What’s Lying at your Door?

Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa ! How are you doing today? Hope, you’ve been doing well of course. Did you miss me? I know it’s been a little while since I’ve written. However, I’m present now so let’s dive in.

You read the title right? Hopefully it was what grabbed your attention. Did you go and check your door? If you didn’t no sweat. I’m sure after this blog you will be constantly checking your door to ensure that you are aware of What’s lying at your door.

When we look at Genesis 4:7 we are in the midst of the story concerning Cain and Abel. God is speaking with Cain concerning his countenance. He begins to explain to Cain that had he done the right thing he wouldn’t be upset he would have a smile on his face. Oh, excuse me, I’m not sure if you are aware of who Cain and Abel are, yet alone, what happened between the two of them. Let me give you a quick rundown. Cain and Abel are brothers, sons of Adam and Eve, they were both asked to give an offering to God. One was accepted or respected and the other received no praise. Cain, the one who received no praise was upset so much that he took the life of his brother Abel. You can find that incident in Gen 4:8. Hopefully that has brought you up to speed now.

When God tells Cain that had he done the right thing he would be smiling, yet, because he had done the wrong thing sin was waiting to attack him. Ultimately, sin was lying at his door.

See, when we give in to the lust of our mortal body, we allow sin to rule us while failing to realize that our bodies will die. (Rom 6:12) Even more reason for us to ignore the lust of our bodies. When we give in to the lust of our bodies, we are ultimately stating that sin rules us and because we are allowing sin to rule us, death will also have its way with us. (Rom 6:16) Sin and Death are always in close proximity of one another. Have you checked to see if death is knocking at your door?

We have an inheritance to obtain. Yet, the inheritance is going to require us to fight to obtain the prize. Fight the good fight of faith. Fight to remain righteous. Fight to stay in the will of God. Fight till the end. When we look at Numbers 32:23 we see that Moses was preparing the Israelites to go to war across the Jordan so that they could obtain their inheritance. Yet, two of the tribes wanted to stop in a land right before the Israelites were to cross the Jordan river to go into battle. Moses basically reminds them that choosing not to fight in the war with the rest of the tribes would be sinning against God. Here we see that the war for our inheritance is not an option. We must fight! We also see in this scripture that what would be waiting at the door for the tribes of Rueben and Gad had they chosen to stay in Gilead and not fight.

They wouldn’t have even been able to enjoy Gilead because punishment would be their only option. “But if you don’t keep your promise, you will sin against the Lord and be punished.” God gives us the option to choose whom we will serve. Whom we allow to rule us. Sin or Righteousness. The consequences that follow are based on which we choose. You can take a seat in sin and allow death to lay outside your door or you can choose to stand 10 toes and prep for the war that lies ahead. Just understand that the battle is already rigged.

The Victory is inevitable!

Love ya later,

Don’t forget to check your door.

A Grace that Saves !

Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa Good People and Others. I pray all has been well with you and that you are continuing to push through and endure until the end.

Today we will be talking about the “A Grace that Saves!” I will be coming from Genesis 6:8-9.

When we look at vs 8 it reads “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” I’m not sure if you are well versed about Noah’s life in the Bible. So let me give you some background. Noah was a man with a small family who was instructed to build an ark. He was told that God was going to flood the earth, so he began to build an ark long before the time had come to flood the earth. (Makes total sense right? Don’t want to be trying to build an ark at the last minute. Might not make it.) He was instructed to take 2 of each animal…Male and Female…. (had to add that for context because reproduction. But anywho) and his family because God was going to flood the earth and wipe everything and one out because he was repulsed at his creation. Background completed. haaha.

During Noah’s process of building the ark and preparing the flood he was mocked and ridiculed for working tirelessly at this project that the people in his community felt like would be pointless. The people in Noah’s days were full of wickedness and violence and their hearts were evil. (Gen 6:5) Yet Noah continued to build. Could you imagine living in the days of Noah? Fortunately for you, you won’t have to if you make it to see the Son of Man return. The bible states that the last days will be like the days of Noah. (Matthew 24:37) Could you imagine being Noah? Being informed by God that there was going to be a flood to wipe out the entire world you had grown to know and possibly love and only you and your family would be saved?

