Author: evangelist_breland

Our month-long celebration of African-American history is the fruit of Carter G. Woodson’s effort, calling for the first one-week observance in 1926. He wrote, “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”

Every people have traditions, and food is a major part of ours. Not only does everyone need food, but we enjoy it too. In the African-American or Black community whatever the occasion, food is there; fellowship and food go hand-in-hand. Ecclesiastes 9:7 says that we are to eat food with gladness, and drink our wine with a merry heart… There is so much diversity that we never know what might be served up on the menu at any given time. Let us not forget there is variety in preparation: fried, baked, boiled, grilled, canned, specialty preparations, stewed, and more. Due to the African-American historical experience, many of our traditional dishes may have been based on how food was prepared in Africa, on many of the islands, and of Native Americans. Bless God every day for the provision of food:

God is great.

God is good.

Let us thank Him for our food.

By His hands we all are fed.

Give us Lord, our daily bread.

Give us Lord, our daily bread.

Amen.

Joshua‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

““Now, stay strong and steady. Obediently do everything written in the Book of The Revelation of Moses—don’t miss a detail. Don’t get mixed up with the nations that are still around. Don’t so much as speak the names of their gods or swear by them. And by all means don’t worship or pray to them. Hold tight to God, your God, just as you’ve done up to now.”

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

^{Repost of first blog post: 11 September 2020}

Genesis 12:1-3; Psalm 100:2-3

How often have you thought about your purpose of existence? Perhaps many times. God is purposeful in everything He does, whether or not you understand. He was purposeful when He created you in His image. Earthly parents naturally expect their children to be obedient and reflective of who they have trained them to be. We are children of God, so He expects us to obey Him and reflect on who He is.

Consider that God called Abraham and told him to leave his country and family and go to a land He would show him. He called Abraham and set him apart for His Divine will. Abraham (Abram) and his wife Sarah (Sarai) had no children, but God promised to make him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and bless all families of the earth through him. God’s calling of Abraham was purposeful – testing his faith and obedience. Paul said that Abraham believed in God, and as a result, God counted it to him for righteousness. God has a purpose always; therefore, He should always get the glory. When last did you believe God and obey Him? Belief and obedience glorify Him.

Because He is your Creator and made you in His image, you are to serve Him with gladness and come before His presence with singing – to worship Him. Singing is an act of worship – in key or not. Lift your voice and let it rip. God is smiling because you are bold enough to give Him glory through singing.

Assuredly, He’s there all the time. Scripture says that He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. This day you may be feeling down and out. No matter how you feel, He knows what you are going through. So go ahead; acknowledge Him. Psalm 100:3, N.I.V. says, “Know that the Lord is Good.” Give Him glory!

Mark 11:11-20

This passage of scripture took place after Jesus rode his donkey into Jerusalem and into the temple court and looked around at the activities that were going on. Evening came, and Jesus and the twelve went to Bethany (v.11). The next day they were coming from Bethany, and Jesus was hungry (v.12). From a far distance He saw a fig tree with leaves, but when He got to it there was not anything on it; it was not the season for figs (v.13). Jesus spoke to the fig tree, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples heard what He said (v.14). The fruitless tree can be symbolic of fruitless spiritual life of unfaithful children of God. Those who are unfaithful to God do not bear fruit; therefore, like the fruitless fig tree, the Father will cut us off (John 15:2). Whosoever God curses no man can bless.

Verses 15-19 showed Jesus’ anger and how He cleaned the temple, driving out the money changers and merchants who bought and sold animals for sacrifice.  He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. Then He taught them that it is written that His house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations and not a “den of thieves” as they had made it. Jesus was angry at these people who disrespected the house of God to accommodate their own selfish desires. When the scribes and chief priests heard what Jesus had done, they started plotting how they might kill Him. But they were afraid of Him because the people were so amazed at His teaching. When evening came, He went out of the city (v.19).

Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots (v.19). And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away” (V.20). Draw close to God. Stay connected to Him through faith in Jesus and you will live. Separate from Him and we wither spiritually like the fig tree. Give God praise and a hand clap!