Good Soldier

I’ve learned in life that there are somethings that you simply have to go through in order to learn its true lesson and the value of it. There are times in which you simply have to grit your teeth and bare the burden which was given to you in such a fashion that it could be called nothing short of heroic.

I’m here to remind you that yes it will be tough to do this especially if you know that you can do so much better than your current situation. There are times when you are dealt blow after blow, some of which bring you to your knees, but you’ve simply got to endure like a good soldier – Field those punches and show your strength in your ability to not trade evil for evil.

We’ve all heard the old saying “walk a mile in my shoes, and you’ll know where I’ve been” ..well for those of you who have walked that mile, I tip my hat to you, for I’ve finished my first mile in the shoes of my father and let me tell you  friend- it ain’t pretty. I used to think it was no biggie to do what my father did – to take on all his responsibilities and field them like a pro. I was doing well for a while, but then things seemed to pile on on top of each other I see now what kind of strength it took to hold it together.

Some of us take for granted what our parents went through to make things seem good on our end, all in an effort to shield you from the realities of life. They attempt to be a vanguard against these things for us when we are young in order that we may live out our childhoods as we should. Now that I bare these responsibilities myself and from the lessons my father have laid down and from the strong examples he has set, I know what it is that I must do and these things I do gladly.

1: Be a man – Nothing More to be said here.

2: Take responsibility for ALL – Not for Some but for ALL of your actions

3: Have broad shoulders when it comes to family and issues relating to family – you can never bare enough. Here’s why..I’m willing to be there are people in your family who would be crushed under the immense weight of these pressures but you’ve some how found a knack for dealing with problems.

4:  Lead your family with strong hands – learn to be a rcck, as Christ our example is always a rock in a weary place and a shelter in time’s of storm

5: Be ready for anything – yea, yea, I know – that may not be always possible – BUT be reminded of this, you may not be ready but you’ve got the Big Guy always looking out for you. So you either one of two things and most times both..you’re ready or in a position to react

In the face of this new adversity I am reminded of  Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” so no matter how hard the blows come, or how heavy they may be he’s not forgotten me, I’m sure of this and what he started in me he will indeed finish, for he will do what he says he would do,  and I am what he says I am..I am a good soldier.

Truth...The Pursuit

I see now how the weight of this world can be so heavy that it ends of scarring an individual for the duration of his/her life. I can see now that if it is allowed to permeate your very existence then this life and it’s burdens can often take from you the things you deserve in life, the things you’ve worked for. What funny is that even though you can see that you’re losing ground and that something has gone amiss on this journey you often find yourself powerless to exact or inject if you will any semblance of coruscant vitality into this pit that you find yourself.

Although it may be rough I can say that He is still faithful and still kind, piece by piece I’ll put it all together and eventually as it pertains to this situation I’ll make my way out of the darkness to find my own personal truth in this situation.

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How many times have you heard or read those words? A hundred, a thousand..if you’re like me you would have said..”a million”! Now  here comes the kicker, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a situation and just moaned about it, I mean just absolutely complained and saying how unfair this is and using the old adage “why me?!”. This is what I want to talk about today, my whole purpose in writing this blog article today,  is to remind you that no matter what the situation its never enough to just say “I’m beaten”, “Ive lost” or “Why Me”..Why Not you! I think it’s important that we all take a step back and look at ourselves from a different perspective, if we challenged ourselves more in the face of adversity where would we be in life. Could we have attained all those goals we set for ourselves throughout our lives? This is where the faith portion of  comes in, instead of complaining and saying “I can’t do this” why not face this issue head on and exercise your faith and make that mountain move!  Why not give that a try today? I know I will at some point today I will be met with a challenge, I’m sure of it, I’ll do all i can to allow my faith to be manifested in-spite of my fear and anger.

1: Maturity!

If you want to make a marriage work you must at least be equally yolked. Its an old biblical theory that today means in order to stay true and stay faithful, first you both must be mature enough to get married. If you have any doubts, before saying I do…don’t. The doubts are a way of telling you that you are not ready for marriage, or perhaps this is not the right person to marry. Perhaps, the love is not strong enough within for this person. Don’t rush into anything you’re not ready for, as this is a sure fire recipe for disaster. Think of it this way, why would you start a marriage when you are already unhappy? You’re entering into an eternal Bond with someone and else and GOD! God doesn’t take this lightly, for he notes;

I the Lord Hate divorce

Yea - Thats you - Flirting!...tisk, tisk

Step 2 – You Freakin’ FLIRT!

