Hey everyone, its Brandon, and I know that you guys are wondering why Jasmine hasn't blogged in a long while. Jasmine has been traveling around alot and hasn't been in town for the last couple of weeks, and won't be back for a little while. When she returns, she will be blogging her little heart out so be prepared for a word. Show this blog LOTS of love please, so she can have something to look forward to when she gets back.
We also want to take this time to say thank you to the supporters of this blog. I would personally like to thank my friends Shantell, Devion, Shay, and my cousin Kyra for the continuous love and support. There are LOTS more but those are just a few of my personal shoutouts.
Me and Jasmine are very happy and excited that God has used us in what we think is a mighty way to bring souls to Christ. Only our works for Him and His kingdom will last, and we definitly hope this qualifies. God has been SOO good to us, and we can go on and on, but we won't. We just want to take this time to thank him for all he has done for us, and all he has done for you through us.
We love you guys, COMMENT THIS PLEASE AND SHOW LOVE FOR JASMINE, and please email us. We love to hear feedback, blog ideas, prayer requests (MAKE SURE THE SUBJECT LINE SAYS PRAYER REQUEST), bible study ideas, questions, anything. Thank you guys again. Continue to read the word!
Be Blessed
~Brandon and Jasmine
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Do You Have Hostages?
Back in the day, there was this man of God named Samuel, God told him to annoint Saul the King of Israel, and this he did.
Later on, God told Samuel to tell Saul that he wanted him to kill ALL the Amalekites, and spare none, including the women, childen, babies, sheep, oxen, camel, and ass (donkey), and to spare none (1Samuel 15:3). God hated the Amalekites. Why? Glad you asked. Way back in the day (like 500 hundred years before even this story), when God was delivering the Israelites from Egypt, ALL 3 million of them marched out, with the soldiers (able bodied men) in the front, and the women, children, and elderly in the back. Well they had to march through the Amalekites land, but what the Amalekites didn't tell the Israelites was that they didn't want them to. So what the Amalekites did was wait until the strong men passed, and killed ALL of the people in the back, and when the soldiers finally noticed what they had done, the Amalekites had fleed. The Amalekites were trying to stop the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah from coming true, and God did not like that at all. So he wanted them destroyed. You can find that story in the book of Exodus.
Ok so Saul gathered all his folks up, and went and did what God told them...............or did they?
They did not. What happend was, Saul, instead of killing everyone, including Agag (not real name but political title equivilent to king), he and his people took the Agag HOSTAGE. Also instead of killing ALL the sheep, ox, lambs, fatlings, and all that was good, they kept it for themselves. Not what God told them to do.
So God came to Samuel and said that he was sorry he ever made Saul king of Israel. Now you know that he must of done something bad to make God repent and say he's sorry, for who does God have to repent to.............NO ONE. But he had done it, he made God sorry he put him in charge.
So Samuel went unto Saul, but Saul wasn't where he was supposed to be. He was building a new place. Where did he learn that from? His HOSTAGE. You have to understand that when Samuel had found Saul and told him that he was to be King of Israel, he was a donkey farmer. He had nothing. He meek and mild, and thats essentially why God chose him, because he was humble. You have to remember something, always stay humble, and small in your eyes, no matter how big you get, God can't work with big headedness (sorry thats not a word but its true), he said that he who thinks he is something, is nothing to me. Thats what God said. So basically he was taking lessons from a king that was leading a nation that God hated, and taking lessons from a king that God wanted to be dead. Not a good idea. God expected him to be humble throughout, God called him to be King of a nation, but that word King didn't mean that he had to palace on top of palace, riches on top of riches. God called him to be different, and come out from them and be seperate, so why would he take advice from his HOSTAGE?
So when Samuel found Saul, Saul tell him he has done the Lord's work, and Samuel asks why he hears sheep, and oxen? Then Saul does something that only a bad leader does, and blames it on his people. He said that the people wanted to give the good livestock up for God as an offering. But Samuel tells him that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft, and that rebellion is as bad as iniquity and idoltry. Basically God tells us here that obedience is better than sacrifice, that if we before anything else obey him and keep his commandments, everything will be fine.
