GOD'S TOKEN: WORTH MORE THAN A BUS RIDE

Praise the Lord everybody!! Let everything that has breath praise His holy name. God is truly moving by His spirit in these last and evil days. I am grateful that He has seen fit to allow me to see what I've seen so far and I pray God allows me to remain until He comes.

With all the trials and tribulations I have endured over the years, you would think that I would become bitter and question my faith. Yet I have given no thought to doing such a thing. The other day I was reminded of one reason why I do not.

I was enjoying another "Hour of Power" service at my church the other day when we read a scripture that grabbed my attention.
 2nd Thessalonians 1:1-7

1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

Paul tells the church at Thessalonica that the trials, persecutions, and tribulations that they are going through are just a "manifest token" of God's righteous judgment, a part of being proven worthy of the kingdom of God.
How many of you remember when we had to buy tokens in order to ride the bus or trains in New York? The token was a little coin that you put in a machine at the subway station and once the machine recognized and accepted the token it would then allow you into the train station to ride the train.

Paul is also telling all Christians that there is a price to be paid by believers to ride the gospel train into the "kingdom of Heaven". The trials and tribulations that we endure for and in Christ are our "manifest token", our proof that we belong on that train. One of the keywords in verse 4 is to "endure". We must endure these trials, standing flatfooted in our faith, and trusting that God will see us through. This is how we purchase our token, not with money but with faith.

Jesus paid the price with His life. If we want to follow Him we must receive our "manifest token".

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

THE FEAR FACTOR: FEAR IS NOT FROM GOD!!

Praise the Lord everybody!! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Happy belated New Year!! to everyone. this is my first post of the new year and I'm looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in the coming year. I recently wrote the following article for another ministry about a week ago, at their request. I pray it blesses you all as it did them, God bless.


              THE FEAR FACTOR: FEAR IS NOT FROM GOD

                                              BY BROTHER DARRELL

Praise the Lord everybody! Today I want to share with you on the subject of “FEAR” as it pertains to God and His word and His people. The dictionary describes fear as this:

1.

a. A very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger: Our fears intensified as the storm approached.

b. A state or condition marked by this feeling: living in constant fear of attack; saved as much as he could for fear of losing his job.

 2. Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a deity.

As Christians we should all be familiar with number 2, the Bible states that “the FEAR of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10)

The Fear we will be discussing is not the fear of the Lord but the fears expressed in definition 1, the fears we all have experienced at one time or another. It all started with a lie by the father of lies back in the beginning in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3:7-10 states

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, where art thou?

10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

This is where fear came into being, before this, there wasn’t any reason for man to fear. Man was in right relationship with his maker, he had been given dominion over the Garden and all animal life. Then the devil came in the form of a snake and twisted God’s word and thereby lied to the woman causing her and the man to sin and losing their good standing with God. (Read whole chapter)

Jesus stated in John 8:44 44 you belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Jesus was letting His disciples know not to trust or believe anything the devil says to you, and one of the devils biggest weapons is fear. Paul states in 2nd Timothy 1:7 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

If God did not give us the spirit of fear then who did? It is a lie from the pit of hell, God’s word is full of examples that tell us that we are to live by faith and not fear anything or anyone but to fear/ reverence the Lord only. Too many Christians are allowing fear to paralyze them in their everyday lives. The devil loves to use fear because he can use it to torment the saints. Those Saints need to be reminded whose they are and whom they serve. The Christian movement Apparel company has put out a T-shirt saying “FEAR: IS A LIE” based on 2nd Timothy 1:7, it is a reminder to us all, which I feel is very appropriate for these last and evil days. 

The devil is a liar! And fear is one of his main weapons, so whenever you feel that dread, that anxiety or that helplessness that is associated with fear just remember God’s word and His promises and you will never fall to fear again. God bless you all.
                                                                Brother Darrell          

THE WONDERFUL BURDEN OF THE LIGHT!

Praise the Lord everybody, let everything that has breath praise His holy name!! For He has done great things!! I love the Lord, and if loving him is wrong, I don't want to be right! I can't say it enough, these are exciting times we are living in if you have ears to hear and eyes to see what God is doing in these last and evil days. God is pouring out His spirit and old men like me are seeing visions and young men are dreaming dreams.