Do not flirt. You are married now. Think of how you would feel if you caught your spouse flirting with another man/woman. This will also lead to the possibility of being unfaithful, should the flirting go too far. This stuff was cure when you were in college or younger, at this point as a married individual you’ve got greater responsibilities to yourself, your faith and your spouse! Carry that with you wherever you go it will help you remember how to carry yourself, as you carry your loved one’s heart with you wherever you go.

Do not put yourself in the position of being alone with the opposite sex. This can lead to the act of being unfaithful, without much thought or action. It will also put doubt into your spouses mind, should he/she find out. I suppose you have heard the old saying; “What is good for the goose is good for the gander!”, well this can apply to cheating. He/she may decide to get even, should they doubt. If you being real(if not make your exit now) we all know that part of being faithful begins with NOT putting yourself in bad positions, former athletes can attest to this, fi you put yourself in a bad position in the sports world what happens?…you fail. Half the battle is winning the mental game, challenging your flesh do do what it does not want to do. be minded, this will not be an easy task I don’t care who you are, your flesh has something to say each time you’re in situations such as these. Be strong of mind and will.

In summary, to stay faithful, always think of your spouse first. Would he/she approve of your behavior? Would you approve if you should observe your spouse acting in this manner? Your behavior is the key to staying faithful to your spouse. Think before you act, in order to stay faithful to your spouse.
(Partial Credit – E-How)

Lost In Worship

This worship is exclusive to those of us who know that if it was not for his grace I would not eat, if it was not for his mercy I would not enjoy success. This level of worship is for those of us who know that no matter what kind of fancy new car or shiny new toy he has blesses us with, there is nothing on the face of this earth that impresses God More that true and fervent worship. Knowing that there isn’t a car in this world so shiny that we’d rather stay home and shine it up as opposed to worshiping him.

Whats my Point? I’m glad you asked! Its simply this, consider Mary, consider the blessing of Christ that was bestowed upon her. the bible says at one point Mary and Joseph lost the baby Jesus! Where you ask? In WORSHIP! This was he who was made flesh to die for our sins that they have lost. The point here is this, when they got in the presence of God they lost everything they had in the presence of God.

They were willing to lose the Christ to worship God – How much more should we be willing?

Look Inward

Sometimes that look inward reveals some things about ourselves we seldom like to admit, but the truth of it is that we need that long look in the mirror, we need that blank stare within sometimes in order to provoke change.

Let me be the first to admit, old memories seldom fade and bad habits die hard but in an effort to make clean the spirit we must master that which is within is. I’ve challenged myself today to make know the fruits of the spirit and make less the whims of the flesh. It will be an uphill battle for much like the apostle Paul who recognized his frailty of self  he said;

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me”.——-Romans 7:15-17

Why not fight that good fight today, the price of victory is steep but its rewards are plentiful.

Where's the Help key...Anybody?

Something happened to me today that validated my faith in such a way that my life will never be the same. Something kind of strange, weird if you will, but in a way was so divinely orchestrated that it could only be the fine tuned will of God that lead me and my wife down this path.

Earlier During the day me and my wife bantered about where we should go eat and when we should go, we did what we always do at this point what essentially is a big game of restaurant brainstorming we begin throwing out names and deciding if 1: are we willing to drive that far 2: Is this really worth the drive 3: will we regret this later! So we decided on a food joint and headed out, at this point more than half way there my wife says “wow, there’s lots of traffic we may be better off going to that other place instead” as the other side of the road was free and clear.(Stay with me I’m going somewhere)

Here we are, just about a block away from our original destination and I’m thinking logically(like a man..lol!) this new wild card idea makes no sense why not just keep going in slow traffic for a block and stick to the original plan?  Strangely, without further thought I simply made a U-Turn heading now on a much longer journey than originally planned several miles out.

We finally arrive at our destination, my wife goes ahead to place our order, I stay behind to shift somethings around in the trunk. As I walked up to this restaurant, I see a lady sitting on a bench a few feet from the door, I almost walked by her, as her call to me was so subtle and shy through the pane glass door. At first I didn’t think that it was me she was calling to, but I peered around the door and asked her if it was me that she was calling to. As I walked up to her you could see the pain in her eyes, the sheer but brazen fear of swallowing your pride and asking a stranger for help. At first she held her hands close to her chest and whispered what sounded like “a little help…anything to help me?” I leaned in as I could hardly decipher what she was saying initially as her accent was strong, her voice low from the shame of asking a stranger for help, as I stepped closer I could now hear the pain in her voice as she repeated:

“a little help…anything to help me If it’s even a little food..anything?”

