Why Deeper Life?!

Wednesday September 3rd, 2014

Hebrews 10:25

 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another

About three weeks ago God expounded nine topics he wanted me to blog about, to edify, correct, teach, and grow my readers. I have blogged two of the nine topics and this will be the third. 

This blog will explain why after I gave my life to Jesus Christ, I choose to become a member of Deeper Life Bible Church of New Jersey, a branch of Deeper Life Bible Churches under Deeper Christian Life Ministries Ministries. Those who may know me personally and are reading this blog are probably saying, "Janet weren't you always a member? You basically grew up in the church"; this may be true, although in my teenage years I had an option to go to church so I didn't go a majority of the time. One's membership to a church does not ride on those of the parents or because you stumbled upon it one day and wanted to go; Church membership comes only when you are:

       1. Born Again-Given and surrendered your entire life to Jesus                               Christ        

       2. Have Prayed, consulted your father God and are being lead to attend                that church. Prayer is so crucial and I will explain why below.

While it is ok to watch some church events streamed online , God encourages us  to not forsake the assembly of believers. Assembly means a physical contact with one and another. Some Christians I have encountered have told me it's ok to watch church on the computer continuously, stay home, and fellowship by themselves. We should seek to not isolate ourselves. 

 Finding and going to Church permits us to know:

• There are other believers running the Christian race. It should give us comfort and provide us strength

• It helps us not to isolate and keep any problems you may have to yourself. At church the spirit of God may lead someone to come to you, or may lead you to go to a person for prayer and conversation that may be the push you need to remove that mountain

• It helps you showcase and cultivate the fruit of the spirit. How can we grow in patience and love unless we are around others. Your immediate family can only help you grow so much. Your job and school-mates may not exhibit the same grace or correct you as needed to grow more into the ways of the Lord.

• Lastly the church takes you as a family. Not to wish this upon anyone but if you didn't have any family on this earth, the bible tells believers the church is suppose to take all members as members of their own family, calling each other bothers and sisters(Ephesians 2; Galatians 6) 

My church Deeper Life Bible Church was founded alongside members of a bible study being taught by a then member of the Anglican Church of God, William F. Kumuyi. Now known as Pastor Kumuyi, whom gave his life to Christ at the age of 23 on April 5th 1964, started a bible study in his dorm room at the University of Lagos. In short the Bible study started to grow and the members decided they wanted to leave their own churches to establish an actual Church with Pastor Kumuyi as the lead pastor. It was given the name Deeper Life, ordained by God because the revelations being received were deeper than all the denominations they congregated from. 

(Logo)

It’s important to know the church is still a NON-Denominational church, despite what others may say. We are not associated with any denomination, whether Pentecostal or whichever. We follow the Bible as word for word as we can as it is inspire by God himself. There are no denominations in heaven which is the goal of every believer.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The church now has over 1 million documented members in over 60 countries worldwide; including me, my mother and some of my closest friends. 

According to http://www.foreignpolicy.com/ Deeper Life Bible Church is the largest congregation worldwide with the largest sitting congregation on a Sunday Service at the headquarters church

in Lagos, Nigeria with  approx. 74,000 adults worshiping together and with 40,000 children in children church; not to mention the other members sitting on a Sunday service all over the world.

But honestly although I grew up in the church, I knew my church was big but I didn't know the magnitude. I didn't even know the Lord touched the founder, Pastor Kumuyi to know of the REAL him at the age of 23, two years after I came to know the Lord at 21. I was talking to a Sister in my church and she articulated how many of us felt/and still feel growing up in a church like Deeper Life. She stated growing up she felt boggled down by what we felt were so many rules. The females weren't allowed to wear weave ons, pants because the church believes the word of God says woman are not to wear what pertaineth to men(Deut. 22:5) ; we couldn't get our ears pierced, we couldn't do so many things children of the world could; Same with the boys and dressing to church, as well as not saying or acting certain ways of boys in the World. Stated more in my Lost Virtue Blog, I would wear skirts and no jewelry to church, but outside would completely rebel wear fake hair, pants, and jewelry. I and many of us children, with parents that became Born Again and followed the teachings of deeper life didn't understand spiritual things, nor ever really read the word myself with any understanding or spirit from God. 