So Saul admits that he was so scared of the people and what they might think of him, that he disobeyed God. Take notes from Saul and never do that. Samuel also told him that he was no longer the King of Israel.
After that, Saul asks for them to bring out the HOSTAGE Agag, and on the spot, he slices him up to pieces.
Call me gruesome, but I love this story. It was told to me today by my Pator, Bishop Mathew Williams, Pastor of Brown's Memorial Church of God in Christ. This story reminds me of those things we keep hostage and never let go. We're afraid to kill them because its good to our flesh. But today I challenge you to KILL YOUR HOSTAGE! Not literally in the flesh but in the spirit, kick all those bad habbits and the things you keep hidden. Becasue I'm sure that if you keep it hidden, and you want no one to no about it because of your image or something, ITS A HOSTAGE. Colossians Ch.3: v.5(Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry) tells us what our hostages our, but its up to us to kill them, and make sure they're dead. Once we have done that, Colossians Ch. 3: v.10 (And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him) tells us that we are new creatures in Christ, and we are a new man (man meaning human). So have you become a spiritual murderer yet?
COMMENT PLEASE!
This story came from 1Samuel Ch. 15
DON'T FORGET TO EMAIL US! WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com
Be Blessed
~Brandon
Later on, God told Samuel to tell Saul that he wanted him to kill ALL the Amalekites, and spare none, including the women, childen, babies, sheep, oxen, camel, and ass (donkey), and to spare none (1Samuel 15:3). God hated the Amalekites. Why? Glad you asked. Way back in the day (like 500 hundred years before even this story), when God was delivering the Israelites from Egypt, ALL 3 million of them marched out, with the soldiers (able bodied men) in the front, and the women, children, and elderly in the back. Well they had to march through the Amalekites land, but what the Amalekites didn't tell the Israelites was that they didn't want them to. So what the Amalekites did was wait until the strong men passed, and killed ALL of the people in the back, and when the soldiers finally noticed what they had done, the Amalekites had fleed. The Amalekites were trying to stop the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah from coming true, and God did not like that at all. So he wanted them destroyed. You can find that story in the book of Exodus.
Ok so Saul gathered all his folks up, and went and did what God told them...............or did they?
They did not. What happend was, Saul, instead of killing everyone, including Agag (not real name but political title equivilent to king), he and his people took the Agag HOSTAGE. Also instead of killing ALL the sheep, ox, lambs, fatlings, and all that was good, they kept it for themselves. Not what God told them to do.
So God came to Samuel and said that he was sorry he ever made Saul king of Israel. Now you know that he must of done something bad to make God repent and say he's sorry, for who does God have to repent to.............NO ONE. But he had done it, he made God sorry he put him in charge.
So Samuel went unto Saul, but Saul wasn't where he was supposed to be. He was building a new place. Where did he learn that from? His HOSTAGE. You have to understand that when Samuel had found Saul and told him that he was to be King of Israel, he was a donkey farmer. He had nothing. He meek and mild, and thats essentially why God chose him, because he was humble. You have to remember something, always stay humble, and small in your eyes, no matter how big you get, God can't work with big headedness (sorry thats not a word but its true), he said that he who thinks he is something, is nothing to me. Thats what God said. So basically he was taking lessons from a king that was leading a nation that God hated, and taking lessons from a king that God wanted to be dead. Not a good idea. God expected him to be humble throughout, God called him to be King of a nation, but that word King didn't mean that he had to palace on top of palace, riches on top of riches. God called him to be different, and come out from them and be seperate, so why would he take advice from his HOSTAGE?
So when Samuel found Saul, Saul tell him he has done the Lord's work, and Samuel asks why he hears sheep, and oxen? Then Saul does something that only a bad leader does, and blames it on his people. He said that the people wanted to give the good livestock up for God as an offering. But Samuel tells him that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft, and that rebellion is as bad as iniquity and idoltry. Basically God tells us here that obedience is better than sacrifice, that if we before anything else obey him and keep his commandments, everything will be fine.
