BEWARE OF MIX DRINKING!!! February 16, 2012

There is an illegal mixing of drinks taking place among us today. This drink is weakening the strongest of men and women we know. It’s tearing up families that were once built on a solid foundation in God, love, and unity. It’s causing people to put their trust in things that will destroy their lives, steal their value, kill their dreams and eventually kill themselves. It is causing children to grow up as weeds without guidance, love, hope ,or even peace. It’s a perpetuating mixture passed down throughout the generations, where the recipe looks easy to concoct, made easy to digest, gets more potent with time, taste sweeter than a ripe berry, but over time it becomes bitter as wormwood and sawdust when you enter into a hellish pit in life. It’s becoming more popular among the elite and lower class, alike. Preachers, doctors, fathers, mothers, kids, black, white, asian, hispanic… there is no end to its affect on those that consume it. The effects of it are portrayed in the prostitute, drug dealer/user, whore, the hypocrite, the cohabiting individuals, the non-tither, money chaser, so on. THIS IS A WARNING: BEWARE! CONSUMPTION OF THIS MIXTURE IS LEATHAL!

There is a reason for the increased popularity of this mixture and an answer to its effect. Mark 2:22 (NKJV)  tells us this, “And no one puts new wine (God’s Holy Spirit)* into old wineskins (the old sinful nature)*; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” (*- my commentary)
We cannot mix the two worlds. The Bible says that a carnal mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7). Your carnal mind, worldly/fleshly thinking, is hostile towards the things of God. It would not allow you to submit to His way even if your spirit wanted to (willing spirit vs. a weak flesh = no Kingdom profit). The Spirit of God is too big and mighty for that kind of dwelling place.

At the end of this comsumption, you are left confused and dazed because you can’t understand why His way is not working according to or with the world’s standard that still guides and controls your life. But there is a new wineskin on you that is ready to cover and protect the essence, glory, and majesty of the new wine you have or will receive inside of you. Just as a reptile sheds that old skin that doesn’t fit anymore, I’m challenging you to do the same.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) says, “Therefore, if anyone  is  in Christ,  he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” ALL includes your thinking, your words, your actions… but you have to give up the mixture. In exchange for your old wineskin, He will provide you with His yoke, which is easy and His light burden. (Matthew 11:30). Won’t you decide today to make the exchange? Pour out that mixture and accept The One who was so pure (Jesus), but was made a gift of Life to all (our filthy rags and all) that would drink of Him.

John 3:16-17 (NKJV) is a love note to you. It reads… “For God so loved the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (if you) believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world (you), but that the world (you) through Him might be saved.” Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV) reads, “so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.”  He did it just for you .

With that now known or being a refresher, Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV)  tells us what to do… “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

After finding out all this good news, pray this prayer…

I’ve read Your Word and evaluated my current way of living. I have concluded that I need you. I will not live without you one more second. I am a sinner in need of The Savior. I confess with my mouth You are Lord, You are God and I need You to be who You are in me. I accept Your death, burial, and resurrection. Thank You God for saving me. Amen (translation of amen: so be it or so it is)

If you prayed that prayer, let me know because I want to be a blessing to you. Lastly, welcome or welcome back to the family, my brother or sister !!!

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

WAKE-UP CALL!!! Where You At? February 13, 2012

Since I’ve been MBOA (missing because of action), there has been a lot going on. Again, I really need to work on not leaving you all without “Truth With a FLARE”.

I was all set to begin and end this blog by getting a lot of things off my “chest”; however, I praise God for His subtle way of showing me love and grace. He not only showed me His love and grace, but teaching me how to show it to others in the process.(the Teacher teaching the student to teach)

I came back believing I needed to do a wake-up call.  Like, “what’s up my brothers and sisters?” I needed someone to help me figure out why it is that the “church” needs a wake-up call? I was inclined to be like the Apostle Paul when he spoke to the churches of Galatia. In the book of Galatians chapter 1:6, 7 when he writes,

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.”

He goes on in chapter 3:1-4,

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth,before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among youas crucified?  This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?”

Let me give you verse 3 of chapter 3 in the Amplified Translation, “Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?”

Yep… I was going to come off strong (old holiness church in me )

Somebody say, “BUT GOD!!!”

