This week’s background scripture:
Luke 12: 22-28 22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
Are Christians exempt from problems? Of course not. We all have had some trials, some tribulations, or some adverse circumstances. I have never read that we as Christians are exempt from problems. I have never read that when you become a Christian your life situations would automatically get better. Let's face it, we have a enemy whose purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy. So, as long as we are on this earth we have to deal with our enemy but (Praise Be To God) we have been guaranteed the victory In Christ Jesus to get us through all of life's challenges! Amen!!
Today, lets do something together. Everyone, in your own way; take the time out of your day to give Our God the Praise. For every mountain He brought us over, For every trial He has seen us through, For every blessing Hallelujah!! For this we give You Praise!
One way to live without regrets is to acknowledge the blessings you already have. Thank God for your family. Thank God for Jesus! Thank God for The Blood of Jesus! Thank God for health and strength! Thank God for your family! Thank God for your job! Thank God for your cars and home. Thank God for peace and joy! Thank God for restoration and deliverance! Thank God! Praise God! Shout Hallelujah Anyhow! He is worthy to be Praised. My heart and soul cries out to You God! Oh Magnify the Name of Jesus! Exalt His Holy Name! He is Worthy!
Live! Praise! Dance! Laugh! Rejoice! In spite of what's going on in your life. In spite of how you feel. Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!
If you have a voice, If you have a tongue, If you can read this, you have an obligation to Praise Our God! He has been good to You! He has blessed You! He has brought you through. He did not leave you. He did not forsake you. He has been there with you. He has given you this day to rejoice and be glad in it !
It's your choice, Praise or regrets. It's your choice, Praise or defeat. It's your choice, the victim or the Victor. I choose to Praise My God and live with no regrets.
Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
"What's Important" "Who's Important"
This week’s background scripture:
Luke 12: 22-28 22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
In your life , what is really important? Who is important in your life?
The day that my sister passed I was at work doing the business of the City of Birmingham. I did not know that a phone call would change everything for me that day. In a instance, what was important was not my job at the time. I immediately wanted to get to my mother and talk to my sister , wife and kids. I wanted to call relatives and inform them. I really wanted this to not be happening but it was. In a quick instance, what was important before my call was not important after the call. Life had just changed for me and my family.
I take this time to challenge all of us to evaluate our lives. Evaluate, “What’s Important!” “Who’s Important!’ In your answer, I believe you will find out if you are on track or not. Remember, when you leave here, your money stays. Your cars stay and your home. The only thing you take with you is you. For teaching purposes only, If you left here today, would people be angry with you? Would you be full of regret because of lost relationships with important people in your life? Would you be leaving warm, loving memories of yourself or memories of you being a hell raiser? Would you be wishing you did more for the kingdom of God? Would that car and house matter that much? The people you were angry with and you would not forgive; would it matter?
Take the time to see who and what is important in your life. It just might change your attitude and someone’s opinion of you. If you are reading this, God is giving you and I an opportunity to live without regrets and to focus on what’s really important.
Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.blogspot.com
Luke 12: 22-28 22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
In your life , what is really important? Who is important in your life?
The day that my sister passed I was at work doing the business of the City of Birmingham. I did not know that a phone call would change everything for me that day. In a instance, what was important was not my job at the time. I immediately wanted to get to my mother and talk to my sister , wife and kids. I wanted to call relatives and inform them. I really wanted this to not be happening but it was. In a quick instance, what was important before my call was not important after the call. Life had just changed for me and my family.
I take this time to challenge all of us to evaluate our lives. Evaluate, “What’s Important!” “Who’s Important!’ In your answer, I believe you will find out if you are on track or not. Remember, when you leave here, your money stays. Your cars stay and your home. The only thing you take with you is you. For teaching purposes only, If you left here today, would people be angry with you? Would you be full of regret because of lost relationships with important people in your life? Would you be leaving warm, loving memories of yourself or memories of you being a hell raiser? Would you be wishing you did more for the kingdom of God? Would that car and house matter that much? The people you were angry with and you would not forgive; would it matter?
Take the time to see who and what is important in your life. It just might change your attitude and someone’s opinion of you. If you are reading this, God is giving you and I an opportunity to live without regrets and to focus on what’s really important.
Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.blogspot.com
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Pray- Somebody needs it!
Last night I got a call from a friend whose life has been very hard and difficult . Yet again, he was faced with another tragedy. He just kept saying, “my boy , my boy, he’s gone.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “He’s gone. He’s gone. My boy is gone.
