Jesus Is the Gift- "Thank you Lord!"

Isaiah 9:6

⁶ For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 3:16

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

     I don’t know about you this morning but I receive the gift of love.  I receive Jesus  as my Savior, My comforter, my counselor, my protector, my joy, my strength, my healer, my deliverer, my source, my lawyer, my Father, my friend, my confidant, my all and all.  I receive it all Lord. 

     So many people are going through such tough times.  While some are just buying gifts, some are at the hospital with loved ones fighting to live.   Some family is broken up because of divorce.  Some child is missing a daddy or mother.  Recently, 20 children lost their lives tragically right before the Christmas holiday. 

I don’t know about you but I just want to say, “Thank You Lord!”   I don’t know about you but today I just  want to bless and give praises to the Most High because He still is God.  He is My God!   He is My Rock!   He is my dwelling place.   He is my shelter in the midst of a storm.  He is my Peace.    I love the Lord! He heard my cry.  Lord today, I lean to your understanding.   I lean to be filled by your spirit .  I need you this morning and every morning.

Thank you for the gift of life! Thank you for my family!   Thank you for my life!  Thank you for protecting us!  Thank you for forgiving me of my sins!  Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord!!!!!
If you are going through something today, call upon Him.  He is the gift.  If you are hurting, He is the Gift.  If you need healintg, He is the Gift!.  If you are depressed, He is the Gift!  If you are lonely, He is the Gift!  If you are mourning, He is the Gift!  If you are struggling,  HE IS THE GiFT!

Merry Christmas!

Brother Clarence

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

God's Plan for Protecting His Children

In the midst of one of the most devastating tragedies in American history, there is only one thing that comes to my mind.  It is Psalms 91.  The message is the Psalm. Pray it! Speak it! Confess it!  It is Gods plan on how to protect his children who live in an evil world.    Have a blessed day.

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler^[a]
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

¹⁴ “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Brother Clarence

Have Faith In The Word Of God

Have Faith In The Word Of God

   Good morning everyone!.  This morning as I was reflecting on what to share, what came to mind is something that God shared with me.  The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Have Faith In The Word of God."  I believe that word was for me but I also believe that word is for so many others. 
    So many of us are believing and trusting In God.  We are praying for things and loved ones who are going through all types of challenges.  As we start our three day weekend, I want to bring something to your attention.  "Have faith In the Word of God!"  No matter what the situation is or what the outcome looks like, have Faith in the Word of God!  Here are some scriptures I will share that is God's Word that you can use to build your faith.

Doubt
1 John 1:9
⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
Shame and Rejection
Romans 8:1
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,^[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit

Authority and Agreement
Matthew 18:18-19
¹⁸ “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

¹⁹ “Again I say^[a] to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Healing

Isaiah 53:5

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed

Protection

Isaiah 54:17-18

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord

Praying for loved ones

James 5:13-16

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses^[e] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Finances

Philippians 4:19

¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

  I am reminded of what the bible tells us; " the just shall live by fatih and not by sight!"

Have a Blessed weekend!

Brother Clarence

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

Enemy to Authority

1 John 1:8-9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 18:18-20
¹⁸ “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

¹⁹ “Again I say^[c] to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them

      The biggest enemy to you using and operating in your authority is fear.  The bible tells us that the just(Christians) should live by faith.  The faith walk and having faith is not or should not be based on our experiences or our circumstances.  It should be solely based on God's Word. 

     The scripture today tells us that all of us have sinned.  Your Pastor has sinned.  Your mother has sinned.  Your friends have sinned.  We all have sinned.  However our sins if we confess them before God, do not negate your authority.  That is what the cross was all about.  When Jesus was crucified he died for your healing.  He died for your inheritance.  He died for your authority to rule over the enemy.  He died to give us life.

     The devil is your enemy and he does not want you to discover or utilize your authority as Christians.  When we bind and loose, we forbid or give permission to things to happen in heaven and in earth simply by using your mouth.  What you say is important.  What you believe is important because it will influence what you release into the world through your mouth.

    Today, take the time to meditate and study the scriptures.  It exposes our enemy.  Fear is an enemy.  Doubt is an enemy.  We must trust the Word of God more than our circumstances.  I did not say ignore your circumstances.  God's word is more real than you sitting at your desk reading this thought.  It is more real than what you may be going through.  Fear is an enemy and if you are in fear, faith does not work.