See, the grace of God saves. But what was it about Noah that made him worthy of God’s grace?

When we look at verse 9 of Genesis 6 it reads “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

Many of us want the grace that God gives. Yet, we see in Noah’s life that there were a few things Noah embodies that grants him the grace that saves. It states that Noah was just, perfect and he walked with God. Many of us want to be counted just simply because we repent from our sins….repeatedly for some. Yet, if we have to constantly repent for the same sin. Have we truly learned the lesson? It also states that Noah was perfect in his generations. When we look at the community that Noah came from scripture tells us that the people were wicked, violent and had every evil imagination of the thoughts of his heart only. (Gen 6:5,11) Essentially, the people couldn’t get right. Have y’all seen that movie? Life? Has a character in there called “can’t get right” played by Bokeem Woodbine. Ironically, the people in the days of Noah could not get right and God brought a flood to wipe them out.

Noah lived a life that was pleasing to God. He not only lived a life that pleased God, but he also walked with God. There is something powerful about choosing to walk with God. Noah is the perfect example of that. Had Noah been like the people around him I imagine that God would have wiped everyone out completely and started over entirely from scratch. Let’s thank God for Noah alright! The grace that saves requires us to walk with God. We can’t continue to do what we want to do and then expect God to just save us. His grace is not unlimited. We must do what is required to be counted worthy of being saved.

It also states that Noah was perfect in his generation. Can we assume that Noah’s walk with God made him perfect? Or was there something about his life that made him noticeable to God in a good way? We’ll dive into perfection at a different time and different avenue. Maybe on my YouTube Channel Ls2Elevation. Check it out in your free time.

However, what we can take away from the life of Noah is that he put in the work, literally. He put in the work while walking with God. Everyone around him were stuck in their wicked ways but Noah chose to be different and walk with God. Granting him the Grace that Saves!

Till Next Time. Love ya Later!

Interconnected

Hello Beautiful people and others. I pray all has been well in your lives. I want to dive in and share something I’ve found pretty dope.

Earlier today I was sitting doing my hair and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist dropped in my spirit. As I was sitting viewing the image of this special event in time. The holy spirit began to highlight to me the heart and humility of being chosen. When I sat and listened to God talk to me about how John the Baptist was chosen to baptize Christ. Yes, John had performed other baptisms, but not everyone gets to baptize Jesus Christ.

See, anytime I think of John the Baptist, I always immediately see him sitting in the wilderness minding his business. I love what his life and walk illustrates. His life is the true image of not having a care in the world about outside opinions and perspectives simply because he was so tapped into his relationship with Christ. John spent much of his ministry in the wilderness; by himself. He would eventually have those he was called to help meet him where he was, in the wilderness. He did not look like society would expect a person to carry themselves and he had not a care to do so. (Mark 1:4-7)

As God continued to talk to me, he highlighted how people today struggle to have the same humility John did. So many of the current church leaders would have chose to profit off of their fame of baptizing Jesus Christ. Would’ve established a world renown course and updated their social media to ensure they have the “certifications” broadcast to their audience. Yet, John hesitated when first asked to baptize Jesus and reverenced him, stating that Jesus should be baptizing him (Matt 3:14). He didn’t see himself as worthy. But Jesus did.

Isn’t it amazing the things God calls us to he has already qualified us to do?

As God continued to talk to me about the heart and humility of being chosen, he highlighted the relationship of Jesus and Elijah. He took me back to the time when Elijah was overwhelmed with the work God had called him to do; God gave him rest in the wilderness while sending an angel to nourish him with bread and water (1 King 19: 3-7). Once Elijah had rested and been nourished, he was strengthened enough to head on his journey. In this recollection God was showing me his heart for those he chooses. God loved Elijah just as he loves us. Despite our hesitations and fears God provides us with enough grace and mercy to pull thru.

God further highlighted the connection between these very two different moments. There is no John without Elijah. (Matt 17: 12-13; Luke 1:17) There is no Elijah without Christ Jesus. All have a very special and unique connection. The thing that stood out about all individuals involved the heart of their mission.

