Know God

Struggle between both man and God
this child I knew had ran to the pew.

She hoped that God would change his plans
and release her from her master's hands.

The demon had made a pact with her life
and she had been feeling more hurt and strife.

Her dark, ridden soul had yet to be sowed.
God's power and love was something she craved.

For years her heart carried mistrust
she lied, she cheated and hid her lust.

And God Almighty would place his curse,
to avoid her ride in the big, black hearse.

The child had extreme ache deep within
for flesh was the root of her deep sin.

But his kind words would be her key
for he wanted her love ever faithfully.

So she would pray and fast for Him
in her room where the lights were dim.

And death would slowly begin to grow
and the leaves from the trees had begun to blow.

And those golden leaves laid upon her name

and her life was in His great hall of fame.

God is Love

There is nothing in this world better
than seeing a man who has fallen in love with God.

His sins have been long carried by Jesus
his voice sings of the Holy Spirit.
He glows, smiles, laughs, cries.
My husband, Your Son, Our Father.

Thank you.
Touched he is by God's powerful hand
held is he by the Lord's wonderful embrace
problems become foundations of strength
to think twice about what you say and
how you say it is evidence of new found respect
for God is written on his face.

Jesus is his guide and the Holy Spirit is his angel.
Life will never be the same.
Salvation is the only way.
Prayers of strength to keep fellowship with God.
Life will never be the same for he will continue to grow,
humbled, relieved, understood, wise.

He is my husband, your Son, Our Father, Thank you!

When God Speaks, 10 Things God Told Me in the Spirit

1. Observe your surroundings.
Know that I, Your God, Am Creator. Pay attention to strangers and strange happenings.

2. Listen to my voice.
(I speak) in the clouds, through the birds, through song and dance. Listen to my messengers - people. I use all people, places and things to communicate.

3. Use your head.
Think first what is your initial thought on a matter -- a major decision.

4. Let everything you do be spiritual.
Ignore the natural man inside for his desires and wants are of the flesh.

5. You are not of Me when you decide to do things according to your own will rather than my will.

6. Ignore criticism unless I tell you otherwise.

7. A day without me is a day without protection.

8. No matter what you do, wherever you may go, stay in prayer and fasting. Refer to the Bible for answers.

9. Everything happens for a reason. This is your test.

10. You will move on to eternal life if you follow these ways. Look to the commandments -- look to scriptures. Know that I AM in the plan.

Who Can You Trust?

Darkness surrounds the individual who rejects the Lord. He wallows in his sorrows looking for a solution to a problem. His focus is not on the positive answers, because in darkness there is none. Looking amongst various family and friends, he hears several different solutions to one problem. Unfortunately, many are based on lies and selfish reasons. Misplaced trust that is his first problem.

Who will he trust when a loved one dies? Who will he trust when his money is gone? Who will he trust when his taxes are due?

His or her enemy isn't a neighbor, the government or a spouse. The enemy is within the individual, the devil within him or her.

For example, she trusts in her own solutions to solve problems at work. The boss is upset, because now it has been four times and she is still making the same mistakes. She knows that if she makes one more error, she will be on her way out the door. Eventually, the error is made and now she is left jobless. Her "instinct" tells her to trust in God. "Where was God before the mistakes occurred?" she asks herself. Answering her own question, she says, "My confidence and pride caused me to forget about God when things were fine."

How often must God's children go round and round to see what God is trying to say when things are good as well as bad? One can prevent the enemy of self by doing one thing and that is trusting in God.

So how does one trust in God? First, he must begin asking the Lord his opinion on the day-to-day activities he plans. If he knows he has a meeting to go to during the day, he may ask the Lord what shall he bring to the meeting or should he even go? Another example, he may have to prepare dinner after work, why not ask the Lord what to make for supper? In addition , there are house chores to be done, he may ask the Lord, "What task shall I accomplish today?" These little questions he asks God today will lead to bigger questions he will ask God tomorrow. Then , when times are rough and they will get rough, he can say, "Lord I trust that whatever happens in that operating room will be a success."

