. Oh if you’re 20. “I wish I was 15.” If you’re 30. “I wish I was in my 20s.” If you’re 40, you wish you could go back to your 30s. Oh how sweet to go back to those moments. But when you were living them, you did so frivolously. You can’t recover that.

E. Time after it has passed. Do you remember those things? We need to maintain that in our heart that if its already done, its done. It has been racked up in a list in Heaven, giving an account of everything you’ve done in your life. Summation is either everlating life or not, heaven or hell. You are going to give an account. If he knows the number of hairs on our head, then the very idle work or act you do is being registered to your name. Are you a time redeemer? Can you redeem your time?

If you remember these sayings, it might help you move past the past. But you can redeem time, but not in the state that time is viewed as, as in passing of occurrences, thoughts, movements, moments in existence. You can’t recover that form of time, but in the true sense of the word redeem. Redeem means to compensate for faults or a bad aspects of something; to save, rescue, vindicate, reclaim, regain, repossess or rescue. Simply trying to get back where you started. To reunite yourself with you. To reunite yourself with you. If we use the words I just mentioned in a sentence, it would sound something like this: Save means from me. You are your own worst enemy. That is redeeming. I need to be vindicated from my past. Sometimes your past becomes your future, it haunts you because you never forget the things in your past. Not forgiving you for what you’ve done has been a problem for the Saints and the world. I will reclaim my life. Whose life is it? Its yours. Do you want someone to keep your life from you? Regain. I must regain who I am. A lot of us are walking around today and they don’t know where they’re going or how to get to where they don’t know they’re going. Repossess. I need God or Jesus in my life so that I can repossess my soul. Some of us have given our souls to Satan, doing his work everyday. But I need to have the knowledge of the Kingdom to repossess my soul. Sometimes we do things unconsciously not realizing we’re giving ourselves to something evil, then afterward we try to build ourselves back up to regain who we are. You’re soul is who you are. Not your name. The name is the expression of someone’s outward expression of who you are. The Word of God tells us not to be afraid of someone who can destroy the body, but body and soul, then cast it into hell.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;


Ephesians 5:13-20

Add the words I just spoke into verse 16.

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

16 Save the time, because the days are evil.

16 Rescue the time, because the days are evil.

16 Vindicate the time, because the days are evil.

16  Reclaim the time, because the days are evil.

16  Regain the time, because the days are evil.

16 Repossess the time, because the days are evil.

16 Rescue the time, because the days are evil.

All these words are telling you to grab a hold of the time you have, to utilize for your walk in Salvation, and bring others along with you, so they can be inspired to follow Christ. This is the time that we’ve spent doing frivolous things, so we can regain, hold and repossess our own souls for the work of the Kingdom. God is not just saying that, He is not mocked, whatever a man sows that shall he reap. Reclaiming the time. I need to reclaim that time, reclaim my life, regain who I am, vindicate my past, and I need to save me from me. The days are evil. Its getting harder and harder to maintain who you are. If you get caught up in society, they’ll possess your soul and you’ll try your best to be running after your own soul. If you do the things of the world, then the world dictates to you how you should live. Without God in our lives we can’t repossess what was stolen from us. He will restore the years that the canker worm has stolen from you. Worms take little bites here and there that weaken the structure. Its the seeds that people place in your lives that slowly eat at you, and you don’t realize until it confronts you and you can’t combat it because you’re broken down inside, eating at your self-will for a period of time. Then you don’t have the strength to say no. You can’t always allow people to conduct your life. The Word of God gives you advice on how to live holy before God. Your soul is not like a car where when you get done, you go and give it to the junk yard and get a new one. A name doesn’t dictate who you are, but a name is what people see you as. That name isn’t who I am. Who I am is what God says I am. He is the possessor of my soul and He should be of your soul. Whatever He says to do you should do, not what you want to do because it was you who got yourself in the mess in the first place.