There are many of us called, but indeed a few are chosen. So many of us want to do great things and be great in the sight of man without meeting the requirements of what it means to be great in the sight of God. In the sight of Jesus Christ. To obtain that honor it requires a heart check. Could you imagine being loved by Christ so much that every time he returns for his people, he sends the same person to clear his path? Being chosen is tough work as we see with the lives of the individuals discussed in this blog. However, the beauty of being chosen is found in the heart of the individuals. Jesus loves us.

Chose to love yourself today by establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Come home before it’s too late. He wants to love on you.

Love ya later.

His Love is what makes Us Special

Hello Beautiful people. I pray all has been well with you. Especially for all of you who have been enduring the storms that have been hitting this world lately. May God keep you in his safe hands. May the resources you may be in need of locate you. Please stay safe as best you can.

Today I wanted to talk about what makes us special.

As believers I know it’s difficult sometimes to NOT get pulled into the distractions that the world creates. The distractions are always so loud. So persistent. So vast. Yet, if I’m honest it would be easier to avoid the distractions when we operate in the manner that Christ has called us to. The thing that makes us special is the fact that God has chosen us to be a special people unto himself. When we read the Bible there are multiple times where we are instructed to “Be ye separate.” When we choose to associate ourselves with the things of this world, we pollute ourselves and tamper with the thing that makes us special; that makes us holy. Being ye separate. In Deuteronomy 7:6 it states, “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”

When we consecrate a thing we are keeping it separate. That is exactly what Jesus is wanting his children to be - separate from the world! Scripture tells us that when we are friends with the world we are enemies with God (James 4:4). I’m not sure about you. But in this current climate, I wouldn’t want to be an enemy of God. It’s not looking too good for the opposition. We have a choice just as Christ does. He chose us because of his love for us (Duet 7:8). His faithfulness to his covenant (Duet 7:9). Yet, when we break that covenant, we are in danger of the consequences of our actions. (You can refer to the blog “Your Season, Your Choice” for more depth of what I am insinuating.) We aslo put ourselves in the crosswires for smoke that we don’t want to encounter.

We are nobodies without the love that Christ provides. It is because of his love that we are special. However, just like we have relationship throughout our lives with different people, family, friends, coworkers and etc. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is the main one that truly matters. Yes, it is beautiful to be loved. It is something entirely different when you are loved by Christ Jesus. It completely changes you from the inside out. It truly makes you feel special to experience such a love especially in the current tainted world of courting today. It elevates you to a place mentally and spiritually that makes you feel like you are floating on clouds with Christ.

However, to maintain the love that Christ provides we must do our part. Deuteronomy 7:11 tells us “Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statues, and the judgements, which I command thee this day, to do them.” Our part is honoring the covenant God established with us. We all want to be seen as special. Yet, we are only special because of the love that Christ has for us. Outside of his love we are nobody. Man cannot validate creation, only our Creator does, and he is a jealous God.

My beautiful people. If you are struggling in your walk with God…..I pray today that God will touch you in such a way that you no longer question or doubt the magnitude of his love for you. That you no longer seek the validation from the creation but you find it in the Creator. That your heart will soften to allow God in completely. That his love for you overflows into the lives of those around you. That peace indwells your hearts and your homes. That you know how truly special you are to Christ Jesus.

He wants to love on you. If only you would come home and leave the world behind.

Love ya, Later.

More and Mightier than “THEM”

Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How’s it going good people and others?

Have you ever noticed that your oppressors always use the same tactics to keep you in bondage and fear? Whew! Could I dive into some personal experiences on this topic but I’m going to keep it Bible for you today. I’ll share some personal L’s on this subject at a later time; maybe. Gone head and grab your bibles and turn to the book of Exodus. Let’s dive in!

In the book of Exodus 1:7-11, we see the story of Israel in Egypt told. Jacob and his generation had passed, and the children of Israel had grown numerously; taking over the entirety of the region. Eventually a new king comes on the scene in Egypt and is intimidated by the size of Israel. He begins to converse with his people (the Egyptians) and informs them that there needs to be something done about the Israelites. He begins to plot how they can wisely “contain” and '“get rid” of the Israelites.

