"GOD DON'T NEED NO LAWYERS!!"

Praise the Lord everybody! because He is worthy to be praised! I think we all know that God does not need a Lawyer for anything because who can accuse or defend The creator of all things, Lord God Almighty, The Alpha and the Omega and The Great I AM. But Man is always looking to engage the services of a lawyer for one reason or another to defend him, fight for his rights or get justice for him. The last place that you should find Lawyers though is in the Body of Christ, I should know because I was one.

The reason I called myself a lawyer was because I could mount a vigorous defensive argument to justify any of my behaviors that were called into question, in other words I was always right in my own eyes. The bible says in Proverbs 16:2  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

In my mind I had a good reason to do everything I did and I had the verbal skills to make others come around to my way of thinking or at least create "reasonable doubt". I was my own greatest defense lawyer and I served myself well through High School and College team sports. I was always pleading my case to my coaches. I lawyer'd my way through drug addiction and life until one day I got tired of it all and God touched my heart and said "You are guilty my son" and I broke down and accepted my guilt and asked God to come into my life and change me, I got saved.

I wish I could say that after that I lived happily ever after but I can't. For awhile I served Him, cleaned up my act and went into full time ministry. but After awhile the lawyer in me resurfaced. I knew I was guilty but the number of things I was guilty of began to shrink in my sight as I left full time ministry and went back into the working world resuming my nursing career. I began to see things as the world See's things rather than how God See's them. I began to plead my cases to the Holy Spirit, trying to convince Him and myself mostly why I should be found "Not Guilty" for some transgression I had committed.

One thing I've learned is you can't make a plea deal with the Holy Ghost who's job it is to convict us of sin and lead us into all truth. A lawyer knows the law and his job is to manipulate it to his clients advantage and  being my own client that's just what I did. Thanks be to God for a moment of clarity. There is no room in Christ for the "self righteous". The word says in Romans 3:9+10 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

God can't use a self righteous vessel. once we realize we are "born in sin and shaped in iniquity" and all our "works are as filthy rags" to God, It's time to realize you can't out talk, think or cross examine the Holy Ghost. I had to humble myself and remember who I was and who God was and is. There is no compromise in living Holy. You can't talk your way around it. So now the only pleading I do is Plead the blood of Jesus and ask God to forgive me of my sins as I repent of and not defend my sins.

No lawyer on earth can justify or erase your sin and get you off the hook, only faith in Christ and true repentance. Next time you want to plead your own case plead the blood of Jesus instead. 

             God bless you All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

ANOTHER LEVEL OF TRUST!

Praise the Lord everybody!! because He alone is worthy, for He has done great things! His praise shall be continually in my mouth. In my last post I talked about my new attitude for 2014. I am determined to put ALL my trust in God. There comes a time when we have to stop worrying about the myriad of possibilities that could befall us in our day to day lives, all the pit falls and worst case scenarios and just TRUST GOD!

God has made certain promises to His people, So if you are counted as one of His people we have to trust that He Will keep those promises. He has promised to provide for our every need. His word says in  Numbers 23:19
King James Version (KJV)
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Fear, Worry and Anxiety should not be a part of the lives of the Believer, yet often times it is. I can remember many sleepless nights in the past, especially when I was homeless and living in a New York City shelter. They used to threaten every so often to send me to a homeless camp in up-state New York somewhere, a three hour ride from the city and my family and my doctors. At the time I was trying to get on disability and spent a lot of time seeing doctors. Many times I would receive notices on my cot at night telling me I was being shipped up-state in the morning and I would stay up all night worrying and planning. then I would  head down to see an advocate at the Coalition for The Homeless first thing that morning. They would come and stop it. Now God had already told me not to worry because He was not going to let that happen months ago yet I would stay up worrying every time. I DID NOT TRUST GOD!!

For years I had trusted in myself because man had repeatedly let me down. Then along comes God, He saves me, delivers me from drugs and sets me on a new path. Then He asks me to trust Him, in all things. This sounds good and is easy at first after all He delivered you from death to life both physically and spiritually and everything is Rosy. Then the storm hits, you lose your job, maybe you get sick or relapse or someone you love dies, suddenly life slaps you upside your head and says "SNAP OUT OF IT!! WHO'S YOUR DADDY?" who do you trust then? Do you fall back on the arm of the flesh? saying "I have my degrees, my connections, I'll just make a call, I'll just sit down with my people, we will work out a plan.

Or do you go to your Father in heaven, Abba Father and put it in His hands, trusting Him to guide you and work things out. I am in the midst of a trial right now that seems to have no end but I sleep well at night because I put my trust in Him. Psalms 4: 5-8 states  5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

We have his word to encourage us!! God can't lie!!, we all have a testimony of His movements on our behalf. What more do we need? If you know Gods word it is your lifeline to peace of mind. I had to go against my carnal nature to trust in myself when things got bad and humble myself and realize there was someone more trust worthy than all my degrees and knowledge put together, It is Lord God almighty, maker of heaven and earth who better to trust in? Let us stop giving lip service to God and really trust Him in ALL things because He is who He is.