People try to bring up excesses for how their life is going in the wrong direction. We blame everyone except ourselves. We don’t want to face who we really are. Redeeming who and what you really are is to ask the Lord to save you from you. I need to reclaim who I am and what I am because the world has told me I was “this,” but they don’t know the real you because they aren’t directors of souls like God, they only direct the outward person. They hope that directing the outward person will cause the inward person to follow along. You look at people who are recovering from drugs or alcohol. They profess they are not alcoholics or drug addicts. The act doesn’t justify who you are. You allow the possessor to control who you are. We allow the wrong thing to take control of us, guiding us doing things that we shouldn’t do. Its appealing to your flesh, not to your soul, common sense, or who you are. People adjust their life to the things they like; To possess or gain what that thing brings to their emotional standpoint in their walk. Some in the Church will say “I like going out to hear prophetic sayings from other pastors.” Why? “Because I need someone to tell me what I should be and where I should go.” Satan will tell you anything your flesh desires, to cause your heart to waver. We need to get a grip on who we are, redeem who we are, because these days are evil. There are little things catching you up easily. The normal superficial things we see; arguments, anger, places we like to go, things we like to watch, books we like to read…these are superficial things, but it goes deeper. The superficial things are keeping what is really going on with you camouflaged. We need to redeem ourselves from ourselves, be vindicated of our past, reclaim our lives, regain who we are, and we need God in our lives so we can repossess our souls. Satan knows how to work you externally, but not via your soul. He doesn’t know how to get to your soul because its off limits to him, but he can get you by the things you are influenced by. If he jacks you up externally, your soul will suffer. The Lord said “cast your cares on Me because I care for you.” He says there is no need to worry. But when Satan gets us to worry or get angry, it disturbs our soul, and we can’t get righteousness to flow in us because we’re upset. Satan knows what button to push in our lives to get us to come out of Christ.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


Philippians 3:12 -14

They are things that are called baggage. We don’t forget the baggage, but we carry it forward in our lives, and wonder why we keep suffering from the same things in the past. Anything that you tie to yourself that is behind you will always hold you back. Past sins, desires, lifestyles or people. You can’t keep living in the past because everything there smells. David said, I was young but now I’m old. But one thing I do remember is that never have I seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. When you were young leave what you did in the past there, and don’t bring it to your future. Many are caught living in their past. Wondering why they never got over that old relationship, constantly bringing it to the front in the new relationship. Forgetting those things behind me. This is the process of redeeming the time. You are a redeemer because you forget those things behind you, thus reclaiming you. How many want to reclaim who you are? I need to be vindicated of my past, because its holding me back like an anchor on a ship, and I can’t move forward. A person who continues to allow the anchor of their past to hold them down, will never have a bright future. If you are in a place today you’re hard pressed to get out of, just look at your past.

How long halt you between 2 opinions. Some of us get saved, and baptized in the name of Jesus, and we tell ourselves that we’re now going to walk in the light; in whatever God brings our way and use it for our walk. As soon as we start walking, Satan brings all the people up from our past. That is why the first word for the definition of redeem is “save.” We are our own worst enemy and need to saved from ourselves.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Ephesians 6:13-16

Even though the days are evil, we have the whole armor that we may be able to withstand in those evil days, having done all we can do, stand! Hold your ground, you are a Child of God, and have been made the head and not the tail. These are the evil days. Stand for what you believe. The armor needed is already with you. Guard your loins with truth, a breastplate of righteousness to guard your heart, and have peace on your feet. The little darts of Satan are those who belittle and put you down that cause you to question who you are. But if you have faith, which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, then you will stand, unmovable, always abounding in the love of God.

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Who Do Men Say You Are?

In this world today, most people want to be seen and recognized by someone, or individuals they are close to, to appear as someone who is mysterious, interesting, fun, loving or faithful. We would do almost anything that we think may grip the attention of others so they’ll notice us or at the very least look in our direction. It is as though we were some colorful birds of Africa trying to attract the attentions of the opposite sex for mating. This will is so strong that we would even go out of our character to be looked upon as a person everyone wants to be around or connected to. Why is the need to be connected so prevalent? Well, the truth of the matter is that there is built in every human being the need to be seen by their Creator; understood by their Creator. Like a child to their parents which needs to be accepted by them, looking for their love and pride; that is why human beings tend to be drawn to people with power or the “right stuff.” Some form or another, we’ll do anything to be associated with them, or power, money, or all three.

