LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING!!!

To sing a good song with a good message is one of my many passions!!! One such opportunity was afforded me on Sunday at Westwood International Prayer Center. The congrgation sang together in unison and with so much spirit, the National Negro Hymn" Lift Every Voice and Sing"; by James Weldon Johnson. Oh my, what a song what a spirit in that place! I couln't really sing, I just cried and cried. I wanted to share the words of this life changing gift to the world! Notice the second verse and of course that great third one....Just enjoy them all, and lift every voice and sing:
1) Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmony of liberty. Let our rejoicing rise high as the listning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Chorus: Sing a song full of the faith that the dark path has taught us;
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
2) Stony the road we troad, bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
Chorus: We have come over a way that with tears has been watered;
We have come, treading our path thru the blood of the slaughtered,
out from the gloomy path, till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast!
3)God of our weary years, God our our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us
thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might lead us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Chorus:
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee; Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land.
Enjoy....

GOODNESS OF GOD....LEADS TO REPENTANCE

The second chapter of Romans talks of the universality of sin and the penalties thereof. Those that condemn sin in others, and do the same things are "inexcusable", whoever they may be. It is double for people who boasts of righteousness and yet condem others who may miss the mark. Those who have the "light" should never condem those who have not come to the light. That would indeed be foolish and cruel, such was the case of the Jewish nation; but let it not be named among us!!!
Romans 2:1- "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things". But Paul goes on to tell them the people that the judgement of God is sure, for everybody!! God will render to every man his deeds, but there is good news... The goodness of God.
Verse four of this chapter says " Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forebearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Oh Hallelujah! What a God! Because God is so good this helps us to repent. His grace and mercy leads us...encourages us, gives us courage to repent. Let us forsake our ways and thinking and turn, change the way we have been made to think, in other words.... repent. Isaiah 55:7 says," Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he WILL abundantly pardon. The goodness of God leads......to repentance. Praise our God!!!

GO ON AND BE HAPPY CHILD!!!!

Talking to one of my best friends on Saturday night proved very therapeutic for me! Minister Elois Freeman is a no non-sense seasoned believer who helps many people every day of her life.. I think ministry should be like that. We began talking about "stuff" and I began to voice some issues, and somewhat complaining(did I say that!!!), and she said GO ON AND BE HAPPY CHILD. I didn't need that, I wanted to display my issues and decisions and knowledge and yada, yada yada......But she was right(as usual), and I knew she had my number again, so we had a very enlightning discussion. We all need people in our lives that can pull our chains and not let us get away with "stuff". We need more than good pats on the back, and folk telling us ("how great we art!!!).
One thing for sure, we can't change people and only God can bring a clean thing out of an unclean one.
Two areas we need to always guard: our feelings and our thinking. Our human spirit is fine, no real problem there. We enter trouble areas when we gauge life by what we think and by what we feel or perceive to think and feel. Watch those areas where demons play, our mind is the battlefield and he loves to bombard there. The "feeling realm", and the "thought"realm.
I walk as a free daughter in Him, I give my thoughts over to him and we become one. I choose to say what the Father says about me, for this is truth. Whether I see it or understand it, or comphrehend it; I am what and who God says I am. I agree with Him, or I confess what he says and we walk together as one man. My perceptions has to go, I'm not my own, I have been bought with a price! So I'm who my redeemer says I am, and I can do what he says I can do and I am happy.
We must be careful with feelings because feelings follow thinking. I must think before I speak, words cannot be taken back. Col.4:6 says " Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. I must take charge of my thinking, bring my mind back to what God has said. I take every thought captive. Oh hallelujah!
The enemy has no assignment over my life! When I got saved as a young girl, his assignment was canceled over my life forever! This is the power of living in him. Now the bible says "neither give place to the devil." Yet some discouraging things may happen in your life, but give no place....Don't start blaming God because the tornado destroyed your house, and don't go boasting because your home was the only one saved on the block! Give no place....I am the only one that can give him a place. The scripture says "every man is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.
Go on and be happy child....
One thing is for sure, I am here for a purpose and I can't see the whole picture; but God can. I have authority over the devil, and I use it to beat him over the head!!!
Guard your feelings and your thinking! How? Renew your mind, renew your thinking, STOP IT at the first inkling. If some thoughts or imaginations are coming to you, do a Jesus check; is it according to the word of God. If its not, dispel it and move on. Now in order to do this you must know the "word." Your enemy is defeated, whether you know it or not. Keep your foot on the devil's neck, and go on and be happy child!!!