God brought to my remembrance today how one act of disobedience by my husband and I before marriage, brought hurt and disappointment to so many who admired us and our walk with God. There were some that said they never wanted to hear my husband (fiancé at the time) say anything else to them about God. There were others that said I personally hurt and disappointed them because, I showed them that I could still do what I wanted even while serving God (their perspective not my words).

That time in my life was SO HARD. Many don’t know it, but I have struggled to forgive myself, just as God had decided to forgive me the day I asked him nearly 11 years ago. I turned 35 last year and I told Marcus that I would no longer allow this to be a distant storm cloud in my life. I released it and moved forward. The awesome part about Proverbs 24:16 is how each time a righteous man falls, he gets back up again. The difference between that righteous man and the unrighteous is that the unrighteous or wicked (NKJV) falls by calamity or is “overthrown” (AMP).

If one is overthrown, they have been “forcibly” moved by the power of a calamity/disaster. When the righteous “rise up again” it should not be from the same sin, mistake, or iniquity. Once repentance (change of mind and direction) has taken place, we should not be going back to the same vomit (see Proverbs 26:11). I say all of that to say this… I am almost convinced a lot of people are not reading the Word of God. How is it that we have come to a place as “believers” of the gospel of Jesus Christ, where we are living, speaking and communicating as if we are children of the world? Where we can smile and glorify singers (Beyoncé, Jay Z, Amy Winehouse, Whitney, Heavy D), entertainers (Don Cornelius, Bernie Mack, Tyler Perry), politicians (Obama, Romney) as if “positive” public opinion or public demand is their ticket to live eternally with the Father. (Yes, I named names.) When did popular demand give us access to the Father? Who has BEWITCHED us? Just because they have worldly fame, speak about God, say they love God, etc.; if there is  no fruit from their life of righteousness according to God’s Word (not Omeka), then we can’t give them a “get out of Hell free” card. This is not the game of Life or Monopoly.

The last I checked there was only ONE way to the Father and that was by His Son, Jesus Christ. We can’t glean from the field of the world and its benefits, while using God and His Word as a “life line” or “phone-a-friend“. The last I checked, the choices a person make will always be reflected in the lifestyle lived by the person. For example, any one of the people mentioned earlier can say they love God all day long… can read about Him all day long… can hear about him all day long, but until there has been an acceptance of Him dying on the cross for their sins through belief in their heart and by a verbal confession, THEY ARE NOT SAVED. Their life has to “consistently” reflect that decision. (notice the term consistently) Remember, faith without works is dead (James 2), be it alone (works=corresponding actions with what you believe).

What we must know is when we live a life apart from God, we will ALWAYS be prone to make decisions consistent with our fleshly, sinful nature, as opposed to making decisions consistent with a born again nature through the blood of Christ. The decisions I make will always reflect itself through the life I live, hence lifestyle. My lifestyle will always alert anyone watching or hearing me of what I REALLY believe.

If I am not saved, I am a “heathen” (I know that’s not politically correct. Maybe you can swallow the phrase ‘unbeliever’ better.) If I am a heathen, I can live life in sin often (because that is the nature of a sinner)  and eventually I will be overthrown by calamity. (I don’t have a problem with sinners doing what they do when it’s in their nature to do it. I don’t have a problem with believers doing what they do when it is in their nature to do it. I am challenged when both commit acts of sin and justify it through the incorrect use of the Word.)

How long will we continue to say, “God ain’t through with me yet”, “God knows my heart”, and so on? People, if a person IS NOT SAVED, RIP is not a get in free card after a person dies nor does it eliminate unrighteous actions. God said there is no peace for the wicked (unbeliever) (see Isaiah 57:21). If they lived a lifestyle free of THE PEACE (Isaiah 9:6b), they will not have it once their eyes have closed on earth. It’s important to understand that it is okay to experience the emotions associated with loosing someone that we loved, respected, or held in high esteem, but if they weren’t saved our hopeful words will not change their eternal destination.

So I ask… What is your “lifestyle” screaming?

