God Loves To Give Pet Names To His People – Go Figure!

On By tgifmastermindsIn Mankind's Relationship With God3 Comments
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-3.jpeg

One Lost Sheep | God’s Story – YouTube

3:22

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › wat

Last Friday, the Holy Spirit inspired me to blog about God’s “Chicks”. (To review that blog, scroll down this page.) Guess what? This week, the Holy Spirit desires that I enlighten myself and my blog readers concerning why God also refers to his followers as “Sheep”. As quiet as it’s kept, I love to read about the metaphors and parables in the Bible. But before we get started, please take about three minutes to check out the YouTube video above. (Just click the red time 3:22 to view it.) Hopefully, it will set the stage and pique your interest about some very important information that you probably did not know concerning sheep.

Sheep get a bad rap…

Have you ever wondered why when the Holy Scriptures refers to the people of God we are called ‘sheep’ instead of ‘lambs’? And why Jesus Christ is referred to as the ‘Lamb of God’ instead of the ‘Sheep of God’? You might also ask are not sheep and lambs the same animal? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ But, the two descriptive words for the same animal are not interchangeable and are never used synonymously. Suffice it to say, grammatically, between ‘lamb’ and ‘sheep’, the former word refers to a baby/young offspring of the latter. Another interesting fact about the word ‘sheep’ is that its singular and plural forms are the same.

Biblically, we are the ‘sheep’ of His pasture(*). (Notice, grammatically, it would be incorrect to put a ‘s’ at the end of ‘sheep’.) The descriptive word ‘sheep’ is the more mature form of a ‘lamb’. And the caretaker of the sheep (The Shepherd or herdsman) is a more distinguishing name than ‘Lamb-herd’, based on the fact that God cares for his little children (his sheep…us…as his offsprings).

Additional facts and myths concerning sheep are…

  • Sheep’s wool will grow forever around its body and become like a restraining sleeping bag if the herdsman does not regularly sheer it. This could cause the sheep to become cast; fall over on its back and is prevented from getting upright again. Thus becoming vulnerable to prey and death. The herdsman comes with his rod and staff or uses his hands to lift the sheep upright. Biblically, the ‘sheep’ of God’s pasture (humans) can also become so bogged down with cares of this world that we, too, can become ‘cast’ down and need the rod and the staff (literally a good licking) from our Savior to correct, comfort and lift us up again.
  • Because a sheep’s eye pupils are rectangular in shape instead of round like human beings pupils, they can see around corners without turning their heads. Although they cannot see all the way around to their back, their peripheral viewing range is between 270 and 320 degrees. Sheep also have a keen sense of smell and have special scent glands located in front of their eyes and between the digits of their hooves. Both features are of great advantage because sheep are animals of prey. These extrasensory perceptive features enables sheep to see and smell in a wide circumference range. According to Scripture (Psalm 139:14), mankind is aware that we, too, are fearfully and wonderfully made. And we should always give God the honor and the glory he rightfully deserves.
  • In biblical times, shepherds named each one of their sheep and knew the head count in his flock. The sheep recognized their names, their shepherd’s voice and each other (their mates). It is believed that sheep respond to different colors and can also discern between a person’s smile and a frown thus respond in an understanding mannerism. In other words, sheep discern how to react to the shepherd’s emotional state. What a blessing it would be if only mankind-sheep would trust in the Lord at all times and His praises would be continually in their mouths.
  • Click the red YouTube Title below to see what herdsmen do to right a cast sheep. And try to picture all the devoting ways God cares for us (especially John 3:16 and the significance of Easter).

YouTube·Caenhill Countryside Centre·May 13, 2021

(*) NOTE: Biblically speaking, every person (i.e., sheep) born into this world belongs to God, no matter what nationality, gender or faith. (Psalms 100:3) And because God so loves his created world that he gave, etc., etc. etc., (John 3:16). Some of his lambs have no desire to become his sheep, but God, never the less, sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world and commissioned Him to run hard after those lost sheep. Also to shed His atoning blood and to destroy the prey (Devil). Thus, in so doing, proclaim the righteous and upright those into Eternity who otherwise would have been cast down into eternal Hell. Amen

Scripture Lesson: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God Loves For His ‘Chicks’ To Crow About His Grace and Mercies

On By tgifmastermindsIn How to Broadcast the Good News, How To Witness To Others2 Comments

I’m sending out warm and cheerful ‘Greetings-cock-a-doodle-doo’ 🙂 to all my family members, cherished friends and blog readers all across the miles during this festive Easter (egg) 🥰 season in 2023.