Brother Clarence

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

The Day After

     It is the day after election day for The United States of America .  Regardless if your candidate won or not, our President Barack Obama has been re-elected for a second term with the electoral vote tally of 303 to 203.  In that since it wasn't close but our nation still is so divided among party lines and the popular vote was won by a very slim margin in favor of the President.
    What does the election mean to us?  How do we move forward?
      I believe the biggest problem In America is not healthcare.  It is not education and it is not immigration reform.  The biggest problem in America is racism.  Racism is a sickness and has been like a deadly virus in our nation.  I believe God has seen our sickness and is giving America a lesson by allowing our President to be re-elected.
     Over the past 4 years, I have never witnessed more disrespect for the Office of President.  Never before in our nations history, has there been so much hatred for a President by those who oppose him..  I have never witnessed a political party try so hard to derail, hinder,  and delay everything that our President tried to accomplish. The opposition to the President has been malicious and evil spirited. My fellow Christians, God is not pleased with that. 
     Both political parties have issues and will  continue to have issues.  The truth of the matter, our hope and our source should never be put in man.  Our hope and trust should be in God the Father but as Christians we should be praying for our leadership and praying for our nation.

1Timothy 2:1-2
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Philippians 4:19
¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

     The day after the election what should we be doing?  We should be praying for Our President.  We should be binding the spirit of racism in our nation.  We should be praying for a government that works for the people and not personal greed.  We should be praying for bipartisan support. We should be praying for our families and friends to make it through these tough world economic times.  We should pray all the time.  Prayer is how we get God involved in our affairs on earth and that's why  I believe Barack Obama was re-elected.  
     Let's do our part.  Yes, we voted.  Yes, we came out in huge numbers.  Now,  let’s pray and take responsibility for our actions and help Our President move this nation forward.

Brother Clarence

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

Your Authority as a Believer

     On Thursday, I sent out a urgent thought for today requesting prayers for a young man that is and was fighting for his life.  Not to relive the situation but he was pronounced dead.  The white sheet was pulled on over his head and the coroner was called. When I got the text from his sister, this is what I was told but she said he came back after being dead for four minutes. 
     I went to the Lord in prayer early in the morning.  I actually could not sleep so I began to pray.  In prayer I was given instructions.  He brought Matthew 18:18 to my attention and  I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Have faith In the Word of God. Start Prayer Chain."  That's all I heard.
    
Matthew 18:18
¹⁸ “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

     One  thing I have learned in this process is there is a time to pray and there is a time to use your authority.  As a believer I have authority.  God has given us authority to rule and reign on the earth and has given us authority over the angels.  In 1994, my sister Velda was in a car accident.  I have never seen anything that looked that much like death.  I remember my mother and I were the first family members to get to the hospital.  We walked in and there was nothing but death in our face.  We left the room and immediately we broke down in tears but we didn't stay in our tears.  We started saying she is going to live and the devil could not take her.  Without us knowing it or being consciously aware we were using our authority.  We were forbidding her to die.
    Saints, there are times you pray and there are times you use your authority.  For example, If you attend the Magic City Classic, one of the major issues is traffic.  The police enforce where you can and not go because they have been given the authority to tell us what to do.  Could you imagine a police officer not telling you where to go but he is praying  instead?  There would be mass confusion, accidents, fights, and probably a few shootings.  People would be doing anything and everything but because he uses his authority we don't have this type of mess.   God gave us his authority to bind (forbid) things on earth and in heaven and to loose(give permission) to things on earth and in heaven according to his will.   It is up to us to use it. Be blessed and go vote!
Brother Clarence

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

Turning Your Captivity

Job 42:10

¹⁰ And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
     Are you in need of a breakthrough?  Is there something that you have been asking God for?  Well the scripture today shows us how Job turned his situation around.  It was not because He was a good man.  It was not because he went through so much. His breakthrough came when he turned his attentions and affections off of himself and started praying for his friends.  Real talk.  How many of us in a crisis situation, pray for others instead of ourselves?  I believe at that moment when Job focused his attention on other people, God intervened on his behalf and gave him twice as much.
    This weekend try focusing and praying for someone else.  It might be the doorway to your breakthrough.  Have a good weekend and be blessed!
Brother Clarence

