Be Bold, My Love

Lord, this has not been the best week of my life but I know that this too shall pass. I know that struggles are meant to make me strong and that Jesus and his disciples struggled so quite obviously, so will I. My hardships are not unique. I am not in this alone, nor am I the only one going through something. I will not deny my situation. My part in what I thought was a good thing. Lord, I don't know if I am a source of joy to others but I struggle with my relationship and faith. I will forever believe that my purpose and place is to serve God. My job is to bring new hope and new joy to the world. Spread the good news. I am going to be alright. The devil would like for me to believe that I am not going to make it. That this is too big for me and that nothing will change. But Jesus brings new hope and new joy. I know that I am going to make it. I am a survivor and a victor. I will survive and I am coming out of this better than before. My attitude is what will affect my situation. I am here to stay. I will see a victory in my life. God loves me and hears my prayers. God will see me through every obstacle. God cares. Luke 24:44-49  44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”  45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Prayer

Prayers for our people. Thank you Lord for your blee Sings and mercy. I pray for all people to walk in non violence. Speak your discourse. Express your concerns. Petition the courts for action, but don't resort to violence. Lord our people ar constantly reminded of injustices done to them. Feelings of unequal circumstances and conditions continue to fuel a flame that has the potential to explode. Walk in love and peace to demand justice. Our social ills have been ignored for too long. The disease of racism is like a cancer tht needs to be cut out. Fear is now justified through a law. If you feelthreatened, you can shoot and kill someone. But my question is how can you chase after them? Now they are fearful of you and your fear has changed to power hungry superiority, because you showed your gun and now they are scared of you. Glory to God. thank you God for giving us the opportunity to hear such a wonderful woman on Friday. Angela Bassett was a true joy and blessing. Thank you Lord for giving me the insight to attend. Thank you for the present. Keep me humble and remind me to show love and peace. Keep us focused on the cause and the effects of our social ills. Never forget that we have a voice. We can make a change. We are not victims without power. We are powerful in numbers, not powerless. Our actions are to unite us not divide us. Let us be united for all to know that our fight is for the Lord's cause. Do not be complacent to the constant injustices that seem to occur each and every day. Our young men are always under the watchful eye of the people. Let's make this a learning opportunity that reflects what we really want to teach them they need to know how to channel the anger and apply it to a positive action. Otherwise they learn violence brings on more violence. They know violence is in the bible, in the world, it's legally justified, but we must be the ones to show there is an alternative and that alternative is a successful one. Our works are not futile and they can see change in their lifetime. Stay diligent, be consistent, don't be complacent and think nothing will change without violence acting upon violence. Encourage the positive. Be the voice of God's victorious actions. Speak the truth and lead your people to victory. We need you. Ephesians 4:1-7 Ephesians 4 Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ  1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Reconciliation

Nehemiah9:32-33  32 "Our God, you are great, mighty and wonderful. You keep the covenant you made with us. You show us your love. So don't let all of our suffering seem like a small thing in your sight. We've suffered greatly. So have our kings and leaders. So have our priests and prophets. Our people who lived long ago also suffered. And all of your people are suffering right now. In fact, we've been suffering from the time of the kings of Assyria until today.  33 "In spite of everything that has happened to us, you have been fair. You have been faithful in what you have done. But we did what was wrong. Committed to the cause. Lord allow me to stay diligent, stay consistent and not become complacent. Renew me, restore me, reinvest in me.

Public Preparation

 10 "Then what should we do?" the crowd asked.  11 John answered, "If you have extra clothes, you should share with those who have none. And if you have extra food, you should do the same."  12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"  13 "Don't collect any more than you are required to," John told them.  14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"    John replied, "Don't force people to give you money. Don't bring false charges against people. Be happy with your pay."  15 The people were waiting. They were expecting something. They were all wondering in their hearts if John might be the Christ. Lord we are always preparing for the arrival of someone. We prepare on the outside it our hearts need preparation too. Help us to prepare for your rival. We love your Lord and seek youdilligently each and every day. Help us to find you.

The twisted fate of twisted faith

When life seems to challenge us to the point that we are making excuses for our problems then we know it's time to rejuvenate. No more talk of, if I don't see it in my lifetime. We have children dying by the hands of those that accept natural animal instincts as a way of life. No more settling for just the basic reasoning with them. We have to step it up a notch and remember that they believe in what they are doing as much as we do. Our for of reasoning is not going to compute. Lord we need a new game plan. Lord I pray that our church is protected and given favor from those trying to do harm to us. Keep us strong and walking in your steps Lord. Allow us to help those that harm our community. We will not give up on our children. We can't give up. We love them too much. When doubt and fear try to rise up within us, we have to remember God's love for us. We know that God has a plan and it is to not harm us. When we feel we can't trust again or open our hearts up to that amount of truth, pain and love again, we look to the Lord. Only God can see us through. Only God can convince us to trust again. We walk with you, we have to trust you. We believe in you. We love you. I believe in you and I love you. Lord, I accept your authority. Tell me what to do Lord. Lead me on your path. Jude 1:8-13 Jude 1:8-13 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)  8 In the very same way, those dreamers pollute their own bodies. They don't accept authority. They speak evil things against heavenly beings. 9 But not even Michael did that. He was the leader of the angels. He argued with the devil about the body of Moses. But he didn't dare to speak evil things against the devil. Instead, he said, "May the Lord stop you!"  10 But those people speak evil things against what they don't understand. They are like wild animals. They can't think for themselves. They do what comes naturally to them. Those are the very things that destroy them.  11 How terrible it will be for them! They followed the way of Cain. They rushed ahead and made the same mistake as Balaam did. They did it because they loved money. They are like Korah. He turned against his leaders. Those people will certainly be destroyed, just as Korah was.  12 They are like stains at the meals you share. They eat too much. They have no shame. They are shepherds who feed only themselves. They are like clouds without rain. They are blown along by the wind. They are like trees in the fall. Since they have no fruit, they are pulled up. So they die twice.  13 They are like wild waves of the sea. Their shame rises up like foam. They are like falling stars. God has reserved a place of very black darkness for them. He will keep them there forever.

Don't Give Up

Hebrews 9:14-15 14 But Christ offered himself to God without any flaw. He did this through the power of the eternal Holy Spirit. So how much more will his blood wash from our minds our feelings of guilt for committing sin! Sin always leads to death. But now we can serve the living God. 15 That's why Christ is the go-between of a new covenant. Now those God calls to himself will receive the eternal gift he promised. They will receive it now that Christ has died to save them. He died to set them free from the sins they committed under the first covenant Lord I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. I will never give up asking for forgiveness as long as I am on this earth. I don't know how to do the things you ask of me Lord. The things that I have to be broken and remade to do. Break me. I know it hurts, but break me. Guide me, yes, I am rebellious, but guide me anyway. Don't ever leave me to fend for myself Lord. Thank you for loving me ad sending your Holy Spitit. I love you Lord. Faith, faith, faith.

My Protector

Jeremiah 29:11-13  11 "I know the plans I have for you," announces the Lord. "I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. 12 Then you will call out to me. You will come and pray to me. And I will listen to you. 13 When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me.