Remember the following scripture below as you begin to build a trusting relationship with God.

"Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -- Proverbs 3.

Part Two: Is it god or God?

I really thought my spiritual teachers had it altogether so I hung on their every word back during those naive days I mentioned in another blog entry. However, what I didn't know back in the mid-nineties is that there is the god of the world that people praise and then there is the God of the Bible. What makes things a tad bit complicated is which Bible God do you serve?

There are so many bibles! How do you know which one is right? You don't unless you have the gift of the Holy Spirit or receive guidance from a believer who you know reads the word and you can see the wonderful things that are happening in and around his or her life. So how do you get the spirit? Well you can't get the spirit, he has to come upon you. That doesn't happen unless you open yourself up to the word of God, pray and fast, ask God for the gifts of the spirit, and allow the one who is appointed by God to lay hands on you. This usually happens when you walk down an aisle at a church or are in the presence of sincere, anointed believers who will pray with and over you.

Now while these things are going on around you, inside your mind you have to fight the thoughts like, "I have to get back to my seat, I bet people think I look stupid standing here, When will this all be over?" You have to think about things like how grateful you are to be alive, talk to God about the things you have done and ask him for his mercy, thank Him for the favor he has shown you even when you didn't deserve it, and ask him to draw near to you. This is what some of the people are thinking about when they are standing in front of the congregation crying and looking as if they are ready to pass out from grief.

God has a hold on the true believers who really want something miraculous to happen in their lives! All the ugly that those who walked in darkness said about God, what wrong they did to other people, and many other things is what causes them to grieve on the inside. It is through their convictions that they finally say, "Enough, I can't do this by myself Lord -- I need your help!" At that time some will fall out on the floor, shout, cry, even foam at the mouth because some very ugly things they are dealing with are being exposed. Afterward, they feel a sense of relief, a hope that things will get better.

For me, I studied a few chapters that were assigned to me after attending a class before I walked down the aisle and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior.(The study was in the Book of Acts, Galatians Chapter 5, and I John.) I wanted to know what I was getting myself into and even after reading the Bible and the teachers providing me with education and instruction I still didn't necessarily grasp what I was doing. All I knew is that where I was in my life between the physical abuse, drinking, clubbing, and acting a fool 95-96, I needed some guidance.

When I got up to the front of the church back then, I cried and the man of God touched my head. I didn't feel anything at that time, but as the days passed things began to change and I realized that there was something different about me. In time, I stopped having the desire to go out to places I didn't feel comfortable, end a relationship that wasn't good for me, and cut off some so-called friends that did nothing more than take from me. I still had problems back then that I struggled with and even now, but I am nothing like I used to be.

I don't recommend everyone go down any aisle especially if you haven't learned anything about the church, read the Bible, or don't feel right about the people, because the scripture does say, "many are called but chosen are few. " But what I do suggest is that if you attend a church and fill this tugging to walk down the aisle in your mind and body -- like Nike says, "Just do it!" You don't know what God has in store for you and you definitely don't want to miss a new and improved you!

For some of you it could happen this Sunday while you are visiting someone else's church. Better study up! That might be the first and last time you will get a special calling. Then once you get to the front of the aisle, listen to what the leadership says and go to a class so that you understand what this all means. If you don't get any understanding you will be walking between two worlds wondering why things seem to be getting worse.

You see things got worse before they got better for me because I didn't surround myself with prayer warriors back in the 90s. Sure, I got the minister's blessing and studied for a little bit with the mothers of the church, but in time I purposely lost contact, because I wasn't completely sold on God, so to speak. I made excuses because I wanted "to do my own thing." And doing my own thing almost got me killed! You see, in my mind I thought I was a "little god"--the god of self! I thought I didn't need anyone to tell me anything and if I wanted to know something I always had the Internet or a book to read. That is until God got a hold of me!

I leave you with this, if you think that you are a "little god" or you serve little gods then why aren't they saving you from your troubles? Could it be that the god you have been waiting on to answer your prayers isn't really God but just a figment of your imagination? The only way to know the truth is to read it.

Nicholl McGuire

What's Inside of Me?

