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

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.

       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

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

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

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


   

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

   

    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

www.godlykings.blogspot.com

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.

    Get up!  Every time you feel defeated.  Get Up!  Every time it seems like things are not going your way.  Get up!  Every time the enemy reminds you of who you use to be.  Get up! Every time someone talks negatively about you.  Get up! Every time satan tells you a lie contrary to Gods Word. Get Up! Every time you feel hopeless and alone.  Get Up!  Every time you are faced with financial hardships and challenges.  Get Up! Every time you fall or miss the mark.  Get Up! Every time someone refuses to forgive you or let go.  Get Up!  Every time someone mistreats you.  Get Up because He (Jesus Christ) got up for you!

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