So, what’s with the Rooster you may ask! Well, hopefully you feel the same way as I do about life’s events, episodes, and experiences we all have conquered during 2022, with the aide of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

There is no doubt about it…it is time to rise and shine and give God the glory! So, if you haven’t heard the rooster crowing…just listen to its cackling now.

Personally, I am not only crowing, but rejoicing in the fact that the Lord has continually encouraged me to watch my diet and to keep my weight under control. For one of the ways we can represent God positively is by being in good health.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit has reassured me that if I keep my mind stayed on Him, unspeakable joy and peace will be afforded me in years to come. Hallelujah!

Please allow me to take this time to cackle a bit more about God’s healing and comforting power and for answering prayers. You see, several of my family members, close friends and neighbors have endured sicknesses, deaths, job losses and weather catastrophes. And the saving grace of the Holy Spirit’s resources have delivered, comforted and strengthened them all…and right on time. Praise the Lord!

Thanks be to God for continually ordering all of our steps, our minds, and enlightening us by revealing hidden revelations in his Word. As far as I am concerned, crowing about growing in Christ is forever something to shout about.

And in my epilogue about crowing, everyday I am surrounded by young people of different nationalities, who harbor no shame in expressing their love and admiration for the King. Now, that’s really something to crow about!…don’t you think?

Jesus is not through with me yet, although I will be celebrating my 84th birthday this year…if the Lord says so. True, I haven’t embarked on an international mission trip for about six years, but the memories of traveling to so many foreign countries and ministering to such lovely people, orphan homes, villages, holy shrines and educational facilities, I will forever cherish and ‘crow’ about them all.

Please allow me to share with you some of the many places the Lord has gathered me under his wings and allowed me to visit and to help spread the gospel. I have travelled abroad with an international team with Buckner International Corp, located in Mesquite, Texas, USA. My eyes have witnessed God’s provisions in Lima, Peru; Addis Abba, Ethiopia; Bucharest, Romania; Amman, Jordan; St. Petersburg, Russia; North Hanoi, Viet Nam; The Dominican Republic; Nicaragua; Costa Rica; San Miguel De Allende, Mexico; The Holy Lands; Isle of Patmos; Egypt; Zambia and Zimbabwe, South Africa.

Finally, I want to crow about how the Holy Spirit continuously enlightens me with discernment into His holy word and provides numerous opportunities for me to share His goodness and faithfulness with everyone I meet. So, now it is your turn to send out ‘crowing’ messages to all of your acquaintances so that in turn, we all can rejoice with you in your miraculous triumphs while serving at the feet of Jesus.

Scripture Lesson: “He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 9:4

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!” Luke 13:34

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God Invites Us To Come

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized7 Comments
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 1.jpg

All of my life, God has been tenderly calling me to come.

(This is an updated re-blog of a true event in my life that helped me to consummate my relationship with the Lord.)

Today is the first day of the rest of my life!  And life (especially eternal life) comes from the Son of God…Christ Jesus and what He did on the cross!

When I was a child, growing up in the church back in Illinois, one of my favorite Sunday School songs was “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling Thee Home,” by Fanny Crosby a blind Methodist hymn writer.  My sister and I used to sing that song in two part harmony.  We were pretty good, too, if I must say so myself.

Although, my family was Baptist, my sister and I and our father used to perform gospel music in a variety of other denominational churches in our town upon their invitations.  Dad also sang bass in his men’s octet group called the Benevolent Gospel Singers.  Their group performances were somewhat famous because they secured a contract to broadcasted locally for fifteen minutes on WDAN Radio station every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.   I remember walking down the dusty roads in our town on Sunday mornings, heading to Church with my siblings on a bright and sunny day, while listening to the 8-part harmony of the booming male voices of the Benevolent Gospel Singers. You could also hear them slapping their thighs as they metered out the rhythm.

Two people on their way to Church on a Sunday morning.

How was that possible you might ask more than seventy years ago.  Well I’ll tell you.  All the houses along the street in the neighborhood had their doors and windows open to collect the warm summer breeze and as my family walked along the sidewalks towards the Church we could  hear the voices of my dad and the other men blasting aloud from the radios of our neighbors all the way to church.  The music would be coming from their home radios.  I want you to visualize 5 little children jumping and strutting along to the rhythm of the gospel songs.   Happy as a lark.  Strutting to the beat or our dad as the Good Lord invited us to come and be a part of His family. What precious memories I have of those childhood days.