So Saul admits that he was so scared of the people and what they might think of him, that he disobeyed God. Take notes from Saul and never do that. Samuel also told him that he was no longer the King of Israel.
After that, Saul asks for them to bring out the HOSTAGE Agag, and on the spot, he slices him up to pieces.
Call me gruesome, but I love this story. It was told to me today by my Pator, Bishop Mathew Williams, Pastor of Brown's Memorial Church of God in Christ. This story reminds me of those things we keep hostage and never let go. We're afraid to kill them because its good to our flesh. But today I challenge you to KILL YOUR HOSTAGE! Not literally in the flesh but in the spirit, kick all those bad habbits and the things you keep hidden. Becasue I'm sure that if you keep it hidden, and you want no one to no about it because of your image or something, ITS A HOSTAGE. Colossians Ch.3: v.5(Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry) tells us what our hostages our, but its up to us to kill them, and make sure they're dead. Once we have done that, Colossians Ch. 3: v.10 (And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him) tells us that we are new creatures in Christ, and we are a new man (man meaning human). So have you become a spiritual murderer yet?
COMMENT PLEASE!
This story came from 1Samuel Ch. 15
DON'T FORGET TO EMAIL US! WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com
Be Blessed
~Brandon
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sea of Forgetfulness
................saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews Ch.10: v.16 and 17
A few scriptures before this is, and after this, are usually used to tell us why we don't have to offer sacrifices unto God (and thats because God sending his only son to die for us was and still is the ultimate sacrifice). But I took these scriptures out to explain something call the Sea of Forgetfulness, which is talked about in Micah Ch. 7: v.19 (He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea).
The Sea of Forgetfulness is probably something we can and should thank God for. He basically tells us that once we ask for forgiveness (we can only get forgiveness once we forgive others to), he throws it in the sea of forgetfulness, and its gone. Yes, ALL your sins and iniquities he will forget forever. I know you are probably thinking, well doesn't he go back to the sea? NO! We as people, and the devil, are the ONLY ones who fish in that sea. When the enemy goes to heaven and makes false accusations against us, what does God do? He doesn't remember it. When we're crying late at night four days after God has forgiven us for something, and we ask God why, what does God do? Tell us he doesn't remember what we're talking about. If God the ruler of all things, the one who has earth as his foot stool forgets, then you should also. That means when somebody comes to you with old mess that you and God have both forgotten about, tell them you don't even know what they're talking about. Tell them you talked to God and he don't even what they're talking about. You, God, and everybody else need to let it go to.
So today I challenge you to first ask God for forgiveness, once you do FORGET ABOUT IT! Don't talk about it, think about it, and don't let other people make you think that it exsists, because it is now in the Sea of Forgetfulness.
Be Blessed
COMMENT US PLZ!
AND DONT FORGET TO EMAIL US AT:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com
~Brandon
Hebrews Ch.10: v.16 and 17
A few scriptures before this is, and after this, are usually used to tell us why we don't have to offer sacrifices unto God (and thats because God sending his only son to die for us was and still is the ultimate sacrifice). But I took these scriptures out to explain something call the Sea of Forgetfulness, which is talked about in Micah Ch. 7: v.19 (He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea).
The Sea of Forgetfulness is probably something we can and should thank God for. He basically tells us that once we ask for forgiveness (we can only get forgiveness once we forgive others to), he throws it in the sea of forgetfulness, and its gone. Yes, ALL your sins and iniquities he will forget forever. I know you are probably thinking, well doesn't he go back to the sea? NO! We as people, and the devil, are the ONLY ones who fish in that sea. When the enemy goes to heaven and makes false accusations against us, what does God do? He doesn't remember it. When we're crying late at night four days after God has forgiven us for something, and we ask God why, what does God do? Tell us he doesn't remember what we're talking about. If God the ruler of all things, the one who has earth as his foot stool forgets, then you should also. That means when somebody comes to you with old mess that you and God have both forgotten about, tell them you don't even know what they're talking about. Tell them you talked to God and he don't even what they're talking about. You, God, and everybody else need to let it go to.