HE'S THINKING OF ME

God said " for I know the thoughts," Oh Hallelujah! When I read this this morning, I rejoiced in my spirit. Of course I'm referring to Jeremiah 29:11.

When I cause myself to understand that God know the thoughts that He thinks towards me, I rest even more gently and peacefully on Him.

God's people at this time were going into captivity for their sins and disobedience, though false prophets were giving false hope(they always do). But the true prophet Jeremiah had spoken the truth they didn't want to hear. They would indeed be carried into Babylon and would indeed stay seventy years, by the word of the Lord!! Yet God says "for I know the thoughts,....and they are good". Even though we may fail God, and yes be punished and corrected, know that God has thoughs of good for us still. This is important.

Psalms 40:5 seems to echo this truth, it reads "Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. God is thinking of us, of us all; for He loves us all. Jeremiah 29:11 reads," For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. The thoughts God had for his people were for a future hope. They are no different for us today. They did not want to take their medicine, and go into captivity, but God's judgment is sure. But still God would visit them at the appointed time.Prov. 13:12 says" Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. God looks to give us a future hope, or as Jeremiah calls it "an expected end,"and if we would cooperate with him, he will do us good! Oh Hallelujah!
He's thinking of me......So how should I now live? First, I must ever keep that knowledge before my face; not just in my head, but in my heart. And I must guard that truth(for true it is), in me and remind whoever or whatever of it when anything tries to break that resolve.... I agree with what God has said , in other words, I confess it and then we(God and me), become one in that truth. He is thinking of me, I accept what he is thinking because I agree(or confess), with him. I always line myself up with what he says and then we walk together as one man as one unit. Yes, he's thinking of me....and you too...
Later, off to church....thinking of Him....

GO THE WAY YOU KNOW!!!!

On the way from the supermarket today, I had an inkling to frequent another market. I was coming from the Belmont University area on my way to Tremont Avenue when I began to manuver the car towards Charlotte Pike, I was having difficulty finding the street that would directly lead me to where I was trying to go. I was having a situation!!! Driving and figuring and looking and thinking, a thought came into my spirit...GO THE WAY YOU KNOW! I heard it, and started going toward that direction, but still I really wanted to find that quicker easier way. But sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way there. I could have spent much time, and eventually gotten there(after being lost for 15 minutes), but the voice kept saying; go the way you know.
This scripture came to me " 2Tim. 3:14, But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them:" Paul here, leaving his last words to his beloved son in the gospel Timothy, hits the nail on the head, go the way you know boy(lol). Don't get sidetracked, trying to find an easier route; just go the way you know. It's always the sure way, the way that will get you "there".
As we walk with the Lord in this life, we know the way, for Jesus is the
way", GO THE WAY YOU KNOW!!!

