Can you feel me?!

(Luke 22:1-6) 22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, ² and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. ³ Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. ⁴ And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. ⁵ They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ⁶ He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Do you feel as if the call of God is your passion or do you feel like its just another job or assignment? What I've come to understand in this walk, is that when you take something serious and it becomes a part of you everything you are is attached to it, including your feelings.

How easy is it that we can get our feelings hurt while doing God's business? We work so hard and spend countless hours attempting to complete some aspect of the call on our lives. We go to each service, we attend the meetings, we love our neighbors, we do all we can to live the Christian life... But all of a sudden we get our feelings hurt, we get disappointed, we get overlooked, or something just isn't going the way we think they ought to. What is it that we are supposed to do? Are our feelings justified?

The word tells us that God's intention was to make us in His image, it also tells us that He has feelings. Naturally, we have feelings as a design by God. What do we do as Christians following the example when these feelings get hurt?!

The above scripture depicts a popular time in scripture in where Judas had agreed to betray Christ. Christ being God in the flesh and knowing who His betrayer was put in a situation where He not only had to acknowledge His hurt feelings but He had to carry out the mandate that was on Him. This in itself is a great example of the importance of continuing despite opposition, especially an attack against you spawned by yourself!

In all honesty do people mean to hurt our feelings? Sometimes yes and sometimes its unintentional, but what is more important, our feelings or what we are called to do for God's kingdom? What should we allow to stop us from completing our tasks? The answer saints, friends, future leaders and workers in the kingdom is... NOTHING!!!

Imagine the grace, faith and strength it took Christ to walk out the plan when He was looking His betrayer in the face, attempting to save His murderers, and giving His life for those who don't receive Him even 3500 years after His sacrifice. The world tells us that we are to accomplish what He did and even more, this is telling us to operate in grace and keep moving in strength, acknowledging our feelings but not allowing them to stand in the way of what we know the call is...

Despite what it feels like press on believer, continue to make progress in the kingdom, continue to retrieve your life back from the enemy and then turn and go back for the others still lost.

I pray your encouragement in the things of God, your strength against self and sent opposition and the tenacity, fervor and passion it takes to be success in this walk. In Jesus's name!

Please share, comment, spread and be on the look out for the next post. And as always be blessed...

What's love got to do with it?!

Welcome to the lifestyles of the anointed

¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

In my experience in the body of Christ, the question "What does love have to do with it?" is all too common. We achieve these great aspects in development in God and we grow in ministry and in personal character but the one thing that we forget is the one thing that is most important, LOVE! From my understanding, as we continue in this walk with Christ we are suppose to be following in His footsteps. In this next verse of scripture we even find the secret to Christ's ability to attract the people and help them see the light.

Jeremiah 31:3 says "³ Long ago the Lord said to Israel “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." As the scripture says, it wasn't His flashiness, His power, His knowledge or any of that but it was His love.

As He has drawn us His people to Him through love we are to draw those who aren't saved and those who have not been witnessed to through love. The mistake we most often make is quoting scriptures, and attempting to know what these people need versus just loving them and allowing them to see Christ through our actions and thus making a way for anything else they may need through Christ

As most would agree we have to first define the subject matter before we are able to teach, preach and most importantly live it. One of the various biblical definitions of love can be found in...

1 Corinthians 13:4-8... "⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
⁸ Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages^[a] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"

Love done correctly personifies all these things and is more concerned with the person being loved and being effective than being selfish. Love sums up the character of God and shows us who we are to be by where we are to start...

This type of love actually spans farther than from God to man, and Man to unbeliever but from Christian to Christian...


Mark 12:31 "³¹ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[a] No other commandment is greater than these.” It is so important that we not only love in words but to love in deed. The scripture says to love as if they were yourself. If we as a body would love each other with the same intensity that we love ourselves we would be making a lot more progress and making greater moves for the kingdom. Love isn't just an emotion or a state of mind but love actually has power to it. The scriptures speak of what love is able to do and most of all what love has done for us...

⁸ Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Not to say love will cover us from being able to sin, or love will block out our sins but love has the ability to weaken sins control over us. If we as brothers and sisters loved each other as the scriptures have said then confessing to one another wouldn't be as hard and getting delivered from sin wouldn't be so hard because we would be able to be transparent and allow others to help us with in prayer and guidance.

In conclusion love has done something for us that nothing else in this world could award or afford us. Love has put us in position to receive a savior, to redeemed, and to have our relationship reconciled with God the Father... 

