Soul Ties - A Short Lesson on Spiritual Relationships

So, exactly what is a "soul tie"?

The short answer is that it refers to a connection between two individuals within the spiritual realm.

Where did the concept of the "soul tie" come from?

The first biblical reference to what can be referred to as a 'soul tie' can be found in 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (KJV),

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

The scripture says the "soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David".  In other words, their relationship transcended a typical interpersonal bond and existed beyond a deep mutual respect or a strong connection.  The relationship that was 'knit' or intertwined now between them was at the core of their being -their soul.

Now that we understand a little more about soul ties and based on the above scripture reference, what exactly is the soul?

Your 'soul' is your mind, your will and the seat of all your emotions.  The battle between Satan and God is over your soul.  Whichever has influence or control over your soul, which happens through your spirit, can cause you to live inside or outside of the will of God.

In order for your soul or mind to be 'transformed' (see Romans 12:2), you must first be "born again".  What is born again?  Your spirit, which was dead and under the dominion of the influence of sin, is now quickened (made alive) through the power of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.  Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins and restore our relationship with God the Father.  Now we are made righteous through His death and resurrection as He is now our righteousness and our mediator with God.

After you receive the gift of salvation through faith in Christ, your spirit is then reborn and now receptive to the things of God and your soul (mind, will and emotions) can be transformed or changed to reflect God will for your life as your receive the word of God which is for instruction.

OK, I kinda understand what a 'soul' is and etc but how does this all connect?  How does this relate to me?

Each day we make decisions about the people in our lives, people affecting our lives or people desiring to be in our lives.  Sometimes we make instant connections with people and feel as though we've known them our whole lives.  

While this happens often between genuine saints of God because of the Spirit that's within them bears witness to the same spirit within someone else, this can be detrimental and deadly if the wrong connection is created and a soul tie is formed with an ungodly person.

As children of God, we are not be 'yoked' or too close to unbelievers.  This is reflected in the scripture below from 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (KJV):

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

To yoke means to couple or to attach to something.  Demonic spirits can take advantage of ungodly soul ties, and use them to transfer spirits between one person to another.  If we 'yoke' with others -especially someone that is a non-believer or has not accepted the gift of salvation nor is living according to the word of God, then whatever negative or evil spiritual attachments, practices, beliefs in which they're partaking can be transferred and become accepted by the receiving party.

And this is what the enemy wants to have happen, he desires to bind people spiritually by causing them to form and practice ungodly behaviors and be involved in ungodly relationships.  It is imperative or critical that the people of God pray about every relationship they engage in (i.e. friendship, acquaintance, business partner, spouse, etc).

A note about sex and soul ties...

Sex outside of marriage is a key factor in the formation of soul ties.  When two persons engage in sex, they are becoming one in the spirit whether they believe it or not.  This is why fornication is the referred to as the only sin you can commit against your own body because you are participating in your own spiritual destruction as this leads to moral corruption, emotional damage and mental scars.  In addition, sex outside of marriage has financial and physical consequences as well.

Every sex sin is a work of evil spirits and cannot be taken into your life except in fellowship with devils.  Going back to 2 Corinthians 6:16, what agreement do we have as the children/people of God with those who live in and practice evil works?  If you keep allowing that person(s) into your life, you will never get unbound and may cause God's hand to move against you in judgement.

Parting thoughts...

Don't participate in your own destruction and give away what you don't own (your body) to be used and defiled by the devil.  The bible says that we were bought with a price as Jesus paid the debt owed by us to God because of our sin.  Those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior must also know what Jesus said in Luke 10:19,

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

You have power child of God!  You have power over the enemy and the works of the enemy!  There are teachers and preachers who will preach or teach or insinuate that we don't have power over sin and instead these people will excuse your behavior -they are hurting you!

The only way to change is to be admonished, experience godly sorrow, agree with God you were wrong, repent (turn away) from that sin(s) and recommit to obeying the Lord.  If you don't do this, you will keep making excuses and falling deeper and deeper into sin such that you will have no real relationship with God and likely abandon your faith -this is called apostasy.