Thought I was finished? Check in the next time when we explore the questions, “Am I entitled to make a mistake?” and “Well, who can enter the Kingdom of God?  You may miss my call, but I love you too much to sit back and watch you miss His…

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

HELP!!! I’m Drowning, Can I Be Saved??? November 16, 2011

We have all been at a point in life when it has felt like we were at a “point of no return”.  Like we have really messed up this time and there is no way that anyone will forgive us for what we have done, much more expecting God to forgive us. I mean this was not just a stupid thing we did, it was “really” dumb, stupid, reckless and somehow it is just too big for God to fix. Bonkkkk!!! You’re wrong. God is in the business of forgiving, restoring and empowerment. He want you to come to Him. He doesn’t want you walking around in shame and fear of someone finding out your sin. He says in Matthew 11:28 (KJV), Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Another translation says, “all who are weary and carry heavy burdens”.

God wants you in rest! It’s the thief that wants you in worry and disarray all the time.  He is the one that comes to bait us into working for him and once the job is done, one of his ways to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10a) is through our thoughts. After you’ve lied he comes in with guilt.  After you have entertained carnal thoughts, he comes in with shame. Anytime you try to fight a mental battle alone against the enemy and his falling cohorts, you find yourself in a loosing battle. When Moses tried in his own strength to do his part in assisting God in the battle against Amalek (Exodus 17), his strength would give out on him. The bible said as long as his hands were raised, Israel prevailed but once he became weary and lowered his hand Amalek prevailed. Somebody scream, “HELP!!!” Yep, when Aaron and Hur came along his side to assist him, the children of Israel became CHAMPIONS. Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:24, 25(NLT) that we are here for each other to love and serve in a good work. It states, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” I like the words, ESPECIALLY NOW…

When you are hurting… ESPECIALLY NOW!  When you don’t have the strength to cast down those thoughts because of how painful it is… ESPECIALLY NOW!  When you said, “I am done with him/her, but need help staying away… ESPECIALLY NOW!  When the cancer, HIV, diabetes, AIDS, Herpes… ESPECIALLY NOW!  When you’re broke… ESPECIALLY NOW!  CALL ON HIS NAME, ESPECIALLY NOW! The reason why your mess seems to have gone from the size of a speed bump to the size of Mt. Everest, is because we have been endeavoring to cover up an open wound with a band-aid. You cover an open wound to protect it from getting infected but not because of how it looks. An open wound needs to air out no matter how ugly it is when the environment is appropriate, but it also needs to be covered in an infectious environment. My daughter recently got a carpet burn from playing around with her brother. When she first got it, it was just a little discolored circle, lightly bleeding. She started covering it up every chance she could because she didn’t want anyone to see it. I would tell her to only cover it when she was in school (infectious environment), but to uncover it at home (appropriate environment for healing). She didn’t listen… so within two weeks, what started out as a discolored circle (lightly bleeding), was now a wound without skin or scab. It also had some bumps around it. This was a lesson in so many ways… Keeping it covered 24/7 allowed it to become worse because now germs had a place to hide or lodge in an area that was moist and conducive for growth. If she had uncovered it at home those platelets could have worked to form a scab. Which in turn, protects the wound by keeping the germs and nastiness out while giving the skin cells underneath an opportunity to heal.

Whom The Son Sets Free... Is Free Indeed (John 8:36)

What am I saying all of that for??? Sin, left covered and alone, will grow and get worse, especially in an environment with the right kind of soil for growth. James 1:14-16 says, ” But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” Sin, when uncovered and exposed, has to be dealt with by mature believers so that anything aiding you to keep you in it, will be kept at bay until you have had a chance to be totally delivered, healed and whole. Proverbs 13:18 says, “If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.” If you want your honor back, cry “HELP!”

Lastly, 2 Chronicles 7:14,15 says, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” What more can I say to persuade you that He is ready to listen, to bless, and he has laborers waiting to assist you on the road for your healing, ESPECIALLY NOW!

I love you, but GOD LOVES YOU MORE!!!

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

The P.T. Factor October 14, 2011

Wow… I have not given you all some F.L.A.R.E. attention since August 25th. I apologize for the delay.  It was not my intention; however, it has been one thing after the other; and on top of the current events, I had some issues with my blog… SMH!!! But I am back in business. YEA!!!

My, My, My, I have had an interesting, but blessed month and a half since I last blogged. Do I begin with the earthquake, threats of hurricanes, the deaths of three young ladies under the age of 35 within weeks of each other, or how God took these unrelated events and taught me a lesson in the “perceived time” factor? “Perceived Time” factor… What are you speaking of Bishop? I am so glad you asked .