 Children on their way to Sunday School

The Holy Spirit Called Me a Second Time…

You see, not only was God calling me from the doorways and windows of houses as a child, but when I grew up, He was also calling me from the jitterbug floor of my favorite nightclub.   As a young adult in Motown (Detroit, Mi.), one Saturday evening a few of my girlfriends and I went out for a night of dancing.  We stayed out late and into the wee mourning hours. We had a good time.  The next day was Sunday and I had to be at church because I was the church clerk and had to read the weekly announcements to the awaiting congregation.

While sitting in the pew and bidding my turn to speak, the Sister sitting next to me kept  turning towards me and sniffing me.  Finally, she whispered, my sister, you smell like smoke!  Fear ran through me and I started to tremble.  (The night before, at the club, everybody was smoking cigarettes and that smoke was in my hair.  (For the record, I was not smoking.) Although I had bathed in preparation of Church, I did not have time to wash my hair.  My perfume and hair spray was no disguise!  But what was more frighting, I heard a silent-still-small voice say; ‘You cannot serve two masters.’  Now I realize that God was calling me even then.

Ooops! You smell like smoke!

Okay.  So I have been very transparent with my readers today and do you know why?….because what God was actually conversing with me was this message…Come as you are but don’t stay as you are.  You know the scripture verse: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” I Corinthians 13:11)

Please pray for me that I will forever be on the battle field for the Lord. And I will do likewise for you. Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come; and he who is hearing — let him say, Come; and he who is thirsting — let him come; and he who is willing — let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!  

 

God Does Not Deserve “Mickey Mouse” Prayers – Part 2

On By tgifmastermindsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
The Lord's Prayer - Our Father Who Art in Heaven - Bible Verses & Meaning

…for You have ears to hear and eyes to see…tarry with us just for a little while…

Welcome to Part 2 of the continuation of last week’s blog with the same title. You are invited to review Part 1 prior to embarking on Part 2. Just scroll down this page until you see last week’s post.

Also, please consider the contents of Part 2 only as an example dialogue in prayer for you to lift up to the Almighty when you devote deliberate solemn time in meditation. 

Most holy and Everlasting Father; the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob:  The God who has ears to hear and eyes to see...Please hear our prayer this evening.

For these are troubling times, My Lord, and the world needs Your guidance, Your help and Your strength.  We are asking that You look down on us as a people...as a nation...as a world in chaos and have mercy on us.

We are pleading that You remember the cries of a destitute flock of believers and accept our offerings of repentance.  Oh, Lord, our God, please grant to us according to our hearts desires and within Your will and Your ways and fulfill all our needs.  Within Your DNA and strength we will forever raise our banners high to give You all the praise, all the honor and all the glory in Christ Jesus' Name.

We beseech You, therefore Heavenly Father, to grant us Your peace, Your tenacity, Your true grit, Your steadfast determination and faithfulness by which abilities we will become more than conquers.  For we are weak and You are strong.

So, Dear Lion of Judah, there is no doubt that You can save to the utmost...and save You will.  Forgive us and hear our prayers and become our Strong Deliverer and save Your children!

All of our supplications this day have been directed upwards towards heaven...towards the All-powerful God of our strength.  Forever, Lord, may Your mighty right hand reach out towards our enemies and render them discombobulated.

We stand in unison on these requests; bound together in love, determination, steadfastness and harmony.  Being ever so careful to give You our praise and not to put our trust in chariots of fire, or swift horses, or human might.  But remembering Your Name, Lord Jesus.  The precious Name unto which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.  The matchless Name of Jesus.  The Name that is able to cause our enemies to stumble and fall.

The Name that is able to raise up all those who call upon it!  JESUS!  Hallelujah to the Name of JEUS!!

SAVE, OF LORD.  That is our warrior cry.   Send down Your Holy Spirit and Waring Angels among us so that they may orchestrate Your commands and will in this sweet hour of prayer and praise.

This is our petition unto Thee, this day.  In the Precious Name of Jesus Christ, we pray...AMEN AND AMEN

And I/we don’t mind waiting, My Lord, on Your answers.

(Please just click the ‘red’ recording time below to be highly blessed in a mantra-style meditation hymn.

5:54 Juanita Bynum -I Don’t Mind Waiting

Scripture Lesson: “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Does Not Deserve “Mickey Mouse” Prayers – Part 1

On By tgifmastermindsIn Godly Living and Maturing, How To Pray For Others, Prayers For Life Changes, Prayers For New Beginnings1 Comment
IS THIS YOU? Always saying things that do not deserve to be answered!

Do you need to work on your communications with God?

When you enter into your ‘Throne Room’ or ‘Prayer Closet’, do you barge in like gang busters and begin addressing the Almighty God without even acknowledging Him with an honorable-descriptive title as to Who He is and how He alone reigns over all the universe? Do you stay in a prostrated position long enough for our Savior to even answer you? Are you coming to Him with doubt, in frustration, little respect, or with an insincere attitude and no confession of your recent transgressions? But most of all…do you ever pray for a broader audience other than your own family and loved ones?