In these last days, many will abandon their faith for false teachers who tell them what they want to hear versus the truth of God's word.  Don't get caught up in this.  Find a church that not only encourages and inspires you but challenges you to live holy and to live a life that's pleasing in God's sight.

Be blessed, be well and be delivered!  

Your brother in Christ,

#Rev

The Government of God: An Easter Message

The 7 core principals of Jesus the Christ ministry and life was:

1. Love

2. Forgiveness

3. Redemption

4. Salvation

5. Holiness

6. Faithfulness

7. Good works

A person who calls themselves a "Christian" or follow of Jesus "the Christ" must know and understand the following Biblical passage of scripture:

Luke 6:34-36 (King James Version)

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the un-thankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

God's kingdom will be established on earth but through Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we as Christian must first surrender our will and way and pursue the truth and righteousness of Jesus the Christ.

We must show love in the face of hate and forgiveness in the face of wrong-doing. Yes it is VERY difficult but the bible says:

Romans 12:19 (King James Version)

verse 19 - Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

So, love and pray that God will strengthen you and that you will not fall into hypocrisy but be a true Christian.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Daily Meditation - Look Godward

Psalm 27

 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27, King James Version)

The house that I'm trusting God for

This is, Lord's will, the new house this year.

http://tourfactory.com/561168

A good article on Haiti's undiscussed history

Please check out this link concerning a bit of the history of Haiti. As is typical, there's a lot we don't know about the past as things become conveniently left out of the mainstream and unless you're particularly interested in a subject, you'll never really know the how and why but the what and where.

Haiti's history is complex and of course, slavery is the cornerstone of it's modern foundation as the affects of slavery are still pervasive. Click this link below:

Nation News - Home

Are You 'Well Able'?

²⁹The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

³⁰And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

³¹But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. (Numbers 13:29-31, King James Version)

Are you 'well able'? Do you believe that despite the imposition of your enemies, life circumstances, or previous failures that are 'well able'? If not, begin today.

Consider the scriptures from Numbers 13:29-31. It indicates in verse 29 that the young nation of Israel was surrounded by enemies. In this kind of situation, most people will consider, if not, give up and surrender to their enemies hoping for mercy.

Instead Caleb, one of the solider spies Moses sent out to spy on the land God had promised the Israelites, calmed the people's troubled hearts and told his leader Moses that they (the children of God) are "well able" to overcome their surrounding enemies and posses the land.

This is the attitude we must have to face life's challenges: we are well able to overcome! Sure, it's hard a is likely impossible. Nothing is in your favor and odds are you will lose. But somewhere along this life's journey I read in I John 4:4 that:

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he
that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4, King James Version)

So see my friends, we must remember and believe who we and who's we are, against all odds, and that God can and through His divine grace will deliver us.

Verse 31 in Numbers 13 reflects what many of those who surround you feel. The men in verse 31 told Moses "...we are NOT able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." As my wife has taught me, a situation can be what you say and/or think it is. If you believe it's impossible, it likely is impossible. If you feel weak or inferior, you will be weak and inferior.

Caleb believed in the promise of God taught to him by Moses, a prophet/leader of God for the young nation of Israel. Because of Caleb's faith, he was rewarded the privilege of entering into the promise land later on while the others who did not believe in God's word died in the wilderness.

²⁹Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me.

³⁰Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

³¹But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. (Numbers 14:29-31, King James Version)

Don't die in the wilderness of life. Make it to the promise land. Fight to believe against all odds. God has allowed us another chance to escape death in the wilderness by His grace and mercy.

Remember:

²⁹He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

³⁰Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

³¹But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31, King James Version)

We are 'well able' to possess all that God says we can and do all that God says we can do. Stand in faith and hold on.

Do You Really Mean It?

33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

34 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the
rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

35 But Peter declared,
"Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other
disciples said the same.

Matthew 26:33 - 35

Peter thought it and so do you. We all think it but not often tested. What will you do during your adversity? What will you do when the heat is on?

I too would like to believe as Peter did that I would never fold: I will remain strong until the end whatever that may be. I, like Peter, love the Lord and desire to follow Him and be strong like Him. I want to do my best and show Him that I am different; that I am devout and steadfast. However, we see that Peter failed in this case despite his strong belief that he would never do such a thing.

