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On a certain Jewish feast day, (the only one where leaven is permitted), Jesus sets it off, sending the Comforter on a deep-cover, long-term mission to infiltrate His people, not the world, by the way, but His people with His Power, His Testimony and His Witness. And, here we are. The Church, referred to throughout this book as The Way, is born.

OK since it’s part of the record, we may as well deal with it. Yes, they did speak in languages foreign to them, not the bystanders, “as the Spirit gave them utterance.” In other words, if The Lord is moving you to speak, let it out. If He isn’t movin’ that thing out of you, we urge you to be quiet, and not try to stir up something that isn’t there. That’s fraud. Besides, that’s not the only gift in action here.

As a case and point, the end of this historic passage records the most peaceful, the most active, as well as the most controversial scenario the church may ever see this side of heaven, or the millennium. I won’t even bother responding to the foolishness I see people trying to prove on the basis of these passages.

But, make no mistake.
Jesus set it off.
And He’s just getting started.

Contributed by: Crystal Green
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What is the cost of kindness? Many are expressing themselves through “Acts of Kindness”. It is a silent movement. These deeds of love are given unselfishly to the recipient. It is given ‘just’  to be kind and there is no expectation of anything in return.Oh what a delightful world this would be if everyone practices these acts of kindness. Some have even started organizations and groups showing others how to be kind and give. This is the ministry of Jesus Christ – love beyond measure. Love has no boundaries or restraints.

 A pastor gave his example of an act of kindness when he simply paid for an elderly couple’s 50th year anniversary dinner. He was in the same restaurant with his family and noticed the couple celebrating the momentous occasion alone. One would think there should have been family or friends celebrating them. Moved by kindness the pastor secretly paid for their meal. The couple was in tears and so was the restaurant manager. This act that cost him $44 was worth millions in the hearts of the sweet couple. Just imagine how long and how deep this special kind gesture will last in that couple’s minds and hearts.

 One organization has what they call 100 Acts of Kindness in 100 minutes.  The challenge is to give 100 Acts of Kindness within 100 minutes. This brings so much joy to the giver and to the receiver. Some examples of Kindness Act include giving care packages to service men and women; donating your books to a local reading program; offer to mow your neighbor’s lawn; babysit for a struggling single mother; the list goes on and on. There is no gift that is too small or large. Everyone can participate!

1 Corinthians 13: 4 (NIV) reads, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” When we give kindness we give love. It’s these small acts that mirror love. These acts mirror God and His purpose in the earth. Here’s another example of kindness. There was a grade school student who wanted to do something kind for the US Troops.  He alone collected monies to send care packages to the soldiers. Another example is a woman who paid the toll of the person behind her at the toll booth. There is so much that can be done to keep the kindness wheel turning in our world.

  “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”                                   -Ephesians 4:32

 SPREAD YOUR OWN ACT OF KINDNESS

 - A Crystal Clear Thought

 

 

Contributed by: Lynn McCleveland
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Remember when you were in school and someone would get into it, what you would say? Fight! Fight! Yes childishly we all did, but Galatians 5:17, tells us that we are in a constant fight. The fight between Flesh and Spirit, and it’s on 24/7. You don’t have to pay to view this fight because it’s free for all to see. Don’t believe it? Tell someone that you are a Christian and you have one viewer right there.

The point that I want to make though is not who’s watching the fight but the participant’s you and your flesh. If you continue to read in Galatians, the text will let you know what the works of the flesh are which are its stats so to speak, just like in a real boxing match. The text then lets you know what the fruits of the spirit are, which are its stats. So on today and everyday, which one is gonna win? We have the stats and we know that this is an ongoing battle, but surely at some point we need to knock Flesh all the way out! I know that the fight will still be on, but if we keep on knocking flesh out, maybe it will stay on the mat for a while so that we can truly enjoy the victory! But be encouraged,  just because Flesh has been ruling for years and knocking spirit out (when you were not saved), does not mean that Spirit can not be up and coming and put Flesh to sleep. Be blessed!

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As a sinner, there was one guy that I met several years ago that stayed in my heart for what I thought was going to be forever. At one point I honestly thought I loved him.  My feelings were all mixed up in lust and infatuation. I can’t begin to tell how many times I prayed to be “delivered” from him, or prayed that God would take away my desire to be with him.  This guy was goodly to look at.  He was intelligent, well-rounded, funny, and driven.  I cared a lot about him, and he said he cared a lot about me.

Prior to accepting Christ, I would tongue lash him (to say the least) and tell him I didn’t want anything else to do with him; but each time he called me or texted me my heart would melt.  Or times that he didn’t call or text I would contact because I missed him.  I jokingly used to sing the old school tune “you really got a hold on me” as I walked throughout my home. Unbeknownst to me I was actually in a strong hold, but more importantly I was in spiritual warfare.

