Passion is a form of art and has so much power. You have all the liberty in the world to believe what you want, whether it is self-inspired or inspired by someone else. Whatever you may believe in, determines how you interact with people and your experiences in life. I tend to produce Passion.

Analysis.

I like to believe that without experiences and passion, your public speaking ability lacks everything. Successful public speakers have, in my opinion, the greatest and most powerful skill. Think about it. Hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions of people with all sorts of personalities, characteristics, and attention spans will sit in an auditorium or on a field to listen to one human who is able funnel your attention yet keep you anticipating for her next point. That takes a lot of patience, practice, and creativity. This public speaker, regardless of her extrovertedness, would not be able to talk with you if she didn’t believe in what she spoke about. 

I can speak from experience that as a child, I would have considered myself an introvert, however as an early teenager I began to progressively crawl out of my shell. In college, I took a communication course that challenged me to work on my public speaking ability. Not confident in what I believed really put a damper on my speeches. I chose vague topics and didn’t communicate with my audience to it’s fullest potential. 

I am fully aware that now having learned from that personal experience, I have a better handle on what I speak about to specific crowds or even individuals. I challenge myself to read into my peers and groups that I engage with. This gives me a better grip of what to say, and when to say it.

Proposition.

Our purpose in life is NOT to stubbornly MANIPULATE those who do NOT believe what you believe, but rather to INSTRUCT those who do not believe but are INQUISITIVE to believe.

STOP! Don’t continue until you fully comprehend what you just read.

Matthew 13:15 says, “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.”

We are unable to speak to closed minds, yet we are fully capable to speak to hearing ears.

Individuality.

If we can easily “manipulate” an individual, how easy will it be for someone else to influence them away?

In that process, you not only lost a “follower” but all that time was wasted. You could have at one point passed up someone who would have been committed because you were so focused on this “scholar” who would not commit.

It isn’t your responsibility to stabilize this uninformed individual. That is their own personal responsibility to plant themselves in what they believe is true.

Application.

If we have become successful by experiences we have gone through, it is at our disposal to pass on that concept.

Naturally, no matter what background an individual has, they always want to be around something positive. We subconsciously, believe that we will be influenced by our surroundings. Why wouldn’t we want an appealing environment? 

We are all intrigued by expressions. We all have expressions and we all relate to expressions. We have all loved something or another in life. Whether it be something we believe or something we just bought, we want to express that excitement to our friends, peers, neighbors, and relatives: Everyone and anyone around us.

If you ever get to a place where you feel as if you are going to do something you really love, STOP while you are ahead. I bet you are scratching your head saying to yourself, “What is this guy thinking?” But the reason why I say this is because we begin to feel in control and we begin making executive decisions based on our love, desires, passions, and dreams. In reality, no one ever wants to do what they hate to do. But what if you knew that what doesn’t sound so appealing could actually build your character.

In your vertical alignment, you will never reach the “Aaron’s beard” (Psalms 133), if you call the shots. Stand under even when you don’t understand. That is true submission. 

You should never be content with where you are placed. You should always be looking for what’s next in life, where God wants you.

Don’t make plans on your own and use God as an excuse because you “feel” as if that is where He wants you or because it is your passion. Don’t jump from biblically “knowing” God (if you even got to that point) to the great exploits (aka your dreams and passions) without receiving strength from “knowing” God as the Word talks about in Daniel 11. 

Don’t ever do what you want to do, but choose what seems unattractive. Do what you don’t want to do. Trust me. I’ve been broken and God has put me back together how He wants my life. But I won’t ever say “I don’t need to be broken anymore.” I will keep screwing up my life and asking God to put me back together because just like Humpty Dumpty, I keep falling off the wall. Don’t make fun of my analogy, it makes sense to me. I hope you get it.

U2 debated for quite some time over what they were going to choose to label as their band name. They ended up coming up with six or seven names and decided on U2 because they hated it the most. Now look where they have gone and what they have done.

When will we start choosing what seems like a horrible idea to us? When will we start trusting in God and the plans He has for our life?

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. “I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

 Habakkuk 2:3
“For the message… gives reliable testimony… Even if the message isn’t fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass; it will not arrive late.”

Hebrews 10:37
For in just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.

Those scriptures notated above show the consistency of our God. He simply is stating to trust in Him and all will fall into place. You don’t need to know why.