Without the Holy Spirit, which is what Peter and the other received at the day of Pentecost, all of us are doomed to failure in Christ. We cannot serve Christ as He expects or even as we desire without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit giving us supernatural stamina, confidence, boldness, courage, and wisdom.

Paul was another Apostle who demonstrated how powerful the Holy Spirit operating in ones life can be. Paul ran his race well and for what it's worth I am proud of him and grateful of words he wrote and the life he lead through the grace of God.

Here's my prayer:

God, please anoint me with your Holy Spirit such that I can face
adversity with courage and utter faith in you. Lord, my short-comings
are many and often I feel ashamed that I am not further along the road as even I
desire of myself. Nevertheless, I fight on because I want to please you as
I love and appreciate your love for me and your grace and mercy.

God, please strengthen my heart and my mind. Make me wise that I might
live well before the. Grant me favor that I might be a continued blessing
to others in this life. Have mercy upon me and my family that we might
dwell safely in this world. Deliver us from evil and keep us in the time
of adversity. Please deliver us from the will of the enemy and bless
us with a double portion of your love and provision. Have mercy upon us.

Amen.

I pray that anyone who stumbles across this post will take a moment and pray to God in heaven that He would strenghten our hearts and help us to become the best we can be, live for Him, and be strong.

When Your Back Is Against The Wall

When you back is against the wall financially, spiritually, emotionally, or professionally -or all of the above, know that our God is able. No matter what, God can make a way. Our relationship with Him is the difference needed to turn night into day. Our Savior sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort us and reassure us that God is still on the throne and nothing can happen to us without His permission and if it is happens -we can handle it. If God believes we can handle it, then we can make it!

 ³¹What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31, King James Version)

Who can be against you? Keep pressing, keep praying, keep believing and keep fighting for that breakthrough. Remember what David said:

 ¹I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1, King James Version)

 ¹⁵The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. (Psalm 34:15, King James Version)

Are you living right? If not, recommit yourself to God and as Jesus said "...take up your cross and follow Me". Stay in God's word and be encouraged that the God we serve is not slack.

 ⁹The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9, King James Version)

Did you see that? God is not slack concerning his promises. He's promised not to withhold any good thing to those who trust and obey Him. The bible says in Hebrew 11:6 that we must believe who God is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

Don't give up. One day, your ship will come in. God will make a way for you. He cares about you and wants you to grow strong in Him.

Keep fighting:

Fight through the pain,
Fight through your tears,
Fight through your fears,
Fight when you're up,
Fight when you're down,
Fight!

Never give up; Let it be said that we refused to give up on our dreams and on our God.

Daniel 3:16-17 reads:

 ¹⁶Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

 ¹⁷If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

 ¹⁸But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (Daniel 3:16-18, King James Version)

You see, even facing certain death, God's faithful servants did not give up.

Keep fighting. Come what may, God can, and I trust and believe for me and you, that God will do exceeding and abundantly beyond all the we could ever seek Him for or expect from Him.

Send God a text message today

I heard a statistic on NPR (National Public Radio) today that said teenagers send around 2200 text messages per month! This is staggering considering the time, effort, and concentration it takes to send just one text message for most adults.

How often do we pray? Do we pray 2200 times a month? 200 times per month? 20? My point? If we prayed to God more, just a fraction of the number of text messages generation 'Y' sends and receive, we'd be some powerful, spirit filled people!

It doesn't take much to pray. Pray in the morning, pray in the afternoon, pray in the evening, and pray at night. The more you pray, the closer you'll get to God and the more you'll experience Him and his guidance and favor. The less you pray to God, the more evil will tempt you and you will likely fall prey to it.

Seek God. He is faster than a text message and closer to you than air.

Why is God good? (a short note)

 ¹Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 106:1, King James Version)

God is good because there is always hope in Him. When no one cares -He cares. When no one believes in you -He knows and holds your future in His hands. When trouble comes -He is strong and might and able to deliver you from all your trouble.