But the amazing thing was the second I decided to yield myself to the Lord and choose to follow Him on my own, becoming Born Again, God started to expound some of the same revelation Pastor Kumuyi himself was hearing from God in terms of outward and inward appearance. I have also witnessed this transformation with many children that have surrendered their lives to Christ, who grew up in Deeper Life, or were brought to the church by their parent.

Proverbs 22:6 

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

It's important to know as believers we don't follow a Pastor, we follow Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith but we do know Pastor's are set apart from God to watch over us and give us instructions. 

Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Jeremiah 3:15

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

(United States National Convention 2013)

I am convinced that since the founding of this church in 1973 the Lord has used Pastor Kumuyi's to expound on messages that have been consistent, on teachings such as salvation, sanctification, restitution, holiness, following peace with all men, restitution, Holy Ghost Baptism, evangelism, Christian appearance, forgiveness, heaven, the Christian Family, marriage and more.

This shows the true mark of a Man of God, like Paul in the bible.

We are to test every spirit and the messages have not changed in this church. The messages have stayed true to the Word of God no matter the changing of cultures and trends (ie. homosexuality and the role of woman). As the bible worked for the days of Old, the bible WILL work for us living in the 21st Century. God is constant and never changes.

So in looking for a church to go to, I considered famous churches founded by other Nigerian Pastors, and even some church's locally here in New Jersey and in the U.S. via online. But the Lord established me in Deeper Life, and since I have been going I have grown tremendously and others around me have seen the change. I can't give you the amount of testimonies I have received for mere obedience to the Word of God spoken through the vessels in this church.

It's important to note that the Church, and administration you sit under, will be held against you come judgment day. 

Although there are no church's in heaven, whom you decided to follow without taking to the Lord in prayer and reading the word yourself to see if it's true will be counted against you. Not to scare you, but there are many false prophets in our generation, that many are falling victim to.(Matthew 7)

 "Deeper Life Bible Church is not a church of rules, nor a place for certain type of People. It is for sinners, believers, young old, Nigerian, and non Nigerian. It is for ALL. Whether you have certain convictions of outward appearance or not it doesn't matter. God invites all into the church with hopes all whom attend come to truly know him and receive salvation."

It was when I received salvation I was expounded about the many truths of the Word of God, from the church, through the Holy Spirit within me. The spirit of God quickens all believers and I can truly say that was the case for me from teachings I have heard in my New Jersey Church and headquarter Church in Nigeria.

I recommend you read a full list of our doctrinal beliefs here: www.dclmhq.org The church emphasizes that once Born Again, YOU are a child of God that has the Holy Spirit within you, so therefore God has given you the power to pray directly to Him(John 14: 13-14,15:16,16:23-26) not through any source like a man or object, and that the Bible is His words and to know it is to have Life through it!

For my current YOUNGER deeper life members. Don't be deterred by other youths in and out of the church whom say deeper life is this and that. YOU know the truth so follow it. Jesus was persecuted and so will we. Continue to show them about the love of Christ, preach Jesus and God will expound the word of God unto them.

Disclaimer: I cannot say this for all other branches of the church because I don't attend them, but I believe the same God that planted the churches in those location will perfect the work He has started. 

It was important I write this blog to encourage those on the fence of either leaving or joining the Church. Yes there is no church in heaven, but you need to make sure you are under a congregation helping you grow and teaching the truth of the Word. 

Many people have also asked me why I choose to go to this church, despite the misconceptions they have heard or feel.

I need to add this. If there is no true church around you, preaching the truth. It's important you do NOT go. It’s better for you to seek the face of the Lord and pray for direction in what you should do in this time. By God's grace Deeper Life Bible Church as well as other Bible believing churches now have their sermons online to keep you till you can congregate with a congregation. You do not want to be found in a place of error come rapture, and the Word of God tells us rapture can come at any time. 

I pray I was able to encourage you to find a church where you can come to know the Lord and grow in Him.

I also truly bless the Lord for allowing me to write this blog after last night's bible study by our founder himself, Pastor Kumuyi on the warnings of false prophets and a gateway to a spirit-controlled life. Please WATCH:

God Bless you for reading. May the truths found in this Blog be expounded unto you so you can live an exemplary Christian Life with Heaven as your goal. Grace and Peace.