I just want to share a little something God dropped in my spirit the other day. It started when I heard a preacher on TV read the scripture, Matthew 11:28-30  28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I love this scripture but it was verse thirty that got my attention, especially the last five words, "... and my burden is light." It hit me like never before "GOD GIVES US A BURDEN!" I said to myself
God gives us an individual burden when we get saved, and He also gives us a general burden that we who make up the body of Christ all share. God has given us all a burden for souls as we carry the gospel of Christ to the world and we are also called to be a light to those lost in the darkness of this world. Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-16                                                                                        
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Not only is Gods burden light, His burden is light. The "light" of God that shines through those of us who are walking in His light, must not be snuffed out by sin or hidden under a "bushel" of religeous ceremony or practices. Our burden is to carry that light wherever we go so that it can be seen by others causing them to want to glorify God with their lives also.

1st John 1:4-7 states   4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5 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:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

This is the wonderful burden that God has given us, to be the carriers of the light in a dark world and to live a life worthy of that task.
         God Bless You All, Brother Darrell, Speaking Off The Wall

JESUS IS COMING SOON: ARE YOU LIVING LIKE YOU BELIEVE IT?

Praise the Lord everybody! Let everything that has breath praise His holy name! The Lord is in His holy Temple, praise Him. The Lord is revealing himself more and more in these Last and evil days. God is beginning to pour out His spirit upon all flesh.

I'm an okay singer, but I still love singing God's praise. I love worshiping Him. The other day I was at the "hour of power" service at my church and we were worshiping and rejoicing in the fact that Jesus was soon to come, based on the "signs of the times." As I sat there praising His coming, I heard a voice speak saying "are you really ready for my Son to come back? are you really living like He could come back at any time?" I had to stop praising and think about it.

I asked myself, "If Jesus came back right now, would I be caught up to meet Him, or would I be left behind?" When I thought about it I realized that I like many in the body of Christ, was not always living as if I really believed that God was coming back any day now. I prayed about it and sang about it but I did not always "live about it."

Matthew 24: 37-46 states       37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  

Jesus is coming back soon and God is warning us that if we have not been living like we truly believe that, then we better start living like we believe starting now. The signs of the times are everywhere, these are the last of the last days and God is warning His people and pouring out His spirit. When I think about it I realize there were many times I was doing some things or saying some things I would not have wanted Jesus to catch me doing or saying.

It's easy to sing songs and spit out words, but even the world knows actions speak louder than words. I want Jesus to find me doing what I've been called to do and LIVING in grateful anticipation of His return.

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

IN THE CLEFT OF THE ROCK: REVISITED

Bless the Lord, oh my soul! God is great and greatly to be praised! I love the lord and I strive every day to be the man of God I am called to be. Sometimes during that process, I have to look back at some of the lessons God has taught me, lessons I have shared with you all here in my blog. The following is such a lesson, there is a place I need to get to in God and after reading this, I believe you all will want to get there too.

 So here is "IN THE CLEFT OF THE ROCK" I pray it blesses you and re-ignites your fire as it did me.


 I've been very close to some mighty big blessings over the years, then I would self-destruct and miss out on a long awaited blessing that came so close I could taste it. Not this year, this year I want to feel Him all over me like I used to. This year I'm not asking for a little more Jesus, I'm giving Jesus more of me. In other words all of me.

A little over a week ago as I was meditating during my weekly consecration I told God these things and He brought to mind the following scripture and at first I did not get the connection, Exodus 33: 18-23  .18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

After awhile I realized God was letting me know that if I desired to get to where I wanted to be in Him,  that there was a place near to Him from which I could see His glory at work in my Life. A safe place where I could stand upon a rock, a rock Named Jesus and God would put me in a place in that rock, a cleft, a hiding place where I could stand and watch God work in my life.

Many times we who name Christ Jesus as our Lord and savior want to see God's full glory pass through our lives but we do not want to get in the place that God wants to put us so that we can watch him work for us and in us in His fullness. we have to get in a cleft of the rock. A cleft is a crack, a crevice, a split in the rock, a small place with just enough room for you to stand with no room for a lot of movement. To many of us want to move around trying to handle our own business along with our friends business instead of doing what God wants us to do "stand still and watch me work". Getting to these clefts is no easy task, it requires much dedication to prayer and fasting, denying oneself in order to experience God's fullness in our lives. When I was younger it was easier to reach those clefts but as I get older it seems to become harder.