This is really serious because we find ourselves even in the Church being drawn to that magnetic personality of the Pastor or the Elder who is ministering. We want them to see us. We’re the ones that shout the loudest “hallelujah,” so that leaders can recognize us, especially if he is a Prophet so he can prophecy on our life. Even on our jobs we say we want to keep a low profile, but we really want to be seen and recognized for the work we’ve done. We want to be seen, heard and recognized. We as the real Saints of the One true God, you know the One that was crucified, non other than Jesus Christ of Nazareth, say we want to be connected to Him, we want to be around Him, were attracted to Him, but we don’t walk like it or live like it. Satan thought he’d caught Christ getting Him on the cross and crucified. Little did Satan know that Jesus was God in flesh, that Jesus was fulfilling prophecy. Had Satan known, he would not have caused Christ to be crucified. We know today that Jesus was God in the flesh. As Saints, we understand that John 1:1 says in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. Then that Word became flesh and lived among us. We beheld Him as the only begotten Son of God. He couldn’t be “God” in His natural form, because we can’t perceive or look at that because no sin can bask in His presence and live. He couldn’t come down as God to us, so He had to choose a form that created the 1st sin—the flesh. He came down as the One and only living God. That is why He had to be had by a virgin. He couldn’t come through a woman who’d seen other men, because that flesh would have been tainted with the sins of someone else. He came through a woman who knew no man. It wasn’t that she was special. He could have come through any woman who knew no man, but He came through Mary because she was of the line of David, the scriptures prophesying that He would come down through the line of David. Most people beheld Christ as just a baby, because they saw Him come from the womb of a fleshly woman, not realizing that He had to be born of a woman, just like men are brought forth in childbirth, so that He could hold sin captive in that flesh. He came into sinful flesh, because the flesh sins, and knows no good. He came down to take that stigmatize out of the flesh, because He knew no sin throughout His whole walk. He walked in His walk of righteousness, to prepare Him for what He would do at the end. Christ gave His life for us, because Adam and Eve made that great mistake when they sinned in the garden, being told not to do something they ought not do. That sounds like saints in Church today. Don’t do this, but they do it anyhow. It’s amazing how people use their own minds to manipulate what God has said to do. Satan knew that Jesus was God in flesh. He sought every opportunity to confuse, confront, and divert Christ in His mission to die for men’s sins. He saw God in the form of flesh, and He knew that God would not reach out of His flesh, and save Himself, when He’d already come to die for the sinful flesh. Satan knew God well enough that when He says He’ll do something, He won’t interfere with it. Its the same way in our lives. God won’t interfere in our lives unless we ask Him to. If we ask Him to, He’ll see whether its good for us to go through. We may need to learn a lesson from that task. Christ knows who you are and what you need for your growth in your walk. When you’re strong willed about who your God is, Satan can do nothing to deter you. It’s when we have doubts about our salvation that Satan creeps in with an unholy doctrine or a misunderstanding of the Word of God. We still want to give our love, time, reverence and obedience to Satan through sin. If you sin, you’re doing what he wants you to do. You give sin your love, time, reverence and your obedience. We’re obedient to sin. Didn’t you know your being obedient to Satan? What is sin? An immoral act against God.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 


Galatians 5:19-21

Who do men say you are? You’ll find out who you are if these thing are named among you? Are you a Child of God or are you walking in vain? Lean not to your own understanding because we have been inundated with half truths, that it is sometimes hard to know which way to go or what to choose. But if you want to know the truth look for it at the foundational beginnings of the written word of God with an open, sincere heart and mind. As you draw closer to the truth, you will draw closer to the real One and only true God who became flesh and dwelt among us, in the person of Jesus Christ. He came to correct the sin that was committed by Adam and Eve, by dying for our sins on the cross that we could be with Him forevermore. Please don’t allow any person or words of people to keep you from going home. We are so drawn to people who are popular, wealthy or good looking. Why do you think the basketball stars, football and hockey players are so sought after? We look to see someone whom we can associate with, because we like what they’ve done, and want to be like them. Looks are not all they seem. You think you have a wonderful rose, then you find out that its a carnation with a lot of thrones on it. That is why we get carried away over soap operas, reality shows; we look up to those individuals because we aspire to be like them. We see the different shows, and entertainers that come out, musicians and others in their area of expertise. We can’t sing but we sure wish we could sing like them. We buy their albums and we just don’t support them, but we support their lifestyle even if they are Satan worshipers. We’ll spend $40, $50 up to $100 for a football ticked, but we’ll say we won’t give our money to anyone in the Church because all they’ll do is get rich from me. But where is the money going you gave to the sports arena? The owners keep it and give some to the players.

