Do You Remember When…

Do you remember the first time you received bad news? Last week my wife was in the hospital with what everyone thought was pneumonia. The doctor did a bronchoscopy and didn’t find any tumors so we thought we were in the clear. The biopsy takes a couple of days to come back. I was the first one to get the phone call and the doctor said, “it is cancer.” I was immediately in shock, I didn’t know how to respond, well how could I other then scream internally and question God why why why?

Kristeen’s mom died from lung cancer that metastasized to her brain about 3.5 years ago, but her mom smoked and was much older. I couldn’t comprehend how this could be happening to such a young woman. My wife has been such a giving person of herself and her time to so many people. I immediately thought God I am not ready to give my wife to you, I need her here, my kids need her here.

Yesterday we met with the oncologist and he gave us what the treatment options are. Of course I wasn’t thrilled with our options or the fact that this cancer is not cureable according to modern day medicine, but I still hold on to the fact that I serve a miracle working God and just because the doctors say there is no way doesn’t mean that God can’t do it. My dad was told he would never walk again and he has been walking for many years still.

The prognosis was very scary, I won’t lie about that, but I had to ask what the doctors thought about how much more time I would have with my wife. Some of you may know and understand that Kristeen is at stage 4 and the cancer has spread from her lungs, to her bones, and even to her brain. I try not to focus on the time we have left, but instead leave time in God’s hand while I take in every moment I have left with my bride. I love my wife and wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world.

I will leave everyone with this, don’t take anything for granted and be thankful for everything that God has blessed you with because in an instant everything can change.
http://www.KNGMusicMinistry.com

Overcome With Sin – Poem

Overcome with sin

Don’t let Jesus in

He will ruin all the fun

And then my life will be done

Just one more time

I still have a dime

Pass the drugs

Just sweep the past under the rug

I want to run away

From everything that wants me to stay

What more can you offer

I will eventually end up in a coffer

Put up on a shelf

Like that little elf

Moved around the room

That will be my doom

Until tomorrow comes

This is what I have become

A vapor of mist

Gone before you can diss

Me or my way of life

I have always lived in strife

Shackled from head to toe

No one to call my little bro

By why would you care

All you ever did was stare

Like I had some strange disease

No wonder I could never please

Caught up in anger and pain

No wonder I am insane

Who can cure my evil thoughts

Dispersed across these parking lots

I roam the streets

Looking for trash that contains treats

Any little piece

That can warm me like bed sheets

Why did you never tell me

That Jesus could set me free

Why did you never share

About how God was really fair

I have continuously suffered

While staying away from this buzzard

He thought I was almost dead

But then someone shared the daily bread

He sat down with me

Opened my eyes to see

As He read each page

I was no longer enraged

He calmed my soul

I received a new goal

He broke all my chains

He put life back in my veins

Jesus You are truly God

Thank you for sparring the rod

I deserved to be thrown in jail

But instead you took 3 nails

You died on a cross for me

You changed my plea

I was guilty as charged

But by grace my sins have been discharged

I now have a chance

To be removed from my trance

Set free to make a difference

And overcome all the indifference

To You I pledge my being

For my wellbeing

Thank you Lord

For bringing me onboard

Oh death where is your sting

Resurrection has a brand new ring

Jesus has overcome

And now I am I longer numb

I sit here and cry

I no longer have to be a tough guy

Praise Your Holy name

You have removed all my shame

Use me Lord to reach the lost

So no one else will be tossed…

Copyright 2017 KNG Music & Praise First Publishing

http://www.KNGMusicMinistry.com

If My Being A Christian…

If my being a Christian makes you upset because of how I live my life compared to you, then it is time to reevaluate your life. Jesus didn’t say follow me, He said follow Him. I try my best to live a life that is pleasing to God. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. If my going to Church every week makes you upset because you only go on Holidays then change what you do and stop worrying about what I do. People love to examine the lives of others but it all boils down to each person living a life pleasing to God, not each other. I don’t force my beliefs on others yet the persecution is still there. People want to force me into their perception of how a Christian should behave and if I don’t meet their ideal, they get upset. We need to let go of the judging each other and focus back on that mirror and who we are each day. Be the light that God has called us to be.

