Friday, January 6, 2012

Happy Friday!  What a beautiful day!

They cannot feel pain.  The problem with not feeling pain is that the person can seriously hurt themselves, because they didn’t know there was a problem.  Parents have been arrested, and charged with child abuse in some instances, until their child was diagnosed.  The point is we need to feel pain.  Pain is the body’s way of communicating with us and letting us know that we must give this thing immediate attention.  It made me think about God and how He deals with our pain.  God is able to remove the power out of the pain.  It doesn’t mean it won’t hurt.  It’s not that it never happened.  Even though the pain itself was real, it’s power to control our life and impede our growth can be annihilated.  We don’t become amnesiac and forget, but there will come a time when it won’t be a raw gaping wound.  The scar may remain as a reminder, but, they are only proof to a sin-sick and dying world that you have been touched by the same things they are touched by, and that you have come through victorious in Jesus.  Otherwise, some may not believe you came through what you came through.  This is the one side of the grace of God.  The other side is that He will allow us to feel the full affects of the pain, so that we will not so easily be drawn back into it.  If the addict can remember the pain of withdrawals, they may think twice before indulging in that behavior again.  If the person caught in an illegal entanglement, or un-Godly, illicit relationship can remember the pain, anguish, loneliness and fear they experienced, they will be less willing to enter into another one.  “Once bitten, twice shy” the old adage used to say.  Life happens.  We all make mistakes, sometimes out of ignorance and sometimes out of plain old-fashioned rebellion (if we’re honest).  The Good News is that God saw everything we would ever do… and He loves us anyway… His mercy is extended to us anyway.. His forgiveness is available to us anyway… WHAT A WONDERFUL GOD!  Instead of trying to do something to “numb” the pain (drugs, sex, alcohol, over-working, etc.), allow God to apply His Spirit to the hurt, and minister healing and deliverance to the root cause of the situation. Remember He said~

..and that Beloved is Good News!

http://youtu.be/pCo04_puOJ0

“Free”, Darwin Hobbs

http://youtu.be/enFsX8SxmUM

“Make Me Over”, Tonex

http://youtu.be/ycvBl9tsOrk

“He Has His Hands On You”, Pastor Marvin Sapp

http://youtu.be/m1WQLipTwRQ

“Restored”, J Moss

http://youtu.be/RXRQYV3Y-JQ

“No Weapon”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EfFVnP6DO0

“Everything To Me”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tKA_sztiDE

“Just To Be Close To You”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3TbkAentU

“You Are The Living Word”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyTYEeZdhK8

“I Give Myself Away”, William McDowell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4v5IXbEauM

“Be Still”, Yolanda Adams

http://youtu.be/03GQiPaa69I

“Holy of Holies”, Kutless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0cuOawD_I8

“I’m Back”, Lonnie Huner & Structure

http://youtu.be/T9gE9SO8SAA

“I Won’t Go Back”, William McDowell

http://youtu.be/Fp6DO6qo5NI

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 
[Jeremiah 29:11] 
 

Power Out of the Pain

Thursday, September 23, 2010

For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God

[Romans 8:15-19]

********

Let brotherly love continue.

[Hebrews 13:1]