Living Without Doubt and Complaints

^{Luke 10:38-41
38} Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’^[k] feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
⁴¹ And Jesus^[l] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”     
   Have you ever thought about what it was really like for Adam and Eve?  One day I wake up and I am a man.  I have never been a boy.  I do not have a past.  So all I know is what God has shown me and given me.  Let's look at Eve for a moment. On day one, she is a full grown woman,  She is a wife. She has no one to give her advice except Adam.  She has to learn about life from her husband.  She soon will be a mother.  Will have a baby and raise her family without ever seeing it done or having any experience.  All she knows is what Adam, her husband and God the Father has told them.  Before they ate the forbidden fruit, they never questioned anything or had any doubt that they could do and accomplish all that God had told them to do.  They were living without doubt and complaints.
     Are you a complainer?  Is there always something wrong with someone else?  Are you known for being the one to get everybody told in your office or place of business?  Do you have things that you know God has told you to do but you are full of doubt and uncertainty and fear?  Is your glass always half empty instead of being half full?  Are you a busy body?  Always busy and never have enough time for  God  and your family.  Are you living with doubt and complaints?
     I love this story in the bible.  Two sisters are hosting the King of Kings at their house. One sister is cleaning and cooking and one sister is sitting listening and feeding from Him.  Jesus says, "Martha, you are troubled about many things."  Are you troubled this morning?
    Adam and Eve had everything they needed.  What they did  not know they did not consider.  They just did what they had to do because they had no need to question or doubt because their focus was on God and not in themselves.  You will never be free from your past, your struggles and your fears if you keep looking at you. 
      The key to freedom is looking at Jesus.  Sitting and resting at the feet of  Jesus is how we do it.  The Word of God is our confidence.  The Word of God is our source.  The Word of God is how we make it.  If you are complaining and full of doubt, you are not looking at God you are looking at You!  I challenge you today to inventory your life.  If you are a complainer; ask yourself why? If you are full of doubt; ask yourself why? It's time to live without doubt and complaints.  It's time to live!

Brother Clarence
www.godlyking.com
www.godlykings.blogspot.com

Our True Source

  

 I was one of many Americans who watched the debate last night.  My wife left the room because I was so animated with  how I verbalized  my opinion.  At times, it angered me because I felt like one of the candidates was not honest.  My intention for this blog this morning was to talk about praying for our leaders.  This is not what God brought to my attention this morning.
     Regardless of what happens in the Presidential race, we are God's children.  President Obama or  Gov.Romney can't change that. Although we should pray for our leaders, the ultimate responsibility of our lives is ours.  We have the power and we must not get so caught up in politics that it blinds our vision.
      If our vision and trust is in  Gov. Romney or  President Obama , we are off focus because neither is our source.  I do believe one candidate is better but he is not our source.  I believe one candidate is for more Americans than the other but that candidate is not my source.  Our source of hope, inspiration, and optimism should be In the Lord Only.  He is the only one who cares about you regardless of your political beliefs or your choice of candidate for President.  God is Our True Source!
      I do believe we must take this opportunity to vote and have strong convictions about our choice but God is our Source.  The same intensity that I had watching and hollering at the TV is the same intensity I should have about God's Word and promises.  If you are more into the Presidential debate than God's Word, check yourself.  I was and God lovingly corrected me this morning.  He is (God) the candidate for everyone who accepts Christ as Lord and Savior.  God has your financial plan.  God has your healthcare plan.  God has your educational plan. God has your back! God wants to move your family forward.  The question is, "Are you going forward with God  in 2012?"

Philippians 4:6-8;19
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Brother Clarence
www.godlyking.com
www.godlykings.blogspot.com

Life

     Last night I spoke with a young man who will be getting married next month.  He talked about how excited he is and how  he is looking forward to spending the rest of his life with his new bride.  I am really excited and happy for him.
     Two weeks ago another friend told me that he has cancer and the doctors told him he has months to live on this earth.  You can only imagine how hard it was for him to share that with me.
     Today, my thought is simply this: Be thankful  for every day and opportunity you have to live.  Be thankful for the good and the bad.  In as much as we complain about simple things, someone has it worse than you.  Someone is going through something similar or worse than what you are going through or have been through.  As one brother is celebrating, another brother is preparing for eternal life and fighting to remain on this side of life. 
    Each day is a gift.  Each day is an opportunity.  It's time to love, live, and tell those who are dear to you how much you care about them.  Life is so precious and it should be treasured.  If  you are still here, you have time.  If you are reading this, God gave you an opportunity to live and a opportunity to correct what was wrong.  If you need to forgive; do it.  If you need to be forgiven; ask.  Don't waste another day mad or angry at someone.  Life is too precious.  Think about it....
     