Let me give you a little history. My friend is only 25 years old. Since I met him, he has been pronounced dead at least twice. One time the coroner had been called and the white sheet had been placed over him. The coroner checked his pulse and said, “He’s dead” left and went to get the body bag. When the coroner came back, he was breathing (A miracle, right?). A while back some might remember me soliciting prayers for him. The ironic thing is if you saw him you would never know. In February of this year he was trying to prepare me for his death but to God’s grace and mercy my friend is still here. To God be the Glory!
Before this, and before he moved here to Birmingham; before I met him, he already had lost a wife and two small children to a car accident. Remember , he is only 25 years old. During this Memorial day weekend , his son’s mother was killed in a car accident right here in Birmingham. Almost too much to believe this is true. I know.
Yesterday Dj’s nine year old son and his sister were killed in a car accident in LA while on vacation. Dj was here and working when he got the call from family of what had happened. He is a truck driver and works night shift for the company that employs him. Against my advice he finished his shift and worked .
DJ came to see me about 2:30am this morning. He kept asking me to say something to him. Honestly, I did not have words for him. We hugged and cried. Dj looks at me and says, “ I know one thing that God is good.” I said yes,” God is good. “
Not getting into everything that was said but please pray for him. He is truly broken and vulnerable and the devil really wants him to give up. One reason he is alive today is because he chose to fight and trust God. Yesterday, I shared a prayer not knowing how important it would be to be praying for someone else. He was one of the people I thought about when I was praying that prayer yesterday morning.
Today, whoever it is that crosses your mind, Pray for them. You do not have to know what is going on but if God puts them on your mind, please don’t’ take that opportunity lightly. Pray!
“ Father, we come this morning interceding on behalf of those who have been a blessing in our lives. We plead the blood of protection over them. No evil shall befall them. No plague come near their dwelling. No weapon formed against them shall prosper. Every Godly desire that is consistent with your will for their lives we pray for a quick manifestation . satan we bind you. Over every household, over their families well being. We bind every demonic attempt to destroy them in Jesus Name. We loose divine protection over them. Excellent angels are loosed to protect them. We speak overflow blessings over their finances. I speak the mind of Christ over their thought life and we bind every negative word spoken against them. Today, Father we pray for unprecedented favor to rule and bully their lives. Favor on the job. Favor in the community and Favor with all who have to do with their success. We lift them up before you God and we ask and thank you for blessing them and their family. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen”
Brother Clarence
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Help For the Helper
Who helps the helper? Is there someone in your life that encourages you? Is there someone who consistently helps you when you are down? Ever imagine what it is like for a Pastor who is having problems in his own personal life but the congregation still has their needs and expectations of him? Who helps them? Who helps the Helper?
Today, let’s not think about ourselves. Today, lets think about people who have been and are a blessing in our lives. Today, lets pray for them and lift them up. Today, let’s stand in the gap for others and pray for them.
“ Father, we come this morning interceding on behalf of those who have been a blessing in our lives. We plead the blood of protection over them. No evil shall befall them. No plague come near their dwelling. No weapon formed against them shall prosper. Every Godly desire that is consistent with your will for their lives we pray for a quick manifestation . satan we bind you. Over every household, over their families well being. We bind every demonic attempt to destroy them in Jesus Name. We loose divine protection over them. Excellent angels are loosed to protect them. We speak overflow blessings over their finances. I speak the mind of Christ over their thought life and we bind every negative word spoken against them. Today, Father we pray for unprecedented favor to rule and bully their lives. Favor on the job. Favor in the community and Favor with all who have to do with their success. We lift them up before you God and we ask and thank you for blessing them and their family. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen”
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Happily Ever After
Happily Ever After
Isaiah 61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Yesterday’s thought for today was a very personal and honest look from my experience of being married. I do know that everyone is and does not experience the same things. I also understand that some people appreciate my candor and transparency and others think it is too much and that is a fair assessment and everyone is entitled to have their own opinions.
When I share these thoughts I share from my heart and what God is dealing with me about. Many mornings I have come in here thinking about writing one thing and once I start typing the Holy Spirit changes and leads me in a different direction. I do not take this position lightly.
The Word of God exposes needs. It exposes things that Christians need to work on. It also encourages, develops, and equips HiS children for life. Real life. I believe one major strategy of the enemy satan is to destroy families, especially Christian families. For too long the church has been silent and have been quiet accessories to crimes of the heart , spirit and body. What is more important? An image of a happy ever after or people being and becoming whole IN CHRIST. The only way I know to do that is to expose sin. Expose how it comes in and discover ways to get it under control. You can never defeat something if you never acknowledge it’s there.