On the Rock I Stand – Sermon Notes

Welcome back to the next session of Faith Matters.  God has been good to me, how about you?  I hope that everyone is having an awesome time with their family and friends for Easter.  Don’t forget that when you are together to share what Jesus has been doing in your life.  It is easy to be around those you know so well and only talk about what you have been missing and leave out what God is doing.

I recently found out that some of my friends from the radio station had an unfortunate event happen at their house.  I was reading what happened and my heart sunk in pain for them.  Long story short they came home to find out their house caught on fire due to an electrical issue.  Can you imagine being in their shoes at this very moment?  Where would you stay?  How do you afford to buy new clothes?  What are you going to eat?  So many questions that would be flooding through your mind, at that very moment.  I can tell you that this family is securely standing on their Rock.  I don’t just mean a normal rock that you find on the side of the road, but the Rock of all ages, Jesus.  Did you ask the normal question that any person who doesn’t believe in God would ask?  Why would God let such a precious family lose their house and all of their belongings?

I am here to tell you that God works in mysterious ways.  I am banking on the fact that some marvelous testimony of God’s love and outpouring from His people will surface.  I am believing that God has a new direction for the Burns family.  Sometimes it just happens that God has to prune our branches so that we can produce more fruit for Him.  The normal person would be upset and look at this as a setback, but the Burns family looks at the glass and says it is half full.  I had the opportunity to stop by and fellowship with them briefly on my travels in Georgia the other day.  I gave them a care package and of course some much needed hugs.  When you lose everything you have it helps us to realize what is more important in life.  Robert was telling me about his pillow and how he had the same pillow for years but in the motel the pillow wasn’t very comfortable so he had to beat it into something he could sleep on.  We both chuckled.  Even in the darkest hour God is shining bright.

Let us open up in prayer, Heavenly Father, although things happen in our lives, we don’t always know or understand your plan.  God we ask for those who are struggling today, that you will be their comforter.  For those who are trying to make ends meet, that you will provide for their needs in such a way that they will give you the glory.  God I thank you for what you have done in my life, I thank you for freeing up my finances to be able to provide for others in need.  Lord I pray that you continue to keep my heart and hands open to your blessings so that as you give to me I am able to flow those blessings into the lives of others.  Lord I thank you with all of my heart, in Your name we pray, Amen.

Speaking of Rocks, when life is falling apart who do you turn to?

2 Samuel 22:2  He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

When God is your Rock all of the burdens, problems, pain all seem to fade away

God is your deliverer, what does that mean to you?

God doesn’t sit back and watch you toil in vain, God comes to rescue, God delivers you out of your bondage

I feel like the biggest problem with using God as our Rock is those Christians who only call upon His name when trouble arises

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

When you read the Bible are you letting the word of God speak to you?

Jesus came to earth to be the sacrifice for a lost world

Jesus hasn’t left you, He is always by your side just like He was with the disciples

Just like Jesus wanted then, He wants you to live your life pleasing to the Father

Love on another, don’t let anything cause you to harvest anger or resentment towards another

Matthew 4:7  Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

When the storm is raging have you ever tested God?

Have you ever tried to make a deal with The Lord?

I have to be honest, there was one time that I did test God

My daughter was sick; she had been sick like this more than once and was needed breathing treatments.  I was praying and begging God to heal her from this.  I asked God to take away her sickness and I promised that I would raise her to know Him.  I sat there with her in my arms while she was coughing, she was trying to sleep but the cough kept waking her up.  I know now that I should have never given God a response like this or like trying to make a deal with Him.  But as a parent when you are at your wits end, you get desperate.  Never let your desperation get you to the point that you even think to test The Lord.

