No backing down!

In 1942 training at Camp Hood in Texas birth the 761^st Battalion also known as the Black Panther Tank Battalion). These men were given a superior army ranking by the Second Army Commander.  Many may not know this but baseball legend Jackie Robinson was an officer of the 761^st but he was not allowed to deploy because of a race incident that acquired on his bus. The unit ventured off to Europe under the leadership of General S. Patton Jr.   Made up of fearless men who refused to back down under pressure, the 761^st endured 183 days of continuous fighting as the first black unit to fight in Battle of the Bulge. They fought in France, Belgium, and Germany and were among the first in the military to meet the Soviet Army at a River in Austria.

Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers of the 761st was a valiant solider who was severely injured on November 16, 1944. His tank hit a mine in France and although his leg was injured down to the bone, he refused any pain injections so as to not deter him from his duties.  On November 19, three days after the attack, the unit was under enemy fire. Instead of heeding the warning of Capt. David Williams, Staff Sgt. Rivers took on the barrage of German anti-tank guns. He was killed in action and others were wounded, but his actions allowed the fellow soldiers of Company A to escape alive. He posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery and heroism. 
(source www.blackamericaweb.com)

America is still looking for soldiers to fight and protect our boarders. And I believe Christ is still looking for soldiers to stand up and fight satan, by declaring His word all over the world. Just as the 761^st were not afraid of battle we as Christian cannot be afraid to speak the truth whether people want to hear it or not. God’s word is right and it is true so we can’t be ashamed to proclaim it. Luke 9:26 says, “For whosoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory and in His Father’s and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” I don’t know about you but I don’t think there is a higher honor anyone can give you than that of eternal life. And that is the reward given by God Himself, the Ultimate Commander to those who stand bold, life for Him and refuse to back down!
Think about it!

CHOPPED!

One of my favorite television shows is a competition cooking show on the Food Network channel called, “Chopped.” The other day while watching it for the millionth time, it inspired me and made me think about the Christian walk. On the show four chefs face off for a chance to win $10,000.00. During the competition, they are challenged to make a meal from ingredients in a mystery basket. They have no idea what’s in the basket until the host allows them to open it. Once they do they discover an array of odd items like, chicken feet, blood oranges, canned rabbit, asparagus, bitter-sweet chocolate and pickled peppers. They are to take these items and create a tasty dish for the judges. They are asked to prepare the food in three rounds, appetizer, entree and dessert being judged on presentation, taste and creativity. After each round one contestant is eliminated or “chopped.”

There are three judges who critique their meals and decided who will advance from round to round. To help them create their best dish they are allowed to work in a state of the art kitchen, loaded with the finest cookware, utensils, spices and other items needed to make a meal. During each round of the competition they are not only competing against each other but they are racing against the clock, being allowed only twenty minutes for the appetizer round, and thirty minutes for the entree and dessert rounds. I’m sure by now you are saying Gena-Mae where are you going with this?

Well, we are like the chefs on Chopped. Life is the basket of unexpected things, thrown together and thrown at us all at once sometimes. It is up to us to take those things and make the best of what we have, and not to allow circumstance to dictate our Christian walk. Our tests come to make us strong James 1:2-3 says “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces patience.” The “judges” are like people all around looking at us expecting us do to our best. Some may not believe in our abilities but we can prove them wrong if we concentrate and are determined. Daily we are judged on presentation, taste and creativity. In regards to presentation in our Christian walk, think about this, do people see Christ in the way we present ourselves? Are we tasteful in our lifestyle as to win other to Christ? Are we creative enough to know how to witness different types of people and encourage them to follow Christ? 

If you ask me The Word of God is like the kitchen because in it we can find everything we could possibly need to survive and make it to the end of this “life’s competition.” The devil’s advocate though is the clock. We must realize that time is short. Jesus is soon to come, and though His word declares in Matt. 25:13 “Watch therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of man is coming.” It behooves us to be prepared because once the clock runs out there will be no “do-overs.”  Finally the grand prize is eternal life, and I believe we all want that! So in the competition of life where do you stand? Will you be the victor in the end or will you allow yourself to be “Chopped?”

 Think about it.

"Don't Pray & Worry!"

Ever heard the saying, “Pray about everything and worry about nothing,” or how about the saying, “Don’t pray and worry?” Well they may sound like clichés but I have found them to ring very true in life. In our lives we may face obstacles or situations that look like they have no solution. It is at these times that we should know to pray seeking our God for the answers.

No matter how smart you are or how many degrees or talents you may have, there will come a day that you are confronted by a problem that your intelligence cannot solve. Sometimes it’s just easier to worry or ponder over a situation than it is to pray and believe God. So many times we want to fix things ourselves so much we will overlook the fact that we have a God who is more than able to take control and handle every situation or circumstance a million times better than we can even fathom.

I know because I recently found myself worrying and pondering over a situation instead of praying. My husband was concerned when my worrying began to change my outlook on life and I began opening the door to depression. Instead of giving me a long speech, though he did share words of encouragement, he sent me a text, and it simply said, “Matthew 6!” The next day I read Matthew chapter 6 and God’s word began to regenerate my “measure” of faith. Verse 31-33 really stuck out to me. “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

After reading those verses I made up my mind that I would continue to pray but would stop praying and worrying. I didn’t receive what I was believing God for instantly, but instantly the word comforted my heart and reminded me what I’m praying to someone who is much more capable of supplying my need than I could ever be!

Think about it!

"Baggage!"

     Have you ever seen the television show “Baggage?” It is a dating game show that airs on the Game Show Network. On the show one contestant is introduced to three potential “dates.” Each suitor looks appealing to the contestant and then their baggage is revealed. Some of the revealed issues or “baggage” will be things like; “sleeps with her cats every night,” or “steals money from his mother.” Each suitor gets the opportunity to explain their “baggage” to the contestant. They are also encouraged to entertain or amuse the contestant in some manner in order to be chosen.

     Once the contestant sees the “baggage” of their potential suitors, they decide which person they will go out on a date with or whose “baggage” they can deal with. After making their choice, the person who is chosen is then allowed to see the contestant’s “baggage” and decide if they want the date after all.

     Thinking about the premise of this show made me realize how glad I am that God is not like man! Our God is loving and forgiving. You may feel you can’t live the Christian lifestyle because you have too much “baggage.” But I want you to know that Christ is not like man and He will accept your baggage and forgive you of whatever you may have done, no matter how great or small.

     All you have to do is be open and honest with Him and repent. Let’s be clear; to repent is not just to say you are sorry for what you have done. It is to turn from doing wrong and strive with all your might not to error again.  Living a Christian lifestyle is not as difficult as many suppose. Christians are not repressed from having fun, we just choose to life as Christ would have us live. We are to make a conscience effort to be an example for others to follow by living a holy and clean lifestyle.

     II Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins and heal their land.”  With God it’s that simple, repent and turn and He will forgive and heal.

     No need for tricks. All you need to do is submit yourself to Christ; ask Him to come into your heart and live for Him from that moment forward. God doesn’t care about your “baggage.”  He doesn’t sift through it to decide whether or not you are good enough for Him. He will forget and remember no more.

Think about it!

Shred the Clutter!

Filing papers is part of my job. Though I am a very organized person I hate filing. I usually put off filing and shredding old papers until there is no other option. Recently the time came for me to de-clutter and do some filing and shredding at the office. Begrudgingly, I went through loads of papers that had overtaken several drawers. After gathering up a host of papers I began shredding. 

As I was shredding papers I reminisced about some things I had recently been through and thought, “I wish I could put “this or that” into this shredder and be rid of it or them forever!”

The shredder I used operates as follows; first open the door of the machine; second, load a few pieces of paper; third, close the door. Once you close the door, the machine automatically begins to shred.  As long as you continue to feed paper after closing the door just once, the machine will continue to shred.

I believe it is that simple to rid your life of unnecessary things. The first step is to recognize you have things in your life you need to get rid of. Now, gather those items together in your mind and prepare to let them go for good. Next you must “open the door.” Your door is your heart. Once you recognize the need for a change, you have to make up in your mind and heart to make that change. Finally you must “close the door” to those things and be determined not to go back and get them again.

It doesn’t matter if you need to sever a relationship that is poisoning your spirit or if you have a sinful habit you need to get rid of, you can do it! You may need to seek Godly counsel, or simply fall on your knees and ask God for His divine help. Do whatever it takes so that you can be the best “you.” 

I’m not saying it will be easy but it can and must be done. Matthew 18: 8 tells us, “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.”

So pull out your spiritual shredder and get rid of all the things that hinder you, you’ll be glad you did. 

Think about it!