We all perceive that we have ample time to either, accomplish or place on hold various tasks, goals and instructions that we must follow. Some may think that this statement is not true for them, but allow me to ask you this: If you were to die today, what area in your life would get a grade of incomplete? Getting life insurance? Spending quality/ample time with your children? Witnessing to your family members at the family reunions (put the rib down and stop talking about the sauce and who cooked them)? How about your prayer life? Spending time with God and in His Word? What about your obedience to God’s Word? Oh yeah, you are living the life, but can you speak after the manner of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6,7. When it is time for your spirit to be released from your body, will it be said that you fought a good fight and kept the faith?

When I thought about the natural occurrences we experienced with our weather and the deaths of these young ladies who were my age or younger, I began to evaluate my perception of the time I am allotted in the life I am living. I began to see how there were some areas in my life that I just “perceived” I had the time in life to tackle. There were people in my life that I believed I had time to introduce God’s Word to because “they are good people and eventually they will come around”. “They know what they should be doing.”  Let me make it clear that I am not reflecting on this “time” factor because I believe my life is going to be shorten. No sir, no ma’am! I believe with long life (on earth), God will satisfy me. (Psalm 91:16) What I am saying is that the person I am casually ministering to may not have a long life/time to get saved and walk out God’s Word. The book of Isaiah says we must seek Him while He may be found. (Isaiah 55:6,7) Not that God is going anywhere but as the amplified bible puts it, “claiming Him by necessity and by right.” The area in my life that I am procrastinating on accomplishing, could be the area in my life that is to produce a great harvest for my children or people connected to me long after I am gone.

You Don't Have All The Time In The World!

Time in this sense should not be viewed in quantity, but rather in quality.  Fighting a good fight is not in how many you’ve won, but how you won (honorable, worthy, noble). If you gain victory over 10 attacks from our enemy, but in all 10 you barely hung in the fight, was always close to cursing, smoking, drinking, “losing your Jesus”, it is only matter of time (quantity) before you are over taken by your “challenger” because of the lack of time (quality) you put in to your “strength” training. Your “strength” comes through/from the Word of God. If every time you see your friend (who you know is not saved) you just talk about the children, job, activities, etc., but don’t share the gospel because you don’t want to seem too “pushy”, you are losing a fight. It is only a matter of time before the bell rings and the fight is declared a lost. That lost may be a sudden death of your friend 20 minutes after you had lunch with her to talk about “nothing”, at least in the context of having her soul saved.

Time is of the essence… God has given us all a reasonable amount of time to do “our” part in His Kingdom. When we “perceive” we have “time” (quantity), we forfeit what He endeavors to manifest in the life of others through our obedience. Notice I said how “we” perceive the time. We have to look at time from the perspective of His Word, His point of view because if we don’t we lose out in how we can assist in fulfilling His agenda in the earth. The Word of God states in 2 Peter 3:8,9AMP that “nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness. That scripture tells me at least two things in this context. First, God is not bound by or even operating on our 24 hour system of time. Secondarily, His thoughts, perception, or concepts are no way close to our finite thinking. I mean think about it! Why would the “Creator” choose to think like the “creation”? If I create a new metric system and began to train others as to how it should be used, why would I in turn start listening to others to tell me how to use what I created? Check out that same verse in the message bible… Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change. So when we read it this way, it should cancel out the notion that we have time.

People of God, YOU DON’T HAVE TIME! I don’t care if you live to be 120 years old. Eternity is 120 multiplied by indefinite… SAY FOREVER. What you do in earth will not only determine the quality of life you live eternally and on earth, but also where you will spend eternity. I choose to build His Kingdom! God gives 120 years for me to live, means 120 years of prophesying, laying hands, calling out demons, spreading the gospel… I want my life to speak of Him long after I am gone. What or who will your life speak of long after you are gone? Who will it speak to and what will it mean to them? What will your life account for?

Lastly, Paul could rest and receive the idea of his life ending because what he was commanding the disciples of Christ to do, he had already done in 2 Timothy 4:1,2,5. You and I can rest and receive the end of our life on earth when the time comes, not because of the quantity, but because of the quality in the Kingdom it meant to God and others that partook of it. Below is a charge, not just to Timothy and the disciple of Christ, but to us.

