How bad do you want it? Will you do whatever it takes to get it or to keep it? How important is it to you to sacrifice smaller things to obtain it? If the cost is too high are you willing to pay? Those are some of the questions you will often have to ask yourself during the course of your salvation. How bad do I want the prize? How bad do I want to make it into Heaven? Are you willing to give up all to follow Christ? Are you willing to sacrifice things that seem important to you but are hindering your growth to obtain Christ? Some say, “It doesn’t take all of that!” Well, believe it or not, it does. In these last days it takes that and then some just to hold on because the enemy is doing all that he can to discourage the people of God and cause us to lose our focus. Wouldn’t you rather live this life with the greatest intensity and make it to Heaven to find out it didn’t take all of that than to live this life with little intensity to find out it did take all of that? Having a relationship with Christ is worth that and more so yes I would rather have a relationship with Christ and sacrifice the little to gain much.

Salvation is free but it is definitely not cheap. It is going to cost you, blood, sweat tears, and time. Job 14:1 states Man that is born of a woman is of a few days and full of trouble. Our days here on earth are short and of those days we will endure heartache, disappointment, discouragement, tribulation, trials and a host of other situations but those of us that are saved have hope in Christ! We have hope that carries us through this life, hope of eternal life. A relationship with Christ not only entitles us to hope but to joy, peace and many other fruits of the Spirit.

So once again I ask, how bad do you want it? Are you willing to give up your time to seek Him in prayer? Are you willing to give up gossiping, jealousy, pride, and other sin? Philippians 2:12 instructs us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. In my heart I believe that means we need to do ALL that we are able to do and rely on the Lord to help us make it through these difficult times. We need the Lord at all times, not just when it is convenient for us. We should value our salvation so much that we realize this is a commitment that should not be limited to one day a week for a couple of hours. This is a lifestyle, a covenant between you and God which can only be broken by you. If you want it bad enough, you will find that it is easy to sacrifice time, tv, food, sin to develop a relationship that is pure and reliable. If you want it bad enough you realize the true prize is worth the sacrifice, that is, if you want it bad enough.

LaDonna Brown

A Real Girl’s Prayer

I just want my life to be what it is supposed to be.

But Lord, how do I do that when I can’t even fix me?

I live for you, praying that I will see you at the end of this thing called life.

Sometimes it just seems out of sight….

When I think I’m on the right track, the Devil always comes along and finds a way to break me

But I guess when we give in to the ways of the world, we never see this until it’s too late it seems

I keep my faith in you and know that anything is possible with You

I believe in Your word, Your will, everything that I supposed to

But Lord, it’s definitely not easy, seems like the world is getting the best of me.

I just want you to show me the way Oh Lord, please help me day by day

To be the best for You, please Lord I promise I’m through.

Through with the crazy ways of the world and all the other stuff too.

I submit myself to you. Please accept me flaws and all.

I promise to be there when you call.

Today I give you my heart and soul, so that I may become what I need to be

Lord all I ask is that watch over me.

I will say this exact same prayer everyday if I have to.

Anything that is needed to be closer to you.

This I ask in Your name,

Amen

-Brii

Often times we are too busy dealing with the issues in our own lives to notice the issues in others lives. Sometimes in order for God to meet your need He wants you to bless someone else. It does not always have to be financial, it could be calling to pray with them or being a shoulder to cry on. If you saw someone in need of  prayer and you yourself are in need of prayer could you set aside your own need to fulfill the need of another?  Mark 9:25 says “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Are you capable of being a servant? Are you willing to be last in order to be first? Luke 6:38 says “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” I love this verse because God is not a man that He can lie. His word will not return void.

It requires faith to be a servant. You have to be able to trust God to take care of you while you are taking care of others. John 13 says “Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.  “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well! “Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew Judas was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

You have to humble yourself as a servant. Jesus took off His outer clothing, representing His pride. He wrapped a towel around His waist representing a spirit of humbleness, and dried their feet. Jesus was imparting a spirit of servant-hood to the disciples. Though He knew that Judas was going to betray Him, He still blessed him. It takes a true servant to bless his enemy. Let Jesus be your example of servant-hood. Take off your outer clothing and wrap a towel around your waist.  Allow Jesus to impart the spirit of servant-hood into your life. After He washes your feet wash the feet of another.

