by his spirit we have his characteristics in us and have the capacity to be greater human beings

when we acknowledge his self sufficiency.

He is not governed by time for he lives for eternity

give me a profound discussion, explain how there can be a giver of life

but there be no rules to govern this life

our God is the only living tyrant who yields his power justly

who else has given up his most prized possession for the sake of his creation

in his eyes we are undeserving of his mercy

yet he lives to show us his mercy

the immortal one became mortal when he came into this life

for no earthly pleasure, he came so we could earn a measure of his righteousness

he did not conform to the pattern of this world,

he chose to offer his body as a living sacrifice.

He is the I AM

a burning fire that was not dependent on the bush

he is the source he doesn’t need another resource

Adam disrespected him who is perfect in himself and became disconnected

the one who brought all things to existence

is not on trial, he is the judge.

He is worthy of our allegiance, try him and be connected

we can only take him by his word

but his word is more powerful than any weapon used to kill

his word is flawless, his word heals and resuscitates the dead to life

in his word i find hope, like Jeremiah his word is in my heart like a fire,

a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in;  indeed, I cannot.

By his word i am set free, because the word became flesh. In him was light

and that light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Now lets use our words to give him authentic worship!

John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.

by his spirit we have his characteristics in us and have the capacity to be greater human beings

when we acknowledge his self sufficiency.

He is not governed by time for he lives for eternity

give me a profound discussion, explain how there can be a giver of life

but there be no rules to govern this life

our God is the only living tyrant who yields his power justly

who else has given up his most prized possession for the sake of his creation

in his eyes we are undeserving of his mercy

yet he lives to show us his mercy

the immortal one became mortal when he came into this life

for no earthly pleasure, he came so we could earn a measure of his righteousness

he did not conform to the pattern of this world,

he chose to offer his body as a living sacrifice.

He is the I AM

a burning fire that was not dependent on the bush

he is the source he doesn’t need another resource

Adam disrespected him who is perfect in himself and became disconnected

the one who brought all things to existence

is not on trial, he is the judge.

He is worthy of our allegiance, try him and be connected

we can only take him by his word

but his word is more powerful than any weapon used to kill

his word is flawless, his word heals and resuscitates the dead to life

in his word i find hope, like Jeremiah his word is in my heart like a fire,

a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in;  indeed, I cannot.

By his word i am set free, because the word became flesh. In him was light

and that light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Now lets use our words to give him authentic worship!

John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.

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just to surrender my heart completely to you is all i need

maybe there is someone out there who can feel my pain

someone who is not afraid to dance with me in the rain

but i need you to help me to breathe

so hold me a little bit closer, a little while longer in your arms

take me a little bit deeper, you’re life to my soul

oohhh, ohhhhhhh, ohhhhhh take me in

i need you to help me to breathe

i just need you to help me to breathe

i find freedom when i’m in your presence

i find my voice when i confess and cry out how you set me free

when i’m with you i’m free

free to lift my hands and worship, free to sing and dance

free to worship!

no more chains holding me

i’ve been set free from the expectations of men.

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[e]?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

“Let your church Arise O Lord. And Hear our cry for the nations. Let the change i want to see first begin in me. I surrender so your world can be changed.”

even when the pain, and the anger, and the hurt

keep chasing me

because all it does is lead me back to you.

I bear no spirit of fear

for you have blessed me with a new spirit

a spirit of power, love and self-control.

And this world has nothing to offer me

because i would be foolish to turn down your offer

to rescue me

when i’m all alone

at the cross you set me free

now your love won’t let me be.

May those that i serve find your salvation

and be filled with hope; divine inspiration.

And please let our hearts be captive to your love and grace

so we may not be deceived any longer

of your existent spiritual reality.

Like flowers that fade away

we edge closer to our graves everyday

but with the assurance of your resurrection

those who hold on to their faith

will find redemption

and live for eternity, at home with you.

Some of us have been blessed with gifts so powerful we have no idea how awe-inspiring we can be. This life is too short for us to be holding back on what we know we can achieve, for where there is a will there is always a way. Anyone who is striving to succeed in fighting for social equality in our world today needs to realize the only way to achieving this dream is by letting go of everything this world has to offer. You have to be prepared to be a martyr or be one already to be deserving of any credence. Greed is a virus one can only cure by giving up what one has. Its like curing cancer, you have to kill the cells not feed them. Unfortunately, our world is driven by people who lust after wealth and power. We all are!