2Timothy4:1-8

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the livinhttp://truthspeech.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=76&action=editg and the dead atHis appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

What part are you in this passage? Verse 1,2,5 or verses 3,4? My prayer is that we can all speak boldly as Paul in verses 7 and 8 because we have live a life of quality in the Kingdom of God before the throne of God. Love you all so much and look forward to our next encounter…

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

THE MASTER’S PIECE August 25, 2011

This is a “fire-side” chat F.L.A.R.E. lady. Since I started this blog I have mainly written fiery furnace entries, but today we will talk around the fire with our coffee mugs in hand. Many may or may not know that I have walked away from a 20+ year old affair in my life; an affair with Mr. Sodium Hydroxide, aka “The Relaxer.” It was not a hard decision or transition to make about my hair, but I am finding myself having to console others about the decision “I” made about “my” hair. Comments and questions come like this…

• You cut your hair… it was so pretty and long. (Me: It’s not pretty? You do realize I had chemicals in it and this is “actually” my God-given hair.)

• What are you going to do now??? (Me: Well, I don’t know. Living comes to mind. After all it’s only hair.)

• Oh okay, your hair is not so bad. You actually have pretty hair. (Me: And what chart are we looking at for comparison?)

People, my hair does not define me!!! I am still beautiful as ever before (smiling but true). I know there is a growing trend of naturalist out here, but I am not subject to trends. I was not endeavoring to re-define or re-invent Omeka Benjamin. As a believer of God’s word/follower of Christ, I am defined by Who and what I believe. It is God’s word that shapes and is shaping the woman of God I have become and will continue to grow into, not my hair. Never the less, women all around the world, believers and unbelievers alike, are being defined by those things of unimportance to the Kingdom of God and their eternal destiny.

We have begun to see women get breast enhancements because their smaller breast lowered their self-image. Women who won’t cut their hair because they feel as though their hair is what makes them beautiful. Women who will eat all day, but vomit every meal in the bathroom  because of the fear of looking too fat.  Women who need to have a man in their bed because of the fear of being alone and loneliness equates to “nobody wants ugly me.” Women who have to be around people to receive affirmation and praise for who they are and their accomplishments. The praise of people means I am “somebody” important. These are just a few areas that women rate their self-worth, self-value, self-image by to feel and look great in their own eyes.

Dr. Michael A. Blue says it by the Spirit of God, “There is an attack on the self-image of a woman…” I strongly agree. We have become defined by our hips, lips, and locks. To the point of women feeling uncomfortable and archaic for wearing a shirt where the neckline is not plunging or pants that “actually” fit their size 16 body frame (must be hard to fit a size 16 body into a pair of jeans size 10). Women making sure they get a relaxer or the Moesha weave because of fear that people won’t accept the sight of a little new growth or a natural hairstyle. Whether they are educated or uneducated, rich or poor, single or married, with or without children, Christian or not, most women are living out the image of the world by compromising their own uniqueness crafted by the hands of God.

We were all created in “one” image and that is the image of God (Genesis 1:26).  After the fall of mankind, that image became distorted through our eyes. Genesis 3:7 How do you go from seeing the beauty of life and all its elements through God-given vision, to now seeing it and being so embarrassed that you try to “re-create a new image”? F.L.A.R.E. ladies ask such good questions.

CRAFTED AS "THE MASTER'S PIECE"

When we disconnect ourselves from the Creator, we began to create a “mess-a-piece”.  Most of the art we see is a “mess-a-piece”, but we have become so blind (as a people) to what a “masterpiece” looks like, that we will call a disaster a “masterpiece” and argue its authenticity. (Trust when I say it is not the real Louis Vuitton). 2 Timothy 3:5 says that in the last days people will have the form of godliness but deny the power of it. People will exist in the earth without the image (or power) of God in them. Yes… someone can look holy and really be whorely with the ways of the world (sleeping with the world).

I use to enjoy watching Henry Louis Gates tell people who had darker brown complexion that they were not from the “Motherland” as they thought. That they are 4o% European or what have you. They would look in astonishment because they just knew their ancestors stepped off the first boat from Africa to America to become a slave. (Funny) I found that humorous because they assumed the nature of their complexion made them descendents of the ones who were  ”Master’s Pieces” from Africa, when they were really a melting pot of various ethnicities. The point I’m endeavoring to make is that people feel a sense of pride when they can identify themselves with something/someone. From identification comes a “defining” moment for them. “I am now defined by my rich African heritage.”  “I am defined by my light-skinned, long hair.”  “I am defined by my 6-figure income, college degree, and BMW 750LI.”