About a year later due to life’s situations I was not seeing my daughter anymore.  I was concerned on many levels about this, but more so about my promise to The Lord.  I promised that I would raise her to know Him, yet how could I accomplish this if I was no longer able to see her.  I had to now pray on this matter constantly, that God’s hand would intervene and allow me to see her so that I could teach her about God.  God does work in mysterious ways; several times she called me to babysit for her.  I gladly said yes.  Other times she had to go out of town and asked me to watch her and I gladly said yes.  To me this was God opening the window to allow me to minister in her life.  This commitment was made between me and The Lord, her mother doesn’t know about my prayer to heal her several years ago.  I thank God every time I get to see her.

To understand more about my family situation you would have to go back and listen to my testimony.  God doesn’t allow us to go through storms without a purpose for Him.  Today I try to use all of my storms; I use them to show others the rainbow that comes after the storm.  God promises far exceed the trials that we must endure.  Don’t let your fear stop you in your tracks, God has a purpose for you and it shall be revealed to you when you are ready to receive it.

For those of you that are listening to this today, whether on the radio, through a podcast, through our sound cloud account, or maybe even through reading this online for those who are hearing impaired, I was told at a young age that I would preach the gospel one day.  I doubted this proclamation because I was a shy young boy who didn’t like speaking in front of the class.  God has a way of working on the hearts of men.  If God wants you to do something, He alone shall remove your fear and thrust you into an environment that will provide fruit for His people.  I never wanted to be famous, I never wanted to do more work than I had to, but God has placed a fire in my heart that I can’t put out.

God has set me on fire for Him.  Not to get my name in lights, but to give God the glory.  Today as we speak God has used our ministry to reach over 159 countries around the world just through YouTube.  My vision could never have understood what God was doing.  Today we have people reaching out to us for prayer.  I have relinquished control of my life to The Lord.  I have placed my fleshly desires to the side and answered His call.  I pray that God will continue to use me no matter what the circumstances.

My challenge to you today is this:

Are you doing enough? Are you doing what God has called you to do?  Are you sitting down waiting for God to knock you out of your chair before you will serve?  How many people will have to die that you know before you will begin to reach out in love and share the gospel of The Lord?  How long will you sit back and watch others trying to fight for your freedoms until you will stand up with them?  How many more laws controlling your religious freedoms will have to be written until you speak out?

I am not asking you to do something because of what I am saying.  I am asking you to seek out your own heart.  Seek out what God wants you to do with your life.  Are you standing on His rock today or are your feet in two different places?  People are dying around the world for our religious freedoms while we wait and watch the news.  God gave each of us our own unique life.  Don’t waste your life wishing you had done something for The Lord.  Make today the day that you start walking closer with God.  If God is calling you to post Bible verses to reach the lost then do it.  Don’t be afraid, don’t be ashamed.  If each Christian just did one small thing to show their love for God then you would see a massive change in the world.

I want to thank you for listening to Faith Matters.  Lord I thank you for the privilege that you have provided us here in America to worship you freely.  I pray for those around this world that are not able to stand upon the rock of their foundation for fear of their own lives.  Lord I pray that You will call out to the hearts of men, reach them, fill them with Your love so they can pour out that love upon the nations.  In Your name I pray, Amen.

If you would like to reach out to us you can do so on Twitter @KNGMusic or via our website http://www.KNGMusicMinistry.com We thank you for taking a moment to listen.  If you are in need remember that God is listening.  Don’t hold back your prayers, call out in His name and have faith that He will deliver.  I hope that this message has moved or blessed you today.  You can download the message for free on our website and share with others in need.  Have a marvelous day in The Lord.

Are You Listening? – Sermon Notes

Are you Listening?

