Uplifting Insights

Friday, September 23, 2016

Gun Violence: Commentary

In light of the recent African American men being shot dead in the streets by the very people who have been sworn to protect us; this makes me wonder if these killings are a form of modern-day lynching where back in the day Black men were hanged just because. Have we gone back to those days? Is the KKK dressed in three-piece suits, police uniforms and judge robes? How in good conscience can these officers kill the very people they have sworn to protect? Are these officers being vetted well enough to detect the hatred that is hidden their hearts and is on display with these killings? How convenient body cameras are turned off in many cases when another killing/murder is occurring? Who made these officers judge, jury and executioner? When will the justice system hold these people accountable for their actions? The system is supposed to work equally for all citizens, but we know it doesn't.

If a poll were taken, many if not all would say they believe in God. My question, what God because the God I like vast majority serve a God of peace, love, mercy, and justice. A God who created and sustains all creation; this includes all humanity.

I am fearful for my grown sons as they travel to and from work as well as other daily routines. I carry this same fear for other mothers' sons, husbands and brothers. When they leave home will they return home alive? What are we to do? We are already praying, but violence is not the answer. My feeling is that we must come together and change the system from within on every level.

During this presidential election hatred, bigotry and vitriol has taken center stage; I wonder why is this allowed and where is the love?

Our young boys and girls must understand that education is the avenue to improving their current situation. Do not get caught up in the negative situations around you, because you are better than that.

Love replaces hate, communication and understanding supersedes fear.

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Monday, September 19, 2016

"Baptism In The Holy Spirit"

Acts 1:5

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Today's focus discussion is the transformation and faith walk each believer begins upon being baptized in the Holy Spirit. With that being said, allow me to highlight a few points of being baptized in the Holy Spirit and they are:

a) Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is for all who have professed faith in Jesus Christ as all believers have been born again and is now being indwelt with the Holy Spirit. This is so Christ's ministry of saving souls will continue as believers are to witness Christ the world over in obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

b) Being baptized in the Holy Spirit believers can and will boldly witness Christ with power given by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:14-41). Believers have committed themselves to a lifetime of witnessing Christ.

c) Being baptized in the Holy Spirit believers live a life that brings glory to Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14; Acts 4:33). Living the life of faith Christians develop a greater desire for prayer as it is our communication with God (Acts 2:41-42; 3:1; 4:23-31; 6:4; 10:9) and in doing so we establish an intimate relationship with God.

d) Being baptized in the Holy Spirit manifestation of the different gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-10).

Believers, Jesus Christ baptize us in the Holy Spirit who is God and He lives in us.

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Friday, September 16, 2016

Made Righteous Through Christ

2 Corinthians 5:21

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteous of God in Him.

Let us take an in-depth look at our scripture and analyze the "He", "Him" and "us" in today's topical discussion. The "He" is God the Father and the "Him" is Jesus Christ our Savior and the "us" is all humanity. For mankind to be made righteous we must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The work of God the Father and God the Son encompasses John 3:16 because it includes everyone; to receive salvation one must believe in Jesus Christ the Son of the living God.

With that being said, let's look at the love that was on display in that Jesus Christ took on the sins of the world so that all who believe would be made righteous in Him so that when God looks on all believers He sees the righteousness of His Son. Another school of thought is that Jesus Christ willingly gave up His seat in heaven to come to earth as man and be subjected to human limitations and humiliation while knowing that He would have to sacrifice His life in order to meet God's requirements to provide salvation.

Given what God and His Son done for all believers is worthy of all songs of praise, worship and thanksgiving as a way of saying "Lord, I thank You for making me righteous through Your Son's shed blood."

Believers, we are the righteous of God through Jesus Christ.

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http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

"A Time For Everything"

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven.

As we celebrated the close of summer and enter the autumn season of the year, we can reflect on how our personal and spiritual lives are in seasons and each season of life has a distinct purpose designed by God the Father.

Let's reflect on the beauty that each season carries and the beautiful array of colors from each. Spring is filled with greenery and is looked upon as the new beginning. Summer is known for its growth and cultivating the new plant/believer. Fall is a time of harvesting; when colors change and leaves fall from the tree. This is a maturing time for believers as they take on leadership roles in the church. Winter is the time of resting because the harvest has been gathered and in the barns. Spiritually this is the season when older adult Christians are stepping aside for the mature believers to take the reigns of leadership. Winter seasoned Christians are providing wise counsel to the younger Christians.

Regardless of what season of life we are in we are to glorify God as we present ourselves as holy sacrifices to God. This is accomplished by yielding control to the indwelling Holy Spirit; He dwells within to help us fulfill God's purpose in our lives.

Living in the beauty of our season, believers will display the beautiful array of colorful fruit of spiritual growth.

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Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Reciprocating God's Love

Psalm 18:1

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.

Our scripture text answers the implied question, how we are to respond to God love? All mankind should respond to God's love by loving Him in return for His love, grace and mercy that was imparted to us. Because of God's love He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of the world so that all who believe will have eternal life. It was God's grace and mercy that spared all who believe from spending eternity separated from Him.

We respond by recognizing that without God we can do nothing neither accomplish anything on our own. Also, we respond to God's love by telling others of His goodness and the blessed benefits from being members of God's holy family of royal priests and a holy nation of people (1 Peter 2:9). It is noteworthy to say that all believers are chosen by God and selected as His children was predetermine from the foundation of the world. That being said, man's failure to return God's love is the ultimate expression of ungratefulness for what God has done and continues to do in our lives.

We reciprocate God's love by saying, I love You, I adore You, I praise You, honor You and I am committed to pleasing You.

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Thursday, September 1, 2016

Steps To Being Made Whole Again

Matthew 6:33; John 15:7

..Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. If ye abide in Me. and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

This is the last in the series of discussions on Divine Healing; today's focus is Steps To Being Made Whole Again. Our scripture texts provides the basic for healing, which begins and ends with us first seeking the kingdom of God who knows all; sees all and can do all (v.33), because there is no failure in God.

John 5:17 lays the foundation in our healing, which is to abide in Him and He will abide in you and with that kind of relationship then we can go to God in sincere prayer asking God for what we need. Abiding in Christ Jesus is being in the presence of our Lord and Savior. We are to surrender ourselves to God the Holy Spirit who resides in us, and then allow Him to guide our lives.

When a physical healing is required, we are to call for the elders of the church or other prayer warriors for prayer. If a spiritual healing is needed, then humble yourself before God; seek Him in prayer, confessing your sins, then turn from them, then God will hear and heal (2 Chronicle 7:14). Prayers must be done in faith with a sincere heart.

Lastly, we are to saturate ourselves with God's Word as it is filled with His love, grace and mercy, protection and promises; all promises are kept.

Thanks God for His healing spiritual and physical; He is the healer.

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