I do not know your story. I do not know what you have been through. I do not know who these messages will get to or affect but I do know that God is speaking and using this channel to speak to His children. Is life only all about an image? A Cinderella story? You seem to be ok but in reality your dying inside spiritually- but you look good. You dress so nice and wear beautiful clothes but your hurting. You smile all the time but your secretly depressed. You hate being with your spouse intimately because you were raped or molested and never told anyone. You walk around carrying hurt after hurt and you can’t commit to a relationship. You really don’t trust anyone because you have never got over what happened in your childhood. You go from one man or woman to another man or woman all the time because e it is easier to do than to face what really is your problem. Your secretly having affairs and you are married and no longer desire your spouse. God sees us. Help us Lord!!
How long can you hide? How long can you run? You have swept years and years of issues under the rug.
God wants to really give you that “Happily Ever After.” He wants you to enjoy life to the fullest. God wants you to be free from past hurts and relationships. God wants you free. Are you going to hold on to a false image of yourself or start developing the Image of Christ IN You?
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.
Brother Clarence
Monday, August 5, 2013
A Thought For You
Eighteen years ago today, I walked into my home church and married my beautiful wife. She was simply beautiful. Her hair was just right. Her makeup was flawless and everything we wanted for that day came true. It was a beautiful beginning to our marriage together. Eighteen year later, she is still beautiful and her hair and makeup still looks good but that is not why I am still married today. How many of you know that at some point Cinderella looses her glass slipper and the Prince turns back into a frog? If you have been with any person in a relationship, you will experience good and bad times and wonder why I did this?
I believe there are several reasons why we are still together. Love is one but is not enough. Sometimes I can’t stand her and sometimes she hates my guts. Another reason is she still looks good to me. She has appeal but neither of us look like we did on our wedding day. So, physical attraction is not enough. Could it be finances? Well, I am sorry to report, we still have not hit the lottery. I married middle class and I am still middle class and have to go to work everyday to keep things going right. I know you know what it is now, “Is it because we are both Christians?” I still make her angry. She makes me angry and sometimes we don’t act like a Christian couple. There were times in my marriage I was very inconsiderate and extremely selfish. I did what I wanted to do “In the Name of Lord” and was just as wrong as George Zimmerman but we are still together. Being a Christian is important and it is how we resolve our conflicts based on what the Word of God teaches us to do.
The main reason I believe that we are still together is one word, commitment. I am committed to my wife and I believe she is committed to me. We love each other and love our kids and most importantly, we love our God but to remain with the same person for this long a period of time it has been our commitment to each other and our commitment to my family.
My wife has told me that she wanted to leave me on several times. I have entertained the thought of leaving. Wondering what the grass is like on the other side just because there is always someone putting there goodies in your face. There is always someone telling you what you are not getting at home. Temptation and flattering lips and hips have killed a lot of marriages. If you are happy with your spouse but they have flaws and your neighbor, friend, co-worker , or church member seems just like the perfect person for you- Always considerate, always complimentary, always telling you what your spouse is not doing. That person is a marriage killer and is used by satan himself to destroy your life. Ask yourself this question, “Why would God send me a perfect person when I am so jacked up?” Nobody is perfect. You can go to someone else but they have issues too.
This morning as I celebrate the blessing that God has given me. I am so thankful. I am thankful because my wife is committed to me. I am thankful today because I want to be committed to my wife . I desire to be committed to her. I love her and I love what she has given me. Neither she or myself is perfect and she really can make me angry unlike any person on this earth but she is mine and I love her so much. I love her for being with me when it was difficult to do. I love her because she has allowed me to grow and to develop into manhood. I love her because she has given me chance after chance to prove myself. I realized I did not know how to love for real. Yes, I was always good in bed but she taught me how to love. She has taught me how to share and give. She has taught me to stand up and have confidence in myself. She has given me the gift of fatherhood. She cooks and cleans and provides meals for me and my family. Erica, my sweet wife turned my house into a home. She did it!
So to all the men and women always putting your goodies in folk faces, you don’t know me. You do not know my struggles and you do not know my pain. The men and women that always up in my wife face telling her about what I am not doing. You don’t know me! You don’t know her! All you know is the image and the mirror that reflects off of my work and her work that we have done for each other all these years. If any married person is doing good things it is because someone has invested in them and allowed them to grow and flourish. My wife’s commitment to me has allowed me to be and become a good man. So do you really want some of this?
Commitment is a __________.
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Happy Anniversary Baby!
