The Power of One Drop

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For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 NKJV

 

 The number one in and of itself does not exemplify authority or power. Actually, the essence of one comes across as the complete opposite. Being an animal and nature lover, when it comes to the number one, I think of how powerless an ant can be alone. But as one unit, ants can kill the most poisonous snake, the deadliest spider, and many other species four to six times their size. The same are for bees, one bee can pack a mean punch, but a swarm of bees can send the strongest man to the hospital.

Suggesting that something involving the singularity of one has power, to some if not to many is an erroneous thought. In a world made up of approximately 8 billion people, an innumerable amount of species and resources, and countless opportunities, It is not far fetched to denounce the POWER of individuality. Further more, promoting oneness contends with the very fabric in which Christianity stands on.

The scriptures teach us, we are one body that functions at its best collectively, 1 Corinthians 12:12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

Perspective is everything. Contrary to the need for unity and its unmatched power, and influence, there is an enormous amount of power in one. We have to render respect to the power of one because that is what fuels the engine of ONENESS. In the center of the word unity, you have the letter “I.” I, adds to the quality of us, we, and our.

  • One bad investment has the power to disrupt a very stable portfolio.
  • One bad call in a game has the ability to change the outcome as to who wins or loses.
  • One terrible comment in a heated discussion can change the total tone of a relationship.
  • And as we see in Romans 5, one mans disobedience changed the totally of humanities earthly experience.

When you don’t understand or respect the power of individuality, nor the power in one decision, the masses are then subjected to your individual decisions.

The world we dwell in has been greatly impacted, by one microorganism. The CoronaVirus (Covid-19) crippled our country, and many countries abroad. Businesses have been forced to shut down. People have been laid off work. Stay at home ordinances have been put in place. And whats even more heartbreaking, many have lost their lives behind this one microscopic organism, and one person connecting with another.

But, there is hope. Just as by one mans disobedience sin entered into the entire world. And by one virus, many have lost their lives, and many others hope. The blood of Jesus is the one answer.

Jesus is the one unfailing option. When there are no logical answers, when all hope is gone, physical and emotional despair is inevitable, and man has no resolving options, the blood of Jesus was and is the answer to all. One Drop, of the blood of Jesus has the power to heal all manner of disease, comfort all levels of despair, bring unity to all levels of division, and break the curse of sin.

Clearly there is power and purpose in unity. But when life is falling apart and all hope is appearing to be lost, unity outside of the oneness of God will only render temporary satisfaction. The blood of Jesus is the one thing that brings brings unity, to our oneness.

 

 

How Bad Do You Want It?

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Psalm 42:1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God.

How Much Do You Want It?

 I love to read anything that lifts my spirit, or motivates me to take action. And I love to give attention to things that call me to look at life from a different perspective. I am not only inspired with what I read, I am also inspired by the animal kingdom. So if I am reading something uplifting that involves animals, its like killing two birds with one stone. Now do not get me wrong I am not on the the level of PETA. I do not think animals rule the world. However, I do believe God created everything with a purpose, including animals. And there is something to be learned from everything He has created. Therefore I have a great deal of respect for all of His creation. And I have a particular affinity for lions.

Almost anything that has to do with lions will catch my attention. Years ago when I was perusing the internet looking for motivational portraits to hang in my office, I saw some really good ones. I saw some on motivation, success, gratitude, and so on. There was one in particular that stood out the most. This portrait has been a constant reminder to me, that everything has a purpose. And if I am not pursuing my purpose with passion, I am doing myself a great injustice. And the survival of my calling and the plans that God has for my life, lie in the balance.

Allow me a moment to share the caption in this portrait:

In todays text, David is very burdened. He is under much distress. He is mocked by many nay sayers, saying to him, “Where is your God?” He’s crying out to God only to be burden that much more, because God’s silence is screaming louder than His is speaking. Have you ever felt so broken it made you feel as if God did not care? Or have you ever felt like you have run as far as you can run, and whatever is going to be, just has to be; because you don’t feel you can go on any further. If you have, I need you to know, THE ESSENCE OF YOUR SURVIVAL is associated to, HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT IT.