Quick question: Do you know your enemies have sized you up? My apologies, I stated I had a quick question, but truthfully, I have a few. Do you realize that the size of your community intimidates your oppressors? Do you know your oppressor is currently plotting to take you out and to intentionally afflict you with burdens just to keep you in line? Do you know your oppressor is concerned that you will realize the magnitude of power that you possess as a community to upset their kingdom?

I’m sure some of you do. Yet, there are others who have yet to truly see that the power is truly in the hands of the Israelites. The 12 tribes standing together on business for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

See the new king knew that the plans he conspired against the Israelites had to be implemented wisely. He knew that strategy was the best way to control his chances on keeping the Israelites in line. When we look at verse 10 it states, “Come on, let us deal wisely with them.” Your oppressor knows that you are intelligent. So much so that they know to deal with you wisely. The rest of verse 10 goes on to state “lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out the land.”

In verse 10 the new king was concerned about a few things. Let’s highlight them.

1. Awareness. He knew he needed strategy to keep the Israelites distracted from the truth.

2. The size. He knew that the Israelites outnumbered them.

3. War/Wakeup. He feared the Israelites waking up to turn on them during a time of war.

4. Removing the Israelites from the land.

When we look at the world today…is there much unity in the land amongst the Israelites? Or has there been a strategy put in place against us to keep us burdened down and distracted? Let me make some of the burdens and distractions clear to you below:

1. Celebrity drama

2. Financial stressors

3. Political drama

4. Overworked and Underpaid

5. Lack of Rest

Could you imagine a world where you were absent of these things and able to live out the fullness of life that God has intended for us? In the land he has intended for us. See the Egyptians didn’t want the Israelites to necessarily leave the land. They wanted to control the Israelites within the land. They wanted to keep the Israelites blind, def and dumb to the plays that were being executed to their detriment. In Exodus 1:9 it states, “And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.” Your enemy knows you are mightier! Your enemy knows that if you ever wake up to the schemes, they have concocted to keep you burdened and in bondage that you will rise to leave Egypt.

The oppressors’ (the enemy) tactics haven’t changed. They want to distract you with burdens. To control where you put your focus. To never realize your true power against them. To afflict you. To stay within their control.

Children of Israel. Children of Jesus Christ. We are more and mightier than them!

Love ya later.

Your Season, Your choice

Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How’s it going good people and others?

Today’s topic will be about “Your Season, Your choice!" We will be looking at the “Hero of Faith Moses and the choice he made to be deemed as such. I’ll be coming from Hebrews 11 with an emphasis on Hebrews 11:25-26. I can give you a heads up. Their decisions were not the typical choices that people of the world today would make to become “Heroes of Faith.” Let’s dive in.

When we look at Hebrews 11:25-26 it states Moses “Chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

Can somebody say, “for a season!” See one thing I love about God is he is Pro Choice! He is not for the “Pro Choice” that has become rampant in today’s society. But he is definitely all about you having free will. When we look at Hebrews 11, we see that Moses had a choice. He had the ability to choose between a season to suffer affliction or he had the choice to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Moses was a great Hero of Faith. He led the people of Israel out of Egypt. He chose to suffer with the people of God over enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season. Look at your reading neighbor and ask, “Can you suffer but for a season?”

So many of us have no endurance for Gods cause! We want to be esteemed as great. We want to be celebrated here on Earth; yet we can’t tolerate the hate the world gives! See Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt! See some folks problem today is that they have chosen to esteem the treasures of Egypt greater than the reproach of Christ! They don’t want to be hated for Christ's sake. They want the praises of men. See some folks don’t want to stand on business and be set apart they want to be included in the benefits of Egypt. They want their names in flashing lights, they want to be turned out to a new doctrine of devils, they want worldly fame and recognition, they want to be side by side with the artist and musicians of the world. Even though our word has told us numerous times to come out from among them! Ask your reading neighbor, “Can you discern the treasures of Egypt?”

God has given us plenty of choices and plenty of chances. Yet, this nation (America) continues to worship idols and practice perverse relations. We choose to esteem the puppets that Egypt has strategically placed in front of us, and we wonder why our daughters are moving like Jezebel. We wonder why our men have fallen to the back instead of rising to lead and protect as they were created to do. We wonder why our nation is plagued with disaster and droughts. Yet, God has given you a choice and you continue to choose Jezebel and her worship of Baal over Jesus Christ.