John 3:16 says ¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and give respective opinions and perspectives...

And always in all things keep God first and contend for the faith!!! God Bless.

An Effective Witness

Welcome to the lifestyles of the anointed and nameless

Have you ever questioned what people are saying about you or what they think of who you are? Has it crossed your mind if the person you are trying to portray is actually being received?

Growing up I was always taught that outside of the walls of the home you are representing your parents and the family, whatever people see you do or how you act will reflect on home. This is something that directly reflects on what we call our "witness" as believers, followers and children of the living God.

How we act towards people, in all situations and in general reflects on our Father and subconsciously will shape peoples opinion on God and what we say we believe in...

As a budding leader in the body of Christ it is so important that not only the church members see you as the man or woman of God but that the world sees you as such. Once our lives have been given unto God we have become an ambassador to His kingdom. When people see us in our day to day lives, in and out of the church they ought to see a reflection of Christ versus seeing us in the natural.

^\16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

The people of this world both saved and unsaved are still people, as spiritual as some can be in various levels of faith, we started out as humans. Humans by nature believe mostly by seeing, followed by hearing and knowing. When we as believers profess that we follow Jesus Christ we now have all eyes on us. People look at us to see if what we are saying if more than just words but an actual lifestyle, solidified by faith. In all that we do, we ought to allow or portray the attributes of our Father so that the people will be drawn in and attracted to what it is that we're a part of.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The fruit of the spirit are the characteristics of God, these are the standards by which our character should be defined. Often times we portray one or more qualities at a time but fall behind in the others. Not to say that this is an easy process, because honestly it requires work especially if they are not already active in your life. When interacting with people, these are what God has intended them to see through us, along with righteous living through the obedience of His word.

As up and coming leaders in the body, your witness unto others shapes how your ministry or ministry gift will be received, these gifts have been given by God out of His love for His people, how can one act in the gift without its fundamental loving nature?

The classic idiom says " It's easier to catch bees with honey than with vinegar", Matthew 5:13 says "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.". Both of these allude to the metaphoric sense that we as Christians are the flavoring behind the attraction to God. Although the holy spirit is at work within those who come to Christ, we as ambassadors are the first ones they see, both walking around and in the church building. The sum of our responsibilites as Children of God and ambassadors to His kingdom in regards to our witness is found in the Great Commission:

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

According to this passage of scriptures we have been instructed to make disciples of all nations. Disciple by definition means "a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower; any follower of Christ."

In conclusion, how do we accomplish our goals as described by the great commission? We as budding leaders in the body must live a life of a righteous witness, the people of God and those who are still unsaved need to be attracted not but us or the gifts we operate in but the Christ that lives within us, thus producing Galatians 5:22-23 and leading into Matthew 28:16-20. The point of an effective witness is to drawn in the people of this world to the love of God through our faith in Jesus Christ and the following of His example.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and give respective opinions and perspectives...

And always in all things keep God first and contend for the faith!!! God Bless.

Christian in a crisis

Have you ever been in a situation where it seems near impossible to act as God would, where the only response you have is to act "out of character"? 

I don't know about some of you but at times it gets hard to portray what God would want us to do versus what our feelings and thoughts are telling us to do. This is what I identify as "A Christian in a crisis"...

The truth of the matter is, we are spirits having a natural experience, we are following the examples left behind by Christ. The word says in Hebrews 4:15, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

The things we face today are not uncommon to Christ...

The main thing we have to understand is how to remain a Christian in the midst of a crisis. How do I show the world God while under pressure?

Scripturally it sounds very easy but most of know that that isn't the case when we are in the situation but they key is application. When in a crisis apply what the scriptures have said. Keep in mind that the world is looking to the body of Christ as the example, even when it doesn't seem like it. 

Below we are going to go over two verses of scripture and interpretations 

Philippians 4:8... And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8, 9 NLT)

When going over this verse what we see being taught is to focus your mind on God like behaviors and thoughts. Keep away from allowing your mind to stray and put into practice everything that we have learned as Christians and in our local churches as a part of our development. 

You will keep  him  in perfect peace,  Whose  mind  is  stayed  on You,  Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)

Simply enough as you keep your mind stayed on Jesus and the things that He would have you to focus on such as godly character, repentance and salvation you will take on the mind of Christ. As we see in Philippians 2:5 the word says it like this " Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:5 NKJV)" 

When we as Christians are put into a situation where are backs are against the wall and we are required to show more God than we show ourselves... We rely on the scriptures to keep us, the power found in them to discipline us, and the example we show to increase the kingdom. We have taken the first step to succeeding as a Christians in a crisis... 