Brother Clarence
Friday, June 28, 2013
The Fruit that Helps Us All
Galatians 5:22-26
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. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
In order to fulfill what we have to do on a day to day basis as Christians, we need to develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We can not do it alone. God gives us grace to do it but we must ask of Him to give us the grace to Love our enemies, to have Joy when we are going through, Peace in the midst of life storms, forbearance (Longsuffering) to endure during the test, to show Kindness when we want to curse, to be good and to do good(Goodness) when we want to sin and do bad, the Faithfulness to remain faithful, the ability to remain Gentle when we want to fight, and the ability to utilize Self Control over our flesh and emotions. We need you Lord right now!
Have a Blessed weekend!
Brother Clarence
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. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
In order to fulfill what we have to do on a day to day basis as Christians, we need to develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We can not do it alone. God gives us grace to do it but we must ask of Him to give us the grace to Love our enemies, to have Joy when we are going through, Peace in the midst of life storms, forbearance (Longsuffering) to endure during the test, to show Kindness when we want to curse, to be good and to do good(Goodness) when we want to sin and do bad, the Faithfulness to remain faithful, the ability to remain Gentle when we want to fight, and the ability to utilize Self Control over our flesh and emotions. We need you Lord right now!
Have a Blessed weekend!
Brother Clarence
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Let It Go!
Psalm 103
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
It doesn’t matter what you have done or what someone has done to you, the good news is God forgives and forgets our sins. If we don’t forgive, we negate this blessing from God in our lives. It is not worth it to let other people stop, block, or hinder your blessings. Let it Go!
Yesterday ‘s thought discussed bitterness. This is how bitterness starts. If you are a Christian, unforgiveness is your kryptonite. When Christians don’t forgive it is like opening the door to satan and inviting him in your house. Your prayers are hindered and your faith will not work. Don’t negate the blessings of God over your life because of what someone did to you. It is simply not worth it. Also, some of us need to forgive ourselves. Holding on to past mistakes , sin and failures, only produces doubt and negates your faith. Let it Go!
This message is for someone today. You are still angry and upset about something that has happened. The bible says, be ye angry but sin not. In modern turns, let it Go! You have a right to be angry. You have a right to be mad. Your emotions are there to notify you that this was not right. So settle it now. Forgive them or yourself and let it go. Until you do, your life will be stagnated and you block blessings from God in your own life.
Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Working On You
Philippians 2: 12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure
Some people really can get on your nerves. Some people can be irritating and you just can’t seem to agree. Some people really dislike you and no matter how hard you try they always come to you with a negative attitude.
If you are like me, some things really get under my skin and I just don’t like the behavior of certain people. What life has taught me is that people are just that ; people. They have hurts known and unknown. They have private issues going on in their personal lives and that can be difficult to deal with so they tend to focus on the faults of others. In all of our lives, we can all look and find someone who matches this description.
Today’s text says one thing clearly,” work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Let’s be real. “If we did that would we be so upset and bothered by other people?” If we truly focused on ourselves and worked on improving our individual lives, there would be so much less attention on other people.
Helpful Hint:
“You can not stop people from being annoying and trifling but you can stop the power and energy you give to their issues.”
If every one followed this scripture , we would all benefit. We would have better relationships. We would have better working conditions and we would probably be a more positive person.
So, if you are always concerned about other people’s business, start today working on you! I promise once you take a good look at yourself, your full mental attention and capacity and every fiber of your being would not be able to entertain or focus on the faults of others. You will be too busy working on You!!
“In all your getting , get wisdom!”
Brother Clarence
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
You are the Blessing
Genesis 12: 3
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Have you ever wondered why you have gone through so much? Have you ever thought that at times life has come at you so hard? Have you ever asked the question, "why me?"
There is one thing I heard when I woke up this morning., "In You all the families of the earth shall be blessed!" The scripture text is the promise that God made to Abraham but the Spirit of God is quickening that to you today. You are blessed and you will bless the nations.
Are you waiting for a breakthrough in your life? Are you waiting for your lottery ticket to come in? Well, today God wants you to know you are the blessing. You are the breakthrough for your family. You are the one to break all family curses and live in victory. Your family is blessed because of you. You must never fall for the lies of the enemy. You are blessed! You are the blessing to your family.
God has given you everything you need to live a victorious life. You are the blessing! I feel this so strongly this morning. If you want to make a difference in your life, in your families life, in your church, in your community, You are the blessing that God has given to the world. Shake your doubt and double mindedness off. No need to be looking for the answer. The answer to your breakthrough is inside of you. God has placed you strategically in this time and hour for you to be the blessing. Never doubt who God made you to be and do.You Are the blessing! You Are the blessing!
Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.blogspot.com
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Have you ever wondered why you have gone through so much? Have you ever thought that at times life has come at you so hard? Have you ever asked the question, "why me?"
There is one thing I heard when I woke up this morning., "In You all the families of the earth shall be blessed!" The scripture text is the promise that God made to Abraham but the Spirit of God is quickening that to you today. You are blessed and you will bless the nations.
Are you waiting for a breakthrough in your life? Are you waiting for your lottery ticket to come in? Well, today God wants you to know you are the blessing. You are the breakthrough for your family. You are the one to break all family curses and live in victory. Your family is blessed because of you. You must never fall for the lies of the enemy. You are blessed! You are the blessing to your family.
God has given you everything you need to live a victorious life. You are the blessing! I feel this so strongly this morning. If you want to make a difference in your life, in your families life, in your church, in your community, You are the blessing that God has given to the world. Shake your doubt and double mindedness off. No need to be looking for the answer. The answer to your breakthrough is inside of you. God has placed you strategically in this time and hour for you to be the blessing. Never doubt who God made you to be and do.You Are the blessing! You Are the blessing!
Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.blogspot.com
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The Change That Is Needed
Proverbs 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it
And when he is old he will not depart from it
Yesterday driving home from work, there was a special announcement that there had been an arrest in the Railroad park shooting that killed a 15 yr old African American male. Two days ago , a mother was killed; a 24 yr old African American female; shot while standing in her front door holding her 10 day yr old infant. The suspect for the Railroad Park shooting is another 17yr old African American male.
Our city is celebrating 50 years moving forward form the civil rights struggle in Birmingham, Al. The children played the most vital part of the non – violent demonstrations. The children of the city marched where fire hoses and dogs were released on the children of our city. The children were the change that was needed.
Today, the parents are the change that is needed. We need to take back responsibility of our kids. We need to parent. The parents need to monitor and educate our children. Let them know that those who live by the sword, die by the sword. They need our intervention. Our kids need hope. Our children should not see drug dealing as the only way to be successful. Street life, rap music and rap stars should not be our kids role models but they have become the voice of the youth in our community. If our city is to move forward, we must take back our kids. We must train, educate, punish and correct our kids.
Here are the comments form our Mayor:
Mayor Bell said he hopes the arrest of Jones sends a message to Birmingham residents, especially the city's youth. "You cannot fire a gun, kill someone and expect to get away with it,'' the mayor said. "It may take an hour, it may take a day, it may take a week or month or year, but sooner or later you will be brought to justice. Use your brains young people."
"This cannot be a way of life. You cannot get away with a life of crime,'' Bell said. "It's just a waste of the lives that have been taken, and the life of the person who takes the life of another. If you don't learn anything else, learn that senseless violence does not work in Birmingham, Alabama
Brother Clarence
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
God's Blessings "Get Up"
Mark 16:4-6
New International Version (NIV)
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
Happy Resurrection Weekend! I am so glad we serve a Lord and Savior that still is alive and showed us how to get up!
Brother Clarence
God's Blessings "Gifts or Passions"
Proverbs 18:16
A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men
Steve Harvey was hosting TBN (a Christian television network show) one evening. One of the things he talked about was all of the people who come up to him asking for acting jobs or a break in show business. He shared that many waitresses would come up to him expressing their desire to act in a movie or sing. His response was, “ well what are you acting in or where are you singing?” He stated that your gift or talent is something you would do whether you were being paid for it or not. Your gift is what will promote and cause you to prosper. Some people were passionate about acting or singing but their gift or talent was not.
God has blessed all of us with certain abilities and certain gifts. The problem is we try to mirror our selves after other people instead of developing, investing, and focusing on our own individual gift and talent. What is the difference between passion and gifts?
Passion is defined as any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate. 2. strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.
Gifts are defined as a special ability or capacity; natural endowment;
Today, ask yourself, “ Am I using my God given talents or am I seeking my passions?’ The answer may indicate to you if you are in the will of God. I am passionate about Alabama football but I am not getting on the field. I am passionate about Janet Jackson but is Janet passionate about Clarence. Not at all! My gift is writing , encouraging, helping, and loving God’s people.
According to the scripture, my gift will promote me not my passions. What are you focusing on in your life? Gifts or passion. The answer could be the key to your success or your exit out of the wilderness.
Brother Clarence
www.godlykings.blogspot.com
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
God's Blessings "Love"
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
If you live in the greater Birmingham area, a lot of strange and bizarre things have happened. A young child died at the airport because a sign accidently fell on his family. In a local park, a teenager was recently tragically killed and shot in the park. There were other stories where children were killed as the result of domestic disputes between their parents. Senseless crimes and all could and should have been avoided.
