The Nobody’s Perfect Club – Unlimited Excuses Part 1
December 15, 2020 by Elder/Minister DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Christian Living
The longer I live the more I realize how utterly important it is to develop an intimate personal relationship with the Lord. I have learned that when a teller is trained in the banking industry, they are taught how to recognize the authenticity of currency. Therefore, whenever a counterfeit bill is passed, they are able to recognize it.
“Nobody’s Perfect Club!”
You want to know how to recognize and hear the voice of the LORD!
We live in a real world that is full of systems of deception created to distract us from the genuine purpose of life. Our life purpose is to glorify GOD ALMIGHTY. Without the Holy Spirit as your Navigator you will get towed right along. This deception has further infiltrated the Church. It beckons those who are willing to make excuses for their shortcomings, to excuse self-gratification as a mere attribute to mankind’s imperfections. To immorally satisfy the carnal appetite to all who are willing to submit to the, well; “Nobody’s Perfect Club.”
This will only erroneously teach you although, “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof;” He doesn’t really know how to bless His children. Why is that? Because He intends for them to stay dependent on anything and everybody until they leave this world. Although they don’t believe blessings are just material, actual spiritual growth and development are optional. I warn you this will only enslave you to a life dependent upon sin.
God really has given us many liberties. Know there are consequences for our choices.
We really often miss the point. You see God doesn’t force us. He allows us all the freedom to choose. Instead, many often choose to justify living a life where sin abounds. This gives us unlimited privileges in the “Nobody’s Perfect Club.” He did not make us to be robots. It is time out for playing games…
We are to daily grow in His grace and sin less. Not simply make excuses. These are some very serious; “Perilous Last days!” Yes, He does still intend for us to respect Him as Father and Lord within our daily lives. Not in a legalistic manner. We serve an Omnipresent, Omnipotent Almighty GOD! He wants us to enjoy healthy fulfilling well rounded lives! Remember always; “the earth is the LORD’S and the fullness thereof the world and them that dwell within it. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established t upon the floods…” Psalm 24
Ministry must go beyond the walls!
The “Nobody’s perfect club” allows easy access to unlimited excuses. It has a plethora of earthly benefits. You can live any way you want, say anything you want, little or no study required. Listening to an occasional lecture or message may be required to help you with attendance kudos. Or just reading a few scriptures. Listening not required just say amen when it gets too quiet. Just show up on Sunday? And act as you are happy? This Guarantees access to many carnal fringe benefits I prefer not to mention. You may even receive a B.A. (born again) if you don’t rock the boat. Come as you are and possibly stay as you are? And yes, your name placed on the membership role. You see we are saved by grace. That gives you a license to indulge yourself. Afterall “Nobody’s perfect.”
One caution, you may be persecuted or covertly disfellowshipped if you genuinely decide to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of TRUTH. But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness. “ II Timothy 2 Why? Because you are trying to be too perfect.
Please if you have truly accepted “Christ as your personal Savior” allow Him to really work within you and actually become an integral part of your daily life. Allow Him to activate His Holy Spirit within your life. HE CAN CLEANSE YOU FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS… You can be content, happy and fulfilled in the Lord. And you do not have to compromise His Word or principles. Know you will often be misunderstood. God can and will make a marvelous difference within your life. And also make spiritual deposits to your eternal account that will yield a harvest of marvelous spiritual, physical, and an endless array of marvelous blessings.
Accept Christ Jesus into your heart
If you have not accepted JESUS as your SAVIOR & LORD; please DO, “ACCEPT HIM NOW!” Truly and earnestly ask JESUS into your heart and life this very moment. Ask Him to forgive you for your sins because you want to make a FRESH START! You want to sincerely REPENT!!! (Meaning; COMMIT to turn from your ways and the ways of the world and turn your life over to GOD!) & SAY YES to GOD!!! Because You really do want to change and sincerely commit your life to GOD!
I assure you it will be a marvelous journey like no other. If you have grown slack in your commitment; (to GOD’s principles activated in your life) it is time to recommit! Getting serious has its price. So, I must warn you. There is a serious battle ahead of you. When you do, it is important to know and expect, when you do this a lot of spiritual warfare will be launched against you as well as your family. It wants to discourage you and make you conform. So, know you will be placed under a microscope and any flaws even merely detected in you and your family will be magnified. But PRAISE BE TO GOD it is still truly worth it! Simply rest in the fact, GOD always knows the TRUTH!
