Lord Breathe on Me!

Lord breathe on me. Blow on the embers. Rekindle the FIRE.  Holy Ghost Fire burn in me!  Baptize me afresh with your FIRE. 🔥🔥🔥Burn in my mind. Burn in my heart. Burn in my hands. Burn in my feet. Burn!! Burn away what's not like you. Set me ablaze for your glory. Awaken gifts! Let your fire be a catalyst to catapult me out of any form of stagnancy and complacency. Let my life cause others to turn aside, take notice of You , and answer Your call to surrender their lives!

https://youtu.be/1VBnnghI2AM

Heal Our Land

Shedding innocent blood is an abomination. God judges abominations. When innocent blood is shed it speaks and cries out for justice and recompense. Shedding innocent blood brings curses and judgments upon the land. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us what is required for the land to be healed and released from these curses and judgements. In the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) it says "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

As we pray for our nation, ask forgiveness, repent on behalf of the nation, its founders, and leaders. Ask God to raise up godly leaders who will govern according to God's principles and precepts. Ask God to give us godly leaders who will enact laws, policies and practices which honor God. 

Appropriate the blood of Jesus which speaks better things on behalf of the nation. Present the blood of Jesus as a plea in the courts of heaven. Pray that the blood of Jesus will silence the accusations of innocent blood shed that the accuser of brethren is presenting in the courts of heaven against our nation.

Thess accusations include:

1. The blood of Native Americans who were intentionally infected with smallpox and killed in unjust wars cries out.

2. The blood of enslaved Africans who were slaughtered cries out. 

3. The blood of the unborn who reached an age of viability and were aborted when there was no medical need to do so cries out. 

4. The blood of those executed through capital punishment in unfair and unjust manners cries out. 

5. The blood of those who die at the hands of police officers who become judges, juries and executioners on the streets of our nation cries out.

Days of Fire

Images of riot fires in major cities around the county are not what any of us had in mind for Pentecost Weekend. The fires set by protestors responding in anger and frustration to George Floyd's death gives  the term "Days of Fire" a new meaning. I believe the timing isn't by happenstance.

Revival and fresh fire in the church will come when we REPENT for the sins which are at the root of the fruit of hatred, anger, violence, murder, lawlessness, etc. we're seeing. Those same roots bear fruit of strife and  disunity in the Body of Christ. The disunity in the Church fuels and legalizes in the spirit realm  disunity in  society at large. I've been praying about and lamenting about the disunity in the Body for a few years now. It breaks God's heart! 

We must see ourselves as children of God first and foremost- not white or black, not Democrat or Republican- but children of God. OT prophets primarily preached against idolatry, sexual immorality, shedding of innocent blood, mistreatment of the disenfranchised and marginalized, oppression and injustice. In the Body even God's mouthpieces- the prophets, feel like they must choose a side or camp which only addresses 2 or 3 of these things. Why? Parts of the message are seen as the message of the Black Liberation Theology Movement. Other parts are seen as the message of the White Evangelical Movement. No one seems to care that ALL of these things are central to the message of the RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE of God. 

Where are those who will cry aloud and spare not for the God Movement? 

The Idolatry of Political Ideology in America

Christians have made idols of political ideology. We blindly follow partisan politics without speaking Truth to power. God will judge God's house for this if WE don't REPENT! 

Where are Christian republicans who abhor "isms," injustice, and the mistreatment of the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised? The OT Prophets warned God's chosen people about this time and time again. The Israelites were severely judged for these abominations. These things are overlooked today because those who hold power, wealth and influence have shaped the mental lenses through which we read and interpret scripture. 

Where are Christian democrats who abhor abortion of the unborn who have reached the age of viability? If there's no medical necessity to perform these procedures is this not the shedding of innocent blood? Where are Christian democrats who abhor the perversion of the institution of MARRIAGE  which is a HOLY institution created by a HOLY God even before there was the institution of religion? I'm not speaking of civil unions or equal protection under the law  for we are to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. I'm speaking of the use of the term MARRIAGE to describe relationships which don't align with the definition established through the principle of first use in ancient sacred and historical texts.

We're facing unprecedented challenges on many fronts in our society. Republicans are not solution bearers. Democrats are not solution bearers. The children of God who show up in the character and nature of the Creator are solution bearers.  So I encourage you to bow before God and not your idols of political ideology as you seek guidance, revelation, and insight on how to cast your vote in the upcoming elections. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the CHILDREN OF GOD- not republicans or democrats!

Happy Mother's Day!

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:29 NRSV

According to The Passion Translation Study Notes: "These valiant and noble ones (daughters) represent the church of previous generations who remained faithful in their pursuit of Jesus. But this final generation will be the bridal company of the lovers of God who do mighty exploits and miracles on the earth."