We’re so lost in our way of thinking. But when something goes wrong, because you gave $5 in an offering 10 years ago in a Church, you think that is still suppose to carry on to help pay for the burial expenses of a relative who died. When the Pastor speaks questionably, then we get defensive. Its not the point of letting the relative be buried, but when they want you to bury their folk, they want you to put on the burial, wake and repass, and supply everything. They look at you and say they gave money. They want you to go out of your way to do everything, and you don’t know what has happened in the life of that person. They want you to make up a lie to put that relative in heaven, and foot the bill for her burial. But you didn’t give anything.

We have to realize that just because a person cries “Lord, Lord, I’m Your child, have I not done all these wonderful things in Your name? I’ve prayed and I’ve done this.” But you had your own form of truth and were self-righteous. That is why a lot of people will be fooled, and if you miss out on the rapture, that is it, there is no second chance. If you try to its too late. We don’t see that. People can only see the here and now, where they are enjoying themselves now. They don’t want to go to a Church where they tell them they are doing wrong. We have to walk up right, circumspectly with the mind of God.

22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town. 27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? 28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. 29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. 30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. 31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. 34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Mark 8:22-38

People want to be seen, heard, and at the forefront of what’s going on. He’d just gotten healed; a miraculous thing. When Jesus asked His disciples who do men say I am, they gave various answers.

Now, who do men say you are? Who do men and women, leaders, children, people around you say you are? Is your walk indicative of who they say you are? You want them to know you by your walk, not by your attitude or character, because the character may be flawed. But in your walk in Christ you’re trying to become unflawed. When you look at modern day language, Christ was asking what the talk about town was. They answered John the Baptist? Why? Because he went around doing the same things John did. But Christ asked His disciples who they thought He was. Peter said He was the Christ. The Lord then taught them that He must suffer many things. Peter rebuked Him, but Jesus rebuked Peter saying “get thee behind me Satan.” When we become a part of the House of God, then we have to realize that when God says things to us, we can’t examine what He says in a carnal mindset. Its just like when He told Nicodemus “you must be born again.” Nicodemus thought that he had to go back into his mother womb again. This is what we do as humans. We self examine with our own carnal mindset. We have to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Christ had to carry His cross which represented the weight of the world and sin on His shoulder. So take up the mess in your life, get rid of it, and follow Jesus fully. Not part-time. There are many part-time Christians, who are only so when its convenient. When you become a light of righteousness to people whom you are around, they feel guilty.

Is anything worth who you are? Some people say that they sold their souls to the Devil. But you can’t give something that isn’t yours. Its just like when Satan tempted Jesus in the dessert. Satan tried to give Him something that was already His. That is what He does to us, to confuse us. People are really drawn in by the falseness of it all; by confusion. They are really carried away by individuals who are deceived; those who want to be important and powerful. Its really funny that we are so drawn into those things. The Bible tells that the love of money is the root of all evil. You’re thought about what you can do with that money will drive you against the principles of God.

Satan never did like you in the first place or love you, because he can’t love or like anything. But he is good at 2 things: deceiving, and lying. He has a tract record. This is what proves it. Throughout all generations all he’s ever done was lie and deceive people. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Forsake the cares of this life and join Jesus Christ. Be drawn into the things of God, His attributes. Don’t be drawn into this world. They want so much and give so little. Christ gives you all and only wants one things from you, that is love.

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Are You Caught in the Whirlwind of this World?

How many know that this world has not stopped for you? If you get caught up in it, it will destroy you. Those who were bred in the whirlwind will live by the whirlwind. Those who weren’t bread in the whirlwind, it becomes a death trap.