Everything Has Its Time

3 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
³ A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
⁵ A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
⁷ A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
⁸ A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace.

The Great Invitation

Isaiah 55:7-8

     "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. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

     One of the best things about being a Christian is that God gives us all an opportunity to return back to Him.  There have been many times I left God in some way.  There were times I did  not trust Him.   There were times I did the opposite of what His word instructs me to do.  Thee were times when the Holy Spirit would be telling me something and I would ignore His voice.  There are times I did not tithe because of bills or circumstances.  No matter how you look at it, I left God.  My state of mind was not trusting in God.
     The text this morning is clear.  If you have gone away from God, his way or his calling for your life, this is an invitation for you to return back to Him.  I thank God for his mercy!  I thank God for his grace! I thank God for giving us chance after chance.  I thank God for repentance!  The scripture tells us that if we return to Him he will have mercy and abundantly pardon us.
     Our state of mind has to believe this.  If we are living in the flesh, we will need forgiveness  and God's mercy because none of us  are perfect and none of us are without sin.  It doesn't matter what you have done or if you are in sin right now.  The great invitation is here for you and me....Return back to God because He never left you and is waiting on His child to come back to Him.

Brother Clarence
www.godlyking.com
www.godlykings.blogspot.com

"Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?"

Galatians 6:1-4

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

     Yesterday, I asked the question, “Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?”  I solicited honest comments from other Christians who receive these daily messages.   I thought these comments were  great and reflect a lot of Christians today. Here are the comments.

Comment One

I was provoked to respond by people who talked to me: Your question was "It is hard to be a Christian in 2012"....My answer is No, it is not hard. What is the alternative to Christianity being hard? Being in sin? When I was in sin I still had it hard, I still went through things. To me saying that its hard is a cop out to me, its a mind set that you have that you already know it will be hard but would I give it up and turn back? My answer is no.

Greg Stanley

Comment Two

Yes, I think it’s hard to be a Christian in 2012.  Over the years I’ve noticed that as Christians, we have compromised our beliefs so as not to hurt the feelings of others.  We can’t say Jesus or God; we say Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas, all because we are not to offend others and their religious beliefs.  Never mind that we are offending God.

Same sex marriages, children outside of wedlock, living together or “shacking up,” and open marriages have become the norm and not the exception to the rule and as Christians we have kept our mouths shut.  One of the reasons I believe is because we don’t want to become accused of “judging” another person. (“Do not judge so that you will not be judged” Matt. 7:1 NASB)  And if we protest the sins of society then we have to acknowledge and take responsibility for our own sins and who really wants to do that? (“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:5 NASB)

Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (NASB)  At some point I believe that as Christians we decided to compromise with the world, maybe with the idea of getting the world to conform to our way of thinking.  But instead we began conforming to their beliefs and now we are stuck and don’t know how to undo the mess.

And it doesn’t help when we have well-known spiritual leaders and priests committing all kinds of sins for the public to see, or those Christians who shout all over the church on Sunday, cuss out everybody on Monday, not to mention can drink you under the table on Friday and Saturday.

How does a Christian trying to win souls to Christ make a difference when they’re up against that?

Yes it’s hard being a Christian no matter what year it is.

Anonymous

Comment Three

In a nut shell, It’s not hard when you are looking forward. It is only hard when you are looking back.

Example:

When I was outside of the will of God for my life, I went to parties and clubs, had drinks, premarital sex. I thought I was having fun. But there are consequence to that life style and I don’t miss the consequences because the wages of sin is death so when I hear my friends that are still having the fun I used to have I do miss it because I’m looking back.  Then, I think about as we say in church the “Goodness of God” and all he has done for me and all he has brought me out of (looking forward) it is not hard at all! I keep pressing because I love the relationship that I have with him and I want to be pleasing in his sight.