 ¹⁹Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19, King James Version)

This note is intended to encourage anyone feeling stressed or troubled. If you feel down right now, just know that:

 ⁵For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5, King James Version)

When it looks bad...God is with us!

Our scripture reference is taken from Judges 6:12-13 which reads,

¹²And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
¹³And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. (Judges 6:12-13, King James Version)

Gideon is human just like we are and in his human reasoning and perception he (as we often do) finds it hard to believe that God is with the people of Israel. Gideon has an intellectual understanding of history and has heard that God did great and mighty things in the life and times of his fore-fathers but Gideon has not yet fully experienced God for himself.

Often times, it is when we are most vunerable, most afraid, most hurt or disappointed that God uses our pain for our gain. God is in control and thus knows the future and so He is able to speak to Gideon in such a manner as He did in verse 12. In verse 14, God further says to Gideon:

¹⁴And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? (Judges 6:14, King James Version)

I praise and thank God for being compassionate and merciful. Despite our unbelief and short-comings, God desires greatness in us all. God spoke to Gideon in verse 14 and told him he (Gideon) would save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Remember, Gideon believed that God desires or at least is allowing the Midianites to devour them.

Do you ever feel that your enemies or circumstances are getting the upper-hand? Have you ever felt that God was not near or seemingly uninterested in helping you? Ever feel that God has forsaken you? If so, and trust me you're not alone, consider the following:

²⁸And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, King James Version)

²³The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
²⁴Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
²⁵I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
²⁶He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. (Psalm 37:23-26, King James Version)

⁵Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5, King James Version)

²⁹He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
³⁰Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
³¹But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31, King James Version)

Remember, when it looks bad, God is with you! Our God, your God is able to "...do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20, King James Version)

Remember, the power worketh within us. Let us use the power God has given us through His son to overcome the world, be transformed, and live an abundant life full of grace and mercy.

Do you know who to call?

Hallelujah Saints of God. The Lord has a word for us today.

Who do you call when you're in trouble? Who do you call when you're in need? Where do we turn when in despair? Who do we look to when we feel looked down upon?

The Word of God has an answer for us today. Psalm 34:15-19 reads:

15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their
troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

The eyes of the LORD God of heaven are upon the righteous and his ears are open to our cry. I thank God for His love for us. His Word forever encourages us, teaches us, inspires us and corrects us that we may be made perfect and in the image of His son Jesus Christ.

Call on God in the midst of your troubles. Call on the Lord God of heaven and he will hear you. The fourth verse of Psalm 34 says:

4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Matthew 7:6-8 says:

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and
it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

I encourage you today to call on God. He alone can save you; He alone can comfort you and keep you. Trust in Him and He will show Himself strong in you. God wants to deliver you that you may believe and be saved. But also, you have to believe that God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.

The Lord will reward your faith. Call on Him in the day of trouble and He will answer. By God's great power and authority He will speak a blessing into your life and save your soul.

Be encouraged.

It's been a while

I'm back. I'm committing to keeping my blog up-to-date weekly with new posts. Thanks to anyone and everyone who's ever read my blog. I'll post a article line-up soon so you can know ahead of time what I'll be writing about in case you want to check back in.

Through It All -We are learning to trust and depend on God

Our Savior, who gave up his estate, is calling us to trust in Him. He has demonstrated his obedience to God -our God and His Father under the most difficult and trying of circumstances. He demonstrated as we might say 'grace under fire'.

Jesus was and still is our example as to how we ought to live our lives her on earth. He told us that some rain will fall but he also told us to be of good cheer. He promised not to leave us nor forsake us. He told us that we can overcome just as he did and become victors and not victims. He told us that we can have the desires of our heart but we must but our unwavering trust in Him.

Who is more qualified to deserve our trust? Who is better able to deliver on all His promises? Who has never failed do what He promised to do? Which of us have the power to overcome death? Which of us can save our own souls from destruction? Who can give us peace that surpasseth all understanding?

Jesus never failed His disciples nor the people around Him during His day. He never failed at healing anyone. He never failed and casting out devils. He never failed at raising anyone from the dead. Jesus never fails.