So today I challenge you to first ask God for forgiveness, once you do FORGET ABOUT IT! Don't talk about it, think about it, and don't let other people make you think that it exsists, because it is now in the Sea of Forgetfulness.
Be Blessed
COMMENT US PLZ!
AND DONT FORGET TO EMAIL US AT:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com
~Brandon
Thursday, July 17, 2008
YOU MAY BE SUFFERING NOW,BUT THERES A BLESSING WITH YOUR NAME ON IT
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
2 Corinthians Ch. 1: v.7
This scripture right here is soo important to me. I always quote this scripture when I'm going through. It reminds me that God doesn't let us down, that though I may be suffering right now, He is always there to comfort me, and when it is all over, I know that because I trusted Him and let Him have his way, He will bless me. Just like no state fair game comes without a prize, no suffering comes without a blessing. But that is only if you let Him do his thing. We must learn when to step back and say "Lord, I've done all I can do, now I'm giving it up to You". In essence, He is the only help,and choice we have. When we know that, and belive it in our hearts, WHO CAN STOP US? In the words of Keith Sweat, the answer is NOBODY. Love Him, cherish Him, and bless Him with your praises, and He will bless you with spiritual blessings that have no choice but to spill over into the physical.
Be Blessed
And remember to comment us
Also email us at:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com
~Brandon
2 Corinthians Ch. 1: v.7
This scripture right here is soo important to me. I always quote this scripture when I'm going through. It reminds me that God doesn't let us down, that though I may be suffering right now, He is always there to comfort me, and when it is all over, I know that because I trusted Him and let Him have his way, He will bless me. Just like no state fair game comes without a prize, no suffering comes without a blessing. But that is only if you let Him do his thing. We must learn when to step back and say "Lord, I've done all I can do, now I'm giving it up to You". In essence, He is the only help,and choice we have. When we know that, and belive it in our hearts, WHO CAN STOP US? In the words of Keith Sweat, the answer is NOBODY. Love Him, cherish Him, and bless Him with your praises, and He will bless you with spiritual blessings that have no choice but to spill over into the physical.
Be Blessed
And remember to comment us
Also email us at:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com
~Brandon
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
RELATIONSHIPS Part 1
First I would like to say thank you to everyone that supports me and Jasmine's blog, and for also supporting my "texting ministry"........lol. We have wanted to do something like this for a long time, and so proud that we get to share our journey and walk with God with you guys.
For those of you who don't know, I text a daily thought about life, love, and the word. When I asked what people wanted me to talk about, they literally ALL said relationships. Since it is such a broad subject, me and Jasmine have decided to do it in parts, we really don't know how many parts yet, but you can never have enough info on relationships, lol.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
This piece of the bilbe can mean SOOO much, so I am going to disect it in parts that pertain to relationships.
Ok, if you are reading this, I hope that you're saved. If not, check out the blog entry "Being Saved Is The First Step".
Now that you're saved, we can talk about a Christian relationship. These scriptures are the basis for social seperation from non-believers. We can't get along, and there can be no longevity. This being said, this scripture clearly tells us that a relationship with someone that has no intention to become saved or is not saved already, the relationship is IMPOSSIBLE. You must be wondering in your head, well the person I'm with doesn't believe in God, they don't want to even be bothered with the bible, what do I do? I say DUMP THEM. I say this because it makes no sense to be in a relationship where a God that loved you so much that he gave his son for you, is not welcome. But you should also give them an ultimatum, and tell the person that in order to love me right, and be with me, you must love God as well, and keep him head of this relationship. Trust me, this is hard. But so what you might have to leave them, all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord, and you never know, the person you are about to leave, may make way for a person that loves God, fears God, and wants to know more about him as you do. God can't be the center of a relationship when one party won't let Him in. God says he will be in the midst of 2 0r 3 that get together in HIS NAME!!! God cannot bless a relationship that he is not in, or welcome to, even when only one party objects. By the way, to the married people out there, this does not not condone divorce, but again, GIVE AN ULTIMATUM. You might not have been saved when you got hitched, or not cared that your spouse was, but I hope you care now. Remember that the relationship can't have God in the midst, and have God blessing it, because you guys are unequally yoked!!!