BJ

You may be dealing with a stronghold of some kind in your life. Below are weapons we as children of God have at our disposal at all times to pull down any stronghold we are dealing with at any time. Using these weapons collectively can pull down the stronghold and keep the enemy at bay.

Psalms 9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalms 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

1. Weapon of Prayer:

a. 1 Thess 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

b. Luke 18:1  men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Let us always pray and seek the face of God

c. Ephesians 6:18  Pray earnestly, without omission, without stopping.  Earnestly contend for a strong prayer life which is one of your greatest weapons.

d. Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous

The Lord has an attentive ear to my prayer He desires to hear from me.

1. Weapon of Fasting:

a. Psalm 34:3-4  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

You can pray and not fast but you cannot fast and not pray.  Fasting is a tremendous weapon and a source of power in the life of a believer.  It is a form of worship that magnifies God.  Your circumstances may seem so overwhelming that they are all you can see.  When you worship, that reduces the power of your circumstances and magnifies God.  The most effective thing you can do in the midst of your circumstance is to magnify the Lord.

1. Weapon of the Word:

a. Psalms 119: 9-10 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Know the word of the Lord so that in a time of need you can apply it to your life.  Elder Parker always taught us one scripture well understood and rightly applied can set the devil to flee.

b. Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

c. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Allow the word of God to saturate you and be your guide. Once you begin to read and study the word, it enlightens you, encourages you, it strengthens you.

1. Weapon of Fellowship:

As soon as we run into a situation, the first thing we do is stray away from the saints.  We take on the spirit that makes us stay away from the fellowship.  That is the time we need to run to the saints for prayer and strength. Don’t run away from your strength, your prayer warriors, your armor bearers.

a. Phillipians 2:1-2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  2) Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

b. Romans 15:1-2 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

1. Weapon of Praise:

I can never say enough about the importance of praise.  Praise takes the focus off you and your problems and helps you focus on God.  When you begin to praise the Lord, your situation seems much smaller in relation to God’s greatness.

a. Psalms 9:10-12 And they that know thy name will put  their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.   Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.   When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

b. Psalm 33:1-3 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.    Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.   Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

My mom’s favorite scripture is:  Psalm 34: 1-3

1)    I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2)    My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3)    O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4)    I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Partially borrowed from a sermon given by Pastor Alfred Owens Jr. of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, scripture references were added by LaDonna Brown.

Sometimes when the going gets tough, all you can think about is the going getting tough. You don’t realize the opportunities that sometimes place themselves in front of you or the actual good that is going on your way. In all of my twenty-four years of life, I have been through a lot of heartaches, upsets and struggles. I never thought there was a way out. I knew and believed in God but never believed that he actually brought you out of things unless you were the ‘perfect’ Christian. As I went through life I realized that God can bring anyone out of any situation regardless of your belief. Sometimes he does it just to show you the way to him.

It feels so great to actually feel good for a change. Yes, things might not be perfect and neither may I, but it actually feels so good to know that there is something to look forward to. I feel like all the hard work that I have been doing in my life is actually going to pay off. Sometimes when you’re so far down in the dumps it takes a while for you to get used to enjoy the feeling of greatness. That’s the one thing I struggle with sometimes. I don’t know how to accept the good or blessings that are smack dead in my face. All I can do is concentrate on the bad. In due time, my heart and mind will allow me to accept these things as they may come.

-Brii

FUNCTION. The word function means the purpose for which something is designed or exists. Take the “F” away and it leaves “unction”. Unction means the intent to do a thing. God is the “F” in your “unction”. God created you for a purpose without God all you have is the INTENT to carry out that purpose. With God, the F in your UNCTION you understand and carry out God’s reason for your existence.

We are all a work in progress, God is still healing and molding us. When God thought of us He thought of us with a purpose in mind. Through all the things that I have been through no matter how good or bad I know that God is still in control. Knowing that gives so much peace of mind.  God will use the evil in your life and make it for the good of His kingdom. You may have been through the same thing I have and need to know that God can and will heal you.

I recently told my mother that at a young age I was molested by someone who was easily labeled as my brother. Her response was shocking, almost like she’d already knew. Like she knew that something traumatic happened when I was younger but unsure of what and by whom. When I told her I couldn’t look her in the eyes, the shame was too much to bare. I didn’t want that to be apart of my story, apart of my testimony. A week prior to my purging of secrets God made it clear that this secret in particular needed to be told. I’d almost convinced myself that it had been forgotten and possibly never happened. The thing about trash is that no matter what you cover it with it still stinks. How can a wound heal if it doesn’t have room to do so? And this was a wound that had been smothered with denial, innocence, shame, pain and the need to be loved.