Do you remember when you were growing up? The things going on around you? Let me tell you a situation that went on in my life. I remember when I was young and lived on a farm. It was a hard life, being the only son. The many chores around the farm like raking the hay, filling the corn crib with corn. All animals love corn, chickens, pigs, even humans love corn.
Corn is a nutritious vegetable even bugs love to eat. Chickens were the greediest of all the animals, eating several kernels of corn or more, storing them in their crop, and quickly looking up for more food! Corn is a staple crop for the world. Now the chores of the farm were these: My dad made sure I got up on time to get the corn and put it in the crib. Our crib was all wire, 12 feet high and 15-20 wide. At the time we had 100 Muscovy Ducks. 50 Geese, small pecking ducks, 95 head of hog, 2-3 heads of chickens, Guinea, and so many different animals. My dad was old fashioned from down south and he had an old corn shucking machine. When the corn cob went in the machine, the corn kernel was removed, and the cob was left. I had to use that over and over again, and I’ll never forget how you had to crank it, and I would try to go fast. The corn had to be shelled in order to feed the animals. But what I observed while using the machine is that it would rotate and whirl, the cob going down the little hole, knocking off the kernels. To my understanding, due to the whirling motion in combination with the knots on the rotating disc, this was drawing the corn cob down. The cob was good for nothing, but the corn was the attribute of the cob. You don’t see people go into a restaurant and say they want 4 cobs, but rather, they ask for corn on the cob.

One can’t help but think that this is the same way Satan does the saints of God. You know how Satan will draw you into a thing? As he does, he would slowly pull you down into the thing, just as the wheel on the corn machine slowly pulls down the cob. As you are walking in your Christian walk, there are things that Satan doesn’t like about you. He doesn’t like that you are in love with God, that you have peace; he wants to knock all these attributes off of you, taking you into a whirlwind, turning you around, taking you through one test after another, after another, not giving you a chance to rest. He’ll draw you into one situation after another, just like the corn cob being pulled down. He uses things he knows you love, causing you to be pulled further and further down the corn shucking machine. A whirlwind moves unbelievably fast, but it doesn’t always have to be fast. If you’ve ever seen the whirlwind in a bottle of liquid spinning around, when you stop it what happens? It gets to the center, and spirals down until it gets to the bottom. This is the way Satan operates. He uses something you like, and pulls you in. Say for instance you have strong love and faith. You think he’ll come after you with anything but what attacks that love and faith? As you are being knocked about on the disc turning, it represent the trials and tests which knock away the things in your Christian identity.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 2Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


Galatians 5:22-23

Satan goes after those attributes in your life that you are good at. He knows how to grab it and turn it against you in your walk. Its a crazy thing to think that you can get away with things without Satan trying you at it. He will set scenarios in your life concerning your faith; if its food, finances, maybe faith, he will try to knock it out of your life to weaken your walk. When the corn cob goes down in the machine, it can’t come back up. Its the same way with Satan, he takes you down, and he hits you with accusations, just like the little nobs on the machine hit the corn to loosen it from the cob. You are being challenged, making you aware of things you’ve never seen before. Sometimes when the corn goes through the machine, there are still kernels left on it. So you have to pick it back up and put it through the machine again. Satan says, “Oh you still got a little love left in you, huh?” He takes you back through and when you come out, you’ll be loveless. Every cob that came out was barren, and we would burn it up, because it was good for nothing. This is what Satan wants to do to you. He wants to take every iota of Galatians 5:22-23 from you, so you have no patience, no love, no goodness, and no faith. What are you good for at that point? Nothing. That is why he doesn’t give you rest in between times; no reprieve at all. He wants to continue to whip your be-hind. He wants you to be weak. Then when you go and cry and plead in self pity, the Lord waits for you to come out of it. He will put His Holy Ghost in you to walk in faith. He’s trying to get us to know one thing: that we are the head and not someones tail. What comes out the tail? There is a smell coming from the tail. Do you want to smell in God’s nostrils because you can’t do what He called you to do? When you do the thing that you’ve done that caused you to get in the whirlwind, Satan comes and whispers in your ear “didn’t you just do the thing that God told you not to do, again?” Then you go into self pity.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.