• Psalm 139:13,14 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works

• Ephesians 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

You were “created and defined” before you were a thought to your momma and daddy. God’s word says in Romans 8:29,30 for whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

With that being said, as a daughter of God you were made in HIS IMAGE and are GLORIFIED. You don’t have to “re-define” or “re-create” what HE has done. Doing so make you look like a “MESS-A-PIECE” and not “THE MASTER’S PIECE“. You are “The Master’s Piece” and don’t you ever forget it!!!

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

Caution: Decision Ahead… Approach With Wisdom August 7, 2011

There are times when I am reminded of past decisions that I have made in life and the results of them. The good, the bad and the ugly. They only affected me, right??? Wrong!!! The decisions we make in life have the ability to follow us for the rest of our life and filter in to the lives of others around us, even people we may never meet personally. You can’t go back and change them as if you put on the wrong outfit. They are there as a piece of history. Genesis 8:22 reads,  “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” That is a strong scripture because it lets us know that there is a harvest to every decision we sow into our life or the life of others.

Why do I keep bringing you down these roads without street lights? Maybe because I don’t want you to see a glimpse of light here and there, but how the “SON” has risen for us to walk down smoothly paved roads where there is no blindness during our journey. No one knows your story like you. No one can create your legacy but you. No one can assume responsibilities for your life’s decisions but you, so why not approach life’s decisions with His wisdom (Prov.2:10,11). When we use God’s wisdom in making decisions in life, the weight of the responsibility we carry aren’t so heavy (Matthew 11:30). The harvest isn’t heavy on the negative, but it is great in measure on the positive. Oh how I want you to get what I am saying…

This week has been very thought-provoking for me. I have thought about some decisions I have made in the past and how it has in ways harvested in my present. Some good and some not so good. I have thought about a lot of kids that are going back to school. Some entering middle school, high school, or even college for the first time and how the road of “time and opportunity” will be there waiting for them. I pray they say now is not the time and I will pass on that opportunity when it comes to the parties, sex, drinking, clubbing, relationships, etc.  I know I may sound archaic to this new generation of “liberal” christians, but the enemy basks in the enjoyment of us being nearsighted. Our enemy only wants us to focus on the momentary happiness our flesh desires to enjoy. He wants to keep us blinded to God’s vision/plans for our life, because if we ever get a glimpse of our life’s purpose, we become the devil’s #1 enemy. Jeremiah 29:11 reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Who would want to forfeit that promise on their life? No one, right? However, we make or can make decisions that will cause that statement by God to be true for someone else and not ourselves.

Now that I have children I think about the insight of my life that will be revealed to them. Some I am pleased with and some I am ashamed to tell; never the less, they will know in time and learn from them all. They can learn from my experiences and be led in God’s wisdom for their lives. They can meet the enemy head on and say, “I recognize this. My parents told me that you may try this on me since they failed that test, but I will resist and win.” They can live life spiritually farsighted because they know there is much more at stake than having their name tattooed on their arm (This is God’s temple {I Cor. 3:16} . What if the church had graffiti all over it? How would it look?), clubbing-drinking-smoking (2Tim.2:22), immoral relationships (I Thessalonians 4:3), and the list can run on…

I write this in love… Each one of us will experience a moment in life where we realize the weight of past decisions we’ve made and the effects of them. Will you rejoice, mourn or both. Knowing what you now know, endeavor to move forward in the wisdom of God when faced with future decisions.

NOTE: Please use Biblegateway or your bible for scripture references

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

History… Prophesy… Destiny… July 29, 2011

Well, today is the day before an important (BIG for me) day in the life of ministry for my husband and I. Tomorrow is our consecration service as Bishops. The title “bishop” is another term for overseer. We are being consecrated as overseers for the various ministries that God has called us to steward/oversee, as well as the ones that has come into our organization, The Association of Champion Churches or the A.C.C.  More specifically, we are called to function as an apostolic and prophetic voice for our generation.

