Po-lie-ticians They Are Not For Black People

Unless you are rich and educated...

Politicians make it very clear that the ones they care about are the rich and educated because in a society where capitalism exist, one is only interested in the benefits of one's own self. Now if you put one's own self into one big unit then that would be everyone who is rich.  There is a democratic party, republican party and a independent party, but within all these parties one factor is the same they are all rich.  So if we live in a society where it centers one's own self becoming rich and if you look at it as a collective group which means all rich people, why would they ever want to help the poor.  We must turn our eyes to the Lord who is rich in houses and land John 14:2 HE will provide for you Psalms 23

James 2:1-13New International Version (NIV)
Favoritism Forbidden
2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Commentary
James condemns acts of favoritism.  Often we treat a well dressed, impressive-looking person better than someone who looks shabby.We do this because we would rather identify with successful people rather than apparent failures.  The irony, as James reminds us is that the supposed winners may have gained their impressive lifestyles at our expense.  In addition the rich find it difficult to identify with the Lord Jesus who came as a humble servant.

We are often partial to the rich because we mistakenly assume that riches are a sign of God's blessing and approval.  But God does not promise us earthly rewards or riches, in fact, Christ calls us to be ready to suffer for him and give up everything in order to hold on to eternal life (Matthew 6:17-19; 19:28-30; Luke 12:14-34; Romans 8:15-21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).  We will have untold riches in eternity if we are faithful in our present life.  (Luke 6:35; John 12:23-25; Galatians 6:7-10; Titus 3:4-8)

Black People Can Not Be Racist

It Is Systemic and It Will Not Benefit Them

EXODUS 1:8-15
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”

11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly. 14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.

15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.”

As we read in the Bible the Israelites were hated by the Egyptians they were treated unfairly they worked for nothing and were enslaved,  They were a strong nation of people and they grew stronger in number because of God.  Pharoah became very fearful of them growing stronger and he decided to put more pressure on them by increasing their workload and putting slave masters over them, that were of their own people to help keep them under control.  That was for their own benefit so that they could build them stores to keep them rich and in power.  They thought with such harsh work and labor their number of people would decrease in population but instead they increased so much that Pharaoh decided to kill every male child of the Israelites to decrease the population.  This way Pharaoh  and his people could remain rich and powerful.  We as black people can't be racist because it will not benefit our people, we have no control over money, government or resources to where it would cause us to alter the lives of people.

Beverly Daniel Tatum, PH.D. from her book "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?"  states from the ' "Portraits of White Racism David Wellman argues convincingly that limiting our understanding of racism to prejudice does not offer a sufficient explanation for the persistence of racism.  He defines racism as a system of advantage based on race' " "In illustrating this definition, he provides example after example of how Whites defend their racial advantage-access to better schools, housing, jobs-even when they do not embrace overtly prejudicial thinking. Racism cannot be fully explained as a expression of prejudice alone".

Concerning Speaking in Tongues

You don't have to speak in Tongues to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:2-25 Speaking in Tongues

2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless
someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.  10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[d] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:

“With other tongues
    and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
    but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”[e]
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.  23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

John 16-4-15 The Gift of the Holy Spirit

4 I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Commentary:Speaking in Tongues (1 Corinthians 14;2-25)

Paul's words to the Corinthians about tongues and prophecy have much to say to our generation.  Many Christians struggle with the discussion of tongues.  Paul would clearly say that no one should put down those Christians who speak in tongues, and those who speak in tongues should not disparage those who do not.  Paul makes several points about speaking in tongues: (1) It is a spiritual gift from God (14:2); (2) it is a desirable gift even though it isn't a requirement of faith (12-28); (3) it is less important than prophecy and teaching (14:4) Believers need unity and love.  The  enemy is not each other but the sinful world, Satan, and our selfish, sinful desires.  But Paul would have another word for today; "I would like everyone of you to speak in tongues."  Although Paul himself spoke in tongues, he stresses prophecy (preaching) because it benefits the whole church wile speaking in tongues primarily benefits the speaker.  Paul would encourage us to be so in tune with the spirit that his messages of comfort, encouragement and edification would be heard in our congregations today.  make sure your action are encouraging and edifying.