Hello welcome back to Faith Matters, I am your host and I am super excited to be able to bring this next message to you.  Before we dive in I would like to open up in prayer.  Heavenly Father I appreciate the out pouring of your Holy Spirit in my life over this past week.  I have been a part of a major move of God within my church and I thank You for answering our prayers to You.  Today I ask that the words spoken speak the heart of those who hear.  I never asked to be a messenger, but You oh Lord knew the plan for my life.  I had no idea how You would take control, but yet in relinquishing my control to You, You have blessed me more abundantly.  Let those who have ears to hear be open to Your word, in Your name I pray, Amen.

Earlier this week my wife posted something on twitter that said “God is listening.  Are you talking?” #WhyWait  I personally read this tweet and was caught off guard.  How profound is it that we frequently say “God is not talking to me” but have we stopped to think that maybe He is not talking because He is listening?  Did you catch what I am throwing at you?  God not talking is not ignoring you but instead waiting for you to speak to Him.  This hit me like a ton of bricks because I have received many inquiries recently from people saying that they can’t hear God anymore in their life.

To take this even a step further Rita who is a follower of my wife on twitter responded back by saying “Many years ago I told the Lord, I’m doing all the talking & He said, “and I’m doing all the listening.”  Yet again, another conformation that when we don’t hear God speaking in our lives then we should be lifting up our voice in prayer to Him.  I am a firm believer that God wants more for our lives then we can even being to comprehend.

After all of this transpired I was inspired to tweet my own spin on this and I posted “what if God has a perfect plan for your life but He can’t reveal it because YOU aren’t ready to receive it yet? #Speechless” God is moving, God is working, God is listening, God is speaking, ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION!!

I am not talking about Sunday morning in the pew but each and every moment of your life.  As you are driving to work God is there.  When you are at work and your coworker is depressed, God wants to use you to reach out to them.  When you go out to dinner and the server looks hung over, God wants you to speak life into them.  When you are in a meeting and the important topics have all been discussed yet someone wants to talk about explicit TV shows, God wants you to speak up.  So many times God is nudging and again nudging us to get us to speak up!  We must speak up, we can’t back down, we can’t hide in a corner, the gospel should mean more to you than anything of this world.  If we aren’t living for Christ then why are we living?  What is your purpose.

John 8:47   Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

• The word of God itself clearly states that whoever is of God can hear the word of God

• If you can’t hear Him today stop everything you are doing, before you go to bed, and give God some of your time

• Don’t tell me “I’ll just do it tomorrow”, I am declaring this right now “Tomorrow is guaranteed to now man”

• We keep trying to steal time from the future because we don’t want to face the tasks at hand

Mark 4:24  And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.

·        Are the people that you surround yourself with positive and uplifting or negative and drag you down?

·        Can I be open & honest with you today?

·        My brother came to visit

How much weight to we put upon the words of other people?  Don’t let the opinions of others be what drives you forward.  The words that come out of people who are negative are list a vapor that disappears.  Did you catch that?  The words they say vanish once they speak them unless you capture them and bring them into your life.  The only words that should mean anything to you are the words of God.  His words should be lifted to utmost peak of reception and kept at the highest regard.  God speaks truth & love, He embraces His people with loving tenderness.

With that being said I have to share this next verse. I want you to know that I love this next verse.  Are you ready?

Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

·        I want to serve you up a picture of what this looks like

·        Imagine Jesus standing outside your front door.  He has to knock, do you know why?

·        There is no handle on the door for Him to open it, He has to wait for you to answer the door and invite Him in

·        Picture Jesus being trapped outside in the brutal cold, patiently waiting for YOU to realize how much you are hurting Him by continuing in your ways

God is calling us back to Him.  The reason most people can’t hear His call is so simple.  Everything of this world is keeping them too busy to hear The Lord knocking on the door.  The TV, the Radio, the DVR, Sports, Bar, Parties, you name it, it is probably causing a stumbling block for someone.  God is ready, He wants to help you.  Are you ready to make the change and begin a new journey today?