STOP! DON’T ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS…WHY?

Mainly because it is none of my business. I am just trying to get your attention and to inform you that God does have a reputation that there are times when He does not desire to listen to nor answer the prayers of His children, namely you and me. So, if anyone is guilty of breaking faith with Jesus Christ, especially within an atmosphere of new or weak believers, then expect to be judged by the workings of the Holy Spirit. And His workings just could be total silence!

There are two recorded biblical examples when God said “STOP! Do Not Pray because I Am not listening.”…

Hopefully, you are familiar with the list of “Biblical Heroes who walked by faith and not by sight” mentioned in Hebrews 11:1-16. Moses’ name is not among them…yet he was used mightily by God to lead the sons and daughters of Israel out of bondage in Egypt and though the wilderness. Moses’ indiscretion is example number one. However, when Moses prayed to God to relent and allow him to cross over the River Jordan and enter into the Promise Land, God’s response to Moses was; “Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter” (Deut. 3:25-27). God explained to Moses that he had broken faith with God in the wilderness because he had not treated God as holy and had been disobedient as a leader in the midst of the children of Israel, when Moses struck the rock to obtain water instead of approaching ‘The Rock‘ and treating it as God had commanded. Obviously, no amount of prayers would change God’s mind and He told Moses to stop praying about it.

The second example is found in Jeremiah 7:16; 11:14 and 14:11. God informed Jeremiah who was a Priest and a Prophet at least three times to stop lifting up prayers of intercession for His wayward children of Israel. God’s chosen people had repeatedly disobeyed Him and His commands. God declared to Jeremiah, “I do not hear you”.

Needless to say, God does not deserve nor does he desire to listen to ‘Mickey Mouse’ prayers! Those hollow words that do not edify our Lord and Savior…

Below is a list of world headline events that deserve our sincere intercessory prayers. Look the list over. Come to an agreement that God is aware of all the disasters, namely: campus shootings, wars and rumors of wars, government leader misdeeds domestic and foreign, environmental disasters worldwide that are occurring throughout the world. And of course, it is God’s design that the universe should be a safe place of refuge. Yet the Holy Spirit is whispering into my heart that God also wants us to be alert watchmen and watchful women who know how to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and cities and nations every where. There is no need for us to be afraid for God is our refuge.

Mickey Mouse Prayers will not get you to the next level in God…so pray earnestly and sincerely.

Suggested list of current events in today’s news to pray for:

  • OhioTrain Derailment in East Palestine
  • China says U.S. balloons have flown over their continent before, too
  • Russia and Ukraine have been at war for over one year with no end in sight
  • Michigan State University’s mass shooting…3 students needlessly killed and several wounded
  • A Black Hawk airliner jet crashed in Alabama, killing everyone on board
  • The 2019 Covid-19 Virus is still causing havoc around the world
  • The whole world is going to Hell in a hand basket

Scripture Lesson: “God is our refuse and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. And so we need not fear even if the world blows up, and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!

There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God–the sacred home of the God above all gods, God himself is living in that City; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. The nations rant and rave in anger–but when God speaks the erth melts in submission and kingdoms totted into ruin.” Psalms 46:1-6

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Created Ways To Incorporate Eternal Meaning Into Nomenclatures

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized7 Comments

Was Valentine’s Day Pre-Ordained?

Let’s pretend that the gentleman featured on the front of this card was given a nomenclature, that is, a system for giving names to things within a particular profession or field. The name this gentleman was known by was Valentine of Rome. His initial particular profession was that he lived under the rule of the Roman Empire and the dictates of Emperor Claudius II and false pagan gods. However, if you examine the image closely you will ascertain that Mr. Valentine of Rome disputed that assessment and clandestinely places his hand over his heart to indicate that that chamber rules him under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And it was in that field of thought he later became a priest under the Catholic Order of faith.

After the short lived life of Mr. Valentine of Rome, antiquity records his persona as a saintly man who aided and abetted persecuted Christians that lived under the rule of the Roman Empire; as an advocate of teaching, preaching and endorsing agape love which demonstrated the highest form of a fatherly love of God for all human beings. This form of teaching was in contrast to what his pagan government taught and lived by. It transcended the norms of promoting erotic love, philia, promiscuous or eros love which paganism endorsed.

Saint Valentine of Rome was Canonized by the Catholic Church in the 5th Century A.D….

