Christmas Time is Here!

Christmas a time most people believe is for buying gifts, but let me tell you Christmas is not a time for receiving gifts it is a time to give and a time of remembering the gift that God gave to us.

People say they don’t know why the holidays make them feel so thankful or so full of joy. That is because they slightly remember God giving his only son.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

See he gave the ultimate gift, his son and with his son, and through this gift we have been given eternal life.

If we could all remember what this season was about for a few weeks. Then maybe we could remember him and his gift to us all the time.

Remember to be thankful of him all the time, is only half the fight we should also stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking of others. We waste so much time buying gifts for our families and thinking how good it make us feel to spend so much on a gift that might not last long.

We forget to help those who really need it, there are people who are in need of food, shelter and even love and yet we are spending money on people who may or may not like what u got for them.

Kids are so caught up with what they want for Christmas and if they are going to get what they asked for, That they forget that their parents need help around the house.

Let’s change things up for once, kids and teens you need to stop asking for stuff and start helping your parents. Don’t wait for them to tell you what to do. Just ask them if they need help and trust me that will feel much better than unwrapping a gift on Christmas.

And adults and parents instead of just spending money on your kids, try teaching your kids the true meaning of Christmas by blessing another family who needs help. Or give whatever God puts on your heart and spend time with your kids while doing it.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Theopneustos T.

God can do all things

It’s amazing what God can do when you have faith in him. When I first tried starting Genesis2.7 Media every time I tried to get help, adults would tell me I was too young to be anything more than a kid in school, that I would never amount to anything until I was a full grown man and had pastoral experience.

But what they didn't realize was there are millionaire teens that start their own businesses, and I had 6 years experience as a pastor and teacher before I was 15.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

God made every adult that ever talked down on me a fool; he made them eat their words. And all I did was believe in God and what he could do through me.

Even King David was made king when he was just a boy. Read for yourself:

1 Samuel 16:1-13 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'

Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."

Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"

Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the LORD."

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."

Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one."

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these."

So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."

So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome feature. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

If you feel like God is telling you to do something and all you get from people is: Criticism, hate and discouragement. Just go for it and have faith that God will make it happen.

Is it time?

Everything in life has its time, when you are waiting for God’s plans for you to happen often times it is either because he is testing you patience and how much faith you have in him.

But when you try and make his plans happen before their time, it will not work: Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

It can be hard sometimes to know exactly when God’ plans are suppose to happen. He will tell you when it is time, but it is up to you to be patient and trust in him.

Every now and then I struggle with discerning when God’ plans for me, and the ministry are going to happen, and a few times I almost led the ministry astray, because of foolishly trying to make his plans happen in my own strength or understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

The Bible says not to lean on your own understanding but even that is difficult sometimes because your mind will often argue with your spirit man, especially when Gods plan doesn’t make sense.

But something you must always remember is your spirit man is never wrong and when your mind argues with your spirit man it is always the Devil trying to separate you from God, so that his plan can fail.

If you trust in the Lord and in his plans, lay aside your pride, and let your spirit man be first instead of your own understanding. Then Gods plans for you will succeed, and you will prosper.

Psalm 125:1 Like Mount Zion are they who trust in the LORD, unshakable, forever enduring.

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Trust in him and you will not be put to shame. Do not rely on your own strength, but say, ‘Lord in my weakness may your glory be seen.’

Fasting

Fasting is something I finally was able to experience; the first thing everyone has to know about fasting is that it’s not about you, it is about God and the time you spend with Him.

You don’t just choose what your going to stay away from, God tells you what He needs you to avoid until your fast is over.

That means you cannot just choose the one thing u rarely do and say that is what your going to fast. God usually chooses the one thing you can’t stand to give up.

For me it was the Internet, I had spent so much time Online that I almost forgot my Real Life goals and purposes. The most important was that I had forgotten to spend time with God.

Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some, or all food, drink, or both for a period of time.

An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day (24 hours), or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive, limiting particular foods or substance. The fast may also be intermittent in nature (see: Intermittent fasting). Fasting practices may preclude sexual and other activities as well as food.

In a physiological context, fasting may refer to (1) the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight, and (2) to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting, and some diagnostic tests are used to determine a fasting state. For example, a person is assumed to be fasting after 8–12 hours. Metabolic changes toward the fasting state begin after absorption of a meal (typically 3–5 hours after a meal); "post-absorptive state" is synonymous with this usage, in contrast to the "post-prandial" state of ongoing digestion. A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting (from 8–72 hours depending on age) conducted under observation for investigation of a problem, usually hypoglycemia. Finally, health professionals of most cultures, throughout history, have recommended extended fasting as therapy for various conditions from ancient to modern.