Commentary: The Gift of the Holy Spirit (John 16:4-15)

The truth into which the Holy Spirit guides us is the truth about Christ The Spirit also helps us, through patient practice, to discern right from wrong.  Jesus said the Holy Spirit would tell them "what is yet to come"--the nature of their mission, the opposition the would face and the final outcome of their efforts .  They didn't fully understand these promises until the Holy Spirit came after Jesus' death and resurrection.  the the Holy Spirit revealed truths to disciples that they wrote down int the books that now form the New Testament.

The Eternal (BENEFITS) Of Living Righteously

There are ENORMOUS benefits to LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY, here are just a FEW, BUT know that it is through CHRIST JESUS' blood that gives us ACCESS to these benefits.  So you MUST be a BELIEVER and be OBEDIENT to His Word.  Here is the list:

WHAT DOES LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY MEAN?

James 1:19-20New International Version (NIV)

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1:22-27New International Version (NIV)

Doers-Not Only Hears

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matthew 25:31-46 New International Version (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Colossians 3:5 New International Version (NIV)

Not Carnality but Christ

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Galatians 5:5-26 New International Version (NIV)

Walking In The Spirit

5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Benefits of Living Righteous

Psalm 84:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 34:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Proverbs 13:21 New International Version (NIV)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

Psalm 58:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 Then people will say,“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Make Your Choice Life or Death...

HYPOCRISY IN HOLLYWOOD: Pretending To Be What You Are Not

Matthew 6:2New International Version (NIV)

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Matthew 6:5New International Version (NIV)

Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Matthew 6:16New International Version (NIV)

Fasting
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

What Does Hypocrisy mean?

hy·poc·ri·sy

həˈpäkrəsē/

noun

the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; 

1. pretense.

In the New Testament, Jesus' pronouncements against hypocrisy are directed to the scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day.  They were condemned because They were more concerned with the letter of the law than with its intention.  they calculated their outward appearance rather than desiring pure hearts.  Not only did they bring condemnation upon themselves, but they steered other away from the kingdom of God by teaching false doctrines, setting impossible standards, and giving faulty advice.  They sought the reward of self-glorification rather than the approval of God.  Later in the New Testament, others within the Christian church were also confronted with the sin of hypocrisy.  New Testament writers often warned their readers of this pitfall  (1 Peter 2:1).  Hypocrisy was found even in the Old Testament among the people of Israel and the false prophets.  In Isaiah 32:6, those who spread error about the Lord are called "foolish."  They practice "ungodliness" and neglect the needs of others.  the Christian church today needs to be mindful of these warnings against hypocrisy.

PRETENDING TO BE CHRISTIANS

BEING WHO THEY ARE

PRETENDING TO BE CHRISTIANS

CAREFUL WORDS

Proverbs 18:6-7 NIV
6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing,
    and their lips are a snare to their very lives.


I should never have opened my mouth, “Kate lamented. “It was a foolish thing to tell Sam about our boss’s plans, even though they weren’t confidential. If I’d known it’d backfire on me like this, I would never have said a word.”  Kate knew what she’d done was unwise; unfortunately, she hadn’t realized that before she spoke.  Thinking before we speak is a wise workplace decision.  We need to weigh the impact of our words, what response the person we’re talking to may have and other issues specific to our workplaces.  We don’t want to tell a confidence to the biggest gossip in the company, even if she is so nice.  Nor do we want to hurt the feelings of someone who is particularly sensitive on a subject.  Unwise words may show we are not living in God’s wisdom but our own sin; or even if we are not doing wrong, they can land us in impossible situations.  Taking this practical advice from God’s Word and thinking before we speak saves us a lot of trouble and heartache.

IN ALL THINGS, GIVE THANKS!

Dear God:
I want to thank You for what You have already done.  I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking You right now.  I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am thanking You right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me, I am thanking You right now.  I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking You right now.  I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank You right now.  

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet, I am going to thank You right now.  I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job, I am going to thank You right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief, I am going to thank You right now.  I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.  I am thanking You right now.

I am thanking You because I am alive.  I am thanking You because I made it through the day’s difficulties.  I am thanking You because I have walked around the obstacles.  I am thanking You because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.  I am thanking You because You have not given up on me.