Listen...why not fix it!

My pastor, Bishop Barry D. Walker of A Place of Refuge Ministries has been preaching on, hearing. I have always considered myself a good listener. He has been talking about the difference between listening and hearing. He explained to us that hearing is not just listening but it is comprehension with intent to follow through and make the necessary changes. His messages prompted me to reevaluate the way I listen and the way I expect others to listen to and hear me. I mean think about it, we expect our children to listen to us but not just to listen…to hear what we are saying and comply, if they don’t…there will be consequences. Furthermore, I don’t know many people who appreciate speaking to their significant other and being ignored, do you? Well God expects the same! He has given us His Word as instructions for us to listen to and follow through with. He told us exactly what He expects; James 1:22-25 NKJV says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” How many of you would walk past a mirror and see your hair out of place, crumbs on your face or your shirt miss-buttoned and NOT fix it? (Stop and re-read that scripture above and take a moment to really think about this.) Ok, now if you know that you would not look at yourself in a mirror, see an issue and NOT fix it, then why would you continue living contrary to the way God has planned for you to live? Are you wondering what I mean by that? Let’s check the word again, James 4:17 is clear it says, “When you know to do right and choose to do wrong, you are in sin.” When we listen to our flesh or others that tell us certain things are ok but we know they are not, we are then indeed in sin when we do them. And what is the end result of sin? Romans 6:23 really tells the whole story, it says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” So let’s look in our spiritual mirror, see what’s wrong, LISTEN to the word and, why not fix it? Think about it!

Share your Perception!

“Psalms 96:3, Declare His glory among all nations, His wonders among all people.” Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you saw the infamous dress that had the entire world and I mean, literally the entire WORLD talking! If you didn’t just google, “what color is this dress?” Anyway, here’s why I’m talking about this still. The picture of this dress went viral, because some people saw it as gold and white and some saw it as blue and black, but everyone was sharing the picture!

Personally I saw gold and white and no matter what I tried that’s what I saw despite the fact that many of my friends, family and co-workers, including one of my children, saw blue and black! It was baffling…many scientists and doctors tried to explain it but it didn’t matter. All over the world, people looked at this dress and debated on its true colors. Overnight millions of people shared this picture, via email, twitter, Facebook as well as phone texts and that is the amazing part I want to discuss. I wrote in my comments on the dress that I wished the fabric spelled out “Jesus saves,” because it quickly became apparent to me that more eyes were going to set upon this dress than perhaps had heard the good news of Jesus Christ that day. So of course you know it got me to thinking, “What if as many people as shared the picture of this dress, shared with their fellow man the story of Jesus? You may say, “If I share the news of Jesus, many will debate me or not believe me.” Well that’s okay, the debate over the color of that dress made national news, but here’s the best part, it will never be forgotten. The dress made an impression on the world that won’t soon be erased, the same as Jesus. So when you think of our Savior, share you perception with those around you, it will do more good than harm for them to hear the truth. Think about it!

Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” I recently watched the movie Addicted by Zane and read the book Dopefiend by Donald Goines. Both the movie and the book, depict characters with extreme addictions, one to sex and the other drugs. In the movie, a wife and loving mother of two is so addicted to sex that she cannot control her urges and she ends up in a relationship with her husband and two other men. In the book several characters are so strung out on heroin to the point to where they begin harming themselves and others. These are super extreme cases of addictions but they are all too real. There are many things one can become addicted to. From something as simple a FACEBOOK to harmful things like cigarettes or alcohol; I believe people often take this for granted. Wikipedia defines addiction as a state characterize by compulsive (habitual) engagement (activities) in a rewarding simuli (feeling) despite adverse (dangerous) consequences (results). To be addicted to something means you are convinced you have to have that thing or person even if it or they mean to harm you. Imagine someone being so addicted to something that they would give their life for it. Now imagine each and every Christian being so addicted to spreading the love of Christ that they soon turn their addiction into a spreading epidemic! If we were as addicted to praying about problems as we often are to complaining about them, the world would be brighter and things would be much better in our lives. If we were as addicted to showing love as we often are at searching for criticism there would be much less hate in the world! If you are going to be addicted to anything, like the old song says, “I recommend Jesus!” Please don’t think I’m, “preaching to the choir.” I could stand to step up my daily of doses Jesus, I won’t lie. But consider this, if we spent one half the time we spend on pointless activities that benefit no one, on Jesus how much better our lives and the lives of those around us would be. Think about it!

Shake it up…make ‘em thirsty!

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is (you are) thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. I was listening to the radio the other day. A preacher came on the air talking about the effects of salt. He was saying how salt makes us thirsty when consumed. He went on to say that once ingested salt can cause the consumer to seek out water or beverage to quench their thirst. He ended the talk quoting the scripture from Matthew 5:13 and asking a question, that I would like to pose in this article today, “Are you making those around you thirst?” If we are, as the scripture says, the “salt of the earth” are we doing as we what we are supposed to be doing? Salt causes thirst. But salt in a shaker is no good until it is put to use. How are we supposed to salt the earth? Well, as Christians we are to share the good news of God’s word. The scripture tells us in Isaiah 11:55 “So will My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: It will not return to Me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing where I sent it.” Simply put if you sprinkle out the word, change will take place. But how can the world be flavored if we “the salt,” refuse to “shake it up?” We have to be willing to share the word with as many people as we can without fear. The last thing we should want is to become flavorless or useless salt…right? If you are truly salt (and I am talking to myself as well) when was the last time you witnessed or testified and fed a hungry soul or caused one to become thirsty? When shared, the word will surly leave them waiting more so, go ahead, SHAKE IT UP…Make ‘em thirsty! Think about it! Visit & join my website: genamaeproductions.webs.com Like my Facebook pages Gena-Mae Productions & Between Love & A Hard Place

The Storm “Ceaser”!