I said to her, I don’t have cash on me, but what I do have I will give to you, I walked inside and ordered her some food, told my wife what was happening and walked back outside and asked her “what happened, why and how are you in this current position…something happened, I’m here for you”.  I’ve learned everyone has a story, it only takes someone to say to them, I’m here for you and am willing to listen, willing to let you cry on my shoulders. My shoulders are broad not because I’m some sort of he-man but because my shoulders are built on nothing less than God’s unwavering strength.

She began to pour out her soul, telling us how long she has been looking for work, how long she has walked these roads and asking for a job with no results. pointing to the countless number of business cards given to her with promises of a job opportunity only to find it was all just talk. At this point she extols that if its even to scrape the feces off someone’s lawn there, is no job too “low” as long as long as it is legitimate.  In the midst of this she then said something surprising…something amazing, she says that she still “believes in God the almighty” and in agreement with me she confirms the goodness of God even in this her darkest hour.

Here, at the footstool of mercy this brave lady exercises her faith for the word says

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

She sat and was still, allowed God to show his faithfulness, there in faith as countless people passed her by she waited for God to meet her needs as he promised! For the last few years there’s a particular passage in Matthew that has been impressed upon my heart, it’s one of the reasons for starting this site, It’s with me and embedded a change in my life and though this woman wasn’t the first who that we’ve encountered and helped in a situation such as this, this woman was the apidamy of all that this passage spoke about, Jesus said

“35For 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, 36I 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? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

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

And Yet I can’t help but wonder, what if I had chosen to go somewhere else today, what If I had chosen not to eat at this particular place. How was it that I was the one chosen today to help bring a little light into someone’s life on this day at this time and at this moment in their life?

Just think about it for a moment, this lady was at this spot for who knows how long, as person after person passed her, as she asked for food and a little help finding a Job. Meanwhile, miles away as me and my wife jostled about where were wanted to go for dinner and let’s not leave too late as it’s getting dark outside, all the while God had already decided where I was going, and when I would leave to meet this lady’s need in destiny and by divine appointment.

God knew this lady needed our help today, God knew she needed our ears to hear her problems and to confirm her faith with our encouragement that God has not forgotten her, rather, he sent us here today to help you in this moment, in this your darkest hour to prove to you that he is still here, that he hears and answers prayers. He didn’t send you someone who would judge you and give you food to eat while thinking “why can’t she get a job” Instead the Lord sent two people who he has broken, two people he had molded from emptiness of spirit, two people who were birthed of his grace and knows that each opportunity we’re presented, everything we’ve got, we got in the presence of God.

I’ve come today to remind you, to remind us all – -that, that homeless person you passed today on the street, that beggar that you refused, that person we looked down on today that may be less fortunate that me or you…Each time you leave them there when you’re in a position to help, each time you simply pass them by without so much of a glance, that’s Jesus that we leave hungry, It’s Jesus that we leave out in the cold. Slow down take a second look and you will see the God in these people…how much longer shall we pass them by?

*NOTE* Zionreborn is building an NPO(NoN Profit Organization) we will feed his children we will give hope to those whom life has strangled every drop of hope from them – we need volunteers, people who are willing to help us help those in need. If ou are interested in helping us in anyway or have any suggestions for us we would be glad for your support. Help us us to bring the re0birth a new to those who need it. Click here to submit your information and suggestions!

——————–

Walt Walker

ZionReborn.com

I know that the flowers fade, and the grass withers, but the word of the Lord shall stand forever(T.D. Jakes)

Condemnation Of the Heart(Image credits Superlative1)

Needless to say we have all had previous conditions that have helped to shape and mold us into what were are today. No matter who you are, there are things in your life that cannot simply be explained away and or wrote off as simple childhood growing pains or be bracketed into open air quotations from family and friends such as “oh its just Ryan, he’ll grow out of it” or “its just a phase”.

We are he inherent sum total of all our combined experiences whether good or bad, whether weak or strong, determined or feeble, based on our ups and downs we are the social calculation of things we have experienced. this is why in some areas on our lives we are so guarded in who we let in, and who we give access to our inner most thoughts this is also why when the mind reminds us of past sins and transgressions that we are often overwhelmed with guilt and frustration because the heart seldom lets us forget things of this nature.

There are some of us who have already identified ourselves within these words and are now drawing the line at which you are willing to remember, we often have social amnesia when it comes to bad memories but it doesn’t discount the fact that your heart wont let you rest.

