Sinner Saved by Grace

Ain't nothing special about me. I'm just like you. I struggle. I get mad. I cuss from time to time. People piss me off. I have bad days. I doubt. I love. I laugh. I cry. I drink a  little every now and then. I love coffee. My kids and husband are my heart.

The only difference is that when God sees me instead of my sin, He sees the blood of Jesus.

I think people think that when you get saved you become perfect. That is a crock of bull! I will never be perfect. However, when I am in the midst of all that life brings I am never walking it alone. Jesus is always walking with me.

There is comfort in knowing that I don't walk alone.

I still am a sinner and always will be. My salvation doesn't stop my sinning, it allows me access to God in spite of my sin. I am not immune to bad things happening. Good things do not magically happen to me all the time. I am not rich and I am not happy all the time. All I did was accept God's gift of forgiveness and salvation. I've latched on to His promise to never leave me. I've latched on to His promise that He would supply my needs. I've latched on to His promise that there is something so much better than this world. And this gives me the joy, peace, patience, happiness and fight to keep living until God ends my journey on this earth.

I'm just a regular, ordinary sinner saved by grace. And living under His mercy. Holding on to His unchanging hand. He hasn't failed me yet.

Praise Break - Ghost Town (Freedom)

The earth was new, a great frontier

The perfect place to spread his fear

So satan set up shop to draw them in

Bright lights to display all his wares

"Come on in, forget your cares"

That devil knew just how to package sin

People came from far and wide

Not a guilty soul denied

But before they knew they'd been deceived

They'd step inside and never leave

They said his eyes were black as coal

His voice a shudder to the soul

He preyed upon the broken and the proud

He told them they were lost for good

No one loved them and who would

Before too long he owned that fallen town

And from inside the gates they'd wail:

Who can save us from this hell?

And as their hopes turned into tears

He laughed and all his demons stood and cheered

Then down a dirt road from the east

Came one, they said, could slay the beast

But did not fight with bullets or a sword

They called him Mercy and at his side

A thousand angels chose to ride

And as they moved, the ground, like thunder, roared

Stepping down from his white horse

And with a supernatural force

He spoke to his demonic foe

"I'm here to keep the law so let them go"

But that great deceiver only grinned

As his demons rallied to defend

He said: "The price of justice must be paid!"

So Mercy, rising from his seat

Showed them all his hands and feet

And said: "I am the lamb that was slayed"

Then the demons and their thief

Shook their heads in disbelief

And began to writhe upon the ground

When they saw he held the keys to their ghost town

Then one by one the slaves began to shout

And the captives found their way out

Mercy broke the chains and they cried out:

Freedom

Freedom

Freedom

Mercy broke the chains and they cried out:

Freedom

Freedom

Freedom

Then one by one the slaves began to shout

And the captives found their way out

Mercy broke the chains and they cried out:

Freedom

Freedom

Freedom

Mercy broke the chains and they cried out:

Freedom

Freedom

Freedom

Then one by one the slaves began to shout

And the captives found their way out

Mercy broke the chains and they cried out:

Freedom

Freedom
Freedom

HALLELUJAH!

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

Freedom

Its easy to feel like you are a slave to your circumstances. Not too long ago I was feeling that way and sitting in it. Being weighed down by despair, pity, disappointment, anger, frustration. Allowing those things to poison my mind and spirit. And then I made the choice to be free. My situation hasn't changed but my outlook, my response, the way I live in that situation has.

I've chosen freedom.

God has set you free. Jesus died so that you can be free and the Father gives you the opportunity to choose to accept that freedom or live in captivity.

We have bought the lie that Satan says that we don't have a choice. That there is no way to live victorious even in the worst of circumstances. It is his way to limit our power. He knows that if we get caught up in what we can see and lose hope he has effectively halted our growth, our praise, our worship, our ability to be resilient. He knows that if we let joy, hope, passion, praises, gratefulness, optimism to bubble up inside of us we will be a mighty force for good.

Today I ask you to choose to be free. Don't hold on to what people have told you about yourself. Don't hold on to our crazy government. Don't hold on to what the world says success is. Don't hold on to the hurts, the pain, the crazy, messed up stuff people have done and said to you. Don't hold on to lies that steal your joy and distract.

Be free. Satan wants to hold us in a Ghost Town where we are shells of ourselves but Jesus holds the keys. He has already defeated the bad thoughts, the pain, the messed up situations, all the bad ish. We are free in spite of all that has transpired before, now and in the future. We are free.

Step into the liberty that God has given you. Shout...

Freedom

Freedom

Freedom

It is your choice. Accept God's love, healing, forgiveness, gifts... freedom.

I leave this with you. The man who wrote most of the New Testament, encouraging Christ followers to press on, to trust God, to step into the freedom that God's salvation affords, to not grow weary - spent most of that time a captive, in prison.

Paul is a great reminder that our bodies being held captive does not mean we are enslaved. When we die we leave this body behind. Our soul is what will meet God in glory. If we make up our mind to be free in Christ, WE ARE FREE!