Have some faith in God for crying out loud, the creator and author of your life. Wouldn’t you like to get to heaven, find your book of life and see it completely edit free, no scribbles, no foot notes, no margin notes. I don’t know about you but I want to find mine in it’s original condition, print press only. 

“A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is He early, but He arrives precisely when He means to.”

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Almost everyone knows these four names in that exact order. What about them? Why are they titled by these names? What are they known as? Who are they about? We as Christians tend to get by just by knowing the fewest details as possible. We are human. We are lazy.

The first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) is also known as “The Good News”, or “The Gospel”.

Jesus Christ entered into this world one way and only one way. He came to this earth and had the story translated and perceived four different ways unto four categories of people. The human mind is so fascinating when it comes to perceptions of who retained what compared to another human who perceived the same story an entirely different way. Each one of these people were unique and specific in one kind of presentation.

Matthew, also known as Levi, was a former Publican (Tax Collector) who wrote to the Jews around A.D. 60-65. These Jews connected with Old Testament relational instances of history, prophecy, and promise. This group of people could be associated with today’s traditional folk (60+). If the they are going to believe the story of the birth of Christ they must see it in fulfillment of the Old Testament record. The author presents Jesus in this book as the Messiah and King, which is the intended purpose.

Key Verse: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17

John Mark, the author of the book of Mark, wrote to the Romans. They were a bit more vague than the Jews and wanted authority manifested in the message of actions rather than words. The Romans could be portrayed as today’s contemporary young believers. The author portrayed Christ as the servant of Jehovah throughout this book. The purpose of this book was to present the person, work, and teachings of Jesus and was written between A.D. 55-65.

Key Verse: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Luke, a doctor wrote the Book of Luke to the Greeks around A.D. 60. He presented Christ as the Son of Man to Theophilus, the “friend of God”. Luke also portrayed an accurate account of the life of Christ, the perfect human and Savior.

Key Verses: “Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:9,10

John, the author of John, also wrote 1-3 John, and Revelation. His parents were Zebedee and Salome. He lived to 98 A.D. and suffered imprisonment on the Isle Patmos. Him and his brother James were called “the sons of thunder”.

John wrote to the rest of humanity (New Christians and Unchristians), in the book of John, probably A.D. 85-90 by describing Christ as the only Savior and Son of God. The purpose of this book is to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe in him will have eternal life. John was known as the “disciple who Jesus loved”. This inner circle of Christ’s disciples is an example of what discipleship should be like. They set the bar or standard for how we should be submissive to God as well as any authority in our life. They hung around each other like a family and experienced unusual and intimate times with each other. John’s name is referred to as “the gift of Jehovah” meaning God was specific in who he chose to set the very specific standard that the rest of humanity would follow.

Just as God was selective in choosing Israel, he was selective in the New Testament. God loves all of His children too much too see them all suffer and make mistakes so He used John as an example for us and what our lives should be. Now ultimately it is our decision but we have no excuse because Christ has given us the resources to abide by.

Key Verses: “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30,31

One Story. Four Perspectives. One God. Many Personalities.

The Old Testament exists as proof for the New Testament. The prophecies told and fulfilled, stand as testimonies of the power of God. We are to receive our convictions through what is told in the Old Testament and believe that God will forgive you by understanding what is expressed in the New Testament. Though lives were lived in different fashion in the Old Testament (naturally they would over a 6,000 year period, give or take a few years), God’s love remains and in the New Testament, He died on the cross and shed blood to cover the cost of our sins.

You may the view the Bible as offensive because of how intense the Word of God is translated (which by the way is how Christ intended the Bible to be portrayed), but try living before the death of Christ. People straight up died in their footsteps for sins they committed because there was no grace of God nor unrelenting faith in God.

In Genesis 38:9-10 it states “…but Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death also.”

Than we see in Genesis 19:24-25 how God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah for the homosexuality being taken place in these cities. “Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land.”

