Friday, September 23, 2011

Dangers of Relationship

I might have discussed this topic before but today I will be going at it from a different angle! What makes a relationship! What makes it last, how do they form, what could go wrong! Usually people develop interest in one another through being around each other and familiarizing yourself with that person! After a while you may be interested in engaging in a relationship.

A relationship is a serious matter! Not only is your life, heart, soul, and mind at stake but your future could be as well! Have you ever wondered why after somebody has a traumatic relationship and breaks up with the person they may either be emotionally unstable or may do irrational things. This is because this person's soul is now intertwined with their partner (soul tie). Once that person decides to break up with you not only are you taking a piece of them with you but they also have a piece you. They may have left stains and wounds in your hearts that will be there for eternity! Jesus in the only ONE that can offer true healing and restoration! People say that time heals wounds but there are plenty of people still suffering from these wounds that are damaging them internally and are having a difficult time overcoming this struggle.

In order to illustrate my first point, take a scenario where a girl has cheated on a guy. He breaks up with her. Now when he engages in a new relationship with another girl he lacks trust while struggling to build a deep connection with his girlfriend. Another scenario is where a woman is in a physically abusive relationship. She terminates the relationship and engages in another one. Now any time she is in a room alone with her new boyfriend she becomes paranoid and hits him or has panic attacks and begins shaking! Insecurity is one of the most self destructive qualities an individual can have when it comes to building a healthy relationship. From experience I know it can inhibit intimacy and cause jealousy which is a big problem in certain cultures. Jealousy is usually accompanied by his brother possessiveness. A man/woman who is jealous is usually possessive! This can destroy a relationship because this person may not trust their partner or think that their companion is too good for them and self sabotage the relationship. Another dimension to this problem is that they may try to control all aspects of your life including mobility (leaving the house to run errands) or apparel amongst many other things! After the breakup this person may potentially become a stalker! All of these spirits: infidelity, abuse, and insecurity can cause serious problems in our personal growth and development as well as future relationships!

People seek relationships for different reasons. Some people may feel alone, others may seek validation, some are looking for love they haven't received from their parents, others are pursuing a relationship in order to fit in with the crowd. For whatever reason people are seeking a sacred bond with the opposite sex (presumably)! This makes sense because God said it is not good that the man should be alone and He created his companion(a woman)! We intrinsically desire to mate or be with someone in a romantic manner because the Lord created man and woman so we can be attracted to one another, this is totally natural! Albeit, who do we engage in a relationship with is the bigger question! People have suffered through custody cases, stalking episodes, and horrible experiences because of jumping into relationships without testing the waters and did not realize they were venturing in perilous terrain! People have acquired psychological, mental, spiritual, and emotional scars after certain relationships!

As children we are innocent and pure, however through the experiences of life our hearts become hardened and we begin to build walls around our hearts that impede formation of strong bonds. The stains left on our hearts definitely affect how we grow and how we become as an adult! Someone who has been through a traumatic break up may need sometime to reflect and see how God can search their heart to heal them before they embark on another soul venture! A relationship is more than just a relationship it is the union of two souls, literally! If God honors the relationship He will reveal it and it will be a fruitful relationship! If you wait on God for the optimal relationship He will sustain it and you will grow to love that person beautifully as the relationship remains healthy! Only the love of Christ can cause a relationship to THRIVE!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Impacting lives

As a human one of the greatest questions in life is how can I leave my mark on this earth, how can I contribute to the improvement of humanity? How can I change the world?

As a Christian my answer would be simple: affecting change in society through Christ! Our society is full of quick fixes and self-helps techniques that fall short because we all have weaknesses that only the Lord can fix! If anybody reading this is perfect please stop now, this does not apply to you! If you admit you are not perfect and have flaws continue reading! There are so many people who need the love of Christ! Most people just want to know that they are accepted and that somebody out there cares for them! Once we show them that we do when everybody else is self absorbed they will listen closely to what we have to say even if they don't agree with everything we say! Christ has the supernatural ability to change lives! That means he will take somebody who views themselves as worthless or insignificant and give them value, significance, love, peace, power, a new heart and spirit, and a new life all at once! Its amazing, He also has the ability to heal both emotionally (some people have some deep wounds, scars, and stains on their hearts) and physically (disease) amongst other capabilities!