Be Blessed!
Comment this blog plz!!
Email us thoughts, concerns, questions, and even prayer requests (subject line sayin prayer request) at:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com
~Brandon
For those of you who don't know, I text a daily thought about life, love, and the word. When I asked what people wanted me to talk about, they literally ALL said relationships. Since it is such a broad subject, me and Jasmine have decided to do it in parts, we really don't know how many parts yet, but you can never have enough info on relationships, lol.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
This piece of the bilbe can mean SOOO much, so I am going to disect it in parts that pertain to relationships.
Ok, if you are reading this, I hope that you're saved. If not, check out the blog entry "Being Saved Is The First Step".
Now that you're saved, we can talk about a Christian relationship. These scriptures are the basis for social seperation from non-believers. We can't get along, and there can be no longevity. This being said, this scripture clearly tells us that a relationship with someone that has no intention to become saved or is not saved already, the relationship is IMPOSSIBLE. You must be wondering in your head, well the person I'm with doesn't believe in God, they don't want to even be bothered with the bible, what do I do? I say DUMP THEM. I say this because it makes no sense to be in a relationship where a God that loved you so much that he gave his son for you, is not welcome. But you should also give them an ultimatum, and tell the person that in order to love me right, and be with me, you must love God as well, and keep him head of this relationship. Trust me, this is hard. But so what you might have to leave them, all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord, and you never know, the person you are about to leave, may make way for a person that loves God, fears God, and wants to know more about him as you do. God can't be the center of a relationship when one party won't let Him in. God says he will be in the midst of 2 0r 3 that get together in HIS NAME!!! God cannot bless a relationship that he is not in, or welcome to, even when only one party objects. By the way, to the married people out there, this does not not condone divorce, but again, GIVE AN ULTIMATUM. You might not have been saved when you got hitched, or not cared that your spouse was, but I hope you care now. Remember that the relationship can't have God in the midst, and have God blessing it, because you guys are unequally yoked!!!
Be Blessed!
Comment this blog plz!!
Email us thoughts, concerns, questions, and even prayer requests (subject line sayin prayer request) at:
stepsoffaithblog@yahoo.com
~Brandon
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
All for a Reason
Pay attention to every decision you face - even the ones that seem so insignificant. Take seriously every person you meet - even the ones you don't like. Embrace every situation you find yourself in - even the ones that seem to make no sense at all. They're shaping you, molding you, preparing you for the next decision, the next person, the next situation. Lose yourself in doing what God wants with every aspect of your life. Live your life in light of His plan.
~Jasmine
~Jasmine
Take Off Your Graveclothes!
It's 3:00 in the morning and I'm at it again.
Confused
Scared
Alone
"My God!" I cry out. "When will this stop hurting!"
I'm frustrated but I'm more hurt than anything else.
He said He would never leave me.
Where is He now?
He said things would get better.
They're getting worse.
He promised to renew my mind.
My thoughts are spiraling out of control.
"What is wrong with me?" I whisper into the dark of the bathroom, careful not to talk too loud.
I don't want my cries to wake anybody up.
This is me at 16 years old.
This is me after I've finally decided to take a step of faith and lean on God.
I've made all the moves He's wanted me to make.
I've let go of the people He wanted me to let go of.
And He's promised me that He has delivered me from my past, that I am now free.
So why do I feel so bad?????
It took me awhile and many nights like this before God revealed to me what my problem was. I always thought that I was still waiting to be set free but I was wrong. I had already been saved and given a new life, so why did everything in my life feel so dead?
I was still wearing my graveclothes.
I believe we all make this mistake. God delivers us out of something, yet the change isn't evident in our lives. That's because we still walk around in our graveclothes.
If you're familiar with the story of Lazarus in the Bible this might be a little easier to understand. But if you don't, don't worry, I'll give you a VERY simplified version.
Jesus had a very close friend named Lazarus, whom He loved very much. Well, Lazarus ended up getting seriously sick and died. His sisters called on Jesus to come and heal him before he died but the Lord waited another two days before he decided to go to Lazarus. By the time he got to his home, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Everyone was sad and crying but Jesus, in true God fashion, came and showed out. He called Lazarus forth out of the tomb, bringing him back to life. The Bible goes on to then state: And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go (John 11:44).