Luke 22:31

Satan is not doing anything that he doesn’t normally do to those he hates. What you do have to worry about is if he isn’t doing anything to you, because then you may be doing something Satan loves. When you are caught in that whirlwind it won’t let you recover from the last attack before it hits you with some other challenge on your Christian identity because Satan’s purpose and attack on you is to overwhelm and to shock and awe you so that you won’t be able to make the right decision in your Christian walk. In other words, to keep you confused and away from the clarity in your life to keep you off balance. The more he keeps you off balance the more he will delay you with your relationship with Christ to the point you’re tired and wore out so that you would give up and turn back.

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.


James 1:2-8

Don’t be concerned that you will go through trials, but concern yourself on how you will go through. How you go through is the key point. Patience can’t operate in you if you’re constantly moving. Patience from the very definition means to be still. Be still and know that He is God. So, we make a mess of things when we get involved. Let him ask in faith and waver not. The Lord gives you choices that won’t disturb or hurt you, because if you had the choice yourself, you’d choose something outrageous.

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. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.


Luke 21:34-36

Have you been drawn away with things of this world you shouldn’t be dealing with? Then you’re involved with the cares of this life too much. You have to realize Satan will throw every weakness that you are weak with in your face. Because Satan loves you. He loves to defeat you, delay you, and keep you from the truth, making sure you stay in bewilderment, making sure you find out nothing about who you are in the Kingdom. You need to have a good understanding concerning your walk while you’re down here. You need to be very conscientious not to be caught up with heartaches, headaches, and drunkenness. What do people with heartaches do in the world? Get drunk. When the hangover has gone, guess what? Its still there. While you are caught up with these things, it doesn’t stop the coming of the Lord Jesus. While you were getting caught up in yourself, a soul that you should have talked to goes by.

Pause:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:


Ephesians 4:14-15

There is a program going around to deceive the Children of God. We are targets for Satan when we operate in the Will of God. We can’t let man trick us and give us a false sense of salvation. The Word is very clear. Men are cunning. Women are cunning. If its for their benefit, then they will guide you away. Satan wants to keep you asleep, confused, and off balance, not knowing where to go and falling every step of the way. Don’t make your life about being one big show for this world. We are lights and examples for this world. You can’t be an example if you’re sitting there among those in the world. Don’t stage, or rehearse your salvation, so men will see and honor you. Don’t let your praise be staged. People want to know the truth. Don’t be a walking lie, but become a walking testimony.

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Be Thou Enlightened, Reminded & Encouraged

As we move along our walk in Christ, we cannot soon forget that Satan and his minions never sleep like men do, nor do they require substance to exist. So while their mission is to defeat you by placing stumbling blocks in your christian walk, they do not rest or take vacations. For their sole purpose is delay your understanding and purpose with God. They do not give up on their quest. This way we have to be aware of the Devil and his minions tricks, and antics. The Word of God 2 Corinthians 2:11 says 
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Let us not forget to stand strong and be not dismayed at the things we’re going through. It is the trying of our faith and the hardening of our resolve to never give up nor surrender to the systematic attacks of the devil and his minions. 

It seems like when it rains it pours. In our life when we go through one thing, it seems like a succession. Don’t think it abnormal because Satan is attacking us constantly. We ask the Lord “Why?!” But think about this, when you know that you can go through and get through the other end of the test, you know that you are going to succeed and be victorious, because your faith outweighs you being scared. Know this, the trying of your faith makes you have patience to hang in there. When your patience is secure and strong, no matter what people do to you, those individuals who are used by Satan don’t know that they are being used. Don’t get mad at them, the only time you should get mad is at yourself is when you fall for what they’re doing, via Satan. 