LIVE YOUR DREAMS...BE DELIGENT

I have been known to be a little, whats that word,"lazy" Ok there, Ive said it!!! Confession is good for the soul(sometimes). But if I'm to live my dreams, this will have to end; and quickly.... I must be deligent in this walk, if I'm to walk at all. I want to leave a legacy for myself and my children's children. A legacy that not only I can be proud of but the world also. Do not want to die and no one even knew I'd lived. Think about that a minute. Deligence, being in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing. I want to be a skilled learner and a skilled teacher, but even better a skilled ambassador for Christ. So I must be deligent just like Him..
Jesus had that uncanny way of always being deligent on his task. You say yeah BUT He is the son of God, He indeed is God! Indeed He was truly God but don't forget Jesus was also truly man. And He was deligent in his affairs and in his dealings in every situation. Thats what I want for my life and I know you want it for yours.
I must wake up to reality if I'm to succeed and live my dreams. Can't be like the ostrich that keeps his head in the sand. My procrastination must end because deligence and procrastination don't mix. Prov. 6:9-11 says How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? I must be like the ant, look at verse 6 of that same chapter. "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise". So there's no excuse now because if we don't have wisdom all we have to do is ask God.
I must prioritize my time, rank things in importance and give 24 hours for His Glory! I have to KNOW and DO those things God has given me to do; in other words, I must live my dreams.
The world has bondages and loves to hold us freemen to their chains, but God can help us and we can be leaders in the world. Prov. 22:29 says "Seest thou a man dilligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."
If I'm to be deligent, I must have a vision. Prov. 29:18 says "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Do you know the direction you're going? Have you a clear direction from God? True vision gives energy and helps us to achieve our dreams. Now that I have my vision, I move towards the mark, I have the direction and God gives me motivation! Oh my, I think I got it LOL.
A third truth I've learned is Two heads are better than one. In other words, seek out help, listen to others, surround yourself with people who can help you along your journey. Listen to what others have to say. Let others be critical of you, you want honest people; not those that just give you a "pat on the back." Prov.15:22 says "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established." I enjoy writing at this time in my life, I 'm joining writing groups and may take a class in writing, its part of my vision for myself.....writing. I find its good to seek help from others when things are going good. Don't wait till you're falling apart to find a mentor, somebody said don't wait till the house is on fire to dig a well....
The fourth principle is to pursue wisdom and build your life on it! Prov. 16:16 says "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" A careful study of the Word clearly points to Jesus Christ as wisdom. Dream your dream and live your dreams and keep digging till you accomplish them. And steady Freddy, don't blow it... We can win, we can succeed, we can live our dreams and fulfill our purpose in this life. For with God nothing is impossible!
We can't retrieve a day, its gone. Take advantage of the "now". Opportunities will be multiplied when we practice diligence. I believe God will bring good things our way, when we are at the right place, at the right time, doing the right things. Time is a wasting, lets live our dreams!!!

STEADY FREDDY, DON'T BLOW IT, PART 2

I'm up at 3:00AM because of the stupid chocolate pie I ate earlier in the day!!! Oh and before I went to bed I looked into the cabinets for something and there lay the chip ahoy chocolate chip cookies. Just HAD TO HAVE 2!!! I woke up at 3:00 inthe morning with heartburn, which I never get unless I eat something stupid like chocolate products. But didn't I know this BEFORE I TOOK IT! Yes I did, then why did I do it. I made a chose and it bit me in the butt(more ways than one) I'm thinking about Achan in Joshua 7:21 "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekals of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them: and took them: and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent....... He saw and he took. God had given them instructions thru Joshua not to take of this spoil(unlike most times they could). Was eating the pie and cookies sin, or just an unadvisable thing to do? We could debate that, but at any rate the pie is lying in the MIDST of my stomach reaping havoc in my body, getting me up way too early!!! I took 2 digestive enyzmes, and drank some noni juice and its gone and I feel fine. But the application of the lesson. DON'T EAT THINGS THAT WILL MAKE YOU SICK, OR THAT BRING NO HEALING OR HEALTH TO THE BODY. Oh yeah, Steady Freddy, back to bed....

STEADY FREDDY.....DON'T BLOW IT!!