There is no explanation I can give to justify any of these events. I listened to the relatives of all the victims who are shocked, hurt and grieving the loss of their loved ones. It is a terrible time. Nothing good about what has happened in our city and surrounding communities.
What is the greatest gift God has given all of us? “Love.” Love is a gift and love is a commandment. Our society has become too selfish and self driven to the fact we don’t value life. Our teens seem to have their conscious seared and the hearts turned cold. Men and women in relationships are so angry with each other that they will kill themselves and their own children. Where is the love?
In challenging times, love. When your faced with people who don’t like you, love. When you are angry and you want to retaliate, love. When your spouse has made you mad beyond belief, love. There is no greater solution. There is no better cure.
Love is what saved all of us. Love healed us. Love delivered us. Love died on the cross. Love loved you when you did not know what love was. Love went to hell on your behalf. Love forgave you of all your sins. That’s love! God has given each of us the gift to love.
Romans 5:5
5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
It is not always easy but never underestimate the power of love . It is a gift from God but also a spiritual weapon that can change the course of action. Love heals. Love brings joy. Love binds a family. Love settles disputes. Your love is a gift from God for you to share with someone; don’t forget to use it! Our world needs you to share!
Brother Clarence
www.godlylings.blogspot.com
Monday, March 25, 2013
God's Blessings
Proverbs 10:22
22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.
And He adds no sorrow with it.
Are you stressed this morning? Having problems sleeping? Is your health being affected by how you work? What you do? Where you do it? Can’t sleep at night? Tossing and turning at night has become a new norm for you? How do we know that God has blessed us instead of we trying to bless ourselves?
Years ago, I needed a job. I was unemployed and my wife was a full time student. I needed a job fast. During that process, I was offered two jobs. Job #1 would take me away from my family and it would be long hours, I would be on call and training would place me in hotels for several months but would be a substantial increase. Job #2 was 8 to 5 Monday through Friday right where I lived except it was almost 13,000 dollars less than what I could be making. Well, which one to you seemed to be the blessings from God?
I prayed and I did get an answer. God directed me to take Job # 2. Now that does not seem to make much sense because we all work to make money. Here is what you did not know and the reasons God directed me to Job #2.
At this time I was having marital problems. I had just exposed my addiction to pornography. If I had taken that job I do not know if we would be married today. That was a time where I had to regain trust with my spouse and that takes time. Secondly, the place that I would be working had been robbed, in a bad neighborhood, and internal theft was a big problem. You never know what satan will try to do when you are out of the will of God. Sometimes we open the door to satan when we try to bless ourselves.
Here’s the blessing: At job #2 it was not an easy job. It was in sales. I had the potential to make more money but you had to make sales. The environment could be stressful. They fired people every other day without warning. People would leave there crying and upset all the time but God was with me. It was a stressful environment but I wasn’t stressed.
My family is a blessing from God. My wife and children are a blessing from God. I do not know if I would have them today if I had taken that job. Everyday satan is presenting us with opportunities. We must take the time to discover if it is a blessing from God or a quick imitation of a blessing from satan.
No matter what or where you are in life, if God is with you and you are in his will, you can be blessed with no sorrow added if you trust Him. I had to trust God. I had to learn to walk in faith. I had to learn to survive. God was with me. I know in my heart, life could have been much different for me if I had taken Job#1.
The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and added no sorrow.
Brother Clarence
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Grace- The Same Power
Key Verse This Week
2 Peter 1:3-4
New King James Version (NKJV)
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Today lets really look at our key verse this week. This scripture is so rich because it is God telling us that whatever you need in life I already gave it to you. Whatever you face in life that has or will try to defeat you, I already have given you the enabling power to overcome and have victory! Ok, I know what you are saying? Clarence, what about my circumstances, my health and my bills? If God gave us all this why did He just give us the natural blessings we need? The answer is God is a Spirit and you are too.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it
You are a spirit being like our Father God. You possess a soul( your mind, intellect), and you live in a body. You are a Spirit being. This physical world was created by the spiritual world. The spiritual world is more real than this world we live in. When we die physically, our spirit being is what lives. To be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord. When we are born again, what part of us is reborn? Our Spirit. The very nature of God takes place, moves in, sets up shop. The Spirit of God lives on the inside of us. This is what we are to activate by grace through faith to have victory in this life. The same power that Jesus has. The same resurrecting power that Jesus has. The same healing power that Jesus has is living on the inside of us. Christians have Gods DNA in us. We are His children. All we have to do to access it is believe it and obtain his grace( enabling power) through faith.