Matthew 4:1-11 

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 4:1-11

It says in the Word that He was hungry; He was fasting for so long, and in the process of being hungry Satan came. What does that mean? Satan won’t attack you at your strongest point because he’ll have a battle on his hands. He’ll attack you at your weakest point. He comes like the snake that he is, slithering in, whether through people, situations, or through your mind. He attacks, and attacks you at your weak state, and begins to consume you. Satan knew the state Christ was in. Satan knows the state you’re in. His minions are constantly watching, knowing what state you’re in. So Satan is looking at Christ, knowing who He was, the Son of God. Satan wanted Jesus to use His authority to change stones into bread. To change something for His flesh. But Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. If you think that going to work everyday so you can go buy groceries to eat is living, then you don’t even know what you are or who you are, or aware of what you can be because you’re caught up in the cares of this life. You are not in tune to who God wants you to be. The only way to do that is to look for your life in Christ, not your flesh and the world. Its by the Word of God that you have life. Out of His mouth He’ll give you things of understanding, direction, focus; its when we get at that cross roads, one to the right and one to the left, and you’re at the fork of it, and you ask “where do I go from here?” At the crossroads of life is where Satan appears. That crossroads doesn’t mean life is over, but comes down to the point of making a decision or situation in your life.

Satan comes and show you a short term picture, not the long term. We who move in society today, we don’t want to wait for anything. Satan knows that, that is why he shows you a short term, glorious picture of what can be or could be, but he never shows you the consequences until after the fact. Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple. Satan will show you some good things. Take a little time from your prayer life; take a little time from going out to help others; take a little time from doing Church work, and you will have all the things you want. But what opportunities will you miss? The opportunity to witness to a soul who was just about to take its life, or the next move of God. But Satan won’t show you these things, he only wants to show you what will please your flesh. Jesus threw the Word of God to that temptation and that is what we should do. Satan always reminded Jesus He was the Son of God. Satan will do that to you too. You are a Child of God, so its like an indictment. So whatever you do from this point on, you already know the consequence of your actions. So Satan says “whenever I go before your Father, I will accuse you.” Satan wants to openly shame you before your God. 

Satan usually attacks, one after another. You’re so tired after one test, that you stumble into the next test, and you ask the Lord what you’ve done to get the next test. Satan thought that because God was in flesh form that He was tempted easily by the things of this world. So what does that tell you? As long as your mind is locked on the flesh things of this world, then Satan can tempt you. God keeps those in perfect peace who’s mind is stayed on Him. If your mind is to be something in the world, and with other people, then Satan has you in his back pocket. If your desires are for this world and the things of this world, Satan has you, and you will fail every test that Christ allows to be placed on you. Satan roams about this world seeking whom he will devour. He can only do so to those whose mind is not set on Christ. The cares of this life are not my concern. I pray for this world and the leaders in this world, but the cares of this life are not my concern. 

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.


Matthew 5:1-16

We are suppose to exemplify Christ upon this Earth. It is not for our glory but for His glory. When people look at you and you exemplify Christ, people see Christ through you, and glorify God, not you. When you get a bottle of water do you look more for the water or the bottle? We are the bottle, and the water is Christ within us. People can see Christ through you and they will glorify God. 

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.


Matthew 5:17-20

You are representing Christ, because you should be doing more than what other religions of the world are doing because you belong to Him. All things are possible if you believe. If you don’t believe then things will not be done in His name for what you asked. Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of everyone else who isn’t under Christ, you won’t go to Heaven. Well what have you done to bring someone else to Jesus? We didn’t have time, we didn’t have money; Did you ask? Yes. But with what intention did you ask? To satisfy your flesh to impress. 

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.


Matthew 5:21-48

As we go about our daily walk in our Christian walk, we should always remember to be mindful of what we say, do, how we act; this is what we have to give an account for at the time of an offence or situation. However, more than that, what is your attitude in your time of testing and trial? Are you in a prayerful state, or are you complaining and whining through the whole thing? Did the Lord at one time complain and whine when He was being whipped for us? What is your attitude in your test? If the Lord allows you to go through, know this, He will bring you through because He won’t put anymore on you than you can bear without giving you a way of escape. As children of God going forth in Him, we are too emotional. We have a central mindset on us. Our cenergy, is focused more on how we feel and how we’re being treated. Very few people care about really how they’re hurting others. Its always “what they’ve done to me” or “what they’re doing to me.” As Children of God, we can’t have a selfish nature, because that leaves us open to the tricks and antics of Satan. It makes opportunity for him to defeat you. 