Anonymous

Comment Four

I didn’t weigh in yesterday but here it goes today…

If I had weighed in yesterday it would have been from my own personal point of view, but I had to look at it through the eyes of God and his word.  Scripture says and I’m paraphrasing  “Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy and my burdens are light” when I look at this journey called life that we are going through,  God has equipped us with all the strength and courage we need to endure.  When Joshua came on the scene after Moses died the resounding message God gave Joshua was  -  be of good courage.   When we take on Christ and truly sell out to him and banish that old nature that we used to have (only by renewing our minds in the word daily) THEN are we able to say that it is “easy to be a Christian”  only because we surrender all to him;  all of our problems, test, trials, sickness, disappointments, rejections everything that we face.

I had a meeting the other night at church and left feeling a little perplexed about some things and began to cry on the way home, I mean a real ugly cry and instantly God reminded me it ain’t that bad.  I am with you!  Yes the world seems as if it has center stage but Gods word tells us that “Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world”. I am victorious in this battle.  Yes it is a battle!  We got to fight every single day, not a physical fight but spiritually; pulling down strongholds, casting down wicked imaginations, binding the hands of the enemy,  and if we use to the tools (His word, prayer) that God gave us than we are MORE than Conquerors!  It is a FIXED Fight! 

(Ok I’ve gotten excited myself!!)

Anonymous

Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?  Hopefully, you have a better idea of what it takes to move forward.  All of us go through things and all of us have to deal with our own flesh.  I really enjoyed sharing with you this week.  Until next time , Peace!

Brother Clarence

www.godlyking.com

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

The Flesh- " It's hard out here for a Pimp"

Galatians 5:1
 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,^[a] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

    There was  a movie years ago that featured Terrance Howard and he won an Oscar for his betrayal of the main character in Hustle and Flow.  In the movie, he portrayed a man that was trying to get his rap career started.  The movie follows his pursuit of his dream to become a rapper.  There  was a song in the movie that said, "It's hard out here for a pimp!'  I can't remember the rest of the lyrics but I was brought to think about that movie this morning.
    At some point in your Christian journey have you ever said, " Its' hard out here for a Christian!"   "This is just too much." or asked the question, “Does it take all of this?"  I have if you haven't. 
    This week we have discussed the flesh.  We have defined what it is and have given steps to resolve flesh issues.  If you have not seen the other discussions, they are posted on ww.godlykings.blogspot.com.         

 I want to here from you. Today, I am asking you this question , "Is it hard to be a Christian in 2012?" 

 I'm looking for pros and cons  with honest answers. Please send me your comment and I will share some of the comments tomorrow.    I really want to hear from you.  Please respond! Your opinion might be how someone else  feels and your comment can help someone who may not be further along in their Christian journey. 
      The scripture this morning talks about our "liberty."  The only way Christians can truly experience liberty is if we are honest enough to deal with those things that hinder and help us. 

Galatians 6:1-4

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Tomorrow, lets all edify each other.  Send me your comment to post. You can remain anonymous or just say okay to use your name.   The point is  to let your comment be from your heart. Are we in this together or not? You answer!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Brother Clarence
www.godlyking.com
www.godlykings.blogspot.com

The Flesh- 'Mind Renewal"

     Today is my daughters 12th birthday.  So the first thing I did when she woke was shout, "Happy Birthday!" Then I went into the kitchen warmed her bottle and gave it to her .  Then I changed her diaper and gave her a bath. I brushed her hair and placed barrettes in it and put on her bib for today. My daughter is 12 today!
    Now that is crazy but Christians do it all the time.  We never change our way of thinking but we wonder why life does  not change for the good or we remain stuck in an old way of thinking.  It doesn't work becasue you have outgrown your old way of thinking.  Life has taken you in a new direction.  It's time to renew that mind..
      In your own life, what areas are you still drinking milk when you should be on solid foods?.  How many of us are still whining like little babies every time something does not go the way we want it?  We Refuse to renew our minds with our attitudes and mouth. 
   On Monday, I shared 5 areas to resolving Flesh issues. They are as followed:
1.  Mind renewal
2.  Consecration
3.  Self -discipline
4.  Faith
5.  The grace of God

Romans 121-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

    Very simple truth this morning.  If you are  now a size 20, you can't  wear a size 8 anymore.  You have to change your thinking or wear clothes that are too tight.  Men, if your stomach hangs over your pants, you might not want to wear muscle shirts and tank tops out in public.  Times have changed! 

    Renewing the mind for a Christian is just as important as feeding ourselves daily.. We all have to eat to live.  Christians must renew our minds if we want to live successful Christian lives.  It is necesssary!

