The Golden Calf: Who or What are You Worshipping?

By

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Oct 15, 2019

We Need Worship

It’s biblical.

When Moses went up to the mountaintop, he left his brother Aaron down there with The Israelites. With Moses gone, they didn’t know what to do. Moses was their representation of God. And they literally and figuratively needed something higher than themselves to look up to. So they demanded that Aaron create them a golden calf to worship.

The big dummy did it.

Moses stormed down off that mountaintop raining cuss words on those Israelites! He even broke the original tablets of commandments that God had given him.

He was so mad! Why? Because Moses loved what God loved, and he hated what God hated.

We may never know exactly what was written on the first set of stones, but when Moses went back up the mountain to sit in God’s presence, he came down with the first commandment being, “I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me.”

God, being all-knowing, knew they would be that foolish. So He warned them.

Just like He warns us.

To Whom Does Your Worship Belong?

I was a huuuuuuge Beyonce fan. Huuuge. Before the BeyHive. Before social media. Before the whirlwind that was Formation. I had albums and scanned over her performance at Essence; I was constantly searching for tickets and appearances.

Had the BeyHive been out back then, I would have been a card-carrying member and would have sworn allegiance to her.

But now?

There is no person in this world that I put before God. Not even me.

That means that when I want something and God says no, through tears and with a broken heart sometimes, I’ve let it go.

Because God comes first.

The Golden Calf Syndrome

Many of us have created golden calves in our lives. We put our focus on this one thing and we constantly feed it. We pour water on it. We pray about it and pray to it. We don’t know we’re praying to it, but we are. Sometimes, it’s not a verbal prayer, but one where we constantly pursue and find ways to lift that thing higher than life itself.

Need an example?

Relationships and the incessant need to chase them? Worship. That friend that constantly leads you astray, but you won’t let go? Worship. Chasing money with no regard as to how you get it? Your expensive style, despite the fact that you can’t afford it? That job you hate, but keep because it’s prestigious? WWE? New York Giants? Any fanatical behavior that takes over your life – that’s where you worship.

Did you know you can even worship yourself?

It’s when everything must revolve around you and no one else. It’s when you’re selfish and cannot imagine how to even start to put God first.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a relationship. Or having friends. Or making a living. Or being wealthy. Or dressing well. Or working at a prestigious place. Or enjoying sports. Or taking care of yourself. But, when these things become an obsession and the thing that defines you, and the thing that makes you feel superior to others, they have become gods to you.

Not to mention, they will always leave you empty. The desired attention, glory, or praise you receive from these things have an expiration date. Soon, you’ll be empty, and will feel the need to upgrade again.

God’s commandments are designed for our protection and His edification.

The golden calf, or any idol, serves a singular purpose – it satisfies a (flesh) need, but in reality, it takes our eyes off the God of all things.

So, what’s the play call?

Stop seeking the fleeting things to worship and remember the end goal is to be in God’s will.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and all its righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).

There are rewards for truly putting Him first, even that thing you really want.

Christian Voters and the Lesser of Two Evils

By

Kristina Bolton

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Oct 14, 2019

Christian Voters, How Will You Decide?

Teammate, the time is soon approaching. Many around the world will keep their eyes on the outcome. Spectators, commentators, and strategists will voice their predictions. What am I talking about? The 2020 American Presidential election. When I think about it, so much comes to mind. It will be a very critical and historic event. However, I would like to pose a question to you. Do you as a Christian voter consult God in your voting? Does your faith have an effect on the person and the laws you support?

Acknowledge God

Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all thy way ways acknowledge him…” This Scripture tells us that God should be in everything we do. Even in our political stance, it is biblical to support and vote for those that uphold the laws and statutes of God. Some may think that God and politics are separate, and some may believe that they are inseparable. Nonetheless, with such a great event just around the corner, I feel you and I should consider some things.

Politics are controversial by nature. Discussing platforms and views can be an ongoing practice for many. Knowing that there is no perfect person, we can conclude that there will never be a perfect candidate. Even if candidates confess to being a Christian, there’s no guarantee that the Christian principles that are near and dear to you will necessarily be a priority for them. So, the lingering question in the mind of many believers is, “Should I even vote?”

To Vote or Not to Vote?

This is a question that I have heard many people ask themselves and others. Now, this is not an article about civil rights and/or acting on those rights. I am aware of the sacrifices that were made so that all people, especially African-Americans and women, could vote.

While voting is an essential element of democracy, it is still a personal choice. But, the “Should I vote?” question I’m referring to is the one that arises when Christian voters are uncertain of who they should support due to the compromise that may be present. In some of my discussions, I have found that people do not vote because they are unable to choose a candidate they believe are without biblical error or will uphold the biblical principals they care about.

As I thought about this and wanted to know more, I decided to seek the Lord on the matter. I needed to know if there was biblical evidence to justify supporting the “cleanest” platform.

Is Choosing the Lesser of Two Evils Biblical?