Today, I type this with a lot of emotions going on inside. Throughout every transitional season of our life in ministry, I have always been a little apprehensive about it. The hesitancy is more to do with my relationship with God than it is disobedience. I NEVER want to take part with the enemy in his attempt to tarnish the name and fame of God. With that being said, I take my walk with God and the responsibilities that come with it very seriously. Trust me when I say it is never ministry as usual with me. There were two major acts in my life where I partnered with the enemy—first when I lived in a backslid position between the age of 11 – 19 and secondly, fornication after re-dedication. I know many may think it is not that serious but I am not concerned with the many, only The One. So needless to say I don’t just jump into a “call” or “office” without first being convinced that this is God’s will, I am shaped through humility in walking it out, and that I will bring fame to God.

I write today to say “I AM CONVINCED”. Did it take a bishop’s title? NO! Did it take a pastor’s title? NO! Did it take planting churches? NO! It took me finally realizing through the Holy Ghost that God has called and anointed my husband and me to have a voice for our generation. Not just a voice, but HIS VOICE, being HIS mouthpiece. With so much that is happening in our generation, God is raising up some fresh “generals” who are going to war fully equipped to reach the captured. Are we the only ones? NO! Do you need a title to be in the regime (read Romans 10:10,13)? NO! Can you live like you want? NO! Will it cost you anything? YES! Is it worth the cost? YES!

Can someone like me, with my past, join in the cause? YES!  God will FULLY equip you so you can be ready “in season and out”. No more “double minded” thinking or actions; Are you’re in or out! No more insecurity; Are you in or out? No more preparation for the service; Are you in or out? NO MORE EXCUSES: ARE YOU IN OR OUT?

When we really want to know where our real friends stand we say, “ARE YOU IN OR OUT?”  So that is my question to all my F.L.A.R.E. ministers of the gospel (Mark 16:15 includes all of us). What is your answer? Does your answer align with your actions? Let’s be like King Leonidas in the movie 300. At the end when they went up against the various armies formed by the prince of Persia, after not bowing down to the enemy they just attacked. Of course they died believing in what they were fighting for; but they fought. Not only did they fight, they fought for those that were not in a position to fight for themselves. We are in position to fight for the “captured” and we have a better outcome the 300 Spartans for three reasons:

1. We believe in Him who sent us and in His agenda/purpose. (Romans 8:28)

2. It only looks like there are more with them than with us. (2Kings 6:16)

3. We have already won! (2Corinthans 2:14)

Tell someone today that “I am a winner with a relevant, sound, and Godly voice for this generation.”  Now go out and demonstrate those words.

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

What Does Your Actions Say??? July 19, 2011

We all have heard the saying that “actions speak louder than words”; however, Jesus said it this way, “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (John 7:17) In other words, your fruit will tell us more about your roots than what you say you are or represent. I can say I am a Believer all day, every day, but if I walk around with an attitude most of the time, lying some of the time, and cursing occasionally, that fruit does not match a Believing tree. If I am a content smoker, drinker, fornicator, again the fruit comes from a different root system. If I dress with the covered thoughts of making sure I dress with uncovered cleavage, pants that “Saran” wrap my hips, skirts or dresses that run from my knees up to the hills of my thigh, this fruit definitely shows a different root.

Why did I decide to walk down this road and bring you along? You didn’t ask to go but you needed to be with me on this journey because the various fruits I have describe (there are others not mention) have been growing in the church and we can’t be deceived any longer that we are all good trees. Some may say even a good tree bears some bad fruit every now and again. That is true in the natural, but by the Spirit Paul said “the carnal mind is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7). You can’t have a little carnality and lot of Jesus. They clash because they are not supposed to work together. Just like you can’t love and hate someone at the same time. People speak ignorantly, “I have a love-hate relationship with you.” Either you love me or hate me, anything else is two-faced. Jesus said “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” (John 7:18) There are some that may add their commentary by saying how we all have sin and may continue to sin throughout our life, no one is perfect. Again Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5) Do you believe me since it is written in red?