GOD begins to manifest the Fruit of HIS SPIRIT within you as you commit to HIS WILL. We never get to the place that we can do without GOD. Spiritual strength grows as you grow up and exercise your FAITH & TRUST in the LORD!
There is much spiritual warfare that happens even in the midst of worship
GOD created us to live a life pleasing in His sight. It is important to “Worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth!” Yet know it can get interesting at times. Be ready, for a lot goes on during worship. Some people will step over you, talk over you and yes be downright rude. They can be quite territorial. They often really want to impress the Pastor more than God. Life is not a movie and Church is not a scene. Although it’s full of actors, it’s serious business. Things are not always as they appear. It is important to know we the people are GOD’S CHURCH! HEAVEN is HIS THRONE, and the earth is HIS footstool! Be ready! Because yes, you are in for some surprises. Don’t believe everything you hear. Whatever you do; DO NOT hang out with the gossipers.
There are many facets to a story so make sure you have the facts before you assume something is true. When in doubt pray and seek the Lord’s direction. I have seen relationships go awry based on error… Some will say and do just about anything. Be willing to take responsibility for whatever you say and or do. There is always a possibility you will be misunderstood. So, choose words & battles wisely. In the midst of spiritual warfare there are many fiery darts that come forth. But praise be to GOD for HIS breastplate of righteousness. Also know many also have selective memories.
Always know it is the “Truth that will set you Free!”
Seek to believe the TRUTH! God holds each of us accountable for what we know. PRAY FOR DISCERNMENT! Please bear with me. You see I have been in Church all my life. ABBA FATHER continues to grow me up in His grace, knowledge understanding and wisdom… HIS astounding ETERNAL LOVE is glorious! If this is not where you are you have no need to be offended.
Life is precious. “GOD IS not a respecter of persons!” Each day is an opportunity to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. We can reap and enjoy all these marvelous spiritual benefits. Come what may, it is your choice. As you mature in the Lord you become increasingly aware that He is absolutely aware of your motives, actions and intents. Therefore, you don’t indulge in the mental games. Your responses are not hasty but intentional. Your desire is to facilitate and encourage genuine spiritual growth to help mature the Body of Christ. You know that we have as children of God a responsibility to give our omnipresent Heavenly Father Honor! “We are to be in the world but not of the world…” To encourage, admonish and correct one another with the Word in a healthy manner. As well as embrace it daily and live it out in front of non-believers as well. To get to know God and develop a personal ongoing intimate relationship with Him through Christ Jesus.
For we have committed to be HIS people!
God wants us to be complete in Him Part 3
August 16, 2017 by Elder/Minister DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Behavioral & Emotional Health, Christian Living
“When God created Adam He placed within him everything that he would need for life and living. God realized that Adam needed a life partner. He then placed Adam into a deep sleep and took out of Adam one of his rib bones and made Eve. Adam was created whole! It was sin that weakened him and separated him from God and made him doubt what God had said. Jesus made it possible for us to once again become whole. We must become sleep to the ways of this world and awakened to the things of God. We must allow Him His rightful place as our Creator & Maker within our hearts, lives, homes and places of worship. We must let Him bring forth a better way of living and ignite our hearts to sincerely “Worship HIM in SPIRIT and in TRUTH!” Through Jesus Christ we can once again become whole!
Marriage is honorable in the eyes of GOD!
If you do not have a spouse don’t feel left out, partner up with the LORD! You are not alone. Everywhere you are He is there! Ask HIM to open your spiritual eyes. He wants you to be content and complete in Him! We as believers are to live before an “Audience of One!” There is nothing wrong with wanting a spouse. Your natural desires make you who you are. Having a spouse to touch and agree with is truly a Blessing. As you truly become one; You always desire what is best for one another. There is power when you keep God in the Center of your marriage. This is why you want to be careful who you become one with… This is why it is important to marry someone you trust and you both love the Lord. You both can “Touch and Agree!” You want to be totally transparent to God and to one another. Continue to ask the LORD to give you a spouse who you can grow together with if you so desire. Holy Matrimony is God’s Design for marriage.