When Followers of the Lord fast, they are suppose to put aside their worldly ways (things that have been put before God) and spend as much time with God as they can, so that he can tell them all that he needs to tell them.

In Joel 2:12 it says, “That is why the LORD says, "Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

It isn’t easy to fast, one reason being it is very hard giving up what you are so accustom to doing. But the main reason is because the Devil will try and stop you from fasting by tempting you at certain moments when you are most vulnerable.

I was tempted to use my phone to get online; it took a lot of prayer and God’s strength not to get online.

Don’t be ashamed if you feel tempted to walk astray from your fast, even Jesus was tempted.

If you read Matthew 4:1-11 it has the full story of Jesus being tempted during his fast.

And now the last thing you should know is, do not fast to make other people like you, respect or adore you more, because that is not what fasting is for.

Matthew 6:16-18

"When you fast, don't make yourselves look sad. The hypocrites do that. Don't be like the hypocrites. They make their faces look strange to show people that they are fasting. I tell you the truth; those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you fast, make yourself look nice. Wash your face. Then people will not know that you are fasting. But your Father that you cannot see will see you. Your Father sees the things that are done in secret. And he will reward you."

We do not pursue the spiritual disciplines to gain us notoriety and respect. They are of value when we offer them to God and go about our daily routine as if nothing were different, except our character. Our character is to be transformed to be more like our Father in Heaven. A fast to God is not about looking like we're fasting on the outside, but that we're being transformed on the inside. That transformation will show itself over time, and in the meantime, the fruit of fasting will be its own reward.

Be on Gaurd!

Has someone ever told/asked you: “You have left a door open to something evil”

“Have you left a door open for the enemy to attack?”

If you have and don’t now what it means, let me explain it to you; when you do something that is not right in God’s eyes, basically anything that your ‘conscience’ tells you is wrong and you do it anyway, then that will open doors to the enemy.

Because the Devil loves it when you disobey God he will wait patiently for you to mess up and when you do he will attack.

INVITATION.

This means that we actually invite him into our lives to set up a stronghold. Whenever, we seek knowledge, or power from the supernatural other than through God, we are giving the enemy an invitation to come into our souls and set up a stronghold. This usually happens when we rebel against God, or authorities over us.

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king" (I Samuel 15:23).

Whenever, a Believer seeks a psychic, or looks to a horoscope for answers, he is vulnerable to the enemy entering into his life. I know of a Christian young man who rebelled against his father and got involved in Satanism. It can even be dangerous going to a "fortune teller" at a church Halloween Party. Solomon gives us a grave warning,

"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" (Proverbs 6:27).

TEMPTATION.

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14). Remember what happened to David. "And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon" (II Samuel 11:2). It is like what may happen to the man who is going through marriage difficulties. In the midst of the difficulties, a younger and more attractive woman than his wife happens to show up on the scene and opens the door to adultery through flirtation.

IMAGINATION.

(Romans 1:21). "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5). A man can in his imagination undress a beautiful woman in his mind, but Jesus warns us about doing so. "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

FEAR, WORRY, or ANXIETY.

We see this clearly in the life of Job. Although Job didn't sin with his actions, or by cursing God. He opened the door to the enemy through "fear". He offered sacrifices for his sons just in case they might have sinned, he had many guards for his possessions, and he was afraid of losing his health. "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came" (Job 3:25-26). Basically, he was saying that he did what was right, but knew it wouldn't do any good anyway. In contrast, Peter states, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:7-8). We have the option either to cast all our cares upon the Lord, or face the roaring lion and he will devour our lives as he roars. He is not toothless as some well meaning preachers have advocated.

This is why it’s important to put on your FULL ARMOR OF GOD!!!

Each piece protects something: The Helmet of Salvation protects your mind from sinning. The Breastplate of Righteousness protects your heart from fear, unforgiveness and offences and keeps you obedient. The Waist belt of Truth of course reveals to you all truth. The Shoes of Peace help you in your walk to follow his lead through the word. The Shield of Faith guards you from the attacks of the enemy, it helps you to stay strong in your faith. And last but not least The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word, it helps you to fight back with the word not your emotions.

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

"I learned my lesson” a phrase most of the earth’s population has had a few chances to say, but do they really mean it?

Everyone has made some sort of mistake that they would never want to repeat.
An example; quite a few people have cheated on some kind of test, a crucial thing most cheaters never want to happen is get caught.

When most cheaters get caught they often say, “I learned my lesson, I promise I will never do it again.” But do they really mean it, most of the time what they r thinking after they get caught is, “I’m sorry I got caught.”

