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Yearly Archives: 2010

God’s On Facebook. What’s Your Status?

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Today I had a riveting revelation. I was praying and began to be deep in thought, and wanted God to show me how to improve my life in a greater way, and to tell me in a way that I could understand. I was essentially saying, “Show me the things about me that need to change, that I can be a better Christian, not just a better person to everyone”. And boy, did I ever get what I asked for!

God always has a funny way of showing me things, and today he took my mind to Facebook. It’s something that pretty much everyone that I know uses all the time and very frequently, a tool used to keep up with each other and communicate in ways that was never possible before. So here’s something to wrap your mind around.

What if every so often, rather than uploading pictures to your profile of all the ones that you liked, that God took ones of the good and bad moments of your life, and let everyone see them?

What if the same principle applied to uploading videos? Can you imagine what kind of videos we would see of ourselves in the bad moments?

What if rather than posting your status for what you were doing, that you wanted people to know about, that God posted your status for some of the things that you didn’t want people to know about?

What if every single time we had a bad thought about someone, that God posted this thought about them and wrote it to their wall for them to see?

What if rather than being able to state all the information about yourself that you want people to know, that God posted all the information about you that you maybe were trying to keep a secret from everyone?

Can you even imagine if this was how it really was? If this were the case, I’ll go ahead and tell you, no one would have a facebook, or a MySpace, or anything for that matter. People would be too afraid of things coming out, because we all have our problems every day that we all go through. It’s easy to make an online profile and paint the pretty picture of the perfect life online, but God sees us exactly as we are in our real lives:

Matthew 9:4

[4] And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Isaiah 40:12-14

[12] Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

[13] Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

[14] With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

We often forget that God is essentially keeping a status of our life, taking snapshots of our every day, keeping record of all that we do, and we are going to have to answer for it one day, and it’s not going to be something that we can just delete, like we can on Facebook. It’s not something that we can update later. We will be held accountable; we will have to answer for what we are called to do. And to me, that’s a scary thought, and something we need to adjust to now.

God has shown me through this that I need to be able to be caught at any point in my day and be able to be seen having a Christian profile: being able to be a light 24/7, ready to lead people to Christ at any time, and not just fronting when it’s convenient, or when I feel like logging into it. It’s a call, not a voluntary thing you sign up for. Praise God for giving us guidance in this walk of life. Where would we be without it?

You Are One In A Million

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I write this blog today, not as one that we can really learn something from, but more as a word of encouragement to all of you out there, that might feel small or insignificant sometimes. Because at some point and time in our lives, we all get to that stage. So I hope that this is a blessing to you, just like it was strength to me when i was composing this.

When I hear the phrase, “One in a million“, I think of quite a few things.

First, I consider the fact that there is no one else in the world like me. There might be many that have similar traits and features, but there is not another that is JUST alike. God made us in his image, and though there are many great things in the world, just like the verse reads below, there is just something about us that is special.

Deuteronomy 4:32

[32] For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?

So when I read this, I realize that even as I sit here, am unique. I have a special place in the world. I have a calling for something in other words. Consider this:

1 Corinthians 1:26

[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

There are many people that could try to be what God has called you to be, to do what God has called you to do, but only YOU can truly do it. God made you to be that special singer, teacher, praise and worship leader, etc. Anything that you have that is unique that God has given you, that separates you, that makes you who YOU are, and abides in Holiness according to his will, is what defines that inner you that will make you grow to find that happiness we all search for.

I constantly see people out there on their journey of life, trying to do this thing on their own, trying to “find their self” out there, essentially trying to find the meaning to their life. The truth is, they already have the unique gifts and tools right there, and often times don’t want to use the great assets they have. Sometimes the reason is by fear, or by rejection.