As a nation we have failed to realize that every action has a reaction. That even if you choose to enjoy the pleasures that Egypt has provided it will be only but for a season! What will follow at the close of the season you choose is your choice. Whether you choose to suffer with God’s people for Christ sake or you choose to enjoy the life you are living now! Your ending will be a direct reflection of the choice you made while on Earth. Your season, your choice.

Choose wisely.

Love ya later.

What are you Using to Obtain a Good Report?

Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How are you doing good people and others? Pray all is going smoothly for you.

Have any of you ever considered how we go about obtaining a “good report” with the father? I know many of us can easily and quickly determine how we obtain a good report from man; do well in school, stay out of jail, make good money while working a good job, be a present and active parent, blah, blah, blah! All of these things will grant us favor among man yet, none of these things are necessary to obtain a good report from Christ. Jesus Christ.

In order to obtain a good report we need FAITH!

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) In Hebrews 11:2 it states that the elders obtained a good report by faith. Its exact words are “For by it the elders obtained a good report.” The it being faith. What is it that you find yourself believing in? Is it providing peace for you? Is it covering you? Has it renewed your mind in a positive way? Has it fortified you?

There are Heroes of Faith listed throughout the word of God in Hebrews 11 some of them didn’t even receive the promises, yet they continued to fight the good fight of faith. There are others listed in the word who were able to receive the promises of God. Where will you find yourself in the good fight of faith? Will you endure until the end whether you receive the promise or not?

“Without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

In these times throughout the world please do not get caught up on being pleasing to man. The children of God need to do their best to obtain a good report with Jesus Christ, our Father. He is who gives us a good report. Man cannot. Remember people of God, we must fight the good fight of faith.

Stand strong. Endure till the end!

Love ya Later.

The Grace isn’t Unlimited!

Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How are you all today? I pray all is well with you.

Today I wanted to talk about The Grace Isn’t Unlimited!

Many of us have grown up in homes, churches and vast communities where we have established connections and loving relationships. Some of us have grown up in not so loving relationships. Yet, we have found the strength to heal and continue to move forward. For those of us who have endured different things in life I’m sure we can attest to the fact that “Grace isn’t always unlimited.”

When we look at the word of God in Psalms 78 we see where God was dealing with the Israelites thirsting in the wilderness. God provided for them numerous times. Numerous times. Yet, the Israelites continued in their complaints and their request for more from God with a lack of thanks. Have any of you ever been giving and giving and giving and no one ever took a moment to simply say “thank you” for the work or services you have provided for them? I’m not sure if many people understand the complex simplicity that “thank you” provides. Thank you is one of the most simple and profound things you can say to someone.

Thank you gives. It gives in ways that will uplift and encourage the giver to give more because they feel appreciated. God wants us to appreciate his love for us. Some of us take for granted the love that God provides. I believe this is the case because we get comfortable in his works for us. Much like the Israelites did in the Bible. (Psalms 78:42) They had become so expectant of God being God in their lives that they didn’t even acknowledge that he was doing miraculous deeds to ensure they were fed. They didn’t even acknowledge that God was feeding them heavenly food.

Could you imagine being fed bread from heaven and believing that you are just naturally deserving of such a meal? (Psalms 78:24) As if you created the heavens and the earth in 7 days yourself. Eventually, people get tired. Just as God himself gets tired. We see in the Bible where God had given to the point where he was fed up. He then turns and smites the Israelites right when they were about to feast on the manna he had provided. (Psalms 78:31)

The grace God allots us is not unlimited. We as believers believe that all we have to do is “repent”. Let some of your celebrity Pastors tell it. However, true repentance is turning away from your sins. Meaning leaving them in the past. Turning away from them. Allowing God to establish you as a new creature in him. When we get comfortable in walking in our sins we are playing with fire. God’s consuming fire! Whether we take his warnings seriously or not….do we really want the smoke that God gives?! Don’t take God’s grace for granted. One day you won’t have time to repent and get your life in order. Start today!

God’s grace is not unlimited!