Psalm 86:1-3 (AMP)    A Prayer of David.
"Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and distressed, needy and desiring. Preserve my life, for I am godly and dedicated; O my God, save Your servant, for I trust in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, without fear or doubt]. Be merciful and gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all the day."

I asked God to teach me what David learned while in the fields with the sheep, when he was hunted for 14 years by King Saul. Teach me what Joseph learned in the pit, as a slave and then imprisoned.

Am I the only one who believes God, trusts Him, eats His Word, studies, prays, keeps fellowship with Him and even declares His promises over my life only to wonder what I've missed?

I heard a Preacher answer this request later that evening this way - "David learned suffering."

To be completely honest, this "Timeline Photo" really brings it home for me - it's the icing on the cake. In speaking with my husband a week prior, I acknowledged this as being a real issue for me, thinking I'd already un-become everything I was. Still there's more to do.

Keep truckin Saints. As with King David and Joseph who was over all of Egypt after Pharaoh, there is a glory to be revealed in us after this. Fear not and don't faint. Whatever you're in, you and God are the majority. Listen to God and follow His lead.

Be encouraged!

"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life." - Jackie Robinson

Christianity is not passivity! Neither is it what you make it. Trees must reach a certain stage before producing fruit. Then you can tell a tree by its fruit.

“Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell].” (Heb 4.11 AMP)

If you don't invest time in the Word of God nor apply it to your life, then it’s your choice not to know who you really are. However, don't think the rest of us are sitting on our tuffets waiting for the great by and by. On the contrary, we're constantly having to deny ourselves (including thoughts and imaginations and sometimes desires and family) to minister to your friends in secret, wipe someone’s boo boo's, feed and clothe those in need; intercede in court rooms, doctor's offices and comfort others at the morgue.

By the grace of God and His Spirit, we're on the phone all hours of the night fighting for marriages, talking someone down from the bridge, standing in the gap for worthy causes, preparing sermons and messages and dinner at the same time. We trusting Jesus with help from others to stay sane, keep our families and ministries afloat and not raise hell and harm on the liars around our camps. We are indeed laboring to rest.

"He says, but that’s not a big enough job for my servant just to recover the tribes of Jacob, merely to round up the strays of Israel. I’m setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!” (Is 49.6 MSG)

We are a people who were once sinners and now saved. These are a few examples of how God empowers us to reach others and oftentimes behind the scenes.

YOU my friend are still alive because of someone's prayers. Believe that! Now receive Jesus Christ today as your Lord and Savior. Join us in being and making disciples. Lead others to Christ.

Christianity is not passivity but a life and a lifestyle - walk the talk.

There was a heinous crime committed in the French Quarters over the weekend (July 1, 2014.) Two armed men shot 10 people while running in the Quarters. Terrible isn't it?

A radio talk show host posed a question, "Should police in arms distance of the assailants run after them or stay with the victim?" 60% of those polled said run after the assailant who was arms length away from the policemen.

To add insult to injury, in addition to the aforementioned procedure, all of those who responded suggested removing the "Element" from the Quarters so that people can drink and die at their luxury. What is the "Element?" You really don't know? Well according to those "Christians" who called in, texted and emailed the Christian radio host - Black Men are the element. You should've heard some of the comments.

Needless to say, I was terribly offended and upset at the ignorance that still runs rampant in our communities! Violence is violence. It doesn't have a color but is controlled by the enemy of our souls - satan. he will use whomever is available, black, white or other.

Before you speak, consider the source of the thought. Decide if it was from God or our adversary. Use wisdom, tact and stay humble.

In John 13.34-35 Jesus says, "I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]."

In contrast, Jesus said in John 8.44, "You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false."

"Lust" in this verse is translated to mean pressure. If satan can apply enough pressure on you, you will become his instrument of destruction.

There is no luke warm Christianity. You're either for Christ or against Him.

Therefore, "For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.

For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,

[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete. Look at [this obvious fact] which is before your eyes.

If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him reflect and remind himself that even as he is Christ’s, so too are we." (2 Corin 10.3-7 AMP)

Pray. Listen for God. Walk the talk.