Jesus, when He died said it is finished. Hallelujah! They thought they had captured Him, silenced Him, defeated Him but Jesus made the choice to die and when He was ready, when all was accomplished, then and only then is when He died.

Live in freedom. Today and everyday. Mercy broke the chains of (insert any and everything here). Don't put them back on.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

Praise Break - He's ALIVE!

HALLELUJAH!

The gates and doors were barred 

And all the windows fastened down 

I spent the night in sleeplessness 

And rose at every sound 

Half in hope of sorrow 

And half in fear the day 

Would find the soldiers breakin' through 

To drag us all away 

And just before the sunrise 

I heard something at the wall 

The gate began to rattle 

And a voice began to call 

I hurried to the window 

Looked down into the street 

Expecting swords and torches 

And the sound of soldiers' feet 

But there was no one there but Mary 

So I went down to let her in 

John stood there beside me 

As she told me where she'd been 

She said they've moved Him in the night 

And none of us know where 

The stone's been rolled away 

And now His body isn't there 

We both ran towards the garden 

Then John ran on ahead 

We found the stone and empty tomb 

Just the way that Mary said 

But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in 

Was just an empty shell 

And how or where they'd taken Him 

Was more than I could tell 

Oh something strange had happened there 

Just what I did not know 

John believed a miracle 

But I just turned to go 

Circumstance and speculation 

Couldn't lift me very high 

'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him 

Then I saw Him die 

Back inside the house again 

The guilt and anguish came 

Everything I'd promised Him 

Just added to my shame 

When at last it came to choices 

I denied I knew His name 

And even if He was alive 

It wouldn't be the same 

But suddenly the air was filled 

With a strange and sweet perfume 

Light that came from everywhere 

Drove shadows from the room 

And Jesus stood before me 

With His arms held open wide 

And I fell down on my knees 

And I just clung to Him and cried 

Then He raised me to my feet 

And as I looked into His eyes 

The love was shining out from Him 

Like sunlight from the skies 

Guilt in my confusion 

Disappeared in sweet release 

And every fear I ever had 

Just melted into peace 

He's alive yes He's alive 

Yes He's alive and I'm forgiven 

Heaven's gates are open wide 

He's alive yes He's alive 

Oh He's alive and I'm forgiven 

Heaven's gates are open wide 

He's alive He's alive 

Hallelujah He's alive 

He's alive and I'm forgiven 

Heaven's gates are open wide 

He's alive He's alive He's alive 

I believe it He's alive 

Sweet Jesus

His Mercies are New Every Morning

What a week I had last week! I’m just glad I didn’t have to go through it alone.

Each day and every step of the way God was there. My kids were sick, I helped a friend in need, and my husband had a flare of his pericarditis. It was the scariest one yet. And in my fear I had to stay calm to help Him and not frighten our babies. I only got through it by God’s grace and mercy.

Life is but a vapor. But each day that open our eyes is God giving us another chance to get it right. It’s another chance for me to look at the beautiful faces of my husband, son and daughter and tell God thank you that you got me to this point so that I can have this moment.

We don’t always get it right but God always gives us a reset. A day. Fresh grace. New mercy. My life is far from all the way together and there are days I struggle but God is ALWAYS good and I will be fine.

I write this as I bask in the glory of the new mercy God has bestowed on me today. I am thankful.

The Unlikely Missionary 

Praise Break: Trust Me

Trust me 
Though you can't see 
You can trust me 
The way may be steep 
You can trust me 
Let me lead...trust me 

Trust Him

People only ask where God is when bad things happen. Why didn’t He stop the flood, the death, the ? 

He could have. But life is full of good and bad. If God interfered in everything we would complain about that too.

God created us to be people of choice. Our lives are a series of decisions most of which we make and some that others make that affect us. Either way we have to deal with the consequences.

At the end of the day, no matter the outcome - good or bad- God is a good God. He wants what is best for us and often times we go through what we go through so that we can get to where God wants us to be.

Look at Jonah for the example. He had to endure being in the belly of a fish in order to get it right. Mary and Martha lost their brother Lazarus in order to truly learn the power of God. We go through things not as punishment but as preparation.

Our response is key. My response to hardship in my life is awful! I hate conflict, I hate not being in control of my circumstances and it often leads me down a dark, deep hole where I can literally hear the enemy telling me to give up. But the Word says that His strength is made PERFECT in my weakness. So for me I have to get low in order to see the immense power of God.

I am not perfect and it takes me a long time to get out of things because instead of letting God work I fight the work He is trying to do in me.

I know God is a good God because I am alive, I know He answers prayer because He sent me my husband. I know He knows my heart because He gave me my kids. So I need to trust Him.

God hasn’t left and He never will. Bad things happen because people make bad choices. But God has the power to change, rearranged, divert and erase the consequences of those choices. But we have to make the choice and trust Him and follow Him when it’s hard and doesn’t make sense and you want to give up. Make the choice to trust Him.

