Unwrap Your Gift

                                         The Deception
Unfortunately the body of Christ has been deceived into thinking that only "special" people have gifts. We never think of ourselves as having gifts of the Spirit. Any person, preacher, or pastor that makes you feel like you don't have a gift has a lack of knowledge. The body of Christ seems to buy into the lie that you have to have some sort of position/title in order to manifest the gifts. Dear hearts, that is a lie and a trick of the adversary to suppress the knowledge of God. God gave you the Holy Spirit just like He gave it to the preacher. It is time to unwrap your gift! Stop this false humility that you aren't worthy of a gift. You may not be worthy, but isn't Christ? Stop thinking this is about you. Christ is worthy and died to give you the gifts so he could confirm his word (Mark 16:20). That false humility is actually pride, you are focusing more on yourself than on the purpose of the cross.

You are saying that God slighted you and only committed part of His word in your life. When He gave you the Holy Spirit, He didn't give you half or by measure. He gave you the fullness of His Spirit. Thinking that you don't have any gift, when you have the Holy Spirit, is exalting yourself against God. That's like saying the Holy Spirit is empty. It has nothing to offer you or the people around you. We know that's not true. Put some logic and Word behind this masked teaching. It doesn't add up. Read God's Word for yourself and stand on it.
                                           The Acceptance
I guarantee you, once you begin to accept that you have gifts in you, waiting to manifest, they will begin to flow through you. The only reason you do not see them flow is because you don't allow them to due to your own doubts. God isn't going to work his gifts through you against your will. If you don't want Him to work He won't. But as soon as you say, "Yes, I am a prophet. I am a preacher. I am an evangelist. I am a teacher. I am a healer. I am a dreamer. I am an encourager."  then God will confirm His word in you and through you. Until you accept it, it can't flow. Accept your identity and you'll begin to walk like Jesus...ministering the Word.

I have been dreaming dreams since a child, but traditional teaching made me feel like I was inadequate, uncertain if God was really talking to me, taught to allow the people with the title/position to go forth. Or even made me think if the preacher didn't see it then it must not be real. All lies from satan. Once I embraced my identity, the fact that I dream and can interpret dreams, I started having dreams more frequently about the people around me...and 100% right each time. I keep running into people who are having dreams and need interpretation. This is only the beginning. Let God's Word be true and every man a liar! If God's Word said it, that is it! You are gifted. As you go forth it will be confirmed. You will learn to utilize your gifts more effectively (what to say, what not to say, when to wait etc) as you mature, but start somewhere.  

*When you received the Holy Spirit you received the ultimate package. All the gifts are a result of the Spirit. So if you have the Holy Spirit you have all the gifts. * PICK ONE!

If you notice that you are drawn to a certain gift...begin a study on that gift. How did Jesus operate in that gift? Find a reliable source to read up on. Ask for guidance in the Spirit. While you get understanding begin exercising your gift. Don't bury your light.

You are a vital part of the body of Christ. We need each other to manifest God's power so the world will know of Him. Don't buy into the lie as if you are too humble to accept this gift. I am thankful for my Savior and for that reason I will allow His gifts to flow through me as a sign of my love for Him. 

What sense would it make for God to have a calling on your life and not give you the tools to get the job done? CEO's, managers, and supervisors have more sense than that. You have all the equipment you need to complete this mission dwelling on the inside of you. Unwrap your gift!

Swallowed by a Whale

Most people will teach Jonah as a bad guy who disobeyed God's command to take a message to people. Well if he is "bad" then what does that make us? I digress, I am not talking about those aspects of Jonah that we may already be familiar with.

I think we have all, one time or another, been able to relate to Jonah. We get fearful to tell our coworker the message God has given us for them. That is just an individual and we let the whale of fear swallow us and keep us captive. Just imagine...Tarshish was a city comparable to New York. God tells you "I want you to go to New York City, a place where there are many gods, they have no standards/morals, and tell them to turn from their ways to be restored to God, or else..."

Our first reaction would be to act like we didn't hear anything or wait for 5 different confirmations to make sure it was God. We'd be very hesitant to obey. We'd consider the reaction of the people just like Jonah. Not saying it is right,but we are modern day Jonahs. Jonah's story gives us a lot more insight. There is a lot of good things to be learned from Jonah.

                                              Positive Lessons From Jonah

• Most other bible stories describe the main person  as being upright before the Lord, or gives some sort of qualification of faith. For Jonah we don't see where he would have been "qualified" for this job. There was no description other than he was the son of Amittai.

• Jonah's instructions were vague. (Jonah 1:2) You may not get the full picture of what you need to say or do. The instructions from the Holy Spirit may seem vague or to you unimportant. Act on the simple things God has instructed,  the results will amaze you every time. He knows what He is asking you to do :) The whole city turned back to God from Jonah's simple instructions.

• God didn't leave him just because Jonah feared delivering the message. God stayed with him, and worked with him till Jonah delivered the message. God will work with you when you make yourself available to Him. I would assume that this was Jonah's first time, evangelizing and prophesying all in one. God works with us to develop the gifts in us. What good would it be if he left us as soon as we were apprehensive? His message would never get around.

