Are You A Lightweight?

Back in the day, it was said lightweights couldn't handle their liquor. By the middle of the second drink, that person was already slurring and looking kind of crazy. Laughing about nothing and venturing forth to start something violent was the mode of operation. It didn't take long before the lightweight's reputation was out there and no one was rushing back to go anywhere with that person again (Proverbs 20:1 AMP).

In boxing, lightweights are paired with each other. While the on lookers or casual enthusiasts don't think a few extra pounds wouldn't make that much of a difference, the professionals know otherwise. It takes an experienced coach to make the opponent not think of those extra pounds in order to win the fight. Did the tactics work? It would depend on how the fighters were thinking.

With David and Goliath, who was the lightweight there? The baby Christian would more then likely say what a sinner would because he/she doesn't know any better. They walk by sight until they are taught a better way to walk. If they are around more Christians rather then sinners, the ability to walk in the faith would be quicker. Nevertheless, back to the question. If we look as the children of Israel, were they afraid for David? Being smaller, having no weapons that could be seen, and a mere child - by sight, David seemed as if he didn't have a chance. Goliath's reputation proceeded him. He didn't have to do anything. The Philistines used their human billboard to market their fierceness. They conquered what they planned to obtained by allowing their human advertisement to speak for itself. They dressed him in the armor, hired someone to carry his shield and someone else to carry his sword (1 Samuel 17: 4-7 AMP). His face was contorted and the script he memorized was chilling to all that could hear. The Philistines had nothing to do but to wait for the opposing army to admit defeat and allow themselves up to be slaves. Its what has happened and what they have been used to. Everyone has heard about it and believed. Everyone but David. Recall David was out in the field caring for the sheep. The news didn't travel where he was and no one ever thought he would be interested. Remember, David asked who Goliath was and why was he speaking to the children of Israel like that (1 Samuel 17: 26 AMP)?

Understand babies have an identity crisis. They need to be told what to do and when to do it. Babies don't know who they are until someone gives them the knowledge for them to retain and reiterate for it to be a habit for them. It used to be that adults would cover the ears of the younger so they would not incorporate wrong information. Why? Because they are lightweights...babies are lightweights. They could not be in a storm or they would be killed. They aren't seen in a battle because it would be ridiculous. Babies don't know enough to make a quality decision. Choose life? A baby's question would be, what are my other choices or what's death? It is why babies are protected, guided, and shown specific passages in the bible to begin the new (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

David wasn't a lightweight. He is described as a man after God's heart (Acts 13:22 KJV). He was left alone in the field with the sheep and studied. He praised God. He wrote songs and poetry. He was a blessed man and had no problem coming against anyone who opposed the righteousness of God. The king, Saul, hid with the rest of the people (1 Samuel 17:11 KJV). They bought the advertisement. They were chronologically older then David but lightweights in God.

When a fighter gets into the ring, he does so after he has trained. After he has the right equipment and has tested what is a good fit for him with his gloves, shoes, and trunks. He doesn't just put on anything, or decides to get in the ring and fight on a whim. He has trained physically, emotionally, mentally, and psychologically to win. If any one of those categories had not been touched upon in his training sessions, he has already lost the battle. God expects for us to be trained as well. It is why when David was offered the king's armor, he turned it down. He never wore that garment before. He had what God gave him that assisted him in killing a lion and a bear. He had skills and was already prepared to do battle. No one else was.

When you have all that God has given you, you are more then a conqueror (Romans 8:37 AMP). Who is stronger then you (Luke 11:21-26 AMP)? Could there be anyone who could come against you and win? Only you can answer that...well, God knows too. It is why there are tests. Can you withstand the test or will you be fighting temptation? Answering that will also let you know if there is anyone stronger then you. You must consider your ways. You must know what is your weakness, find the verse in the scriptures and say it everyday. Its a apart of your weaponry. Neglect in using your whole armor, expect defeat - for it is written.