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Other Sources:

1. http://www.elifeonline.net/elife12-may-june/interview-kumuyi.htm

2. Deeper Life by Allen Issacson

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deeper_Christian_Life_Ministry

4. The HOLY SPIRIT

From your Sister in Christ,

Failure is temporary

Monday, August 25th 2014

Isaiah 40:28-29

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

I am sure you have experienced failure. I have. But here is the thing, think of the last time you failed;then think of how you made it through that time; and then come back to the present second in which you are reading this...Aren't you past that previous failure? Aren't you alive right now, even when you thought you could have lost it all?

Failure is temporary. Failure is God's way to help you grow.

I have experienced so much failure even in this Christian walk. It's inevitable. The Lord tells us we will go through test and trials,even in faith. 

I remember a recent conversation I was having with a girlfriend; how.. now that I am in Christ, the same vices I had in the world were still causing me great pain. I felt, when I gave my life to Christ, I could pray and wait in God's timing, follow Him and feel no pain or tribulation from men in their pursuit of me. In the world actually, I was very ok with being by myself in terms of traveling and exploring and men were attracted to my independence.. I did meet many faithful men in the world; but they ultimately weren't leading me to Christ. When I gave my life to Christ I relearned the kind of men I was to allow in my life to marry and raise my children with. Anyway, what a rude awakening it has been with men and my relations in Christ. I have now, experienced failure more than once in this area. I was sharing with my girlfriend why was the Lord choosing this particular, area to hit me so hard. But you see failure was always temporary in those situations, and is temporary now. I had to go through these experiences to gain more wisdom. In getting to know another person, it exposes your own flaws, and so I saw many areas I had to personally grow in, that will prepare me for the man that wants to grow with me despite trials.

In times where we feel most weak, rejected, and a total failure, God comes right in and gives us strength to push us through. It's not a one time ordeal that failure may come, life is a continuous cycle of ups and downs so it's bound to happen again.

But...

A perfect example we can look to in truly defeating and conquering times of failure is our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He came to live in flesh, to show us how to handle and live with our human emotions. Throughout the bible, from being tempted by the devil in multiple locations, to being persecuted and killed by the Jews, Jesus faced failure and overcame them!!!

So Brother, Sister what about you? Children of God, made in His own image!? What makes you think that mountain of a situation or that intense heartache won't move! It will! It sure will. Pray through the hard times, stay grounded and fixed on our helper Jesus Christ.

If you have yet to come to know Jesus, accept and invite Him in. He is open, willing, warm and wants to comfort you and make you completely whole. Unravel to Him where you've wronged Him, so He can beautifully write your love story in every area of your life as He is doing so in mine.

I love you and I am praying for you <3

Lets Connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 

Where have you experienced failure and risen up again?

From your Sister in Christ ,

SEX HURTS

Let's Stop pretending Sex Doesn't HURT

Every day we hear about something that is harmful to us, something the government needs to regulate or outlaw, something for which an avalanche of PSAs must be unleashed on the American people as they drive home from work, watch television, or scan their favorite websites.

Don’t eat sugar. You’ll get diabetes and die. Don’t smoke. You’ll get lung cancer and die. Don’t stop at McDonalds. You’ll get fat and die.

Meanwhile there’s not a peep about one of the most dangerous activities people engage in all the time—premarital sex. Or extramarital sex. Or, dare I say the word—fornication? Or does that make me sound too judgmental? Probably, but the word fits because sex is loaded with moral implications: The possibility of dysfunctional relationships, of sexually transmitted diseases, of an unwanted pregnancy or abortion. The possibility of guilt, shame, depression, and suicide.

Does this sound dramatic? Over the top? Maybe, but it’s true. Sex can be dangerous. Yet, we either promote it for political purposes, exploit it in the name of entertainment—even for our children—or brush it off in the name of personal liberty.

This last point is significant because I want to make it clear that I’m not saying the government should regulate people’s sexual behavior, and I’m not even suggesting that conservatives start their own barrage of PSAs speaking out against the dangers of sex. What I am asking for is some perspective, some tolerance of those who speak about the costs of this highly sexualized age without being driven from the halls of public debate as if they’re witch hunters brandishing torches of judgment and blame.

When I hear people talk about sex as if it’s no big deal, as if it’s no different than eating a steak or going for a drive on the freeway, when I see political ads comparing voting to losing your virginity, or when I hear social conservatives slapped down when they voice their grievances over a licentious culture, my heart grieves.

That’s because I’m picturing the girl walking home alone after having sex on the beer-drenched floor of a fraternity house with a guy too drunk to remember her name. The tears on her cheeks. The tightness in her chest, the sick feeling deep inside, and the already-hardening effect of knowing she will do it again.

I’m remembering a young girl when I worked in ministry who came to me with scars on her wrists and tremors in her soft voice as she told me about the day she aborted her baby. She wept uncontrollably in my arms for an innocence, a life, she would never have again, her dark eyes filled with a sorrow that only the greatest amount of love and grace could ever wash away.

I’m thinking of the boy who sits in a bathroom, alone, staring at a lab report that says he is HIV Positive. A sense of hopeless desperation wells up within him like a flood of dark water as he tries to breathe, to fight back the overwhelming fear that threatens to drown him. His life is forever changed. A precious gem exchanged for a handful of dust. I hear his sobs as he leans on the side of the tub begging for comfort no human can fully give.

An estimated 8,300 young people between 13 and 24 reported to the CDC in 2009 that they had been diagnosed with the HIV infection. Nearly half of the 19 million new STDs each year are among young people 15 to 24 years. More than 400,000 teen girls aged 15 to 19 years old gave birth in 2009. Chlamydia and gonorrhea cases are highest in Americans between 15 and 24.

While both men and women are severely affected by STDs, women face the most serious long-term health consequences. If they’re left untreated, STDs can silently steal a woman’s chance to have children later in life. It’s estimated that undiagnosed STDs cause approximately 24,000 women to become infertile each year. Syphilis rates are on the rise; they have been the highest every year among women 20 to 24 years old.

Abortion statistics are even more bleak. There have been approximately 50 million abortions performed in the U.S. from 1973 to 2011. A total of 35 percent of pregnant teens have an abortion.

Women who abort are four times more likely to die within a year than women who don’t get an abortion. Women who aborted in the year before their death were 60 percent more likely to die of natural causes, seven times more likely to die of suicide, and 14 times more likely to die from homicide. Abortion is linked to smoking, drug abuse, suicide, violent behavior, and eating disorders.

Yes, a woman has a right to do what she wants with her body. Yes, men and women can engage in all kinds of sexual behavior if they want to. But does that mean we should ignore the consequences? Remain silent to the costs? Refuse to issue warnings because we’re afraid we’ll be called judgmental or worse?

What kind of society are we when we celebrate, perpetuate, and capitalize on a behavior that hurts so deeply, that robs people of their innocence, their happiness, and even their lives? Is that compassion?

Who are the truly compassionate ones? Those who celebrate actions that lead to depression, dysfunction, and brokenness? Or those who lovingly warn that there is a better way—a way that celebrates the best of who we can be, not the worst of what we’re free to do.

Thank you So much to Ms. D.C. McAllister who wrote this article that were featured here:

http://thefederalist.com/2014/08/08/stop-pretending-sex-never-hurts/

AND
http://ricochet.com/archives/sex-hurts/

God Bless you. I have been in talks with her and I pray I can build a relationship with her!

Some other relevant comments from this article:

"Girls who have had sex before 20 have greater incidences of self-harm, depression, narcissistic behavior, and self-image issues. My point is there are consequences. But we ignore them and put down"

"Isn't it funny that sex is celebrated as the be-all and end-all for romantic or fun relationships. So important is it that we have pills for men that are past that period of their lives.

My question is if sex is nothing more than a handshake why is rape so terribly devastating to a woman, or man for that matter? With our culture's view of sex isn't rape just assault and battery or a simple mugging? We all know that it is not, and that is because the act of sex is a merging of two beings in a way that is more than physical. If it is not more than physical it is simply masturbation with an acquaintance.

The media, schools, and liberals have sold a bag of goods that are evil in reality, but are touted as the 'normal' way of living. There is a reason more than 50% of children in the US are raised by a single parent. When you think of that percentage why do people wonder why America is running down a hill into ruin.

PS. I am not saying that single parents can't or don't do a great job raising children. There are just so many hours in the day. My heart goes out to single parents."

Drop a comment that can help us fight this battle for sexual purity!!

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From your Sister in Christ ,

Michael Brown & Robin Williams

Wednesday, August 13th 2014

As a Christian I have come to know from God to number my days and apply wisdom to it, and to always know death can come at anytime, because our life is as a vapor able to vanish at any moment. We can never know when our lives will be taken. In our most selfish moments we need to find a way of hope,  because there are many out there whom we are far better than. In our little time of hurt we are still tremendously blessed.