Psalm 25:4-5   Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

·        I love reading the Bible because the scriptures are not just words but there are so many illustrations to help paint the picture

·        How do you know which path to take?  For example a new job opportunity, do you take it or stay where you are?

·        God has planted you and you should grow where He plants you, but He can unless lift you up and replant you someplace new

·        I have found that the best way to hear God’s direction for our lives is to PRAY for His will

·        This was extremely difficult in the beginning, I wanted to pray for what I wanted yet I would get upset if I didn’t get what I prayed for

·        Sound familiar?  I want a oompa loompa now?

·        God doesn’t need your laundry list or in better terms shopping list of your wants, He already knows your hearts desires

·        Pray for direction, pray for wisdom, pray that the Lord shall lead your path and that your feet shall never grow weary

How many of you listening know that the path God sets us on isn’t always straight?  I bet some of you are laughing right now because that is so true.  I am speaking from personal experience of course.  All I wanted was to find one woman, get married, and then live happy ever after like a Disney Movie ending.  If you have been listening to my testimonies then you definitely know by now that my life didn’t end up like that at all.  God had to bring me back to reality, I thought I knew the path and I ran ahead of Him.  Have you done that?  Only to find out that the path I took had a sharp cliff at the end of it.  I still have to give God all the glory for pulling me out of the traps that I set for myself.

Where are you at today?  Is life going great, are you excited about God, do you talk about God daily, do others know you are a Christian?  If your answers are NO to any of these questions then ask yourself what else can you do to make a slight change back to the lighted path that The Lord has for you.  In terms of movement, the Bible says take up your cross and follow Him.  Picture Jesus walking the path, that means He is constantly moving in a direction.  If you are not following Him then you are falling away from Him.  Let me repeat that one more time.  If you are not following Him then you are falling away from Him.  If you are standing still in your walk with God then you are lagging behind The Lord as He continues to move.  Don’t be left behind, don’t put other things before your own salvation.  Get right with God, nothing else is more important than where you will spend eternity.  You may think there is more time, but when the heat is on and fire is clipping your heals, you will wish there was one more day to cry out to The Lord.

I greatly want to thank everyone for listening.  God has been so good to me, He was opened my eyes to see what He is showing me.  I want the same for each of you.  If you don’t have a ministry that you are involved in please take a few minutes and volunteer your time at your church or create a nitche on Social Media.  A few minutes a day, post a Bible verse a day, it could make all the difference for those that are within your circles.  God started me out on making a simple music video and then it has turned into so much more.

Lord I pray for those that are lost, I pray for those that say they can’t hear your voice, I pray that today they will pull out their Bible and being to read the word of God.  Lord fill them with the Holy Spirit as they begin to sacrifice the things of this world in order to make time for you.  Every second with you is worth it.  I pray that those who listened today were blessed and decided to seek your face.  In your name we pray, Amen.

If you would like to reach out to me, you can do so on Twitter @KNGMusic or via our website www.KNGMusicMinistry.com If you liked this message or want to hear others please check our website.  We update it weekly and you can download the content for free. Don’t wait, God is listening, are you speaking to Him.  Have a wonderful day, until next time, be blessed.

#QuietTheNoise

What a great idea, but what exactly does it mean?  I have started hash tagging it along with my Youth Pastor Dan and his youth group.  Pastor Dan came across very strong in his sermon and very serious about the music today.  He talked about how the meaning of the music is hidden in mainstream music today.  What we find ourselves listening to sounds great, but the actual meaning hidden within the song contradicts what a Christian should be listening too.  His challenge to his youth group Relentless Youth and anyone else that is up for it is to turn down the mainstream music and turn up the music that glorifies God.  Pastor Dan said, “worship is more than a song, it is a lifestyle.”  Everything we do day in and day out can be an act of worship.  We have to look daily at what items are causing us to not have a closer walk with God.  If we try daily to change one small thing in our lives then each day we are walking closer with God.  Please listen to Pastor Dan’s sermon – it may change the music you listen to, and even your life.