Let the women arise and take our positions among this bridal company to do mighty exploits and miracles on earth. Let us take that which we've been endowed to bear fruit, advance the kingdom, and govern our spheres of influence in the earth according to God's precepts and principles. Let us re-present the King of kings in the personhood, power and presence of our risen Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Out of Egypt

Too often we think of Christianity as a "white man's religion." Nothing could be further from the Truth. Like Jesus,  Christianity was birthed in Asia (Israel) and nurtured in Africa (Egypt)!  Christianity spread rapidly and intensely in North and Northeast Africa in the first five centuries.  We read about the conversion of the Ethiopian enuch in Acts Chapter 8. 

Church Fathers of African descent were at the forefront of efforts to outline important doctrines such as the trinity. They also addressed heretical teachings and preserved the integrity of the faith. They played a huge role in establishing fundamental tenets of the Church. In fact, we can thank our African brother Athanasius of Alexandria for what we know as the Bible.  Athanasius played a huge role in the canonization of scripture and was the first to develop a list of books which were to be included in the Bible. 

Because the African Church Fathers wrote and spoke in Greek and Latin, they are often referred to as Greek and Latin philosophers and theologians.  But these brothers were Black!  They were African!  And I assure you they also spoke their indigenous African languages.  Why am I sharing?  Knowing the history of our faith helps to dispel myths such as Christianity being a "white man's religion."  Included below is a link to a site with a synopsis of some contributions to Christianity by  several Church Fathers of African descent.  

https://ramonlmayo.com/2018/08/01/7-african-church-fathers-you-should-know/

The Ressurrection: A Person Not an Event

 “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live." John 11:25

The words I am in the Aramaic are a clear statement of Christ’s deity. The Aramaic uses a word for resurrection that is related linguistically to the name Noah, who was symbolically “resurrected” from the flood as the life-giver to those who repopulated the earth. Resurrection is superior to life, for life can be defeated and ended. But resurrection overcomes. Life is the power to exist, but resurrection is the power to conquer all, even death itself. Believers must learn to live in Christ our Life and Christ our Resurrection to conquer all things.

Season of Passover

Jewish Passover ended in Atlanta, GA (USA) at 8:10 pm April 16. In those days, Jesus was arrested shortly after the Passover Meal. He died the following day at 3 pm. He was resurrected Sunday morning at 6 am. Sunday, April 19, 2020, is Resurrection Sunday/Easter in the Orthodox Church which follows the Hebraic/Lunar Calendar.

Springtime signifies the season of Passover. It begins at the sunset marking the start of the 15th day of Nissan which is the first month of the ecclesiastical Jewish calendar.  That is some time between April and May in the modern calendar.  Passover commemorates a covenant between God and the Israelites. Over 3,000 years ago the pharaohs of Egypt enslaved the Jews and forced them to toil in misery.  According to the Book of Exodus, God sent Moses to convince the   pharaoh "to let My people go!" But the pharaoh chose to ignore the request.

God unleashed nine plagues onto Egypt including locusts, hail storms, and disease.  None of them persuaded the stubborn pharaoh.  For the tenth plague, God slayed all first born sons in the land. Moses instructed the Hebrews to slaughter lambs and spread the blood over their front doors so the angel of death would pass over their homes leaving their children unharmed.  From this act came Pesach which is the Hebrew word for passing over.  When the pharaoh's own son was killed by the wrath, he reluctantly agreed to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt into the Promised Land. 

The story of the Hebrew's deliverance from bondage is remembered in ritualistic detail with a meal called the Seder.  The Seder begins the seven day season of Passover.  It is tradition for Jews living outside of Israel to celebrate Passover for eight days with the Seder meal on each of the first two nights.  This guarantees that every Jew around the world can participate in their Seder at the same time with those living in the Holy Land.  Every element of the Seder meal must occur in specific order.  Celebrants read from the Haggadah which is a liturgy written by Rabbis during the 2nd-7th Century B.C.  The Haggadah retells the story of the Jews Exodus from Egypt. 

The Seder begins with a cup of wine which sanctifies the holiday.  A plate is presented full of symbolic reminders of the past.  Horseradish recalls the bitter times Jews suffered in bondage.  Haroset, a thick, sweet mixture of chopped fruit, nuts, wine and spices evokes the mortar slaves used to build the pyramids.  Parsley dipped in salt water represents the tears they shed.  A shank bone signifies the slaughtered lamb whose blood was slathered on doorways.  And an egg symbolizes hope and rebirth.  As the dinner begins the plate is removed from the table.  Bread that has risen or leavened bread is strictly forbidden during Passover season.  Instead, flat matzo bread is served.