Lovin’ Our Brothers and Sisters

… whew…

 Good Morning Beloved,

I was raised as an only child.  I knew that I had brothers and sisters, but I was 16 when I actually met my sister for the first time.  I enjoyed the attention of being the only kid in the house… some may say I was spoiled.. I say I was abundantly loved!  The relationship siblings share has always fascinated me though.  My friend Tina has a younger sister and a younger brother .  They were 18, 15 and 14 respectively when I met them.  I won’t tell their ages, but I was 16 at the time.  Today, when the three of them get together, I am amazed that nothing in their familial position has changed.  They all have children, three of which are grown, but together they are still the same Tina-Cathy-Raymond unit.  Tina still the big sister/Mama, Cathy still the out-spoken middle child and Raymond still the baby .. alternating between being protected and fussed at by his older sisters.  I have noticed that even when they are angry with each other, if some outside force tries to attack one, they must deal with the wrath of them all.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ.  We have no more say over who gets saved, as Tina had when her mother became pregnant with Cathy and Raymond.  It had nothing to do with Tina.  Like it or not, siblings were coming.  She had no control over what their personalities would be, how they would look, what their likes and dislikes would be, how much they would eat.  She decided to love and protect these little people who were encroaching on her territory.  They now have a bond that was forged through years of hardship, loss, death, poverty, family strife, trials and addictions.  They made it through with the help of the Lord and by sticking together.  As children of God, we need to transfer that same attitude to our brothers and sisters in the faith.  It is easy to say, “well, they’re just not saved”.  That is a “pat” answer.  Sorry to be the one to tell you, but a lot of people we write off as “unsaved”, are just as saved as we are… they are just dealing with another set of issues that need to be cleansed by the Blood of Jesus.  Cain killed his brother Abel.  God still referred to Abel as Cain’s brother.  We have some brothers and sisters that are doing some of the craziest things.  It is not our position to shoot our wounded, point fingers or throw stones at them.  That can be tough, but God’s Word tells us to “let brotherly love continue”. Continue to love them even when they have seemingly lost their last lil piece of mind.  Continue to love them when we don’t like what they did.  Continue to love them when we don’t “like” them.  Continue..continue.. continue.  Continue to pray for them.  Continue to cover them with the Blood of Jesus.  Continue to counsel them when we have the opportunity.  Continue to bless them and protect them when we can.  Continue to treat them as we would like to be treated when our ‘less than shining moment’ comes. Continue to pray that they will turn from their wicked ways and repent.  How?  By guarding our hearts from deception and bridling our tongues from gossip and slander.  By remembering that we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.  If Jesus can pray for them and forgive their sins, we can too… He’s living in us right?  Yes.. He is.

…. and that Beloved is Good News!

 Y Stress? …. U Blessed

Have A Wonderfully Joy-Filled Day!

Regina

“The Power of One”, Israel Houghton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8o990fWsNE

“Here I Am”, Kevin LeVar and One Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJGD6qqPCo

“What If I Stumble”, DC Talk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO1Hk_5rKkA

“Lord Make Me Over”, Tonex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFPHBzpyvkE

“I Give Myself Away”, William McDowell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4v5IXbEauM

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Then said He unto me, son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, the LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.
[Ezekiel 8:12]

*******

So God created man in His own image, in the image of GOD created He him; male and female created He them.

[Genesis 1:27]

In The Image Of … Who?

Good Afternoon Beloved,

God made us… so He knows us.  He knows all of our thoughts, our imaginations, our secrets, our motivations.  That is both scary and wonderful.  Ever stop to think about what God sees in the course of a day.  The death, destruction, debauchery and decay, in the midst of the beauty, innocence, goodness and love.  The faithful among those who twist and pervert His Word at every turn.  Those who would create God in their own image, instead of recognizing that we were made in HIS image.  That thought is stuck in my heart.  God has made it so easy to know Him.  He has placed His own Spirit within us so that we can become more like Him, and He gave us His Holy Word that we can learn of Him.  The more we learn, the more assurance we should have.  I say “should have” because I know that there are people who have spent countless hours in bible study, only to still lead lives of confusion and self-destruction.  We need to have something else.  The Bible says that:

For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.  [Hebrews 4:2]

Faith is something we all have.  We were all given a measure of faith by our God.  Even those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of their lives have faith in something.  When our faith is focused, things begin to happen.  As a side note… do you realize that fear is actually faith in reverse.  Trusting and believing in the negative.  We need to take inventory of everything we’re afraid of… everything we’re afraid to do, and get to the root of what the problem is.  I used to be afraid to speak in public.  An unexpected benefit of working in theater ministry is that it completely killed that fear.  The root of my fear, was a fear of looking crazy or saying something foolish.  I was afraid I would fall or embarrass myself… I have experienced ALL of the above, so now… no worries!  I have several friends who have started various ministries.  All of them have the same things in common.  They all love God with all of their hearts, and they are all working toward their vision.  They are not sitting around, waiting for something to happen.  They are filing corporation papers, installing officers in their companies, producing Gospel Stage plays, writing books, etc. etc.  They are doing the “work” of the ministry.  They are all praying and seeking God for direction.  They are all “waiting” on the Lord, but they are not idle.  They have put their hands to the plow and are working in the vineyard. Their Father in Heaven who made them in His image, sees their labor of love, that for many of them, goes unnoticed by people.  He sees and He will reward them openly, because He sees Himself in them… you too.

