"Turnt" Down...Prayed Up!

"Turnt up" (and any and all variations of the phrase) was the phrase of 2013 for all things ghetto, trifling and out of control, and unfortunately it is still going strong in the new year.

 

DEFINITION OF TURN UP:

 Getting loose, being wild and potentially engaging in sexual activity with members of the opposite gender (or the same gender if that's what you're in to, acting crazy due to consumption of large amounts of alcohol, marijuana, molly or other drugs. It can be used as a noun where it is spelled "turnt up" instead of "turned up" as grammatical conventions would suggest. Turnt up is used to described the state of being wild and crazy like someone would be at a party. (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=turn%20up)


Every time I saw someone hollering about turning up it had something to do with getting drunk, having a wild night or some other sort of blatantly sinful act. I don't care how you spin it, twist it, shake it or turn it; when something comes from the devil it is not of God. Period.

Turn down for what? Because either you are for God or you against Him.

God does not want us bragging or boasting about living our lives in a manner that is displeasing to Him. If we profess that we are Christians or striving to be Christians (like me), then we need to learn to separate ourselves from the things of the world and not feel obligated to participate in them simply for the approval of our peers.

So what if you're not the cool one? So what if you're a lame? Is it more important to impress your friends or to please to your God?

We are to be examples for those who are in the world and we should want to be examples for our children and future generations as well. How can we teach someone about the dangers of alcoholism while glorifying how great is it to get drunk? How can tell someone about the dangers of fornication while continually glorifying sexual sin? (And here's a side note for you, fornication is just that whether you are gay, straight, young or old.) How can we on the one hand praise God and on the other glorify Satan?

The word up is used in the Bible many times. Such phrases as lift up, rise up, look up, stand up, build up, go up, etc. are used in verses that give us instructions on how to live our lives pleasing to God. Isn't it funny that out of all these "up" phrases, "turn up" isn't one of them?

Stop hollering about turning up and start looking up to God. Start lifting up His kingdom and
standing up for what is right. Build up your brothers and sisters and rise up  from despair, hopelessness and the snares of the devil. And most importantly, stay prayed up because the devil ain't turning down no time soon.

Be blessed! 

New Year...Same God

Right now, it is 10 minutes after 11 pm CST on the very first day of 2014. A brand new year that God has allowed myself and the vast majority of my family and friends to see. Now we all know, that the tradition of New Year's resolutions date back to however many years ago, and we all know that most people who make resolutions for the new year don't bother to stick to them or even take them seriously. Me? I don't even bother.

Photo credit: everythingfunny.org

This year, it seems that many of my social media connections decided to forgo resolutions as well, although they all made certain "promises" of changes that they were going to make this year. Some were getting rid of negative people in their life, others were letting go of past hurts, some were focusing on getting their finances together, etc. I found myself how wondering how many people really meant what they said and how many just said it because it "sounded good".

Don't get me wrong. Change is awesome! I know first hand how even the smallest of changes can make the biggest of differences in one's life. I'm not here to discourage anyone from making positive changes. I will say, however, that true change cannot happen without first seeking God's guidance and approval on the changes you wish to make.

God, Himself, doesn't change.  
"For I the Lord do not change..." Malachi 3:6 ESV 

This is a concept that we modern Christians seem to forget. We want to take our lives as they are and incorporate our sins into our relationship with God. We want God to conform to us, rather than us be obedient and allow Him to transform us into who we need to be. Our way of thinking seems to be that we can do whatever we want, live how we want, eat what want, drink what we want, say what we want and as long as we throw God or Jesus' name in the mix somewhere then we're covered.

WRONG! God has something great in store for each of us, not just for the new year, but for our entire lives but we have to be willing to CHANGE our ways and let God work! It's easy to show up at church on Sunday and be religious. It's easy to Google scriptures and post pretty pictures with smart sayings and Bible references but that doesn't make you a Christian.

I can honestly tell you that since I have truly began to follow God and have Him as head of my life, my life has been WONDERFUL! Don't get me wrong, I am not perfect and neither is my life but even when I am going through, I don't experience the same woe and hopelessness that I see many of you express daily.

I'm not rich, but I don't worry about money. I don't have a lot of friends, but I'm not lonely. I'm not perfect, but I'm not worried about others judging my flaws. GOD has done THAT for me because I gave myself to him. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:25-30 that once we allow Him to take control that He will carry our burdens. The SAME issues that used to have me up at night unable to sleep, not able to eat, don't even phase me anymore. Why? Because I KNOW God has got me and NO weapon...(ya'll I'm about to shout in my bed right now), but you know the rest!

I am encouraging you that if you are really looking for a better life in 2014; if you are really looking to make a change for the better for yourself and your family, then it is IMPERATIVE that you turn towards heaven RIGHT NOW and seek God. Listen to the song below, and then pray for God to enter into your life like He hasn't been allowed to before. Pray for Him to enter into you and to begin to work and tell the devil that he has NO power over you THIS YEAR! God has been the same God since the beginning of time. He is willing and waiting to show you just who He is.

Will you say yes to God in 2014?

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2 KJV

Stay tuned!