People have said that “all sins are equal” or “sin is sin.” You may have heard this before, I know I have. While I studied the Scriptures, I was unable to find anything that supports this claim. While I understand that sin leads to death (James 1:15), prior to that point there is no scripture that implies all sins are weighted equally. I liken it to our own judicial system. While all offenses are crimes, not all crimes receive the same punishment. In fact, not all crimes require prison time. Some crimes are punishable with fines or warnings.

In Mathew 23:23, Jesus confronts the Pharisee and scribes for “omitting the weightier matters of the law.” While Jesus was not condoning breaking any law, He referred to the Pharisees as “hypocrites” because they were more concerned about tithe, than they were about justice, mercy, and faith.

In John 19:11, Jesus even told Pilate before His crucifixion that the people that had delivered Him to Pilate had the “greater sin.”

Putting all this together has led me to conclude that, as a believer, if you choose to vote, you have to consider which candidates’ platform has the least amount of offense unto the Lord. Do you agree?

How do you do this, you might ask? In regard to degrees of sin, we know that abominable sins are weighted much more than others. Abominations are the intolerable sins to God (Proverbs 6:16-19). I would encourage you to search the scriptures and note sins and their classifications. Consider what is most offensive to God when researching the platforms and laws that require your vote.

SO, WHAT’S THE PLAY CALL?

Teammate, voting is your personal decision. However, we cannot affect the outcome if we don’t act. If you are a believer who votes, you must consider more than carnal matters. If we love God, we must hate evil (Proverbs 97:10). Remember: It is never the person we hate, but the sin.

Supporting candidates and laws that would advance abominable practices like homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22) or shedding innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17), just to name a few, would cause us to dishonor God and His desires.

I have written this article to give you something to think about. How we participate in this next election can have a significant effect on our spiritual freedoms and the righteousness of this nation. An increase in sin can produce unwanted attention from God. Recall Sodom and Gomorrah. (Yes, that is a prophetic word.)

All in all, we must acknowledge God in everything we do. As long as we have pleased Him, all things will work out for the good of His team.

I pray that this helps you.

Tyler Perry Studios’ Grand Opening: Re-Ignited to Walk in My Purpose

By

Monique C. Baisden

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Oct 11, 2019

Tyler Perry Studios’ Grand Opening Inspires Me and Many Others to Keep the Faith

Last weekend, I had the distinct honor and pleasure of participating in the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios. The theme of the weekend was “Imagine This”, and the vision of each event provided a glimpse into the creative and imaginative mind of the visionary that is Mr. Tyler Perry.

This was a historic and monumental event, as Mr. Perry is the first African-American to own his own television and film studio. The invitation-only roster for the Tyler Perry Studio’s grand opening included the who’s who in Hollywood, CEOs, executives, and industry influencers from multiple arenas outside of the arts and entertainment industry.

On Saturday, October 5, 2019, Mr. Perry held an opening gala on the 330-acre property that makes up Tyler Perry Studios – which includes man-made sets for most, if not all of his television shows and movies.

A Blessed Opportunity to Be in the Room

I participated in this gala as a member of The SEEiT Choir, a corporate performance choir with gospel roots, under the direction of Mr. Greg Kirkland, Jr. Our assignment for that evening was to accompany singers Morgan James and Ledisi, while singing “This is Me” (from the movie “The Greatest Showman”), and Andra Day’s “Rise Up”, respectively. We would sing atop a moving float that would lead invited guests down a red carpet between soundstages that were unveiled for the first time to the public and to the honorees who were present. We were accompanied by an all-star band that evening that was led by Musical Director, Mr. Rickey Minor, and included world-renown drummer, John Roberts, and other accomplished and celebrated musicians.

tyler perry studios — Source: Tyler Perry Studios

There were 12 soundstages that were unveiled that evening, all of which were named after legendary African-American actors, actresses, and directors who have made undeniable accomplishments in the entertainment industry. The honorees included: Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Della Reese, Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, John Singleton, Halle Berry, and Will Smith. All of the living honorees, with the exception of Harry Belafonte, were in attendance to christen their soundstages by breaking a bottle of champagne against the building. After a compilation of their greatest work played on a screen attached to the building, fireworks lit the sky after each soundstage’s unveiling.

At the end of the unveiling of the soundstages, Mr. Perry presented actors and actresses with their own stars, similar to those on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which were permanently embedded into a distinct area outside of the Oprah Winfrey Soundstage. Many of the honored celebrities got their start with Tyler Perry Studios and have since progressed and developed reputable careers within the entertainment industry. After this unveiling of stars on the Walk of Fame, all of the guests attended a private dinner inside the Oprah Winfrey Soundstage.

Few Words Can Describe the Beauty of Tyler Perry Studios’ Grand Opening

On a personal note, I have to add that this first night was incredible and left me speechless. As we were atop the float singing and I looked out into the crowd, all I could see was a sea of famous faces looking at us, singing along, and dancing to the music in celebration. Right in front of us were Tyler Perry and his family, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Jennifer Hudson (who had just finished singing “The Impossible Dream” at gala dinner that was held prior to the red carpet walk and unveiling of the soundstages), Kelly Rowland from Destiny’s Child, Chris Tucker and so many others.

