Tag: Jesus died for you

You Fall, You Get Up — You Fall, You Keep Getting Up! |Christian Short Drills Series

7 But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.”—2 Chronicles 15:7

I had a few stories done for my blog and then I saw this and immediately started writing!:

This is a speech given Deshauna Barber. I must admit, I did not know who this young lady was, nor did I know whether she is a Christian or not. What I found interesting is the story which defined her as a person.

A story in which her inner character came out, with the help of a stranger who cared deeply enough to encourage and to bring her the— I can do all things through Christ attitude (Philippians 4:13).

Yes, I know, contradiction …I just said I did not know her spiritual faith. But, as christians, we are to never give up on the goals that are set for us.

Oscar Roca

You see, I often set my thinking of sports to my Christian walk. I know the goals I have, I know what God wants in my life, most of the time, I continue on my journey with the ultimate goal in my life—To be in God’s will.

How do I know that I am in God’s will?

This question is muilti fold—Is what I am doing :

—Bringing people to Christ’s saving grace(1 Timothy 2:4 )?

— Is what I am doing just, right, and will glorify the LORD( Micah 6:8, Proverbs 21:3, Isaiah 56:1)?

—Am I being an example of what what a Christian is (Deuteronomy 10:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Isaiah 66:2, Hosea 12:6)?

Last but not least:

—Am I in constant communication with the One that holds my life together by reaching out to Him first thing in the morning (Matthew 14:13, Matthew 14:23, Luke 5:16 )?

—Do I have peace in the thing that I am doing (Psalm 29:11, Psalm 46:10, Philippians 4:7)?

Light at end of tunnel

—All this to say, God has your back! Don’t look at past failures or mistakes. Always look forward, striving to be on the right road of your journey. Never doubt that God wants the best for you. Never, ever give up when things look dark and tough. Becasue if you keep going, God will make a way for you (Isaiah 43:19, 2 Corinthians 5:17) and will gve you the strength to see you through.

—And just like Deshauna, failures brought her closer to her prize!

—Don’t give up on and in life, you are too precious a commodity for failure. God has everything in your life under His control.

—If you don’t have a personal relationship or constant communication with God, ask yourself this:

—Do I want Jesus in my life?

Yes or No —If yes, click on the links below, they will help answer some commanly asked questions about a personal relationship with God:

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

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Don’t Judge, Smudge or Begrudge! |Move Forward Monday

Romans 2:1

Mayan Numerical System

There was a time when people pointed their fingers at specific ethnic groups in this country. I am not just talking about African-Americans. I am talking about the Native Americans.
Native Americans contributed so many things to the Old World, like corn, avocado, cacao, the number 0, and astronomy, precise astronomy, which led to seasonal planting of crops at the right times.

Ahuacatl, or Avocado

In another period, people in Germany pointed their fingers at Jewish folks. The Jewish people were nearly brought to extinction. Their incredible contribution to many cultures is invaluable. I am talking about the spiritual and mental contributions. They brought us three of the most prominent religions in modern times. From one Book, the world has seen the moral foundations of their society passed on to the world.

Albert Einstein

The world would not be the same if it weren’t for the contributions of each ethnic group above. The world owes them so much and I, for one, am grateful for them; since I have native blood running through my veins.

Five blind Boys of Alabama

Another ethnic group that I am grateful for is the African- American contributions. From the old Negro Spirituals or hymns to the incredible and fascinating Jazz movement which took over the world in the first quarter of the 20th Century. Some of my favorite artists have brought me great life memories and moments. I also listen to gospel singers from here and in Africa. The incredible a capella mesmerizing and rhythmic vocals. With their deep smooth baritone sounds, make me just close my eyes and lift my hands to thank God for such talents.

Louis Armstrong

The African-American community has brought so many great athletes. Athletes that have changed the course of history by breaking the racial divide one person at a time.

Western Europeans have also contributed to the world. The first thing they triumphed in was to come to a full knowledge of Jesus the Savior of the world. It is when Western society embraced the teaching and emulated Jesus, that the world exploded in thought and the sciences.

Each country from Italy to Britain contributed a part in making the world and this country what it is. The great minds of people descended from Britain and Europe brought not only Christianity but the stem or extension of what free people could become. Commerce and faith brought the most extensive freedom of living that the world has ever seen.

Three documents, The Mayflower Compact, The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, have impacted the world. From the building of free trade in the original 13 Colonies to world trade as we know it. To the rebuilding of Europe and Asia after WWII and the middle east after the despots were taken out in recent times.

The Declaration of Independence


All these ethnic peoples, working together and in different periods of time to make the world a better place. All these people prominently living in America. Making this great nation what it has been and will be.

But I am incredibly disappointed with the way we as are treating each other. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine. We live in a remarkable place, where even with so much division, immigrants are dying and crying to get here.

Romans 2:3

Even with the news telling us how hateful this country has become, minorities are thriving in medicine, sports, and commerce. More women are graduating from college than men (more links below).

We need to stop blaming someone else for our personal actions and conduct. We need to get back to why this country became so great.

Yes, America is exceptional. You can disagree, and yet, the immigrants keep coming to our shores, crossing our border illegally.