It can be hard learning your lesson the hard way, but the reason why we must is so we can carry this lesson with us at all times. It is to prevent us from ever doing it again, or to help someone from making the same mistakes as you.

One thing you should know is God doesn’t make bad things happen to us to learn a lesson, we simply bring it upon ourselves and God moves out of the way so we can learn our lessons.

When you really learn your lesson then you will never make the same mistakes, but if you shrug it off and forget the lesson you learned then you never really learned your lesson.

I am sure most of you have noticed the name of my blog is Lessons learned the hard way, well the reason why it is, because the best lessons I ever learned were learned the hard way.

Revelation 3:3 So remember what you received and heard. Obey, and change the way you think and act. If you're not alert, I'll come like a thief. You don't know when I will come.

Isaiah 42:23 Which of you will listen to this, or pay close attention in time to come?

Don’t keep yourself from learning your lessons just because you don’t like them, because in the end they will make you a better person.

The Arrogance of Man

This blog is about arrogance, there are many ways to be arrogant but God specifically wanted me to share certain forms of arrogance with you.

First form of arrogance is failing to acknowledge a persons work.

Now even though God tells everyone not to seek recognition from man, but God still says to give credit where credit is due; plus everyone still has a natural curiosity of what is being said about them.

I have been personally experiencing this all this month, I almost worried that I wasn’t making a difference. But I failed to listen to what God and even what my own family was telling me. God told me so many times that I am doing a good job.

My parents told me that I was doing well. But I still wandered why my ‘friends’ would not even talk to me. Then people that I never even met, people from around the world (China, Africa, Brazil, CA, UK, Ireland, & still some stateside; OH, OK, & AL) told me how much they loved my work!

Even in the Bible, Jesus asked his disciples, "who do they say I am?” not because he wanted credit, though he was worthy of it, but because he wanted to know their thoughts of him, because he cared about them, and because he was naturally curious.

So now I know it wasn’t that I was doing wrong, it was that people were so arrogant and consumed by their own pride to give credit to anyone else.

My Mother posted on my face book this story about Jesus:

Even Jesus when he healed the 10 lepers, only one had the humility & gratitude to come back & tell him Thank You! Jesus said, where are the others? & Because the 1 came back, Jesus, not only healed him,

but he made him whole! Isn't it common courtesy to come back and thank someone when they have helped you? Don't you at least tell someone thank you when they've allowed you to use their restroom to throw a dump in it? You have more courtesy to them, & more gratitude IT SEEMS… Sometimes it's just common courtesy people-

My Mom told me this and I want everyone who has experienced this to avoid the people who treat you like a water fountain, only coming to you when they are thirsty & walk away.

The other form of Arrogance I want to talk to you about is, failing to help someone who is down just because you see yourself better then them.

For this I want to tell the story of the Good Samaritan:

“A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant [b] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[c] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

I am not saying that all pastors (but also the people that claim to know God) are like this but; when we see someone in need of help and decide to pass them by, that is both prideful and arrogant, and neither of these things will reserve you a place in Heaven.

The one who is Compassionate and acknowledges and helps the person in need will have eternal life.

The same applies to those who fail to acknowledge that they appreciate the work you do, or the help you’ve given.

The least a person can do is say, “Good Job” or “I like the work you have done”, or “Thank You!” “I appreciate all you!” (With a sincere heart)

It is so simple.

The Credit for this blog and all others I have written go to God.

Let His Light Shine!

This is something that God wanted me to share with you, For almost two weeks this month the genesis website visits came to a complete halt. I didn’t know why, but within the week my mom started telling me that we stopped mentioning things of God.

She explained to me, that we had been listening to what other media producers and artists were telling us, that we could not mix media and arts with things of God.

And by we I mainly mean me. I let myself get caught up with the hype of Hollywood and of Media, I got the words of others so far inside my head to the point where I let it hide the light of God.

When we allow the words of others to keep us from sharing the word of God, then we are hiding him (his light). Now when I ignored what everyone said and started doing what God told me to do, things picked up.

Matthew 5: 14-16"You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.”

So basically I allowed others to control the kind of media I put out and, I stopped lifting up the name of God. Do you see the kind of trouble I caused.

You can avoid everything I did of this if you allow his light to shine through you.

Just let it shine…

If Today Was Your Last Day

Cast Your Cares

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matt. 11:28-30

For those of you who know me, know that I like to help people. You should know that it isn’t easy: Helping people is hard, but can be done if it is God’s will; however, the hardest part is casting other people’s problems to the Lord.

