Thanks for letting me borrow this Lord...

Less/before any person should boast about how much money they make, what cars they drive, or how much fame and power they have, they should know that all of it is given from God. I don't care if you are someone who strongly believes in God or someone who doesn't believe in God at all, all that we have is borrowed from the Lord. He created everything and thus owns everything. Whether the very hairs on our head turn gray or not is on account of the Lord. Even if someone worships an idol or the devil himself, their power and life still comes from the Holy God in Heaven. Don't pat yourself on the back too hard for having a lot of money or beauty, because God can take that away like a twig on the beach. Especially in this ailing economy, that looks all the more possible.

This is why I get mad when people say nonsense like “It's because of Jesus that my ancestors were killed”. First of all, when was it ever recorded in history that Jesus suddenly came down from Heaven, took a rifle, and pointed it at your distant grandfather's face? But I will tell you that because of the Lord's mercy, you are now driving that fancy car and living in that big house of yours. And also because of Jesus Christ you have air in your lungs that you use to blaspheme His Holy name every day. That's what you got because of God the Father. Let me go a little further for a minute here too. Because of God's Son Jesus Christ, you also got a chance to turn away from blaspheming His name like an idiot, becoming forgiven, and becoming saved from falling into Hell. That's what we got from Jesus Christ and it took Him His whole life of pain and torture to give us that gift! So how do you now say that Jesus killed your ancestors? It was actually guys like you and me who killed Jesus! That's something we are all guilty of!

Even those men who rule the nations get their authority from God. It's ridiculous to see how many worldly rulers think they have the right to abuse their subjects as if they own them as property. We look through history at communist rulers who use to persecute, execute people, send them to gulags, separate them from their families, bar people from worshiping God, and then order people to worship themselves. Even today we have world leaders who believe they can sign an innocent baby's death warrant and call it a “woman's right to choice”. Did these men suddenly forget that it was God's hand who laid the very foundation of this earth and His right hand which spans across the entire Universe. Everything is GOD's! All human life and the very nations of the world are God's. The only reason these world leaders have power is because they have been bestowed this authority from God Himself. God can give this authority and take this authority away as well. And that goes for everyone.

Ancient Persia was run by a king called Nebuchadnezzar. He had all the power in the world and many armies at his command. Yet all of this was given to Him from the God of Abraham. When he was given the choice to glorify God with the power he was bestowed, he instead chose to glorify himself. He even erected a large idol of himself so others could marvel on. But that statue did nothing to help him because when God saw how Nebuchadnezzar chose to pay tribute to himself instead of the Lord, Nebuchadnezzar became as a beast of the field. Because of the way Nebuchadnezzar chose to worship himself and not give God His due credit, the former king ran our broke poor. For years Nebuchadnezzar's food was the grass of the field. His hair looked like the worst atomic G-Fro you ever saw. Even his nails, which weren't cut in years, looked like something an eagle uses to catch fish with! Indeed Nebuchadnezzar ended up looking more like a grazing cattle than a king. He chose to pay tribute to himself and thus rely on himself and this is what happened.

Now knowing all this, who are we to look down on anyone? Who are we, because we are richer, healthier, stronger, or smarter, to look down on anyone who is not? We got our “lucky” break because the Lord gave it to us. So how do we feel that we are suddenly more special than those who the Lord has chosen to not have as much? Everyone observe this example for a moment: God has given a poor prophet a few dollars a week, but with the power, this poor man has chosen to glorify God with it. And even though the poor man has only meager rations, he still thanked God for what he had; saying “it is because of Jesus Christ's love that I get these gifts” At the same time God has also given another man excelled riches. But with those riches, this powerful man instead chose to exalt himself over God. He doesn't even care if God exists or not anymore. So which one of these men do you think is really the stronger guy and the better man? I would say the poor man who chose to glorify God with what he had. That man poor man is the better and stronger man. Yet this is only an example. I'm not saying that this applies just to people who God has given rule over nations. Many of us have been given power of some sort, whether it is the ability to lift 500 lbs to having the strength of lifting only 1 lbs. Either way, everything we have comes from God.

Our families and loved ones also come from the Lord. I remember hearing some guy who said he doesn't call God a creator because he himself created his daughter. Needless to say I though the guy was hilarious. Who is that blind and/or arrogant enough to think they can create anything? That man's daughter could not only have died during birth but he and his wife could have been baron from the start. As a matter of fact, the first man ever on earth only got up and walked because the Lord breathed the breath of life into him. God knows every child from before they were formed in the womb. And God created all the generations that came before them. So who are we to boast of creating any life, or anything thing at all? God made the fist that made the sword. God made the animal that became your dinner last night. God made the stone that the artist chipped into a statue of Zeus and Poseidon. God made the metal that became the coin with Caesar's image printed on it. God made the wood that was processed into book pages, that satanists and militant atheists use to print blasphemies on. God gave you the very next breathe in your nostrils that you used to say a curse word against the Lord with. The very penny in my pocket is a gift from God.