This is still the greatest country on earth. No one is trying to get their visas to go into China and get an opportunity to become rich or at least live quietly and comfortably.
You may disagree with me on this, but no one is secretly crossing the border into Venezuela…

My Venezuela Nightmare–Bloomberg

References:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ccap/2012/02/16/the-male-female-ratio-in-college/#17cc5914fa52

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/11/gender-education-gap/546677/

https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/08/why-men-are-the-new-college-minority/536103/

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We Start Off Where We Left Off |Friendships

Romans 12:15

I remember sitting with the neighborhood young men who would come to our house for bible study and hang out during the week to play video games. My wife and I would host them after work so that they would have a place where they could be safe and untempted from this world’s vices.

It was a usual day; the guys were loud and obnoxious as usual. They were having fun beating up the old guy (in my 30s at that time). I received a call from my younger brother’s wife. He had passed away. The young men knew my joyful face, but they also understood my look of concern. They automatically quieted down. No one had to tell them that I was experiencing a tragic moment. They turned off the TV and video game while gathering around me. I told them what had happened, and they all shed tears with me.

As I look back, the incident is still vivid in my mind. Because these young kids were all in their teens. We had gone through some thick and thin times with most of them. Divorced parents, drugs in the family, and so on.

Some of these young men and women were living with their grandparents because the dads were not around, and the moms were not able to handle their teen male rambunctiousness.

Yet, these young men taught me the meaning of true loyalty. They hung out and protected each other. They protected my daughters whenever I asked them to keep an eye on them. These young men were joyful with my family and me.

  • The ministry my family had, was not a ministry but a joyful fellowship
  • Where we taught these young men and women what family should be
  • How to always lean on God, and to continue on in life, no matter the circumstances
  • Most of those young men have moved on.
  • Some have kids now, with their own joys, problems, and experiences.

Then there was the men and women, our friends and brethren in Christ. They, too, have been a big part of our joys and sorrows. We have all been there for each other. Some, we see often, others, not so often. However, here is the incredible part, whenever we get together with these old friends, it’s like we had seen each other yesterday. We start where we left off, no matter the time passed.

Here is the secret to the joyful gatherings even in times of trials. We all have one thing in common. We all have committed our lives to Christ. You see, it is only in faith through our Lord and Savior Jesus the Savior, that we have the strength to be joyfully happy in the good times, and also shed tears with our loved ones and friends during life’s tragic times.

As we get older, there’s a reason why we hurt emotionally but are joyful when one of our friends passes into the next journey. We know that losing a brother or sister in Christ is only a temporary thing. We shall see them again because they have only gone ahead of us. They have finished the race and have completed their journey, reaching their destination. We rejoice in this but feel sorrow for not having them around.

One day we will rejoice and kick back with all of the people that have come through our home, our lives, and once again, we will start where we left off here on earth…

I would invite you to have this joyful assurance of knowing what your next life journey will take you. I invite you and ask that you invite your loved ones and friends on this jpurney too!

Get to know God like I do:

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

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His Easy Harness — His Light Load |Salvation

Isa 61.png

Remembering my brother Eddie who passed on to be with the Lord around this time in 1996.
My faith tells me that one day, I will see those that have passed on to be with the Lord. I was blessed to know that my brother committed his life to God when I got a call from him six months prior to his death. He sounded joyous. His voice was peaceful. No one had to tell me what he would be telling me. He was a different person.
You see, my brother battled with alcohol for a decade or so. When he was in his early twenties, he helped manage a hotel. My brother was the guy that would take tourists all over Mexico City and show Japanese businessmen or German entrepreneurs how to have fun in a city alive with the worst of enticements throughout the evening.

This business of showing tourists a good time, along with his addiction, brought a heavy chain like abuse he could not stop.
I had been praying for my brother to find peace. Peace only Jesus brings. I know it sounds cliché saying this nowadays. But the truth is the truth no matter how popular it is.
You see, Jesus tells us that he brings life and more abundantly to those who call and place their faith in Him.

John 10_10.png

Jesus comes to give anyone who asks, a new life. A fresh start and a powerful ally who can take whatever addiction or bad habits a person has, and make them an added tool to our spiritual arsenal. My brother committed himself to this peaceful but powerful faith. But, his new committed faith would come too late. His body was too beaten with all the problems of his life. My brother had abused his body way past its limits. He would go home to be with the Lord.
His decision to ask Jesus into his life. To commit to Jesus’ teachings and Lordship had saved my brother from eternal catastrophe. He made his decision to follow Christ in the nick of time.
I am forever grateful for this and to the person who led him to a changed spiritual walk.
Today, I want to new courage to take the time to look at your life and see where it’s headed.
If you are struggling with things that are keeping you down or frankly enslaving you, ask Jesus into your life. Ask Him to forgive you of everything that you have done wrong. Any sin you want to get rid of. Make a commitment to changing your life with His help. It is the only way that you will break the chains that are dragging your life into a mediocre existence.
Once you do this, seek a Christian who you know is truly living like a disciple of Jesus. Ask that person to help you with your new commitment. And ask the person to help you learn more about Jesus.
You will see that your burdens will be lifted. Why, because this peaceful but powerful Person, will help you by taking the load off you, and carrying it on Him.
You will find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Don’t wait, tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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