One Piece of The Whole

Genesis 1:27 ” And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, both male and female. visit: http://www.bramanfoundation.org

There are so many diverse persons this side of heaven. Every soul that incarnates here has with in them, this Divine Image. We are all part of a greater whole and yet how often do we run into conflicts with another soul, only to think, ” How Lord can they be part of Thee. ” Only to be reminded that Christ has asked us to walk in forgiveness and how much better is it to look at our own flaws instead of those around us. The totality of the sum parts of the whole is the idea that we are somehow separated from the whole, yet, in truth, we are all one in God. You are where you are now because you have reaped and sown previously. And where you currently are is where you have put yourself, thus far. You are supposed to be where you are now. Love is the key and to love others is the answer. Especially those in which mock you, persecute you and call you names. How much easier it is for you to love those that love you? Yet grow in loving those that hate you, persecute you and mock you. Remember we are part of this whole.

Mid-Week Prayer: ” Often, Lord I walk in judgment of others as they are not like me. The speak, act and behave unlike me. And I resent some others, and others I belittle because of their lack of economic status. Pride continues to plague me. I cry out to you for help. Help me to walk in forgiveness and to love as you have commanded. Lord help me be the man, the woman you are asking me to be. Let me be of rightness. Help me!! Amen!! “

Do not forget the Widows and Orphans

The Children at Wipe Our Tears in Sierra Leone http://www.bramanfoundation.org

James 1:27 ” This is pure and defiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. “

In the USA it is easy to understand and believe that children, widows and those others struggling are cared for through the multi-layered social programs and social net that does exist in the American Society. And of course, we thank God for these folks who work in this field, minister in this field and help others. Yet throughout Africa, India and many nations there are no such programs. And so, this is where BFC and thousands of other NGO’s are tirelessly laboring to provide helps and services. Often you will read of the work BFC is doing through our Weekly Email, our Mid-Week Email, throughout our social media platforms and in our printed Magazine Revive. All of which can be found at http://www.bramanfoundation.org. BFC is called into this work and in fact sees a future in which we can support others struggling in India and throughout Africa. Even yesterday, an organization has reached out from Pakistan for support. It is not always about financial support. Often these folks want to just speak to someone, or have the ability to pray with another person. And so BFC continues to press into this work and fulfill its God given mandate. Please pray for BFC and the organizations we support. Visit us at http://www.bramanfoundation.org.

Mid-Week Prayer: “Lord so often there are the cries of the poor, the left behind that do not have a platform in which to be heard. But thank God for you as you are omni-present and can hear all. Lord show me how I may be of greater service to those in which are in need. Mold me and make me into the man or woman you will for me to be of service. And Lord may Thy will be done. Amen “

Working with Others

Charles Rymbai and Asapalli crew members helping others in the Assam area of India

Matthew 22:39 ” The second is like it, ” You shall love your neighbor as yourself. “

Working with others comes out of the love we have within for one another. For within each of us is the divine nature that we are all made. This image of God within us is the fundamental principle of love. For God is love and to care for one another is loving your neighbor. What a difference you can make through the grace of God to love others. There can be no greater calling and the difference you make is a remarkable change from the ” old self “. The self that had only self interest. The self that was never open to God’s love. Yet look at you now. You are on the firing line of life, praying for others, helping others with that spark, that fire in your heart to be of service. This is God’s will for your life. Welcome to the 4th dimension of existence. Keep on striving and one day you will arrive!!!

Mid-Week Message: ” Lord, Lord, Lord help me to recall that you and you alone can use others to bring them home to you. Lord help me to yield to your way, your peace and allow Thy joy to well up within me. Lord I yearn to be used more and more by Thee. Father God please go before me and open doors so that I may be of more service to you and those around me. Amen!! ”

The Risen Christ

John 13:34 ” A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another even as I have loved you, that you also love one another

Welcome to the 1st week of Easter!!! Question: Is the risen Christ in you reaching out to others in love and is your house in order? When we speak of order we refer to the fact that we are to follow the commandments to love. This is the new covenant that Christ gave us all. OR do you say, ” Wow I really do not want to get my hands dirty, that homeless guy smells? ” Right? It is easy to love those that love you, that look good, that drive the latest car or where the latest fashion. But what of the idea of bringing the woman or man that is smelling due to homelessness to your place of worship? Can you love them? For the same God that is in your loved ones is the same God that is in the homeless man or woman. We are all made in His Divine image, yes even the criminal, even the drug addicted, the abusers. Can you love those that others cannot? Remember, Jesus did and you claim you want to be more like Christ. So what does that mean in your life and how does this look?

Mid-Week Prayer: ” So often Lord I say I want to be more like you, yet when given the opportunity I balk because the situation is not convenient for me or I just have too much pride to help those that cannot help themselves. Lord help me. Change no circumstances in my life but change me. Lord help me. Let me not judge but rather love. Lord help me. Lord help me to love as you love. Amen!! “

Easter Week

Isaiah 53: 4-6 ” Surely our griefs He Himself bore and our sorrows He carried. Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquity. The chastening of our well being fell upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed. And all of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

These verses were written 740 years before the Birth of Christ, and yet we cannot fathom that God would actually write these words through the author. And yet it is true and Christ came to fulfill this scripture as well as other prophecies. So how is your Easter Week going? Are you caught up in the worldliness of your life? Are yea able to to comprehend the totality of what Christ did for you? If so, bring others to your place of worship. Let others know of the true freedom you have through your belief. And if you are not free, bound up in stress then perhaps you are caught up in self-reliance. Give it up!! If only for one week and allow Christ’s peace to manifest in you and through you. In the end, go to your services and give God the Glory for what Christ has done for you.