P.S. No I am not feeding my pre teen or changing her.  Just an illustration! lol!

Brother Clarence

www.godlyking.com

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

9/11

     Regardless of how old you are or what religious preference or difference you might have, on 9/11 life in America changed forever.  It was a day that I will never forget and many people who were alive will never forget.  Thousands of lives were lost and  and families were affected by devastation and tyranny. Our nation was visibly attacked in a way that has changed our every day culture. Now over 10 years later, we still feel  the effects of 9/11.  Travel across America and go to any airport you see and feel the effects.  Visit  New York City and  where the World Trade Center once stood tall and bright hovering over the city's skyline is now a place of memorial, remembrance and reflection.
      9/11 was meant to destroy and defeat us as Americans.  It was orchestrated to change our lives for the worst. It was meant to kill hope and destroy the possibility of recovery.  It was an attempt to bully us and frighten us but it did just the opposite.  Here is a quote from the former Mayor of NYC.

‎"The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic, and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom." -Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of NYC

     One lesson I learned from 9/11 is that the enemy does come but it is how we respond to a crisis and challenge  is how you overcome it.  " Our resolve is strong"  President Bush told us.  America United for a single purpose.  To rebuild and move on.  No, I am not a republican, but 9/11 made me proud to be an American and proud to say that America and freedom was still alive and no attack could change that. We were stronger than the buildings and we had the resolve to pick up and move ahead.

  Today, Bin Laden has been killed by the Obama administration.  Today, we watch  documentaries and films on what happened and we celebrate the heroes of the day.  Be mindful of this: 
"Your adversary(the enemy) walks to and fro seeking whom he may devour." but God!

2Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished:"

Today we are stronger.  Today we are wiser.  Today, I celebrate the resolve of our great nation.  Today, I celebrate being a proud American because if you are in Christ, Greater is He in us than he who is in the world and without Christ our hope. God Bless America and God Bless You!

Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.com
www. godlykings.blogspot.com

What is the Flesh?

Galatians 5:16-24

New King James Version (NKJV)

Walking in the Spirit

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,^[a] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[b] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
  
     In our Christian journey, one thing we can be certain of is that we will always have to deal with our flesh.  As long as we exist on the earth, our flesh will have cravings and appetites of it's own.  This week, we will look at the flesh.  Examine what it is and how we can overcome it.  Today we answer the question, "What is the flesh?"

Seven definitions of the Flesh
1.  Pleasures or bodily appetites that pull us outside of the will  of God.
2.  Un Christ like attitudes.
3.  Evil tendencies inherited from Adam. ( This would include pre salvation thought patterns or habits brought over from the life you lived before receiving Christ.)
4.  Unchecked natural needs or desires.  (For example: Eating is a natural need  we all have but if we do not balance this natural need we can end up in gluttony.)
5.  Carnal Mindedness ( A mind governed by the senses.)
6.  A strong desire for anything outside of the will of God.
7.  Self centered behavior that ignores the needs and well beings of others.

From these definitions we all should be able to locate ourselves and locate our issues.  We all have a pull to something that our flesh wants but that part is not sin.  If we act on those  desires, cravings, and appetites of our flesh, we enter into sin. In verse 19-20 the bible describes works of the flesh.  That includes our bodies, mouth and heart.   Here are 5 keys to resolving flesh issues:
1.  Mind renewal
2.  Consecration
3.   Self Discipline
4.  Faith
5.  Grace of God

It's now time to do the work.  It's time to do the things that will help us overcome.  Some of us it's sexual sins.  Some of us it's old destructive habits. For some of us it's our mouth..  It is all sin in God's sight and we must all do the work to control our flesh.

Brother Clarence
Author and Family Strategist
www.godlyking.com
www.godlykings.blogspot.com

Purpose- Living without Contention

²⁸And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Yesterday, I received an email from Leitha Dees with a question that I will start today's discussion with.

Will you be expounding on verse 28 in the future and what that means? We were told to “have dominion over” not destroy, abuse, misuse, manipulate, endanger, deform, pollute, maim, kill, alter… or any other word you can use that defines what has happened to and on this earth at the hands of man.

I too asked God what it was like before Adam ate the fruit and satan took over rule of the earth. Here is the response I got.