I want those of us out there who are strong in the Lord to get a hold of these verses:

Matthew 18:12-13

[12] How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

[13] And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

We, that are on the path, who know the right from wrong, and know how to be leaders for Christ, should not be satisfied with just the 99. Don’t be satisfied knowing that there is one that is out there that needs help. They just may be the one in a million that could save the nation. They might be the person that writes the next Amazing Grace.

I encourage all of you, those of you readers out there, to know that you are special, in every single way that God has made you. In your life, in your mind, in your body, everything; nothing about us is terrible. We are the only reason we think so. We are our worst critic, and we often times beat ourselves down into depression, when in reality, if God was the one that made us, then we are in the image of the God of victory.

We were built to be victors! We were not built for failure! You are not a failure!

In closing, I speak on a more personal note as a testimony to myself to say that I can honestly say that I feel like one in a million. I count myself as one of the few that beat drug addiction, delivered solely and completely by prayer and the Holy Ghost. I wasn’t in a church; I was in a living room. I can honestly say that I also had given up college and hopes for a decent life, and God pieced my life back together, and got me back in school, graduated, and I am happily married and employed today. God even got me a job close to the church where we wanted to go.

And all the times where I thought I was forgotten, I totally laugh about it now. God never forgot about me. God left the 999,999 to come find me; I’m one in a million! Everything is possible if you put an honest life before him, pray hard, have faith, and never give up on God. Be encouraged this day!

Breaking The Off-Season

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I am an avid sports fan, and I do not have a preference to what it is. As long as there is competition, and the thrill for a win, I love it. There’s just something about the game when you watch one, when you observe the athletes that are participating…which now will lead me into what I wish to write about today. I hope this inspires you like it did when God showed this to me.

When athletes are in their season of play, they are in peak shape; they are ready for action every day, and don’t have to spend weeks at a time getting ready. Even in their off-season, they are practicing, working out, sticking to some form of routine. God showed me something very vivid with this. But first, a scripture:

2 Timothy 4: 2-5

[2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
[5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

From this scripture, God was teaching me something. We as a people need to be as athletes, praying, fasting, having faith, working in our gifts, doing what God has called us to do, in a routine in the on and off-seasons.

Whether you’re on or off the court, inside or outside the church, you need to be prepared to share God’s word with someone, be prepared to shine a light to them, be prepared to sing that song that’s on your heart. Don’t be out of shape, and let the enemy win another soul. The enemy wins so many simply due to the fact that we are out of shape. We are not practicing what we are preaching, and not sticking to a sound doctrine, or in other words, the word of God.

If we followed a spiritual diet that consisted of the holy things, and not the worldly things every day, consuming what God would have us to, your spiritual man would be better fit first of all. Secondly, with prayer and fasting, your spiritual self would be in better working shape, being able to make a better difference in the moment, having more conviction in your words, being able to get a hold of God in a manner that would have God move right then and there!

We have to be ready, not just when we feel like it, but always, in and out of season! Break the off-season! Be ready at all times!

Embracing Your Family

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This goes against our normal form and fashion of how I normally post things, but I just wanted to share a thought that was on my mind. It took me a very long time to realize this, so please pay attention very closely.

A family is like a garden. Older plants give seed to new ones. A plant will birth, bloom, and wilt away ONLY ONCE. Some are different then others, but all have a very special purpose in their lifetime. Once a plant has existed its lifespan, then that’s it. We cannot rewind time. So always admire the good things of each family member; for we do not know when their blooming ends. And more then that, do it more than just 2 or 3 holidays a year. Life is too short to put it off anymore!

I came across a verse that literally broke my heart when i read it.

Proverbs 30:11 says, “There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.”

Let’s not be as that generation that it talks about, let’s go above and beyond in showing our love for all that we have around us. Don’t wait, don’t wait, don’t wait!!!!

Today is the day you should call them, just to say that you love them. Today is the day you go and do something out of charity that you were not obligated to do. Today is the day you go and spend time with them just because.

