SHAKEN BUT NOT FORSAKEN

Praise the Lord, and to God be all the glory. I pray that all that are reading this are enjoying Gods’ blessing, but even as I write these words I know that there are Christians out there that feel that they have somehow been separated or even forsaken by God. This is not abnormal. Many believers go through such periods, even Jesus Himself had a moment of pain and doubt as He hung on the cross and cried out “, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?(see Mark 15:34)
Jesus was able to go on and complete His mission because He knew in His heart that His father would never leave Him because God promised He wouldn’t. The same promise that was made to Jesus was also made to us. God said “my people perish for the lack of knowledge.”(Hosea 4:6) I just want to share with you just a few of the scriptures in the bible where God promises that He would never leave us or forsake us. God gave us his word so that we can use it to empower ourselves in our walk on this earth.
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5 - [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:9 - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 

1 Chronicles 28:20 - And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Those are just a few of the scriptures God has given us in His word to let us know that He never leaves us or forsakes us. We as believers have to stand on His word and not allow circumstances or fear cause us to doubt whether God is with us in any situation we may find ourselves in. It is the enemy who tries to bring fear and doubt into our lives but Got tells us in 2nd Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Even in our darkest moments, when there seems to be no one there to help us we who call ourselves, Disciples, believers and followers of Christ, must grab hold of Gods’ word believing that He who said it will carry out and keep His promises. That is the hallmark of those that are called out to be His. Remember God gave us His word, and His Son the “living word” to let us know that His promises are real.
I hope this will give you a little something to hold onto whenever the enemy seems to be coming in like a flood. I'd like to leave you with the following scripture from Romans chapter 8,  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
AMEN.
             God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

THE GOSPEL OF THE FLESH

Praise the Lord everybody! because He alone is worthy to be praised! Oh it is great to be alive and in Christ, especially in these last and evil days. God is moving by His spirit and so is the enemy and the spirit of the anti-Christ. We as believers must remain steadfast and diligent as we await our day of redemption. As the gospel of Christ continues to be spread throughout the world there is is another gospel that is competing for our attention, and that is the gospel of the flesh.

The word "gospel" means "good news" and the Gospel of Christ is certainly that, but the flesh has it's own "gospel" that it preaches. It whispers in our ears the "good news" of how you and it can live happily together forever, you taking care of it and it taking care of you.

God's word tells us in Galatians 1:6-9     6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Your flesh is what drove your old nature but the word says that anyone who is in Christ "is a new creature, old things have passed away behold all things have become new."(2nd Cor. 5:17) In order to be in Christ, you first have to die to self, and your flesh does not want to die. It wants life and that life more abundantly, but the abundance it wants is not the same abundant life Jesus talks about in the tenth chapter of the book of  John.

  Jesus himself said in Matthew 26:4141 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Paul also said in Romans 13:13+14  13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The flesh lusts after things, even things we need like food, shelter, clothing, and that lust leads to things like obesity, stealing, murder, and all the health and legal problems that go along with that. The lust of the flesh is the root cause of all kinds of addictions, fetishes, and compulsive behaviors. that is why Paul also said in Romans 8:13   13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

I don't know about anybody else but I want to live! Throughout my life, I have listened to the gospel of the flesh, and it has led me down the path of various addictions. I have struggled over the years with my weight, drug addiction, pornography, and masturbation. I had to stop listening to my flesh concerning those things, I became deaf to the flesh and its' siren song. I am still dealing with the aftermath of these struggles especially the weight I gained over the years.

One thing I know, and that is that there is only victory in the spirit and only failure in the flesh. Paul writes in Galatians 5:19-2419 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

This is the true gospel of the flesh and it is not good news unless you use it as a warning. Take it from someone who knows that the flesh is the "root of all kinds of evil."