As a person with a tremendous interest on the political climate of my surroundings I will like to talk and analyze two big stories that have come out this week. This is not to overshadow the loss of Mandela or Maya Angelou that I didn't blog about, but I am being lead to talk about these particular stories.

On August 9th, 2014 18 year old Michael Brown was shot 9 times in a row in Ferguson, Missouri.There are two accounts to what happened on this day, and to this black boy which sounded very similar,  to the story of Trayvon Martin which I also blogged about here. 

Account 1: Are from eye witness testimonies that watched the shooting take place. They state Brown was shot repeatedly while he raised his hands up in  surrender to the police unarmed. 

Account 2: Comes from the police. They claim Brown was antagonizing the police, borderline assaulting the officer that shoot him. They believe the only way for Brown to be restrained was to shoot him 9 times. Nine times. Nine times! He was unarmed.

I have confidence in our justice system, although I personally am going to school to make major improvements to policy aiding mental health victims, but I have confidence that this case will be investigated and Justice will be served. The ruling on the Trayvon Martin sounded a little unfair to many of us that witnessed it, but we knew why the verdict was the way it was. Just look at the jury people. My prayer is, in seeing all the official statements coming from major corporations that really care about civil rights(just google), real justice will be served and the jury in Michael Brown's case will be carefully chosen!

If you haven't checked out the social media campaign #IfTheyGunnedMeDown please do and chime in. The lack of respect for black men in many given areas is low and it could have happened to anyone we know.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Now as for Robin Williams. The world was informed of his death and passing on Monday, August 11th, 2014. When I first saw the announcement on facebook I was like awe, "Mrs Doubtfire" and prayed a little prayer hoping he knew the Lord.  Then I clicked the article I came across, to learn more about the story and learned he committed suicide. I learned he had been battling depression for some time now. 

If you;ve never read the clinical description of depression please do so now in an effort to de=stigmatize mental illness http: 

//www.webmd.com/depression/news/20140812/depression-deadly?ecd=soc_fb_news_depressionturns 

[I loved WebMD's article. ]

This is  my passion, and I have been raised by God to really go to law school, and get a masters to overhaul the policy in this country. I personally believe the West has enough intelligence to really solve mental illness, but we treat the illness and not the patient. There is lack of holistic care. This is why my masters paper or PH.D. thesis will consist of how a relationship with God can aid in the curing of mental illness.

I just can't help but think did anyone introduce him to Jesus? Did he hear the gospel? Who were his caregivers when he went to the hospitaland during outpatient services? The thing is for me Jesus healed me of my mental illness, I strongly believe he could have healed Robin Williams's too. My prayer is for those he left behind, his wife and children, that a Christian around them encourages them and loves them first and foremost; then if there is an opportunity to share the gospel, then to please do so! 

Along with the bible verse above, I loved this quote I found:

"Addiction of the word of God, is the termination of depression"

Then this brings me to YOU reading this blog:

With all these deaths of great names we grew up with, comedians, activists, and poets this year, how far along is our turn? How long are we going to toy with sins like drunkenness, or lying. Or the sin of sex before marriage, especially with someone you know is treating you below what God says you are to be treated. Or the sin of cheating on your spouse, coveting, stealing, jealousy, or just not applying wisdom to your days? How long? The Lord is ready for you to repent, take command of your life and remove the love of sin from your heart. He is waiting for you stop living dazed & confused. God is waiting to secure your eternal destination in case your day of death is tonight. How long will it take for you to surrender your life to Jesus?

Giving my life to Jesus has truly been the sweetest thing. He grants me so much favor among men, but most of all to HIM. I am eternally grateful, its not easy but the joy and peace I receive away from this failing world and failing body I am in, is amazing. 

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From your Sister in Christ ,

Sources: 

1. http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/11/showbiz/robin-williams-dead/index.html

2. http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/11/justice/michael-brown-missouri-teen-shot/index.html

We CAN be Holy and perfect

Friday, August 8 2014

One thing I am learning doing the Lord's work on this blog, while sharing the gospel and my own life experiences, is the Lord will not allow His words to be preahed, while His vessel is not totally anchored in Him. When I say this, I don't mean I tossed out my saved, sancitifed christian life in the waters and went having a ball at the club drinking and all that, its that the Lord was growing me in the most painful  part of my life, my very own ministry. The place where I had the world's biggest waves hit me in the world and now He wants to show me that in Christ, there are many ways one can go about courtship and prepearing for marriage but God has a high calling for the approach that men takes and the respect the woman are to have for themselves. He keeps his most valuablechildren from making mistakes and keeps them hidden when they don't want to for something greater. With that being said, God is allowing me the strength to write about His call for us to be holy as he is holy and perfect as he is perfect. 