Pastor Dan is just starting his blog today to reach more people.  Check him out at http://www.RelentlessStudentMinistry.Wordpress.com

What Direction Are You Heading? When You Get There How Do You Know You Are Ready?

Did you know that God works in mysterious ways?  Everyday, God opens my eyes to new things, new ways that He moves, with new emotions that I didn’t even know I had.  Recently, my friend Brenda approached my wife and I with a very interesting question, “were you happy before you were a Christian?”  For me, I was saved at a young age so my answer was completely different from my wife’s.  She didn’t really believe in Jesus until she was 34 years old.  I was astonished by this since she had attended Catholic services as a child.  You can hear more about her story in an interview on the subject here:

After Brenda asked us the question, I felt God place it on my heart to not only share stories about the difference of being happy versus receiving joy from The Lord, but also how people come to know God.  If you follow me on Twitter, you probably have already received my private message asking “what led you to the cross?”  I have come to realize that God calls out to us differently.  I have received 500+ responses and almost all of them have been unique in some way.  For those who don’t believe in God, I would challenge you to think about why so many people are willing to change their lives at the drop of a dime for someone they can’t see after a period of such disbelief, even in my wife?  Now that is what we call FAITH!

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would

draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

I have started my mission to interview several different people and record testimonies about how God saved them.  I want others to know that no one is perfect when they find God.  We are all still trying to be more like Christ, yet we have all fallen short of His glory.  I want to share their stories to give hope to those who believe they are too far gone.  God wants you to come to Him just as you are.  Don’t wait for tomorrow for tomorrow may never come.

My Pastor shared an interesting clip from Alice In Wonderland  on Sunday with a simple exchange between Alice and the Cheshire Cat that speaks so much about the path we choose in life, and why it is so important to have a destination in mind.

                          Alice: Can you tell me which way to go? 

                          Cat: Where are you trying to go? 

                          Alice: It doesn’t quite matter. 

                          Cat: Oh well then it doesn’t really matter which path you take.

Don’t get comfortable with your walk with Christ or your path may not lead you to the promise land.  Earnestly seek His face and guidance for your steps.

Learn more about us at http://www.KNGMusicMinistry.com

You Follow Christ But Why Should I?

How do you explain why you are a follower of Jesus without using scriptures?

Last weekend, I came into contact with a new person on Twitter.  For the sake of changing names, we will call him John.  When I get new followers on Twitter, I like to send them a private message that asks “what led you to the cross?”  I also send them a link to one of the videos I created entitled “Lead Me to the Cross.” The response that I got back from John was completely different than any other.  In a nutshell, John responded back stating, “actually, I’m in the process of making up my mind. Can’t seem to find a follower of Christ who will tell me why I should follow Him.”

I was caught off guard. Here was a person wanting to know more and understand how God moves and no one had given him the time.  He told me, “well, I have asked two prominent Christian ministers to explain to me why I should follow Christ. One ignored me & the other gave me the WWJD.”  As Christians we should be excited anytime that someone wants to know more about our faith.  Most people will shut you out because they don’t care to hear what you have to say.  Don’t be a Christian that keeps God locked up like a precious metal because you will lose out on the reward of blessing someone with the word of God.

At this point, I knew John had questions but I really had no clue what his background was. Has he read the Bible? What has he learned from school? I asked if he has read the Bible and his response was “I have a basic understanding of some of the Bible, John 3:16 and a few others.”  This led me to believe that there was so much to cover, so many ways to try and explain. I paused for a moment and prayed that God would give me the words to say so that John would be moved by the Holy Spirit. 

John wanted to know how God has changed my life.  I thought to myself, “oh boy, he has no idea who he is talking too.” I have been down to the valley and back to the mountaintops on my journey with God in the past two years.  I explained how God spoke to me about my wife and how she should be singing, and that we would be making a trip up to New Jersey to see her family.  Little did I know she wasn’t on talking terms with her mom when I said this.  I told her that doesn’t matter because God can mend all situations and that we would still be making the drive up North.  The singing came to pass last year, and it is with a heavy heart that I tell you the drive to New Jersey happened almost two months ago due to her mom passing.  The joyous news is that my wife and her mother started talking again on Facebook for several months before The Lord took her home.  I am a firm believer that God has a plan for everything and that He doesn’t reveal His plans until we are ready to receive them.

After explaining some of the situations in my life, John said, “I see. God helped you to make sense of it.”  I said yes, God helped to heal the hearts of His people.  I told John that Twitter only allows 140 characters and that isn’t enough space for me to keep telling stories but I had plenty more.  John asked “does God speak to your mind or heart when you pray to Him?” I proudly shared, “God speaks to my mind.  I get chills when I feel His presence.  I will give you an example from last week.  I saw a homeless guy with a sign at the corner on my way to the bank.  I went to McDonald’s grabbed him some food.  When I pulled up I offered Him the food.  The homeless guy asked if it was my lunch?  I told him no I already ate.  God told me to feed you.  I felt proud because I did something good, but then it happened.  I was driving back to work and I heard Him say “it feels good then why don’t you always do it when I ask?”  I felt convicted.  God said to me “you have less money now and you give but then you more money and you gave nothing.”  I explained to John that I got the chills and started crying uncontrollably.  I audibly spoke to God saying “I will listen to your call.”

John asked me “Okay, so if I decide to follow Jesus, He will always there for me?”  My response was “yes, He will always be there for you.”  Anyone that has gone through trials knows that when the world turns their backs on you God is still there by your side.  I explained to John that “I am not trying to sell you anything.  I wouldn’t believe like I do if I hadn’t had so many experiences.”  John replied, “that is really something to be thinking on.  I appreciate your time and testimony.  I am gonna think about this tonight, long and hard.  That is what I wanted to hear, how God actually helped and improved someone’s life.  Not just Bible verses or quotes from a religious doctrine.”

At this point, I wanted to leave the door open for John.  I mentioned “if you ever have questions feel free to ask.  Not everyone that claims to be a Christian has a relationship with the Father.  One day, I hope to tell my story to all so everyone can plainly see that only God could have kept me sane.  Most people turn to drugs or alcohol, I turned to God.  The music videos I create are a gift from God.  I have no training, but when God is working in your life all things are possible.”

The next thing that John hit me with was, “I come from a transgender bisexual background.  Hope that doesn’t offend you?  A lot of people in this community hate my guts.”  As our conversation had been progressing, I was not expecting John to open up with such details.  My response to him was “let me be real for a moment.  Once you decide to accept Jesus into your life, the past is forgotten.  I have seen gay people realize their sin and accept Him.  You have to admit your sins.  You have to want to change.  If you ask God to forgive you, He will.  It all starts with you and when you are ready to accept a new life with God.  I know several lesbians that completely changed because of God and are happily married today.  Please don’t think I hate you.  I hate the sin but love the sinner.  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  John’s response was “you have given me a lot to consider.”

John wanted to know more about the lesbians I was referring to and how they decided to change on their own.  I explained to him, “they went to church and the Holy Spirit convicted them.  They couldn’t stop crying.  It is not man that can change your heart; only God can change the hearts of men and women.”  John asked “God’s Spirit showed them how and why they should change?”  I told him that they described to me “sweeping feeling of sorrow for their sins.  They realized it was wrong and wanted forgiveness.”  At this point, John responded back, “I am kind of overwhelmed.”  During this conversation, the Holy Spirit was working through me to give me the words to say.  I felt a unique peace even though I was in the trenches fighting spiritual battles for The Lord.  John came back and said, “I think I need to step outside for awhile, a lot to consider. I will get back to u, thanks so much for your time.”

