Be Creative.. God is.

Therefore be imitators of God--copy Him and follow His example--as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

– Ephesians 5:1

I am a creative person.... I always tell my wife, "If I'm not creating , I am not happy!!" That is what I do... That is what I was created for. Have you ever wanted a change?

Creating new things, changing old things. Because you and I are made in the image of God, that's something we're always trying to do. 

But if we're to be successful at it, we need to learn a lesson about it from the Ultimate Creator Himself, GOD.

You know, He didn't just come up with this whole creation thing by accident... He didn't say, "Well, what do you know... That's pretty cool, I think I'll call it light!" 

No, before He began to make this crazy universe, He first had an image in His head (an inner idea, of what He wanted to create)... and then said, "Let there be Light!" and light was.

As an artist, I usually see an image in my head before I put it down on paper... I may even sketch up some thumbnails and tighten the idea up, before I have a finished piece...

If we're going to imitate Him, we're going to have to put the principle of the inner image to work in our daily lives.

You may be saying, "Brotha, that was God!! You're crazy, if you think I can act like God." 

Haha... I know what the scripture says, and I believe it. Not just for me, but for you too. Ephesians 5:1 says it!

Let me warn you about something though. 

Don't get caught in the trap of sitting around trying to dream up a positive inner image all on your own. 

That's nothing more than positive thinking, and while it's better than negative thinking (or not thinking at all), it will eventually fall flat. More times than not.

If you're a child of the Most High, God has given you the principle and the power to make permanent changes in your life and in your circumstances.

Think again about creation. God wanted light. So He said, "Let there be light." The words He spoke were directly related to His inner image. He used His Words to get that image from the inside to the outside.

The Word has supernatural power. And if you fill the atomsphere with that Word and then combine it with faith and speak it out, it will work for you to change your life and circumstances as surely as it did for your Father.

Change the atmosphere by speaking over your situations.

Find out what real creativity is all about. Dig into the Word of God, start rebuilding your world today.

Have a blessed week, chew on this Soul Food.

Blessings,

Burk

Reppin' Christ in 2012

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ....

– 2 Corinthians 5:20

I want you to understand something!!!

You are an ambassador to Christ!! 

If you have made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, you have been sent to act as a representative for Him in this world. 

Just like other nations send ambassadors to represent their interests in other countries, you've been sent here to look after the interests of the kingdom of God.... That is AWESOME!!!!

Take a quick second, and let it sink into that thick head of yours!!!

Everywhere you go.... you are representing the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 

Do you realize what an honor this is? 

God has equipped you to do it... He's given you His Name and the power of His Word.... He's even put His very own Spirit inside you....(Ultimate in Awesomeness)

And He's given you the ability to hear... and obey the directions of that Spirit.

I heard a prophecy years ago that said there would come a time when men on the earth would walk and talk and act like God. 

They'd be motivated by His power and His Spirit so strongly that people would say of them, "Look at those believers. They think they're God." 

"No," the Holy Spirit said, "they are not God. They are agents of God, children of God, ambassadors of God, sent to do the works of God."

Whoa!!!! That is a tall order to fill... But we can do it through God's grace.

I believe we're living in the day and hour that prophecy was talking about. 

We're seeing that army of light begin to grow, and mature....

This is no time to be half-consecrated and half-dedicated. 

This is the time to go all the way with God, to give Him your whole life!!! 

If you'll do that, I gurantee... God will give you back such an anointing and power with such glory and goodness that you'll shine for Him, as Philippians 2:15 says, as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Begin to think about yourself today, not as just another ordinary man or woman but as an ambassador of Almighty God. 

Let the interests of His kingdom be at the front part of your mind. Submit yourself to Him and say, "Lord, show me how to be Your representative in everything I do."

You are an ambassador for Christ. Begin to live like it today.

Until next Week, have a blessed weekend!!!

Blessings,

Burk

Soul Food for the New Year

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

– Romans 10:13

This past weekend, people from everywhere gathered together to celebrate the first bright moments of the Brand Spankin' New Year.

Yet, for thousands of others, this day will be the toughest 24 hours of their entire lives. For these people, New Year's will serve only as a dim reminder of loneliness and loss. 

It will simply mark the beginning of yet another year... maybe one of failure.

What about you? 

What's this year really going to be like for you?

To everyone else, you may appear to be happy, and good to go. You may be passing out seasonal smiles and holiday "What up's?" just like everybody else. But inside, you're tore up, flipped upside down, maybe even hurt. You may be disappointed. You may even feel like you can't go on, you don't want to go on.

