Everyday Repartee  

Grace and peace! I pray that you are doing well today and that the Lord is being glorified in your life. Praise His name!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard fellow believers talk about being “sold out” for Christ. In my estimation, it’s that point where you know that you will do anything to please God…that you will deny yourself to follow His will and His way. It’s when the plans that you have for your life become the plans that God intended for you since before the beginning of time. A place where you walk by faith and enjoy it, no matter what.

The Bible has numerous examples of what a lifestyle sold out for Jesus looks like. Right off the bat, the apostle Paul comes to mind. And there are many others to be found in the pages of that holy book. This weekend, I read a devotional on Internet Café Devotions and I think it does a good job of showing believers what being “sold out” is and what it is not. Take a gander at the article below. Share your thoughts, too.
 

Thanks and God bless you!

Firmly In His Grip,

Genikwa

(Sort of) Sold out to God

Sort of sold out to God – sounds strange doesn’t it? How can you be sort of sold out? It’s like being “sort of” dead – you either are or you're not. So much of my life I've been “sort of" sold out to God – not all the way, just sort of. Not completely, just sort of. Last Sunday night I led a Bible study and we contrasted the life of Judas with the life of Mary of Bethany – how powerful.

Using the scripture below (along with Mark 14:6-9) we looked at these two very different people who lived and walked with Jesus while He was on earth.

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages. " He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."—John 12:3-7 (NIV)

Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!

I pray that you are doing well. My friend Chris (www.myspace.com/christophercoley) posted the following Christian dating tips on his blog this morning. I think it’s some good information (especially the part about kissing), so I am sharing it here.

A word of warning: Some of the content in this post may be deemed “PG-13,” so I apologize now if it offends anyone. Trust me, it’s nothing crazy.

I pray that this information will be a blessing to you, in Jesus’ name.

Firmly In His Grip,

Genikwa

Dating Tips to Grow a Strong Relationship!

§         Pray – Before you even leave home to meet your date you need to spend time on your knees asking God to help you honor Him and your date. You can never go wrong with prayer. This will also put you in the proper mind-set for your time together.

§         Talk a lot – There’s no better way to get to know someone than by talking to them about a wide variety of topics. The more you talk, the more you will begin to know if this might be a relationship that you should pursue.

§         Let’s be friends! – This is an important dating tip to remember. Don’t forget that until you are married the person you are dating could be some one else’s future mate. When you begin dating someone there is a lot of pressure to move things along much too quickly. Choose to keep your relationship on a friendship level. The longer you can remain "just friends", the better your relationship will be if you decide to get married at some point.

It's great being married to your best friend!

§         Pray in groups – What in the world does that mean? This sounds like an odd dating tip. What we’re suggesting is that you don’t pray together alone as a couple too early in your relationship. Prayer is so very important in any relationship so please don't misunderstand this point. When you pray with someone of the opposite sex that you care about you begin to build a level of intimacy that can often lead to trouble.

The goal in any Christian relationship is to honor God. Prayer is intimate communication with God and can draw couples together in ways not intended if you are not careful. It’s better to pray together when you are with other Christians. This will help keep the focus on God and not allow thoughts and emotions to wander to prohibited areas.

§         Choose to not kiss – At least until you are engaged to be married. Okay, this can be extremely difficult, but if you can follow this one dating tip then most of the others will happen naturally. Even kissing once you are engaged can be very dangerous. It’s better to not kiss at all until your wedding day! Before you laugh and click to another page with thoughts that we must be insane, consider these points on kissing.

o        A kiss begins to sexually stimulate a man (and woman) instantly.

o        If you aren’t kissing then you won’t become tempted to take things to a more intimate level. You’ll be protecting yourself and the purity of your date.

o        If a Christian man is kissing his date and it gives him an erection (often just the possibility of a kiss can do this), is God or his date being honored?

o        Is this healthy for the man to get sexually aroused time after time without sexual release? When men become sexually aroused a large amount of blood flows to the genitals. If ejaculation does not occur; the build up of blood can become painful. That just can't be a good thing for anyone! Ouch! J

o        A kiss will surely break down your barriers and leave you in a position that could ultimately devastate your relationship with your date and separate you from a close walk with God. Self-control seems to be the better option.

o        Just think how magical that first kiss will be if it is saved for your wedding day!

§         Include another couple – You will find that physical issues are much less distracting if you plan most of your dating situations to include other couples. Group dates can be a lot of fun and you’ll also be helping your friends maintain purity in their relationships as well.

§         Always treat each other with respect – If you respect the person you are with then you won’t say or do things that will intentionally hurt them. Ask yourself "what would Jesus do?" and then do it!

Please don’t simply read these dating tips and then not try to apply any of them to your dating situations. Dating is a wonderful experience and should be enjoyed by both people in the relationship. If you came searching for these dating tips then you have a desire to honor your date and honor God with the choices you will make while dating.

We pray these dating tips will bless your life and your future relationships.