It goes without saying, the antics of Cleric Valentine of Rome far surpassed the lifestyle of his fellow countrymen. The feats of Father Valentine of Rome irked Emperor Claudius II and it landed this mortal man in prison. Legend has it that the Emperor, who viewed himself as a god, was impressed with Valentine’s fetes and agreed to release him from prison if only he would convert to Roman paganism, but Valentine refused to save himself. Rather, he attempted to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. That invitation was not heeded. But while awaiting execution in prison, SaintValentine performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his Jailer. This miracle alone caused the Jailer, his healed daughter, the Jailer’s servants and 46 additional family members of his household to believe in Jesus Christ and they all were baptized.

The birth of celebrating St. Valentine’s Day on February 14th every year…

Sometime during the 4th Century on February 14, Saint Valentine was executed. Antiquity records that Julia, the daughter of the Jailer, planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave…an agape demonstration of love. Today, in some countries, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. Another embellishment suggests that during his priestly duties, Saint Valentine performed clandestine Christian weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry by the Emperor Claudius II. Also, according to legend, in order to remind these men of their vows and God’s love, Saint Valentine is said to have cut hearts from parchment paper, wrote encouraging notes on them and gave them to these soldiers and persecuted Christians, as a possible origin of the widespread use of hearts and valentine cards sent on St. Valentine’s Day.

Mickey & Minnie 'So This Is Love' Wallpaper

Today we have an extra Valentine’s Day treat for you!

My prayer for you…

Thank you Lord for creating ways to incorporate eternal meaning into nomenclatures. The name Valentine is such a befitting name to apply to a human who displayed love and unabashed protection for his fellow human beings. It truly was ordained by You that Saint Valentine’s name be canonized as an example to show generations to come how to demonstrate enthusiasm, undying energy and love to their fellow man.

We earnestly pray that our life’s contributions towards society will bring honor, glory, respect and lasting reverence to your Name. Amen and Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.” Psalm 73:28

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Provides Acts Of Benevolence During Times Of Bereavement

On By tgifmastermindsIn Prayers About God and Me, Prayers for Families, Prayers For Peace8 Comments
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is pexels-rodnae-productions-8865084.jpg

Sometimes we are all asked to perform a task that we just wish could be delivered by another person. And generally, those assignment requests involves grievances or controversial situations. Such an assignment fell on me when my baby brother died a few years ago. What concerned me was the fact that I was not the oldest sibling and I thought our oldest sister should have stepped up to the occasion. However, since she was the matriarch of the family and ruled the roost, her decision prevailed.

Needless to say, I delivered the Eulogy for our brother!

The sadness and sorrow I felt for carrying out this assignment was mainly because of my personal feelings for the deceased. You see, my brother went home to be with the Lord at an early age of 74 years old. He had never married, nor did he have any children. Immediately after his High School graduation in 1963, he was drafted into the Army and assigned to a 3-year tour of duty in North Viet Nam. He came home from the war wounded and 100% disabled. He became a ward of the Veteran Administration and remained in their medical and hostel care until his demise.

I felt he had lived such a shallow life full of loneliness, sadness, and broken dreams. Now, perhaps you can sympathize with me as to why I was reluctant to deliver my brother’s Eulogy. So, what I did was to go to God in fervent prayer. I asked him to give me the right words, ideas, and uplifting content to compose a light-hearted and information message that would be uplifting to our family members, friends and acquaintances that would be in attendance at the funeral services.

The results of the Holy Spirit’s intervention in assisting me with composing the Eulogy was phenomenal. And just in case you (my readers) are ever put into this kind of situation, it is my prayer that you can apply some of these heavenly ideas that I received that led me to deliver a very short two minute speech that brought the funeral attendees to their feet with resounding accolades at the conclusion.

Below is an excerpt of the advise I received from a conversation with God to help me prepare a befitting Eulogy for a brother ‘less traveled’ in life then most people…

  • KISS – Keep it simple (my) servant.
  • Collect anecdotes from correspondence sent to others or harmless pranks he did to others that brought lasting memories.
  • What life-lessons did you and others learn from him as an adult or as a young child.
  • What gleeful mannerism did he play on people.
  • What made your brother unique and a cut above his peers?
  • Avoid dwelling on any sad life-long memories or events he may have suffered or did nothing to show the love of God.
  • Use this time to express any message that can alleviate guilt, sadness, shame or sorrow for the future.
A Eulogy Befitting My Brother

I am sure that there is no one gathered in this assembly today that has not heard of the bible verse I am about to quote.  And it does not matter if you are a Believer in Christ Jesus or a believer in yourself or some other gods.  Somewhere in your upbringing I know you have run across John 3:16.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

You know, Brother died unexpectedly and alone...without any relatives, friends or loved ones at his bedside.   And that has bothered me to no end...so naturally I prayed about it!!!

