Real Talk

One of most powerful life stories that I have ever heard, was about a young man who experienced what seemed like impossible obstacles to overcome. This young man experienced tragedies, that most of us could only imagine, and yet his resolve and trust in God, caused him to become one of the most powerful men in the country. He was an extremely gifted young man in a house full of extremely gifted people. Yet, because he was his Father’s favorite, his older half brother’s despised him. (His dad had some serious baby mama drama, going on under his roof.) His brother’s were on the record, as not being able to say a single nice thing about him. Talk about some haters, and in your own household nontheless. Home is supposed to be a place where you feel love, and appreciation, where you can be nurtured and have a sense of belonging. Well not for the young man in our story.

The haters eventually became so outraged at the young man, they figured that he would be better off dead. They plotted to kill him and cover their tracks with an elaborate lie. You may be able to tell bye now that the life story I am writing about is of “Joseph” from the Bible. (The story can be found in Genesis 37-50 ) As if everything I have written till this point was not bad enough, Joseph eventually was sold into slavery, wrongfully accused and thrown in prison. It is estimated that over a 13 year period, Joseph lived a life that most would call, down right horrific. I can only imagine that he prayed like the psalmist:

O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? – Psalm 10:1; O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” – Psalm 3:1-2

Have you ever found yourself praying those words, or something similar? I know I have. “Lord help me to shake these hater’s off.” The term “Haters” is used very often in our society, and I am sure Joseph could definately identify with those of us, who have people who “Hate on Us”. I have an opinion that some of us are overly sensitive, and categorize others as a Hater prematurely, but that’s for another post another time. I want to address today, and in the coming weeks, those who have legitimate Haters in their life, and expose the fact that God actually uses haters in our lives, to accomplish for our benefit. My prayer is by the time you have read all of my posts about “How Haters Help”, you will embrace the Haters in your life, as a way to draw you closer to God.

One of the great mysteries of God is His ways, and although mysterious they are always successful. (Romans 11:33, Psalm 10:5) Sometimes He appears to be turning His head, or giving us a deaf ear, but God doesn’t do anything without purpose. He is purposed to mature our faith, and transform us into men and women who live like Christ. He is more concered with our character than our comfort. – Chuck Swindoll. Character is built as we go through dark times. Anyone can curse and yell, when Haters, do what Haters do. But someone who has had their character developed, can find peace and wisdom in the midst of chaos that is all around them.

I am reminded of the scene from the Movie “Ray”. When Ray Charles was a young boy, not long after he lost his sight. He ran into the house, tripped, and fell to the ground. Immediately he began to yell for his Mama. Fighting back her motherly instincts, she continued to do what she was doing prior to him falling. After being in that dark place, for a bit he began to identify familiar sounds, heightening his awareness of the things around him. The slight sound of a grasshopper on the floor, which a person with sight would probably ignore, peaked his curiosity. He then noticed, that his mother was present the entire time. This is just like with God, in our dark hours, like with Joseph, God is ever present, he is simply preparing us to see with our spiritual eyes, and hear with our spiritual ears.

I hope that you will check back as we move through the story of Joseph. Allowing his life story to teach us How Haters Help.

Upcoming Messages:

Haters Help Us Get out of our “Comfort Zone”.
Haters Help Develop Godly character.
Haters Help Refine our skillset.
Haters Help Heal hurts.
Haters Help Us Achieve our purpose.

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Romans 12:1,2
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Because last month is set aside for Black History, I thought it would be a great idea to get “Amistad” through Netflix. I had forgotten how good of a movie this was. My absolute favorite scene has to be when the one guy was showing Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), what he understood of the Gospel message through the pictures inside of the Bible. However, this time as I watched the movie with my family, I couldn’t help but linger on a particular scene that took place after the second round of trials had been won. It should have been a time of celebration, because the abolitionist had finally seen justice. These brave African slaves found liberty not once but on three different occassions, only to have freedom snatched from them yet another time. Then, Tappan (Stellan Skarsgård) who was a champion of the cause for the African’s said to Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) himself a former slave, “They may be of more value to our struggle in death than in life”.

My jaw dropped open again, as if this was the first time I had saw this scene. This idiot, I thought. Then soon after a spiritual context camped out in my brain, these are what I call a “David & Nathan Moment”. These are those moments, when you throw your hands int he air and say, “I’m guilty”. I’ve found myself making a similar statement not with my words, but with my lifestyle.

The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6b)

It’s a tale of two sacrifices. The old covenant called for many sacrifices, death was imminent. Death is demanded. But, the new and greater covenant that we now have in Christ, brings life through the Spirit. His sacrifice was the final sacrifice. Why do we insist moving towards the old, when the new is better? I can only reason its because the new, is much more difficult. In our human thinking, we sadistically, hold onto and try to fulfill the law. Help us Lord! Why do we feel as if we have to die for Christ and not visa versa at times?

Death may be scary, but once it’s done, its final. However, to live for someone other than yourself, is not an easy task at all. It’s a decision that has to be made every day of the rest of my life. Each day we need, say and mean “Today Lord, I chose to accept your sacrifice, and live for you”.

“The problem with a Living sacrifice is….. it keeps getting up off the alter” – unknown

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Ephesians 2:6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms – all because we are one with Christ Jesus.

Ever feel like you are overwhelmed by life, and all the adversity that’s associated with being on planet earth? Tired of fighting what seems to be an endless battle, that you may never win? If you’ve ever been at one of these places or anywhere in their vicinity, I encourage you to take a moment to gaze at the bigger picture.

