I’ve heard it said that this year of our Lord, 2014, is The Year of Release. It’s not just the release of assets from God to your hands but also the year in which you surrender your heart and all of its issues to Jesus. It’s the year God releases you from wanting to Being.

Every pretty faced well-dressed Christian does not have it all together. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The church as a whole suffers many issues and as a reminder, this brief address challenges the parishioner to a closer walk with Jesus.

One obstacle is the lack of discernment. Another is not attentively listening for and acting on the unction of the Holy Ghost. Another, intercede on someone's behalf in prayer - prayer consisting of God's promises and not what you want for that person. Some Christians are downright lazy – as long as they get theirs, no one else matters. Others are enablers, you keep doing the works while the other person does nothing. This behavior removes God from the relationship and leaves Him in theory only and it has to stop!

So what’s hindering our personal and corporate growth? Our will to release. Surrender today those things that keep you from fulfilling the will of God concerning you. Those things veiled in your heart and never spoken of because of imminent pain and/or judgment from onlookers. Know this simple truth, those unresolved issues are quietly preventing you from being the manifested sons of God.

What then should happen? Release, surrender and resign from your post. Place the Blood of Jesus on your doorpost and kick the devil out of your house! This is your year of release from depression, anxiety, ill health, thoughts of suicide and your plan. Release all negativity from within your heart. Release yourself from gossiping about others, from murmuring and complaining and from wanting to control everything. Sever your ties with confusion in business and relationships. This is your year of release from extra marital affairs and pornography. Make this your year to stop lying, stop over eating, stop eating the wrong things, stop being a closet drunk or drug addict, stop smoking and dying a slow death. Stop being bullied by the devil. Stop playing with the devil. Take a second look; is money your god? Are you working to make your name great or have you left that up to God?

If we believe and have faith in God, then we need to part company with fear and walk upright in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. My Christian brothers and sisters, put on the whole armor of God and stand ready to defend the faith and win souls for Christ. Our brothers and sisters are being badgered by the enemy to surrender what Jesus has promised them. If he did it to Adam, then he’ll do it to your friend or loved one, your coworker or praise team member, your pastor or his/her child. Be ready to stand in the gap.

Men aught always to pray and not cease. Prayer changes things. Effectual fervent prayers of those in right standing with God changes much. Cultivate your prayer life. Ask Jesus to teach you to pray. Go back to church! Seek help on how to pray from your church leaders, including the Mother Boards. Study the Word of God and learn how to pray effectively and responsibly. PRAY!

Church, let’s repent and stand ready to see the salvation of the Lord. We must believe that God will not just restore us to our former glory but that this latter church will be greater. We will be seen this time with power as the glory of the Lord will shine about us. We are that city on a hill. We are not grasshoppers. We are well able to take back souls from the devil beginning with our own.

The time to amend our programs, departments, ministries and relationships within the market place to include short term and long term care for individuals and families suffering loss, addictions, emotional/psychological disorders and suicide is now. Let’s steward our Father’s business effectively.

Live in Christ Fearlessly!

The devil binds people with thoughts of failure and suicide, even in Christian homes. It is he who places pressure in one’s mind as an attempt to drive out the voice of God in their hearts. When pressures surmount many boil over and give refuge to the thought of suicide.

Don’t let the devil trick you out of your promises! Jesus loves you with an incomparable love. He will move the earth for you, but requires you trust Him, believe Him and love Him enough to allow Him access to your heart. Please consider the following if you’ve had thoughts of suicide. I believe it will save your life:

• You are never alone. There is help! Within the United States, Dial 911 immediately! You will receive assistance of law professionals who will contact others on your behalf promptly. There is also the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 if you are contemplating suicide.

• Acknowledge that God is bigger than all of your issues combined, magnified x1 trillion and warmed over. He is the One that called you, placed you in the womb and breathed life into your body. No matter what your experiences, He still loves you and wants you back.

• If you’ve not surrendered your life to Jesus Christ or you have back slidden (lived as if you were never saved), then surrender now. You took a detour and were led away from the light of this glorious gospel by the devil, Satan, the enemy of your soul. God didn’t leave you. You left him. Come home. Say aloud the following, “Lord forgive me for my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for my release from sin. Lord Jesus, come into my life. I’ll make you my Lord and my Savior.”