Other guests who were sighted on Saturday night included: Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce Knowles-Carter and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mary Mary, Bishop Paul Morton, Sr., Pastor Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, and a host of other notable celebrities and public figures. The energy in the crowd was electric, and excitement could be felt in the air from everyone present. Each soundstage was lit up with multiple colored lights, and those lights, along with fireworks going off against the black, night sky above a wide red carpet with over 800 guests and a floating stage – it all seemed like a grand finale scene from a movie. The astonishing visual aesthetics of this live scene was simply mouth-dropping.

A Time of Praise and Worship

On Sunday, October 6, 2019, Mr. Perry had a “Glory to Glory” Gospel Brunch. The brunch was held in a massive, white tent that had been beautifully and majestically decorated for the two events that would be taking place that day within that setting: 1) a church service and 2) a brunch that would follow afterward.

The church was recreated to look like the church from the movie, “The Color Purple”. There were roughly 850 guests in attendance, many of whom had also attended the previous night’s opening gala. Guests whom I sighted during this event were President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Lynn Whitfield, Jennifer Lewis, Anthony Anderson, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Tucker, Lance Gross, Michael Jai White, J. Bolin, Jermaine Dupri, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Gabrielle Sidibe, Anita Baker, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Tyrese.

At the start of the church service, a church bell rang and The SEEiT Choir processed out of a building across the street from the man-made church (still on the grounds of Tyler Perry Studios), surprising the invited guests who had gathered in the courtyard outside of the church. It was an ode to the classic scene in “The Color Purple” in which the character Shug Avery led a crowd from the juke joint where she was singing to her father’s church where the church service had just begun and the choir was singing.

Our line processed into the church singing the opening lyrics from “God Is Trying to Tell You Something”, led by singers Tasha Page-House and Rhonda Chambers of the Mississippi Mass Choir. As we marched through the crowd singing, we were surrounded by famous faces in close proximity with smiles on their faces, singing and swaying along to the music, and recording the moment on their camera phones.

On a personal note, I want to add that this moment was a manifestation of a prophetic word that had been spoken over my life a few years ago. He prophesied to me and said, ‘Woman of God, God wants me to let you know that where God is taking you, you cannot be afraid of their faces”. At the time this prophetic word was spoken to me, I could not fathom, conceive, or imagine its meaning. It simply did not make sense to me at that point in my life. However, at that moment, I was reminded of that prophetic word as I was in close proximity to Oprah Winfrey, Chris Tucker, Whoopi Goldberg, Jermaine Dupri, and others, and I had to stay calm and remain unfazed by their faces, in order to remain focused on my assignment – To minister to these souls, not their celebrity status, through song and usher the presence of God into this church service.

Once inside the church, we sang gospel songs that had been hand-picked by Mr. Perry for this occasion. Each song had a very significant meaning to him; the songs either encouraged, uplifted, or inspired him throughout his journey to do what God created him to do.

For this event, The SEEiT Choir had the honor of singing with multiple gospel artists, including Bishop Paul Morton, Sr., Pastor Shirley Caesar, Vanessa Bell-Armstrong, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Yolanda Adams. The Clark Sisters and Pastor Smokie Norful also rendered selections during the church service. In the midst of all the celebrities, industry influencers, and dignitaries in the room, the Spirit was high and the presence of God was there. We worshipped, glorified, and praised God – we had CHURCH!

To top everything off, the pastor of the hour was none other than Bishop T.D. Jakes, who gave a very relevant, timely, and powerful sermon on “A Fresh Start”.

If God Can Do It For Tyler Perry…

After the culmination of Tyler Perry Studios’ grand opening, I left feeling inspired, in shock and awe, and overwhelmed by the faithfulness and goodness of God. I am a witness that God will allow “your gifts to make room for you and bring you into the presence of great men” (Proverbs 18:16).

After being a part of the Tyler Perry Studio’s grand opening, I have been re-ignited to walk in my own God-given purpose and destiny. The dreamer and visionary in me have been reawakened, and I am more determined to refuse to settle for anything less than what God has ordained for my life, in every aspect of my life.

My mindset and perspective have shifted, and I’m determined that if God did all of that for Mr. Tyler Perry, then SURELY He can bring to pass the big and seemingly impossible dreams that He has placed within me to change the world. For it is written in God’s Word that: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 ESV)

All glory to God, and many thanks to Mr. Tyler Perry, Greg Kirkland, Jr. and The SEEiT Choir for a memorable and life-changing experience that I will never forget.

May we all be reminded that God has no respect of persons – if God showed Himself faithful to the promise He gave others, don’t you think for one second that the promise He gave you will not come to pass. God remains faithful to His Word.

Tips to Renew Your Mind, Body & Spirit

By

Team Jesus

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Oct 11, 2019

Are you on the road to burnout? Here are some tips to avoid exhaustion and replenish your mind, body, and spirit.