You see, before God can really do something in your life, you have to be loosed of your graveclothes. Can you imagine if Lazarus had stayed bound? How would he have been able to function? He wouldn't be able to see, or eat. Even his sense of touch and sound would have been distorted.
The same applies for us. When God brings us up out of a situation, we have to be willing to leave the graveclothes behind. They keep us bound and make it harder for us to walk with God, and to hear what He has to say to us. When you're still wearing your graveclothes, the stench of death is still on you. So even though you have been made alive again and set free, you still look like death, still talk like death, you even still move and smell like death.
Alot of people have this problem. They're saved but you would never be able to tell by the way they live. They still do all the things sinners do. Yes, they have been given a new life through Christ but they haven't taken the time to peel off those old layers of sin.
So what exactly are graveclothes? Graveclothes can be anything. Graveclothes can be painful memories, recurring sins ... anything.
I had alot of graveclothes. My ex had just left me after almost two years so I wore a combination of guilt, hurt, bitterness, rejection. I also had alot of other problems so at times I was wearing deceit, dishonesty, low self esteem, and doubt. No wonder God couldn't do anything in my life. He doesn't play with dead things and, although I was saved, I was still a walking corpse.
If you're still wearing your graveclothes I urge you to talk to God. Pray and read your Bible. (If you don't have one, Go GET ONE! TRUST ME YOU NEED IT!!!!!) Let God come in and work on you. Don't try to change yourself. You are the problem ... how can you possibly be the solution?? Only God's compassion can change you and only His Spirit can renew your mind. You have to sit back and let Him work. Trust me I know it hurts and you might be saying, "When, Jasmine? When will it stop hurting?" Unfortunately I can't answer that for you but there is One that knows the answer. So what are you still listening to me for? Go talk to Him!!! He's waiting!
~Jasmine
Confused
Scared
Alone
"My God!" I cry out. "When will this stop hurting!"
I'm frustrated but I'm more hurt than anything else.
He said He would never leave me.
Where is He now?
He said things would get better.
They're getting worse.
He promised to renew my mind.
My thoughts are spiraling out of control.
"What is wrong with me?" I whisper into the dark of the bathroom, careful not to talk too loud.
I don't want my cries to wake anybody up.
This is me at 16 years old.
This is me after I've finally decided to take a step of faith and lean on God.
I've made all the moves He's wanted me to make.
I've let go of the people He wanted me to let go of.
And He's promised me that He has delivered me from my past, that I am now free.
So why do I feel so bad?????
It took me awhile and many nights like this before God revealed to me what my problem was. I always thought that I was still waiting to be set free but I was wrong. I had already been saved and given a new life, so why did everything in my life feel so dead?
I was still wearing my graveclothes.
I believe we all make this mistake. God delivers us out of something, yet the change isn't evident in our lives. That's because we still walk around in our graveclothes.
If you're familiar with the story of Lazarus in the Bible this might be a little easier to understand. But if you don't, don't worry, I'll give you a VERY simplified version.
Jesus had a very close friend named Lazarus, whom He loved very much. Well, Lazarus ended up getting seriously sick and died. His sisters called on Jesus to come and heal him before he died but the Lord waited another two days before he decided to go to Lazarus. By the time he got to his home, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Everyone was sad and crying but Jesus, in true God fashion, came and showed out. He called Lazarus forth out of the tomb, bringing him back to life. The Bible goes on to then state: And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go (John 11:44).
You see, before God can really do something in your life, you have to be loosed of your graveclothes. Can you imagine if Lazarus had stayed bound? How would he have been able to function? He wouldn't be able to see, or eat. Even his sense of touch and sound would have been distorted.
The same applies for us. When God brings us up out of a situation, we have to be willing to leave the graveclothes behind. They keep us bound and make it harder for us to walk with God, and to hear what He has to say to us. When you're still wearing your graveclothes, the stench of death is still on you. So even though you have been made alive again and set free, you still look like death, still talk like death, you even still move and smell like death.