            We also need to pay close attention to the order of things.  God gave Adam a job before HE gave Him a helpmate.  God established Himself with Adam.  He also gave Him instructions to follow.  Think about it.  God placed Adam in paradise and said all you need to do is enjoy it, tend to it, and nurture it.  Everything that he would ever need had already been given to him.  Adam was in direct contact with God.  He talked to God and communed with Him.  He was at complete peace without even the knowledge of sin.  He gave Adam authority to rule.  He placed every animal before Adam and told him to name them.  Whatever Adam called the animal, it was so.  Adam was secure in himself but God wanted him to experience enjoying the garden with someone and let them also experience paradise. I asked the Holy Spirit, “What was paradise ( the Garden of Eden) like?”  The Holy Spirit said two words; “without contention.” The word without means:

1.    Not having; lacking

The word contention means:

 1. The act or an instance of striving in controversy or debate.

2. A striving to win in competition; rivalry.

3. The act of contending; strife, struggle, controversy, dispute, quarrel.

To put this into perspective, everything the word contention means; paradise was (not having; lacking) all of that.  Contention is the complete opposite of what paradise was and the original intent God had for man and woman to experience.  The world and all of its inhabitants lived in perfect harmony.  Everything that had been created was good and was in the state of “no contention.’  Let’s think about this: All of what God created lived in perfect harmony.  Man, the animals, the food that was created, the weather and environment existed in perfect harmony.  Imagine what that must have been like.  The food that they ate was without pesticides, chemicals, worms, insects, and weeds.  Adam and Eve related to each other in harmony.  She wasn’t trying to be Adam and Adam wasn’t trying to be Eve.  No arguing and feelings being hurt, no bad days when I don’t want to be bothered, no headaches and pain in their bodies. This is a big one, no “Ms. Attitude” and no going to bed mad and when you wake up the next morning you’re angrier than what you were the night before.   Everything functioned the way God intended; emotionally, mentally and physically whole. Everything in their bodies functioned the way it was created to function.  No cancers, diseases, colds and flu's, no chicken pots and measles. No diarrhea, no constipation, no heartburn. None of it!  Think about the weather. There were no storms, no heat waves, no cold fronts, no hurricanes, no tornadoes, no volcanic eruptions, no tsunami waves, no earthquakes, no thunder and lightning, no hail storms, no mudslides, no massive sinkholes, and no rain. It was a perfect mist that kept the fruit growing and flourishing. The animals were not fighting and attacking each other.  No animals tore up the garden and attacked Adam and Eve. Adam told the animals what to do.  He was in complete dominion. Everything that was created lived in perfect harmony. 

God's original plan for us is life without contention!  If you get a revelation  of what that is it so worth a praise break!  If you don't remember anything else this weekend,  remember God's original plan and purpose for you is "Life without Contention"!

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Brother Clarence

www.godlyking.com

www.godlykingsblogspot.com

Purpose- God's Original Plan for Man

Genesis 1:26-28

²⁶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

 ²⁷So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 ²⁸And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

From the scriptures, we can gain some insight into why we were created. In Genesis 1: 26; God says, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. The word image means a reproduction of the form of a person or object. The word likeness means similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things.  We were created to look like God.  Also, we were created in his likeness which means we are to be similar to God in appearance and character.  The basis of our existence and our purpose as men is to look like God and act like God according to the scriptures.  This is the very beginning of time and God was very purposeful in how and why HE created man on the earth.  Everything that defines what a man is and what he is to do is defined in these three scriptures.  This should be the foundation for our identity.  Furthermore, it gives us insight on how we are to live. 

If you are walking around scared of ants, spiders, and bugs;  that's not Gods plan for you.  If you are going around cursing and using foul language, that's not Gods plan for you.  If you are still fornicating, committting adultery, or still dancing on that pole; that's not Gods plan for you.  We were made to act and behave like HIM.  If you are still dealing with flesh issues like I deal, a goood book to read is  "A Struggle Not Meant for a King. " I still have to read it to help myself.

So our purpose should not conflict with our character and our likeness if we understand that God's original plan of purpose for us is to look and act like HIM.  This means we don't have to go to Chic fila A  and protest and we don't have to go there to support it,  the word of God is still the same and has not changed.  People change; not God!  His purpose has not changed  and his mindset didn't change because we are now living in 2012.

Brother Clarence
www.godlyking.com
www.godlykingsblogspot.com