…. and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

“I Wanna Know Your Ways”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGM9DxZkDCQ

“Inside Out”, Hillsong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2bXfNj3dvk

“Lead Me To The Cross”, Hillsong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdq9Q8wJdjc

“This Is The Air I Breathe”, Michael W. Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oad8ov10AjY

“Draw Me Close To You”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyl_AtOwauQ

“It’s Already Done”, Evelyn Turrentine Agee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szWsf3FDp8g

“God Did It”, Evelyn Turrentine Agee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGQyGQVM628

“Jesus Can Work It Out”, Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer (Original w/Diane Williams)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF6K-Iiqshg

“Jesus Can Work It Out”, Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer (UPDATED w/Diane Williams)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfbyj6AdPBY

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

 “So obey the commands of the LORD your GOD by walking in His ways and fearing Him. For the LORD your GOD is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills.  When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your GOD for the good land He has given you. “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your GOD and disobey His commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your GOD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that He led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the LORD your GOD. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant He confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the LORD your GOD and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. Just as the LORD has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the LORD your GOD.
(Deuteronomy 8:6-20)

Cure For Spiritual Altzheimers

Good Afternoon Beloved,

Whoa!  Can the Word get any plainer.  Can you tell the Lord meant business here?  One of the many awesome facets of God’s persona is that He is a giver.  He gave Adam and Eve the whole earth.  He gave them the power and authority to name every living creature in it.  He gave the prophets of old power to split seas, raise the dead, make ax heads float.  He has given us the power to “tread on serpants and scorpions and over all of the power of the enemy so that nothing could by any means harm us at all”.  Most of all, He gave us His only begotten Son for our redemption.  Giving is His nature and His delight.  He loves giving us not only what we ‘need’, but also our hearts ‘desire’.  If your heart’s desire is a better, safer home in which to raise your children, that doesn’t make the All Sufficient One nervous.  If your dream car is a Bentley, that doesn’t make Him blink twice.  People may have a problem with it and say “nobody needs all that”, but think about it… whether we take our last earthly breath and leave this earth, or the Lord should return, “Hoopties”, luxury cars, yachts, trucks, vans, bicycles, skateboards, alike will be left wherever they are, so drive whatever you want (long run-on sentence intentional).  His only mandate is that we not forget Him in the midst of all of the good stuff He has given us.  We hear much about how to praise God in chaos.  How to “look to the hills from whence cometh our help”  when the baby needs a new pair of shoes and the light bill is due, but what about when all of our bills are paid and things are looking pretty good.  Not everybody is broke… even in this economy.  Learning to honor God in a season of abundance is just as crucial as learning to trust God in a season of lack.  Even Jesus spoke to the issue when He said,

Now when JESUS heard these things, He said unto Him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, He said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of GOD. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with GOD. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed Thee. And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of GOD’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

 

We’ve all heard of people with an abundance of material things, who believe they have no need for God… until the bottom drops out of their world.  Many have taken not only their own lives, but the lives of family members and friends because they lost their job, or hit a financial rough patch.  Those who have placed their trust in the living God, realize that situations change and God is Lord over whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.  This verse lets us know that whatever we’ve lost (or thought we lost), it will be replaced… in this lifetime and in the life to come… now that’s what you call “abundance”… just don’t forget to remember the SOURCE from whom all blessings flow!

… now that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

*Regina, Ma & Tony (brother)

“Never Shall Forget”, John P. Kee & NLCC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82A1N_JUf7M

“My Joy”, Tye Tribbett & GA w/ John P. Kee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1DVYpw1rRk

“Thank You, Mary Mary & Kirk Franklin (Kingdom Come Soundtrack)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9HTXT7TPnI

“My Mind’s Made Up”, Rev. Milton Bronson and the Thompson Community Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb90PTvNoiU

“How Can I Say Thank You”, Hezekiah Walker w/Monique Walker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tW9AGEL8bE

“There Is No Failure In God”, Donald Vails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgWHfOuwZf8