I have made the mistake countless times of taking on someone’s problem and instead of asking God to give me the answer, or asking him to fix it, I try to fix it myself-that’s not good.

God will send people your way to help, and it’s a joy, but other times, people come your way, because they know what you do & try to get you to help them.

When this happens, you always feel a weight/ burden; some times it can make you feel overwhelmed, or pressured; sometime it can cause you to experience physical, or emotional pain.

We are not meant to take on the burdens of other people, when we do it has its toll on us.

There is a difference between helping people and enabling them to take advantage of you, or of others.

Now it is possible to grow tired, or weary when your doing what your “suppose” to be doing, but it’s usually when we’re trying to do things in our own strength.

God tells us all to cast our cares and burdens to him, so always remember not to keep your burdens and not to take on other people’s burdens, that God didn’t tell you to help.

If you give all your heavy burdens to God he will give you rest, he will make it so you no longer worry or feel stressed, it will become a joy to you again.

And if you take his yoke (harness) and let him teach you, you will find his yolk and all burdens light! (Easy)

So cast your cares on HIM, and HE will give you rest!

Here is a good example of the approach you should take when helping people:

Don't Judge

The LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
1 SAMUEL 16:7

When I was first starting the Media Ministry, creating videos and taking pictures were things I tried to avoid, because I thought that all artist, or people on camera had to look a certain way.

I would tell my mother that I didn’t want to be on the camera until I was skinny and muscular.

My Mother told me that we didn’t have time to wait till I was in shape that the time for the videos and pictures was now.

When I got a little older and started telling more and more people about what I did as the director of Genesis, they would tell me they thought I should be a Football Player because of my size.

They even doubted that I was an artist, because of my size: They didn’t bother to pay attention to the talent I displayed, only what I looked like.

God later told me that he created me the way I am, to stand out among everyone, to change the way people think about how a person is “suppose” to look, instead of focusing on the person & their talent, or character!

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged? For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1

When it comes to judging, there are many aspects to cover, but it all boils down to pride. Whether you’re the one judging others for how they look, talk, or do. Whether you think your better then others due to financial status, or popularity:

“So if any one of you thinks you're important when you're really not, you're only fooling yourself. Each of you must examine your own actions... Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others. Assume your own responsibility.” Galatians 6: 3-5

Maybe you’re the one that compares yourself to others, maybe arrogantly, or maybe that’s why you feel down about yourself (because you think your less than those around you). To you I say, you are beautiful, you are more than a conqueror, because that’s how God made you! Don’t give up! Stay Strong! If God is for you, who can stand against you?! You will reap your reward, if you do not give up!

Show Me Who Your Friends Are And I'll Show You Who You Are

I have heard so many excuses this month from people who make mistakes and don’t want to take responsibility for their actions. Some people like to surround themselves with friends that are negative influences and when something bad happens they blame their friends and excuse themselves.

However if you have negative friends in your life, it is your decision to go along with everything they do. In other words, no one “makes you” do anything.

When a friend asks you to do something that you know is bad, and yet you do it anyway, you have no right to blame your friends because they didn’t make the decision for you. You don’t have to lie for them, and you don’t have to join them in what they are doing.

We all make our own decisions on the type of person we want to be, and no matter whom you hang out with, they cannot affect your judgment, personality or your decisions. This is all your doing!

So when a person acts out of character or slightly different from what you are use to, it has nothing to do with whom he or she hangs out with. What you are seeing is who they are choosing to be.

2 Corinthians 6:16 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

3 John 1:11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

So if you have a friend that is acting out, and you think it has to do with the people they hang out with, you better think again. (And what does that make you for hanging out with them?)

Now if you are someone who hangs out with negative influences then let me share a poem with you that I have found on the subject.

Friends will come

And friends will go.

Many you will never know.

Some are real!

Some are not!

Be aware of those that plot!

Good ones, few!

Phonies, many!

Lifetime friends! Rare, if any!

Use your head!

Ask your heart!

Choose your friends and choose them smart.

Some will cheat you!

Some will hurt you!

Some turn quick and then desert you.

Some will try

to bring you down.

Turn your smile to a frown.

There’ll be good ones!

They’ll be rare.

They’re the ones who love and care.

Treat them good.

Tell no lies!

Be yourself. Wear no disguise!

Know that they

can trust in you.

Be a friend and be it true.

Lose the ones

That you can’t trust.

Those that fill you with disgust.

A friend is one

who betters you.

Pray for one, you might get two.

For he who has

a trusted friend.

One they, truly, can depend.

Must, in return,

a friend, true, be.

That they can trust, dependably.

I shared my thoughts!

I gave my views.

Be careful in the friends you choose.