Know that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond anything you can think or imagine. If I allow Satan to stop me from sharing my testimony then I have been defeated and I undermine God’s purpose for my life. Sometimes it may seem like life if too much to handle, like you have no one in your corner but I challenge you to give God a try. I challenge you to add that F to your UNCTION.

Every minute of every day, I am becoming someone different. I am becoming a better mother, a better partner, and more importantly a better me. Childish things that I did before are all put out of my mind and my way of thinking. It’s not just about me anymore. I have two very beautiful little girls whose well-being also matters in any decision that I make from now on. They are the only reason I wake up in the morning to deal with the daily stress that we call a job.

I am beginning to see my purpose on this Earth.                It’s not just about living to me anymore. It’s about loving me and enjoying my life. All while doing what God wants me to do. I know that I wouldn’t be as far as I am today if I didn’t trust and believe in God the way that I do. In realizing this, I’ve took the time to understand what is expected of me by him and what I want to accomplish in my time here on Earth. I’m not going to sit here and write about how I’m this perfect Christian who doesn’t struggle with everyday temptations in the world because I’d be lying to you. I’m just like you. Just trying to be someone better is all.

Although I was raised in the church, I am not where I should be spiritually. That is one of the major problems a lot of young people struggle with today. As we get older, we become rebellious to what we were taught. We lean on the ways of the world and our focus begins to change A LOT! Almost everyone has been down the same road.  I was in church every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I always felt like there was nothing in it for me. Now, I only wish that I would have really paid attention more.

Becoming a better me is only a step in the right direction. It is definitely going to take a lot more time and dedication on my part to get to where I need to be in God’s eyes because in reality, HE holds the ultimate decision. In the end, his opinion is the only one that matters. HE is the only person that I am striving to please.

-BRII

I want to be clean

free

Satan can’t touch me

but reality I’m sinking

in the end God gets the glory

but right now I’m sinking

surrounded by lust, the dirty stuff

I don’t even want him, the guy my mind keeps traveling to, I see his face, hear his voice, I even smell him sometimes even though he’s many miles away

I wish I loved him because I think he has a hold on me, won’t let me go

But I don’t even want him

Lust the dirty stuff, that’s what it is

the before doesn’t really bother me

the after is life altering

take myself and un-attach me

take me away

God so you can get the glory

Hear my rant

Time killing itself listening to Holy words, Holy words killing this flesh with a knife that’s beyond superb

I gave it to my mother and it still exists   try to give it to another but it never got fixed

God God this is yours to have, yours to keep

don’t let me make this mistake, this sins afterlife I don’t want to reap

tripping over myself, over my words

trying to get to God who is sure to have a cure

God is sure to have a cure

*BJ*

Who said it would be easy to walk the Christian walk,
there is no way it could be simple to talk as us Christians talk.
The lack of profanity, the cracked mirror of vanity changes the whole spectrum of who we are.
God said we are a peculiar people, no one is like me, you!
We are the light of the world, the salt of the earth
without us life would be tasteless, life would be dark.
Demons walk the earth holding the hands of the blind
Satan cracked the code, he learned how to alter the weak mind.
But me, im so me!
What that means is I know who my Father is.
I know where I come from & the power that my tongue holds,
the power that my tongue holds,
fears no man, no demon, no devil its so BOLD!
I KILL MY FLESH
put it under arrest,
I WILL DO what he said.
He created me in His image so if they have to kill me dead,
my soul shall live on.

*BJ*

Psalm 118:13-14: Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.   The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

The New King James Version states:  You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the LORD helped me.

The Hebrew dachach {daw-khakh’} is translated as thrust down or push down.  I will go on to say overthrow, drive away or chase. The author of Psalm 118 had great faith that regardless of what situation may come, what attack he might face, who might be against him, he may be pushed violently but with the help of the Lord, he would NOT fall!  In this walk we must endure hard times, unexpected circumstances, unforeseen predicaments and unsavory dilemmas but when the righteous cry out, the Lord hears and delivers out of them all!  This is evidenced in Psalm 34:17 and 19 where David clearly acknowledges the Lord as a deliverer out of troubles and afflictions.