As such, let's pledge our allegiance to our Lord who has shown us what is good and right and who's path we must follow to get to the Father -to get to Heaven. There's no more death and destruction in heaven; no more sickness and disease; no more famine and suffering.

Through it all, I have learned to trust in Jesus. Let us learn that God is awesome. He can do great and might things for us as we trust Him. I want God to do something awesome in my life. I want God to show Himself strong through me and you. I want God to transform our lives into lives of living and not lives of getting by.


Help your neighbor.
Love your children.
Love your spouse.
Pray for your neighbor.
Pray for your children.
Pray for your spouse.
Pray for peace.
Pray for mercy.
Pray for a miracle.

God can do it. Let us pray that He does and we will give Him the glory -either way.

Praise God for being our good Shepard.

URGENT! Children of the world need you!

May I take time to pray for all the children (100's of millions) in the world that are less fortunate than mine or any child regardless of fortune that is facing dark days or being ill-treated. As much as I'd like to pray for myself and my needs (peceived or real) and etc I want to take time and ask God to bless the children.

Children are wonderful, full of hope and promise and it is a shame that many are disregarded and discarded. Many children are facing unimaginable challenges and obstacles that would make many of us in the West feel immediately intimidated and overwhelmed with stress and discouragement.

While I could complain, I cannot [should not] as I am sitting in a home that I was able to purchase (i.e. obtain a mortgage). I have heat and running water. I have two cars and a small business that's struggling right now but at least I'm generating income to feed my family [everyday] and have a few extras.

Many children (i.e. 100's of millions of children) don't even eat on a daily basis (possiby over a week) let alone eat McDonalds or Burger King. I think I've eaten McDonalds at least once this week and thus far my son is on track to eat "McD's" at least 2 or 3 times this week (unfortunately).

What am I saying here? I am saying that I am grateful to God for all He has done for me and my family and for those around me. BUT, we have an obligation to share our "wealth" with others. If you have over $1 in your pocket on a daily basis you're doing better than 1 billion people in the world today. I cannot imagine what a billion people look like all in one place but it's staggering to know that 1 billion people live on roughly a $1 US per day.

Share your wealth. Sponsor at least 3 children per month. Go to http://www.worldvision.com/. Get involved in helping poor kids in your community. Yes, there are children within a 100mi radius from your house that could use your help and prayers. In fact, there is a family on your block that can use your prayers right now.

God has been good to me. I am not a millionaire by any stretch of the imagination nor do I need to be. I want to share my "wealth" now and just help. My small contributions can make a difference and at least I tried. I encourage you to try and become a part of the solution to world hunger, poverty, and disease.

My God bless you so you can bless others.

Someone told me the Lord is my shepherd

The words found in Psalms 23:1 which read "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want", has given comfort to so many of us believers throughout the years that we owe a debt of gratitude to King David for allowing the Spirit of God to stir him in such a way that he concluded and documented for us to know through the ages that -the LORD is our shepherd. Hallelujah!!! Thank you Jesus!

When I think about the goodness of God (which often comes when He gives me a mental reprieve), I can't help but to feel safe in His arms. I feel, if not but for just a moment in time, that I am truly loved in ways that I cannot understand but feel deep in my heart. I begin to see the "bigness of life" and get overwhelmed with thoughts of gratitude that God has allowed me to play a small role in His plan and am eternally grateful to experience the love of my wife and children.



This song has kept me and keeps me regardless of whether I feel down or am feeling good; this song reminds me of the goodness of God and how much I mean to Him. I hope you feel the same after listening.

Another song that very dear to me and nearly makes me cry each time I listen to it is "What Shall I Do" by Rev. James Cleveland. This song again reminds us that we can count on God to make a way somehow. It reminds us that things do not always go our way; it reminds us that life gets hard at times but that our God is able.



Jesus told us to be of good cheer; He said that He would never leave us or forsake us. My friend in the Lord, King David, witnessed and wrote in Psalms 37:25 that reads:

"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." Again, Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!

There is hope, but it is in our Lord and Savior and not in the things of this world.

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." I John 2:17

God, help us to trust in you and believe that you are who you say are and can do what you say you can do. Hallelujah!