He loves us. He wants to give us a future and a hope. And when He starts a good work in us He will be faithful to complete it.

So Trust Him.

The Unlikely Missionary 

Praise Break: The Great I Am

🎵The Great I Am,

I worship You

With reverence I stand

In awe of You

I love this song because it is so worshipful and it reminds me that there is NOTHING that can separate me from my Savior.

🎵Where can I go from Your spirit,Where can I flee from You

If I go up to the Heavens,

I lie in the depths,

You're there too

No matter our circumstances I am comforted in knowing that God knew me before I was born, that He living formed me in my mother's womb and my life including my choices are not a surprise to Him.

🎵You created my inmost being

Before I was born You thought me

I'm fearfully and wonderfully made

And I praise Your name

Finally, I'm so blessed that God looks at my heart when so many only look at who they think am I am. God know who I am.

🎵Search me O God, and know my heart

Test me and know my anxious thoughts

See if there is any offensive way

In me

Lead me into the path of Life

Be About Meeting the Need Not The Problem

John 9-Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

Don't you just hate when people make assumptions about your life and your situation and they really have no idea what they are talking about? Most, myself included would answer yes. Then why do we do it to others?

Over the last 2 years I have learned intimately how painful it is to br condemned by others who are on the outside of your situation. And I have thought to myself how has my judgemental assumptions hurt others? Why wasn't I more loving? Why was telling them all that was wrong more important than meeting their need?

In the story of the man born blind, the first thing that people focused on was what was the reason he was born blind. Jesus's response, there is no reason. And truthfully the reason doesn't matter because it's and opportunity for God to show up and reveal His power and love.

Often times we are like the people in this parable. We are always wondering what the person did wrong to become "blind". However, we take offense when people do it to us. God didn't say love your neighbor as yourself for no reason (Mark 12:30, 31). It's supposed to cause us to stop, think and do something different. When we see others situations we need to: Worry about yourself before judging others. Supply your opinion if asked. Lend a listening ear. Pray. Ask God for discernment.

Jesus has and always will be about meeting the need. The man was blind, Jesus gave Him sight. The woman in adultery needed freedom, He forgave and freed her (John 8:1-11). The woman at the well needed water, He provided living water (John 4:1-25). Human nature is always about trying to determine the cause and we end up never actually helping because we are too busy condemning.

We all have thoughts and opinions but more often than not we are not called to call out someone, we are called to love them as they need to be loved not the way we think they need to be loved. Jesus never called out those who we would condemn but called out those doing the condemning (i.e. The Pharisees).

If Jesus didn't, why do we? Be about meeting the need not the problem.

The Unlikely Missionary 

Praise Break: Failing Into You

Falling Into You - Hillsong Young & Free

Chorus

I'm falling into you

Cause no one's gonna

Love me like you do (alright)

I've got nothing to lose

So I can't stop, won't stop

Falling into you (alright)

The Unlikely Missionary

God Doesn't Need Us, We Need Him

I used to think, quite arrogantly in fact, that I was doing all the things I did at church because if I didn't who else would? At the time of course I didn't see it as arrogance but really it is. Who did I think I was? God doesn't need me to keep His church open. He doesn't need me to lead worship, or sing solos, or preach, or ANYTHING. He doesn't need me. He wants me but He doesn't need me. God's Word has existed way before I got here. The message of His love has existed for centuries, generations and it has spread and saved millions way before I was even a thought. And it will continue on once I'm gone.

But I NEED God. I need the Holy Spirit. I need the saving grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I need the presence of the Lord like I need air. He didn't need me to sing solos but I needed to sing the Word of the Lord for myself. To remind me of His goodness, His love; to be met by God and experience God on this deeper level. It's not until I was no longer doing those things that I realized how much I needed them, not how much they needed me.

I want to be used of God. Why? Not to be praised and recognized but because it gives me the opportunity to experience and grow closer to the great God I serve. Whatever God has called you or I too we get more out of it than we think we do. We get the opportunity to step into our destiny, to live the God ordained life, the perfect life for us. Didn't James say, "Count it ALL joy"? (James 1:2-3)

I know what it feels like to walk in the path God has set for me and then to not walk in that way. Not walking in the path God has set sucks! Things are not as sweet. Lights are not as bright. Joy is slightly dim. I find I am happiest when  I am totally and completely enveloped in the love, presence and will of God. When I call out to Jesus and I hear Him whisper to me, I'm here peace like no other surrounds me.

Being a Christian isn't sexy and glamorous. It isn't easy or a cakewalk either. We don't all have a bunch of money and flash or homes or tons of food, clothes or anything else this world equates with prosperity. God doesn't always show up in grand gestures and fireworks. But He does show up. And He does show out. And He gives us what we NEED. And He always has our back. And He always meets you where you are. And He loves you desperately.