 
The three pieces of matzo bread represent the three temples- two which were destroyed and one that will be built prior to the second coming of the Messiah.  Matzo is also a reminder of the Exodus.  Hebrews left Egypt in such a hurry that they couldn't wait for their bread to rise.  As the meal is consumed four more ceremonial cups of wine are served.  The final cup- the cup of Elijah is filled and the front door is opened.  This is an invitation for the Prophet Elijah to enter the home.  The Passover Seder is one of the oldest continuing ceremonial customs in human history.  It is rooted in the day of the pharaohs with the faithful passing down its meaning and rituals generation after generation.   

Blood of the New Covenant

Jesus had arranged to eat the Passover meal with His disciples on the night he would be betrayed and arrested.  During this meal, Jesus instituted  the ordinance of the Lord's Supper.  The Lord's Supper is the name given by the Apostle Paul to the event that commemorated the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.  When the meal was finished Jesus took the bread and the wine and did the following: Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:19-20, NRSV

Matthew records Jesus saying:  “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28, NRSV  One object of the Lord's Supper is to keep Jesus and the new covenant with God in the remembrance of the disciples of Christ.  This is a love covenant between Jesus and each of his disciples, and it seals the affection they have for one another.  The table on which the bread was placed is known as the Lord's table. The Apostle Paul wrote:  “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:21, NRSV

The cup is known as the cup of blessing or the cup of the Lord.  The Apostle Paul wrote:   ”The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16, NRSV  The Lord's Supper is a time when believers remember what Jesus did for them on Calvary's cross. The bread represents Jesus' broken body while the wine symbolizes the blood that He shed on our behalf.

Jesus commanded that believers do this in remembrance of Him until He returns.  Paul wrote:  “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, NRSV

New Life in the Resurrection

Springtime also signifies the season that we put an extra emphasis on the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Spring is a delightful season of year. Grass is green. Flowers are blooming. The trees are budding. One aspect of this season is pollen. Some of us suffer from seasonal allergies. Despite seasonal allergies, I still really enjoy Spring because it reminds me of new life, renewal, and resurrection. It is a season of revival, reappearance, rebirth, rebuilding, recharging, reconstruction, and recovery. It is a season of redevelopment, refreshing, regeneration, rehabilitation, reinforcement, reinvigoration, and rejuvenation.

Spring reminds me of the power in fresh starts, new beginnings, and new life. It is a season of rekindling, renaissance, renewal, renovation, repair, replenishment, and restitution. It is a season of restoration, resumption, resurgence, resurrection, revitalization, revival and revolution.  On Easter Sunday, we put an extra emphasis on the resurrection of Christ.  Friday prior to Resurrection Sunday Jesus was crucified and place in a tomb, like any other person that dies.  Saturday the body was still in the tomb. However early Sunday things completely changed- SUDDENLY! What was once dead was now alive.  The body resurrected!  Death did not have the final say over Jesus the Christ!

The same is true for us when we become a Christian.  We put to death our old selves. We are resurrected as new creations.  We are given new lives in Christ.  And just like every spring when plants that were once dormant come back to life and have a new beginning, we too have a new beginning in our walk with God. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 says “ So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! NRSV

Another great thing about this new beginning is we can continually have this new life.  God is a god of forgiveness and fresh starts.  If we feel like we’ve gone astray or haven’t been walking with God as we should, we can turn back to him and have a new beginning once again. Let us rejoice today and every day in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Death was conquered that day and continues to be conquered in all of our lives every day.  Praise God! “Where, O death, is your victory?     Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55, NRSV

Prayer

I pray that God will cover us with the blood of the Lamb of God which causes death, disease and destruction to pass over. It is the blood of Jesus that repels the works of darkness, washes away our sins and gives us newness of life. I pray that the God of suddenlies will quickly and unexpectedly do that which only God can do. 

May we experience newness in every area of our lives. May we receive new activations and new accelerations of spiritual gifts. May we form new relationships with divine connections, destiny helpers, and covenantal partners.

May we be ushered into new opportunities in our careers, businesses and ministries. May we have a new zeal for life and receive healing in our minds, emotions and bodies. May we receive fresh downloads of witty ideas to make wealth.  

May we know with an assurance that we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. May we walk in the grace and anointing of the Overcomer who overcame death for indeed we are more than conquerors. We are being resurrected from every form of death and defeat.

In Jesus' name. Amen!

Citations:  

1. Brian Simmons. "Study Footnotes John 11:25." BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11%3A25&version=TPT. (Retrieved April 19, 2020).

2.  Don Stewart. “What is the Lord’s Supper?” Blue Letter Bible. https://www. blueletterbible.org /faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_590.cfm. (Retrieved April 17, 2020).

3.  History.com Editors. "Passover." History. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/ passover.  (Retrieved April 17, 2020).

4.  Mike Coghill. “The Resurrection: A Time for New Beginnings.” Choctaw Church of Christ. https://choctaw.church/articles/1996. (Retrieved April 19, 2020).