Matthew 5:48

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

1 Peter 1:15-17

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

All too often, I hear in the Christian faith from Christians who have identified in their life a day or time they decided to follow Christ, that they are still sinners, they can never be perfect, and that being holy is unattainable on earth.......

If these stories were in the bible I would believe them, but they are not. The bible, which has been given authority states we are to be holy and perfect just like God is in heaven. 

"But Janet how can I be holy in this perverse crooked world!???" you may ask.

Let's first define what holy and perfect are together. When people think of these words in the Christian faith, their images automatically go to angles and heaven. They totally remove the context of the verses above and other verses where the term "holy" and "perfect" are mentioned in the bible . 

Let's break it down. 

When God calls his children to be perfect and holy here on earth, He is speaking of the measure of holiness and perfection one is given on this earth . A verse in Romans 12:3 talks about the measure of faith God gives each of us according to to how humble we are. This is the kind of mentality we should have when God is calling for us to meet these standards. It's very attainable. We aren't angels. We are still in the flesh that feels one thing although the spirit of God through His Word the Bible tells us to act another way. The more consecrated and committed we are unto the Lord, the same measure of holiness and perfection He gives us. We are growing in this act of being holy and perfect. It must be an intentional act because if not, the kingdom of heaven won't be yours. 

Hebrews 12:14King James Version (KJV)

1 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Holiness and perfection are one in the same. When God says He is holy what does this mean?

When we talk about the holiness of God, we’re talking about his separateness. That is, God is set apart from this world. He is set apart from the evil acts of a sinful people. As God’s children, meaning New Testament believers, on this side of the cross, we have been cleansed from our sin. The sacrifice of Jesus has made us clean in the sight of God. We have been made holy through Jesus therefore We can interact with God because of this great gift.

So, practically how do we live a holy life daily?

Living holy again is simple by God's grace. One must seek sanctification, which is an experience for all believers after salvation. Seeing that we have been made Holy through the blood, on the cross of Jesus we need to act like we’re holy.

We are to be set apart from the world. 

We are to stop acting like sinful, unsaved people. Which encompasses everything in these verses and more:

Ephesians 4:31

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice

Ephesians 5:3

 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Just think about things you wouldn't want Jesus seeing when He comes back to take you, His child, back to heaven.

We are to hate sin and steer clear of sinful situations. We are to honour God with our bodies, our every breath and our every thought. That’s what it means to be holy.

Being holy means being set apart for God.

• For me being holy is watching what I say, I don't curse, and I pray to God to not only speak with grace but also listen and respond with Grace. 
• For me it means NOT dating the worlds way. Not pressuring a guy to commit to me, but allowing God to lead him, while maintaining purity(no sex) and keeping it open, while my church family and friends know. 
• For me being Holy means being intentional about reading my bible everyday and letting it's raw words pierce my hearts.
•  For me being Holy is serving my family first, then my church by attending church services, joining ministries and asking about the well being of my other members, and finally serving my friends. 
• For me it means watching what I watch on tv and listen to as music..if they aren'ttalking about Jesus, salvation and my finally resting place in Heaven, I ain't listening to it. 
• Being holy means keeping my eyes on heaven, always checking in that I am growing in faith daily, repenting of any wrong doing,  so heaven is my goal and that I make it. 

Sometimes I don't FEEL holy and perfect. Sometimes I feel so broken, but ALL the time I am praying, asking God, help me identify my weakest moments,keep me in this time of doubt in the flesh. God counts me holy and perfect, because I am not sinning, my flesh just wants to bring me down.

God will teach you very practical ways on how to be Holy as you grow in him. We must remember, to be perfect and holy starts from the inside but will manifest on the outside! There is no "its only about the heart"!

Being holy and perfect is truly truly an act of love for your self and love for others.

Matthew 22:36-40

36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

I love you all. Praying for you.<3

(2014 Graduation Gala at my church)

CHIME IN: In what ways can you be holy in your everyday life?

From your Sister in Christ ,