Do you ever feel depleted spiritually or physically? Many times we go through life racing in many directions, trusting that the condition of our heart is healthy without taking the time to renew our mind, body, and spirit. When the warning lights of weariness, restlessness, and lack of clarity go on, like those in a car, we refuse to slow down and stop until it’s too late.

Our calendars run our lives. We lack sleep, physical exercise and eat unhealthy food. Socially, we limit time with enjoyable relationships. Spiritually, we make no time for prayer, worship, reading the Bible or serving others. Then, we break down at the sidelines…worn out, not able to go the distance.

Mind, Body, and Spirit Check

Is this you? Use this checklist of warning signs to determine if you are on the road to burnout:

Depreciation of self-worth
Devaluation of acts of service
Exaggeration of personal problems
Loss of passion for life’s purpose
Isolation from others

Here are some tips to avoid spiritual and physical exhaustion:

Refocus spiritually; make time for prayer and solitude.
Reorder your life; take inventory of what is important and prioritize.
Restore your body with rest, exercise, vacation and healthy eating.
Renew your mind and spirit with times of reflection, meditation, and reading.
Reconnect with family and friends to establish meaningful relationships.

The transformation we desire in our lives comes from a renewed mind (Romans 12:2).

How do you replenish your spirit? What helps you get renewed and re-energized? Share with us!

Lord, help us to slow down and be still to renew our spirit, mind, and body. Give us wisdom to reorder our lives and live with purpose.

50th Annual GMA Dove Awards: More Performances and Presenters Announced!

By

Editorial Staff

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Oct 10, 2019

The 50th Annual Dove Awards Celebration Grows

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced another round of performances for the 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards, including performances throughout the evening from all New Artist of the Year nominees, including Riley Clemmons, Aaron Cole, Austin French, Josh Baldwin, and Kelontae Gavin. In addition, there will be a tribute celebrating Bill and Gloria Gaither. Bill Gaither along with the Gaither Vocal Band, Matt Maher, Mark Lowry, Bart Millard, Michael English, Russ Taff, and David Phelps will collaborate for this special segment.

GMA also announced the first round of their star-studded presenter lineup, including Lauren Daigle, John Crist, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Zach Williams, Blanca, Brown Bannister, Don Moen, Evan Craft, Gloria Gaither, Nicole C. Mullen, Point of Grace, Shirley Caesar and William McDowell.

The awards show will be held ‘live’ on October 15 in Nashville, Tennessee and will air exclusively on TBN October 20 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. Previously announced performers include Lecrae, Kirk Franklin, and CeCe Winans to name a few. More performer and presenter announcements are forthcoming. Lauren Daigle leads all artist nominations with six and Kirk Franklin leads Gospel categories with five, followed by Tasha Cobbs-Leonard with four nods, and Lecrae and Koryn Hawthorne with three each. Top nominated songwriter Makeba Riddick-Woods scored 3 nominations including the coveted Song of the Year for Koryn Hawthorne’s “Won’t He Do It.” View the full list of nominees here.

The 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards announced its continued partnership with CCLI to present the Worship Song of the Year Award. “For over 30 years CCLI has been empowering worship by providing affordable and legal content, resources and media in partnership with publishers, artists, songwriters, and the church. The Gospel Music Association is at the core of that mission and we are proud to support the work of the GMA,” said President/CEO Christian Copyright Licensing International, Malcolm Hawker.

The 50th celebration will be a powerful evening paying tribute to 50 years of special appearances and sensational stage highlights over the decades. Performances representing Modern Rock, Rap/Hip Hop, Pop/Contemporary, Inspirational, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country, Worship and more will make up an evening praising the rich musical diversity from the past, present and future of Gospel and Christian music. Nominees are determined by GMA’s professional members, and winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership. For more information on the GMA Dove Awards, visit www.doveawards.com.

Viewers can locate this year’s Dove Awards broadcast on TBN by locating it on the network’s channel finder. Watch TBN on their live stream HERE or download the all-new app to view TBN on your Apple or Android devices.

Director Kasi Lemmons on “Harriet”: The Obstacles, Harriet Tubman’s Faith, and the Film’s Impact

By

Editorial Staff

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Oct 10, 2019

The Wait is Over for a Harriet Tubman Movie

The thrilling story and inspirational life of the iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet Tubman, hits theatres on November 1st in HARRIET. Team Jesus Magazine publisher, Kim Brightness, recently spoke with HARRIET Director, Kasi Lemmons, in the Locker Room to learn more about her creative direction, Harriet Tubman’s faith, and the impact such a long-awaited film will have on viewers.

The Obstacles, Harriet’s Faith, and Film Impact

Brightness:
Amazing film, Kasi! Congratulations on being part of the creative team that finally brought Harriet Tubman to life in a major film. Tell us about the obstacles you encountered while making the film, and how did you overcome them?