I am greatly encouraged to know that the Lord is my helper, my protector, my aid, my strong tower.  I can depend on him in my time of need and cry unto him when my heart is overwhelmed.  According to Psalm 61, He will prove himself a strong tower and shelter me under his wings.  What great love is this?  What great love is this to know that God does not see my sorrow, suffering, affliction or distress as insignificant?  He can be likened to the mama bird that nests her eggs and lovingly watches over them, when they hatch she cares for them and nurses them to strength, if she suspects danger she will shield them with her wings for protection.  Does God not do the same for us?  Does he not birth us into righteousness? Watches over us and provides us with the Holy Ghost as our guide? With the word and prayer does he not nurse us to strength?  When danger is imminent, does he not warn and protect us from the seen and unseen?

Be encouraged, be encouraged, be encouraged to know that when the enemy attacks, he may push you violently, but you will not fall!  You don’t have to fall, you don’t have to back down, you don’t have to give up, and you don’t have to walk away.  You can stand on the Rock because He is your strength, you can rest in the knowledge that God Himself is your salvation!

All he asks of me is to trust and depend on him, acknowledge his power and authority in my life, to see him as bigger than my circumstance. When I lift my hands to him I humble myself and reverence him by recognizing his majesty.  When I give him praise out of the depths of my soul, I yield myself over to him and begin to thirst after him.  After a while my soul will be satisfied as I express my determination to praise him regardless of circumstance.  In that, I am showing him loyal love.  I believe he deserves our loyalty; we were created for his glory so out of obligation and love he deserves our sincere praise.  In praising Him the focus is taken off me and put back on Him.  The sincerest praise opens his hand to move on your behalf.

I want to encourage the youth to live holy now, serve the Lord with vigor and persistence. Get as much prayer, fasting and devotional time with the Lord now so that you know the Lord as your strength and salvation personally.  Learn to love the Lord and allow him to love on you.  Do not allow yourselves to get caught up in the foolishness of the world and waste your youth away.  Once you step out of the will of God it is difficult not impossible, but difficult to return. I implore you to stay in His will.   I fell out of His will and I could feel the Lord wooing me to come back.  It is an awful feeling to know the Lord wants you back and you cannot give in to him.   In my youth, I had a child out of wedlock and suffered much persecution unnecessarily.  It took years to recover and I am still recovering.  You may not have years to recover.  I knew better, I was taught better but I compromised.  Don’t compromise your standards when the enemy tries to push you violently.   Because he can see the potential that you have yet to realize, his goal is to knock you down so forcefully that you cannot even crawl.  But if all you can do is crawl, then crawl your way on over to the altar!  Lay your burden there and approach the throne of grace boldly in your time of need.  Stay under the protection of His wings.

I want to encourage those my age to hold on, hold on, hold on and don’t give up.  You have experienced life enough to know there is nothing in the world to turn back to.  We have the answer the world is seeking.  We have no reason to be bound, despondent, discouraged and disillusioned ALL the time.  If we stay bound how can we minister to the lost and bring them in as Jesus has called us to do?  If we stay bound we are telling the world that we serve a powerless Christ.  If we stay bound, we minimize the resurrection of Christ.  Move beyond yourself and turn your face toward heaven, with a determined mind; set your feet like hinds feet and walk in the obedience and victory that has already been granted you!  When the enemy pushes you, push back!  Fight for your salvation with the understanding it is a most precious treasure.

I want to encourage the elderly to hold on to the faith that was once ministered unto you.  As stated in Hebrews 10 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised; And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Don’t take down; don’t accept anything just because the world is changing.    Don’t be afraid to teach the young how to hold onto the Lord, how to stand in the face of trials.  You have invaluable knowledge that is beneficial to us.

I recognized in the word how the people broke out in song to express their joy and gratitude to the Lord as a deliverer:

• Exodus 15:2 the Lord is my strength and song and he is become my salvation,
• Psalm 118:14 the Lord is my strength and song and is become my salvation
• Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

When battles were won and the enemy defeated they broke out in song.  They recognized the power of praise to the Almighty. So I want you to know IF YOU CALL ON JESUS, HE WILL ANSWER PRAYER!

LaDonna Brown