Mid-Week Prayer: ” Lord so often I am caught up in worldliness and even during this Easter Week I struggle to be alone with you. Help me to overcome this world and realize that this place is NOT my home, NOT my final resting place. Help me to recall that I am made in Divine Image and in You am I saved. Lord Christ help me to celebrate these truths and be ever free in Thee. Amen!! “

I am now and Forever shall Be

John 8:58 ” Truly, truly, I say unto you, before Abraham was born, I am “

Understand that sometimes Christ spoke as a human in the natural and others in the consciousness of The Christ. Jesus walked the earth as so do you. He dressed as you do, ate as you do and breathed air as you also. And yet Christ is the perfected incarnation of God in the Flesh. He was without sin. And in the above scripture Christ spoke in His God Consciousness. In other words, as you study the previous verses here you can read that once again Christ was in an argument with the Jewish leaders. He told them what He believed to be true at that time: I am, I was and shall always be. God is, was and shall be forever. There is no more to say, but to understand where Christ was speaking of at that time. His perfected state of being or consciousness. Remember, if you are a follower of Christ, you have agreed to put on Christ and remove the old self. Keep Striving!!!

Mid-Week Prayer: Many times I lack the understanding of your perfection Lord, but when I seek I find, when I knock you open the door and when I ask you answer. Lord help me to be more engaged in your ways and less in the ways of this world. Help me to overcome this world and relate to what is real!! Amen!!!

I am the Potter you are the Clay

Jeremiah 18:6b ” Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand. “

Are you allowing the Lord, through obedience to mold you into His image, or are you through self-reliance and defiance ignoring the opportunity? Many times we do not like to be tested as the tests are painful. However, if you are praying and near the Lord these difficulties are for your own good. God yearns for all of you, but there are branches or defects that need pruning. This can hurt but in the long term you will reap the benefit. So keep on persevering in the Lord. Renounce this world and all that pulls you away from this relationship with Christ. Keep on praying, meditating, repenting & confessing and sacrificing self in fasting. Keep on in your studies of the word and grow in forgiveness and Love of God & Neighbor. Be ever so blessed.

Mid-Week Prayer: ” Lord many times I take one step forward and two steps backward in overcoming my self and this world. Help me to grow in Thee. Lord I know you are in me and I in you and yet I struggle so. Show me the way to a deeper understanding of Thy way, Thy Love and Thy peace. Amen!!”

Peace

Isaiah 26:3 ” The Lord will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord we have an everlasting Rock. “

Many of us try, through self-reliance, try to make circumstances change in our favor. Or we try through self effort to push through on a new program or a new position in our organization or business. This idea to make it happen is very prevalent throughout our society. This concept is good as far as for those who are in procrastination, but for many of us we must learn to back off, so to speak, and let circumstances unfold in a more favorable route. We learn that peace of mind is most important. And when we place ourselves in front of God’s Providence we usually get hurt, step on the toes of others and cause chaos instead of peace. And so it is so much easier to allow circumstances to unfold in our favor instead of forcing the issue. If your day has begun with peace, allow your day to stay in peace. Stay close, in prayer, to God. Allow this peace to occur naturally for it is a fruit of your spirit.

Mid-Week Prayer: ” Lord, Lord, Lord I call on Thee to help me along the way on this path of peace. Regardless of my circumstances help me to stay in perfect peace. Lord I have struggled with ” lack of peace”, which steals my joy and is disturbing to my soul. Lord help me to stay close. ” Amen

Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32 ” And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven You. “

Perhaps your relationships with your children are distant. Through the years you have been rigid, uncaring and mean. Your children have distant themselves from you. Through pride you are not able to seek forgiveness as you justify your actions as though you are a superior person and you mistakenly believe you deserve respect. Yet look where you are now. In your life, you may be near death and you are not able to make these relationships well. You are bitter, you are resentful and your thoughts about your family members are the same. When will you reach out and seek forgiveness for your years of rigid, mean behavior? What will you say to Christ in judgement? You poor, old rigid man. You hold unto resentment as if it a part of you. You are looked upon in pity and we pray for you. But for the grace of God there go I.

Mid-Week Prayer: ” Lord help me to overcome my denial of my greatest weaknesses and overcome my pride. Lord fear says never look that way and pride says you dare not for none of my shortcomings are my fault. Lord reveal to me the unforgiveness in my heart and help me to overcome the unkindness in me. May Thy will be done for my love is greatest shown to those in whom you have given to me and my greatest shortcomings are shown in those relationships also. Lord help me. Amen!!

Where is your Treasure

Our friends from Wipe our Tears Orphanage , Sierra Leone

Matthew 6: 19-21 ” Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also.

We see with the natural eyes and through those eyes we see what is here on earth. And without the understanding of our spiritual eyes we are worldly minded. Yet what is real, and what is the truth. Soon, very soon you will no longer be here and you must question and ask yourself, ” What is of importance to me here and now? Do I understand that I am a spiritual being with a spirit and this body will soon be returned to dust? ” Do not be confused by church attendance for even in the church we witness many who are focused on the service, the outer garments instead of the inner works. Where is your heart, your essence? This is what Christ is asking of you in this passage. What are you thinking about most of the time? You are missing the mark if your thoughts are mostly upon the ” things ” of this earth. Christ goes on the say at the end of this chapter, do not be anxious about your life and remember today’s troubles are sufficient for today. Live in the day. Stop fearing about your tomorrow. Grow in the commandments to Love God, Love your Neighbor and Love yourself. ( For further study examine and study Chapter 6 of Matthew )

Mid-Week Prayer: ” Lord, Lord help me to focus on the truth and not what I see in the natural only. Lord, Lord help me to overcome myself and love others as you did and in so doing fulfilling your command to Love. This world is so illusive and what seems real is only temporary. Lord help me to go deeper into Thee. Amen!!! “