Mark 4:39 “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

I recently saw a viral video of a small village in a foreign country. In the video you can see that there is a tornado spinning and heading right towards a small church. As the worshipers notice the storm headed their way they begin to cry out, “Jesus!” Over and over again you can hear the church members call out to Jesus to keep the storm away from their church, which looks as if it could be knocked over by just a mild wind. Amazingly in the video you can see the tornado shift, turn and then go the opposite way. Of course once the storm is gone you can hear the church members rejoice. This is a true story. I saw the video and it doesn’t look doctored to me. Now, this reminds me of the story in the book of Mark. Jesus and his disciples had been traveling all day. Jesus boarded a ship and his disciples followed. Not long after getting on the boat Jesus, probably tired from his day of teaching, lies down and takes a nap. The Bible goes on to tell us that, shortly after Jesus falls asleep a great storm arises on the sea and water begins to overtake the boat. The disciples, frightened, awake Jesus and cry out to Him to save them from the storm. Jesus simply speaks “Peace be still,” and not only does the storm cease but the scripture says, there was a great calm. I imagine that birds stopped chirping and the disciples fell silent, in awe. So now we have a modern and biblical example of how Jesus Christ…His name alone and, His words, cause storms to cease. The disciples knew who to call on just like the church members in the village. But what would have happened if the villagers had been calling on Jesus yet in their hearts they doubted that the storm would actually cease? I believe they may have had to duck and run. But they didn’t because they called on Him in faith, and of course He answered! When life brings storms, and it will….do you call on Jesus in faith? When we call on Him we must believe that He is a storm “ceaser!” I guarantee He won’t disappoint you. Think about it!

Change for New Year of Success!

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is full, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength but wisdom brings success. I don’t make resolutions but each year there are things, as I reflect, that I want to do better in the New Year. Many make resolutions and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. However, I often wonder if those of us who make resolutions or set New Year goals really mean them or if we are just grinding with a dull axe… Be honest, how many times have you set a goal, even something as simple as weight loss, and not been able to keep up with the adjustments long enough to get results. How many times have you planned to follow a budget, spending or savings plan and ended up deeper in debt? In Ecclesiastes chapter ten there are several life lessons, however as I read the chapter verse ten stuck out to me. What I see when I read the verse is… stop wasting time, doing the same old same old; make the necessary changes needed in your life in order to be successful. How much wood do you think a ranger can chop with a dull ax? Yes he might get wood chopped, but it will take much less time if he would stop and get a new ax or sharpen the one he is using. In the same regard if we make needed changes in our everyday life we will in turn be more successful. For example if you are in a dull relationship that only brings hardship and pain, make some changes even if it means cutting that person off completely in order to see better in your life. If your career is not where you desire for it to be, I’m not going to say quit your job if you have one, but I will say make changes needed if you want to see better. Take up a class, learn a new trade, stop talking about needing a better job and look for one! The scripture is clear wisdom bring success, furthermore Eccl. 10:15 says in part, “The labor of fools wearies them…” Don’t be foolish in 2015; make the changes needed in your life for success. Trust and serve Christ with you all and allow Him to lead and guide you. Think about it!

What should you expect?

Names are very important. Some of the most important names we learn as a child are “mama” and “daddy,” do you agree? I can’t remember a time that I called out “mama,” and if my mother was near, she didn’t respond. And what do we expect when we call out “mama” or “daddy?” Usually we call out to them because we need them in some way, or we need something from them. As children and even as adults if we call out to our parents we fully expect them to answer or supply the need, right? But what do they expect in return? My mama expects a few things from me, if I want her to supply me with anything when I call her. She expects respect, and she expects me to “Do what she says.” As a mother I expect my girls to do what I say as well. I mean why should they always call on me for things and receive but never do the things I ask them to do? Our Lord Jesus Christ is the same way. Luke 6:46 says, “But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” This lets us know that God expects things from us. He has given us the Bible as a guide to understanding what He expects. Yes, He is a merciful and gracious God, granting favor in times we don’t deserve it. After all how many times has you mother given you a treat you really didn’t deserve. God is much better to us than our mothers could ever be. Luke 11:11-13 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” With that being said, when you call on the Lord in expectation, what should HE expect? Have you been doing His will in your life? Or are you just calling on Him expecting His mercy when you have not been doing what His word says? Does that seem right to you? How much would you do for a person when they called on you, yet they NEVER did as you asked…? Isn’t it good that God is not like man? He grants us grace and unmerited favor. But shouldn’t we be more than willing to follow His commands knowing He is ever faithful? Think about it!