2 Corinthians 6: 2 says: “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Why am I saying all of this? There are mothers and fathers out there who need God to perform a miracle in their life, who need to be healed from their diseases, but most of all, to have salvation applied in their life. Not only just mothers and fathers, but the rest of your family as well!

A person can be good by their deeds, but with God, can be good and blessed as well. Don’t give up on your prayers for them! Stay determined, and you will see them call out on the Lord. I believe that with all that is within me!

Singleness of Heart

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Acts 2 : 41-47

[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
[42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
[43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
[44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
[46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
[47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Having a constant, daily walk with God will not only give singleness of heart, but peace in your mind. With God first in our lives, we can be an active participant in unity. Unity will bring one mind and one accord with all of us working together to be as servants in the body of Christ. If we possess the love of a family with good fellowship, we will definitely be a better fit to be able to reach out and help lead anyone that we can to make Jesus Christ the Lord of their life.

Ephesians 6 : 5-8

[5] Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
[6] Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
[7] With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
[8] Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

When we are obedient to those around us with the guidance and love of God in our lives, the light of love that shines within us will be brighter than anything else that we go through. Most importantly, without our vision to always have God as our number one focus, this light over time grows dim, leading us to try and live life on our own.

Colossians 3:22-24

[22] Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
[23] And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
[24] Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Always remember that God is always watching over us. We are never left alone; God is always looking at our every thought we make and decision we choose. So even in the times we do not feel like it, remember to do good things to those around you. When your good deeds are noticed, let the reason for your great accomplishments toward someone be your key to opening the door to their heart. If their heart is opened up to you by your kindness to them, you have the perfect opportunity to lead that person to God.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

[9] And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
[10] And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

When Jabez called out on God, he was saying to bless him, and help him to not do anything else that would grieve him. We can not only call out to God for help like this, but also call out that he also blesses “us”. Remembering to have compassion for your peers around you is so important for them to be able to see within you. When people see that love of God and that you are not selfishly thinking of just yourself, you will gain favor and respect with not only them, but God as well.

Feeling Hurt

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First off, here is some coordinated reading to put the thought together:

Ezra 4:4,5

[4] Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
[5] And hired counsellers against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 5:4

[4] Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
[5] But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.

Ezra 6:8-15

[8] Moreover I made a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expences be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
[9] And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
[10] That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
[11] Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
[12] And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

[13] Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
[14] And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
[15] And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

There are so many times when we try to take matters into our own hands, and try to make situations work according to the way we think that they should. In most cases, however, we end up making things quite worse then what they were when they began.

We don’t want to turn the other cheek, we don’t want to walk away, and we especially don’t want to keep our opinion silent. I’m here to tell you that sometimes it is the BEST thing to do. God will make sure that we are completely vindicated for the trouble that we face in our persecutions. In other words, we’ll get double for our trouble if we have faith, trust in him, and hang on long enough to not act out of our flesh!

Genesis 20:14-18

[14] And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
[15] And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
[16] And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
[17] So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
[18] For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.

To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver to cover the offense against you before all who are with you: you are reproved (vindicated).

Vindicated means: show somebody to be blameless; to clear somebody or something of blame, guilt, suspicion, or doubt.

I couldn’t tell you the amount of times that I have wrote my goodbye speech to the churches I have attended in my life because of the things that have happened that have hurt me. I couldn’t also count the number of times that I have been completely shocked by the behavior of people that I looked up to and trusted greatly. I’ve learned as I have grown in God that many people along the way will let you down, whether they be close to you or not, and that God will be those people for you in their absence. In other words, when they hurt you, let God fill the void so you can forgive them and your walk and witness not be hindered.

We don’t have time to be arguing and complaining about doctrine, principles of ideals and order, or “how things should be in the church”. God is the leader, and that’s who we should follow. With the Holy Ghost as our guide, and Jesus as our Savior, we can never be led astray.