                       God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

RESOLUTION 2014: IT'S PURE AND SIMPLE

Praise the Lord everybody for He alone is worthy!! And Happy New Year!! As I sit back and take stock of the year 2013 I see that with all the trials and tribulations
God has brought me from a mighty long way. I have learned to accept what God allows, to trust in Him totally. I find that when I tell some of my fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ this they Look at me as if I am speaking another language. They can't seem to rap their minds around the fact that God would allow that to happen to a "good" Christian, but first of all, who is "good?"
 even Jesus said not to call Him good in Matthew 19:16-17
King James Version (KJV)
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

Trials don't stop coming because you are "good." I am not cursed accept for the curse of being born in sin and shaped in iniquity just like everyone else. I am not practicing secrete sin but I struggle everyday to do what is right in the eyes of God because I am still just a man of flesh and bone.

I believe these trials have come to prove and purge me as God is preparing me to take me to another Level for His usage. He is not releasing finances so that I can learn to trust Him for everything no matter what. He is not releasing healing so I can learn to press my way through by faith and He sometimes incarcerates me at home so that I can know that He is all that I need and when He wants to get my full attention.

I'm like Job now who said in Job 13:14-16
King James Version (KJV)
14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

We Christians sometimes say and claim a lot of things to each other out of habit or just because it sounds like the right thing to say but when we are alone what are we doing and saying. I say "I trust God", I say "I love the Lord," I sing "Victory in Jesus!" and "there is power in the blood" but are we walking in "power" and in "victory" when It's only you and God. When trials come on every hand do you really "feel like Going on?" God has got me in a place now where I trust him no matter what, I love him no matter what, and I praise Him no matter what!

This year I not only want to be able to quote scripture but I want to live scripture.

If a man of God can make his own New Years resolution the I resolve to love Him more, trust Him more, be more attentive and obedient to Him in all my ways.
If I do these things how can I go wrong? PURE AND SIMPLE!

 HAPPY NEW YEAR! God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

HOW THE REAL GRINCH IS STEALING CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!! AND AGAIN I SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!! When I was a child I thought as a child, I thought of Christmas trees and Santa Clause, stockings and toys. As an adult, I thought of Gifts and Secret Santa's and Grab bags and sales. One day I came out of darkness into God's marvelous light. Now I think of Jesus Christ, God's gift to the world, The Lamb of God who was slain from the foundation of the earth, the real reason for the season.
                       I FIRST PUBLISHED THIS IN 2013, BUT FELT IT WAS WORTH REVISITING, GOD BLESS!!

There is a spirit in America that is getting stronger each and every day. All you have to do is look around during this time of year. Signs exclaiming Merry X-mas, Happy Holidays!! and Seasons Greetings!!, all accepted salutations for this time of year but the real reason for the season, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ seems to diminish every year. Regardless of what His actual birth date is, this is the Churches appointed time to celebrate that occasion. The world has commercialized this Holiday and is trying to remove Christ from the equation. They have also banned Nativity scenes in front of Churches and town squares in many cities. they have X'd out Christ.

This spirit is not only prevalent during the Christmas season but abides all year round. The country is about to remove "In God We Trust" from our money and you can not talk about Christ in most public schools when speaking in a general assembly and they have already removed prayer and movies have been made questioning Christ's Deity and His Holiness. 1 John 4:2-3 talks about this spirit, the spirit of the Anti- Christ.  1 John 4:2-3
King James Version (KJV)
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

It is here and it is getting stronger every day. Man in his own wisdom has decided that the name of Jesus Christ and Christianity is divisive and an affront to other peoples beliefs and therefore it is getting to be politically incorrect to use His name during His own holiday season. In part, they are correct Jesus himself said He was coming not to bring "peace but a sword" in Matthew 10:33-35 
King James Version (KJV)
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

He also came to reconcile Man and God, giving us a chance at redemption and everlasting life. He came down from glory to die for our sins. No greater gift has ever been given nor ever will be. Celebrating jolly fat men in Red suits and red-nosed reindeer and toys instead of the Birth of our savior, yes I said OUR savior because He is whether you believe or not, is a heartbreaking shame. In this country that still claims to be a "God-fearing" Christian nation, this should not be happening, just like people leaving their families and running out to shop on Thanksgiving Day should not be happening.

Jesus could have cared less about being "politically correct" as He squared off against the Pharisees and the keepers of the law during His earthly ministry and neither should we. Let's stop dressing up in Red suits and hats during this season and clothe ourselves in Christ. Make Christ visible this Christmas!

              God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

  

1 John 2:21-23

King James Version (KJV)

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

THE LATTER REIGN

Praise the Lord everybody! because He alone is worthy to be praised! OH TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOOOOOOD!!!! IT FEELS LIKE FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES!!! MY SOUL DOST BURN WITHIN ME!!! WHAT MORE CAN I SAY? I LOVE THE LORD!!!

 I needed to get that off my chest. I may be going through some things right now but I am determined to stand because of that same joy that was set before Jesus is now set before me. That same joy that allowed Him to endure the cross is now leading me through my little, by comparison,  trials and tribulations. Hebrews 12:22 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Because of God's promises I am able to run this race which does not always go to the swift but to those who endure to the end. I might be suffering now but I am looking forward to being seated in heavenly places with Him, reigning forever.