God saves us through the Power of His Holy Spirit so we can be saved from the temptation of sin reigning within our lives. You can be physically strong yet spiritually and emotionally very weak and unstable. You can be or become; “Strong in the Lord” Ephesians 6 God wants to transform us by the renewing of our minds through His Word! It is a source of unexplainable strength. His Word is necessary Spiritual Food for our souls. God wants us to be or become happy if we are married or if you are single. He has placed within us all a void that only He can fill. The Lord can bestow His Joy upon us. His Joy gives us strength!
We can have a Gethsemane experience when we commit to spending time alone with the Lord in prayer and meditating upon His Word! God wants us to readily repent of any sin. Leave no room for foolishness to get between you and the Lord. You do not have to let sin reign in your life. However you must believe. embrace and love, GOD & HIS WORD. Everyday is a precious GIFT from the Lord. Make sure you spend time with Him daily. It is through the power of His Holy Spirit that we can be spiritually refreshed, refueled & renewed. God loves us and wants us to become whole!
We can share our thoughts and ideas as well as manmade approaches to seeking wholeness. There is a tiny degree of good in some of the philosophies of man. But never accept anything or anyone over the WORD of GOD! One must pray for discernment to better understand the will of God. The concepts, ideas, theories and traditions of man will never supersede the TRUTH of GOD! The infallible WORD of GOD and HIS principles for life & living will always remain superior. It is important to keep in mind that God is our Creator and Maker of this world that we live in and always knows what is best for each and everyone of us at all times. HE IS OMNISICENT! He did not make us to be robots. He made each of us uniquely. Once we truly accept Jesus Christ into our hearts as Savior and Lord, His Holy Spirit is awakened within us. His Holy Spirit internally resides and becomes our Spiritual Guide and Comforter. He is the ultimate amazing Wonderful Counselor!
God does not want us ignorant of His ways. Nor does He wants us ignorant of the devices of satan. His cleverness is no match for the Omniscience of the Lord. This is why you must know His Word for yourself. God has not left us alone to struggle here on earth. If you are struggling you are trying to work things out your way… Always readily humble yourself before Him. One just needs to sincerely and diligently seek Him and His Word above all else. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the FAITH as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than in Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the Head over every power & authority.” Colossians 2
Walk in the Light and Trust God to be GOD!
We must live or begin to daily live our lives to please Him. Do not let others pull you into their storm. Instead remain calm and allow the Lord to guide you. You can all upon the Lord 24/7! “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God! This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to rest and approve what God’s will is ~ His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12.
God’s will for us is to become whole! We have no righteousness of our own. But through the power of His Holy Spirit we can be cleansed from all unrighteousness. GOD does not and cannot lie. HE IS The SPIRIT of TRUTH! He can daily renew our hearts and our minds. He can set you free! We in turn have to offer ourselves unto Him and embrace and implement the Truth of His Word within our own personal daily lives. We have a risen Savior; Christ Jesus! Therefore we pray; “Your kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!” Grace, Joy and Peace to you in Jesus Name. Yes GOD can make us whole! Yes we can strive for spiritual perfection! Yes we can become complete in HIM! Live Everyday to; BLESS HIS HOLY NAME!
God wants us to become complete in Him Part 2
October 15, 2015 by Elder/Minister DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Behavioral & Emotional Health, Christian Living
God wants us to become complete in Him
Part 2
God is omnipresent therefore everywhere we are God is there. As believers our body is a temple where God’s Holy Spirit resides once we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts as Savior & Lord. His Word is Spiritual Food for our souls. There is miraculous cleansing power in the blood of Jesus! God wants us to daily draw near to HIM with sincere hearts. Here is how we begin to move toward spiritual wholeness.
When we are connected to the LORD He will help us become all that He wants us to be. In an ongoing growing intimate personal relationship with the Lord we can discover everything that we will ever need for life & living. God never intended for us to be dependent upon others for our security and significance. He only wants us to be dependent upon Him. This is why we need to disconnect from the world and connect and stay plugged into the Lord! This is also why He encourages us to “PRAY without ceasing.” This keeps us focused upon HIM!