We will be vindicated and never have to say the first word, nor lift the first finger. In fact, the love of God will rise in you to love those who have hurt you. Trust me, it’s happened with me. In fact, I love those who persecute me even more, because I know that they are in far greater of a need than us getting along. If people are more worried about popular opinions and clicks, it’s not business for the King. God wants us to be about his business, exclusively.

So in other words, let’s grow up and go on! Thanks to everyone for the contributions!

A New Outfit

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I just wanted to put a post out there to let you know that we are undergoing some redos and addons to make the site more interactive and fun for everyone!

Some new content for the HOG BLOG will include:

* New songs with a single player (Finally!)
* New devotionals with a single player (Finally!)
* Finally archiving older content into it’s own section to keep the fresh from not so fresh
* Comments will be visible to posts
* RSS feeds a lot more appealing
* And many more cool plugins and features coming in!

Keep us in your bookmarks and prayers!

Are You Ready For An Update?

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It’s good to be back writing on the HOG blog once again! lol! We might as well give it a catchy name everyone loves, so there you go!

Sometimes it is hard to allow technology to capture how good that God has actually been in our ministry. The places we have been have been just as much of a blessing to us. We have learned many things a long the way, and even though we have grew up and had many experiences, we always learn something new.

The Lord God is wonderful. Simply put. The singing seems to only get better, even when we get more tired. The ministering that we do in spoken word and truth seems to be more magnified, even when we feel more and more weary from the journeys that we take. And though we know there are more ahead of us, we know that there is more strength to be had, and more blessings to give to others. For we do not stand as a group to get a pat on the back, but to hold our hand out and help to pick others up in need.

I hope the day comes that we all become strong enough to obtain and retain that power from on high, that when people see all of us that carry Christ within us, they KNOW beyond all doubt, and that we have NO fear of come what may.

Thanks to all of the past churches for the wonderful fellowship, the wonderful food, and the wonderful experiences! We can’t wait to see you again! Be sure to stay tuned. We are in the works for some new news! I’ll stay on it, I promise!

Being Established

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Some start to return to the true fellowship God has ordained for His people, but some have a hard time getting free of what they have experienced, but not all do get out.

There are all kinds of people that are out there:

1. Those who are so involved, they are absorbed into it to the point where their “faith” will never be shaken

2. Those who leave because they have been hurt or damaged and consider true Christianity a farce and leave it altogether

3. Those who come out of it immediately because the light of God’s word and conviction by the Holy Spirit is so clear

4. Those that will come out of it, but struggle to get rid of the oppression and experiences and feelings

Am I Established In The Right?

Many believers who have stepped onto the road of deception have all had thoughts or doubts about what they were doing, having thoughts like “Something seems wrong” or “I am not sure“.

1 John 1:5-7

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.

What is around me? Is it something of God?

It may have looked like light, but it was darkness. It may have looked like truth, but it was a lie. It may have looked like God and His workings, but it wasn’t. It was darkness, and Jesus said,

Matthew 6:23

23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Why can’t I let things just stay this way?

This is an important area of repentance and a turning to the word of God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you

Where do I go from here? What do I do?

His forgiveness is readily available. It is the heart of the individual that limits to what extent God can work to fully restore them. God wants to ESTABLISH you again in His truth and He has the total power to do so if you will return to the faith you once followed:

God desires to establish you again according to His gospel through your obedience:

Romans 16:25-26

25 Now to him that is of power to STABLISH YOU ACCORDING TO my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

God wants to establish you in holiness by ridding you of the deceptions:

1 Thessalonians 3:13

13 To the end HE MAY STABLISH YOUR HEARTS UNBLAMEABLE IN HOLINESS before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

God wants to establish you in good works once again and deliver you:

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and STABLISH YOU IN EVERY GOOD WORD AND WORK.

The Lord will establish you and deliver you from those who have not faith around you:

2 Thessalonians 3:1-4

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, WHO SHALL STABLISH YOU, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.