                The word of God said that while we are connected to Him, He is pruning us. He is making sure that through connection we remain cleansed, in order to be positioned for a continuous harvest flow. I desire for you to have a continuous flow from God. You can’t have that if you have a little leaven because it cause the whole lump to be leavened (Gal. 5:9). So a little world in you, a little pride in you, a little deception in you, a little skin, a little sex, a little… a little… a little… Before long you will have a lot and too much means we have an epidemic! Something that becomes so widespread, we have to work overtime to get rid of it. Have you ever had to work overtime to get rid of something? God never desired for you to toil to make something happen, especially when it comes to getting rid of sin. He has already done it for us. Will you except what He has done and walk in it with discretion and obedience? Will you become grafted in the “Tree of Life” call God, through Jesus Christ? If your answer is yes, then allow God to prune you so you can experience a continuous harvest flow of the “good” God-kind of Fruit.

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

Rotten Oranges Stink July 11, 2011

When you allow rotten oranges to just sit in the open for too long, its stench begins to permeate the atmosphere and attract unwanted visitors that are hard to evict. Rotten fruit attract fruit flies. The best way to avoid fruit flies is keep what is attracting them away. However, once you have them, all potential breeding areas must be located and eliminated. (Potter) Michael F. Potter an extension entomologist states that unless the breeding sites are removed or cleaned, the problem will continue no matter how often insecticides are applied to control the adults. Finding the source(s) of attraction and breeding can be very challenging and often will require much thought and persistence. Now let’s apply this spiritually.

When we tolerate subtle sin for a while, we begin to attract the wrong relationships, outcomes in life, habits or addictions, etc. All of what we attract has to be removed along with what is attracting it and we along with our environment have to be cleaned.  If the sin remains, it will grow into other areas of your life just like the fruit flies will grow into other areas of the environment if what is attracting them remains.  The book of James 1:14 -15 reads, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” I know this passage all too well.

Growing up in the word of God afforded me some God sense when I was in the world producing rotten oranges. I may not have done everything other sinful natured individuals, like myself at the time, had done but I did sin against my God on more than one occasion.  After re-dedicating my life back to God through Jesus Christ, make no mistake there is only ONE WAY, I continued to sin but then it was different. Very different… No longer was I able to be in a sexual relationship and keep it moving as if I wasn’t a fornicator. No longer could I lie as if God was only winking at that white lie. No longer could I lift my hands in worship, when I could not stand the sight of that female (you know the one that thinks she is cute or at least I thought she was thinking that). I became convicted of my sinful ways. The kicker of the double life that did it for me was becoming pregnant out of wedlock. I was saved and loving God when that happened, as most of us can say. I had a wedding planned with about 250 guests and one month before it all, I cancelled it. After finding out I was pregnant, I made a decision that I was not going to take part in the corrupt plan of the enemy to tarnish and discredit the name of God. Up to that point, I had this thought that God knows I am only flesh or we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Those were stupid thoughts because yes he knows I am flesh that is why He told me to stay connected so I could get pruned as needed. All that falling short of the glory of God confession we make should change with the acceptance of the gift of salvation and continue as we grow in our Savior. People would say you can still have the wedding because you are not showing and tell people later. The most important One that I want to impress is God and not people. I had already walked in deception once, I was not going to do it again and deceive others in the process.

Who are you deceiving? Friends, family, co-workers, church folk, yourself, God??? The answer can be yes to all but one and that is the great G-O-D.  Galatians 6:7 reads, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” in the NKJV, but what does it say in the amplified bible? Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. Omeka’s translates—Don’t get it twisted! You can’t fool God. Eventually you are going to see the error of your ways plop right back down in your lap/life. Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me into the way of The Everlasting. (Psalm 139:23, 24)

Well, you see that I am not casting condemnation because I have no room to condemn anyone for being what I once was myself.  Thanks be to God for deliverance and restoration.  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Can we rejoice together in Romans 8:1-2? Hallelujah!!! God loves us all and I love you enough to speak His mind, which is His word, to you.

Until Next Time… Here is the Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.

What is F.L.A.R.E.??? June 26, 2011

In a world of catchy slogans and acronyms; we are guilty as charged.  We are guilty of adding another letter-dot-letter-dot-letter-dot…well you get the picture.  We are guilty of adding another acronym to your brain, but hopefully, this one will carry substance which will cause the reality of Jesus Christ to be made manifest in your life.

To give “Truth With a F.L.A.R.E.” means to give truth through the Word of God from a Fully Liberated And Righteously Empowered position in God. I endeavor to speak His wisdom, His mind, and His character, which can all be confirmed by His Word. The Bible IS the inspired word of God. So with that being said, let’s get inspired by His “Truth With A F.L.A.R.E.”!