Lemmons:

Well, the budget. We worked with it and we were able to get it done. But, for a long time that was the obstacle. Just trying to tell this big story with a lot of inherent movement in it. We had to do it in an achievable way. But, it wasn’t an obstacle that stopped us. We were able to get the support from Focus Features and do the movie.

Another obstacle was the weather. It happened to be very, very rainy that fall in Virginia. We were often up to our ankles in damp, cold mud in the woods. Those kinds of elements.

Brightness:
Sounds like a messy, fun time.

Lemmons:
Yeah, yeah, messy times {chuckle}.

Brightness:
Well, we’re glad you overcame those obstacles – otherwise, we would not have been able to see Harriet cross into Pennsylvania. I mean, you could visually feel heaven and earth cheering her on. Tell us about your creative direction behind that pivotal moment.

Lemmons:
You know, the interesting thing you say, ‘heaven and earth cheering her on’, but that’s literally what happened. When we came to work that day, there was pouring rain, the sky was black and it stayed completely dreary all day. So as the director, of course, you’ve carefully planned where you’re going to shoot and what time you need to be someplace, and we really thought we weren’t going to get the shot.

It was a hard day. We had been through five costume changes, and back and forth in hair and makeup. We were starting to get to the point where it was late and we were gonna miss the time of day that we needed to shoot in. Everybody was saying, ‘okay, maybe we should just cut our losses, we’re not going to get this scene.’

Brightness:
Now, that had to be frustrating.

Lemmons:

And it was our last day at that location. We would never have another chance. So I called hair and makeup and said, ‘I really need you guys to cooperate with me and get her (Cynthia Erivo, who plays Harriet Tubman) to the top of the hill as quickly as you possibly can.’

I’m like, ‘I know it’s been a really hard day, come on you guys, we can do this.’ The mud was so that you couldn’t get a lot of trucks up there, but thank God we had left the crane up there.

So just as Cynthia shows up at that moment, the clouds part and there’s this beautiful sunrise and a double rainbow is behind us! We did one take of that shot and the entire crew burst into tears. It was amazing! It was one of the most extraordinary, magical moments of my life.

Brightness:
Wow, and it came through on film, Kasi. That double rainbow is a great segue into Harriet’s faith. This film is not dubbed as a “faith film”, but it was very heavy-handed in demonstrating Harriet’s faith in God. Why was that important and have you experienced any backlash for that?

Lemmons:
Well, I knew that just taking on this subject matter, it was going to invite criticism – a lot of people to say a lot of things. However, I did so much research as I delved into the story that I realized that it was an exceedingly important part of it and that I couldn’t actually do the story without that element of Harriet’s faith. It would be dishonest to do the story without that element. I was gonna have to find a way to take it on, even though, frankly, I found it a little intimidating, too.

But I also found it intriguing, because, you know, it’s kind of my language. So when I realized that this mysticism was extremely important to her, and it’s what she said happened in her own words, I said ok, I’m going to take her point of view, present it, and take her word for it.

And this is the way I’m going to present it and so I don’t really care about the criticism – if it’s too much… write your own story {laughter}.

Brightness:
{laughter} I hear you. The presentation of her faith came through beautifully – not too overbearing but like her testimony. It was like watching a visual of Harriet’s testimony. She believed that God guided her through every trial.

Lemmons:
That’s what she believed.

Brightness:
And oh the trials and struggles she faced!

Lemmons:
Yeah, exactly! And, her friends that were her contemporaries said, ‘You know, we may not believe it, but she believes it so concretely. We can’t explain how she was able to do the things that she was able to do – not without taking her at her word.

Brightness:
Awesome. Well, Kasi, before we wrap up, tell us what impact you hope Harriet has – on America especially – but even the world?

Lemmons:
I think that we really have to be willing to face our past in order to deal with our present – where we are and how we got here… What our country’s going through now – we have to understand the struggles of people and the resistance (that would be the Underground Railroad) … While certain elements of our country want to pretend that it wasn’t what it was, many people were ready to die to be free.

Hearing Harriet’s statements, as she said many times and very eloquently, ‘I figure I have the right to one of two things – Liberty or death – and if I couldn’t have one, I’d have the other.’ Here is a woman who’s willing to die to be free, and willing to risk her life so that others can be free – that’s a really, really important message. It’s very inspiring, very American, and fundamentally human nature. We all want to be free.

—

Don’t miss the opening weekend of Harriet, in theatres everywhere Friday, November 1st!

David & Absalom: Are You Still Avoiding the Hard Conversations?

By

Brandi Hawthorne

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Oct 10, 2019

Avoiding Conflict Attracts Chaos

In case you aren’t familiar with the story of King David and his son, Absalom, let’s do a brief recap:

Absalom was King David’s 3rd son. The first time Absalom is mentioned in the Bible is when his brother, Amnon, rapes his sister, Tamar. King David was furious with Amnon, but doesn’t confront him about his behavior. Two years later, Absalom kills Amnon. King David mourns Amnon’s death and Absalom flees in fear. King David wanted to be reunited with his son, but did not act on it.