2nd Timothy 2: 11-1311 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Not only am I looking forward to the "Latter Rain" I'm looking forward to that "Latter Reign", the bible tells us if we "suffer" for Christ's sake, we will reign with Him.  We will be "seated with Him in heavenly places" according to His word. I for one can not wait for this time of trials, tribulation and learning to stretch out on faith brings forth it's fruit.

Today I am pressing forward toward the mark, the mark He has set for me personally as His son. Don't be afraid to stretch out as you reach for that joy that is set before you and Reign with Him.

                   God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking off the wall

WE ALL GIVE SOME, BUT ONE GAVE ALL: REVISITED

Praise the Lord everybody because He is worthy to be praised! In this season of thanks giving I want to thank you all for your support and prayers concerning this ministry. It blesses me every time I hear from one of you. To us Christians the season of Thanksgiving is all year round, 24/7. A  while ago I wrote the following as God was dealing with me concerning these things, here it is, a little food for thought.



Praise The Lord! I pray everyone is doing well and is enjoying the blessing of God. I am encouraged today. In my last post I declared that sin made me sick and that the devil may be angry with me but I was even more angry with him, I said it then and I'll say it again " I am tired of him stealing from me" For years he used drugs to take everything away from me accept my life and most of my family. He stole my sister and my baby brother from me and the rest of my family. Both were in their 30's when drugs led to their deaths. "Why has God spared me?" I often ask myself, "Why are they dead while I am yet alive?" The answer is God's amazing grace.

It is God's amazing grace that allows us to stand up and say "enough!!" When the devil rears his ugly head in our lives. I have re - embraced this attitude I am marching back to my first love and what I mean by "first love" is I'm striving for that relationship I had when I first met Him, that total devotion, that desire to spend all my time with him and to live in His presence. I remember how broken I was when I first got saved. I cried for weeks at the drop of a hat. For years I didn't own a T.V. and I never missed it because His word kept me and satisfied me, I studied it day and night even while I ate my meals.
Now when I eat I've got to have the T.V on so I can watch one of my favorite shows. Television and other electronic media are God's greatest competition for our attention. Even with all the tel-evangelist and gospel music shows on cable and T.V. none take the place of personal devotion time with God. A lot of the gospel shows on television have entertainment value but few have the anointing that destroys the yoke of bondage. One scripture in Mark 12:29-31 
²⁹And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
³⁰And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
³¹And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

How many of us actually follow that command? There should be nothing between us and our love for God, nobody, no TV program, no hobby or career should over shadow our relationship with God. As much as I would like to say I have reached that point in my walk I can not. I am still striving to reach that level. The level I was a lot closer to when I first got saved. Why? I ask myself, is it so hard to maintain the intensity we had in the beginning of our relationship!
You have to work at it. It is like a marriage, you have to work at it to make it work. The bible says in Galatians 5:17 
¹⁷For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 
 And in Mark 14:37 +38
³⁷And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
³⁸Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
  We have been sleeping on God, at least I know I have, I have not been living everything I know how. Yes I have been afflicted but that is not an excuse and at times I believe I have used it as an excuse to "slack off" a bit and not press my way through the pain and discomfort when I could have. There were times when I could not make it, very painful times and I let those times effect me and my desire to press on when I had the ability to do so. My spirit was willing but my flesh did not want to hurt anymore and the enemy used that to try and hinder me but I'm tired of him stealing from me and hindering my progress in Christ. When I think of the power the body of Christ could have if we all returned to our first love of Christ and even beyond that. We have to die in order to live, we have to cry sometime in order to laugh and we have to suffer before we can be delivered. I love the Lord, He gave his all for me why can't I give my all for Him?
                                           God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, A Watchman

BLINGING IN THE KINGDOM!!

Praise the Lord everybody, the worlds season of Thanksgiving is here, but for us believers every day is a day of thanksgiving. I love what God is doing in my life and at my church(FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST HOLINESS USA),
The following is just a little food for thought.

In the world they talk about getting many things like, getting rich, getting paid, getting smart, getting shorty and getting jiggy, but the the word of God says "...in all your getting get UNDERSTANDING."(Proverbs 4:7)

PROVERBS 3:13-24

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Verse 14 talks about merchandise, merchandise being a commodity or goods worth selling or giving away that are needed or desired by others. If we have the merchandise of wisdom and understanding they are to be more desired than silver and gold. Verse 22 talks about wisdom and understanding being a "grace to thy neck". In the world you see people trying to out do one another with these ornate chains, medallions and diamonds to show how prosperous they are.

God says wisdom is your gold and understanding your silver. What good is it to have material wealth if you don't have the wisdom and understanding to maintain it. Sometimes we get fixated on the golden crowns with jewels mentioned in Revelations but without the spiritual "bling" of Wisdom and Understanding we can forget about ever receiving any golden crowns.

Next time you find yourself in church singing "I'm gonna wear a crown" ask yourself if your wearing wisdom and understanding first.

            God bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall