I wanted to focus on God’s word as it relates to the countless number of senseless deaths by law enforcement on young black men. My spirit is grieved each time I hear of another incident. I searched the Word of God for peace and confidence in knowing that he sees and knows all things and will handle this situation in its totality.  I am sharing the scriptures listed in an attempt to help others that may be struggling or asking the question “where is God in all of this?”

I pray God’s word will provide peace having confidence that God is still in control and settles all accounts.

The Lord detests double standards he is not pleased by dishonest scales. Proverbs 20:23 NLT

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.  Proverbs 28:13

Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.  
Proverbs 13:6

If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it, if a man rolls a stone it will roll back on him. Proverbs 26:27

For the Lord is a God who gives just punishment; he always repays in full. Jerm 51:56

Prayer changes all things!

Exposure

"What you have said in the dark will be heard in the day light, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." (Luke 12:3)

Many high-profile individuals have been exposed of wrongdoing: lying, stealing, molestation, and other serious ethical, moral, and legal violations. Seeing these individuals in courtrooms after being exposed breaks my heart. I know you’re thinking what? How can you have compassion for them after what they have done? To me, it’s terrible to see individuals totally humiliated nationally when there was one step they could have taken to possibly avoid the public humiliation. Stop the action and confess their wrongdoing to God. The Word of God instructs us to confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) People generally have more compassion and respect for you when you are able to admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness. God's mercy and grace steps in when we confess our mistakes, giving us the strength to move in righteousness. We all make mistakes but because Jesus came and died on the cross for every sin, we can freely go to Him and ask for forgiveness. Let’s not wait until our sins are publicly announced. Perhaps God will spare us public humiliation if we take care of our sins privately with Christ and ask for the grace and mercy to discontinue in sin. God is compassionate and patient with us, so regardless of what we have done--whether it’s been made public or is a private matter God loves us so much that He made provisions for sin to be completely wiped out through His precious blood. The blood is still working on our behalf.

Dear Jesus, I come to you with this simple but powerful prayer, please forgive me and deliver me from my sin, "create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me." Lord I desire to be holy as you are holy but we can’t do it without you. We welcome you in our hearts and are pleading to you for a change. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen. 

Steal, Kill & Destroy

The Bible gives us a clear description of what Satan comes to do in our lives: "the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10). The devil steals from us when we allow him to fill us with worry, fear, and unforgiveness instead of prayer and a forgiving heart. We allow Satan to kill our dreams, hopes, and expectations when we listen to the opinions of others and base our past mistakes or disappointments on our future decisions. Satan tries to destroy us with addictions, and longing to satisfy the flesh instead of heeding the Word of God as it relates to our bodies and emotional well-being. The devil never comes to do any good work; however, if we follow the Word of God, we don't have to be overly concerned about the devil’s tactics because Satan has been deprived of his power. Jesus holds all power and authority in His hands. Because we are adopted into Jesus’ family, we inherit the gift of His power to overcome the suggestions of the enemy. However, there is work on our part to ignite this power. We must: Study the Word, Believe the Word, and Speak the Word on a daily basis. God has equipped us for every situation. Your victory has already been won. You don't have to devise a plan. Believe that God's Word will do what it promises. Remember the devil has already been defeated. His time is short and he does not have the ultimate power or the last word, Christ does and He spoke it on the cross: "It is finished." Speak the word to your situation and watch how you can place Satan in the corner facing the wall waiting for Jesus to come again for his final destruction.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Heb 4:12). 

Have You Heard a Good Love Story Lately?

Everyone loves a good love story it doesn't matter if your single or married love stories somehow gives us a since of hope and encouragement. This love story occurred over 2000 years ago, however it is still occurring today for those that are searching for true love. In the beginning the earth was formless and God said let there be light and there was light, each time God spoke it just continued to get better and better. Eventually God spoke the universe into existence, he decided to decorate the earth with oceans, seas, trees, grass, plants and flowers, it looked so beautiful so he decided to create the animals to enjoy everything he had made. God thought yea this looks good but there's still something missing, oh I've got it he told his Son, I'll make a man someone that looks and acts like us, so God made Adam in his image and he loved Adam so much that he gave him the Garden of Eden. Adam didn't have to do anything but enjoy all that God had given him. God enjoyed Adam's company so much, that in the cool of the evening they would walk and talk together in the Garden. Because of God's love for Adam he wanted to give him even more, so he gave him a wife and named her Eve. She was so special God made Eve from Adam's rib symbolically Eve was always with Adam, like the Son and the Father always being in existence. Adam and Eve could not have been happier. Now long before God created the universe an angel named Lucifer, the chief angel of music decided he wanted to take God's position and because of his jealous spirit God kicked him out of heaven. Lucifer was jealous of Adam's relationship with God and in an effort to destroy it Lucifer deceived Eve and for the first time sin entered into the world. But that didn't stop God's love he made a provision for the mistake that Adam and Eve made, that provision is Christ, and this is where your love story begins. Christ love is so deep for you that he left his heavenly home with the Father, and was given an earthly Mother and Father so he could experience every emotion and circumstance that you experience so when he intercedes for you to the Father he can tug on the Father's heart with these words, "Dad please forgive them, how about another chance, I remember how hard that situation was for me when I was on the earth." See your love story is Jesus, he loves you so much that he took your sins with him on the cross. Jesus blood wiped away every sin you would commit on this earth. He made a way for you to escape death and be exempt from eternal damnation. The act of dying on the cross was all about the love that he has for you, and it’s very personal. Christ knows every detail of your life, your character, personality, fears, and mistakes. He knew you way before you were ever born, pretty awesome isn't it. He even knows the number of hairs on your head, you are just the apple of his eye, and he delights in you. Think about it, almighty, all knowing God delighting in you. Wow! You are really special. Your love story doesn't end here, this is just the beginning one day you will be able to live with Christ in paradise, a heavenly perfect home and show your gratitude for his love through continuous praise that will never end. Embrace your love story share it with others so everyone can experience the greatest love of all. 

What Do You Do With The Pain

Many experiences in our lives leave lasting wounds and hurt that just doesn’t seem to go away. I’ve learned that no matter how long we have suffered with hurt and pain we should use each opportunity to tell God, “Lord I don’t understand why I can’t shake this hurt but I’m giving it to you trusting that one day you will take it away.” He gives us the strength to stand in the midst of the pain but in his time he takes it away as if it was never there. I believe God does this for us to not only learn from our experiences but to teach us total reliance and trust in him even when we don’t see the manifestation of our prayers.

Standing in the midst of unanswered prayers and pain usually results in a deeper relationship with God. What could be more valuable?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understand. Proverbs 3:5 NLT

When you have never experienced or been exposed to a healthy relationship you will generally struggle with what it looks and feels like. Christ provided the most perfect expression of love, if you need a guide he provides the best example. 

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Zeph 3:7 

The shape of your body, the length of your hair, or what bag you carry does not determine your character and heart condition towards God which ultimately makes up who you are, and what's important to God. 

.....God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the LORD looks into the heart." 
1 Sam 16:7 (GW)