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How Much of what You Do is for You, Not Jesus

Do we ever think how much of our day is spent concerning us than the things of Christ? As we ponder here in the house of God today, what has been your most involved thought this morning? Even before you started your day this morning, or even now. Do we ever realize how much of our day we spend thinking about what is most important to us personally and not of Christ or of benefiting of others? Sometime we, exclusive of Christ, can be the most
selfish people there are, because our hearts are so much involved with our desires, that evil thoughts
can invade our hearts. We tend to think that we need this or that, when Jesus said in Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Jesus also said that we should take more care for the things of others than ourselves. In a nut shell, how well do we know ourselves and what are our motives in Christ Jesus? Why do you do the things you do? Is it because you love Him, fear Him, or because you have nothing else to do?

Luke 6:44-48
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Many people in Church today are showing up. To do what? Absolutely nothing. It becomes a routine or pattern. “I come to Church because I’ve been told to come to Church,” or because “The scripture says fail not to assemble yourselves together.” Its better that there be two honest people in the Church, than a whole Church full of folks that have the Devil in them. Anybody can see a body, anybody can have a body. But nobody knows about the body that is coming in. We all pretend we are of One Body, but the body doesn’t know about its own body. “We are of the Body of Christ.” Are we in the Body of Christ? If so, what body is that? The Word of God say that if you’re apart of My body the things I do you’ll do…the things I say you’ll say. The first part of Luke 6:44-48 says for every tree is known by its own fruit. Isn’t that something? You know an apple tree because you see apples on them; a lemon tree because you see lemons on them; a peach tree because it has peaches; a plumb tree because it has plumbs; and a pear tree because it has pears. You know everything by the fruit it bears. You plant seeds for potatoes and you get cucumbers how will you feel? So we want what we want, and everything that looks like what it looks like is suppose to be what it is. So when we see the Children of God walking down the street do we know if they are apart of the body? Everyone has a “talking game,” but you’re known by your fruit.

What is you’re foundation? How did you set your foundation? Was it built upon the words of other people, and not on the Word of God? When you build upon the words of other people and not the Word of God, its easily manipulated and washed out of you and replaced with what you heard. When you go to an all you can eat, buffet style restaurant, grabbing your plate, you don’t put everything on the buffet on it. You pick and choose exactly what you want. Are the people of God today, picking and choosing what Word they want in their foundation? If you don’t choose the right things in your foundation, you have no glue that will bring everything together. All of the Word of God is good for the edification of the Body, so we shouldn’t pick and choose. We take the time to pick and choose what we want to believe from God, but not what God wants to believe in us. Its not what you want, its what you need. You need this because God needs to perfect in you a thing. What is our purpose here in the world? To be a light for the world. But our lights are dim. What is your foundation today? How much of what we do is for us and not Christ?

Ephesians 4:20-27
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your
wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

If you’re foundation in Christ is true and sure, why is your conversation sounding like when you were in the world? Was your foundation structured and sure? You’ve already been taught of Him. What part of the teaching did you hear and not hear? If you’ve been taught Christ, then your foundation should be sure. The only thing you should be concerned about is how to walk in Christ. You will get flustrated. Flustration leads to disappointment, and disappointment leads to being disappointed in yourself. You’re foundation may be sure, but things come by that may shake your foundation. Then you have to look back and see what caused the shaking. Were you being the “old you?” Its comfortable to be the “old you,” but the “new you,” isn’t so much. The “new you,” pushes you outside your comfort zone. Don’t give place to the devil. Don’t give him the keys to your house. Whatever was in our foundation that shook it, its a door way for Satan.

Isaiah 43:6-7
I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

So as you can see we were made for God’s glory, not for our own. Nobody can do what each of us can do, because He has assigned it us. So why procrastinate? Why are we only motivated to do something when it fit our needs? How would you feel if someone didn’t appreciate the gift you’ve given them? Would you give them a gift again? A poem by C. T. Studd from “’Twill Soon Be Past” reads “Only one life ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Even though this is not in the Bible, I can see why this phrase has stood the test of time because when you look at your life it will tell others the truth about how you are or were your life is in Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Psalms 37:7-10
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

You must be patient. You cannot put God on a time schedule. What happens when you’re patient? In your patience, you shall inherit the Earth.

John 15:16-20
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.