Prayer alone can transform lives and I have seen it 1st hand! Because when I pray for people the Lord usually answers! An orphan who was abandoned, abused, and told they shouldn't have been born whether in Dominican Republic or Africa can be given a newfound meaning and HOPE in LIFE! That to me is amazing! This is because of the transformative ability of the love of Christ and his ability to provide a new life!

Through Christ I have had the privilege of touching college students' lives as they have touched mine! When you have Christ you can effectively minister to somebody whos hurting and give them a true and permanent solution to their problems! I love to see how Christ is working at College campuses because this is where people wrestle with the grand questions and struggles in life! It is where people do the majority of their soul searching and are looking for something to follow whether its a philosophy or a religion! Whatever they're looking for they want to make sure its REAL, STABLE, AND THAT IT IT WONT LET THEM DOWN! Christ fulfills all these requirements and even more!

Whatever people look for in relationships Christ can offer: love, acceptance, kindness, joy, caring etc. Humanity is hurting and they are searching for something in their soul that will forever fill the void in their heart! Only GOD can do that, anything else is a quick fix, temporary solution, and cheap imitation! I enjoy speaking to people about Christ because it reveals things they may be struggling with, makes people vulnerable so they can be helped, and causes people to recognize they are in bondage and that they can be liberated through Christ! They don't have to live like this and bondage is not part of "LIFE"! In the natural we have a limit to what we can do but through God there is no limit. Anything is possible with GOD! Through The Lord the impossible becomes possible!

Miracles happen through Christ! This is the coolest thing because they literally change lives whether somebody gets cured of cancer or an abandoned child is reunited with their parents or homeless people become renowned speakers!

I enjoy working with High School and College kids and just loving them the way they are, showing that I care, and that I am here for them whenever they need me! This encouragement and support is what broken souls need and that only Christ can provide! He is the solution to abuse, addiction, depression, anxiety,envy, jealousy, bitterness, poverty and many other problems! The students who live a life that glorifies GOD are rare but are an inspiration to their peers because they are unlike any of them and are TRUE leaders! These individuals are the ones that people confide in when they have burdens! These faithful servants of Christ allow the power of the Holy Spirit to change a generation and make a difference in this world!

I currently mentor or guide a few people and they trust in me which I consider an honor! They share their deepest struggles, pain, and worst thoughts with me! If I didn't have Christ I would not be able to make a profound and lasting impact like the one I am making now! Only Christ has given me the faith, hope, love, strength, peace, understanding, and knowledge to connect with people and touch their lives! Making this profound impact is what I long to do! I also have to make sure I pray consistently and read my Bible so that when somebody comes to me with a serious life/death issue I will be ready to minister and let Christ's power flow through me! The visions I may have or the words I may speak are not mine they are God's! The feeling you get when you know you have made a lasting difference in somebody's life is invaluable!

The responsibility of making an impact on people's lives through Christ and preaching the gospel is very serious and is not to be taken lightly! People's lives and souls are at stake! I am becoming more aware of that as I grow in Christ! What I say can either save a soul or LOSE one for eternity!

Lord I ask that you continue to reveal my strengths and weaknesses and what areas of growth I should focus so that I will be better equipped to preach to the Lost and serve the breathren! Teach me how to love people even when it may be difficult and care for people when it hurts! Give me a vision, strength, wisdom, hope, and faith to serve the world and impact change forever! Thank You Jesus, in your precious mighty name we pray AMEN!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Fighting to Live

Life is hard. There are many struggles, so many emotions, heart breaks! But there are also a victory which can be eternally claimed only through Jesus Christ the Lamb that was slained! 1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many people wonder why they suffer so much in their lives, why they cant sleep at night, or why when they do everything right things don't go their way! The bigger question is can somebody save you from your misery, desperation and/or hopelessness? The answer is Yes! The Lost (everybody who does not have Christ) longs for something they cannot describe! There is a gaping hole they have in their heart that they try to fill with worldly things (partying, drunkeness, girlfriends/boyfriends). The absolute truth is that you can only fill it with GOD the almighty! Everything else will fade away and is only a temporary solution to a permanent problem! This is why people seek experiences that make them feel "alive": Bunjijumping, exercising, climbing a mountain, skydiving, sex, skydiving, scubadiving, and any other athletic activity! When you give your life to Christ and get right with God he will open your spiritual eyes to see the LOST! The reason why humanity has these confused looks on their faces is because We are broken and need a savior!