Even as I type this, with tears in my eyes, God is ministering to my heart just as I pray that whoever reads this will be touched as well. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior and Lord I urge you to accept Him today. The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and that you believe it in your heart you are saved right then and there. Say, "Lord I accept you as my Lord and Savior. I believe Jesus died for my sins and that He is coming back again. Come into my heart. In Jesus name, Amen.

That's it. It will not seem like it but you will no longer be the same on the inside. You will now have a permanent friend who will be with you always. There might not be a party on earth when you do so but there is most certainly one in heaven as God writes your name in the book of life.

God doesn't need you. But He WANTS you. And, at least for me, we desperately need Him, even though we may not think so or even want Him.

The Unlikely Missionary 

Palm Sunday

Today we celebrate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. No one, except Jesus knew what was to come in just a week's time. I can imagine the excitement, and fanfare. It was Passover, Jesus was the promised Savior. People were excited and it was contagious.

I woke up today so happy and grateful. I had just been sick the night before and it landed me in the hospital. I was so grateful to God to be alive and well at home. For his healing, for the beautiful day, for the sunshine, for my family. I was rejoicing as many did this day so long ago. The savior had come and all was right in the world.

We should wake up everyday rejoicing. We have life and breath. We have another day to get it right. The savior is alive and He loves you. No matter what, each day is a new blessing from God, the opportunity to get to know Him in a deeper way.

Next Sunday has way more pomp and circumstance than today does but today is a reason to celebrate nonetheless. Today, we recognized Jesus as King! Our healer, our savior, our deliverer, Our help in times of struggle. He fulfilled the prophecy and declared who He was. And even though we may not have realized it, it is one of the greatest days in history. Without this declaration it diminishes the significance of His resurrection. He took His place as king, the king above all kings.

So I rejoice. Because God is good. He sent His son to save us and He deserves all of our love and praise.

Be blessed today. He is king and Lord over all that is in this world. So trust Him.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

God Does Give Beauty for Ashes but....

To those who have sorrow in Zion I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored.

Isaiah 61:3

I write this today because it has been bothering me this week how people try to justify people's pain with the sovereignty of God. Just this week a senator tried to imply that rape and incest could be part of God's will for someones life because God is sovereign and He can use any circumstance.

First of all, that is a crock of CRAP! Yes, God is sovereign but He would never, Ever, EVER will us harm. His Word clearly says that His plans for us are good and NOT evil to bring us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Rape and incest are evil and are not of God so to insinuate that to get an abortion bill passed is sinful and God will deal with that senator.

Secondly, lets give credit to the people who do us wrong and stop blaming God for allowing these things to happen. God has given each and every one of us free will and He says in His Word, rain falls on the just i.e. good people and the unjust i.e. bad people (Matthew 5:45). What does this mean? It means when the rain fall out the sky it doesn't just fall on the bad people, it falls on everyone. Evil doesn't just single out bad people. Just like the rain, everyone can get showered with good or bad.  We need to stop being surprised that bad things happen because bad things have always happened. Is that what God wants for us? Of course NOT! However, as long as sin exists in this world this will always be a reality. God didn't cause bad things to happen. 

People do bad things to people. Point. Blank. Period.

Thirdly, God can give you beauty for ashes but it's not for me to make you see that. If something traumatic has happened to you, telling you that God will use this circumstance for your good is NOT comforting to a person. It may be true but its not comforting in that moment. Heck, its not comforting to me and I have been a Christian for 20 some odd years and I have that Bible verse memorized. When I had my miscarriage, the first thing most well meaning people would tell me is that everything works together for our good. In that moment though, I didn't really want to hear that. My heart was broken. I already knew that verse but in my grieving process it did not bring much comfort because I still suffered a loss. People who are dealing with a trauma are suffering a loss and they have to work that out however that looks to them. There are much better thing to say especially if you have no idea what that person has gone through. 

For me in my time of trauma, the following would have been a much better thing to say. 

I know it doesn't seem like it now but God is with you and can help you through this difficult time. And pray that God will speak to that person's heart.

or

What happened sucks! But no matter what it wasn't your fault and God loves you no matter what. And pray that God will speak to that person's heart.

or

I love you and I am here. And pray that God will speak to that person's heart.

or

I don't understand what this feels like but whatever you need, I got you. And pray that God will speak to that person's heart.

or

Say nothing at all and just be there. And pray that God will speak to that person's heart.

Notice after every one I said and pray? That's because the best thing you can do for that person is pray. Only God can give us joy instead of sorrow. Only God can give us hope instead of hopelessness. Only God can give us beauty for ashes. Only God can help us see that.

It angers me when we try to twist God Word for our own personal agendas but then again this isn't new either, its what the Pharisees were doing when Jesus came to earth the first time. That's why it is important to speak the truth in the face of these Pharisees.

God Does Give Beauty for Ashes but....

He would NEVER will harm into your life.

However, when bad things do happen (no one is immune from this) God will be there if you ask Him to be.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

Praise Break! He's Able

He's able!

