KICK OFF YA SHOES & RELAX YA FEET!

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made;
And He rested on the seventh day from all
His work which he had made- Genesis 2:2

You every get in a bind, be it financial or just behind in work where there is so much that needs to be done? No matter how much you do it seems like you’re not even making a dent. You try and try, work day and night to accomplish your goal but somehow it just never seems to ever be enough. I know I have been guilty of this many times in my life and still find myself in that situation now to be honest. I never take time to rest.

Well let me tell you this, rest and relaxation is not a sin. Rest time is repair time, a time of renewing, restoration and recharging. It is also a time a receiving what we need from God to get through another day. We may look at it as a loss of productivity but it is really a time of renewing. Yes you could have gotten some more done if you stay up but you are not really effective when you are tired. Fatigue can be costly, financially or in time to redo what you did, when you weren’t at your best.

God created everything in 6 days, but after each day he didn’t complain about what He hadn’t done yet. The bible tells us he stood back, looked over what He had accomplished and said it is good. He set an example for us and Jesus did the same thing. That may be the reason He was able to accomplish so much in three and a half years. Jesus who healed the sick, fed the hungry, performed miracles and taught everyone He came in contact with, took time to rest.

Come ye yourself apart into a desert place and rest awhile. - Mark 6:31

Jesus often separated Himself from others to rest, mediate and pray and be alone with His Father, to recharge His spiritual battery so to speak. Like your car, you can only go so far before you run out of gas. Life is very demanding, people are too. The more you succeed the more people will demand or expect from you. The life as a believer is even more demanding. The enemy will attack you every chance he gets. When you don’t take time to rest and are weak, is one of his favorite times to attack.

That’s not say don’t work hard. Work hard but take time to play just as hard. And take time to kick off your shoes and relax your feet.

Father God please teach us how to rest.
Show us how we can turn to You and refresh and rejuvenate ourselves.
Without rest we can’t accomplish the goals and desires you have placed in us.
Thank you for Your rest
In Jesus’ name- AMEN

©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON
DA PROFESSIONAL HIP-HOP JUNKIE!!!
Look out for my upcomin book
SPIRITUAL MINDED: da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation
and check out the SPIRITUAL MINDED MAGAZINE,
ONLINE RADIO SHOW and Social Networking Site!
http://spiritualminded.ning.com/

What Is Evangelism?

If you ask 10 people this question, you will probably get 10 different answers. Evangelism in my opinion can not be reduced to a simple formula. To me is simply means to teach, preach, lead and spiritually uplift others. Depending on the group of people you are trying to reach, it can take on many different forms. Myself I have been involved in the hip-hop industry for 20 plus years. So what I do make look different than say someone reaching folks in Middle America.
Last year I did a massive landscaping job. After planting several plants, trees, bushes and shrubs through out the different flower beds, I noticed all the plants didn’t grow the same. Some took right away and needed very little attention, some needed extra watering, some needed extra miracle grow or root stimulator. Yet some other needed to be replanted in a more shaded area or where they could receive maximum sun.
There were others that just didn’t grow at all no matter what I did and some that looked like they wouldn't grow and eventually flourished because I didn’t give up on them. This was my first experience in a landscaping job of that magnitude and I have to admit I got frustrated when some of the plants died no matter what I did, and was glad I didn’t give up on others that finally grew.
I used that example because evangelism is a lot like that. You will not always see results as you preach and teach God’s Word. God gives us a choice and you can not force an individual to believe. It does follow a mathematical equation like 4:1 ratio of seeds planted to seeds sprouted. People respond differently because they are in different states of readiness. It’s the miracle of God’s Holy Spirit as He uses you to lead others to Him.

He said to His disciples, “The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send out more workers for His fields.” – Matthew 9: 37-38

We as Christians, as believers we should all be personally responsible to pass on the gospel of Christ. Jesus needs workers, who know how to deal with people’s problems. Who can comfort others and show them the way to live and helped them with their problems through our own personal testimonies. (2 Corinthians 1: 3-7)

Make no mistake about it, takes a lot of patience and perseverance and it will not be easy. We have to understand when talking to people that it takes time to accept something that changes the very foundation of their very existence. Sharing the gospel will not always have immediate results. When you approach people about letting Jesus change their life you have to give them time to weigh the matter. We must allow them to ask questions and give them time to put the pieces together so to speak.

There are many who are “a ripe field for harvest,” and Jesus referred to them. Many people are ready to give their lives to Christ if someone would just show them how. But there will also be times you will reach some and never know. Like that plants that showed no sign of life put came up later that season or early the next season, all we can do is plant the seeds and leave the rest to God.

Jesus commands us to pray that people will respond to the needs of His workers. Many times when we pray for something, God answers our prayers by using us. Be prepared for God to use you to show another person the way!

©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON
PROFESSIONAL HIP-HOP JUNKIE!!!
Look out for my upcomin book
SPIRITUAL MINDED: da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation
and check out the SPIRITUAL MINDED MAGAZINE and ONLINE RADIO SHOW
http://spiritualminded.ning.com/

Rev Run's Words of Wisdom

Good morning. When you look at the word familiar it reminds me of the word family. Are you familiar with your family? Are you close to them? Or very busy? (Remember!) Be attentive to your family... There's a proverb that reads... "Listen to the whispers so you don't have to hear the screams
....

New book in stores today!
“Take back your family” ... A challenge to Americas parents! Where ever books are sold! By.. Rev Run and Justine Simmons...

God is Love
Rev Run

Read more at Run's Words of Wisdom at revrun.uber.com/wordsofwisdom.

REASONS, SEASONS & LIFETIME PEOPLE

Did you know that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime? When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you Father God for sending people to be a part of our lives, whether it is for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Help us to know which one they are. Thank you for surrounding us with angels to encourage us and give us just what we need to get through. Thank you for knowing what we need and meeting all of our needs. In the name of your son Jesus The Christ, we pray and praise your name.
AMEN,
AMEN,
AMEN!!!

©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON
PROFESSIONAL HIP-HOP JUNKIE!!!

Look out for my upcomin book
SPIRITUAL MINDED:
da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation
http://www.lulu.com/content/2830182