Don't Give Up

     We are in the beginning of a new year 2018.  I personally do not know everything that happened to you in 2017 or before that.  I do not know if it was bad or good.  I do know that God is leading me today to tell you... "Don't Give Up!

Isaiah 53

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

      Let's look at this scripture today.  The Bible says that Jesus was wounded for OUR transgressions.  He was bruised for our iniquities.  The chastisement of OUR peace was upon 

HIM.  

Transgressions

Transgressions are  OUR sins. Transgressions or an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. So , lets be clear about this .  We all have transgressed  from what we were suppose to do or knew to do that was right.  I should have gone left but I went right.  We all have transgressions.

Iniquities

  

     Jesus was also bruised for OUR iniquities.  Iniquities are immoral or grossly unfair behavior. Iniquities are any sin, crime, transgression, wrongdoing, wrong, violation, offense, vice that you have ever committed.  We all have committed sins. We all have iniquities.

     The good news today is that we  do not have to be bound or stuck living in our sin.  We do not have to be condemned for habits  or bad relationships we are currently engaged in.  We do not have to be tormented by our past mistakes.  Jesus took all of that for me and you On the cross.  That is why we can claim freedom and start living!

     Don't Give UP!   Don't give up on yourself and don't give up on your spouse, children or siblings. .  Sometimes you might find yourself or your loved one in a bad place.  They might have done some horrible thing or experiencing quilt from something they have done, Tell them, "Don't Give Up! 

    The power of The Blood of Jesus is always greater than any sin, habit or relationship. We must claim it !  Believe  it , confess it! Stand on it.  God's grace is sufficient!  Don't Give up! 

     

Not Just A Weekend - It's Father's Day!

                A few years ago, I wrote a book that exposed a lot of things about my personal life.  I talked in detail about my struggles as a man, as a husband and a father.  My past was consuming my now.  My past had affected my happily ever after.   My past struggles were now trying to coincide and exist with my now.  I had issues!  I had issues with myself and I had issues with my father.  I loved him but did not like him.  I resented him for the example he was in front of me.  I resented the way he treated my mother and my sisters.  I did not like him. I did not like being around him.   I had real daddy issues.

                This weekend is Fathers’ Day.  For some, it might be a great family time to express love and appreciation for someone who has been a great leader , provider and support for the family.  For some, they might be grieving the loss of a great man they called Dad.   For some, they might be like how I was and resent this day because it reminds you of the pain that you experienced as a child because your Dad was not the man he should have been. 

                My point this morning is this, it is time to be free.  Free from the hurt and free from the past.  Most people do not realize that pain transfers and if you don’t deal with it , your pain;  hurts and  mindsets transfer to the ones you love the most- your children.  You respond to your spouse out of your hurt.(arguments, contention, strife)  In so many ways, you become what you resent and your  character reflects or  mirrors the person that you resent. 

                So how do you move on.  Here are a few steps to help you enjoy your life the way God intended you to do so.

 

1.       Be honest with yourself about your feelings.

2.       Repent of your sins. (Attitudes, mindsets and actions that you know are wrong)

3.       Forgive the person that hurt you. (Let it go and don’t relive the pain or bad times)

4.       Move Forward. ( Don’t transfer your hurt and pain to your children or spouse)

5.       Proclaim your freedom and peace.  Live in your today!

 

6.     Cherish the good in your life. (  family ,friends, co-workers, church members)

 

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

 

Have a great Father’s  Day Weekend!  Do better, be better! Enjoy your family and enjoy your life!

 

Brother Clarence

Love is Bigger than Our Problems

            After the events of yesterday’s shooting of the republican congressmen, I know that we must guard our hearts with the truth of God’s Word.  We will not always agree but we have to respond the right way.  Praying  for all the families involved. God’s love is bigger than any problem, dispute, or political party. God’s love never fails….

 

1 Corinthians 13
⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Brother Clarence

You are Able To Make It

Philippians 4:6-8New King James Version

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

                There are so many things going on in our society, communities and country today.  If you take the time to digest it all it can be overwhelming.  Life is not always easy and at times it can be very challenging. The good news is whatever you are faced with, You are able to make it.

  The enemy is attacking the minds of people.  He is determined to convince you that there is no hope. I believe Christians and believers are not exempt but are targeted.  How do we deal with life, trials, tests, loss and disappointment- without losing hope and doing things that are regrettable?

 

3 Tips for the Believer to Make It

1.        Pray without ceasing. Be specific with your request.

2.       Guard your Hearts.  Don’t digest and meditate on negative events, mess and strife.

3.       Meditate on good things. (This action protects your heart)

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things

 

I believe this will not only help us, it will keep us alive in challenging times.  This is how we not lose our minds. 

 

Brother Clarence

Way of Escape

^{1 Corinthians 10}

¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

 

 

                My son is home from college completing his first year .  I am very proud of him and his grades.  Over the weekend, my son asked could he go to a party.  I asked who and where the party was .  He informed me that it was a classmate from High School and  he assumed he lived in Irondale.  I gave him permission to go.  Well at this party, there was a fight that started among two females.  The females male friends jumped into it and they begin shooting at each other at the party.

Before he left to go to the party , my wife and I called him into the bedroom and prayed over him.   I did not know what was going to happen.  I did not know all the details of  where the party was and who was going to be there.  I did  know that I can call On Jesus  and Plead the Blood of Jesus and claim divine protection, provision and deliverance for my son.   I understand my son is young and have desires to be with his friends but I also know that he , me and you;  have an enemy whose purpose is to steal , kill and destroy.

We do not know the test, trials and tribulations we may face today or tomorrow but the Holy Spirit reminded me of this scripture.  Regardless of what the enemy puts in your way, regardless of the test or the trial, God has already prepared your Way of Escape.  He already has your Way Out! What we must do is believe it! Stand On It ! Confess It, and see the salvation of Our Lord!

 

Brother Clarence

                               

Can You Be a Better You?

Today is the first full work week of the New Year.  A lot of us took time off from work and enjoyed the holidays surrounded by friends and family.  I pray and hope that your holiday season was blessed full of love and great times.  However your holiday, we are now in a new time and a new day.  

     I do not know the challenges that may face us in 2017 but I do know that we can be better at being who we were created to be; ourselves.  This year I encourage each of us to love and appreciate the gift that God gave in You.  I believe that if every person took the time out to evaluate and work on themselves, our entire world would be better.  Friendships and relationships would be better because the focus is not on the faults of others but the improving of being who God made us to be.

2017 can’t and won’t  change people; but You can change yourself for the better.    You Can Be a Better You!

 

  Galatians 5:1

 

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage

 

 

Be of Good Cheer

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

Matthew 9:22

But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour

Authority and Agreement
Matthew 18:18-19
¹⁸ “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

¹⁹ “Again I say^[a] to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

 

Protection

Isaiah 54:17-18

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord

 

Earlier this week, I asked God what to share.  All I heard was,” Be of Good Cheer!”  I then began to look up scriptures that had that saying.  It is my belief today that God is telling us, You  and me; to be of good cheer. i believe he was saying that not because you or I or not going through challenges.  i am going through a challenge as we speak but regardless of the test, regardless of the trial, we should be of good cheer due to the fact that he offers us peace and declares to us that he has overcome all the world has put on him.  Christ is our example.  i hope god’s word bring you peace and know that god will deliver you. stand on his word!

have a great weekend and be Blessed in God!

Brother Clarence