Worship Him today!

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

I Love You Lord

I love You Lord 

And I lift my voice 

To worship You 

O my soul rejoice 

Take joy my King 

In what You hear 

May it be a sweet sweet sound 

In Your ear

1978, 1980 House Of Mercy Music
 (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

Singing in the Pain

It was a rough night for me last night.

I hold a lot of things in because I don't trust many people with my heart. So when I do and then it is stomped on something rises in my that makes me lash out. Then when its all over I'm broken.

But last night, as I sang my son to sleep I sang the song I love you Lord. And as the song soothed him it soothed me too. The one thing I never did before after being heartbroken was sing. Music is very spiritual for me. God speaks to me in and through music in a way that no one else can. Even after my son was asleep I kept on singing and my anger subsided and I just heard God tell me He loves me in spite of what other people say or try to label you as or do to you. I love you and I see you. You are important and special to me.

Normally it would have taken me hours to go to sleep on a night like last night but it only took 20 mins. I woke up today, in a good place. Not because last night doesn't still hurt or that the words don't still sting. But because God is still in control of my life. No ones words or thoughts about me change the thoughts and plans God has for my life. I'm not going to change my plans. I'm going to sing through the pain and trust God will do what He said He will do.

He is with me ALWAYS and for that reason I rejoice and press forward.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Trust God today! Give Him your past and trust Him with your present and future!

#HeHoldsMyFuture #HesAble #SingThroughThePain #Rejoice

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

God Provides

Sometimes when life starts to close in on me God always find a way to reassure me that everything will be ok. Today it came in the form of a song from my sister.

Being a follower of Christ doesn't mean that you don't worry about things. It means that when the worries come you have someone that you can turn to and He will ALWAYS provide what we need. That is His promise and being reminded of that meant everything to me this morning.

So listen to Tamela and be encouraged because God does and ALWAYS will provide.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

I Am - CeCe Winans

I am the one, yes, I created the whole universe

Greater than anything in heaven and in all the earth

It's my air you breathe, so I'm the one that you should please

I am the one you need, why should you be alone?

I am that I am, I'm all that you need

I can, yes, I can, no, it ain't too hard for me

Do you know, really know, do you really believe?

Every day, every night of your life, I am

It hurts my heart indeed to see those whom I love in need

Knowing all I wonder, why they never call on me

If you just ask and I can satisfy you with the things

I'll give you everything, yes, you can have it all

I tell the sun to rise, the wind to blow, the rain to fall

I move the mountains and the oceans, rivers great and small

Yes, everything I made I want to hear them give me praise

Especially you, my children each and every day

I am that I am, I'm all that you need

I can, yes, I can, no, it ain't too hard for me

Do you know, really know, do you really believe?

Everyday, every night of your life

I am

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

Discouraged

Can I be real for a minute? I have been quite discouraged recently. And this post is not going to be about coming out the other side. I am still in that place. I've personally been dealing with somethings where life, no matter how hard you work doesn't get better. And everywhere you turn - on the news, social media, the White House - there always is something else to take the wind out of your sails.

And when you are in the midst it is hard to see the other side.

As a Christian I know that trouble don't last always and that joy comes in the morning. I know the stories of Paul and Peter and John the Baptist who suffered much worse than I but discouragement is this animal that doesn't care about what you know it just pulls you under.

Its at these times that I pray harder. Its at these times when I cry the most tears. Its at these times that I recognize that my strength alone cannot change my situation. It is hard in these times.

But I have to remind myself that I have been here before and that God has brought me out. That in my weakness God is made strong. That in times of extreme pressure is when you become refined.

But I hate being here and if I knew how to get out of this place faster I would. I am thankful that I don't walk this road alone. That in my darkest times Jesus is my comfort, strength and hope. That on the days when I don't want to get out of bed God opens my my eyes and starts me on my way. That when I want to give up He lets me know, Damaris its not over yet. That as I seek to encourage myself God presses songs and scriptures of encouragement into my spirit.

So I cannot end this post saying that I have been delivered and I cannot say that everything is turned around for me. But I do know for certain that the sun will come out, that each day God has given me breath there are new mercies to be had and new lessons to learn. That because of God I have a reason to live. That no weapon formed against me shall prosper. That no matter who is in office or in authority over me God has the final say. Though my physical body may be enslaved by my circumstances, my soul is free.

Though I am discouraged now that is not my permanent state and I AM is with me.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

True or False: Is Christianity the White Man's Religion?

I have always been puzzled by this because first Jesus Christ is not white, He's Jewish and second the first Christ followers were not white they were Jewish. In the climate of society Jews are often the targets of white supremacists so as I have said this association has always puzzled me.

The term white man's religion came about because of Christianity's popularity in Europe which is predominately white. However, that in no way means that it is the religion of white people or that it is only for white people.