In the news last night, there was a homicide. It was reported that the victim was struck once at the hand of an assailant, fell over and died. The speculation was that he must have been hit in the throat or on the temple of his head. I wondered had he been hit for awhile and the lethal blow was all he could stand. For instance, cheating on your spouse was a means that made him a little weaker. Then using rumors against the righteousness of God took something else from him (1 Chronicles 16:22, Psalm 105:15 KJV) . Refusing to support his children was another hard hit that he barely recovered from (1 Timothy 5:8 AMP). Stealing office supplies from his job where people usually find it the norm but God sees it as stealing was another sock in the gut. In all of that time throughout his life he might have attended church services a handful of times and asked for the Lord's help when he could SEE things were getting bad. But what about the things he couldn't see? Job didn't see his acts of fear  as the reason for the demise of his family, his wife's crazy talk, or the destruction of his property. That doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Have you prepared? Did you ever go to training? Do you have the right equipment? Does it fit? Have you come against opposition? Can you? We cannot be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:12-15 AMP). We cannot listen to one sermon, run around the church thinking because we did what someone else did, we would be blessed as well only to be tested on the outside and curse like a drunken sailor. We no longer ask why bad things happen to good people and then cheat on our taxes thinking it isn't hurting anyone. We no longer dress up lies as little and white for self preservation. Because of faith, mercy, and grace we are heavy weights. Because of the salvation Jesus has freely given to us, we can fight with conviction. Because of that whole armor, we stand on the throat of the enemy and he better not budge (Ephesians 6:11-18 AMP)! Because of the Greater One living on the inside of those that believe, we know who we are in Christ! Now, who is it that DARES to come against you?!!!

Can We Get Really Real For A Moment?

Times are changing and no matter how hard you try for them not to, they still continue to do so. That can be a good thing - if you have been waiting a long time for your blessing (James 1:4 KJV). Nevertheless, you are also changing; this is also a good thing. In growth, we all change. We learn new things and change from where we were to where we are. It might not be where you would like to be right now, but its better then where you were. If it isn't, I implore you to consider your ways!

That would be a warning. There have been warnings across the pulpit for years and because we didn't see those things happen before our eyes, we wiped the sweat from our brows, thanked God for His mercy and continued to do what we were doing before the warning. Did you change from your wicked ways (Acts 3:26 AMP)? For how long? Did you attempt to go back to the old way and didn't feel anything was wrong with what you are doing so as long as you aren't hurting anyone, why not keep doing it? Is that how you have been thinking (Romans 7:15-20 AMP)? You haven't heard any warnings lately, so its all good right? All is well?

Understand when someone says, it is well...first, find out if that person is a Christian. If you know he/she is, then start praying. Remember in scripture when that phrase was said over and over again. The woman's son was dead and she was looking for the prophet. She had to keep the faith and press on until she found a man of God who hears from Him to do what is necessary for her son to live. Others didn't have the faith to do anything but say what she did not want to believe is true. Until he did what she believed for him to do - then all became well. It took faith to actually manifest itself (2 Kings 4:8-37 AMP). How is your faith? How is the faith of those around
you? Still the size of a mustard seed or have you planted it and believing for something yet?

I was watching a married couple have a disagreement. She had been married to him for 20 years and knew him 5 years before they married. She had done everything he wished for her to do and she wasn't happy. He was frustrated with her and all she could still be doing, but won't. It was later revealed that they had a threesome. Apparently, this once never spoken taboo is more socially acceptable these days. Now, I had a better understanding of their disagreement because before all of the bickering was petty and childish. When asked about the threesome, he sheepishly bowed his head in shame but admitted to it. How does he expect for there to be peace in his house when he makes a suggestion for their marital bed to be defiled (Hebrews 13:4, Psalm 119:1 AMP)? In accepting the suggestion, she has welcomed the enemy residence. Does light and dark commune? Jesus is peace. So if there is no peace in your house, does this mean Jesus has left the building?

I was looking at one of the housewives shows. One of the women had a birthday party for her father at the Museum of Sex in New York. I never knew there was such a place. I went to do some research on it to see what would be the exhibit without being labeled as a peep show. Interestingly enough, there were many prints and documents showing the history of condoms, the chastity belt, various art works displayed and where pornography originated. These museums were not isolated in New York but in London, Amsterdam, Sweden and other parts of America. As I continued to watch the documentary, I noticed the hardship man use to have trying to print cartoons of sexual images in various precarious positions. No matter how difficult the task, he did it. After the few pages were printed, there would be a man at the top of a building waiting for his buyer to come see the product and quote a price. These images were printed only for the elite or upper class. But the times changed and photography was invented. Getting beautiful women to pose nude used to be too difficult to do as well as expensive. So they settled for peasants on the street for a few pence. The response to purchase the pictures were less then stellar. Fast forward, to today because we know what has happened since then. The sex industry has no economic slump in it so far and the documentary went back for more then 100 years! Continuing with the film, a woman decided she was going to beat some record. I didn't know if this act was going into Guinness or what. I saw no purpose in what she decided to do. She came into the room dressed in a yellow damask and gold trim gown. She wore a mask and spoke while hooked up to a microphone. On one side of the room was a man with a flip score board. She walked slowly down the aisle. Her audience were only of men. When she got to the platform and onto the stage, a table was waiting for her. The narration: she was going to have sex with more then 200 men - right then and there. The men sitting in the audience, stripped down and got in line. Why, why,...WHY?!!!