Freedom is not the equivalence of being able to make your own choices. Real freedom is in deciding to give up the comfortable things in life for the only heavenly treasure that can be found here on earth, which is his eternal love. If we take hold of this gift and share it with every human being then we will have realized our purpose. Love those who are marginalized by listening to them and teach them what you know and you will see how God will use them to teach you too. Love your enemies by being kind to them so your heart may be free from the wounds they inflict on you. And lastly, love yourself not with material gifts but with the gift of time. Take the time to listen to your spirit and have faith in the one who can hear you when you are alone.

Tradition has traced
apostles to far-flung parts of the world. Christians of south India trace their
Christianity back to the apostle Thomas, who they believe is buried near
Madras. John was believed to have been at the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor
(Efes in modern Turkey). Mathew may have been active in Ethiopia. Pilgrims
still climb mountain passes to the legendary burial place of the apostle James
at Compostela in northern Spain. (p. 4 of A History of The Church In The
Middle Ages by F. Donald Logan)

What is certain is that Peter and Paul both died at Rome and
a fairly early tradition links them as ‘founders’ of the Roman church. (p.5)

Christianity differed from other eastern religions for it
alone was monotheistic. At its center  was
not a mythological person but an actual historical person. In Tertullian’s
familiar phrase ‘See the Christians: how they love one another’ – provided a
powerful attraction to souls in search of a religion which affected their whole
lives. (p.7)

By 112 Pliny the Younger, once consul in Rome, wrote from
Asia Minor that Christianity was reaching even into the villages. By the end of
that century Christianity had reached remotest Britain. And by the conversion
of Constantine in 312, perhaps as many as six or seven million Christians lived
within the Roman empire and an untold but no doubt smaller number beyond its
borders.

In A.D 64 emperor Nero singled out Christians for
persecution for the burning of Rome setting a precedent that would permitt the
persecution of Christians as Christians. For the next two hundred years after
Nero’s scapegoating, Christians were persecuted sporadically but only in
specific locations. (p.8) the early Christians were afraid for their lives but
it was the blood of martyrs that acted as a seed for the growth of the
Christian religion as Tertullian put it.

After Constantine’s conversion in 312 the church was free
from persecution. In 392 Christianity became the official religion of the Roman
state.

From apostolic times the movement had some organization: the
unit was the local church (ecclesia). The local community at Corinth was known
as the church of Corinth, and so it was with other local Christian communities.
At each church some person presided; he was called by different names but has
become known as ‘bishop’. They all worshipped together in private homes at a
Eucharist (‘thanks-giving’) that memorialized the Last Supper of Christ with
his apostles. By the time of Constantine the ‘bishops’ of the great churches at
Antioch, Alexandria and Rome exercised authority beyond their local churches.

History occurs within the context of culture. Sociologists
say a culture is the way of life characteristic of a group. A culture includes
the physical creations of a people and their learned and shared behaviors and
beliefs. When Christianity moved into a new culture, it often adopted the
beliefs and symbols of that culture, at least in modified forms. Christianity
developed from Judaism and shares much with it.
Christianity, like Judaism, presents a linear view of history, which means that history has a definite
beginning and will reach a definite end.

The Prophets

After the death of
Solomon, the nation of Israel separated into two kingdoms. This period of the
divided kingdom ran from 922 to 722 B.C.E when Assyria conquered the north and
destroyed Israel. There arose many prophets during this time. The most
important were Elijah (850 B.C.E), Elisha (825 B.C.E), first Isaiah (742-695),
Jeremiah (627-580 B.C.E), Ezekiel (593-570 B.C.E), second Isaiah (540 B.C.E),
and third Isaiah (515 B.C.E).

The word prophet roughly means “speak for.” Prophets
assumed a special authority because they claimed to speak for God. They criticized
both the religion and culture of their day, usually by claiming they were
recalling a straying people to keeping the covenant of Moses.

True religion involved having a pure heart, not just
following set rituals.

The prophets held that Israel was not special to God because
God loved her above others, but because she was chosen to be a witness about
God all nations.

When Israel ceased to exist in 722 B.C.E, Judah survived as
the “bearer of the covenant.” This southern kingdom gave its name (Judaism) to
the religion traced to Abraham. The people who practice this faith were
eventually called Jews because at one time most of them were citizens of Judah.
(p.9,11-‘A Concise History of Christianity by R. Dean Peterson)

In 586 B.C.E Judah was conquered by Babylon. The Babylonian captivity
lasted until 538 B.C.E. when Cyrus, a Persian who had recently defeated the
Babylonians, permitted Jewish captives to return to their homeland.