Alot of people have this problem. They're saved but you would never be able to tell by the way they live. They still do all the things sinners do. Yes, they have been given a new life through Christ but they haven't taken the time to peel off those old layers of sin.
So what exactly are graveclothes? Graveclothes can be anything. Graveclothes can be painful memories, recurring sins ... anything.
I had alot of graveclothes. My ex had just left me after almost two years so I wore a combination of guilt, hurt, bitterness, rejection. I also had alot of other problems so at times I was wearing deceit, dishonesty, low self esteem, and doubt. No wonder God couldn't do anything in my life. He doesn't play with dead things and, although I was saved, I was still a walking corpse.
If you're still wearing your graveclothes I urge you to talk to God. Pray and read your Bible. (If you don't have one, Go GET ONE! TRUST ME YOU NEED IT!!!!!) Let God come in and work on you. Don't try to change yourself. You are the problem ... how can you possibly be the solution?? Only God's compassion can change you and only His Spirit can renew your mind. You have to sit back and let Him work. Trust me I know it hurts and you might be saying, "When, Jasmine? When will it stop hurting?" Unfortunately I can't answer that for you but there is One that knows the answer. So what are you still listening to me for? Go talk to Him!!! He's waiting!
~Jasmine
You're Not A Judge, So Don't Act Like It!!!!!!!
I don't know about you but I have a habbit of being nosy, judging other people, and saying: "Oh he/she goin' to hell!", or "Now he/she know he/she shouldn't be doin' that", but boy did I get a rude awakening. Almost all those things that I said, those people shouldn't do , I ended up doing. I never realized that until Jasmine shared almost the same experience with me yesterday. Almost everything that I judged and looked down upon, I did.
Going through that made me realize that its not hard to fall into temptation, and that nobody is too good to sin, the bible says it in Romans Ch. 3: v.23 (For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God). That means stop talking 'bout people who have sinned JUST LIKE YOU! While you're talking about them, remember what secrets and sins you have hidden under your bed that you want nobody to know about. While you over here running your mouth talking 'bout them, you doing the same thing. So don't judge, because according to Ecclesiastes Ch. 3: v.17 ( I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.), we will all be judged in due time.
Brandon
Going through that made me realize that its not hard to fall into temptation, and that nobody is too good to sin, the bible says it in Romans Ch. 3: v.23 (For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God). That means stop talking 'bout people who have sinned JUST LIKE YOU! While you're talking about them, remember what secrets and sins you have hidden under your bed that you want nobody to know about. While you over here running your mouth talking 'bout them, you doing the same thing. So don't judge, because according to Ecclesiastes Ch. 3: v.17 ( I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.), we will all be judged in due time.
Brandon
Monday, June 30, 2008
Just a Thought
God is determined to strip us of our strong tendency to be dependent on others, thereby teaching us self - reliace and God - reliance. The struggle truly begins not when men surround us, but rather when they forsake us. It's then that we begin to discover our own identity and self - worth.
~Jasmine
~Jasmine
Worry (a silent sin)
In the Bible, we are told several times not to worry. In Matthew 6:34 Jesus told His followers "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorow will worry about its own things. Each day has its own troubles". Again in Philipipians 4:6 we are told to "be anxious for nothing". Why then, as Christians, do we still stress over the everyday pressures of life?
If you are the type that worries (and we all do) then I suggest you stop now because whether you realize it or not, worry is a sin. It's a sin of lacking faith in God. God says that nothing by any means will ever harm us and there are no situations that are too hard for Him. Through the death of His son, He has already shown us that He loves us so there really is no reason for us to doubt Him.
But yet and still, we do. When you sit and worry about a problem, you are telling God that you don't believe He can or will come through for you. You're basically calling Him a liar. When we worry, we don't give God the full glory, honor, or attention that He deserves. The Lord tells us to meditate on good things (happiness, success, GOD.... for example). Furthermore He has already promised us that our futures are secure in Him.
"For I know the thoughts I have of you,"declares the Lord. "Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
We as Christians have got to learn to take God at His word. This is called faith. And without faith it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe (see Hebrews 11:6).