• The Message is greater than the messenger. Focus on the message, not yourself. You are carrying a priceless, beyond valuable, message. When God gives you a message to tell someone, it is no longer about you. The Message/The WORD needs to be esteemed higher than yourself. You can be unqualified carrying a vital message. Your decision to give the message is a life or death situation. The Message always brings life.

Warfare: Fear of Ministering

It sounds kind of intimidating when you think of talking to total strangers. Satan has petrified the people of God by having us think that if we present the gospel we will be horribly rejected. Our imaginations and prideful emotions deceive us out of speaking.

I went to the bank to cash a check and then went to the library. I saw a man and I felt like I should give him some money. He didn't look completely homeless but he wasn't all that well put together either. So of course my imagination/satan starts to talk and lists off reasons I shouldn't:

• You only have twenties in your pocket. You don't want to give him a $20. That is way too much.
• He may be insulted if I give this to him in front of all these people. (He wasn't sitting alone)
• What if he will use it on drugs. Go look in his face to see if he is a drug user first then make your decision.
• You should find someone that you KNOW (from appearance) is homeless and give it to them.
• and finally...don't do it. Just leave.

So as I am in the library I am having this war in my mind as to what to do. I made the decision in my mind to give him $20, but still not sure what to say/how to say it. Just before I leave, he gets up and walks over to some books (where no one is) PERFECT! I walk over to him and asked him does he believe in God. He said "Well, I'm not an Atheist" I tried to create a small talk. I told him "When I looked at you I felt that God wanted me to give you this." I pulled out the twenty and he looked at me and said " I can't take that, no" I was quite shocked. Because even if he weren't homeless he could've still used it for something. I walked away still a little in shock that I went through all of that warfare just to be rejected.

First thing I learned is A) Be obedient even if the outcome isn't in your favor. B) God could be unctioning you to do something but it doesn't mean people will receive. C) Sometimes giving is all you need to do. I may not need to strike small talk each time...just give and shut up.

I could have completely ignored that unction went on with my day, but I know me. I will have dreamed about giving that money to the gentleman because it would've bothered me so much. When you are in search for the manifestation of God avoiding the call to duty will begin to bother your spirit/heart.

By avoiding the our call to duty we are saying:

• I don't want to be like my master and suffer any rejection. That may hurt my pride.
• I will disobey the command he has given me because my fear is bigger. 
• His death on the cross is not worthy enough for me to share.
• The Holy Spirit is incapable of ministering effectively through me.
• I don't trust that the Holy Spirit will provide me with the power to do what is necessary.

Ministering to anyone is a battle in the mind. Even if God unctions you to not say a word and just give, most of us still have the opposing fear.

If you are just starting to minister here are some thing to help you get started:

• Build your confidence in God through His word. Declare scripture daily that speaks of your authority/identity as a believer.
• Get information and surround yourself with other Christians who are like minded in ministering.
• Discover the gift that you take an interest in the most and begin a study on it.
• Study Jesus. We are to do the things he did and greater. What did he do and how?
• Think of Loving the person more than loving yourself. The self-love wants us to protect ourselves from the embarrassment and rejection. If you love the other person the way you'd want to be loved, you'd do it.

If you have already started this and there is still warfare:

• Be obedient
• Love. This is the MOST important. Love will blind you of that fear. God has not given us the spirit of fear but of POWER and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND. 2 Tim 1:7
• Be confident in the power within
• Don't look at the outer man. It is the inner man who needs the help.

Of course this is not an exhaustive list. There are several tactics to defeating satan when he presents fear.

Let's Do This!

You defeat your purpose as a Christian when you limit your service to just going or doing things at church alone. If you are looking for more from God...get busy and more will come! What happens when you eat and eat and don't exercise? You get unhealthy right? Same with us. All we want to do is eat more word, eat more word. Without exercising the word, you have created an unhealthy and imbalanced spiritual lifestyle. You become a spiritual couch potato...wanting to just eat and eat and never exercise.

Exercise what? Glad you asked. :)
Your authority as a believer. Your faith to pray/heal the sick. Your gifts to manifest God's power in someone's life.

You will absolutely show how much faith you have according to how much of the word you act upon. Let me say that again...if you don't act upon what you say you believe you don't really believe it. I show you that I believe by doing that very thing I have faith in. In much simpler terms: I'll show you my faith by my works. Because faith without works is dead. A dead faith ____________(flat line)

Many say they believe the word of God, right? So why is it we don't believe the Holy Spirit is in us ALWAYS. We make statements as if God comes and goes. Like he chooses today he's with you and tomorrow he is not. God made a decision on Calvary that he would equip you wholly. He gave you His all powerful Holy Spirit to be able to minister and manifest His power to others. Why don't you believe it? You say you do but are you exercising it? Are you in the habit of practicing and utilizing your equipment (Holy Spirit). How can you tell if you are not believing? You're not doing. Most of us Christians take the easy road and claim we are "introverted" or "that's just not me." I understand that there are diversities of gifts and a variety of how to administer those gifts. But if you believed you could raise somebody from the dead. I mean you truly  believed it, what would be your reaction when someone told you a loved one just died?  If you believed you had the resurrected power of Jesus Christ dwelling in you. How would you respond to someone who has a fever?

God is an on the job trainer. You may not get 100% results the first few times, but continue in it. You will learn as you go. Consider this your training. Lay hands (be obedient to the word), seek for more understanding, and the Holy Spirit will open it up to you. Let's jump in! Instead of being on the side lines afraid like the rest of the world. Let's act like the Sons and Daughters that we are. Take advantage of this awesome power we have waiting to be made known to the world. Praise and Worship isn't limited to a song...it's lifestyle. Your worship is in your commitment to walk into the calling He has.

Everyone wants God to come from Heaven (AGAIN) appear to them and tell them when to evangelize and who to talk to, and when to say it...

We can hardly be obedient to the Word he has already written/commanded yet we want more? Let's handle the word he has given us. Let us be good soldiers and obey our commanding officer. If you are fearful that means you simply need more knowledge. I too need more knowledge! Knowledge brings the faith and faith eliminates the fear. Faith and fear cannot co-exist. I may not have it all, but I have begun my journey.

Please join me!

Lifestyle Evangelism

A friend of mine came to stay the weekend. We were doing some catching up. On Sunday morning we decided to go to IHOP. Just to eat, chat and enjoy one another's company. I wore my shirt that says GLORY The New Beauty. Our waitress comes and says, "I like your shirt" I responded "Thank you. It stands for Gods Love Openly Receives You." She stood there and immediately plunged into a conversation about church God, and issues in her marriage. She talked about leaving her husband because he goes to church but he is legalistic in how he treats his wife. He tells her if she's not going to be a Christian/go to church than he's divorcing her. Not realizing the word tells the husband to treat his wife like Christ treats the church, he demeans her because she doesn't attend services with him. She says the reason she can't attend church is because she is busy working for their family of 6. Her husband is misrepresenting the heart of God towards her and is using God as an excuse to push her further away.

Each time she came to our table to "check on us" she told us more details about her life. It was obvious she was searching for hope. My friend gave her a scripture the Lord placed on her heart. We exchanged our information. When we came back home, we got right to praying for this woman and rebuking the enemy from her thoughts/life.

It was no coincidence we were sitting at the table that she waitressed, on that day, at that time. Everyone around you needs a word of hope. Making it a lifestyle allows more of those opportunities to present themselves. Think about it. Do you have to focus on brushing your teeth everyday? Do you have to focus on getting dressed? Do you have constantly remind yourself to eat? These things are apart of your daily routine. So should be our daily communion with God. We should be in a routine habit of hearing and DOING the word of God. This is not to condemn anyone if they aren't doing this everyday. I want to encourage you to share the Light and the Life God has given you with others around you. The world needs you!

2nd Time Around

David and I took a stroll around in the mall as I waited for my car to get an oil change. David was focused on getting his ice cream and I was focused on keeping up with him. There was a lady sitting on a bench inside the mall. I didn't see her face just her back and I felt a prompt to go and talk with her.

Well initially, I said to myself "Nah, I'm on my way to get some ice cream, let David play and come back to get my car." So I basically told the Holy Spirit "I'm too busy." David and I hung out for a bit and then it was time to head back to get the car. Still sitting there was this woman on a bench, still couldn't see her face. Again, the Holy Spirit prompted me to talk to her. I sat down next to her, when I looked in her face, it was this lady that I had seen around in my neighborhood. Each time I saw this woman in the neighborhood I always wanted to talk to her, but this time it was the Holy Spirit telling me to and not just my "wanting." Funny how God worked that out.

So I sat next to her and asked her would she like prayer for anything. She said she had gotten fired from her job over 2 weeks ago and she doesn't know what to do. Every application she puts in she thinks they are looking at her age and not hiring her because of it. I told her there is no job discrimination in heaven. She smiled and we prayed for God's favor to go before her with her job search. David grabbed her hand and we made a mini prayer circle there on the bench.Maybe God just wanted to reassure her that he was with her and will make provisions.

Mall Ministry

Last night was exhilarating! Me, two high-schools girls, and my two partners went to Lakeforest Mall to evangelize. My partners took the upper floor while the girls and I took the lower level of the mall and we got to work. There's so much to write about. I watched the girls go from fear to full-force in just moments;my partners taking the upper level harvest...it was awesome.

One thing I am beginning to learn about myself is that it is hard for me to detach myself from people. I walked up to a young lady in line at the Cinnabuns. Well, it felt like there was something telling me to go to her...so I did. After initial conversation she was open to prayer and she directed me to sit with her at a table to talk more.

Tears welled up in her eyes throughout our conversation and she kept fanning her tears away in an effort to not break down in front of this stranger at a mall. She was so emotionally broken. As she talked I am thinking to myself what more could I offer her? I offered her what I could: A little advice, prayer, my contact info, and she asked me for a hug at the end. I walked away thinking, "you could've done more", but what more could I have to offer?

*The Holy Spirit reminded me of Peter (Acts 3:6). Peter didn't have what the beggar wanted as far as silver and gold was concerned, but he did give him what he had to offer and that was healing. I couldn't offer this woman money to pay off her car note, but I gave her what I had, love. What I learned this time around is that love is the greatest offer that anyone has to give. When you give love, you have given the more than money can buy. I may never see this young lady ever again, but she knows that God loves her and He cares because he sent me to talk to her when she was having a bad day.*

Don't Look at Their Faces

Although I am not always 100% confident every time I step out the door. I always prepare myself to "go and do." Along with my "go and do" attitude comes the thought that no one wants to here about God, or that person is okay, or maybe they already know God. Anything would come to mind to keep me from sharing what I had awaiting within me.

Sometimes I will look at a face and a prejudgment of how receptive they are will come to mind, but as I "go and do" I find myself overthrowing those thoughts programed in me by the enemy. The thoughts that were intended to promote fear and essentially support the "be a hearer only" complacency. Satan wants me to be comfortable not sharing.

Last week a team of us went to the Shady Grove Metro station. I prayed the whole way there, preparing my heart and mind not to look at the faces but to do the will/word of God. As soon as I parked it was warfare, Satan was trying to get me to pick out who I should talk to. Every time that thought came, I did the opposite. Not only that but the accountability of my teammates helped me push through too.

Almost every woman I offered prayer to accepted and we had prayer right there at the station. There was one young lady who didn't seem interested in the least. She was one that Satan said don't go to, but I did the opposite and gave her my CD and contact info. Of all the people there I thought, "she's probably not going to listen to it", but I am here to offer. I checked my email and the very one I thought wasn't interested sent an email response to the CD saying how much she liked it. Of course I extended the invitation to learn more and she accepted.

There are so many people out there dying for us to share the Light and Life that we have within us. Satan is busy giving us false impressions, making the people look intimidating when in reality there hearts are ready for what you have to say. Their faces don't reflect the need in their hearts/spirit/soul for God. People await and yearn for a savior even if they are all tattooed, pierced, frowned or even non-chalant.

Poem: PICTURE Me...

If there were no cameras would we be so vain…

We’d have less depression less mundane

We have trained our little ones to have a swag with a hot outfit

So carry arrogance then call it confidence and when you least expect it they throwing toddler fits

Embarrassing parents but yet you trained them to do it.

They know they're cute and hope that looks will let them get away with it

it’s a shame but grown people do this!

If there were no cameras would you worry about your size?

Without a picture to compare yourself to would you love your body with pride?

Without the video’s and movie tricks you could find a companion who's not dibbling and dabbing searching for a star when he could have a whole planet. 

No cameras to compete with…no broken marriages because the husband couldn’t keep his eye off what they had to offer…Now the women are softer- in heart but brutal on the outside cause they got caught up in the fashion show and forgot value…but nowadays everybody’s payingless. So I stress this fact that value is what we lack.

A generation of women who actually want to look ignorant to appear more desirable…

On the inside she wants love, but the camera snap shots more beauty then what she’s able to keep up with because love is the beauty the camera catches. Love is the beauty that celebrities receive with their drug habits, bed-defiled sex habits, gossip passing all while the camera still snapping

If there were no cameras how would it affect our eyes…perception that is? Would you still go and measure your thighs, pop in those contacts to appear to have green eyes?

If there were no cameras who would set the mark of modern fashion…you’d probably create your own, but with camera phones low-self esteem is well-known.

One day you will realize there are no paparzzi following you. Close the magazine, turn off the TV, turn off your camera, look in the mirra take a picture and say “Now that is beautiful.”

Dollar Tree

I am always hunting for a good opportunity to minister but this one even took me by surprise!

I was in the check out at the Dollar Tree the lines were packed. The employee had her head down working away quietly. I always try to put a smile on someone's face so when I got to her I said "Hi" the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask..."Do you sing?" She said she used to sing but doesn't anymore. I asked "why? What happened?" She goes on to tell me she used to sing in church then a secular group asked her to sing, then somewhere along the line she stopped going to church. She was sure to mention she still loves the Lord, and has kept the faith. She also wants to find a place to fellowship and start back singing on a choir. Boy! Once I got her talking she didn't care about her line anymore. I was moving out of the way so she could get back to work and she just starts opening up about her life...

"THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL!" "THE HARVEST IS WHITE (READY)"

We exchanged phone numbers, and I'm praying to have her over for bible study/church in my home! She wants to start back singing to the Glory of God and apparently God wants her to, otherwise that first question would've never been asked!

God is awesome...

My Mapquest/GPS epiphany

You have printed out your directions from mapquest. You have your gum, candy, coffee, soda, chips or some snack to keep you going. And your favorite songs are lined up to keep you up on your trip. After driving for about 3 hours and not seeing that 1 sign you were supposed to see, you get that gut feeling that "I think I'm lost."

I think we have all had that moment where we could feel that we were lost before it was actually confirmed. All of the sudden you are paying waaaaay closer attention to the signs you are passing. You are looking for a gas station, or some place to get your orientation. GPS is so much better to have. It is readily available and can immediatley place  you back on track.

I had this random thought today. Mapquest is like the bible. You follow it trying to recall its instructions. You start out feeling confident, but somewhere along your journey you feel lost. You look at where you are in life and you suddenly wonder "How did I get here?" We must've missed a sign, a turn or something from the Mapquest (Bible).

Mapquest is good but GPS is better. GPS is like the Holy Spirit. When he is alive inside of you, you may not know the bible forward and backwards, but the Holy Spirit is always readily available to instruct you on how to get back on track. GPS should stand for God's Powerful Spirit.

I love my GPS...never fails!

The "Don't Judge" Lie

Most Christians have been fed a lie from the secular world. The secular world has told Christians "You shouldn't judge" and we have bought into that. So now if we see something wrong, according to the word of God, we keep silent or feel bad/wrong if we make the "judgement."

God is so awesome that he has required every human being to make judgements. If we didn't make judgements we'd be dead by now. You make judgements every day in clothing, driving, what to say, how to say it, who to allow in your life, cooking, with family and friends when you give advice. You judge the advice you take in. After all you made a judgement to become a Christian right? You made a judgement on the friends you have selected. Every one is in a constant state of making judgements. You measure, you weigh, you consider, you think critically. To say that you shouldn't judge is like saying, "don't think."

One thing I have learned about God is He is black or white....He is never gray. He is absolute, never halfway, he is either all the way or not at all. So either you make judgements or you don't. If you say you don't judge you're lying. It's impossible for you to absolutely not judge. If from this article, you call me judgemental...guess what...you've just made a judgement.

Well Jazzmine...what about the scripture that says

Matthew 7:1-5

   ¹Judge not, that ye be not judged.
   ²For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
   ³And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
   ⁴Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
   ⁵Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

John 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Notice in these scriptures Jesus is not saying DON'T JUDGE, he is telling us HOW to judge.

He is saying how can you help someone else with a small problem and here you have this issue consuming your life? He wants us to help our brother and sister, but first we have to deal with self. Once our beam is out THEN go help them. If I have an eating disorder I can't tell you how to lose weight. It's not only hypocritical it is ineffective.

Secondly, he says don't judge by the appearance, but a righteous judgment. In other words, before you think you are "telling it like it is" get all your facts and discern with your spirit. Most people may look at a prostitute and judge that she is nasty and disgusting. Yet when she was 15 she was raped and abandoned and a pimp was the only one to take her in. In her heart she hates her lifestyle. This is what has given Christians a bad rep. Misjudgements (by the appearance).

Christ was giving us instructions. And if you find other passages that use the word judge. Please pay close attention to its context. Remember Israel had several judges. It could be using the word judge but in a different tense.

Don't Bother Me

Don't bother me with souls to save. I have my own agenda
there's school to do, sports to play,
Important stuff to attend to.

Don't bother me with that little girl,
The girl playing by the street.
She's much too young to understand
The Savior she could meet.

Don't bother me with my friend at school.
He's got his own religion.
I don't have time to change his mind.
He'll make his own decision.
    
Don't bother me with distant sounds I hear,
The sounds of people screaming.
Although I wonder who they are.
What are these victims shrieking?

Don't bother me with who they are.
I really don't want the blame.
For it's the little girl and my friend at school
Who from hell scream out my name...
        But don't bother me.
                - Greg Stier

Satan's Top 10 Reasons Not to Minister

Before proceeding let me clarify what I mean by minister. Recently the word minister has taken on a more dignified definition, however it's origin simply means to serve or to act as a servant. Which in the bible it is used in those terms. Not as a position of clergy as used today. Jesus served meeting the spiritual and/or natural needs of those around Him, thus we are to be His disciples and follow in ministering the same. How does Satan keep Jesus' disciples from ministering? The following thoughts are usually our hindrance:

                              Satan's Top 10 Reasons Not to Minister

1. I don't know enough
2. They won't receive it or the fear of how they will receive it
3. I don't know what to say
4. No one in this area needs my help
5. I'm ineffective/God's not going to show up
6. I am in a rush or they seem in a rush
7. If I don't help them someone else will or they'll be okay
8. They'll think I'm weird or crazy
9. What if I say the wrong things
10. I can be a Christian and not do any of this (ministering)

Do your job which is to be obedient to the word of God and let all the other things work themselves out. The key is that you are being obedient to God's instructions to "go" and "do". We have to build up a grit in us against Satan. So that Satan cannot use his demonic thoughts (appearing as our own) to keep us from loving the world as Jesus has instructed us to.

                     What are Satan's motives for giving you reasons not to minister?

A. He doesn't want that person to begin thinking about God. Satan doesn't want us to go around stirring up the consciences of people. He wants everyone to be dead in their sins, and you opening your mouth just may quicken their hearts alive to God.
B.The less you minister the less likely you are to do it again or occasionally when you feel like it. But the more that you minister the more likely you are to do it more frequently even if you're not "in the mood".
C. Satan's bottom line is he doesn't want you to be obedient to the word of God. Obedience brings forth fruit, the more fruit you bear, the more you grow and help others. He wants to cease this work.

                        Top 10 Reasons to Minister (rebuttals to the aforementioned) 

1. All you have to know is what has God done for you. You don't have to go to seminary school, bible school, or study or read more. This is a trick of Satan to make you feel like you don't know enough to minister when you really do. Ignore all the "what if they ask" questions. What if they don't ask those questions and your testimony or simple words was enough to prick their hearts.
2. You won't know until you try. Don't judge by their appearance. Most times we try to judge if someone will receive what we have to say or not by how they look. You never know until you try and if you try and they don't receive it oh well, but if they do receive it you have just ignited a fire in them. Either way you were obedient.
3. You can build a bridge to help you feel comfy with sharing what you have to say. Either start with casual conversation or just be direct. Think of it as just talking about the weather, the latest sports news, or a new movie. If God is not a weird conversation piece to you then it won't be weird to them.
4. That is an absolute lie. Unless everyone around is saved, healing, prophesying, talking about the gospel, and can't help but love God, everyone around you needs your help. Look at people through the eyes of Christ. The eyes of fear will say "don't talk to them" the eyes of Christ says "They need my help" whose eyes do you have? If Christ is in you, it is more than you just saying he is there, He should be manifesting via reaching out to those around you. You are to be Christ because we are one with Him.
5. Another absolute lie. You are helping even if you can't see the results right away. Whenever you speak the words of life where there is death you are always being effective. You have either planted a seed in that person, or watered someone else's seed that was already planted. God is always with you because He dwells in you! His Holy Spirit has made residence in you so whatever you attempt to help you are actually helping. Satan just wants us to feel ineffective so we have spiritual low confidence.
6. Sometimes you may actually be in a rush, but if your heart is being pulled towards someone take 30 seconds to approach them. The world can wait, but you may never see this soul again. We are responsible for reconnecting souls to God. We are on God's watch...doing His work first and everything else second. Get used to putting His work before yourself even in a time crunch.
7. This is assuming someone else will take the responsibility. God placed that person on your heart because you are the person for the job. It is not good enough just to have pity on someone, because then you are no different than all the others who have passed by. You are the "someone else" that God has sent to them otherwise it would not have been on your mind.
8. Now that may be true. Because of the time we live in, God is not a popular subject.Shift the focus from you onto the fact that God wants to reconnect with His people, you will peel the attention off of self and place it on them and God. It is only when we think about self that we get fearful/nervous, but shifting it to God's love for them helps. Also, think of it as you are God's spokesperson who's been sent to deliver a message. If they reject you it was God who they rejected because it's His message.
9. What if you say the right things?
10. Ministering to others is a manifestation of God's love. If a man say he loves God and doesn't love his brother, he is a liar.How can you say you love God who you can't see and you don't love your brother who you can see? I John 4:20 And He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:8 On top of being a liar you are also in direct disobedience to Jesus' commands in Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:17-20, Acts 1:8, St John 15:12.

Satan took my lunch money!

Ever had a bully at school picking on you, and your mom taught you if they hit you first you have the right to defend yourself and fight back. Let's say everyday you come running back to mommy with a black eye or bruise that this bully put on you. Your mom would be upset because you're not following her instructions to fight that bully back.

This happened to my sister. My older sister had a bully and while they were playing outside the girl strikes first. My sister runs to my mother and tells what happened. My mother locked the screen door and told her, "go fight her. You aren't coming back inside until you stand up to her."  I can imagine the disappointment my sister must have felt. She had a "dag!" moment. She went out to the middle of the street and beat the girl. Of course they were just kids so it wasn't brutal. My mom wasn't going to go out in the street and fight a 10 year old, she gave my sister the right to defend herself.

In that same way Satan is our bully. He doesn't just go away. You have to fight back and use the authority God has given you to do so. Start speaking back to him or doing the opposite of what he (Satan) is urging you to do. If he wants you to fear, have faith, if he wants you to worry, ignore, if he wants you to dwell in self-pity, be confident.

Have you ever prayed a prayer or had a request you just kept making over and over and still...no answer? This can be frustrating, as if God is just not granting your "wish." Or maybe you've done something to where he is ignoring you? What if I am praying the wrong words? How long will He take before answering? HELLO!! Anyone on duty in heaven today?!

I can guarantee you God is not waiting for you to be more perfect so he can swipe your "Answer My Prayer" credit card. He hears you. God is not ignoring your prayers, but there is obviously more we must learn before we start seeing His word take affect into our life as the bible said it would.

                                                          How to fight the bully called Satan

Understand who you are. As a believer you have authority over Satan, sickness, death, and the earth.

In the beginning God gave mankind the instruction to "subdue" and to "have dominion"  over the earth. (Gen 1:28) This applies whether you are a believer or not.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (Mark 11:23)
¹⁹Behold, I [Jesus] give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

There are a host of scriptures and biblical events that show we have authority. God isn't out of the picture because He is our source. Once you understand that dominion and power has been delegated to you, your prayers to God will have more thanks and praise and less begging. You are now commanding the mountain (situation), sickness, or finances instead of commanding God to do a job he gave to you. Start rebuking and commanding the things to be removed out of your life. Even if it is something as simple as a headache/toothache, negative thought, temptation. Speak to it because you have power over IT! Not the other way around.

God is answering your prayer, but just not in the manner you had hoped. He is urging you to be transformed by renewing your mind. So maybe it's the TV, friend(s), music, family, or attitude he is trying to get you to eliminate hence your change hinges on your action. Change begins with you...not God.God isn't taking a long time to change you, you are taking a long time to be obedient. Often times the answer is already written in the bible, but we insist to disregard God's word deeming it as a boring book when in reality, his instructions are given plainly. The longer we set aside God's word, is the longer we have to wait for the request to be answered because His answer to your question is in His word. Make time for His word.
So in essence if you are praying and nothing is happening it is probably because you are praying to God about a situation you have the authority, dominion, and power to overcome. If Satan is attacking you with temptations,finances, body, mind, family etc. You have power over the enemy (Luke 10:19), put the enemy in his place and fight him [Satan] back. Otherwise, Satan will continue to have the victory in your life, while you are waiting for God to do it for you.

Our problem is we want to be relieved of being responsible. We want to make mistakes and have God fix them, get ourselves into trouble and have nothing to do with getting right. God has given US the power and ability to subdue the things of this world. Therefore, whatever WE sow, WE reap. If we want change, we can pray for it, but it doesn't just fall out of the sky. We have to make the change. Cut back on certain things to help us make that change.This is what gives people the wrong impression about God. He's just a magical genie to take everything away as we request it. We live how we want and just expect God to make us right without any effort or cooperation from us.Consider this the introduction, but I urge you to study/read scriptures in a new light. Is it wrong to make prayer requests to God? Not at all. But which requests do you have dominion over?

God is not blocking your prayers, he's locked the screen door and has given us the okay to fight Satan back. This blog may have given you a "dag!" moment but you can defeat him if you fight!


If this message isn't for you, maybe there is a friend/family member that could use this understanding. Please forward if you want to help someone stop being bullied by the devil.

Whack Evangelism versus Power Evangelism

I prayed for a man that had his wheel chair in front of a liquor store and as I prayed for him the Lord said he had a problem with his lungs. So I prayed for his lungs right then and there. Afterwards, I asked him "Do you have issues with your lungs?" He said "yes I have asthma" (isn't God awesome!?) I asked him what triggers his attacks. He was pretending he was unsure. I asked "Does smoke trigger it?" He said "Yes, I smoke and I've been told that's what causes the issue, but it's just not that easy for me to quit."

So I begin to minister to his body as well as his soul. My goal was for him to get out of that wheel chair and walk (I'm working on acheiving that). I was able to prove to him that God loved him because God showed me the issue with his lungs without this man uttering a word.

I love to evangelize...now! I am not doing your everyday "share the good news" type evangelism. We (friends and I) go searching to heal the sick, prophesy etc. Why? Because that is what Christ did and commanded us to do and said we could do it. Think about it, it doesn't make much since to walk to up to someone who doesn't believe in Christ or even God and quote scriptures and give a vague statement "Jesus loves you." if you are telling me that some invisible being loves me...PROVE IT!!!

At that point it is just my Christian belief system against Muslim or Buddist beliefs. BUT when I heal them or speak directly to something in their life without them saying anything, they are convinced that my God is real versus the non-healing Buddah or Mohammed. No scripture (because they don't know it or believe it any way), and no discussion...just manifesting his power.

When ever Jesus evangelized he didn't do it by quoting scriptures. He only quoted scriptures to Pharisees and his disciples, but to the ones who did not believe he was the Christ...he showed them. Isn't that our duty...to turn the world of non-believers into believers? So if they are non-believers we have to reach them at a non-believing state, like Jesus. What do you do if someone just doesn't know if God is real? Certainly don't stand and argue with them...heal them, meet a need, speak directly to their life as God gives you the words. This is why the world doesn't believe in Jesus Christ, because Christians fail to manifest his power and we just give beautiful speeches. All words and no works. All sentences and no signs.

Why don't we see these things happening? Because every Christian is asking that same question but no one is seeking to find out how they themselves can make it happen. It's like being a by stander as a man punches a woman hoping someone will come and break it up, and your standing right there. Everyone gets frustrated about not seeing the demonstration but no one seeks it out on their own.

Consider the following:

1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Mark 16:17-20
¹⁷And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
   ¹⁸They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
   ¹⁹So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
   ²⁰And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

John 14:12:   ¹²Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

What is he saying? He's saying that I am not presenting just a nice speech to you about God's love. I am showing you God's love through the demonstration of power, by healing you, performing miracles, prophesying etc.

Luke 6:40 "The disciple is not above his master, but everyone that is trained shall be as his master."
Thus, you will never be above Jesus Christ but if you are trained you can be just like him.

Now that is good news!

Dream of a Young Girl

I was speaking with a parent recently about her daughter. For the sake of their privacy I will give them names. Mom is Mary and daughter is Katie. Well Mary has been sick for over 19 years and Katie is the oldest child. She has been taking care of her mother for several years and with her low-self esteem, failing grades, and still having to take care of mom she's just not feeling like trying any more. Katie, 17 yrs old, decides she will leave and do as she pleases on her own. She does just that but to her surprise it is not what she expects.

Katie leaves her home and starts smoking marijuana, having multiple sex partners mostly with older men, drinking and so forth thinking this will help her self view. My heart always goes out to young women, especially those that don't think much of themselves because it leads to a road of destruction. A few nights after speaking with the parent about this situation I had a dream. This young girls spirit was crying out to come back home. She is not enjoying what she is doing and she keeps doing more and more. She is drifting further and further away from the peaceful shore and isn't sure if she can get back. She wants to come back home but is uncertain if her mother will receive her again because of all that she has done.