Please share, comment, spread and be on the look out for the next post. And as always be blessed... 

Importance of Godly Counsel

Welcome to the lifestyles of the anointed

¹⁴ Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14)

 ¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

Throughout life, as we grow and develop into adults, we come across people who dramatically shape and in some ways define our lives. Some of those people add a positive spin to our lives and unfortunately there are some who have caused us some harm whether it be intentional or accidential.

Either way as children of God we believe that Romans 8:28 apply to our lives as a whole (²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.)

Early on in my walk I came to a place where I felt as if I were alone, as if those around me were unable to understand me and the things that I was experiencing as a young man seeking to find his way in the body of Christ. Although I still had good friends from the world and a few around me in the body, I felt as if neither we tangible. This became a desperate season in my life and from it a very crucial lesson was learned... Naturally, humans seek a sense of community or companionship with those around us, but in the spirit the word says that "How can two walk together unless in agreement?"

As children of God, specifically young adults and future leaders its very important that we watch and monitor who is around us and what we entertain from the relationships we have with others?

• (1 Corinthians 15:33) ³³ Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

Through preached words, studying and examining of what is perceived to be a righteous lifestyle, it can be understood that although our "friends" may have good intentions, good intentions actually mean nothing. Good intentions are truly only based on what may potentially take place. "To be honest, a friend will not speak to your situation when things aren't going well but they will always spoke to your faith in God (Paraphrased from a sermon by Ap.Howard)"

Let us raise this question then with 1 cor 15:33 as a basis, what happens then when one who is seeking a friendship or a bond with someone else, has come into agreement with unfavorable or unfruitful people? Answer... As the scripture has said "bad company corrupts good character." I'm sure we've all heard the saying " one spoiled apple ruins the bunch" as cliche as that is, it has some validity to it. To be in a friendship with someone or to come into a platonic relationship with someone is to come into agreement with them, while that may not seem like much in the natural, in the spirit this can be counterproductive and cause many issues for a young believer. Little do we know, or should I say little do we see that the company we keep is shaping the dynamic of our lives and being in their presence is changing us. Granted as it was said before some people shape our lives for the better but just as often we encounter people who's roles in our lives have, may have or could have taken a turn for the worse. This by no means is a justification to cast judgement on anyone because we know we ought to love everyone as Christ loves us. But this does raise a red flag in regards to knowing who you are around and whether or not they are affecting or infecting your life....

• John 15:13 "¹³ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Now when reading this passage of scripture in the proper context we read that we are no longer called servants but Jesus has called us friend, what greater friend is there?! With all that being said this scripture and it's author leaves us with a template or a model of who a friend should be? Think of it in a metaphorical sense... The type of friend that is describe in this scripture is selfless among other things. Jesus being our greatest friend laid down His life for us. How often in today's times do we see our "BFFs" laying down their objectives let alone their lives?

• ¹⁴ Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14)

This scripture has multiple references to our topic. Often do we seek out our friends for advice on the many situations that go on in our lives. We ask them their opinion and try to gain understanding through hard times. What happens when their advice or perspective isn't constructive or in this case godly advice or counsel? How does that shape your opinion?

In my personal experience with giving advice and also receiving it I've come to understand that bad advice can make the situation worse and not only that but it affects life as a whole. The importance of Godly Counsel is that it will not steer you wrong, and its advice is always solidified in the word and ways of God. As a budding leader in the body of Christ it is so important that we take on the advice and instruction of our elders and those who have spiritual authority over us. Godly counsel brings understanding that greatly lessen the impact of hard situations that we experience in this walk with God.

• ¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

For those who have read or even studied the book of proverbs we see that there are many "one liners" that are packed full of information and knowledge. Above we have yet another perfect example of the effectiveness of Godly Counsel. The metaphor, in this case, alludes to the benefits of effective relationships. When a blacksmith works with iron he uses iron to beat it into the desired shape and it takes form. Solomon writes that this same process applies to the two friends or two people in a relationship. Each should bring about a change in the other that results in the coming forth or realization of potential.