Jesus is the living water. John 4:13-14 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, 14but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." After people drink from the well of everlasting life they will never drink from the things of this world because it wont satisfy their thirst! Jesus can satisfy our thirst! This leads me to my next point! People will hunger and thirst after Christ when they see us living lives SOLD OUT (all for) for Christ, my Pastor spoke about this (our lifetsyles must make people thirsty)! What do I mean by this? What I mean is, that when most of the words that come out of our mouths are more things about Christ's love and the gospel rather than Lil waynes song or the next Iphone and when we are choosing to go to a youth revival rather than a club! People (particularly The youth) must come to the realization that they are missing something and are not complete.

The young generation wants something real they don't want anything fake as a man of GOD told me! Jesus called us the Light of the world (Matt 5:14) We cannot be the light and still be in darkness (clubs, strip clubs, drunkeness, premarital sex)! When we are truly the Light and separate ourselves from the world, people will begin to wonder what does this person have/do that is so much better or fulfilling than what I and the rest of society does/has? 1 John 1: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. Walking in the light, pouring our hearts out at the feet of Jesus, and living a life of Holiness (one that is glorifying God) will create a thirst in people that will make them wonder about the deeper questions in life: what am I on earth for, what happens after we die, how can I impact other people's lives while I'm alive? The only way to get people to wonder, question, and thirst is to have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ and a true hunger for HIM! We cant make people hungry if we are not hungry!

People will hunger and thirst because he is the Living water (John 4:13-14) and the Bread of Life (John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." In order to draw people to Christ we have to make them thirsty with our lifestyles! Maybe its the joy that we have, or the unconditional love we demonstrate, or the zeal or the ability to forgive! In addition, devotion to God: Prayer, reading the Bible, fasting, and worship... will strengthen and give power to our testimony! The Boldness to share the gospel will also make people thirsty! They will ask themselves what is so important that a stranger stopped me to tell me something in NYC where most people don't even want to say hi! The peace we have will make people thirsty as well! Your compassion for others will make people thirsty!

Since out of the heart comes, life Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life". When we accept Jesus into our heart he gives us a new LIFE! Through this New Life we show people what it means to be Born Again! We have new desires: we see, hear, walk, talk, and act different! Jesus can heal all the wounds we have in our hearts! In Order to receive anointing we must surrender all to Jesus and let Him take control! That is the only way the deaf will be able to hear and the Blind will be able to see! We need to display the power of the gospel and of Christ! How do we do that , through our lifestyles! People may not accept you or even abandon you but will never forget how Christ has changed your life and how you are a whole new person!

Christ can offer a new Life! Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Today, Christ can offer you a new life life. He has done it for me! All you have to do is say sorry for living a life of Rebellion against God, repent, ask for forgiveness, and acknowledge that Jesus was crucified, died for our sins, and rose again! Then accept him as your personal Lord and savior! Its a simple prayer that will Go a LONG WAY and change your life for eternity!

Let us continue to lay our lives down, carry our crosses daily, and pour our lives out for Jesus Christ! I promise you this generation will become thirsty and revival will break out! A Christ Revolution is imminent! Are you going to be part of it?

Monday, September 19, 2011

Trust in Him II

I was a bit confused and a bit mad at God for leading me on, but by the end of the week I figured it was all part of God's bigger plan and that it wasn't my time for medical school; I wasnt mad at GOD anymore! After that day I was just readjusting to life in the US and realized how spoiled people are and how ungrateful most people are in the US. After the readjustment I continued to go to Times Square Church and meet with people who needed guidance! Ever since the Mission trip and even before I have served as a counselor/mentor for many people in the faith who know and love God or others who are honestly seeking him! I have been told various times that I should be a pastor and although I have denied those claims or possible promises from God but the Lord hasn't spoken to me directly about that! Albeit, I know I can be a pastor and still practice medicine! I have a strong desire to grow his kingdom and a devotion to Jesus Christ! I just don't know what the Lord wants to do with them as of yet, but I'm still confused!

