Friday, November 28, 2014

A Bea Gaddy Thanksgiving

I had such a wonderful day yesterday.  I've anticipated this day for a year now and was so looking forward to volunteering with the Bea Gaddy Foundation to serve Thanksgiving to the disadvantaged in the City.

The Bea Gaddy Thanksgiving tradition started by Ms. Bea Gaddy in the 1980's.  She was a single mother of 5 and fell on hard times.  One day she bought a 50 cents lottery ticket and won about $300. She used the money she had, cooked and fed her family and distributed food to her neighbors; this act of selflessness began a long tradition and has grown by leaps and bounds over the years with many corporations, businesses and individuals donating food, money and time to keep this tradition alive on Thanksgiving Day.

Bea Gaddy died in 1991 from breast cancer, however her daughters have kept the tradition alive.

Yesterday my Mom and I had the privilege of volunteering at the Annual Bea Gaddy Thanksgiving and we had a blast.  The event was held at a community center in the heart of the City. It was well organized, lots and lots of food and there were many, many volunteers. There were several "entertainers" such as hip hop dancers, Michael Jackson dancers, church groups entertained with their dance ministries, Black Santa, and a man making balloons for the children.

It was great! May God bless and continue to maintain this legacy and tradition for years to come.



Monday, November 24, 2014

Battle Gear: Camouflage

Christian Solders! How are you doing in the battlefield of life?  Remember there are more with you than against you.....God's Army.

This weeks Battle Ready post is on Camouflage!

Camouflage is achieved by hiding/covering or "dressing" things or up to deceive an enemy.  This is achieved by painting and color coding people and clothing so that they are lost to view or difficult to notice when operating in certain environments.

marines camoflage
Source
 
In the battlefield, camouflage uniforms are worn with a combination of brown and green which are suppose to make solders harder to be detected by the enemy.


 
Depending on the environment they are in, these uniforms help them to blend into the landscape.
 
 
Spiritual Environment/Landscape

The natural environment that we are born in is surrounded by the consequences of sin disobedience to our Creator's operation manual (the bible).  The bible is our manual for optimizing our spiritual/physical well being, protection and preservation.

Every vehicle manufacturer provides an operating manual that accompanies every vehicle they make.  The manual outlines the various features and functions, provides troubleshooting solutions to problems and includes specific instructions for optimal operation. For example, the vehicle manual will explicitly state put gasoline in the gas tank. Should one decide to not read the manual and/or read the manual but decide to try something different, like, put oil in the in the tank instead of gasoline, will the vehicle work?
 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NET) Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

The bible, aka...The Word of God, is our manual. The bible is a complimentary gift to us from our Creator.  Our manual provides instructions for optimal spiritual connectedness to our Creator (which is our "fuel/gas"), guidance for daily living and interactions with other humans, guarantees for our well being and our protection.
 
Psalm 119:105-112(NET)
 
 Your word is a lamp to walk by,
and a light to illumine my path.
 


 I have vowed and solemnly sworn
to keep your just regulations.

 I am suffering terribly.
O Lord, revive me with your word!

 O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise!
Teach me your regulations!

 My life is in continual danger,
but I do not forget your law.

 The wicked lay a trap for me,
but I do not wander from your precepts.

 I claim your rules as my permanent possession,
for they give me joy.

 I am determined to obey your statutes
at all times, to the very end.

 
Spiritual Battle Gear

 We are sinners saved by the blood of Jesus which covers camouflages our sins. The devil, our enemy knows that we are not worthy to enjoy the blessings of God and be called sons and daughters of His.  So he is constantly accusing us and pointing out our fallen state;
 
Revelation 12:10-11
 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying,
“The salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the ruling authority of his Christ, have now come,
because the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
the one who accuses them day and night before our God,
has been thrown down.
 But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,
and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
 
Our 'camouflage' colors in this spiritual battle are symbolically red and white.  Red-The blood of Jesus; White-God's righteousness that covers us (Hallelujah, thank you Jesus!!!).
 
Revelation 7:13-14  Then one of the elders asked me, “These dressed in long white robes—who are they and where have they come from?”  So I said to him, “My lord, you know the answer.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb!
 
As believers, when we face fiery trials and the testing of our faith, patience, love and all the virtues of the spirit, let us be confident and know that we are covered by the blood of Jesus. Stay in relationship, stay connected, don't wait until the trials come, it will be more difficult and in some cases too late for protection..
 
The account of the passover for the children of Israel points to the importance of obedience and relationship. God fought for the release of Israel and the final plague required the Israelites to do something in order to be protected from the impending judgement...
 
Exodus 12:7-13
They will take some of the blood and put it on the two side posts and top of the doorframe of the houses where they will eat it. 8 They will eat the meat the same night; they will eat it roasted over the fire with bread made without yeast and with bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat it raw or boiled in water, but roast it over the fire with its head, its legs, and its entrails. 10 You must leave nothing until morning, but you must burn with fire whatever remains of it until morning. 11 This is how you are to eat it—dressed to travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.
12 I will pass through the land of Egypt in the same night, and I will attack all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of humans and of animals, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, so that when I see the blood I will pass over you, and this plague will not fall on you to destroy you when I attack the land of Egypt.
 
Obedience is vital for survival. We are instructed in Ephesians 6:10-18
 
 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
 
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 
 
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Oh The Blood
Gateway Worship

Monday, November 17, 2014

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Hi Friends!!  How was your weekend? My weekend was great. How are you enjoying the series so far?

Today's Battle Ready post is about Weapons of Mass Destruction. 

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are defined as:

-any destructive device (i.e. explosive device);

- any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors;

- any weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector

- any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life.”

The following is a sample list of Weapons of Mass destruction (WMD) used in warfare:  Landmines, Nuclear Bombs, Missiles, Smart Bombs just to name a few.

Spiritual Weapons of Mass Destruction Distraction

Just like the various weapons of mass destruction listed above that are used in physical warfare, there are also various weapons of mass destruction distraction used in spiritual warfare.

Some of these Spiritual WMD's are actually physical instruments and there are the unseen spiritual ones as well.

  • Physical Weapons of Distraction:

Let's call the Physical Weapons of Distractions 'Smart Bombs'. They appear in the forms of our 'Smart Phones',  'Tablets', 'Netflix', 'Facebook','Scandal', 'Twitter' 'Blogs' 'Instagram' 'Relationship(s)'...........In other words, every gadget, social media site, TV show and/or person that we allow to occupy the majority of our spare time at the expense of, a lacking, deserted, neglected, empty and defenseless spiritual life.

Ecclesiastes 9:18 (NKJV) Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.”

The word of emphasis in the text above is wisdom. We apply wisdom to weapons of distractions in our lives by carefully planning and monitoring where and how much time is spent on what.

Do you find that you are feeling empty, having a hard time connecting spiritually? and/or feeling distant from God?  Conduct a personal evaluation of your time to determine if you are spending excessive time on your phone/Apps, social media, the TV, etc.

These distractions are dangerous to our preparedness and response to spiritual attacks because they prevent the proper nurturing and building up our spiritual defenses. It is essential that we make build up our spirit by reading God's word and spiritually uplifting material; Memorize scripture passages, and spend time in prayer/meditation.

Engaging in spiritually uplifting activities enables us to be armed with spiritual weapons and ready for spiritual battles.  Ephesians 6:17 tells us that the sword of the spirit IS the word of God.
 
  • Spiritual Weapons of Distraction

Let's call the Spiritual Weapons of Distraction 'Landmines'. They appear in the forms of pride, gossip, fear, vanity, jealousy, covetousness, lying, lack of self control, instigation, arrogance, malice, unforgiveness, impatience to name a few.

Every person, should we be honest with ourselves, battles with at least one of these landmines.  It is important to be aware of these weapons hidden in our spirits and work on uprooting them. Explosion of these landmines leaves us limping in our Spirit and defenseless.

How do we counter attack these weapons of distraction?

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Whatever stronghold we are struggling with today, let us be encouraged that our weapons are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds and every thing that exalts itself, bringing every thought into captivity to obedience in Christ.  Let us receive our deliverance Today.

If we desire to be delivered from all Spiritual Weapons of Distraction let us carefully manage and monitor our time, study the word of God, recognize that Silence is the Secret, commit to memory the promises of God, and surrender or will to His. 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Battlefield

Continuing with our Battle Ready series, in the previous post, we talked about the two structured Spiritual Armies that are fighting. Good vs. Evil or Dark vs. Light.  We discussed the fact that both Armies have a General in command of subordinate forces and both Armies have a distinct mission. 

I'm encouraged to know that the Good/Light Army has an extensive comprehensive Mission, which is to Save, Deliver and Protect us from evil and the eternal consequences of sin.  In addition, to eternally destroy all evil and darkness from existence.

Today we are going to talk about the battlefield where this war is taking place.

First, let us define the term Battle.  Battle, often used interchangeably with War, is a violent fight in which Military forces use weapons in order to gain control of something.

A battlefield by extension can be described as the place where this violent fight takes place; it's an unsafe area of conflict. 

I have never been in a physical battlefield of war before, but from what I have seen in movies,  documentaries and news reports, the battlefield is a tense place, there is destruction everywhere, there are big weapons being used to shoot, blow up and destroy.  The whole aim usually is to gain control of something.


Spiritual Battlefield: The War Within

We are now talking about the Spiritual War.  Spiritual wars take place in our minds, the epicenter of our thoughts, imaginations and Will Power(where we make decisions).  Needless to say, our mind is a spiritual battlefield where Light vs. Darkness/Good vs. Evil is fighting for control.

1 Peter 5:8 (CEV) Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.

How do we stay awake spiritually and guard our spirits form the enemy's attack?

1 Peter 5:9(CEV)  But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith...

James 4:7(CEB)  Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.

It is important to realize that the spiritual attacks on our mind, challenging our faith, our beliefs and our moral standards as it pertains to the Statutes/Commandments of God, will come. As Christian solders, we must be aware and ready (on Guard) for the attacks. 

Mental spiritual attacks on our faith, belief and moral standards of God can look like any combination of these thoughts (note the counter attacks/defense necessary to fight back in this spiritual battlefield of our mind):

  • You are not committed, why do you even bother with this Christian journey? look at you, this minute you are full of joy/faith and the next you are doubtful and afraid, just give up,  give up and kill yourself, all your worries and pain will stop then.
Resistance/Counter Attack: Matthew 6:23 .... “Satan, get away from me! You’re in my way because you think like everyone else and not like God.”

Psalm 118:17-18 I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.
 The Lord has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.

  • You are missing out on all the fun in life,relationships, sex, SEX and more sex.  You are missing out!! You probably wont make it to heaven any way! forget all this modest living stuff and go enjoy your life,  after all you only have one life to live/YOLO (You Only Live Once). Everyone is living life except you!

Resistance/Counter Attack: 1 John 2:16-17  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

  • Why did I marry him/her? Perhaps if I had waited a little longer my real husband/wife, my soul mate, would have come. Now I'm stuck and I'm not feeling my husband/wife anymore. I'm unsatisfied most of the time and his/her actions annoy me so much! I wish he/she didn't talk so much....shop so much....eat so much...cry so much........ (fill in the blank, so much), then I would have the perfect marriage, just like that couple. I just want to be in eternal bliss. This is NOT what I expected. Why, why, WHY!? can't my husband/Wife be, say, like and do what I want!?


Resistance/Counter Attack: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
                                            Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or  rude.
Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
 Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
 Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.
Love never fails!

We could go on and on with various examples of thoughts attacks to our minds and thinking from the evil army. The point to take away is that we need to armor ourselves spiritually with the word of God for counter attacks and to defend our beliefs in God's word!!

In this spiritual battlefield, always have your spiritual sheild, helmet and sword READY, don't take them off or put them down EVER....

Ephesians 6:16-17 Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation AND the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.


Onward Christian Soldiers
Fountianview Academy Choir and Band



P.S.  On 11/11 every year, the U.S. celebrates and honors all Veterans of War. We appreciate the sacrifice and feedom your service brings.  Happy Veterans Day!!   

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Mission: Save_Protect_Destroy

In September I introduced a new series Battle Ready.  I apologize for the lag time between introduction and launch.  Without further delay....let's begin.

The purpose of this series is to heighten our awareness, preparedness, alertness and defenses for Spiritual battles.

Every Nation/Country has a Governmental led Military designed to defend and protect their territory and people. Some have several branches with distinct overall missions.  

In the Unites States for example, the Military comprises of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Each branch and affiliated sub-branches have a distinct operational mission as it pertains to defending and protecting the Country's territory and people.  The general mission of the United States Army is "to fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders."

It is also important to note that all military forces worldwide have an organized hierarchy which includes a rank assigned to each member.  This rank order ensures mission orders are accomplished efficiently.

In other words, the rank system maintains order, establishes Levels of Responsibility, the Continuation of Command, the opportunity to be Promoted and the Prestige of Rank.

The highest rank in the US army is a General. An Army General typically has more than 30 years of experience and service. They command all operations that fall within their geographical area.

Spiritual Military Armies

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Please note that there are two spiritual forces armies. Dark vs. Light/Good vs. Evil.

The Devil is obviously the General of the Dark/Evil Army. It is important to realize that the Dark Army is well organized and has a full functional hierarchy and ranking system. The text even points them out as authorities and rulers, which we can associate to Lieutenants, Colonels, Privates etc. Let us not be deceived to believe that the enemy is disorganized and has no order or structure or mission.

The Mission of the Evil/Dark Army is to Steel, Kill and Destroy God's Children and to prevent us from inheriting our blood bought salvation with the promise of living eternally with God in Paradise/Heaven, sin free.

Oh, be encouraged, The Light/Good Army is led by a General as well, the bible calls Him Michael the Archangel (click on link to learn more about Michael). Michael is Jesus himself (read the above link that includes bible references). The Good/Light Army is well organized with Angels that have various assigned titles, roles and responsibilities.

The Mission of the Good/Light Army is to SAVE God's Children from eternal death as a result of sin. The first part of this mission was accomplished when God sent his Son to be scarified and shed His blood to cover our sins.

Spiritual Operation: SALVATION

John 10:10-11(NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Romans 6:23(KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 3:17(NKJV) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

1Peter 1:19-20(CEB) Instead, you were liberated by the precious blood of Christ, like that of a flawless, spotless lamb.  Christ was chosen before the creation of the world, but was only revealed at the end of time. This was done for you,

The Second Mission of the Good/Light Army is  Provide, Protect and Defend all who believe  in Jesus Christ and in His sacrificial gift (death, burial and resurrection) for our sins.

Our Spiritual Defense: Believe
 John 3:18-21(NKJV)  “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV) And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Rewards of Belief:  Provision and Protection

PROVISION

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Psalm 23 (KJV)  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want...

Luke 6:38 (NKJV) Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Malachi 3:10 (NLT) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

PROTECTION

Psalms 91:11 (NLT) For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Psalm 34:7 (ISV) The angel of the LORD surrounds those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 23:4 (AMP) Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. 

Psalms 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident...


The third mission is also to eventually destroy the tempter devil and all his followers including those who deny Christ as well as all remnants (death, sorrow, evil) of sin.

DESTRUCTION

Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Isaiah 3:11(CEB) Doom to the wicked; they are evil. What they have done will be done to them.

Isaiah59-20-22 (CEB) Doom to those who call evil good and good evil, who present darkness as light and light as darkness, who make bitterness sweet and sweetness bitter.
 

Luke 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:  They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
 
Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;  but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.  Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

Let us keep Believing God, His promises are sure. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (KJV)
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:

8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles...


 2 Kings 6:14-18 (NIV)
14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

When the Lord opened Elisha's servants spiritual eyes, he was able to see God's Army of Angels in place ready to battle for them. Read the full account in the text.  

 In conclusion, The God of Angel Armies is always on our side. Let us let our light shine for Jesus and continue to pray that our eyes will be opened to see that God is with us

 Whom Shall I Fear/God of Angel Armies
 
 Chris Tomlin