Declaring Victory of Your Mind

More than a positive attitude, more than the "name it and claim it" mindset ushered in during the decade or so of prosperity preaching, is the idea that God wants us to actually believe in Him.

God wants you and I to believe in him and be convinced that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do. Again, God doesn't just want an intellectual nod but a sincere, core belief that He is able.

Yes, God does want us to think positive and believe for a brighter future but I have learned that you can't get there with out being truly convinced that Jesus loves you and in obedience to the Father came down from heaven to live an earthly life and ultimately die a horrific death for our sins while being blameless and having no sin.

When I think of what Jesus did for me and how much God the Father loved us that He gave us His only begotten son so that we would not spend our lives languishing in sin, doomed to an eternity in hell but Jesus came in the world to give us life and freedom from sin.

So what am I saying? I am saying that we must not only think positive or have a good attitude but believe and be convinced that God is on our side and is able to do anything but fail. We don't always understand His ways but He asks us to trust Him and believe.

Your mind is the battleground. Chose now what you will believe. Different thoughts may come into your mind but what do you believe and/or who do you believe? We must begin to believe we can. We must begin to believe that through the grace and mercy of God we are able. We must believe that God will make all grace abound towards us and give us the ultimate victory. One day, we will meet him in the air and hear those precious words "Well done, thou good and faithful servant". In one moment, everything we lost and everything we gained will be dissolved into a eternity of being with the Lord.

So let us begin to move beyond thinking to believe that our God is able; He is a deliverer, He is our provider and he will come through. We must now believe this and not just think it.

I Remember

I recently gave a talk about the future but spoke primarily of the past. I asked the audience to remember what God has done for them and others. Remember how the God of heaven, our Creator made a way for us and others throughout history. I asked them to remember how God has been merciful and demonstrated grace when we least warranted it (as if we can ever deserve grace) and how his mercy saw us through our darkest of hours.

I could quote common bible scriptures that speak to the goodness of the Lord but I am equally learning that it is something that we must imprint upon our hearts, minds, and souls. I must come to know that the Lord God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim can provide for my needs and yours as well.

I don't know what tomorrow brings as I am not a prophet. However, I know that God is able. He has promised to always be there for me even when I don't feel or have the audacity to believe he's not there or doesn't care. I hope, have faith, and trust that my God will deliver me into a bright future.

Pain is a purifier and we must all be tried by it. Fiery trials are what remove the dross or impurities from silver and gold. No one takes pleasure in being tried but we can have confidence is knowing that God will deliver us and give us an expected end.

So I encourage you (and me) as you're going through your trial, time of testing, pressure cooker, or stressful situation to find one thing to be thankful for and say Hallelujah, Lord I love you! Thank you Jesus for giving your life so that I could have one. Thank you Holy Spirit for being my guide and comforter as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Thank you God for making it possible for me to spend an eternity with Him where there will be no more dying, or crying, or trials, or evil things. God will make us new in Him and we will put off mortality for immortality and be forever with Him.

Again, as much as I or you could complain or could feel down trodden or depressed, let us lift up our hands and eyes and look to Jesus for our help. He will make a way some how.

Before bankruptcy, God provided relief to His people

During the time of the Old Testament, there was no such thing as bankruptcy. Sure, there have always been people who for some reason or another could not repay their debt but there was no legal method in place which allowed them to avoid repaying their debt in full.

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, a woman with no means to repay her debt and who is also a widow, asks the prophet Elisha, what can she do? Elisha told her to gather as many empty oil vessels as possible from her neighbors. Next, he told her and her sons to go inside and begin to pour their existing, near empty oil vessel into the others. The woman and her sons filled up all the vessels from the one near empty vessel and the oil then stayed. Elisha then told the woman to sell the oil and repay her debt.

Bankruptcy is not, was not, still is not God's way. Our LORD provided for this woman. We don't know nor can we judge where, when and how she got into debt. We can, however, see that God made a way out of no apparent way. Without God, this woman and her sons would have become debt-slaves which was customary at the time when a person could not repair their debts. However, God made a way for her and her children and they survived.