And if you have a spouse or a significant other that has to deal with your baggage when you go into “sad” mode, then go ahead and multiply the guilt and the stress now dialed up to 11! But in this time of uncertainty and painful reminders I submit to you that God still has a plan for he still has reason to belive in you here he says

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking that your heart condemning you, is God condemning you for it is not so, you are made strong through his unfailing strength and you should know that in the face of great adversity He is there, for birthed out of our weakness is the revelation of his strength, for his strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Those pains of the past have no more hold over you than you allow, that mitigating trouble that never seems to set you free only sticks around because you have chosen not to take control of it or simply have chosen to avert your eyes and not deal with it.

I am convinced that we are no greater that what we believe, no matter the issue if we believe in something greater that this human condition — then we have some substance to hope for. For us here are ZionReborn, that something/someone is God, so when that feeling guilt and condemnation washes over you, speak to your troubles and command them to digress as our faith assures us that “God, who is greater than our heart knows us thoroughly”(1 john 3:20) and has forgiven us for sins we have confessed.

Don’t be lulled into thinking that you bare this burden alone, or that you’re being punished to bare it forever. It’s time to stop living your life and allowing past mistakes to dictate your future success and happiness. Its time take control once more, its time to rebuild our faith together!

W.Walker

“I know that the flowers fade and the grass withers, but the word of the Lord shall stand forever”(T.D. Jakes)

Something's About To Break!

Today I want to talk to talk about walls and horizons some of us meet up on our walls well before the horizon is visible. some meet the wall just as the horizon is yet visible to us in what seems like a breath away. But one thing seems to be consistent with the wall is that it will show up FOR SURE without question and will cripple without prejudice.

The Adversity

The Wall, that giant that prison, that inevitable evil, that issue, that car payment, that home being repossessed, that child addicted to meth, that group of young men that cant get out of their destructive mindset, that group of people struggling in the ghettos, that group of people shaken by an earthquake….the wall…that giant that presents itself just as your blessing is around the corner. I am certain by the time you’ve read the first line of this paragraph you will have identified your own giant, your own wall that represents the bane of your existence.

I am convinced that as someone once said hope begins in the dark, that small light that burns steadily and strong in the midst of your darkest hour. Hope & Faith still exists within your pain though troubles may stir about you, there is true relief beyond the horizon. Even though this great adversity, this great giant wants you to cower in the corner and fold your tents don’t you do it.

Time & Merit

If there’s anything I’ve learned its that each time a great adversity presents itself this is when God shows up and shows out. Remember, he is made perfect in our weakness but wants to see what we will do. Will we begin to give in? cower? curse him? or even completely give up? Essentially this adverse issues is simply a test and each test/adversity comes with one great question…who are you? Within this question lies multiple sub questions you have to answer about yourself. What is your name? What are you made of? Are you afraid? Are you ready to admit defeat? These are the types of questions that each type of adversity brings with it, but this is where people of great strength and character are birth. People of this stature are not simply born into it they are birth via the tests and adverse situations they have endured and mastered over the years. There are some of us who would look at someone we would consider strong and want what they have, but you can’t get what they have until you have been through what they have endured!

I submit to you that from the depths of adversity, one discovers ones merit. both spiritual and physical strength, its no secret that some things in life just don’t come without a price. So ask yourself what are you willing to do to reach a certain goal in your life or to overcome this great adversity that has presented itself.

PREPARATION

We have all heard of or have read the story of David. Here comes this child that stands in from of this giant, as others laugh and jeer but they did not know that God had prepared David for victory long before he faced the giant(Don’t be lazy Go read it to find out what he was tested with before he faced the giant..lol – - This story David and Goliath can be found in the Bible in First Samuel 17). Essentially God tested David with everything from a Lion to a Bear so by the time Goliath came around then there was no fear in David’s heart! This is what preparation does for you and it CANNOT be forfeited, no matter how many shortcuts you take there is nothing like true preparation to overcome adversity.

The Break!

Make no bones about it it wont be easy to over come this giant but by faith and persistence & preparation you will certainly get it done! If there’s one thing I hope you Grab from this week’s featured article is to all of us who have come up against the Giant know that Once you defeat your giant a kingdom awaits you just beyond the horizon. And I’m not just talking about your kingdom in heaven, but rather the blessings and the favor overflowing that God promises you is there behind every adverse situation, that light at the end of the tunnel does not ONLY signify some sort of divine end but rather the blessings “pressed down, shaken together flowing over”(Luke 6:38). Remember…

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.(Isaiah 35:3,4)

don’t ever think that you are on your own, that’s what the enemy wants, the enemy is a master of systems and is waiting for you to start feeling sorry for yourself and start the “poor me” hating and crying session. Don’t you let the enemy win! You are made strong by the hand of God!

– Walt Walker

“I know that flowers fade and the grass withers, but the word of the Lord shall stand for ever”(T.D. Jakes)