Even the very time we see tick by is borrowed by God. Yes indeed we are living on borrowed time. We do not know when our time of death will be. Everyone knows that most deaths are sudden and unexpected. No one tells you that you have 3 days to live before you get in a car crash or are struck with a sudden heart attack. There was a popular news story a while back of a woman who survived one of these plane crashes we've been having, only to have died in a car accident later on. You see, we are all living on borrowed time. So there's no better a time to live for the Lord than right this minute. Let's not use it foolishly on our own self-bloating and worldly riches.

The same goes for us Christians. How will we live with the time and power the good Lord has allowed us in this world? Will we seek pleasures of the world and fornicate with it? Or will we use the time God granted us to serve Him instead? How we spend today, tomorrow or next week is very important. We must use the time and power we have for the Lord. No matter what power was given to us or taken from us, everyone needs the Lord or else see judgment.

Meditation: Let the Lord be Praised (Video)

A brief meditation for the day. The beauty of the Lord should be talked about and on our minds all the time. The underlining fact that Jesus Christ is King. A Bonus halfway through the video; I hope you all enjoy the song and visuals.

Once you forgive all, God will forgive you

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke 6: 7

Forgiveness is like being broken free from chains. When you forgive God will forgive you for whatever you done. We've all done offenses against the Lord, so forgiving all is almost a requirement for us to grow. Don't listen to the TV and how it builds up your hate, instead listen to the Lord who knows all things.

I once got into heated disagreements with several men. One of these men was an atheist. I figured I would never forgive or want to talk to either of these guys again. To me I thought what I said to them, they should have deserved. But I was wrong. The Lord opened my heart and revealed to me that as one of His children it was unrighteous of me to hold a hate grudge against anyone. It was also not right to leave some of the harsh things I said to them. At first I didn't want to talk to them and forgive because I thought it would start another fight. Yet the Lord showed me that this was the right thing to do and that it was the footsteps to His Kingdom.

Finally one day I muscled up enough courage to do it and I said to these two men that I forgive them for whatever they did to me. Not only that but I also apologized to them and asked them for forgiveness for whatever I did to them that was offensive. The result of what happened surprised even me. Originally I was expecting them to just curse me out, but instead they showed much respect and love. Even the atheist man told me he forgot about it long ago and that he wants me to be in peace and safety! It was one of the most beautiful things I ever saw.

The second gentleman who I made peace with was actually another Christian! Apparently at the time we argued, he was going through some rough spots in his life and the stress made him hurt. The letter he wrote back to me nearly made me cry. All this time here was another brother in Christ and I didn't know. I wish to this day I probed the situation further with deeper understanding. This man is now like an older brother to me. This should prove a good lesson to everyone; the man or woman whom you hold a grudge against may very well be a potential friend, ally, buddy, or even soul mate. As the Lord said, be slow to wrath, slow to anger, and quick to love.

Forgiveness can be a positive contagion as well. Imagine if your friends and neighbors saw you forgive and become friends to an enemy. Such an act would bring much glory to God and set a positive example to those who bear witness to it. They will see the power of love and forgiveness and practice it in their life as well!

Forgiveness has also brought me closer to God. Sometimes forgiveness is the hardest thing to do, but through the difficulty it is also a test. The Lord saw me overcome by forgiving everyone who has crossed me. Growing up in Newark, I steadily grew hatred for the blacks here from the constant racism I went through. It seemed as if hatred would have been a permanent etch inside my heart. But God showed me otherwise. He showed me that He had authority over all my anger and hatred and that I should give it to Him. That day I said I would finally let go and forgive; I became free. I knew then that if I could forgive the greatest of my enemies, I could forgive anyone and everyone. Everything else went into place, soon I forgave those who broke my heart, those who I ever fought with, those who ever offended me, etc, etc. Through the power of forgiveness in Jesus Christ, I was able to knock down stronghold after stronghold in my life. I also want to say this to everyone reading this: No matter what color or nationality you are, if you have accept the Lord Jesus as savior, then you are now my brother in Christ and of my spiritual family.

I was watching the testimony of one man who received several visions of Heaven and Hell. Upon his first vision of hell an angel told him that if the book were to close on his life today, he would be there in hell. The gentleman questioned why since he was such a great preacher and helper to God's kingdom. The angel replied that it was because he didn't forgive his wife and others who offended him. So it is very necessary that we all let go and forgive before we stand before the Lord.