I’ve not found the term “Soul Tie” in the Bible.   However, 1 Cor. Chapter 6 v. 16 tells us that we “become one” with whom we become intimate.  The person we become one with should be our spouses.  This guy and I were fornicators together, which is how the tie developed.  After years of not understanding why I could not shake feelings for this guy I became hopeless.  There were times that I was depressed because I felt bound: bound emotionally to a guy that made me feel bad and bound spiritually to a strong hold that I did not realize I had the power to overcome in Christ Jesus.  Almost a year ago I wrote “What a Soul Tie Feels Like.” After spending some time with God I had to go back and revise that.  I changed it to “What the WRONG Soul Tie feels like.”  Here’s what I listed:

  • Tormenting
  • Frustrating
  • Bitter
  • Scary
  • Hopeless

After I began to seek God, my hopelessness met hopefulness.  I thought “God, if I can feel this way about someone who you have not purposed to be my husband, the concept will be something beautiful when I meet my husband;(our feelings will be mutual, and our souls will be tied to each other).”  As I said, my soul was tied for several years. It was a wrestle. Even as a Christian I vacillated often.  One day God told me that I cannot have both.  I couldn’t be in a fruitful relationship with Him and maintain the unequally yoked relationship with my soul tie.  I chose God. I made up in my mind and heart that I did not want to go out like a sucker as it related to this soul tie.  I repented and prayed asking God to change my heart.  I got into the scriptures and read what God said about unequally yoked relationships and lust.  My mind was renewed.  I went into the presence of God, and after coming out shortly thereafter the guy contacted me and for the first time I told him “no.”  Honestly, that was difficult for me.  I was rattled.  I thought “I just came out of the presence of God and here goes Satan.  He just barely gave me time to re-up!” But I believe from the core of my being that my willingness to submit to the will of God and ACT on what he told me in my spirit and his Word was a stepping stone towards my deliverance.  Today I am able to testify that I am free. And OMG it is a lovely feeling.

I would not advise or encourage anyone to have sex out of marriage because the repercussions are GRAVE (Romans 6:23).  The scriptures bear witness that we as humans are affected by whom we chose to give ourselves to (1 Cor. 6:16).  The Bible tells us to Flee Youthful Lust. (2 Tim. 2:22)  It also says that it is not good for a man to touch a woman (1 Cor. 7:1). Touching leads to other things.  I do advise those who may be in a soul tie now to seek deliverance from God because it is not something you can do on your own.  Look to God for strength and allow him to lead you to victory.

Grace and Peace,
Marisha

Contributed by: Lynn McCleveland
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Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. This is the Christian’s yellow brick road. But how is that so? The yellow brick road is bright yellow and easy to follow. That’s true the yellow brick road is bright, but if you watched the movie it was not an easy road to follow and you didn’t see a lot of people traveling on it. How about the end? Who wants to end up back where they started, even if it is with a lesson learned? I feel you on that point.

We learn plenty of lessons on God’s yellow brick road, but the end for us is streets paved with GOLD, not some yellow paint! Notice that everything the characters needed got provided during their journey: hope, love, self-esteem, friendship, guidance, wisdom and wise counselors. Stay on the road less traveled and like the characters in the movie, when you see a person struggling stop and offer them God’s traveling plans of salvation and hope. Be blessed!

Contributed by: Seletha Head Tucker
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When the scripture tells us to praise God in the sanctuary, praise him for his mighty acts, praise him for his excellent greatness, praise him with the sound of the trumpet, praise him with the timbrel and dance and let everything that hath breath praise ye the Lord; we get excited and are ready to praise God. But when things come to disappointment us, to hurt us, to discourage us and to cause us to think that God has forgotten us or has forsaken us, we tend to stop our praise and start to worry or doubt. But we have to remember that no matter what comes or what goes, God is still worthy of the praise.

We have to be willing to give God a “right now” praise through storms and rains, through trials and tribulations and watch our attitudes change, watch our disposition change, watch our situations change, and watch God begin to work things out on our behalf. We have to know that we know that we know that God is not a God that would lie and if he says he will supply our needs, He is going to do it. If he says he will not withhold any good thing from us, He means that. If he says he will never leave us nor forsake us He means just that.  So let’s stop whining, stop worrying, stop crying and look to God and give him what He deserves, A RIGHT NOW PRAISE!!!

Contributed by: Crystal Green
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Loyalty is  having an unswerving allegiance to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, product or person. How loyal are you?

Loyalty is quickly becoming a dormant word in our daily lives. Who and what are you loyal to? Are we sincerely loyal to our mates, children, friends, family, government, church and neighbor? Do we allow anything and everything to be said about one another?
If you know there is an injustice are you silent on the matter. A minister of the Gospel said it this way, “It is time for us to stand up for our brothers and sisters in Christ.” When accusations and criticisms emerge in relationships that are sacred to us; it is up to us to do something and say something to perhaps rescue a person’s reputation and character. Don’t be quick to judge and assume that every word is true about someone else without first talking to the source.