In fact during Jesus' day the term "white people" didn't exist. You were categorized based on your country of origin (Midianite, Cushite, Canaanite) and honestly most of the people during Jesus' time including Jesus himself had brown skin. This is the Middle East we are talking about not Europe. These are farmers, carpenters, laborers who spent many hours in the hot sun we are talking about. The question was not what shade of white you were but what shade of brown.

Furthermore, the only distinction God talks about in the Bible is Jew and Gentile. And a Gentile is basically anyone that is not Jewish. So that includes Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics, Natives, etc. If you weren't/aren't a Jew, your a Gentile. Which God then says in Galatians 3:28-29 (MSG),

"In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises."

So where did this idea come from then? Sin. Is the short answer. Religion has often been used as a tool of oppression and control. How do you oppress and control? Division. You make one group of people feel superior to another and you can effectively control and oppress. All religions have been used this way at some point in history. If you read the Bible it is clear that God is about unity and love, not division and hate.

However, flawed sinful people take bits and pieces of the truth to convince people of their lies. Trying to tell a White Supremacist that Jesus was a Jew is an arduous task. Even though it is clearly in the Word, they have so bought into this "Jesus is white" lie, their whole lives would fall apart if they accept the truth because accepting the truth means accepting the ugliness they've perpetrated or worse cause them to reject that which has become part of their identity.

That is why it is critically important that you read the Word of God for yourself. You know the people I don't debate with? People who tell me what the Bible says even though they have never cracked its pages. I cannot have a discussion with you about God's Word if you have never read it because all you are doing is regurgitating what someone else has said about God's Word. How do you know that what they told you is the truth?

God says very clearly in the Bible, not everyone that talks about Me knows Me.

“Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’

-Matthew 7:21-23 (MSG)

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As this is Black History month I leave you with this food for thought on this topic. The most dangerous thing that the master allowed the slaves to do was not just read but allow them to read the Bible for themselves. Nate Turner, Harriet Tubman, and others are a perfect example of this. When they were allowed to read the Bible for themselves and not just forced to believe what the master wanted them to believe that is when they learned who God truly was. That is when they knew they were meant to be free and demanded it. That is when they rebelled. They knew that God would deliver them just like He delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians.

Christianity has NEVER been a faith for one group of people it has ALWAYS been about each and everyone of us being able to have a personal RELATIONSHIP with God. It is about us giving our brokenness and emptiness and oppression and overall bad stuff to Him so that we know we are not alone.

The slaves realized by reading God's Word they were not alone and that God was not some Great White man in the sky but that He was GREATER and STRONGER than this white man who was oppressing them on earth.

READ THE WORD FOR YOURSELF 

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

Additional Resources

Is Christianity a white man's religion?

IT’S NOT THE WHITE MAN’S RELIGION (Highly Recommended)

Lies Hip Hop Told Me: Christianity is the White Man's Religion (Highly Recommended)

THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS (Highly Recommended)

Praise Break! I Must Tell Jesus

I must tell Jesus all my trials.

I can not bear these burdens alone.

In my distress he, He kindly will help me.

He ever loves and cares for his own.

You don't have to worry, no. Your burdens you won't bear alone. Even in the darkest night, he's sure to be your guiding light.

Cry Out for Justice

I know alot of people question why God allows things to happen. I've said this before and I'll probably say it again, many times. Its because He has given us free will. He gives us the ability to choose whether we want Him in our lives or not. That does not mean that God won't stop things from happening. He will, but we have to ask.

Ask and it will be given to you; For everyone who asks receives;

Matthew 7:7-8

If you don't ask you can't receive and in these times especially where families are being ripped apart, lives are being lost and rights are being stripped away we need not just speak out and against injustice but in that same voice ask that God mete out His justice for the injustices being rendered.

In my distress I called to the Lord;

I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came before him, into his ears.

Psalm 18:6

This should be an audible prayer. A prayer deep in the soul that forces you to speak aloud as you voice your requests to God. A voice to express your passion. A prayer that can make you lose your voice. That is how serious this must be for you.

God tells us to cry out for justice and to keep crying out. To pray without ceasing. The hardest fought battles are won in prayer. This is not a race but a marathon as African Americans know quite well. We cannot grow weary in well doing for the harvest we stand to gain is great.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of the widow who stood before this judge who by his own admission said he cared nothing for God or the people. Every time the widow stood before him he would deny her request. However, she kept coming back until finally he got fed up but her persistence and granted her request.

The point Jesus was making was that if someone who didn't give a crap would mete our justice how much more would God do if we implore Him the way this widow did with this judge? Where is our persistence? 

Now is the time that we stand firm in the power and sovereignty of God, the creator of ALL things. Just like the people of Israel called out to God for deliverance from the Egyptians so much we cry out to God. Day and Night. Fervently. Consistently. With Power.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

What Does the Bible Say About Slavery?

It is Black History Month in America and Canada and at least in America slavery is still a hot button issue in this country. So I thought that I would talk today about in the Bible and all the misconceptions people have about God and slavery.