As a true Christian we can declare that we are one with Christ Jesus. Think about that for just one moment. Being one with Christ is an awesome reality associated with your Christian lifestyle. Believers all over the globe are seated with Christ, in heavenly realms. It’s amazing how understanding certain truths can place a new perspective on your current condition, situation or circumstance.

So when you feel like you have come to the end of your strength during the various situations life throws your way. Take a load off, and have a seat. In your rightful place! The situation doesn’t change, but the view changes when there is a heavenly perspective.

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I love to worship God with my bass, but there is just something about lifting my voice unto the King of Kings. One of my favorite songs to sing unto God is “Flow to You”, by Bishop Paul Morton & The Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Choir. I like to put this song on repeat and find a quiet place, and sing it unto him. Purchase a copy today for just 99 cents in MP3 format, at Amazon Online Store. Then place it into the rotation during your private time with God. It will quite likely become one of your favorite songs as well. It will definately be money well spent.

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Hebrews 7:25 — “Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”

“Pray for Me”. These three words are heard very often in Christian circles, as they should be.  The scripture is clear that we ought to pray for one another (James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18).   There is a certain comfort that strengthens believers when we know that our brothers and sisters are petitioning God on our behalf.  However, there is no greater joy than knowing we serve a God who “Lives Forever”, and prays for us foremost.   What a comfort to know when I am without strength, and quite frankly don’t know how God is working things out.  There is an intercessor who knows exactly what I need.

Peter is one of the most colorful characters in the New Testament.  Many are able to relate to his passionate outbursts, that seem to back fire on him.  Just think about how many folks would not be able to quote, “Take up your cross and follow me”, if he had not attempted to reprimand the Lord for going to the cross.  Tons of folks who quote that scripture leave off the part about self-denial, but that’s another topic for another time.  Also, consider had Peter not cut off Malchus’ servants ear, how we would never see, “Live by the Sword, Die By the Sword”, tatoos all over the place.  As you can see Peter has had some pretty significant things happen in his walk with the Lord, that have impacted lots of people, but none stand out to me more than his denial of the Lord.

How tramatic that must have been for Peter to have denied the Lord, who he followed with so much fervor.  But even in his weakest recorded hour, we see that Jesus had already made provision to keep Peter’s faith in tact, through prayer.

Luke 22: 31-32
“31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” – NLT

Thank God for the prayers of Jesus.  After the period of turmoil Peter was restored, and became instrumental in the founding of the Church (God’s people).   Despite, what the situation looks like, and our inability to see our way out.  God is still sovereign.  

Prayer:  Father, thank you for being sovereign.  Help me to realize that you are in Heaven praying for your Church.  And that you live forever, and don’t get tired of praying.  Reveal yourself in a life changing way to someone who is reading this blog.  Lord, I pray that it will cause your presence to rest upon someone in a life altering way.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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2 Corinthians 4:7 – “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

I just finished watching a episode of  Secret Millionaire, on Fox Reality TV.    A married couple who have accrued millions of dollars in wealth, spent some time in an impoverished neighborhood.  They left behind their million dollar home, and walked a mile in the shoes of a person from Watts, California.  At the end of their experience, the husband said, “Alot of things we have are worthless.”   He had come to see that in his accumilation of wealth, and many luxuries, he  lost sight of the things that are important in life.  At the end of the show, he wrote three $50,000 checks for women, in the community who were making an impact in the lives of those in their community. 

I am not a fan of Fox Reality TV, but this episode caused something inside of me to stir.  I began to think about the impact we are called to make in our communities as Christians.  However, all to often the Church is confined to the church building.  We live in a fallen world, where people are hurting and need to know of the wealth we possess in Christ.  Make it a point to write a spiritual check to those in your community.  Impact those whom you meet daily, with the Spirit of God who dwells within you.

Prayer: Father, open my eyes so I can see how you want to use your Church in our communities.  I thank you for the treasure found in this earthen vessel.  I thank you that you have gifted me with abilities and talents, to make an impact in the lives of others so they can see you through me.  I love, and thank you Lord.  You are truly an awesome God.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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Proverbs 13:12 – “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.” – Amplified.

Have you ever waited patiently on something to take place in your life, only to receive notice, that it would be delayed?  How did it make you feel?  Often in our walk as believers we trust in a trustworthy God to deliver a promise in our life only to experience delay in the things we hope for.  Almost certainly every believer has had to endure some sort of delay when it comes to our spiritual growth in God.   If we are not careful we will find ourselves, moving away from the grace in which is so prevelant in our salvation, and we begin to find ourselves working for those things in which we desire.  The sense of accomplishing works for Christ only momentarily, provide a source of fulfilment when we find our heart condition, is quite possibly more saddened than our previous encounter.

What are we to do?  How are we to get out of this cycle? According to the proverb, it is only when that desire is fulfilled, that I will experience something greater than my present situation.  Right? 

I am persuaded that too often I have misunderstood the process, in which God uses to mature, and strengthen me.  God knows exactly what I need, and he uses deferrals, in my life, that I might see  “Life” through the eyes of Christ.  When we are sick we seek medical assistance for those things that ail us.   When Our hearts are sick we attempt to self medicate bye things that often make the matter worse , instead of trusting in God who hears and heals.

Trust me, when God is at work it may leave a bad taste in your mouth, but trust me, its good for you.

Prayer:
Father, help me to understand that you are not bound by time, nor are you driven by progress reports.  Your ways are truly above my ways, and beyond tracing out.  I can’t understand how you operate, unless you give me revelation.  Lord, I thank you for sending your son Jesus, to fulfill the Law.  I thank you for extending your grace towards us, because it is truly amazing.  Lord, continue to give insight and revelation so that your child will be edified.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

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