David, in this text, is much like the alert deer in the portrait. He’s burden. He feels defeated. He’s broken. And yet he’s cognizant enough to know, if he allows his feelings to catch up with him he is destined to lose. Let us just say, the lion in this portrait represents the enemy (or for a better reference, the issues of life). Like David, we will go through hardships. There will be times when we feel as if God isn’t near, and question if He cares. But we must be reminded, the bible declares demons do not rest until they have caused mischief. And we must not rest until we have caused a positive change. Not just in our situation, but in everything around us.

David didn’t allow his circumstances to define his reverence to God. But he defined his circumstances by reverencing God. He knew his survival was connected to his praise. I want to encourage you… the race is not given to the swift, but to he that endures.

Don’t give up. Keep pressing for your dreams. Keep chasing after Gods righteousness. When it feels like the enemy is right on your heels… Pray harder than your problems. Worship more than you worry. Thank Him for your triumphs, more than you think about my troubles. Because at the end of the day everybody has a job to do. Everyone has to eat. The question is…

How Much Do You Want It?

It’s Time

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John 7:6-8

6 Then Jesus said to them, My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come. NKJV

It’s Time

Americans have the liberty and the governmental authority to do whatever it is they want to do, within reason of the law. Unfortunately, many of the challenges that are faced, are a direct result of exercising civil rights, and not taking into consideration righteousness. One liberty in particular we abuse, is the right to bare arms. With slacking regulations and in the wrong hands, this liberty has proven to be more of a threat than a resolution. In many cases, the push for liberties give way for humanity to acquiesce with many of our tragedies.  So many unjustifiable homicides occur in our communities each and everyday.  Our refusal to challenge this pressing concern, suggest that americans are more concerned about civil rights, than what’s right. And while fighting for all of our American rights, it seems that christian rights are being herded into a cave.

Do you not see the irony in this demise? People fight for gun laws, and license hate groups to become legitimate organizations. And yet prayer is removed out of our schools, and a blind eye is taken to the influx of violence within our schools. The commandments were removed from the courthouse, in trade of more violence and repeat offenders.

It’s time for christians to stand up for justice and righteousness, in love.  And provoke a moral change in how the government regulate civil rights.  At the epicenter of christianity, it is to show the unconditional love Jesus Christ has for His people. It is not to promote hate, racism, and superiority over any particular race or group. The mission is to present a living example of the undying commitment God has for His creation.

Be encourage and stand for righteousness… IT’S TIME!

 

 

Stand

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Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

 

With everything that is going on around us, people are searching for something to make the madness make sense. Sometimes the world offers more questions than we seem to have answers. Whether we want to believe it or not, our world is in a state of chaos. Some none realist may say its not that bad, or its just part of life. But if you pull back from the nonchalant approach to life and really look at the constant turmoil our world is facing, there is no way you can sit back, with a first class seat and passively watch our world implode.

With the outbreak of Ebola, the earthquake in Nepal, the senseless killings of unarmed black men, and last but not least the horrific racial shooting in Charleston South Carolina, I would say we’re living in chaos. Or, better yet, we are in spiritual warfare.

The definition to stand, means to maintain an upright position with your feet. It means to cause or make to stand, to make firm, fix or establish, to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place

Outside of the chaos, we have an armor that will not be defeated. And all we’re required to do is stand. The armor represents God’s power. God’s authority. And God’s word. This is not the time to give up, nor is it the time to give in. It is time to Stand!  

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121:7-8 NKJV

Act Like a Child, Live Like a Christian

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Matthew 18:2-4 (ASV)

2 And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,
3 and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I know to suggest that any self respecting adult should act like a child, is not acceptable. However, you need to understand this is not an appeal to reduce your habits and behavior to that of a child. This is an appeal to posture your heart towards the will of God, and not the ways of the world. When our hearts are humbled to God’s will, it is then we are empowered to reach God’s people. And to lead them in the same manner.

What does a child like heart look like?

To act like a child and live like a christian, we must…

  1. be humble like a child
  2. have the heart of a child
  3. we must have the hope of a child

And guess what; The more we practice being child like at heart and not in our behavior, the more we then position ourselves to be the head and not the tail. The kingdom of heaven wont be just a world to come, it will be the world we live in right now. The bible says; Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

 Lets act like a child…and  live like Christians…