May God bless us all in such a way. LORD, in the name of Jesus, help us to pay our debts in full and never return to them. Give us peace and contentment in your ways and in your word that we may be full of your grace, mercy and provision. We ask that you take charge of our finances, deliver us from the evils of debt and help us to be fiscally responsible and prosperous that we may lend and give to those around us. As a result, showing the love, mercy and grace God has promised to all that will believe in Him.

Oh! what a tangled web we weave...

Yes indeed, "we" have woven ourselves a tangled web of debt. Through greed, lack of self-education, errant Christian leaders, commercial media, financial industry leaders, 'instant gratificationism', and plain ignorance many of us have become financial slaves to our creditors and lenders.

Most of you thought that your home was an asset. Why? That's what you were told. In fact, the real estate bubble was predicated on that lie and the complicity of banks, mortgage brokers, Realtors, and appraisers. Had you ever considered the definition of an asset? At best, your home or any real-estate is considered a long-term asset. A long-term asset implies that it cannot be quickly converted into cash. However, you home was functioning as a quasi liquid-asset during the real-estate bubble and gave you access to easy money that tempted many to go out and live well beyond their means.

The reason I said "quasi liquid-asset" is because a true liquid-asset can be converted completely into cash; You simply sell the asset relatively fast and receive a sum of money for it with no debt obligation. A home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC) should have been viewed as a means to raise capital. That capital should have been put towards some venture that generated revenue and profit in order to justify the use of it. On the other hand, the capital could have been used to truly consolidate or 'restructure' debt payments and save money on interest and/or other fees and penalties associated with the previous debt(s).

The key to securing a capital loan against an "asset" is to understand the past, present, and future valuation -worth- of that asset. The banks and other lending institutions speculated the future worth of your home and lent you money based on their assumptions about its future value. You spent the money based on the same set of assumptions. However, the bank can afford to speculate as they ultimately retain ownership of "YOUR" home/asset. They can sell their failing lending business, receive government assistance (i.e. corporate bailouts), and/or write down their losses on their corporate income tax.

Most people don't understand how banks work or how their mortgage works. For example, what's the difference between APR and APY? How is the interest applied to the loan? These two basic question are essential to understanding the most fundamental financial instrument that many middle class people have -a mortgage. For example, would it surprise you to know that the interest payment on your mortgage is calculate daily? 7 days a week, 365/yr

I would encourage you guys to begin reading about bi-weekly mortgages and other mortgage accelerators that will help you pay less in interest over time and build or re-build equity in your home. Furthermore, many now have mortgages and are experiencing negative amortization. What is negative amortization? It is when the value of your home or "asset" is less than the outstanding mortgage balance on the home. So, if you house is worth $200K and your mortgage on the home is currently $230K -you are in negative amortization which means your paying more for your house than what it's worth! You possibly can't afford to sell it and you can't refinance it. What a tangled web we weave.

So what are our options? First, pray to God for a solution out of your present financial trouble. Make a solemn vow to never re-enter a "negative" debt obligation but trust in him for provision if you have a need that can't be met without going into debt. To digress a bit, "negative debt" is credit card debt, car loans, payday loans/title loans, and etc. Good debt is real-estate investments, margin loans secured by stocks or other securities, or any form of debt used to produce consistent income/profit, well managed, reduced over time, can easily be converted into cash, offers nice tax advantages/savings.

An example of good debt is purchasing a rental property. In short, the tenant's rent should pay the mortgage note at a minimum. Additionally, there may be a small profit that can be used to help manage the property. Moreover, rental property affords tax advantages such as depreciation, property maintenance expenses, etc. Over time, you can refinance your investment property to get cash to roll-over negative debt balances into now making that negative debt tax deductible and improving your monthly cash flow.

To begin untangling this 'web of debt', we must begin with God and understanding that He does not want us to be in debt but be lenders. We must also understand that debt repayment is required by God unless the creditor forgives some or all of your debt. Finally, we must begin sowing seeds through our monetary giving to the local church and others around us that are in need.

God does STILL have a plan for us and it's not too late for Him to execute that plan in our lives. God is able to do the impossible -including getting us out of debt. Be encouraged and pray today for a plan and act on it.