This is why the scripture tells us, "my people die for a lack of knowledge." We have got to study this word. We need to know who we are In Christ. If you are born again, your whole spirit was reborn and the same power that Jesus had as He performed miracles, healed the sick, feed 5,ooo men plus women and children with a few fish and some bread, the same power that walked on water, the same power that cast out demons, and the same power that turned water into wine is in you today. The moment you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior you were given every spiritual blessing. Your reborn Spirit is perfect just like Christ. That same power, His divine nature is what He gave us to win, We must now begin to access it. No more defeats! No more! Hallelujah, it's time to win! Use the Power! Use His Grace! Access it through Faith! Renew that mind! Live for God and Watch God use you to perform miracles In Jesus Name!
Thanks You Jesus!
Brother Clarence
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Grace- Empowered to Do
Key verse this Week
2 Peter 1:3-4
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust
Yesterday I made the statement that Christianity or being a Christian is not an entitlement but the opening of the door. The opening of the door to what? All Gods promises and spiritual blessings. I also said that grace is the key to the door.
Grace has been defined as Gods unmerited favor. God having given us something without our working for it or deserving it. When Christians sin we always equate Gods forgiveness with His grace because we don't deserve to be forgiven but He does anyway. That’s one side of grace. The other side of it is His enabling power and empowerment to do everything that we are called to do. Grace is God's ability to do in you what you could not do on your own.
God is challenging all of us to start relying and confessing his grace as an empowerment or enabling force. The word empowered means to to give official authority or legal power to. The truth be told grace will keep us from sinning. Grace will break any addiction. Grace will help you accomplish things that you were not able to do on your own.. Grace is the key.
The question is how do we access this empowerment in our lives? How do we change our natural circumstances to reflect the will of God in our lives? First, we must understand truly what God's will is for us as His children.
It is not Gods will for you to be sick. It is not Gods will for us to die prematurely. It is not Gods will for us to be in lack. It is not Gods will for us to be addicted and defeated as Christians. God wants all of us to dominate. In order to dominant we must realize that God has empowered us to win. If you are a Christian you already have it.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Why would God give us every spiritual blessing if we were to remain poor? Why would God give us every spiritual blessing for us to remain sick? Why would God give us every spiritual blessing for us to die prematurely? He gave us these blessing so that we would resist and deny these evil tidings so you can live life empowered to do things that are bigger than you. God wants you to lay hands on sick and pray for their healing In Jesus Name. He wants you to give to the poor. He does not want you to be poor. God wants you to resist the devil when he comes with sickness and disease and it affects your body and call on the grace of God to receive the healing He already purchased on the cross for you. It is up to us to access this but we must stop lying on God and saying he gave this thing to me because He did not. The devil wants you sick. The devil wants you poor. The devil wants you addicted.
You have been empowered to defeat the enemy with every evil tiding that he brings into your life.. Sickness is an evil tiding. Poverty is an evil tiding. Lack is an evil tiding. Lust is an evil tiding. Resist the devil and he will flee. You are empowered to do and achieve things; greater things, but we must know we are empowered by Him ( Our God) to do it. More to come.......
Brother Clarence
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Grace-Results Bigger than You
Key Verse This Week
2 Peter 1:3
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
I believe that God wants all Christians to dominate their environment. I believe that it is His purpose for men to dominate every area of their lives. It is Gods will for mankind to dominate. From the very beginning of our existence, God was purposeful about man having dominion in his environment. I believe that this is true today. If you are a Christian, you should be the head and not the tail.
God wants us to dominate in the workplace, marketplace and community. Some of us have achieved things because we have education. We have achieved a big house. We have achieved purchasing a nice car. We have achieved being able to travel and have vacations but God is concerned about you achieving things that are bigger than you. I submit to you today; if you are looking at what you have achieved or accomplished in life and your results are attainable by your hard work or dedication - You are not having results that are bigger than you.
Our key verse states that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. If that scripture is true then why are we not experiencing all that God has for us?
Why is it that Christians die prematurely? Why is it that Christians experience lack? Why are Christians sick and not healed? Maybe we are not experiencing results bigger than ourselves. Maybe we should reevaluate ourselves and see how to tap into this power, this enablement , this sufficiency that most Christians are not experiencing in our daily lives.
If I am sick, how do I get healed? If I am in need of money, how do I get the finances I need for my family? We must begin to ask and find the answers. God is not just concerned about you having a house, clothes, and a nice car but He wants you to dominate. I submit to you, Grace is the key.