And for comfort, during these past two weeks, the Holy Spirit has continued to give me reassurance that a host of angels were around Brother's hospital bed on that final night of his earthly residency to remind him of those most cherished words from John 3:16.

I was also comforted with the thought that those heavenly messengers were also singing praises and giving thanks for a mere mortal soul who had at an earlier age surrendered to the call of his country and had offered his life so that other generations to come might remain free.  He honorable severed in the US Army and suffered life-threatening wounds which permanently left him handicapped for the rest of his life.

The Heavenly Host had an extended conversation with me about how this mortal man was so thoughtful during his lifetime.  They were amazed at how generously after his tour of duty, he shared his remaining life with others while knowing that he himself was without wife or children to hold, provide for and to love.

And finally, the Angels concluded that although Brother was the baby of his family and resided in his home town, his surviving brother and 2 sisters lived far away in other states.  And with the urgency for my brother to answer the call and be taken up to his new celestial residency, they would not have time to get to the hospital to deliver their last 'goodbyes'.

So as I close this tribute to Brother, I believe us 3 remaining siblings have been vindicated.  Our guilt for not being at Brother's bedside has been removed.

We, the remaining siblings also hope that our brother sees us officiating now and that he has searched our hearts and realizes that without a doubt, we beg him for forgiveness for being absent from his bedside in a time of need.  We also hope that this Home-going celebration has been a worthy tribute for his journey to his celestial home.

So on behalf of Brother's immediate family members, his extended clan-family members, all his friends, loved ones, caregivers, and guests in attendance, we say 'thank you' for helping us celebrate the life of Brother, a child of the King.

My final request is to everyone under the sound of my vice...I invite you to stand and shout out in a loud voice, "Fare ye well, beloved Brother".  Then, blow a kiss to the wind and give a resounding hand clap of love in appreciation for Brother's life and his suffering for so many others.

May our Lord and Savior richly bless and keep all of you.

May Our Brother Rest In Peace

My Prayer For You:

Dear Holy Spirit, We humbly come and ask You to give us the right words to use to proclaim Your message to the masses so that the good tidings of Jesus Christ can be heard all over the earth and for every occasion under the sun. Amen

Scripture Lesson: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me (Paul), that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:18-19

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God’s Autobiography…As Told To Me!

On By tgifmastermindsIn Prayers For Spiritual Growth, Prayers For UnderstandingLeave a comment

Many years ago while in a very quiet place…no, I was not really in a quiet place…I was in a neighborhood park, sitting under a beautiful flowering tree. Its blossoms were tiny white pebbles, and I was being entertained by the nesting birds perched on its limbs. Actually, with my head lifted back and my eyes closed, I was rejoicing at a familiar passage in the Bible I was reading which is found in Matthew 6:9-13. I’m quit sure you are familiar with whose famous words recited by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as to the manner we ought to pray to the Father in Heaven. Koo-uk-koo….koo, koo, the birds chanted…Koo-uk-koo, koo, koo, sang the birds. But, to me, I heard “Ride on King Jesus, ride on”!

But to me, all I heard was: “Ride on King Jesus…ride on.”

Ride On King Jesus – Brotherhood Gospel Choir … – YouTube

The difference between a Biography and an Autobiography…

It is very important that we distinguish between the two types of narratives. A biography is an account of a person’s life, written by another individual. An Autobiography is also a biography of oneself as narrated/written by oneself. The literary form can be displayed in a book, diaries, letters, journals, memoirs, and oral reminiscences.

As I was in deep thought on that particular sunny day, the Holy Spirit got a hold on me and asked me how would I like to digest the Lord’s Prayer in Three Person rather in just through the instructions of Jesus Christ. I pondered the meaning of the question, but the Inner Voice inside me (the Holy Spirit) said, I will interpret it for you in the Voice of the Father God, the Son, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit. I smiled, threw my head back and whispered…’Say on, my beloved Teacher…say on!’

The first voice speaking in the narrative below is God’s preference of how to address him in prayer. The second Voice in parenthesis is the Son, Jesus Christ. The Third Voice is our Teacher, the Holy Spirit:

Our Father Which Art
In Heaven

(I have come down
from heaven,


Hollowed Be Thy Name

(to endorse everything I
have made.















Thy Kingdom Come

(I'm here!  Look at me!
I am the Kingdom
predicted to come!















Thy Will Be Done On Earth
As It Is In Heaven

(Obey Me and do My will,



















Give Us This Day Our
Daily Bread

(Recognize me as your all in all.