His advisor, Joab, knowing how badly he missed his son, arranged for the King and Absalom to be reconciled. King David allowed Absalom to come back, but wouldn’t allow him in his presence. Eventually, after Absalom’s urging, King David saw Absalom. For four years, Absalom gained rapport with the people and tries to take his father’s throne. King David and his men flee so they have an opportunity to come against Absalom, but when it was time to go to battle, King David asked his men to deal gently with Absalom. When his men kill Absalom, David mourns Absalom’s death and his men feel shame instead of victory (2 Samuel 13:1 – 2 Samuel 19:10).

This sounds like a soap opera, doesn’t it? King David had quite an interesting life. I’m always amazed and relieved that after all the grave mistakes he made, God called David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22). If you find yourself plagued with shame, guilt and unworthiness, as I sometimes do, it’s always good to look at people in the Bible, the trouble they found themselves in, and how God responded.

There’s always wisdom to be learned from the drama in our lives and the lives of others.

Here are some self-test questions to ponder about King David & Absalom, and the dangers of avoiding conflict and the hard conversations:

Are You Allowing Evil to Go Unchecked in Your life?

King David was furious with the actions of Amnon, but he did nothing. Are there certain people in your life that you choose to keep around, yet refuse to correct? Are you avoiding the hard conversations that need to take place? The Bible instructs us to correct our brothers and sisters who wander from the truth so that we save them from trouble (James 5:19,20). You may think you’re doing that person a favor by looking the other way when they sin, but when we allow sin to go unchecked, it opens the door for more sin to come in. The situation will get worse before it gets better.

When’s the Last Time You Asked God for a Heart-Check?

We can be blinded by our own ideas of what is right and wrong, which is why it’s important to allow God to search our hearts and reveal any wrongful ways. If King David had asked God to search his heart, perhaps he would have dealt justly with Amnon and mourned for both him and Tamar.

Are You Withholding the Gift of a Second Chance?

God judges fairly because He looks at the heart and sees all. He knows why we bury our feelings and later explode. He knows why we do things that seem out of character.

Everyone who does something wrong shouldn’t be cast off the island. The same grace and mercy you didn’t deserve, but gladly received when you messed up is the same grace and mercy available to others. Yes, there are times when God tells us to end relationships, but often we allow our feelings to make the cuts in our lives.

If possible, and especially if you were the catalyst for a broken relationship, have the hard conversation; make an honest attempt to reconcile with your brother or sister.

Who Are You Bankrupting?

In the book Boundaries, by Robert Townsend and Henry Cloud, it says that when we refuse to forgive someone, we still want something from them. They’re still paying in one way or another. King David allowed Absalom to come back home, but Absalom wasn’t allowed in the King’s presence. Finally, Absalom says, “Ya know, I could have just stayed where I was if I’m going to be treated this way.” Every day he woke up and was only allowed to go where the King was not; King David was making Absalom pay for murdering Amnon. Who are you still making pay?

What Are You Dealing Gently With That Needs to Die?

When it was time for King David’s men to fight Absalom and his men, David advised his soldiers to deal gently with Absalom even though this could mean their death. He still had a heart for Absalom, but by this time, their relationship was irreparable.

When King David’s men kill Absalom, King David’s heavy mourning caused the men to feel shame and guilt instead of victorious.

Sometimes, we want to deal gently with people who have shown time and time again that they only mean us harm. Likewise, we often deal gently with sin in our lives. But, when God tells us to cut something off, we should listen and do so no matter how rough or abrupt.

So, what’s the play call?

When sin shows up in your life or the lives of those around you, don’t look the other way. Deal with it quickly, in love, while it’s still manageable.

If there’s an area in your life that’s out of control – a relationship, your finances, your thoughts or emotions – remember there is nothing too hard for God. Give Him your chaos. Share your situation with someone you trust, who also knows the Word, and will hold you accountable.

Weight of the World, Say Hello to My Father Who Created the Universe

By

Alecia M. White

-

Oct 9, 2019

The Weight of the World is No Match for God

Mmmkay. So, I got up one morning and went for a walk; it was a Thursday (Friday Eve if ya feelin’ fancy). I’d made it back home and started getting my work clothes together and out of my peripheral, I noticed a large piece of black lint… or a hairball (I didn’t pay attention to which it was) – no big deal.

As I continued my preparation, something just wouldn’t let me leave that lint ball be, so I glanced down at it again. To my horror (that sounded really story-ish, right?), it was a large black cricket! Y’all, Jiminy Cricket had invaded my bedroom!

Now, I noticed that he noticed me because he immediately stopped moving. His antennae froze, he slowly put his leg down and sat there on my carpet. Okay, my first instinct was to yell for someone to come kill him, but the gag is, I live alone sooo, yeah. Next, I was going to run to grab some tissue to squash him, but I was afraid that if I walked away, he’d move, hide, and attack me in my sleep (stop laughing lol).

I stood there in the middle of my bedroom floor, looking around for something to get him with, and I saw nothing. I then looked down, to the right and noticed my ten-pound weights. Uh-huh, I sure did… I picked up one of those weights and dropped it right on top of Jiminy’s wee little body. I figured it would hold him down and kill him so I wouldn’t have to.

Then, I ran to the bathroom to grab 42 squares of bathroom tissue, and right back to my room.

So, here’s the kicker, when I got back and picked up the weight, Jiminy was ready to try to take off. Yep, he survived the weight. He lifted one of his legs and was going to go for it, that is until I grabbed my house slipper that I had found on the way from the bathroom. Finally, I squashed his little life away.

You’re Still Alive and Kicking

Alright, this is not about how I crushed a cricket so you can stop thinking about it – which you probably can’t now – and there won’t be a quiz later. This is, instead, about how that cricket survived that 10-pound weight I dropped on him.

Now, it may have something to do with the fact that I think he’s the same cricket I kicked out of my apartment and he had a vendetta against me – but we’ll deal with that another time, or not. Seriously though, he survived the weight that I meant to be so heavy that it killed him.

The same way you are surviving that weight that was designed to take you out.

You may be like Jiminy and need to kick your leg out a little to be sure you’re still moving, but you are, indeed, in the game. I know that most days it can seem like life stood right over you and dropped that 10-ton weight on your back and left you for dead. But, I admonish you to notice that you are still standing! There will probably be days that you have to check your own pulse, but you’re here, my dear.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Life gets hard and the strains and pressures of life can get pretty heavy. Here are a few things to remember when you feel the weight of the world drop on you:

Know that when you feel weakest, God is His strongest in your life. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Give that weight to God. He is ready and willing to lift it off of your shoulders, all you must do is surrender to Him. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalms 55:22 (NLT)
Take on God’s strength to help you make it through. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10
Know that God will give you strength. I know for a fact that sometimes it feels as if that relief will never come. It seems as if this weight will bog you down forever but know that God will give you strength. “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)

Hang in there, teammates! One of two things is bound to happen – either the weight of the world will be lifted, or you will rise up with it on your shoulders. Whatever God allows, know that He is your strength.

The Enemy’s Power of Suggestion and How to Discern It

By

Kim Brightness

-

Oct 8, 2019

**Did the Devil Really Make You Do It?**

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. Genesis 3:4

Have you ever said to someone, “May I offer you a suggestion?”

Seems like a nice, innocent gesture, right? It sounds like someone’s trying to be helpful, offering a tip or information the receiver hadn’t thought about before. Cool.

Now. Place a suggestion in the hands of a devil scorned, and you’ve got a grenade with the pin removed, timed just right to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). It’s cunningly tailored to our logic. It savagely agrees with our bias. The suggestion is sure to complement the darkest, disobedient places of our hearts.

From Eve in the garden to present-day believers, the enemy is constantly dropping hints and suggestions that would lead to our destruction. He has monitored our words and studied the abundance of our hearts (Luke 6:45). Before we talk about what these suggestions look like, let’s be reminded of what the enemy can and cannot do.

The Enemy’s Scope of Power

The enemy often uses the power of suggestion because there are limits to what he can do to us. For example, the devil cannot:

Force your actions.

The devil cannot make you do anything. He cannot take your hand and form your fingers to grab the forbidden “fruit”. He cannot seize your tongue, open your mouth, and make you say words that are hurtful and corrupt. The final choice before any action we take is our own powerful responsibility.

Act on his own authority.

There’s a lot of things the enemy may want to do to you, but he is still subjected to the authority of God. Before he makes a move, God sees, knows, and has set the boundaries as to how far the devil can go and when (Job 1:12).

Kill You.

Your soul belongs to God and your death is appointed by God – not the workings of the devil. The express intent of Jesus Christ is to counter the enemy’s attempts to kill and destroy us by giving us abundant life.

Discerning the Enemy’s Power of Suggestion

How can we better identify the enemy’s subtle suggestions? First, it’s imperative that we walk in the Spirit and use Godly wisdom – not wisdom that comes from the halls of hell (James 3:15-17). Here’s the modus operandi of the enemy’s suggestions:

1. It feels more like your own idea than a suggestion.

The devil never comes through the front door. As I shared, his crafty self knows how to tailor a sinful thought that already aligns with a weakness within us. The enemy will never present a suggestion with, “Hey, here’s a suggestion.” Thoughts will come in sheep’s clothing, like, “Wouldn’t it be great if…”, when all the while the suggestion is to achieve a positive result through negative or evil means. If you don’t shut the devil down immediately, like Eve failed to do, he will lead your thoughts to a false conclusion that you logically suspected all along.

2. They are filled with leading questions intended to capitalize on doubt.

“Did God really say that?” “Is it really a sin if I…” “How would anyone find out if I…” Teammates, sometimes when we think long, we think wrong. It’s because a seed has been planted to question an area in our lives where we’re weak. The enemy will try to capitalize on this weakness by getting us to answer in our own minds – versus taking the question to God and allowing the Spirit to lead us to the truth. What would have happened if Eve would’ve said, “I don’t know why you’re asking me what God said, serpent. Go ask Him yourself!”

3. The enemy’s suggestions come with co-signers.

This is where we have to guard our environment – even from friends and family members. Are you surrounded by sycophants who will always let you off the hook? Just when you’re right on the brink of turning away from the enemy’s suggestion, here comes someone you know and trust co-signing the bad decision. “Girl, I wouldn’t worry about that, because…” “It’s the perfect time and situation for you right now…” People, knowingly and unknowingly, will often water the rotten seeds planted by the enemy. We can’t let the closeness or the number of co-signers influence us from the truth and abundant life choices we have available through Jesus Christ.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Be sober and vigilant, teammates! We can’t go soft or get lazy in the watch over our souls – the enemy is relentless, and so are we!

Look out for each other. While the enemy has his minions on seek and destroy missions, we must be about our mission to show love to one another and bear each other up. Let’s be the army of the Lord – led by the Holy Spirit, guarding our hearts, and covering our fellow soldiers against the power of suggestion by our adversary.

How Dog Walking Strengthened My Walk With God

By

Lamica A. Burnett

-

Oct 4, 2019

Lessons to Improve Our Walk With God

The day was like any typical day. I got up at 5am to spend time in prayer and to settle myself before the rest of my family woke up. Each day I ask God to teach me a lesson, to open my heart and spirit to recognize what He is speaking into my life.

What would you like to teach me today, God? Little did I know the lesson would come from an unexpected place.

I peeked through my patio blinds. As the brilliance of the morning sun slowly filled the sky, my dog woke up. She stretched her long, slender dachshund body, and happily greeted me with licks on my hand. Her eyes filled with anticipation as she watched me put on my Nikes. She instinctively knew it was time for dog walking at sunrise!

As I gathered her harness and leash, she paced anxiously back and forth near the front door.

We trotted down the front porch stairs and so began our morning stroll.

God Speaks Through Everyday Life

My dog and I walked side-by-side for a little while – until she got distracted. In the distance, she spotted another dog across the street. Her body grew tense.

She began to pant, restlessly tugging at the leash that restrained her. Because my dog is deaf, she was oblivious to the roaring pickup truck that quickly approached. The moment she tried to lunge toward the street, I firmly pulled on her leash to regain her focus.

As I snatched her back from the curb, she gave me an evil side-eye, not realizing that I had just saved her life! I laughed to myself as I took a mental note of her cluelessness to the potential danger all around her. As we approached the crosswalk, her steady stride came to a complete halt. She dutifully glanced up at me for direction. After I assured her that the coast was clear, we started our walk again.

Nose to the ground, my dog explored every inch of the neighborhood around her – the grass, fire hydrants, even tree trunks. Our walk slowed as she investigated the tumbleweed of fallen leaves and twigs that blew across our path. Small squirrels fascinated her in the yard in front of us. In that same moment, a runner sprinted past us and took her by surprise. I was amazed at how many things caught her attention in such a short timespan!

As we continued our hike back home, I began to reflect on the day’s adventure with my dog.

The lesson unfolded as we walked and my early morning prayer request was answered.

The Lesson from the Master

“You start out with me in early morning prayer, walking beside me, depending on me for direction. As the day goes on, you get distracted and begin to drift away from me. When you’re so focused on what’s going on around you and the journeys of others, you become restless and dissatisfied with your own life.”

I hear you, God.

It is in these moments when I walk on my own path that I veer off the road God has for me. As I focus on what others are doing, it delays my pursuit and realization of my own goals. Just like my dog, when I take my eyes off my Master, I unknowingly put myself in dangerous positions.

One of those positions is in the seat of comparison.

See, the enemy would like us to believe that God plays favorites and that we are last on His list. Comparing my walk to others causes me to forget the amazing things God is doing in my own life.

Ultimately, I realize my walk with God does not depend on what’s going on in someone else’s life. While I can find inspiration and encouragement in what others are doing, I can also rest assured that God is not in the business of reheating leftover blessings and giving them to me.

As God redirects my path, He saves me from the Spirit of comparison. I rejoice in the comfort of knowing that He is ordering my steps as I focus solely on Him!

So, what’s the play call?

Don’t get anxious while you are waiting on God. Don’t allow your impatience to cause you to walk into danger. Philippians 4:6
Humble yourself as you walk with God and allow Him to direct your steps.
Proverbs 3:5-6
When you find yourself sidetracked, take your eyes off of people and look to HIM for direction. Hebrews 12:2

He has great plans in store for you!

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Force your actions.

Act on his own authority.

Kill You.

Discerning the Enemy’s Power of Suggestion

1. It feels more like your own idea than a suggestion.

2. They are filled with leading questions intended to capitalize on doubt.

3. The enemy’s suggestions come with co-signers.

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**Did the Devil Really Make You Do It?**