I hope your thinking hard on this because God is wanting to teach and show us things that we already have but are not accessing. You being a Christian is just not an entitlement but the opening door to having results bigger than you. More to come....
Brother Clarence
Genesis 1:26-28
New King James Version (NKJV)
I believe that God wants all Christians to dominate their environment. I believe that it is His purpose for men to dominate every area of their lives. It is Gods will for mankind to dominate. From the very beginning of our existence, God was purposeful about man having dominion in his environment. I believe that this is true today. If you are a Christian, you should be the head and not the tail.
God wants us to dominate in the workplace, marketplace and community. Some of us have achieved things because we have education. We have achieved a big house. We have achieved purchasing a nice car. We have achieved being able to travel and have vacations but God is concerned about you achieving things that are bigger than you. I submit to you today; if you are looking at what you have achieved or accomplished in life and your results are attainable by your hard work or dedication - You are not having results that are bigger than you.
Our key verse states that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. If that scripture is true then why are we not experiencing all that God has for us?
Why is it that Christians die prematurely? Why is it that Christians experience lack? Why are Christians sick and not healed? Maybe we are not experiencing results bigger than ourselves. Maybe we should reevaluate ourselves and see how to tap into this power, this enablement , this sufficiency that most Christians are not experiencing in our daily lives.
If I am sick, how do I get healed? If I am in need of money, how do I get the finances I need for my family? We must begin to ask and find the answers. God is not just concerned about you having a house, clothes, and a nice car but He wants you to dominate. I submit to you, Grace is the key.
I hope your thinking hard on this because God is wanting to teach and show us things that we already have but are not accessing. You being a Christian is just not an entitlement but the opening door to having results bigger than you. More to come....
Brother Clarence
Monday, February 11, 2013
Loving Through Grace
2 Peter 1:3
"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge if him that hath called us to glory and virtue."
Today, I wanted to start off talking about grace. However, the Holy Spirit alerted me to the fact that someone reading this blog is struggling walking in love. There might have been some bad situation that occurred to you or someone you love. It might be a situation where something happened to you in your childhood and you have not let go of the pain. It might have been something done to someone else but you are still mad. You have stopped loving people because of a negative experience you have had. Well, God is saying it's time to let it go.
Our scripture this morning says that as a Christian, we have already been given everything that pertains to us living a life pleasing to God. God is not pleased with any of us harboring bad feelings about someone else. It does not matter what they did or how they treated you. You must let it go. God is seeing you build walls, walk in unforgiveness, block people from loving you and continue to go further and further out of his will. This is for someone today. God is alerting you. You are not fooling Him. He sees your heart.
Whether you have expressed it verbally or not it is still there. It is blocking your path to continue the rest of your life. You must ask the Lord to help you love through grace. God knows and He is here asking you today to release the pain, the hurt, and all the negative feelings that you have bestowed in your heart. He wants you to trust Him with your pain. Your holding on to it but God wants you to give it to Him.
Activate God's grace to love in your life. You already have it but you must choose to use it. This is God giving you an opportunity to change your destiny. It is that important! Time to live with and for God or continue to slowly destroy your life and your children. God is extending his grace to you so you can experience His grace to love.
Brother Clarence
"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge if him that hath called us to glory and virtue."
Today, I wanted to start off talking about grace. However, the Holy Spirit alerted me to the fact that someone reading this blog is struggling walking in love. There might have been some bad situation that occurred to you or someone you love. It might be a situation where something happened to you in your childhood and you have not let go of the pain. It might have been something done to someone else but you are still mad. You have stopped loving people because of a negative experience you have had. Well, God is saying it's time to let it go.
Our scripture this morning says that as a Christian, we have already been given everything that pertains to us living a life pleasing to God. God is not pleased with any of us harboring bad feelings about someone else. It does not matter what they did or how they treated you. You must let it go. God is seeing you build walls, walk in unforgiveness, block people from loving you and continue to go further and further out of his will. This is for someone today. God is alerting you. You are not fooling Him. He sees your heart.
Whether you have expressed it verbally or not it is still there. It is blocking your path to continue the rest of your life. You must ask the Lord to help you love through grace. God knows and He is here asking you today to release the pain, the hurt, and all the negative feelings that you have bestowed in your heart. He wants you to trust Him with your pain. Your holding on to it but God wants you to give it to Him.
Activate God's grace to love in your life. You already have it but you must choose to use it. This is God giving you an opportunity to change your destiny. It is that important! Time to live with and for God or continue to slowly destroy your life and your children. God is extending his grace to you so you can experience His grace to love.
Brother Clarence
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