Created, manifested, edited, and rearranged
my life story
to try to fit
what others said I should become!

Thought about a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker
from a storybook of long ago.

Heard someone say a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, and an athlete
I knew that wasn't for me.

So I went to God to confirm my identity,
my destiny
meanwhile the world says
"you can't be rich."

So I kept my dream under lock and key for awhile
as I pursued what man said was best for me.

Told me my success was measured by dollars and cents
wouldn't ackowledge me as an expert without letters
didn't think much of me when I couldn't drive metal
said I was breaking the rules if I went off course.

Oh there is a river of words within me
streaming out daily
for I cannot rest
until I do my best
until I write my last word
until I give my last breath...

Can't leave it up to God to tell my story
that's why he called me
front page news give God the glory!

My name will be...
My Father I am
the first and the last
oh how they will remember me!

My face on television
the wealthy will speak my name!
My children will call me blessed
for I am highly favored
bought with a price
more than a conqueror
through Christ who strengthens me!

For seeds I have sown for so many years
are sprouting green because of my tears!
The ground beneath me a solid rock I stand
no devil in hell can shake me!

My blessing will be running over
my house will have more room than I need
my car will shine
and someone out there will call me "mine."

Then I will reflect on this day
of how he blessed me with an idea
that sold millions
that delivered thousands
that appointed hundreds
for many are called
but chosen are few.

So I wait...and I wait
as God serves me my plate
and I will feast in the presence of mine enemies.

God will restore what was stolen from me
God will bless me like he did Job
a new day is coming...
"God grant me the serenity..."
I remember the note I posted upon my wall
and the time will come that I will need it!

For the crowds are on their way
the lights will be flashing
the pain of not having enough
will be far gone from my head!

My heart will no longer be heavy
my children won't have to hear "no"
and God, oh yes God...will answer my prayers!

Jesus Loves the Little Children

The song, "Jesus Loves the Little Children" is powerful! It reminds us that we are children in the eyes of God irregardless of our skin tone! Just as good parents love and care for their children in spite of..., God does the same for us. However, what separates babies and adults is the ability that adults have to make decisions on their own whereas a baby can do nothing more than wait for someone to help them.

I think of Matthew 18 when Jesus sits the child upon his lap and tells his followers, "Unless you turn to God from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." Now this statement would be difficult for one to understand if he or she has never been in the presence of children. What I can tell you about children from personal experience, is they are eager to learn new things. When they really want to know something they will keep their mouths closed and do as they are told. They will also ask questions and apply what they have learned to their lives. Unfortunately, when most children grow older they become know-it-alls and do not want anyone telling them anything. I think even after life experiences we should have learned from, there is still a know-it-all spirit within us that isn't asking questions like a child, but is actually presenting oneself before God, church, family, friends,and strangers as if he or she already knows the answer! This has been the downfall of many Christians in the faith, we get a little meat and run with it never thinking to go back and learn how to cook it for ourselves and then distribute it to others.

We don't act like children when it comes to going to God for answers. Rather, we go to God thinking we already know what we are supposed to do in a situation or already have some idea what we are going to do before we wait on God to give us an answer. Instead, we should be open minded before Him and realize that God wants to guide us and teach us something different so that we can apply it to our lives.

Have you ever wondered why some children are so much smarter than others? The answer isn't always about whether the child has a parent who is a genius, but oftentimes the intelligence of the child is developed because someone took the time to explain or teach them new things. If the child was the strong-willed type and was never taught to tame the beast within, then he or she will not be open to advice or learning anything different without objection. I think that sometimes as Christians we don't want to learn anything new or different, because we know that we are responsible for the knowledge that we obtain. Sometimes playing ignorant, at least for some Christians, is a good excuse not to do what you are supposed to do in the Kingdom.

The way I see it, if I don't bother to go to God like a little child asking questions and being willing to apply the answers to my life, then I am not doing anything for the Kingdom on earth and I can forget about going to the Kingdom after I die. In summary, be as a little child and go to God with your questions, unlike humans he won't be offended, and will be more than happy to assist!