GOD IS CALLING YOU.... YES YOU!!!!

I often hear people say stuff like God can't use me because, I'm not this or I'm not that. Well nuthin could be further from the truth. God has a great work for all of us to do. God told Jeremiah: "Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work." - Jeremiah 1:5. The same applies to each and every one of us, we were placed on this planet for a special assignment. Now before I go any further let me say here, when God called me to write the book; Spiritual Minded da daily devotion for the hip-hop generation and to use my talents and gifts He gave me and my long standing love of hip-hop to take it to the streets so to speak and teach the truth to the young black youth, I was more than a little relentless.I was comin at God like yo for real there are many other cats that are much more qualified than me to do this. I don't hold any degrees in theology, I can't spit out scripture like that, I wasn't the most elegant speaker or every the greatest writer. I write in slang and most of my writing is in run-on sentances and not exactly gramactically correct. I'm saying I would drive ya average English teacher crazy with how I get down.But much like Paul, God wasnt looking for an elegant speaker, He was looking for a relentless doer, someone who was gonna get it in for Him. He wasn't necessarily looking for someone with degrees in theology or even someone who could spit the Bible, chapter and verse at the drop of hat like that! But someone they would never see comin, to do His work!I know Im not the only one who feel or has felt that way. And to all of you who feel you are not worthy of doin great things for da King, let me break it down to you like this. Let keep it real and look at the cats God has used in the Bible. Abraham was an old man, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family issues, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, they say that John the Baptist was an eccentic cat to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritian woman had several failed marriages, Zaccaeus was unpopular, Thomas had madd doubts, Paul was in poor health, and Timothy was timid. And you thought you had issues.God uses those who others would never expect, so He gets all the glory. We were saved for service to God, not so God could serve-us, for employment, not just enjoyment. So next time you feel God can't use you cause you have issues or you are too.. and not (fill in your short comin here) enuf, remember the cast of misfits, listed above He used through the Bible, for His service. Do you think if He could do what He did with each of them, there is something in you that is too big for God to do what He do with and thru you. So the next time you hear someone knockin at the door, open it, the next time the phone rings pick it up, cause God is callin you, yes you!"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."- Ephesians 2:10
Peace and Increase
AJ ROK da professional hip-hop junkie
Spiritual Minded Radio Show

http://www.spiritualminded.podcastpeople.com/
SpiritualMindedRadio@gmail.com

check out SPIRITUAL MINDED da daily devotion for the hip-hop generation

- available on Amazon.com

Restoring Relationships And Broken Fellowships With Family!

God has restored our relationship with Him through Christ,

and has given us the ministry of restoring relationships. - 2 Corinthians 5:18

This is a subject that is close to home for me. Many around me, friends, family members and even a few casual acquaintances are suffering right now from broken fellowships with family and friends. The spirit of broken fellowship has even hit my immediate family. My character and spirituality have been questioned recently and personally it made me want to lash out and defend myself and tear down those who call me everything but a child of God. But I am reminded of Chapter 20 of Rick Warren's bestseller, The Purpose Driven Life where he writes, "If you want God's blessing on your life and you want to be known as a child of God, you must learn to be a peacemaker. Jesus said, God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

So how do I prove I am a child of God? By setting those straight and letting those who try to tear me down have it, or speak peace and encourage restoration of relationships to everyone. So without calling out names and speaking on specifics to put those on the spot who lay and pray for my downfall, today I choose to let God lead me and share with all who may be facing this very problems in their own life, that relationships are worth sharing.

Now let me say everyone who plays the peacemaker or the person in the relationship who promotes restoration won't always be received by those they have a broken fellowship with. But I believe that God wants you to step up and be the one to mend the fence, to make the first move. I believe God expects you to make the first move. Now if you do and the other person doesn't receive it, I believe you have nothing to be bitter about because you have done what God has called you to do and then God will deal with that person one on one at some point. But do not let the fact they may not receive you, stop you from making the first move.

In chapter 20 of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren offers seven biblical steps to restoring fellowship. I will summarize them but I encourage you all to read chapter 20 in it's entirety for yourself.

1. Talk to God before talking to the person.

Discuss the problem with God. If you will pray about the conflict first instead of gossiping to a friend, you will often discover that either God changes your heart or He changes the other person without your help.

2. Always take the initiative.

It doesn't matter whether you are the offender or the offended: God expects you to make the first move.

3. Sympathize with their feelings.

Use your ears more than your mouth. Before attempting to solve any disagreement you must first listen to people's feelings. Paul advised, "Look out for one another's interest, not just your own." Philippians 2:4

4. Confess your part of the conflict.

If you are serious about restoring a relationship, you should begin with admitting your own mistakes or sin. Jesus said it's the way yo see things more clearly: "First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." Matthew 7:5

5. Attack the problem, not the person.

You cannot fix the problem if you're consumed with fixing the blame. You must choose between the two. The Bible says, "A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire." Proverbs 15:1. A soft answer is better than a sarcastic one!

6. Cooperate as much as possible.

Paul said, "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody." - Romans 12:18. Peace always has a price tag. Sometimes it cost our pride; it often cost our self-centeredness.

7. Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution.

It is unrealistic to expect everyone to agree about everything. Reconciliation focuses on the relationship, while resolution focuses on the problem. When we focus on reconciliation the problem loses significance and often becomes irrelevant. We can reestablish a relationship even when we are unable to resolve our differences. Christians often have legitimate, honest disagreements and differing opinions, but we can disagree without being disagreeable!

Is there someone in your life that you need to restore fellowship with. What are you waiting for. If I can make one more suggestion, that would be for you to pause right now and go to God in prayer about that person. Then pick up the phone and begin the process. Rick Warren has given you the seven simple steps, even though they might not be easy. It is hard work restoring a relationship. But remember, Relationships are always worth restoring and II Corinthians tells us... "[Christ] has given us the ministry of restoring relationships!

Be Blessed brethren

and remember Romans 8:6 says, "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace!"

Stay Spiritual Minded!

AJ ROK

SPIRITUAL MINDED RADIO - Episodes 14 & 15

Check out Episode 15 of the Spiritual Minded Radio Show
http://www.spiritualminded.podcastpeople.com/posts/33843 part 1
http://www.spiritualminded.podcastpeople.com/posts/33846 part 2
featuring music from M.A.J.O.R.S., Donald Lawrence & The Tri City Singers, Willie Will, Pro, Kingston, Born 2Di, BandOfBrothas, Hezekiah Walker & The Fellowship, Andale, Tonex, Tye Tribbett & G.A., Canton Jones & More, check the playlist for complete track listings
http://www.spiritualminded.podcastpeople.com/posts/33845
Leave me ya feedback in da comment section& let me know what you think...
also check out The Spiritual Minded Radio Show- Episode 14
http://www.spiritualminded.podcastpeople.com/posts/33714
featuring music from J.A.Z. (Justified And Zealous), Tye Tribbett, Cash Hollistah, BandOfBrothas, MikeREAL, Pro, Cy, Kingston, Canton Jones & more.Check the playlist for complete track listing...
http://www.spiritualminded.podcastpeople.com/posts/33715
Let me know what you think, leave me ya feedback in the comment section and tell a friend to tell a friend!If ya like what you hear forward this to your friends and fam!
Thanx!
--Have A Blessed Day!
AJ ROK
da professional hip-hop junkie
SPIRITUAL MINDED RADIO SHOW
SpiritualMindedRadio@Gmail.com