Many scholars claim that during the Babylonian captivity the
practices and beliefs associated with Judaism actually emerged. Judaism became
radically monotheistic, which means the Jews developed a strong belief that
there was only one God. From this point
on faith in one God became the identifying mark of Jews. (p.11)

The Torah was written in its present form during the
captivity. The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Because these
books contain the “Law of Moses,” they also were called simply the Law. Obedience
to the Law became central features of Judaism.

One of the most important rules that developed during the
Babylonian captivity was observing the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a time of rest
and worship.

The synagogue, a local congregation where believers gathered
for worship and study, also appeared during this time. Rabbis emerged along
with the development of synagogues. They were teachers of the Jewish law who
settled disputes regarding the Law or rituals and performed other duties such
as weddings. Often the rabbis were the heads of local synagogues. Later the
term was applied by disciples to their teachers. It was in this sense that the
word rabbi was applied to Jesus.

After the Jews returned to their homeland they rebuilt the
walls of Jerusalem and the temple but they were still dominated by the
Persians. After Alexander the Great, a Greek, conquered the middle east, Judah
was captured from the Persians and placed under the control of a series of
Greek rulers. The Hellenestic (Greek) era ran from 332 to 167 B.C.E. Greek
culture and thought was now introduced to the region.

The Jews were briefly free from 167 B.C.E. to 63 B.C.E. when
Judah Maccabee led a successful revolt against Greek rule. General Pompey, a
Roman took control of Jerusalem from then on.

The Roman empire
stretched north to south from England to North Africa and east to west from
Syria to Spain when Jesus was born. Pax Romana (“peace of Rome”) was enforced
during this time. Highways were constructed for the army linked the empire.

Greek was the language of commerce and was spoken throughout
the empire. Christian missionaries were allowed to travel safely throughout the
empire and permitted to communicate the
gospel (good news) of Jesus wherever they went because of this.

The new church had to turn to both the Jewish and the Roman
worlds to understand itself and explain its faith to outsiders. This same
process operates today as each new generation of Christians tries to apply the
traditional faith to the world in which it lives.

Jesus taught about
ethics (ideas of right and wrong). The center of these ethics was an intense
love of God. Sincere love would lead to automatic obedience to God’s laws.
Jesus taught that a life focused on God would eliminate worry and give way to
contentment.

God knew how hard-hearted and stubborn the people of Israel were thats why he made Ezekiel as hard and stubborn as they were. He made him as hard as rock! (Eze 3:9) I see very many similarities of myself in Ezekiel and maybe you do too.

Right and wrong is a basic human instinct many would argue. We judge a person’s character based on their behavior. And whilst most hollywood movies depict the protagonist as an advocate for good and not evil. There is a sense of justice to be had or to be found in the way characters portray their roles in a social drama with love cast as the source for hope. Yet, the credits at the end of a movie are often reserved for the director and the producers. They acknowledge in movies the work of the artist who makes all of that come together but what about in real life. Do we acknowledge the one who ultimately directs and produces every scene we have ever had or will have. Debates on whether science or faith is the root cause of life here on earth has been going on for ages. But what if you were presented with the facts. I believe it would still take a measure of faith for you to be able to pick a side.

God is not looking for you to give him the answers, he is the answer. He is the answer to overcoming every weakness known to man. When we lose the ability to trust in Him, we lose the ability to trust in each other.

I’ve found my purpose in life and that is to seek social justice. Does that mean i’m a prophet? I’ll leave that to God, He is the judge.

Ezekiel 36:24-27

For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land. “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.

whisper God knew every man would fall

priests need to confess their faults

loose lips sink ships

Thanksgiving disguised as a feast

Rolling in a Honda CRV, gas isn’t cheap

Only the employed got this, I’m blessed i ain’t rich

Church with empty seats, all divided up like gangs

while love is all we need to teach

Drug dealer reached

I’m wondering if there are churches that preach

Is Pius pious cause God loves pious?

Socrates asked whose bias do we all seek?

All for Plato, screech

I’m out here calling, I know yall see my tweets

Jesus was a carpenter, E laid beats

Jehova poured out the Holy Ghost

say your prayers and get out your seats, preach

[Hook]

Human beings in a mob

What’s a mob to a king? What’s a king to a God?

What’s a God to a believer who believes He is everything?