Happy Dating!

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Source: http://www.christian-life-advisor.com/dating-tips.html

I am loved...I am hated.

I am joy anticipated.

I am instruction to the wise.

I am that which fools despise.

I am knowledge on the lips of few.

I am understanding which the diligent pursue.

I am the way which is often rejected.

I am the hedge of those protected.

I am your strength in times of adversity.

I am your peace in the midst of tragedy.

I am the crooked, made straight.

I am the reward of those who wait.

I am shelter in your pouring down rain.

I am He who is able to keep you sane.

I am the hand on the surgeon's knife.

I am the very hand that saved your life.

I am the wind that encompasses your soul.

I am the only one who can make you whole.

I am the river flowing toward your drought.

I am He who breaks shackles with a shout.

I am the book of Genesis through Revelation.

I am the only hope of your salvation.

I am the First and the Last.

I am the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit...all in one cast.

Who am I? I will tell you, even as I told Moses...

I AM THAT I AM.

Copyright © 1998 By Sistah J

From “Shh! God is Speaking”

A Multi-day Series

Many of us can relate to the experience of hearing a message from God—something that seems to be speaking to a situation or issue that we need to address in our lives.

Then, after fasting and praying, we hear the exact same word echoed in the pulpit on Sunday morning, in a brief conversation with a woman in the checkout line, in a phone chat with our best friend, and finally we see it jumping right off the pages of an Our Daily Bread devotional series.

And to top it all off, all of those repeat messages come to us in the same week!

I don’t think it’s a coincidence, my friend. Like the song from the hit movie The Color Purple says, “God is trying to tell you something!”

Let’s face it. God knows us and He knows us all too well. He knows that some of us are stubborn and far too doubtful and just may need to hear a message more than once to believe that it came from Him. Some of us may get that it’s Him, but want and seek “confirmation” of what He said. And some of us are just plain disobedient and refuse to submit to what we have been told, even after hearing it two, three or more times. 

So He will often repeat a message—and sometimes through multiple channels of communication—just to make sure that we get it.

The Scriptures are filled with examples of when God amplified His voice by sending a single message multiple times.

The Lord told the prophet Balaam several times that he was not to honor the request of Balak, the Moabite king, who wanted him to curse the Israelites, God’s blessed and chosen people (Numbers 22). God spoke to Balaam when he sought Him in prayer. But Balaam continued asking God the same question over and over again. The Lord ultimately caused a dumb animal to speak in order to make it very clear to Balaam that He meant business about not cursing His people. Balaam got the message.

In Judges 6-8, God repeatedly encouraged Gideon, the worried warrior who later became a ruler in Israel, that He would be with him to defeat the enemies of God’s people. God used signs and miracles to demonstrate this message over and over again.

God spoke to the apostle Peter in Acts 10, concerning salvation of the Gentiles—a touchy topic for Peter, who was a Jew and steeped in the Law. The Lord sent Peter the same vision three different times to be sure that Peter got it and it stuck.

Is there some message resounding in your spirit that keeps popping up over and over again? Are you hearing it from your pastor, then your brother or sister, and maybe even from complete strangers? Is the same message coming to you in several different ways? Maybe you hear a word to end a relationship, leave a certain job or organization, or write a book. Maybe you hear that God is going to provide for all of your needs or that He will guide you through the situation you’re in.

Whatever it is, take heed. God just may be trying to tell you something. 

May you learn to discern God’s voice in whatever channel He chooses to communicate with you. And May He bless you abundantly for your obedience to heed His word!

Firmly In His Grip,

Genikwa

--G.R. Williams

Copyright © 2008 by Genikwa R. Williams

Praise the Lord God Most High! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise God’s Holy and Righteous name!

Grace and peace be unto you, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Good morning! I was reading in the Psalms the other day and came across a passage of Scripture that my pastor preached on back in November. I remember it well because the sermon really touched me at that time AND because I’ve got notes scribbled in the margins and around the text of my Bible. God is so awesome! His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. It is my hope, my help, my strength, my comfort, my joy, my salvation. HALLELUUUUUUUUUUUUJAH!!!

Wow! My pastor preached from Psalm 103 about the necessity for praising God and all that He has done for us. Remembering that sermon really had me shouting and crying, as I thought about the Lord and “all His benefits” toward me (v. 2), particularly in this past year. Thank You, Jesus!

Below, I have posted Psalm 103 in its entirety for your reading and edification. May you be abundantly blessed as you read the Word of the one, true God! And may you praise Him from the very depths of your soul today for who He is and all that He has done for you. He is worthy to be praised and adored!

Praise the Lord God Most High! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise God’s Holy and Righteous name!

Firmly In His Grip,

Genikwa

“Dust” – See Verse 14 ~ Hallelujah!!!

Psalm 103 (KJV)

 1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

 6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

 7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

 8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

 9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

 10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

 15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

 16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

 17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

 18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

 19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

 20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

 21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

 22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.