Whenever man creates a system it is inherently flawed. Man is not perfect. Man is sinful and therefore nothing created by man will be perfect or done correctly. Man created slavery. For this reason God created guidelines for how a slave was supposed to be treated because He knew we would mess it up.

FYI: Just because God allows something to happen doesn't mean that is His ideal. Just because He does not come out and condemn it doesn't mean He is condoning it. Because He has given us free will He doesn't intervene unless we ask Him to.

Many great people of God in the Bible had slaves. Abraham in particular. If we look however at how Abraham treated his slaves we get the closest representation of what God wanted the master/slave relationship to look like.

The most important thing to understand about slavery in the ancient times was that it was mostly economic. There was no slave trade or selling of bodies. It was you Joe owed Thomas money but you couldn't pay Thomas back so you became his slave until your debt was repaid. This mirror nothing of the slavery that occurred in America.

The other form was through battle and this was usually because of nation takeover. I.e. the numerous times in the Bible when the people of Israel got taken over by another nation and enslaved.

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God gave the people of Israel very specific instructions about how slaves were to be treated. And it resembles NOTHING like the slavery that was perpetrated in America.

In Exodus 21 God gave these instructions:

For Male Slaves
(Exodus 21:1-6)

First, slavery was not supposed to be permanent. It was to last for six years. In the seventh year your debt is considered repaid and you are free to go. Unless the slave wanted to pledge permanent servitude.

Second, slaves are to be treated as a member of your household. This basically means like a brother or member of your family. They are to be fed, clothed and taken care of.

Third, if bodily harm was done to your slave there were consequences. If you kill your slave you are to be put to death for their death is to be avenged. If you caused them to lose a limb or part of their body they were to be set free.

For Female Slaves
(Exodus 21:7-11)

It was a little different for women. It was still debt motivated but you would be given as a wife to cover the debt of your family. If this was the case there were also very specific instructions.

If her future husband is not please with her for whatever reason he has to redeem her, which means allowing her family to buy her back. He cannot sell her.

If she is for the man's son the father is to treat her as his own daughter. Feeding her, clothing her and taking care of her as he would his daughter in his household.

If the man marries someone else his responsibility to the slave wife is not canceled out. He must continue to take care of her. Feeding her, clothing her and fulfilling his martial duty to her.

And if these things are not done she is to be set free and the debt canceled.

In Deuteronomy 15:12-15 God gave an update to his instructions:

Both men and women who worked for six years would be set free in the seventh, their debt canceled and they with a severance package if you will to start their life.

God adds that this should be done because the children of Israel were once slaves in Egypt and knowing how that feels they should want to bless these individuals.

Then in the New Testament, in both Ephesians 6:9 and Colossians 4:1:

God says to masters to treat their slaves with consideration. Do not threaten them and do not abuse them because we all live under the same God and He views us all the same.

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For the slave masters that tried to justify the treatment of American slaves and slaves today with the Bible they clearly did not read Exodus 21:16 which says,

"Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death."

This is not God condoning this type of slavery. This is Him condemning it. In ancient times individuals went into slavery they were not kidnapped and sold into it. In ancient times slaves were not raped and beaten without impunity. In ancient times slaves were not held until death unless they chose to be.

Trying to equate biblical slavery with American slavery is a comparison of apples and oranges however because evil men used the Bible to justify enslavement people make that connection.

God's recurrent theme throughout the Bible is to love God and love people. Everything about American slavery runs counter to that. In the Bible God is basically  saying if you must have slaves because this is your way of paying off debts follow these rules and treat your slaves as you would treat a family member because before me you are equals. Then once the debt is repaid let them go.

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Many would say, well why did God let slavery happen in the first place? Lets give credit where credit is due. God did not enslave Africans, European men did. And like I said above we are granted free will. It is what makes us human. If God intervened in every aspect of our lives it would be as if we are puppets and that is not free will. However, when the slaves read God's word and cried out for deliverance God heard their cry and answered their prayers. He didn't do a grand show like many of us would like. It start out as grassroot movements. He empowered people like Harriet Tubman, Nat Turner and others to know that what the "white" man said about the Bible wasn't true and that God made them free and He gave them the strength to fight for that freedom.

God has been, is, and always will be a loving God. Whether we want to believe that to be true doesn't make it any less true. As I listen to the many negro spirituals that are remnants of my ancestors lives I know that many of them knew this to be true and I stand firm in that legacy.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

Further Resources

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-slavery.html

https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/doesnt-the-bible-support-slavery/

http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/slavery_bible.html

Happy Valentine's Day

No matter what today remember,

you are loved!

God took the time to form you in your mother's womb and breathe life in you and opened up your eyes today to see another day. Everyday is not easy but there is not a day that goes by that you are not loved and adored by your Creator.

Be blessed and be love today.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

The Love Chapter

1 Corinthians 13:3-10 (MSG)

3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

God May Asks Wives to Submit but Husbands, God Asks You for Much More

Men love to tell their wives that God says to submit to their husbands. This is absolutely true and we'll discuss why in a moment. But they ALWAYS gloss over the mandate that God gives them.

It says, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and laid down his LIFE for it (Eph 5:24). It goes on further to say that men should love their wives as they love their own bodies, and to love his wife even as he loves himself (v28).

So yes, while God tells us ladies to submit He also tells husbands that their responsibility to their wives is to literally exchange their life for hers if necessary and to love her the exact same way that you love yourself for, no man has EVER yet hated his own flesh (v29). If you are not familiar with the sacrifice that Jesus made for us see here.

I love how the Message lays out the passage this comes from. It reads,

Ephesians 5:22-33The Message (MSG)

22-24 Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.

25-28 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.

29-33 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.

Ladies, now that we have context it makes perfect sense why we are to submit. Because our husbands are our protection (physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally) and our covering like Christ is for the church. Submitting doesn't mean they tell us what to do, what to wear, who we can look at, who our friends can be. That is not love and that is not of God. We submit in order to receive the fullness of the love that is supposed to exist in a marriage just like as Christians we submit to God to receive the fullness of the love God has for us and the life He wants us to have. There are too many stories in the Bible of husbands who loved, cherished and revered their wives for me to believe that God would sanction any abuse of a husband to a wife.

See Hannah, Esther, Ruth

In God's economy submitting does not mean a loss of power or equality and definitely is not grounds for abuse. Especially not if He is calling husbands to be willing to die for their wives and love them as much as they love themselves.

To my fellow Christians: To those of you who use this verse to shame women into staying with their abusive spouses. SHAME ON YOU! Abuse is not of God and I don't know any man who would stand by and let themselves be beaten, belittled, and/or dominated. If they wouldn't do it to themselves they shouldn't be doing it to their wives. That is God's mandate.

So men of God I invite you again to read this passage of scripture and examine yourself instead of trying to use God's Word to rule over someone else.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW

God Will NOT Be Mocked

If the reports of Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast are true, which knowing him I believe them to be, I issue a stiff warning to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Galatians 6:7-8 says,

Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

To sit by and watch a man - who has shown no care or reverence for God, who clearly serves mammon (money) and has no concept of love your neighbor as yourself - on a national stage ask for prayer for the ratings of a TV show, God will deal most harshly with you. He is, each and everyday making a mockery of who God is. 

If I didn't know who Christ is and Trump was my introduction I would run far away from Christ because I would think he was an uncaring, misogynistic, money-hungry, bigot which is the furthest thing from the truth. 

If your blood doesn't boil because of what He has done so far or at this what will cause you to stand up for what is right in the sight of God? 

What we plant we will harvest. If we sit by and allow hate, fear, intolerance, selfishness and persecution to take hold and take root we will reap those things on ourselves. Our silence is support. Our statements, our photo-ops if not in condemnation of these things is support and the sowing and watering of these seeds. We are supposed to be the salt of the earth not the ones taking on the taste of the world.

What we fail to realize as Christians is God does not need us to put His Word forth. However, he will remove those who profess Him but hinder His work and His Word from going forth. He has done it before and He will not hesitate to do it again. 

We are afraid of the wrong people and things. We are afraid of liberals who threaten our supposed ideals. We are afraid of people of other faiths. We are afraid of losing the lifestyle we have become accustomed to. We are afraid of things that are no match for the power of God. So instead of standing strong in knowing that no matter what happens God is still in control we cast the teachings of God aside to further our own agendas driven by fear? God is still God regardless of what laws are passed or who is elected. 

Remember that because we know God and His Word we are judged when we cast it aside in favor of worldly pursuits. Aligning yourself with someone because of political affiliation without looking at their character is foolish especially when you allegiance should ALWAYS be to God first.

My mother, always quoted James 4:17 to me as a child and still does now that I am an adult. It says, He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to HIM it is sin. Not everything is sin to everybody. The minute you gain knowledge of a wrong if you do it anyway it becomes sin to you. My fellow brothers and sisters we know deep down that Trump doesn't represent God in anyway but we have so puffed ourselves up, we are so full of our own self-importance and the need to be right that we have become blinded to our own sin.

The Message puts James 4:16-17 this way,

As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.

Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself could not be more clear. And God said there is no other commandment greater than these. We could argue positions all day but if you know that is what God has commanded us to do and you ain't doing it, to you IT IS SIN.

Trust me people. When God says He will not be mocked, He will not be mocked. And I would fear that much more than anything else.

To my fellow Christians who are standing up for what is right and condemning the evils and injustices that are being put forth keep doing so. Keep praying, keep loving, keep being a beacon for those who are hurting. We are needed now more than ever. Do not be lulled to sleep by those trying to normalize ill treatment of people. We all answer to God for the things we do and don't do. I remind myself that Jesus didn't stay silent when He saw injustice so we must not either.

The Unlikely Missionary

DHW