Will he make it out alive, alright, alright, there’s church in the wild

[Bridge: The-Dream]

I live by you, desire

I stand by you, walk through the fire

Your love is my scripture

Let me into your encryption

[Verse 2:]

Sin on her black skin

Made it light like a beer, don’t call that love either

You will not control your flesh without God in three son

Just roll the weed back his high is all i need to get me some

His love is my new religion

Every man sins God never gives permission

But when i ask for forgiveness He pardons me

So never fight anybody without telling Him

Sunglasses and Advil, last night was a bad ordeal

Sun coming up, 5 a.m., I wonder if there are girls who aren’t promiscuous still

Thinking about the girl in all black

Who was up in church singing like Kiki Sheard

Two tattoos, one read “Love Died On The Cross”

The other “Love Your Enemies and Pray For Those Who Persecute You”

Its something the pastor needs to preach

Mathew 5:44; Its something i want to teach

When we die the money we can’t keep

So we probably should give more so those in pain can be reached , preach

[Hook]

Human beings in a mob

What’s a mob to a king? What’s a king to a God?

What’s a God to a believer who believes He is everything?

Will he make it out alive, alright, alright, there’s church in the wild

Black Axl Rose, Move halfs and wholes
Come down to the jungle,  Just ask for Hov
Move blocks and squares, Move apples and pears
Work pots  and pans, Just to cop me some Airs (giving is better than receiving)
My uncle died, My Daddy did too
Paralyzed by the pain, I can barely move
My nephew gone, My heart is torn
Sometimes I look to the sky, Ask why I was born (we were born to praise God)
My faith in God, Every day is  hard
Every night is worse, That’s why I pray so hard

(Kanye West)
Why I pray so hard, This is crazy God
Just when I thought  I had everything, I lost it all (we can’t hold on to material things)
So que sera, Get a case of Syrah
Let it  chase the pain, Before it goes too far (give your pain to God)

(Jay-Z)
My dreams is big, Reality set in
Let off a clip from a  automatic weapon,
Through shots in the door, it died in Vegas (those who live by the sword, will die by the sword)
Though it fought so hard, I knew it wouldn’t make it
I’m a tortured soul, I live in  disguise (we are all tortured souls, thats why we need God)
Rest in peace to the leader of the Jackson 5
I died in my sleep,  I’m still Big Pimpin
I ball at the mall, Beginning of the ending
Where the f is the sun?
It’s been a while, Momma, look at ya son
What happened to  my smile?
My tears is tatted My rag in my pocket
I’m just looking for  love, I know somebody got it (God does!)
Champagne for the pain, Weed for the low
God  damn I’m so high, Where the f did I go?
I’m losing myself, I’m stuck in  the moment
I look in the mirror, My only opponent
Where the f is the  press? Where the f is the Pres?
Either they know or don’t care I’m f king  depressed (ask for help, cry out to God)
No crying in public, Just lying to judges
Risking my life, I’m  already dying, so f it well

(Swizz)
Welcome to the jungle, welcome to the jungle well
God-have-it!

The pain in this world will never go away until Christ’s second coming.

All i can do is admit i’m helpless and look to Christ to save me and help me overcome every circumstance that comes my way.

God thinks about us everyday!

Ambition drives some to take extreme measures. Every life needs a plan and a purpose but who determines your plan and purpose. When  I think about my plan and purpose in life I think about the things I am good at and the gifts and talents God has given me.

It takes maturity to be able to fulfill our purpose here on earth and as i strive to grow and be more mature i realize i have been blessed to have so many teachable moments along the way.

Everything i have done in the past and everything i have learnt was designed to point me towards my destiny.

There is no treasure greater than the love of God. By sending his son to die on the cross for us, he demonstrated his unconditional love for us.

It is his love that leads me towards my destiny.

I would never advocate for personal glory, only God deserves all glory. Nothing we do can ever compare to what He has done.

Leading others to accept and be filled with His love should be our goal. The things of this world will never satisfy us, its only His love, his never-ending love that will satisfy our thirst and hunger for more.

Prayer is our adjustment to life. I have had so many answered prayers that it is impossible for me to deny God’s power and saving grace.

The times i have had people come up to me and remark at how gifted or talented or blessed I am, i believe if it wasn’t for prayer it wouldn’t have been made plain to them.

For the troubles, trials and afflictions I have gone through I give thanks to God for. As Paul says, .”.we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

I need ambition in order to be driven in life, and the only thing i find capable of keeping me motivated is God’s love.

Money, power and sex are all short-lived in this life, but God’s love will live forever.

The best politicians are confident in the midst of expectation and often find ways of convincing their audience with boisterous statements.

I believe those who have faith in God can achieve the same and attain the highest goal, which is reaching others with God’s love and become presidents of their own destiny. With the knowledge and understanding that every circumstance is designed to strengthen our confident expectation of salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

For once the human spirit is intertwined with God’s spirit hope bursts forth and it is impossible to hide that hope from those around us. Hope, Faith and Love are the only three things that will endure. And the greatest of these is Love.

Lets not deny love, which is our ultimate goal. (1 John 4:7-21)

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. (1 John 5:21)