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

RELIGION, RELATIONSHIP AND GOD

Praise the Lord everybody. If you are saved or if you have been around Christians you have heard about the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. You may ask yourself “how do you have a relationship with God? Why would God take time out from His busy schedule to spend time with me?” First, we must define a relationship.
The Dictionary states that Relationship: means, 1. the condition or fact of being related; connection or association.
2. Connection by blood or marriage; or kinship.
3. A particular type of connection existing between people related to or having dealings with each other: has a close relationship with his siblings.
4. A romantic or sexual involvement.
Let us look at numbers 2 and 3; these are the two that come closest to describing the relationship we should have with God.
 First of all, having religion does not mean you have a relationship with God. See Matthew 7:21 – 23   21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Religious works and/or ceremony do not equal a relationship. First, we must be covered and washed in the blood of Jesus before we can even be recognized by God. A real Intimate personal relationship with God starts with accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior and then a strong prayer life. How much time you spend with God in your prayer closet is an important factor. Jesus prayed every chance He Got. See Matthew 26:37-39. We must realize that God wants to fellowship with us see Genesis 3:8 and John: 16+17, we are his creation.

The number one benefit of being in right relationship with God is it comes with a gift, and that gift is salvation from our sins, allowing us to have everlasting life in His presence. Without this, we would die in our sin and spend eternity in Hell. Romans 6:22, 23 states 22 but now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we are in a relationship with God we not only receive the gift of eternal life but He gives us the power to live a Christ-like selfless life and a helper to lead us on our journey. See John 14:26.

Being in a right relationship as opposed to being on the outs with God is the most important thing a man can do for his eternal security and for his family. David said in Psalms 37: 23-25 23 the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

The benefits of a relationship with Jesus are too many to count, this is just a little something to get your attention,

         God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

THE PASTOR OF PRAYER

Praise the Lord everybody, I pray you are all enjoying God’s blessing. I have been sitting here for a few hours now thinking back to when I first got saved. It was a hot summer day in August 1992, I had been running the streets of New York for almost four years chasing the “dragon” known as crack cocaine. This day I walked into a large church someone told me about called Times Square Church, with the hope of scamming them out of some money but God had another plan. As I told the lady at the desk my story she looked deep into my soul and then she said: “We don’t give money out anymore.” My heart dropped and then she picked up her bible and read to me “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you”(Matthew 6:33) I immediately broke down and began sobbing uncontrollably. I was a broken man. As I cried she led me through the "sinners’ prayer" and I gave my life to the Lord and then she sent me to see a man that would change my life, Pastor Billy White.

Pastor White was a true believer and a man of Prayer. He held the unofficial title of “Pastor of prayer” at the time and also pastored the churches homeless outreach and soup kitchen. Billy White taught me the importance of prayer and the power of prayer. He taught me how to “pray through” in other words to pray until something happens. Pastor White was a little pale looking man about 35 years old who was constantly fighting off some kind of cold, drinking hot tea and knocking back ginseng and cold medicine. Despite these things he was a powerful man of God.

Before we would open the doors to the soup kitchen / coffee house ministry he pastored to let the homeless and those in need come inside to eat, Pastor Billy would give us a sort of pep talk sermonette and then he would lead us in prayer for what seemed to be about two hours. We would be in their corporately praying, tearing down strongholds and binding up dark spirits and losing the power of the Holy Spirit so that our outreach would go forth without incident. Pastor Billy taught me the importance of spiritual warfare. After all the prayer that went on in our little Chapel/ cafeteria you could feel the prayer as soon as you walked in and we never had an episode of violence there in all those years.

Pastor white was the first to recognize my calling and it is because of him I am known as a praying man today. Billy White passed away about ten years ago but I will never forget his zeal and his fiery prayers. He had a burden for the homeless and addicts. Getting them into discipleship programs including myself who he got into a place called Timothy House, one of the best programs in New York at the time. I flourished there as God groomed me for such a time as this. I thank God for Billy White and the training I received under his ministry and that training is still with me today. I pray you all find your own Billy White someday and if yours is still alive send them some love their way while you still can.

              God Bless you All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off the Wall

THE BUNNY IS WINNING!!

Praise the Lord everybody!! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! I pray everyone is enjoying Gods' blessing on this resurrection Sunday.