I have been in search of the mother and the daughter in hopes that I can relay the message to the the mom in time enough. The mom needs to know that her daughter's outward appearances and attitude is not how she really feels. Her actions are the complete opposite of what her spirit is crying for. She may be doing adult activities but the little girl inside of her still wants her mommy.

Why do I post this blog?  God cares about Katie so much, he gave me the insight as to how she is really feeling despite her actions. He gave me the dream to help reconcile her and her mother.You may know of a parent who has had a runaway or is having difficulty with their teenager. Encourage that parent to take their child back with open arms, because inwardly that child is unhappy with themselves. Look past the things they are doing to try to prove they are grown. I know it can be hard to do, but try looking at the child through the eyes of God.

News Flash: It's Not God's Will

Most people have the impression that sickness, death and disease are all in God's perfect plan and some how apart of his will for our lives. I once believed this too. I once accepted the diagnosis and all it came with. How did we come to this conclusion? Maybe the preacher failed to heal or raise from the dead and hence built a doctrine based on his own failure to perform. Hmmmmm.

How can I prove this? Well God in beginning, created man and all the things creatures. He looked at it all and said "It is good." Genesis 1:4,10,12,18,21,25,31  Adam and Eve weren't created with diabetes or we don't even read where God created death. Lucifer (aka Satan) wanted to shake his fist at God and show him that no one wants to serve or worship Him. That man, when given the opportunity will choose death rather than to serve God. Well, Lucifer (Satan) proved his point. Once Eve and Adam ate of the fruit hence we have the fall of man. The evil we experience today are a result man submitting his authority to evil. Sickness, death and disease infiltrated mankind. Satan took pleasure in polluting God's precious creatures with wickedness so that we destroy ourselves and destroy each other.

God originally designed us healthy, connected, and pure.

It is as plain as this God is a good God and the Devil is a bad Devil. Why would a good God cause you to miscarry, or suffer from cancer? Does he do this to teach you a lesson? Not at all. God didn't create wickedness. He would be a cruel God just dishing out diseases for us to "learn a lesson." I miscarried a child and because of my lack of knowledge I attributed it to the will of God, until I realized...God created Life and he is not a baby killer.
Think on these questions:

1. If it is God's will for sickness why do people seek healing or a cure via medicine and doctors? Wouldn't that be trying to get out of God's will for your life? If it is God's will then stay sick and don't see a doctor or get perscriptions.
2. If God gave you sickness/death why would he send Jesus Christ to raise people from the dead and heal the sick and then give us (disciples) instructions to do the same?
3. Would a human father give his child a disease to teach him a lesson? If not, then why would God being more loving than any human father do so? The bible says,Matthew 7:9-11 "⁹Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  ¹⁰Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? "

Why do we so easily disregard Satan's part in all of this? Because Satan is a master deceiver. Disguising his (Satan's) works under the "It's God's will" category thus we accept things we actually have dominion over. He blinds us to the fact that we have authority even over him. So here we are today, Christians calling God who is the good Father, the one responsible for our pain and suffering. Remember God said "It is good" how are birth defects "good", or child molestation "good", cancer "good", rape "good", heart break "good", arthritis "good"? If it is not good then why do we say God created it? God did not create anything that was not good. Please know that God loves you too much to put you through any of these, but it is our oppressor (Acts 10:38), our enemy, that subtle one the devil who continues to deceive us just like in the Garden of Eden.

I Am My Brother's Keeper

     This morning I had to make a quick run to the grocery store to kill my craving for chocolate chip cookies. On my ride there I noticed a man on a bench sleeping bundled up in his sweat shirt. Immediatley I thought of the scripture in James 2:15-16 that reads "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" (KJV)
I couldn't just drive past him in hopes that someone else will have enough compassion to help him.
My heart was pricked by this man laying in a unusual place for his rest. Seeing him, I went in the grocery store got a few donuts and I grabbed a fleece blanket. Got to the check out and I was able to get him the food but I didn't have enough money on my card to get him the blanket. DARN IT!!! I was actually hurt/upset that I couldn't get it. So I drive by him and place the donuts next to his bundled body. I call out to him and point to the donuts. He thanked me as if I just gave him 1 million dollars. I am dissappointed that I wasn't able to get him the fleece blanket, but I will certainly look to do it all over again given the opportunity.

This isn't an astronomical move or act of God you may think to yourself, but to the man who spent a  night in the cold, with no food to him it shows God's care. God doesn't just rain food from the sky like on cartoons or movies. God moves on our hearts with compassion for one another so we can make provisions. I encourage you to not pick and choose who you feel deserves the favor of God. I could've said to myself that he was a drunk or an addict. However God doesn't not show respect of persons. He does not bless us according to how good or bad we have been, but because of his grace we can never earn his affection...that is love. If you want to show someone that God loves/cares about them, meet a need for someone ( a stranger, brother/sister, neighbor etc). We are each other's keeper.