And Forgive Us Our Debts
As We Forgive Our Debtors

(Stop judging folks!

   Accept them.  Accept Me!














For Thine Is The Kingdom

(I've told you once and I'm telling you again.  It's Me they 
were talking about.


The Power
(Try Me,
Test Me,
Prove Me,
Use me,


And The Glory
(The "secret" is no more.
The mystery is cleared up,













Forever
(Wise up world!





AMEN
(So be it.)



There are many gods of this world.  But, I'm
talking about my Father (yours and mine)
who lives in that Holy Habitation...Heaven.

Jesus is saying, may the name of God (His name, 
'Jesus') be written (carved) into and onto everything
which thou (he) hath made both in Heaven and on earth. 
In the Old Testament, after King Solomon had completed 
the Lord's House, using the Lord's blueprint, the Lord
God 'spoke' to Solomon and said, "I have hollowed this
house which thou hath built, to put my name there forever."

I Kings 9:3 


Jesus says, I'm talked about all through the Old Testament.
Somebody was always saying the Kingdom will be 
established.  My Father promised I would come through
the house of David.  "Then I will establish the throne of the
kingdom upon Israel forever."

I Kings 9:5




Yes, I have created you in my own image and because I
have a free will, you, too, have a free will.   Use it and
OBEY.  Adam misused his will and was "set out" of 
safety (Eden).  The angel Lucifer also misused his will
and was set out from the Heavenly Host.  Only God's will 
now reigns in Heaven.  It's down here on earth, where I have 
come, that things are all messed up.

Genesis 3:23 & 24
Revelation 12:9



Accept me (Jesus) today because I am the Bread of Life.  Pray that I might become real in your life.  Digest my teachings.  Digest me.  Eat me and you'll never be hungry again.  But best of all, you'll never die!  Why?  Because I am the Bread of Life!

John 6:35


Be ever so careful when you include these words in your prayer.  Don't forfeit your prayer to the Father because you went down on your knees before you went to your brother and asked forgiveness.

Matthew 6:14 & 15 says...


For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


I am the authority now.  My Father has crowned Me.  You must receive Me (Jesus) as the King before you can enter into the Kingdom of My Father.


If God is for you, no man can be against you.  For greater is he that is in Me than he that is in the world.

The mystery of who's coming to save (redeem) mankind is cleared up.  I am the glorious One the world has been awaiting.

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the Glory of this mystery among the gentiles; which is Christ Jesus in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27


You will pass away.  Your works will pass away.  But what I'm telling you (my word) shall last for all times.

Isaiah 40

Scripture Lesson: “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'” Mark 13:33, 37.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Prescribed A Radical Cold Remedy For Me

On By tgifmastermindsIn Prayers About God and Me, Prayers About Miracles, Prayers For Healing4 Comments
Working on my Sunday School Lesson outline while sick in bed.

The date was Tuesday, May 10, 1983, and I lay sick in bed in Rockville, Maryland, USA, with a nasty head cold. My throat was very sore and earlier that day, I had coughed up blood. I lived alone, so whenever I got this sick, I stayed close to my bedroom so I could lay down if I became dizzy or winded.

That evening, I settled myself in bed and tried to begin preparing my Sunday School lesson which was found in the Book of Acts 19:11 & 12:

       11. “Now God worked unusual miracles by the

        hand of Paul, 12. so that even handkerchiefs or

        aprons were brought from his body to the

        sick, and the diseases left them and evil

        spirits went out of them.”

As I continued to study, my attention kept going back to verse 12. Finally, I said to myself, ‘I wonder if a cloth could heal my throat.’ Immediately, my Mother came to mind and the Holy Spirit reminded me of her true devotion to the Lord all throughout the day.

At that time, my mother lived in Minneapolis, Mn., but earlier that same year she had crocheted some table doilies and sent me a ten-piece set. In my mind, I could picture her settled in her favorite chair rocking and crocheting while at the same time humming hymns and giving praises to her God all the day long.

Sample image of one of the crocheted round doilies.

So, I got out of my bed and went downstairs to the hall closet where I had placed the newly received doilies. Very carefully and with a lot of hesitation, I removed the box from the top shelf. I selected a small round coaster doily. I then tipped toed back upstairs to my room. Boy, was I nervous and continued praying all the while. Cautiously, I slipped back into bed and braced myself against the pillows. I held the doily in one hand and prayed over it very softly. Next, I asked God if I was doing the right thing. I wanted to assure him that I was not “trying” him. It was my fervent desire to only trust him for his healing power.