Whatever it is though, Im ready, we have many disparities in our urban communities and I want to intervene as far as college placement and mentoring is concerned! I'm ready to be a vessel for the Lord! I do know this: whether I will be a youth Pastor, an evangelist, or doctor, I will pour out my all at the foot of the Cross! I know Jesus will change the people I interact with forever. I want to dive into the WORD like never before and learn more about the LORD and receive the blessings that the Lord has in store for me! I am building my faith so when the trials come in ministry I will stay standing and that my foundation is rock solid which will prevent me from being deceived!

God has ruled sovereign and will continue to do so! I am looking to establish a Bible study in my house to fulfill the need for some of my friends and new converts or people that are looking to grow in Christ and need a word of encouragement! I must seek deep intimacy with Him and my desires need to be aligned with His desires in order to discover my destiny in His eyes! IN this journey staying the course is tough and time after time I have encountered perilous waters but the Lord calms those waters and manages to get me through the storm! I would love to fix my eyes on HIM and to love everybody regardless if they get along with me or not! I will continue to seek Him and to trust that HE will make a way or direct my paths!

Prayer: Lord we thank you and bless your name for everything you are! You have come as a man to become our sin on the cross. You are strong and mighty, LORD! Father please give us the patience and steadfastness, faith, hope, and direction! I know You have a calling on my life I just don't know what it is yet! We worship you for who YOU are and are amazed and your wonders and glory! Help us to grow closer to you so that we can lean your will for our life! Give me a passion for your people and a fervent desire to grow in your WORD! I love you LORD! You said you will never leave me nor forsake me, I trust that WORD! reveal yourself to me again and also to my loved ones! IN the mighty, precious, beautiful, name of Jesus, IN Jesus Name we Pray AMEN!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Trust in Him I

Matt 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
[14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

I have reached a division in my life! Its a road that diverges and I must choose a path! This past year I was at Stony Brook getting my Masters and I had the privilege of being part of BASIC a campus ministry! As a new believer in Christ I had a lot of questions, confusion, temptations, and no support system! I could feel the devil attempting to destroy my testimony but above it all the almighty GOD kept me from the fire and delivered me from the pit! Everything happened for a reason and was perfect in its time! I had desired Christian friends and was totally isolated from the world in hopes of escaping temptation. God gave me the grace to sustain myself during this period of no Christian fellowship! I learned a lot about myself, God's children, His love, mercy and grace. I learned about mission trips and still remember the people who ministered in BASIC! I was inspired by the stories that I heard and the people that I met! But most importantly I appreciated the Love and affection that was offered by the people in the club(ministry)! A couple of days after my 1st meeting in BASIC with a girl in the meeting and it was a great pleasure to find out these people really CARED ABOUT ME! Instead of paying taxis, I would get rides home from (who is now) my close friend.

BASIC became my family while I was there! I grew spiritually and prospered. I never expected that simply being a member of a club would open doors for my future career and opportunities to travel! Through BASIC I was bale to impact lives! Many young Christian men sought me for advice! I loved mentoring so me filling that void was meant to be!

Now the Academic aspect of my year at Stony Brook had its trials! More than one time I was on the brink of failing a test or a class but by God's grace I was able to pass those classes/exams. The Masters I did was linked with the medical school! After all the challenges and close calls during the school year I still fulfilled the minimum GPA requirement but still had to fulfill the MCAT requirement! I took the MCAT in January 2011 and earned a 24 MCAT which is the score they required, however I fell short in one section by 2 points! So I retook it after I finished school in late June! However I went to Nigeria in Mid July and I left a couple of days before I received my score. I could have checked my results in Nigeria but I didn't want to get distracted from God's work and mess up my Missionary trip. Well when I returned from Nigeria with so much zeal the first thing I did was check my score. I checked one section first and saw a 5, then looked at the total score and was completely blown away. I was disgusted, ashamed, shocked, and felt like a failure and feelings of inadequacy began to sink IN!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Crucifying the Flesh II