GOD is Omniscient
God is the source of everything that is genuinely good. If we all were ALL dependent upon Him this world would be a much better place to live. HIS CHURCH, our marriages, our families, our homes, neighborhoods, cities, towns, states, countries and the world at large would all be a lot happier and healthier.
God wants to continuously open our spiritual eyes and provide abundant living in every area of our lives. He wants the Fruit of His Spirit to manifest and multiply within our daily lives. When we are connected to the Lord we are even more cognizant of the world and what is happening all around us, yet we worry less as we learn to trust God more. Our discernment is sharper, our inner peace enhanced and we also become more spiritually enlightened.
Growing closer to God
Life on earth is designed as a continuous experience of lessons that can help us to grow spiritually. We can elect to grow closer to God or we can grow further away from Him. Anything that is not growing is dead! I was taught by a wise loving mother that, “We are forever becoming, and we never arrive.” This simply means that there is always something to learn as long as the Lord has us on this side of Heaven. We never get to the place that we do not need the Lord! God is the ultimate Father and He can feel as well as fill the void, resolve any despair as well as correct and heal any dysfunction that persists. God loves us and wants what is best for each of us.
GOD allowed His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place. The past, present & future sins of the world were placed upon Christ on the cross. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew NO sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in Him!” 2 Corinthians 5. He overcame sin in the flesh for us and has given us His Holy Spirit to help us live better God centered lives.
Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of the world
Jesus Christ died so that we could become FREE from habitual sin! As we grow in His grace, understanding, knowledge & wisdom and apply His principles to our own lives we should begin to sin less. We are to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ! After we complete the course of life we who are believers return to Him to live through eternity. Each day we are to live on earth as though our Lord was going to return!
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to SAVE the world though HIM!” John 3 Everyday: “To GOD Be The GLORY!”
GOD designed us to be controlled from the inside out by HIS HOLY SPIRIT! This is why when we accept JESUS CHRIST as SAVIOR & LORD HIS COMFORTER comes to abide and live within us! HE is our Internal Spiritual Teacher that can lead us to ALL TRUTH! HIS WORD does not say; lead us to some of the TRUTH! This is why: “THE RUE WORSHIPPERS WORSHIP THE LORD in SPIRIT & in TRUTH!” We should have;”A GREAT HALLLELLLUJAH” time whenever we worship & praise HIM knowing all that the LORD has done for us. It is our choice to live each day to please GOD or live to be accepted by others and conform to the ways of this world.
“The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is the Word of Faith we are proclaiming; that if you confess with your mouth that “JESUS IS LORD!” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you WILL be SAVED. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says; “Anyone who God trusts in Him will never be put to shame” Romans 10
You do not ever have to be ashamed once you truly realize the anointing cleansing POWER of HIS HOLY SPIRIT when you are walking in the LIGHT of HIS WORD! Don’t ever let anyone make you doubt GOD’S OMNIPOTENT POWER!
God wants us to become complete in Him
October 8, 2015 by Elder/Minister DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Behavioral & Emotional Health, Christian Living
God wants us to become complete in Him
Whatever your station is in life, wherever you work, live, worship, rest or play know that God is right there. As a matter of fact He is everywhere! He just wants us to invite His presence wherever we are. God wants to be a part of every area of our lives. God wants ALL of us to become perfect and whole. He wants us to place our trust in Him! To become perfect does not mean that we become flawless. It means to become complete in HIM! His Holy Spirit is the ultimate Spiritual Counselor!
Do you want a good relationship with your spouse? If you already have a good relationship with your spouse know there is always room for improvement. Your beloved committed spouse can also be or become your “Best Friend.” You truly unselfishly want the best for one another. Your marriage should become refined as you age and like a valuable antique increase in value. We should honor God with our lives and with our marriages. Marriage is honorable in the sight of the LORD!
Do you have a good relationship with your family, peers and or friends? Do you have a good relationship with your boss or coworkers? There is always improvement here as well. Oh but, nothing can compare to “What a Friend we have in JESUS!” Whatever the case may be God wants to be a part of every area of our lives. It is so very important to spend time in the presence of the Lord. God can fill any void in a healthy way. Life with the Lord means we are forever growing in His Grace. God wants us all to be or become happy married or single. Jesus did not die for us to be unhappy. He died so that we could become FREE! He wants His joy to emanate from our being. Joy is a part of the Fruit of His Spirit.