I'm tired of just saying and singing "God is my all and all" I want Him to BE my All and All. I want to again abide in the cleft of the Rock, how about you?

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

MARTYR OR SELF-MARTYRDOM: EITHER WAY WE ALL HAVE TO DIE.

Praise the Lord everybody, let everything that has breath praise His holy name. God is moving by His spirit in these last and evil days. I look forward to being a witness as Gods plan unfolds and God willing, I live to see it all happen.

 today I’d like to share with you on the subject of death and dying as it pertains to those of us who are Christians or as I like to call myself a “true believer.” I think every Christian at one time or another has searched themselves over the question of martyrdom. We all wonder what we would do if we had to make that choice of living for self or dying for our faith in Christ.

The thing is God has already called us to die. The dictionary describes a “martyr” as these two things: One who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles.

2. One who makes great sacrifices or suffers much in order to further a belief, cause, or principle.

Let’s look at number two; this describes what makes all true Christians a “martyr”. Jesus said in Mark 8:34-35  34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Paul also states in Colossians 3:1-4

 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where ChIf ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

God has called us to be “self-martyrs.” To Commit self-martyrdom. Paul tells us that we no longer live but it is Christ who lives through us and in us. (see Galatians 2:20) Once we as Christians grasp the fact that “we” no longer live and no longer are subject to our fleshly desires, it becomes easier for us to live a sacrificial life. Romans 12:1 states I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

If you have read Acts chapters 6 and 7 then you are familiar with a true believer named Stephan who was the first Christian martyr. The bible says he was full of the Holy Spirit and his ministry was followed by “signs and wonders.” He was put on trial by the Pharisees and Sadducees for preaching the “blasphemy” of the gospel of Christ. He was found guilty and was taken out and stoned to death. Acts chapter seven states that Stephen did not deny Christ nor plead for his life verses 59 and 60 states 59 and they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord; lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

You see Stephen was already a martyr, he had died to self a long time before this happened. His flesh did not cry out to live because he had already mortified his flesh and all he could see was Jesus as he asked God to forgive his accusers.

When we can get to the point in our relationships with Christ that Stephan had achieved we won’t have to question ourselves about whether or not we would be willing to die for our faith.  We will be ready willing and able to lay our lives down for our faith, and then we will know what Paul was feeling when he stated in Philippians 1:21 for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Finally my Brothers and Sisters, I say give your lives totally to Christ and let Him decide what to do with it.

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

JESUS CHRIST: A LEGACY WORTH PRESERVING

Praise the Lord everybody! Let everything that has breath praise His holy name!! I bless the Lord, I bless the Lord, and His praise shall forever be in my mouth. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate what God is doing in my life. The fact that I woke up this morning in the land of the living is reason enough to praise God, He alone is worthy to be praised.

As I left the weekly "hour of power" service at my church this week began to gaze out the window of the Access A Ride vehicle, and as we rolled through the streets of Harlem on our way home to the Bronx, I began to feel something stir up in my spirit. I began to take notice of all the refurbished BrownStone buildings, some were show pieces while others were still in the process of being renovated. I watched as people struggled to maintain a legacy, an earthly history and something that would bring a certain historic charm to their world.

The Lord began to speak through His spirit, telling me how these people were struggling to maintain a history that can not be saved. He reminded me of what Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 24:1+2   And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

I began to see man as God saw us, struggling to hold on to what can not be held on to, holding on feebly to the natural when we needed to be holding onto that which is spiritual. We are not concerned as much about our spiritual legacies as we should be. Our lives here on earth have become too precious to us, our own creations and ideas fill our hearts and minds. Being out and about our fathers business is something the world rarely thinks about and Christians are following the world instead of Christ.

Paul states in Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

We need to remember who's we are and whom we serve. For the short amount of time we are here on earth God has a mission for us, It's not about establishing our legacy, it's about building the legacy of Jesus Christ. Jesus died for us so that by His blood we could be saved from ourselves and reconciled with God. The only thing Jesus was concerned about leaving behind as His "legacy" was His Gospel, and the Holy spirit to empower man to spread the Gospel and to live Godly lifestyles.

As men and woman of God, our concern should be that we bear spiritual fruit, rather than worldly fruit. Jesus states in John 15:1-5    I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

Let us bear the fruit that God requires and not the fruit that flesh desires.
             God Bless you all, Brother Darrell, Speaking off the wall