Moreover being in the flesh can have some harsh consequences whether its damaging a relationship or falling into sexual temptation! The Lust of the Flesh is a tool the enemy uses to stifle self control! Whenever we let our guard down and stop praying, our worldly thoughts, ways, and worse off the Lust of the Flesh creeps up as the prince of the AIR swoops in, takes over, and attempts to quench the Holy Ghost! Recently I met with a female and my emotions got out of hand because of the way we interacted! When I was in the world I used to seek girl's love for validation as I was insecure! Satan saw this as an opportunity to keep me bound to the things the Lord delivered me from! I saw that the girl might have shown interest and my emotions began growing, however I was fulfilling the desires of the flesh that were in opposition to God! Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life". It is crucial for us to keep our hearts because life emanates from it just as well as it can give way to temptation. Mathew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. When I am not vigilant over my heart and all the emotions that spring from it, it will affect how I act. Dring this vulnerable state while my guard was down I behaved irrationally and said things I should not have said. Because my mind was not renewed by the Word of God and the flesh overrode the Spirit I let my feelings get the best of me! Self control is one of the most important aspects to living a Christ centered life!

I learned so much from crucifying the deeds of the Body! Being sober-minded not only grounds you in firmness of faith but brings you closer to the Lord! Moreover one you are strongly rooted, you will be well equipped to preach the gospel and draw people near to Christ! As long as we are filled with the Holy Ghost and fix our eyes on Christ people will begin to thirst for the kingdom and our desire to get closer to the Lord and to serve him will grow! Prayer: Lord before we were slaves to sin Please make us slaves to righteousness and give us the strength to fight the lust of the flesh and the passions of our sinful nature! We thank YOU for pouring down your love upon us and showing us your grace and mercy! Please keep our minds purified and maintain us as sanctified Vessels! May we pursue holiness and righteousness with all our heart! We are ambassadors for Christ, now we must live like it!

Galatians 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. We must sacrifice the flesh in order to gain the Kingdom."

Galatians 6:17 "From now on let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Crucifying the Flesh I

As a Christian my walk everyday is a battle and the flesh is in constant warfare with the body! Before I came to Christ sin was regular and I didn't view it as sin, I just viewed it as society viewed it: fun, normal behavior, and circumstantial! Although my sinful nature is inherited, it is purified by the blood of lamb! My carnal desires are driven by adultery, envy, greed, anger, strife etc.! Romans 8:13 "for if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. This scripture speaks about killing the flesh in order to live! Death resides in fulfilling the lust of the flesh!

Whenever we quench the spirit, our flesh begins to rise up! Looking at a girls body and thinking sexual thoughts is already committing a sin through our thoughts which is why we renew our mind with the Word! In addition in Corinthians it says we have the mind of Christ! Christ has made us conquerors and he already claimed the victory! However most people don't know this and believe that we are defenseless against a bondage to our sinful thoughts, acts, and the devil's ploys. 1 John2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." In the Word of God we are told that we are called to be separate from the world and that our citizenship is in heaven! We are called to be consecrated for the Lord and be sanctified through the Holy Spirit! In order for us to be anointed and enter the Most Holy Place we must be clean and be purified, holy, and blameless before HIM! Although we still falter and have flaws! However if you want to receive all the blessings that the Lord has in store for us we must walk in the truth and speak it as well, live as slaves to righteousness! He wants to use us but when we defile the temple of the Holy Ghost we prevent the Lord from using us mightily! The pastor at Times Square Church said that when we live our lives people must Thirst for God and wonder whats so different about us! When we preach the gospel or speak the Word we want people to be engaged and we also want some miracles to happen! The only way the deaf ears and blind eyes are opened is through preaching the Word but you must be anointed if you want people's hearts to be opened and get convicted when you speak, to plant a firm seed, or lead people to Christ!