My last comment to John that night was “always remember that God sent His only Son so that we could have a way to be with Him in paradise.  I will be praying for you.”  John replied with “thank you, if I decide to follow Christ I will tell you.”  At this point, we had been messaging back and forth for almost an hour.  I took several minutes to pray for John, specifically that the Holy Spirit would work in his life to open his eyes and to touch his heart so that he will know God is the way, the truth, and the light.

I am pleased to tell you that John reached out to me the following night and said “Hello! This is John that you shared your testimony with yesterday. I have decided to follow Jesus! Thanks again & God bless! 🙂  It was your testimony and willingness to share that made the difference.”  I was overjoyed and said, “Praise God, I felt Him telling me what to say.  Let me know if there is anything else you need assistance with.”  John spoke back with “my journey with Jesus begins!  God bless you, will do! :)”

I asked if he wanted me to find a church for him.  John said there was a Pastor that came to visit him last week and he was going to try out that church.  I had to speak up and let John know of my request, “my only favor that I ask of you is that as you find God and He moves in your life that you share Him.  People will only know that God’s Not Dead if they know He still moves.  I am excited to hear what mountains God will move in your life.”

Naturally Sunday morning came around and John was on my heart.  I was trying to be patient and wait to hear back about the church service.  John told me “everything went very well today! The Pastor’s message was concerning how God is for us and working to deliver us from fear. 🙂 Psalms 27:1  After church I ran into an old friend who is a Christian!  I love to ride motorcycles and so does he.  We got together with five other Christian riders and rode about 150 miles today!  Having a good church to go to and the support of my local Christian friends will certainly help me to stay on the right path!  I very much appreciate your prayers!” 

I told John, “God knows what you need to feel comfortable.  All good news.  What are the chances of seeing someone you know?  God is smiling, He knew.  Remember that all the time God is good.”  John said “the friend I mentioned just recently rededicated his life back to Christ!  It is something what The Lord is already doing for me!  Praise God!”  I told John “keep a journal, you will begin to realize that what was a coincidence is really God moving in your life.  He rewards those that are faithful.”

I wanted to take the time to write out this story for all of you that are afraid to talk about God or even dwell into discussions about salvation.  The words that were written out on Twitter were not from me but the Holy Spirit working through me.  I give God all the credit for what He has done and allowing me to be a vessel for Him to use to reach the lost.  My continued prayer is that God uses me to further His Kingdom and reach the lost.  I pray that John will use his testimony to reach others that are struggling with the option of following Jesus.  Don’t let the situations of this world hold you back from sharing the “Good News” of the gospel for all of mankind needs to know the truth about eternity. 

 

Tweets from today:

“Those that receive God and keep Him locked up like a precious metal will lose out on the blessings of sharing Him with others.”

“Are you big on safety?  Living life without God is like jumping out of a plane with no parachute, big thrill but doesn’t end well.”

 

 

God’s Purpose for You

Each person goes through life trying to understand what to live for. God has opened new doors and continues to do so. I know not everyone believes in God on my friends list but if your life is just to get up to go to work, come home to nothing, and go hang out with friends, wouldn’t you want to have more? There is a purpose for each person no matter your age or your past. Once you find God in your life, the world starts to look differently. Once God reveals your purpose, you finally realize the big picture He has been painting the whole time. God can’t give you the easy street because we won’t appreciate His blessings; we are molded into perfection by trials. If you asked me if I would ever be a preacher or a pastor, I would have told you no way. I don’t have enough knowledge or understanding of the Bible. The more I pushed away from it, the more that God has been showing me the wisdom He has placed in my heart. I am far from perfect but a vessel that God has chosen to reach those that are lost. I am truly blessed to be making videos & talking to people daily about God and what He has done for me. My Faith and my walk have been rising to new heights. God has been constantly using other people to speak blessings over my family. You don’t really have a walk with Christ until you are ready to listen to His will and be obedient. I am ready Lord; continue to use me for your purpose so that all may know you are the one true God that is alive today.