I began writing this post today, "Easter" Sunday to the world and known as "resurrection" Sunday to most of us Christians because I noticed something different in the spirit this year. Even though I could not get out to Church because of my disability my wife was able to get out to our Church today and she was able to confirm what I had been feeling.

The Bunny is winning! Where are all the "Church folk" with all their finery crowding into churches in reverence to the Lord? On a day that the joy of the Lord is usually seen and felt everywhere, there was a distinct lack of fanfare for our "risen" Savior throughout the city and even the nation. I couldn't even find a decent sunrise Resurrection day service on television or cable, but everywhere I looked on T.V. or social media the "Bunny" was leading the charge.

There were Easter egg hunts everywhere including the White House. Commercials about chocolate bunnies and Cadbury Easter eggs were everywhere. Facebook was filled with pictures of children and pets dressed up as bunnies, and a lot were posted by so called Christians. I asked myself "where are the tributes to the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

Are these the times Jesus was talking about in Matthew 24: 3-14  3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Anyone with eyes can see that we are in the Last days and Jesus said that in those last days that "the love of many shall wax cold." Their love for their fellow man and their love for Jesus shall and is dwindling away and it becomes more evident everyday. On the day that celebrates Jesus Christ rise from the grave after dying on a cross for the Sin of mankind, the bunny got more media coverage and more reverence.

In a time when every Christian holiday is being downsized, it is time for Christians to take a stand, especially in the United States of America. The spirit of the anti-Christ is running rampant in America where Christians are trying to blend into the world rather than resisting the world in order to show the world a better way.

Brothers and sisters the bunny is winning and it's time for us to wake up.
          God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

I AM SIMON OF CYRENE: REVISITED

Praise the Lord, I first posted this at this time the last two years and I was blessed by the response. During this time of prayer and reflection, I was moved to re-post it this year. To God be the glory.



Praise the Lord everybody! I pray everyone is enjoying these holy days leading up to Resurrection Sunday. These are days of wonder, days to look back in retrospect at what Jesus did for us. The other night I was watching the "Passion of the Christ" and as I watched I was again appalled by the brutality of His death. I also was intrigued by the plight of Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry His cross. As I meditated on it I was moved to write the following account as seen through Simon's eyes. Luke 23:26
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 


I am Simon of Cyrene and a heartbreaking but wonderful thing happened to me on a  Friday many years ago as I entered the city. There were crowds everywhere and as I neared the via Dolorosa I heard the sound of the woman weeping and wailing mixed with the shouts of men.I could not see to whom or to what all this emotion was directed, so I pressed in closer to get a better view.

It was then that I saw this large wooden cross that seemed to be dragging itself down the stone covered street surrounded by Roman soldiers. I said to myself "how is it that the cross moves?" Then I saw Him, half  hidden by the crossbar a bowed and bloody figure stumbling under its burden. Blood was pooled in his every footprint as He grunted and groaned with His every step. Every part of him I could see was ripped and bruised, His flesh hung in ribbons.

As I detachedly watched, the agonizingly slow procession I was suddenly thrust into the surreal scene when I heard a voice loudly growl "YOU!! YES, YOU! COME HERE AND HELP HIM CARRY HIS LAST BURDEN!" as the soldiers laughed, I hesitated and started to protest, then I thought about running but thought the better of it.
As I approached this poor soul I could feel his pain and anguish, it was weird. I sped up to avoid the lash and arrived at his side just in time as he fell into me placing all his weight and that of the cross on me. I summoned all my strength and somehow kept us both upright.

Just like that, I found myself going from onlooker to the eye of the storm, surrounded by a whirlwind of emotions. As I joined in this obvious death march I was conflicted as I looked upon Priest and Pharisees and other devout men cursing this man yelling "blasphemer!! Crucify him!!" as they spit at us as I now shared in his shame. I thought to myself "my God what has he done to deserve this?"