We should feel “lucky” that we aren’t punished the same way. Now days, If we refuse to have faith in God we still live our lives to it’s fullest with the alternative available and than burn in hell for eternity once we die. 2 Thessalonians 2:12 says, “That they all might be damned (to hell) who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

The reasoning in God being so intense with his children was because He loved His children. Is God selective and exclusive? Not at all. For example, God’s divinely called and favored nation was Israel. God knows the strength and weaknesses of everyone of us, and loves all of man kind so much that he wants to save them or move them out of the way. That is why He chose a certain race of people to bring his redemptive seed and salvation through a certain group of people. This concept in the Bible is what we know today as “Polarizing”. Polarize is defined as wholly to one direction; divide into sharply contrasting groups, sets of opinions, or beliefs. God knew that Israel, who was a strong enough group that He could trust, would see to the end of His will. Israel experienced a special close tight relationship with God to show us as an example of what it is like. His will, His redemptive plan is to work everything out, all things that go on.

As confrontational and defensive as the world may get in relation to the Old Testament, we need to take into consideration how easy we have it now. Try imagining of every time you have “sinned”, before the death of Christ you would have been destroyed into oblivion. Granted, God understands the mistakes we are going to make; yet he gave us the responsibility of the earth and we chose to give it to Satan. God’s purpose is never to be altered.

Ever since the Bible was scribed, humans have tried to translate the Bible into English. The original translation would have to be notified as the ultimate translation. We began to translate translations and those translations were translated, and we have got a point where the most recent translation has been entirely whitewashed and “purified”. The Bible is what the Bible says. We in no right have any privileges to take what the Word of God says and change it. Take the Bible as for what it says. It was in the first place written to be hardcore and intense, a tool that would help disciple your life.

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”
Deuteronomy 4:2

“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Deuteronomy 12:32

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
Proverbs 30:5-6

“If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” 
Revelation 22:18-19

Tithing is at many times inaccurately organized in the same category along with your offering. You are at no liberty whatsoever to label your “gift” an actual offering without giving your tithe first and foremost. I know the typical response to such a statement would be, “Well, what’s the difference?” The thing is that there is a huge difference. Tithe is ten percent of what you receive that technically belongs to God. Anything above that ten percent is considered an offering. An offering is maybe a donation to a charity or a successful movement, organization, or cause.

Tithe is required to be given to your local church that you attend, and that statement is biblical. In Malachi 3:10 it says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse(local church), that there may be food(supplies) in my house…” The purpose of tithe is to support your church, prove your faithfulness to God in His eyes, no one else’s eyes, and allow for blessings to flow in your own life. Refusing to tithe what God has already blessed you with labels yourself a thief and has opened a door for curses into your life.

If you need to finance your budget better I urge you to do whatever will help you get on a routine of tithing and further offerings. You must be able to do the best you can with the little you have.

The difference between offering and a tithe is exactly as I stated above however continuing on, you are permitted to determine the amount given within an offering. It is not a set percentage of your income. If you have a bad attitude, You might as well forget about giving an offering. Your attitude shows intentions otherwise and God will not bless you. If you learn to give at God’s command, you will also be able to learn how to hear the Holy Spirit much better, which God enables as you trust more and more faithfully. Going beyond your tithe by giving an offering blesses yourself. It is more of a blessing to give than it is to receive. The more cheerful the giver, the more blessed they become. In giving an offering, You need to keep your mind willing, stay in communication with the Holy Spirit, give cheerfully, stay pressure-free, and give what you can in full-faith. Investing in God’s kingdom is investing in your own life. When giving an offering you should name your seed. Naming your seed makes it more personal. You have more care for what you are giving and you tend to give with all your heart.

Be satisfied in your return that the Lord has blessed you with. Never complain yet glorify God for what He is doing. Pastor Bo Sosa once said, “Don’t spend more money than you make. You shouldn’t be buying it if you don’t have the money to pay for it.” God intends for within your life to stay debt free. The world will try to trap you in debt and credit cards. Be on top of the ball. Pay your bills on time when they are due. Staying faithful to God, He will free you of all that worry due to the fact that you are committed to serving Him and the ministry you are apart of.

Don’t doubt God or question His authority and existence. God blesses us so we will deliver the Gospel. If you want to be blessed in life with bountiful provisions you need to: obey the Word, tithe, keep your priorities in check, be single mindedness, understand God’s principles, have no fear, believe, have the right motives, let go of your past, trust God’s men, have patience, and confess wrong doings in your life. These requirements not only will keep you head straight with tithes and offerings but will also allow for growth spiritually.

The concept of studying is usually no fun for anyone unless you stretch yourself to desire the idea. I went to college at Kent State Ashtabula Branch in Ohio for three semesters before I came out here to CMLI in Denver. As a college student, I found myself studying a lot even though I didn’t want to. Although Jeff Wheeler, one of my professors at Kent, always said “The day you stop learning is the day you die”. I always took that two different ways, either the day you physically die will or at least should be the day you quit learning or on the other hand, the day you quit physically learning you may as well be dead. That always stuck with me because in the moment it never seems beneficial if you are just focused on the here and now and what you think you could be doing better with your time. However, if you were to focus more on your own personal future, you would perhaps put into consideration and practice current education. Every day you should be learning something new, if you aren’t you are just taking up mass on earth. Not saying that crammed studying is the alternative, because you never learn that way. However take what you learned and grasp take away points, that is what you call retention. Even being here in Denver at CMLI and Ascend Master’s Commission, I am needing to find my own personal time where I focus on studying, whether it be spiritually or intellectually. There is always time and space for improvement, hence the term our spiritual father, Pastor Jake has imbedded into us, Kaizon or otherwise known as constant improvement.

God has given us that desire to learn but sometimes we forget how to use that desire. We gain a sense of accomplishment when we have achieved that goal. Typically when you think of goals and accomplishments you think of races won, trophies earned, ribbons gained, etc. Why not apply that satisfaction intellectually, maybe when you complete a test, read a book, or write a paper. You should celebrate what you have completed. These are all characteristics, or at least some that you have been taught over the years.

If you feel you are lacking study habits, try and build on strengths you have that will help you. Please don’t ever maintain at a plateau. When you do so you have shut down any availability to develop a strength that you possibly could earn or stretch. Figure a routine that benefits your study time, maybe even a comfortable setting that you are relaxed and more focused would help you out. Know when, where, and how you will study. When you get stumped on a phrase or word, never move on. Stop where you are and study that section until you process the concept.

A study habit invented by Ohio State University but introduced to Ascend Master’s Commission by Dr. Brett Cooper is the SQ3R method. I strongly believe in this routine and encourage students of any learning to apply. The gist of the concept is to Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. You should survey the overall picture of what you are about to study. Question your material that you have been taught or are learning. Read the text which doesn’t need to come first nor is it most important part. Recite is a testing method to establish what you have retained. Review is a recap of how you began the process, Survey.

How much out of a lecture or sermon are you gaining? Focus on what you retained out of any given session and focus on that. You caught attention to that information for a reason, give it some more focused attention. Search for details and outsiders scoop and viewpoints.

janelovespikachu:

PURSUE YOUR PASSION (Kirk Nugent)

This is your life,
Your purpose on this Earth is not to please me.
Nor is it to fulfil your parents unrealized dreams.
You were not placed here to make concessions so that they could be proud,
So they could brag about their seed,
Fulfil some unfulfilled childhood emotional need
Let them be proud of their very own deeds
This is your life!
I came to shine light into the dark
And like a dog against a hydrant, I am leaving my mark!
We were not sent here to invest in someone else’s idea of what we should be
The complacent life does not stimulate me.
So forgive me if I feel no compassion
For those poor souls who live to follow the fashion.
Because if you want to live a life that’s neither limited nor ration,
Then by God you must pursue your passion.
They will tell you that it can’t be done
As though you were delivered unto this world for your song to go unsung.
Let the world scream that unattainable theme
But for you, there is no such thing as an impossible dream.
Ain’t no mystery, check the history
Examine the life of Oprah Winfrey,
Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Gandhi.
Remember what they told Walt Disney?
They said, “Young man you must be blind
You must have lost your rodent loving mind!
No one would ever pay to be entertained by a mouse
Or anything of that kind.”
Now Disney is worth more than everyone in this room…combined!
Pursue your passion!
Steven Spielberg was kicked out of the University of Southern California
Film School because his grades weren’t good enough.
Pursue your passion!
Russell Simmons refused to sign Madonna
Because he thought she had no talent.
Pursue your passion!
Brandy’s teacher told her she was too ugly to be an actress.
Pursue your passion!
Bill Cosby used to shine shoes in front of Temple University.
Pursue your passion!
Michael Jordan was benched on his basketball team in High school
Pursue your passion!
Larry Bird was benched his entire freshman year of college.
Pursue your passion!
Here is proof that greatness is born out of zero doubt
In 1962 Decca Records dismissed four young musicians
Told them that groups with guitars were on their way out.
They left without a contract
But refused to walk on pins and needles
Months later they released their first album
And called themselves, “The Beatles”
Pursue your passion!
Colonel Sanders was 65 when he fried his first piece of chicken,
Made millions after he convinced us that it was finger lickin’.
Pursue your passion!
Lauren Hill was booed at the Apollo
Pursue your passion!
Luther Vandross was booed off the Apollo
Not once, not twice, but three times!
You’ve got to keep coming back ladies and gentlemen.
Forget the limitations set by your fellow man,
Because when you pursue your passion,
Provision will be provided for your plan!
Let others lead small lives, but not you.
Let others be satisfied with the crumbs, but not you.
Let others sit around and be chronic complainers, but not you.
Let others be volunteers victims, but not you!
Let others be imprisoned by their fears, but not you.
Let others use their race, their gender,
Their sexual orientation as a crutch, but not you.
Let others be concerned about what the neighbors
Might think, say or do. but this is not for you!
Leave that for the politicians, the governors,
Start caring about other people’s opinion
And you’ll become their prisoner.
This is about a lifestyle that uniquely fits.
Life is God’s gift to you,
Style is what you make out of it.
Whatever you’re passionate about, the perfection of that craft can be learned
So with the obstacles of this world be not concerned
Because if you set yourself on fire
The world will come watch you burn.
So now that you know that impossible is a word
Found in the dictionary of fools.
What are you going to do?
What are you going to do with the rest of your life?
What two things do you want said about you when you die?
I never listened to what the pessimists are telling me
Because I know that the richest place on the planet is the cemetery.
There you will find books that were never written,
Loved ones that were never forgiven,
Ideas that were smitten
And dreams that were forbidden.
Soil that was never tilled, cathedrals that were never built!
Restaurants that were never opened
Chefs that never knew they were smoking.
Paintings that were never drawn nor hung,
Songs that were neither composed nor sung
Souls that never acted on what they really wanted to do
So don’t you dare die with your greatness buried within you!
The sperm that fertilized your egg
Survived the odds of 400 million to one.
Get it? Your sperm won!
As long as you live, you will never face such dramatic odds,
Now tell me that ain’t proof you’re favored by God.
You’re greater than any obstacle that can make you hysterical
So don’t you dare leave without your miracle.
It’s all an illusion, don’t you invest in their lies
Their forecast of economic woes and financial demise.
The Universe has an infinite supply, so no need to lie when I testify
That regardless of the economy, you cannot be denied!
It matters not if they raise the terrorist threat level
To hot pink, burgundy or fuchsia
You were born to control your future!
Don’t let ‘em fool you.
You were born to win, destined to be great
Magnificence was chiseled into your heart,
When God made you he was just showing off!
Discover your divine assignment and you’ll have no reason to retreat
Discover your passion and you’ll laugh in the face of defeat.
Indifferent to the pressures felt and you do not buckle like a belt.
Declare today that you refuse to lose
Because you can either live your dreams,
Or you can live your excuse!
So even when I’m old and grey,
I’ll still be commanding the stage,
Words still be smoking off the page.
So understand…this ain’t no phase!
Because everyday I learn a new lesson,
My best poem has yet to be written
And I’m not leaving until what I came to give has been given.
99 on the mic and I’ll still be spittin’
Still be rippin’
Still be giving
Still be driven
So let my tombstone read:
Here lies Kirk and he died…LIVING

The Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant was a 3-layered vessel box constructed of two layers of gold and one layer of wood built at God’s command. It stretched three and three quarters feet long and two and a quarter feet wide and high. 

On earth in all of the Old Testament, the most valuable article was the Ark of the Covenant. The reason why it was important was because it always led the way while people of Israel were to travel. The presence of God was symbolic by the ark. In reality, God lives there above the ark, in the cloud of His glory. In Exodus 25:22 it speaks of the mercy seat where God lives and says: 

“And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.”

The one and only Ark of the Covenant stood for the throne of God in the earth, the presence of God among His people, the glory of God revealed in divine order in the camp, and the fullness of the Godhead bodily revealed in the Lord. In Colossians 2:8-9 the Word states:

“Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

Inside the ark were tables of the law representing the way and holiness, the golden pot of manna which symbolized the truth and Word of God, and Aaron’s rod that budded illustrated the life and anointing. Biblically proven in Hebrews 9:4 it states all of the previous contents that were in the Ark: 

“…having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.”

Covenant of Praise 

In Psalms 81, we see that praise is a covenant. Multiple times throughout the chapter, it describes how it relates to a covenant. Participating in such a covenant they were to sing with their voices, play music with their capabilities, and make noise with anything they found.

In verse 4 it is described as a decree for Israel, ordinance of the God of Jacob, or the law, it must be obeyed. Praise is ordained for a testimony by establishing a statute for Joseph according to verse 5. It goes on to explain facing against Egypt and being unknown to the language spoken. Freedom from slavery and bondage is how praise is defined in verse 6. Removing burdens from their shoulders and hands being set free from a basket were actions being made in release into being free. This chapter gives us quick answers to prayer in verse 7 and proves what we’re made of in bitter times. We can call upon God at any point and he will heal and rescue us. This doesn’t mean He won’t test you though. He knows what you are capable of and won’t allow you to face more that what you can handle. Refrain from having additional idols that will come before God. In verse 14-16 praise gives us three things and they are protection, punishment, persuasion and satisfying provision.

 1 Sing for joy to God our strength; 

       shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

 2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
       play the melodious harp and lyre.

 3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
       and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast;

 4 this is a decree for Israel,
       an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

 5 He established it as a statute for Joseph
       when he went out against Egypt,
       where we heard a language we did not understand. ^[b^]

 6 He says, “I removed the burden from their shoulders;
       their hands were set free from the basket.

 7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
       I answered you out of a thundercloud;
       I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
       Selah

 8 “Hear, O my people, and I will warn you—
       if you would but listen to me, O Israel!

 9 You shall have no foreign god among you;
       you shall not bow down to an alien god.

 10 I am the LORD your God,
       who brought you up out of Egypt.
       Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

 11 “But my people would not listen to me;
       Israel would not submit to me.

 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
       to follow their own devices.

 13 “If my people would but listen to me,
       if Israel would follow my ways,

 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies
       and turn my hand against their foes!

 15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him,
       and their punishment would last forever.

 16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
       with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Where do we get off discriminating, judging, and even condemning people out of our lives to the point where they want nothing to do with the church? It has gotten to far out of hand and made way to many people bitter at Christianity.

People have warped the thought of religion over the years since Christ left us here on earth, nearly two thousand years ago, to where religion has become more of the cult scene. People just go to church believe what they hear and base their understanding off of that “religion”. Christianity has to be set off aside not by what the beliefs are of this choice but how people live their life and what they do not what they think all in reverence of trusting God and His Word. His Word is what should guide us.

In John 18 we see Jesus even heal Malchus, who was with the crew about to arrest Him and eventually crucify. 

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

11 Therefore, Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword [back] into the sheath! The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?

So there you have Malchus who is against Jesus in all ways possible and at all cost, about ready to arrest Him, and Christ forgives him and heals his ear instantly before their eyes. Why can we not be more that accepting of the world? Why can’t we be more like Christ? We shouldn’t have to think about how we want to interact with a person, a friend, an enemy, or even a stranger. We should constantly be thinking of the love of Christ and thrive to act as He would act in such circumstances.

I want to be more like one of His disciples. Jesus committed to His ministry here on earth and taught each and every one of His followers to pray and heal. We should have more desire to want to heal as Christ healed. Daily people are facing and battling diseases and sicknesses. We are obligated to pray for one another to keep ourselves healthy and to allow God work his will in our lives.

God’s natural desire is to heal us but sometimes He likes to use it as a process of growth for an individual or sometimes He uses it to grow closer with us. Sometimes it takes a hard time for us to run to God but He stands there with His arms wide open awaiting our arrival/return as the parable told in Luke 15:20, “So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’” Though it’s a struggle if we were to be bitter of those times, God would be devastated because of the intimacy we experienced and the bonding we were able to achieve. Though He is the one who allows us to experience our all time lows in life, it says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Then in Psalms 103:3, “who forgives all your sins and all your diseases” is powerful in the sense of God’s control over our lives and allowing us to face what we need to when we need to.

http://www.christian-faith.com/forjesus/how-to-be-healed-through-jesus-christ

http://healingscripture.com/

http://bitflow.dyndns.org/english/FrancisChan/Luke_4_31_44_20020407.mp3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcu6PdPsVWI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_kJpVjLwVY&feature=related

Chapter 4 - Why do you want Him? Forgotten God 

“If God cares enough about His church to give you this Spirit-empowered ability, shouldn’t you care enough about the church to use that gift for the same purpose?” - Francis Chan

“Let’s pray that God would empower us so radically that we would get no glory.”