The common answer would be, sin (Romans 6:12 AMP). Yet, I wonder; in these last days...do you really think there are over 200 men coming together for that, never heard anything about Jesus? Nothing?!! Do people really choose death when they have the option before them? Did God really have to tell us to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV)? I thought of this when listening to that woman dressed in the yellow gown and beckoning to the 200 men in line, "don't keep me waiting!" She completed her assignment. She reached her goal says the narrator. What do you suppose those men had to endure when the cameras were off?

Times sure have changed but the acts that people have done that are supposed to be shocking the viewer are actually quite old. Its been done before - decades and some hundreds of years ago. While watching the documentary, I thought I would be mortified but when allowing the information to start at the beginning, you can see what has happened was/is inevitable (Galatians 5:17-21 AMP). Though the acts and the outcomes were not correlated, people filmed in the documentary had their moment of fame and those that didn't died, look haggard and/or under the delusion that they are still young and vibrant.

Another show I watch is Intervention on A and E. I am fascinated with the root of the problem and how Sandy abused drugs and alcohol. She had been through so much and her children were frustrated with what they could do to help. Her husband was also an addict but sobered up. He didn't know what else to do either. He lost his job, his home, the respect of his children, his wife and when they all convinced Sandy to go to rehab, he sought a divorce. This didn't help her sobriety. She violated the rules of the treatment center by purchasing mouthwash to substitute for the vodka. At the end of those 90 days, Sandy stayed sober long enough to attend the weddings of her daughters. After the events were over, she passed away. It was the first time I ever saw the passing of the focused addict on the show - she died? There was nothing in her life strong enough or more important then the Vodka she consumed daily. Even when most of her pancreas had been removed, that wasn't enough to quit. In essence, she made her choice. The outcome was inevitable. The counselors deal with the addict because of that root. Sometimes, the root is so deep, the counselor doesn't know what to do. Other times, the rehab facility is at a loss. Last night, a rerun was showing about the addict. It should serve as a reminder, what not to do.

What about you? Do you really need to be shocked to know how much God wishes for you to live? Is it really as hard as you think it is, to do what's right? Even being a Christian, are you really tempted to go back in the world? Who is stronger (Luke 11:21-26 AMP), the world or your faith in God? Times might be changing and if you read you bible, you know change for some will not be good. God, never changes. He loved you yesterday, today, and forever. As much diversity there is out there, how are you handling it? Who do you hear calling you? No matter what, tell Him about it. He said, He will never forsake you.

Suddenly ! (part 2)

Being a domestic violence counselor of a fairly large sized Social Service Company, I was content - even enjoyed my job by giving advice, providing resources, and essentially helping people in whatever that was needed.

One afternoon the company called a staff meeting. The director announced the events to come and made everyone aware of the budget restraints but affirmed that no one would be losing their jobs due to the econmy. "The recession wasn't going to touch us," she made us believe and we reciprocated with applause. Earlier, I had received an accomodation for my work and the trainers from the city's capital came to the company to tell the director about how impressed they were of me. I was elated; and then it happened.

My suddenly was a phone call from a disgruntled client who was trying to milk the system. She got a "no" from me so she went to the director. I wasn't afraid but SUDDENLY I was terminated. What?!! The director seemed to scramble for the words. It still doesn't make sense even after the accomadation, her affirmation, the trainers? What else could I do but look for another job?

It rained one day. I was driving through an under pass where the water collected. A woman and her 3 children were stalled. I slowed down and waited for her. Looking in my rearview mirror I saw a pick up truck behind me that didn't seem to be slowing down. Then SUDDENLY, BAM! His bumper moved my trunk closer to me.

Shortly after recuperating from the accident, I was driving home when SUDDENLY I felt the car shaking. Pulling it to the side, I got out and saw the tire was completely flat - like blow out flat. I walked to my mother's home which wasn't far. I called another relative for assistance. When I got home the relative called asking where was my car? I gave specific directions. I was driven to where I parked the car and there was no car there. I had no car?

Walking and taking public transportation seemed to be test of my endurance. SUDDENLY pain like I never experienced before made itself known. I needed transportation. I needed a job; without either, it was seemingly bleak. On my way home with gritted teeth, I tried to be optimistic, unlocking the front door my children greeted me in the dark! The lights were out - not so suddenly. The other utilities were also following suit.