It has been my experience that worrying never ever ever helps a situation. In most cases, it makes things worse. Take the story of Jesus walking on the water. When He approached His disciples Peter challenged Him, saying, "Lord if it is You, tell me to come to You on the water." Peter then gets out of the boat and starts walking toward Jesus on the water. But when he takes his eyes off Jesus and sees the wind and waves, he begins to sink.
The same thing happens to us when we worry. We start looking at the problem, and not the Problem Solver and our problems overcome us. For this same reason, Satan gains footholds in our lives. While your mind is off God, Satan starts to talk to you and tempt you. He starts off by pointing out your needs and picking at the problem that has you worried. Then he starts offering you ways to fix the issue. The only problem is, Satan offers to fix a legitimate need, in an illegitimate way. "Need more money? .... Go ahead and steal," he suggests. "Feeling unloved and lonely ..... have sex with him (just this one time) it won't hurt and besides, you need it." See the problem here? And the scary thing is, you're not looking at Jesus so you listen to him and go along with the devil's tricks. For indeed, had you ben looking at Jesus, you would've saw Him with His hands stretched out, begging you to keep pulling forward and reminding you of His promises. When you keep your focus on God, evrything else seems insignificant.
So I pose this question to you today, is there anything too hard for the Lord? If you said no (and actually believed it) then I challenge you today to stop worrying. Relax... God knows your needs. He has told us that if we take care of His business first, He will certainly take care of ours (see matthew 6:33). God says that when you start feeling stressed, pray and read the Word and His peace will overcome you. Don't make the mistake of sinking because you let God out of your sight.
~Jasmine
If you are the type that worries (and we all do) then I suggest you stop now because whether you realize it or not, worry is a sin. It's a sin of lacking faith in God. God says that nothing by any means will ever harm us and there are no situations that are too hard for Him. Through the death of His son, He has already shown us that He loves us so there really is no reason for us to doubt Him.
But yet and still, we do. When you sit and worry about a problem, you are telling God that you don't believe He can or will come through for you. You're basically calling Him a liar. When we worry, we don't give God the full glory, honor, or attention that He deserves. The Lord tells us to meditate on good things (happiness, success, GOD.... for example). Furthermore He has already promised us that our futures are secure in Him.
"For I know the thoughts I have of you,"declares the Lord. "Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
We as Christians have got to learn to take God at His word. This is called faith. And without faith it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe (see Hebrews 11:6).
It has been my experience that worrying never ever ever helps a situation. In most cases, it makes things worse. Take the story of Jesus walking on the water. When He approached His disciples Peter challenged Him, saying, "Lord if it is You, tell me to come to You on the water." Peter then gets out of the boat and starts walking toward Jesus on the water. But when he takes his eyes off Jesus and sees the wind and waves, he begins to sink.
The same thing happens to us when we worry. We start looking at the problem, and not the Problem Solver and our problems overcome us. For this same reason, Satan gains footholds in our lives. While your mind is off God, Satan starts to talk to you and tempt you. He starts off by pointing out your needs and picking at the problem that has you worried. Then he starts offering you ways to fix the issue. The only problem is, Satan offers to fix a legitimate need, in an illegitimate way. "Need more money? .... Go ahead and steal," he suggests. "Feeling unloved and lonely ..... have sex with him (just this one time) it won't hurt and besides, you need it." See the problem here? And the scary thing is, you're not looking at Jesus so you listen to him and go along with the devil's tricks. For indeed, had you ben looking at Jesus, you would've saw Him with His hands stretched out, begging you to keep pulling forward and reminding you of His promises. When you keep your focus on God, evrything else seems insignificant.
So I pose this question to you today, is there anything too hard for the Lord? If you said no (and actually believed it) then I challenge you today to stop worrying. Relax... God knows your needs. He has told us that if we take care of His business first, He will certainly take care of ours (see matthew 6:33). God says that when you start feeling stressed, pray and read the Word and His peace will overcome you. Don't make the mistake of sinking because you let God out of your sight.
~Jasmine
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