At that point, he lifted up his eyes to me and I saw tears, not tears of anger or pain but tears of compassion FOR ME!! FOR ME! OF ALL THINGS!  he was concerned for me, even as he was suffering in what was undoubtedly his final moments. He looked at me and never said a word but that look said it all.
He then righted himself and continued on ahead of me leading me and his cross toward Golgotha the hill where hey liked to crucify and leave them hanging to be seen by everyone as an example. He could barely carry his own weight and as we drew nearer stumbled again and again, finally I dragged Him, myself and the cross to the top of the hill.

"OK you can go on your way now!" barked the Centurion as they began to unload the hammers and the nails. They ripped him out of my grasp and though I wanted to turn and run away I reached out to Him and asked "Who are you?" but He did not speak but again I felt his compassion as I finally turned and walked away covered in his blood. One of the soldiers cried out "YOU SHOULD BE HONORED, He CLAIMS TO BE A KING! KING OF THE JEWS!"

As I walked away I tried to wipe his blood from my person but I am glad I was unsuccessful, even though you can't see it anymore it is always there and the man whose name I did not know, three days later rose from the dead, I know Him now as Jesus the Christ my Lord and my Savior.
                     God bless you all, Simon of Cyrene

     I KNOW IT WAS THE BLOOD!   BROTHER DARRELL, A WATCHMAN

THE CALL OF THE WILD!!: HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE?

Praise the Lord everybody! God is great and greatly to be praised! I can't thank God enough for what He is doing in my life. I can not stress to you enough the importance of being obedient to the Holy spirit when He gives you instructions. Oh how I love Jesus and it is that Love that keeps me striving after Him, to walk in His way.

The Lord wants to know today how strong our love is for Him. Is it strong enough to withstand the call of the world? How about the call of our other nature? God has called us out of the world but sometimes our flesh hears another call, can your love for Jesus keep you straight?
God's chosen people were often faced with the same issues as we see in Jeremiah 2:17-25(NIV)    Have you not brought this on yourselves
    by forsaking the Lord your God
    when he led you in the way?
18 Now why go to Egypt
    to drink water from the Nile[b]?
And why go to Assyria
    to drink water from the Euphrates?
19 Your wickedness will punish you;
    your backsliding will rebuke you.
Consider then and realize
    how evil and bitter it is for you
when you forsake the Lord your God
    and have no awe of me,”
declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
20 “Long ago you broke off your yoke
    and tore off your bonds;
    you said, ‘I will not serve you!’
Indeed, on every high hill
    and under every spreading tree
    you lay down as a prostitute.
21 I had planted you like a choice vine
    of sound and reliable stock.
How then did you turn against me
    into a corrupt, wild vine?
22 Although you wash yourself with soap
    and use an abundance of cleansing powder,
    the stain of your guilt is still before me,”
declares the Sovereign Lord.
23 “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled;
    I have not run after the Baals’?
See how you behaved in the valley;
    consider what you have done.
You are a swift she-camel
    running here and there,
24 a wild donkey accustomed to the desert,
    sniffing the wind in her craving—
    in her heat who can restrain her?
Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves;
    at mating time they will find her.
25 Do not run until your feet are bare
    and your throat is dry.
But you said, ‘It’s no use!
    I love foreign gods,
    and I must go after them.’

A Donkey in "heat" who can restrain her? When that second nature calls you do you respond as a donkey in heat saying "it's no use!" and then turn away from God and go back to those things that satisfied your lust, your flesh? Or is your love and desire to please God keep you going forward in Him? I must admit there was a time after I got saved that I was that wild donkey, turning back to drugs every time the desire to get high would strongly come upon me. I would struggle to stay clean but after awhile I would throw up both my hands and say "it's no use!"

Thanks be to God for  His long suffering nature. After He delivered me from death time after time despite my weakness I began to understand and appreciate His love for me.The love I thought I had for God finally became real and began to manifest itself by giving me a stronger desire to please Him and not myself. In that love I found the strength to live holy and the strength to say no to the cravings of my sinful nature.

I'd like to leave you with this to chew on from Ephesians 2:1-6   And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

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