In conclusion... From every idea and piece of revelatory knowledge that was examined here, we see the very importance of Godly Counsel. We've come to understand that in the midst of everything that goes on in our day to day lives and the people that we meet during such days everything has an affect on us, especially those we allow to influence us. In the early stages of our walks with God we must be increasingly careful of those who may have crept in unaware (Jude 1:4) as well as those who are like the proverbial iron which only sharpens items that are to its liking. Let us be mindful of who we entertain and that we stay in a place that we may be helpers one to another (1 Thess 5:11) rather than a hindrance.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and give respective opinions and perspectives...

And always in all things keep God first and contend for the faith!!! God Bless.

The Power of Prayer

Welcome to the Lifestyles of the anointed and nameless:

¹³ And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

 ¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14 KJV)

 

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)

⁷ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7 KJV)

The question often arises "What is prayer? How do you know that you're praying correctly or if you're being heard by God? Can I actually change anything by praying, do my prayers have any affect on others?"

As simple as these questions may seem, after almost 23 years of being in the body of Christ, as recently as 2011, did I finally understand the elementary reasons and aspects of prayer. The way that it was made understandable to me was, "Prayer is a line of communication with the Father, its a time to set aside and have one on one time with our God"

Furthermore, it was made evident that prayer is not only communication with God but a necessity for the budding Christian and future leaders. This is an opportunity to receive instruction, revelation, insight to situations as well as biblical studies. Praying signifies your willingness for relationship with the Father. Just as if you were in a natural relationship, effective communication is imperative, discussing things that may be bothering you or weighing heavy on your heart, but also sharing in the good times and in this particular case showing adoration and praise to God for the awesome things He has done and has planned for His children.

Along with the scriptures that are posted at the top of this page, the bible tells us not only how to pray but also answers the more frequently asked questions that were previously mentioned.

One of the more general instructive scriptures on prayer would be 2 Chronicles 7:14... "¹⁴ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

The latter clause in this scripture answers generally, the second question that we began with. In order to be heard by God one must first been a posture of humility which brings you to actually pray, then you must seek His face ( anticipate Him answering you and seek out His way of doing things versus our humanistic and sometimes prideful means of understanding) and turn from our wicked ways ( with further study, we understand that turning from our wicked ways is living a life holy and consecrated lifestyle as well as continually asking for forgiveness and the Lord's gift of repentance)

Lastly do we have our question " Can I actually change anything by praying? And do my prayers have any affect on others?"

¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16 KJV)

As we see in James 5:16, the effectual (adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result), fervent (having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm) prayer of the righteous availeth much, the prayers overcome and have power in them.

It is often said that prayer changes things, that statement or cliche is so true, praying over your situation or simply just praying gets our Heavenly Father involved in whatever concerns we have. Our prayers don't only have power but have the power to change lives and situations, not only in us but in those around us.

In closing, its to be understood that, prayer is more than an action but a lifestyle. Prayer is more than speaking with God but a request put upon His power and the power that He has given us as His Children. In the lives of the "anointed and nameless" prayer is essential to sustaining our faith, encouraging our love walks, and receiving the proper instruction in endurance, promise and purpose. We must pray without ceasing with all supplication to God ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Philippians 4:6-7)

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and give respective opinions and perspectives...

And always in all things keep God first and contend for the faith!!! God Bless.

 

 



 

Introduction

Welcome to the "Lifestyles of the Anointed

1 John 2:14 (NLT) " I have written to you who are God's children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God's word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one"

Romans 12:6 (NLT) "In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you."

In these last and evil days there is a generation that the Lord is lifting up, that we may be able to fight against the ways of this world and stand up and out for the kingdom of God. As proven by scriptures, including the ones written above, the children of God have been called and equipped and are being equipped to rise and contend for the faith. 

The purpose of this blog is to encourage the young people, those anointed but not affirmed, those who have been called according to the spirit of God and are in the process of being matured and properly instructed so that they may be authentic as well as properly prepared for battle.

 In my rearing of a man of God I have come across a multitude of questions concerning my role and purpose in the kingdom of God, what is my place in all that is going on around me and what am I able to do to shape my atmosphere and environment, what power is given unto me and am I able to fight back against the waves of opposition that I face?

The answer to everyone of these questions are found in scriptural studies, prayer and the presence of God. To be honest I racked my brain early on to figure these things out, I felt like an outcast because there weren't people of my age group that I could relate to... Prayerfully I was led to start this blog for the collective understanding, encouraging, and uplifting of the younger called and anointed...

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and give respective opinions and perspectives...

And always in all things keep God first and contend for the faith!!! God Bless.