Most of us are scared to be led by the Holy Spirit even if we say we want to be led. What if He asks you you to give up something your not ready to give up? What if He leads you where you don’t want to go? What if He tells you to change jobs? To move? Are you willing to surrender to Him no matter where He wants to take you in life?

If you are where you think the Spirit wants you to be or for sure that’s the place He has for you answer these. 

Would you be missed if you left?

Would anything change?

What difference do you make?

What would your church look like if everyone was as committed (fully or lacking) as you are?

1 Cor 12

We are vital members not helpful additions!

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.             

Galatians 5:22-23(The Message)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  

Galatians 5:22-23(NIV)

“Be IN the fruit of the Spirit, not A fruit of the Spirit” - Kenny-

- Love -
unconditionally compassionate, self-sacrificial without extent, willing to die for, thoughtful, considerate, mindful, passionate affection for others, charity(volunteer and help)

“It’s easier to describe as something it’s not” -Don-

1 Corinthians 13

Do I love?

- Joy -
pleasant personality, Holy Spirit being vividly present in your attitude, exuberance (filled with lively energy and excitement) about life, gladness, happy

“Joy is different from happiness” - Rausch-

- Peace - 
comfort, understanding, worry-free, serenity(being calm, peaceful, and untroubled)

Do I have peace?

- Patience -
laid back, God is in control mindset, maturity, willingness to stick with things, even-temper, forbearance(patient self-control; restraint and tolerance), long suffering, long abiding

Am I patient?

- Kindness -
anger-free, servant-hearted, a sense of compassion in the heart, benignity(kindness or tolerance toward others), good will, tolerance towards others

Am I kind?

- Goodness -
morally correct and set standards, conviction that a basic holiness permeates(spread throughout; pervade) things and people, God’s conviction disturbing your worldly routine through the Holy Spirit, benevolence(well meaning and kindly)

Am I good?

- Faithfulness -
loyal, committed, fidelity(faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support), being true

Am I faithful?

- Gentleness -
soft spoken, not words of anger or hatred, abuse-free, not being forceful, meekness(quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive), humility, mildness

Am I gentle?

- Self-Control -
discernment, turn a cheek strategy, able to marshal(arrange or assemble in order; correctly position or arrange; guide or usher cermoniously) or direct our energies wisely, self-restraint, continence, temperance, having control of oneself, chastity(state of refraining from sex)

Do I have self-control?

So I’m reading this book Forgotten God by Francis Chan and I don’t read at all, I in fact refuse to read but this book caught my eye and I’m learning so much in it and I challenge all of you to get your hands on a copy.

I learned that We obey because He resurrected… not to be taken lightly we don’t just naturally obey, we are to obey. It’s valid and valuable that we take that into consideration continuously. 

Christians can tick me off sometimes because nonchristians sometimes live their life with more excitement than us as Christians Francis quoted Romans 8:9 “You however are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, IF INDEED THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIVES IN YOU. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ this person does not belong to him.” This is stating that if you say your are a Christian ACT AS ONE and have that cheerful God willingly provides to ourselves.

Often it takes crazy worship, great group of people, and entertainment in a service to get crowds. However once people get involved in their community through church they realize that something is actually missing in the church, end up getting fed up with the routine, and bounce out of Christianity. What they aren’t realizing is that it’s the Holy Spirit that is missing and can vitally be apart of the church if they seek His presence. 

So this just blew my mind away as I’m reading not even having to do with the book. The one thing thats crazy among all ethnicities and cultures is the universal joy among us. That you can go from culture to culture and everyone will share joy in the same way of smiling and laughing. I love it.

Have a relationship with the Holy Spirit not just head knowledge. And have head knowledge but not a relationship. Both aspects are vital.

We know more about the Holy Spirit today than even the early church in reality. Why do we take that for granted? Yet they were more intimate and powerfully moved by His Spirit. 

“…we can never ‘go back,’ only forward, seeking what it means to live faithfully in the time and culture where God has placed us” -Francis Chan- 

LIVE IN THE MOMENT, Move Forward!