• Ask for help! This requires you put all of the pride, embarrassment and shame aside. It seems frightening, I know however you are strong enough to do it. There is a King in you. You don’t sense Him because of the issues you’re facing. That is what the devil wants to happen. He’s already a defeated foe and he desires to bring you down as well. His job, as Jesus Himself has said, is to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus also said that the devil is the father of lies. He doesn’t live in the truth. He is a murderer. Your focus is off. Stop looking at the issues. Jesus said the reason for His coming is that you would have life and it more abundantly. Turn to God. This is the first push of God for your life when you are considering killing yourself.

• Speak the Word. If all you know is that Jesus saved you, then say it until you believe it; even in the middle of the crisis! Once you believe it, repent and Ask for Help immediately. The shortest prayer recorded in the Bible is Peter crying out to Jesus as he began to sink, “Lord Help!” You feel as if you’re sinking and you don’t see a way out. There’s good news my friend, Jesus saved Peter from drowning and He’ll do the same for you!

• Don’t be afraid! Release the emotions and thoughts of suicide by crying aloud, real big! Who cares who hears you and what they think. This is your life on the line. God has appointed when you should die and He has commanded you NEVER to kill.

• Trust God. Paul was imprisoned and a group shut themselves up in a house to pray for his release. God sent an angel and released him from prison. He arrived at the house where the saints were praying and knocked on the door. This will be your testimony. You were imprisoned by the enemy of your soul in fear, depression, ill health and the death of everything you’ve tried. My friend, God has prepared a body of believers to pray for your release. The glory of the Lord will shine about you as your testimony. You take the next step. Call someone today!

• You are not alone. Get help! Pick up the phone and dial a number. Even if it’s wrong, trust that God will have the right person answer. If they can’t talk you down, they know someone who can. If you attend a church, go to someone you trust for help. If you’ve stopped attending church, go back and lay on the altar until the Lord moves. He will move! Please, don’t worry about what others might say. That is the devil playing tricks with your mind. Rebuke him and kick him out.

• When you receive help, stay the course. Don’t stop and turn back to your old ways of thinking and being. Determine to change. Change must take place for your success in life God’s way. After all, you are created in His image and His likeness. Jesus Christ loves you with an incomparable love. He will move the earth for you, but it requires you trust Him, believe Him and love Him enough to allow Him access to your heart.

Live in Christ Fearlessly!

Pastor Young and I have a bunch of sons! Without fail, when we tell them to load up (meaning everyone get in the truck) there are at least 4 of them who ask where we’re going. They ask during the entire trip. Sometimes it’s a surprise and others not. Some trips are short and others require an overnight stay in the middle of our excursion. Many roads snake through the country and others climb mountains. We’ve often run into DOTD construction along the way. What do I say when someone’s asked me again where we’re going, ‘Just ride.’ It’s improper English I know. But they understand I’m aggravated, lol.

As parents, we’re not of the mindset to purposely hurt or injure our children. They are safe with us. We don’t lie to them. We want the best for them. We give them what God has provided us especially His Word. They know that by the end of the trip, through sunshine and rain, lunches consisting of cold fried chicken and boiled eggs, and potty breaks every so often, it will have been worth the wait. I think the only thing we’re missing is the rear facing back seat!

I want to encourage you. I hope I succeed and maybe cause you to smile. Life throws us some challenges. Today our route is clear and we know where we’re headed. Tomorrow something is thrown in the way. There’s the loss we didn’t expect. An illness that we’re told is severe enough to take a life if not attended to immediately. Friends and family seem to have forgotten your name.

My dear brother or sister let me remind you, if you are doing what God said and your efforts don’t show progress nor do your next steps appear clear at first glance, then just ride. Trust God. When you feel anxious or discouraged, refer to the promises of Jesus, speak them aloud to yourself to comfort you, worship God and just ride. Don’t abandon ship and plan your own diversions. Stay the course designed for you, strengthen your faith and just ride.

Now a few Words from our Sponsor: Have faith in God; The just shall live by faith; We walk by faith and not by sight; Build yourselves up on your most Holy faith; All things work together for good for them who love God and are called according to His purpose; Therefore, submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.

This is a snippet from a lesson I’ve entitled, “Just Ride.” In the meantime, make time for Jesus and study. He’s the Man with the plan and YOU are the apple of His eye!