The next thing I did was to carefully place the handheld doily on my sore throat and kept both hands clasped tightly over it. At the same time, I quietly continued to pray…almost apologetically for my demonstrative actions. Suddenly, something began to happen!

Lightening bolt!

The first thing I noticed was that a cool bright breeze was coming towards me. It passed through my nostrils. Actually, it rushed through my nostrils. My eyelids popped open and I put one hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. I sensed it was the Holy Spirit, and I wanted to speak out and praise God. But at that precise moment I had to swallow. When I did, everything went right down my throat with ease. No pain. My eyes got bigger and I began to sweat, Somehow I found the courage to whisper, ‘Lord, is that You?’ In a still small voice He responded, ‘You asked to be healed, didn’t you? Well, do not waver!

Tears of joy began to stream down my cheeks. Incoherent praises were coming from my mouth. My voice still sounded as if I had a cold, but my head was all cleared up. My eyes stopped watering. My fever had dropped. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I was healed. I recognized that with the aide of the Holy Spirit, my mother’s doily and most of all faith in Jesus Christ, I was healed just as Paul’s handkerchief had healed those saints in the Book of Acts.

In my later years of life, I am still thanking God and sending up prayers for his love and tender care…

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your blueprint for prayer. I knew that You were with me when I sought You in my bedroom and that I did not have to pray a long prayer because You know me so well that You already knew every thing that I wanted to ask You. Without a doubt, You are a wonder-working God. A doctor Who has never lost a case. A healer to all those who call upon Your holy and blessed Name.

I sincerely thank You for putting me in a quiet place that night so many years ago. It was there where I could be alone with You. You prompted me through the Holy Spirit to take courage and delight in You as I experienced Your healing powers. You have no respect of person…you blessed me as mercifully as you blessed the Apostle Paul.

And less I forget, You also remembered to honor and bless my (now deceased) mother’s devotion to You. Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Invites Prayers From The Politically Minded

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized2 Comments

As you can imagine by the title of this blog, I am about to suggest something to you that is considered a “Taboo” by most of today’s society. The warning is: ‘Never mix religion and politics in the same conversation’. Taboos are grounded in morality, and can also be linked to a culture or religion. An act may be taboo in one culture and not in another.

The reason for this ‘taboo’ label was basically because when discussing religion and politics with someone, emotions generally run high. These emotional difference of opinions often makes some people lose all perspective and therefore give way to ranting and raving and carrying on like emotionally disturbed children.

Yet, in 1956, the United States Congress, a political organization, officially incorporated the motto “In God We Trust” on every $ paper denomination and metal coin printed by the United States Government.

Go figure!

To perceive persons as being politically minded is to define them as having an interest in the way power is basically achieved and used in a society through government run policy-making entities. History reveals while the earliest mentions of the phrase ‘In God We Trust’ can be found in the mid-19th century, the origins of this phrase as a political motto lie in the American Civil War, where Union supporters wanted to emphasize their attachment to God and to boost their soldiers morale.

 

My Prayer For You…(Now here comes the religious part! Show the world that you do not rely on the political base of the world…you put your trust and hope in the Lord! For God so loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son…that who ever believed in Him shall have everlasting (eternally) life.)

Most holy and everlasting Father, the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: To the God who has ears to hear and eyes to see: We seek the Lord purposefully and sincerely ask Him to hear our prayer this day.

For these are troubling and infectious times, my Lord, and we need your help and your strength, and your guidance. We are asking that you look down on us as a nation of people, as a world, and have mercy on us. We are beseeching You to remember the cries of a destitute flock of believers and accept our offerings of repentance.

Oh Lord, our God, please grant to us according to our hearts and Your desires and fulfill all those needs. And we will forever raise our banners high to give You all the praise, the honor and the glory. We beseech You, Heavenly Father, to grant us Your peace. For we know that You can save to the utmost, and save You will. Oh Lord, save Your children. Hear our cries, Dear Master, and answer us even from on High. Reach out to us with Your mighty right hand and strengthen us.

Now Lord, Oh Lord, my prayer today has been directed towards heaven. Directly upwards toward You, Lord. Being ever so careful not to put my trust in chariots of fire, or swift horses, or human might. But remembering Your Name, Lord Jesus. That precious Name…Jesus! That matchless Name of Jesus. The Name that is able to cause my enemies to stumble and fall. The Name that’ is able to raise up all those who call upon it.

SAVE, oh Lord! Send down Your Holy Spirit and visit us during this sweet hour of prayer and praise. This is our petition unto Thee, this day. In the Strong Name of Jesus the Christ. Amen and Amen!!

Scripture Lesson: “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!