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King Jr.

“And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” Zechariah 13:6

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Read Mark 10:35-40

OK The second reason for this divinely ordained exercise: Again, He’s drawing the truth out of us (Pro. 20:5). We’re the ones looking for answers. And the third. He’s fostering in us commitment. Commitment to Him (Psa. 37, 1 The. 5:16-22). That also means we need to be shown His point of view of ourselves (cp. Gal. 6:1-6).

There are details about this that require courage under fire (2 Tim. 1:6,7), much like “the sons of thunder” and their disguised fantasy about showing off their public status.

Only this is really about squaring off with our real enemy, our surroundings, and our own limitations (2 Cor. 10:4,5 Eph. 6:10-18). All and only before an audience of “One.”

Back to the question. The point’s fairly simple. Not easy. But simple.

At some point, He’s going to corner you and ask,

“Are you sure you’re ready for Me?”

Contributed by: Dr. Calvin N. Emery
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Life is filled with many seasons, many cycles, and many transitions. We used to sing an old song in the little church in the quaint town that I grew up in that said ” Time is filled with swift transition, nought of earth unmoved can stand….build your hopes on things eternal…..hold to God’s unchanging hand.” In life there are always circumstance and situations that are trying to distract and detach you from the NOW moments in your life. These are moments that I believe determine what the future of my life will look like based on the decisions I am making NOW.

The enemy is always lurking and stirring up distractions and interference to get you to looking at what’s around you, and what’s behind you, so you never focus on what is in your ” NOW SPACE .” Look at what God says to the prophet in Isaiah 43:18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old… 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert. Notice what he tells him first of all…..Remember not the former things, neither the things of old…. you see the greatest enemies of your NOW are the past and the future. The problem with both of these is that you don’t have either of them NOW! One is a shadow of what has been, and the other is a hope of what might be, but the most powerful time in your life is the NOW season that you are in…. You posses the power to change the destiny of your life right now! The problem is when we look at our NOW through the pain of our past it creates fear and anxiety in my NOW moment that threatens me and causes a temporary paralysis so that rather than moving forward and pressing toward the mark, I become depressed and stupefied so that I cannot rightly discern the season that I am in.

God tells the prophet I’m going to do a new thing…but he doesn”t leave it up to his  imagination as to when he will do it….Notice what he says…” I will do a new thing:” the semi colon lets us know that this is a complete thought. But then He says, ” NOW it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it… God says to them I’m about to do something new, and I’m about to do it NOW. But, the question is when he does it, will you know it, or will you be busy looking at secondary realities, which are all the things in the natural that the enemy does to preoccupy our thought life and get us busy chasing the rabbits of secondary reality. Or, will you look at the primary reality which is the real thing that you ought to be looking towards. The bible says looking unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith….. The things that are invisible control the things that we see, so then if you can see it, then it is secondary. Your circumstance is secondary, your health issue is secondary, your money, marriage, and ministerial problem’s are secondary……. but God’s word is primary.

The book of 2 Corinthians 4: 18 gives us a clear understanding of primary and secondary reality…. it says, ” While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal. Another translation says that the things that are seen are subject to change….. In other words if you can see it, then it is changing…. You just need patience to wait until your change comes. Don’t let something temporary separate you from that which is eternal. You must not let something that is changing, change you or change what you believe about the God who never changes. You have an opportunity to live victoriously NOW! I will continue this topic in my next post because it is too vast to cover in one sitting. God bless you until next time… Remember NOW is your best time, so let God do it NOW!

Contributed by: Lynn McCleveland
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Revenge, the big payback it’s everywhere on television in movies. Unfortunately it’s in our conversations. Revenge is so embedded in us until we think that it’s as natural as breathing. Someone does something to me. I do something to them. Do you know what I discovered in one of my most vengeful thinking fits? The fact that I don’t know what it would take to hurt my so-called “enemy.” You see I could take their eye, but they may not have a problem with having one eye. I know the example seems extreme, but that’s what vengeful thinking will do. It will make you think of the most inhumane things and atrocities there is on earth. But I just want you to understand as I had to come to the realization that no one really knows what it takes to truly get back at someone. I can’t handle what you can handle, so how can I possibly effectively get back at my so-called “enemy?”

Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Then instruction is given to you for the part that you play. The final scripture in this chapter reminds the reader to not be overcome with evil but to overcome evil with good. I can promise you that when God showed me what he would do to my enemy that I prayed for mercy for them! God loves all of His children, but He is serious when He says that VENGEANCE  is HIS. I highly recommend to anyone thinking on revenge that GOD is more than capable of taking care of anything that He calls His. My advice to you is to NOT get in God’s way, because no one repays like GOD! Rest assured that when God gets through with your enemy that they will know that you have a Father that fights for you, while you hold your peace. Be blessed!