I know what some of you are saying: “But I'm too tough to forgive. That's just not what I do”. Well to you I say think about the how Esau forgave Jacob. In the Old Testament Isaac had two sons, Esau the older and Jacob/Israel the younger. Esau was a man's man. Esau was strong, an accomplished hunter, swift, skilled with weapons, had lots of wives, and wasn't afraid to show the hair on his chest. He was the Daniel Boone and Davie Crockett of ancient times. Then there was his brother Jacob who was not as hardcore as Esau was. Jacob was well known to trick Esau out of many things. One of the things Jacob convinced Esau to do was to sell off his very birthright. However one day Jacob went too far and beguiled Esau out of the blessing that Issac gave him. Esau was furious over what Jacob did to him and said that if he ever got his hands on Jacob that he would kill him. It got so bad that their mother convinced Jacob to go into hiding less he got killed.

As years passed Jacob eventually returned to his land and to Esau his brother. What Esau did at that moment was amazing---he forgave Jacob! After all the stuff that Jacob did against him, he simply ran up and embraced his brother after all those years. And as a symbol of his love back to his brother, Jacob gave him countless flocks of herd animals to Esau. If a tough-guy like Esau can do that level of forgiveness, then so can you!

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 5: 23-24

I want everyone to know if you've ever done any offense to me you are forgiven and if I have done any offense towards you I apologize to you. If you ever owed me the slightest red penny or largest dollar bill, it is now as if you never owed me anything. All I.O.U's in my possession are torn up. Go now and be free from any dept and offer your gifts before the altar. My only requirement is that you all make sure your name is written in the Book of Life and that your feet are inside the Lord's domain when the doors close. God keep you and bless you all forevermore.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Matthew 18: 23-35

Meditation: Let the Lord be praised

Let the Lord be praised with every tongue that speaketh
Let every language sing and rejoice in Him who is on the judgment seat of Heaven
Let every breeze of the wind and crash of the ocean waves sing praises to God
With every flap of the Seraphim's wings God is sung to of His greatness
Let every nation that lays on the earth sing tribute to His majesty
For God causes the night to set and the day to rise and the east to be separate from the west
Let the sacrifice of the Lord be remembered everlasting, The crowned Lord Jesus Christ
Let every man know the accomplishment the Lord won even in His weakness at Calvary
Yea His law is flawless, His mercy is giving, His grace is invigorating, and His love is abundant
His presence is total holiness and actions are the uttermost perfection
Let all who are in earth or heaven above sing praises to Him who wears the righteous Crown
Let He who reigns in Heaven and shall judge the nations, allow us, the unworthy sing thanks
Let us thank Him from before time began, to His crown of thorns, to His crown of Glory
His blood has washed clean, His blood has redeemed, His blood has purchased the white robe
The consuming fire, the eternal love, the truth, and the way
Eternal praise unto the God of Abraham, Moses, and Peter---Selah

When you are all out of power, God hasn't even started yet

Seeing from personal experience and the testimony of others I know many of us get either discouraged or weary in battle while we journey with God. It's like some mornings we wake up in pain and spiritually torn while in Christ. We sometimes feel as if we can't go another step while sojourning with God. We feel like we are at the end of our spiritual endurance---the endurance that helps us feel for others, to resist sin, or do the Lord's work. It's like we feel at any minute we are about to fall back into the world or backslide into our old selves. Well my friends it is at this time that God hasn't even started yet.

God's endurance is eternal and never ceasing. When we are at the end of ours, God is just getting ready to begin. And as our Father in Heaven it is in His great pleasure to give to us. So as His children, let us ask of Him. So that day when you are feeling at the end of your strength to endure, ask of God that He give you strength to keep going. Plea to Him that He give you the power to persevere and stride onward and onward. I myself barely last one day before I feel like I'm about to backslide or can't go on. It is then I that I pray that the Lord give me strength to go on to do His will. Even Jesus Christ Himself, as He walked the earth, went up in the morning times to pray for strength from His Father.

We must never conform to this world or let our thoughts fall to it. We must keep our minds and actions in coordination to what Jesus Christ wants them to be like. We can do this by nurturing off of the Spirit of God and asking Him to fill us daily to do His will. So as the Lord stays in, it will help to block out all other wrong alternatives.

Dear Lord, search our hearts daily and purify ourselves to how You want us.

Let not our will be done in every day of our lives, but instead let Your flawless

will be done. Fill us daily with the Holy Spirit who gives us inner comfort and

let us sojourn on as you see fit. May we never backslide into our old selves

but rather reform us to perfection as the Lord Himself is perfect. Give us

strength from day to day to press on in our walk with You O' Lord for good.

In the name of the Son Jesus Christ, Amen.