Its always good when we stay on course and not "blow it". But this may not always be the case, is it? Course not! But if we do stray, its good to know we may have opportunity to make it right. But, the bad thing is whats done is done. So make choices wisely because we can't go back and change a thing after its in the future. Yes, God will forgive us, others may forgive us, we may even forgive ourselves, but its still done. We can generally understand this when it comes to things of God or spirtual things; but what about just regular stuff. There' a phrase people say sometimes"things happen" And of course they do.......but what about the consequences, someone has to pay the piper.
I was doing real good today till a chocolate pie made its way onto 1304 Tremont Avenue! Sam and Dave had a shopping trip with their dad and apparently had a desire for junk food. They brought chocolate chip cookies, a chocolate chess pie, peanut butter cookies(I don't like them), and some kind of popsicle(that was suppose to be for me!) After a very successful week and morning somehow the chocolate pie was calling my name. What's interesting is I'm not a chocolate person at all(Sam's area). Well I ate some pie, not so bad but I don't know if I really even wanted it. Be ware of the eyes, had I not seen the pie, I would never had even thought of it. I think of how people get in big trouble with the eyes, financial debt(just had to have it), infidelity, embezzlement, coveting the things of others and the list goes on and on..... Steady Freddy, don't blow it. When on a good path, its good to continue and not get sidestracked by things that do not prosper. The chocolate pie added nothing but empty calories and an extended waistline(that I'm trying to shrink!!!) Yes it tasted good but was it worth it really? What did I take from the experience? Is it one that I will cherish, or one something that made me say, I got no benefit from that...... You know the answer. But yet a treat is not that bad you say, you can walk a few more steps and burn the calories off. Who want to do that!! Better to eat fewer calories and not work so hard. Steady Freddie, Don't Blow It!!!!

AND AWAY WE GO

I was just sitting here getting ready to start my day babysitting my granddaughter Karris, when the "you need to blog" bug hit me. Karris's babysitter is sick today, so I'm in(ha,ha,ha).I just finished logging in my steps for yesterday on the AMERICA ON THE MOVE site and thought about the accomplisments I've made in the last couple months. I use a pedometer all the time and find I can walk more for a healthy me. I'm on the Iditarod Trail and need to walk an average of 6432 steps a day for six weeks or March 24th. Since starting4 days ago I have walked almost 30,000 steps, thats big for me, real big. Since its the dead of winter, I use the Leslie Sansone video tapes and she's working my BUTT off!!!And I'm loving it!! Going on my second consecutive month of everyday walking with Leslie. Consistency is key(my son David drills me wth this). And the "youngster" is right you know. We are what we consistenly do. Jesus was so successful, not just because he was and is the Son of God, but every breath he took was consistent with the other one. He was steady freddy all the time, the same Jesus, whatever, with whoever, under whatever situation. CONSISTENCY is the key that will unlock the doors of failure and complacency. And away we go... since being constant with my exercise program and my eating habits I've managed to drop 18 pounds quiet nicely. This week I lost two pounds, shooting for four next week. My week starts today. I've found that water is the greatest weight loss tool ever(my opinion), and that fiber rich foods are the BOMB. Of course I've known this in my head for years. But putting in practice is the only real reality, the only real KNOWING.
I began thinking, experts say 1-2 pounds a week is reasonable goal for weight loss. I agree. With 52 weeks in a year, if I just do that, at the end of the year I could realize a 100 pound weigh loss, or at the worst a 50 pound loss. Only thing I'd have to continue till the end of the year to see it!!! But the possibility is there and I'm working on my goal. I'm looking at 82 to go by the end of the year. AND AWAY WE GO.........
Stew's Blessings

THE SUBSTITUTE

God's thoughts and care has always been towards us all, his creation.. We were doomed, without hope, altogether unable to help ourselves. What a sight, what a mess, what a deplorable fix we were in because of Adam's sin. But our salvation came in due time! Deut. 32: 36 says ' For the Lord will judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left". Yes, powerless, hopeless, vile, mean, worthless, unworthy of favor from a righteous God! But there is good news: Ephesians 2:4 says " But God, who is rich in mercy, for his GREAT LOVE wherewith he loved us" 5) "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,(by grace ye are saved;).
John 15:13-14 goes on to say, " Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends".14) "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. What a scripture! I am a friend of God, he calls me friend IF....Christ's death was vicarious, that is He died not just for our benefit; but in our place. His was a substitutional sacrifice. Romans 5:8 says " But God commended his love for us, in that, while we were sinners, Christ died for us". He took our place, Christ dropped the charges; He made it possible for us to live, He quickened us and "made us alive in him" Ephesians 2:5.
The application for us today is"Go tell, Go do. Go be.... Because Jesus died for everyone, Christians should take the message of the Gospel to "every creature". For while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Oh Hallelujah!
Glenda Stewart Torrence