Tuesday, December 9, 2009

And the HOLY SPIRIT helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what GOD wants us to pray for. But the HOLY SPIRIT prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the FATHER who knows all hearts knows what the SPIRIT is saying, for the SPIRIT pleads for us believers in harmony with GOD’s own will. And we know that GOD causes everything to work together for the good of those who love GOD and are called according to His purpose for them. For GOD knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His SON, so that His SON would be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His Glory.  What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If GOD is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own SON but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom GOD has chosen for His own? No one—for GOD Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for CHRIST JESUS died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at GOD’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from CHRIST’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from GOD’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from GOD’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of GOD that is revealed in CHRIST JESUS our LORD.
[Romans 8:26-39]

 

INSEPARABLE

 

Good Morning Beloved,

 

When I think about Romans 8, I seem to hear Natalie Cole singing “Inseparable”. 

 

Inseparable, that’s how we’ll always be, Inseparable, just you and me
It’s so wonderful to know you’ll always be around me
Incredible, what you are to me, Incredible, you bring out the woman in me
With your style of love, inseparable, yes, we are
We’re like a flower to tree, like words to a melody of love
There’s no way we can break up, No words that can make us blow our thing
We’re just inseparable, that’s how it is, Inseparable for the rest of our years
It’s so wonderful to know you’ll always be around

(Written by Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy)

 

Such beautiful words.  I can only imagine how many times this song has been played during that ‘first dance’ at countless weddings over the years.  I believe most people enter into marriage with that mindset, but for far too many something happens along the way and “inseparable” turns into “intolerable”. There is only one relationship that can hold that claim… God and us.  If separation occurs it is because we moved away from Him.  He “will never leave or forsake us”.  God tells us this because the first tactic the enemy of our souls will use is the old “God doesn’t love you” routine.  He uses that same ole rusty weapon to trick believers and unbelievers alike out of the presence of God.  God is still speaking to His church.  He is revealing more of Himself then ever before through His Word.  The Truth of Scripture has not changed, it is our hearts that have changed.  God will give us as much as we can handle.  No good parent will ever stuff food in their baby’s mouth.  We know how easily they can choke.  These are the last days and God has entrusted this generation with powerful treasures of the bible.  His Word is often referred to as a “sword”.. a double-edged sword that cuts going in and cuts going out.  A sword that is able to divide bone and marrow.  A sword that is able to discern the thoughts and intents of every individual-and yet He still says, “I will never leave you”.  People have left spouses because they cheated on them… how many times have folks cheated on God with all sorts of puny false gods, and little places of idolatry, and still He says, “I will never leave you”.  People leave spouses because of abuse… how many times has humanity abused their place in God, abused the name of God, abused the creations of God, lashed out at God in anger and still He says, I will never leave you”.  How many divorce because they felt unloved and underappreciated, but how many times have we ignored His voice, denied Him by our actions, forgotten to say thank you, pushed Him to the side when what we want conflicts with what He said.  How many justify unrighteous behavior with an off-handed, “well, God knows my heart” or only God can judge me… an He still says, I will never leave you”. 

 

What an amazing love that burns in the Holy Heart of Heaven’s Best

  

A love that cuts through and changes the most rebellious spirit and calls the wayward heart to rest

 

A love that sees all, knows all and yet calls all

 

The piercing Eyes that gently probe our very soul

 

A Love that loves so deeply the half will not be told

 

‘Til we meet Him face to face… we will finally understand in the end

 

As we bask in the fullness of His presence and He tells us…

 

Welcome Home!  I told you I’d never leave you my friend!

{Regina Hockaday, Dec. 9,2009}

 

 

…. and that Beloved is Good News!

 

U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

 

“I Have A Friend”, Clint Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i3GMSY6Dp4

 

“Just wanna Say”, Israel Houghton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N7d3A39rls

 

“Worship You”, Antwaun Stanley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRYsGYB7nGo

 

“Falling In Love With Jesus”, Jonathan Butler & Juanita Bynum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xnJAh0quw4 

 

“He Still Loves Me, The Fighting Temptations soundtrack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAinzW3NUQk

 

“Lost Without You”, Lejeune Thompson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3pZOqdFZXc

 

“Sunday’s On The Way”, Carmen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muK1DPKhKJ8