You can become whole
To become whole means that we have inner peace and contentment. You won’t have to act happy. Wholeness defined; “undiminished, integral, and complete. 5. unimpaired, perfect. 8. totality, aggregate. Whole, total mean the entire or complete sum or amount. The whole is all there is; every part, member, aspect; the complete sum, amount, quantity of anything, not divided; the entirety: the whole of one’s property, family. Total also means whole, complete amount, or number,” As growing believers we are to become fully immersed in seeking our fulfillment from God. Then we can freely give without expecting it to be reciprocated. When others unexpectedly step away you will not be in a quandary. God’s Word is true He can, “supply all our needs.” We should never compromise our relationship with the Lord in order to be accepted by anyone. This does not mean that we become self-centered but we are to be God centered! Thank you Lord for your abiding Holy Spirit!
The Greek word for being whole is holos. It means to be together or entire. God is Holy and His Word says “without holiness no one will see the Lord” Hebrews 12
I often say as long as I am here on earth, I have an invisible umbilical cord that keeps me connected to the LORD! I am God’s child, but I do not subscribe to childish behavior. Nor am I gullible. We are to humbly seek out God and submit to the Lord as His children regardless of our age. God has no grandchildren.
Learn to exercise self-control
Time is precious and I think that if there is a problem you need to take the time to responsibly confront it… Yes we can have fun but we are to be responsible and exercise self-control. Everywhere we go we can experience the presence of the Lord! If you are unhappy sad, discouraged, depressed or feel abandoned know that GOD is right there. You can connect with Him right where you are. You just have to make the choice to reach out to Him. It is not always about how you feel. It is more about what you know and believe about God. Know He really is Omnipresent!
God has created us. His Word is supposed to be our “Life Manual” This is why it is so very important to know His Word for yourself. It is so important that each of us embrace the principles of His Word within our daily lives. This way you will not be so easily tossed and turned or manipulated. Nor will you desire to manipulate others. I assure you that you will become a lot happier and secure, intrinsically knowing that the Spirit of our Lord resides within you. You will learn how to have healthier boundaries with others. Your desire for the Lord to manifest the Fruit of His Spirit within your life and the life of others will increase.
A Miracle from the WORD
There are a plethora of inspiring examples of miracles within the Word of God. Truly the Lord can make you whole emotionally, mentally and physically. One in particular is about a man who was lame and crippled for over (38) thirty – eight years. This man daily laid near the pool of Bethesda. Here many came who had many infirmities and laid by the pool seeking to be healed. They believed that when the water moved an angel was present. If they then entered the pool they would become healed.
When Jesus saw this lame and crippled man He asked Him “Do you want to get well?” The man replied to Jesus, “I have no one to help me get into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in. Someone gets ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Getup! Pick up your bed and walk!” At once the man was cured from a lifetime infirmity. He obeyed and picked up his mat and walked.” John 5 This is one of many great miracles.
In that very moment this man who had been lame for years was healed and made whole by Jesus! Becoming whole is not always instantaneous, but it is certainly possible. You really have to make it your goal to do whatever you need to do to move toward becoming whole, then trust God to do His part! Sometimes it is a process that takes us through phases of spiritual growth that serve to strengthen our Faith! The Word of God Is amazing it demonstrates over and over how we can become whole through Jesus Christ! But you have to believe that God is who He says that He is!
There is freedom in GOD
God created us to be FREE! But that does not mean that we are free to do just anything. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again to ta yoke of slavery.” Galatians 1.
God wants to write His laws onto the table of our hearts and lead and guide us. He wants us to be led by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says; “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds…” Hebrews 10. God wants us to draw closer to Him with an open heart. There is absolutely nothing that God does not know about any of us all around this world that He has created. He loves us because HE IS LOVE!
If we could only grasp the importance of embracing His Word daily! We could then better understand His love. Jesus died so we could be reconciled back to the Father. God wants us to experience His presence daily not just on Sunday or some days. However when we all gather together for worship He should be the Main attraction. What Power we all can experience when we are on one accord. It is not just for an outside show but an intense inner awakening takes place where we can become more enlightened. Whenever you close your eyes you can sense His presence within you. He will manifest Himself in a way that we will know that He is well pleased and your spiritual discernment will be sharpened