If that's you, I want you to know something. All of that can change in one moment, one instant. You can start your life over today, right now and make this New Year the most joyful day of your entire life!!! Str8 Up!!!!!!

How many times have you said to yourself, "If I could just find the reset button, I'd do it all differently"? That doesn't have to be simply an idle wish. 

Jesus Christ has actually made it possible. That's His Christmas present to you. He paid the price for all your sins. He paid the ultimate penalty for all our mistakes.

That's the whole reason He came to earth. That's the whole reason He was born--so you could start over!!!!

You may look at your life and say, "But I've made soooo many terrible mistakes. I've done some despicable things." That doesn't matter.... Jesus paid the price for them all!!!

How can you make a new start? Romans 10:9 says that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." It's as easy as saying, "Jesus, I'm turning my life over to You. From this day forward I'm Yours." (Totally bitin' TobyMac... Great Song)

What better time to turn your life around than on this first few days of the New Year. Right now, wherever you are, just give your life to Jesus. Then jump up and down and holler, "Praise God, I'm starting all over!" And find out what it really means to have a Happy New Year!!!!

Be blessed and have a wonderful start to a wonderful year!!!

Blessings,

Burk

Things we could learn from Santa

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

– Luke 2:10-11

So, it's almost here..... Christmas is in the air!!!! and we are already rejoicing!!!!

One of our families' favorite Christmas Movie is the "Polar Express"... If you only "Believe". haha!!! (Great Movie to get in the Christmas mood)

Good ol' St. Nic.... He should be an inspiration to every single one of us. 

Believe it or not, the jolly ol' fellow was a godly man, whose reputation for giving caused him to become the icon of what true compassion and giving is all about!!! (Straight up!!) 

He wasn't a jolly, cumbersome, fat, little old man who climbed up & down chimneys... and he didn’t have flying reindeer!!1 ( Even though that would have been Beast!!!)

The stories of who St. Nic was—and what today's Santa Claus has become—have been misleading and distorted by the Enemy. What has been done to weaken and distort the testimony of this godly man, is waaaaay wrong.

The true St. Nic lived a life full of Christian beliefs, morals and values....

Born in Turkey in the third century, Nicholas was raised by Christian parents. 

From the time he was born in A.D. 280, they considered him a gift from God. 

They diligently taught him devotion to God and to be very generous to the poor and needy.

At 19, Nicholas was ordained a priest. (How would you like to have Santa as your Pastor? haha)

His uncle, a bishop, prophesied that Nicholas would offer guidance and consolation to many people... and that he would eventually become a bishop, and live a life of enlightenment. 

All of this was fulfilled in Nicholas’ lifetime.

Many accounts have been written of his dedicated life. It has been said that he would spend all night studying God’s Word to bring it to the people. (That's awesome!!)

He was known for helping the poor, for praying, fasting and standing strong in faith and goodness. (that my friend is an Epic Santa)

The true story of St. Nic is a beautiful picture of the giving that Christmas is all about.... The Spirit of Giving, wanting nothing in return!!!!

But...The greatest gift of all is the gift of Jesus... given to us from God the Father. 

Jesus is our hope, redemption, deliverance and victory. He is our advocate with the Father, our blood-covenant friend who will never leave us nor forsake us. In Him we have the joy of living a heavenly life on this earth!!! Man, what a blessing!!!!

He is the ultimate meaning of Christmas. There are different translations for the word Christmas... I really like this one... Christ mass means “anointed celebration.” 

It’s the celebration of “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.” 

It’s the celebration of how the anointed Jesus “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). 

It’s the story of our triumphant Savior, Jesus (the Christ), the Lord of lords and King of kings! 

Now, that’s a Merry Christmas!!!

This Christmas, as we reflect on our blessings, let's remember, the Ultimate Gift, the whole reason we celebrate Christmas.... Jesus!!!

Have a wonderful Holiday, and a very Merry Christmas!!!

Blessings,

Burk

4 Little Words

Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

– Mark 11:24

It all boils down to one word..."Believing". That my friend is the main key to unlocking everything in the kingdom of God. 

It's the way we are able to tap into the very power of God. Most of us know that... But do we know how to put it into action? (BU-YAH!!! I knew I'd getcha!! Haha)

Actually it's incredibly simple, so simple, it'll blow your mind. It's as simple as saying, "I believe, I receive."

Something happens in your spirit when you say those words. 

I'm not quite sure "why" it works, but it does. 

I don't understand how the digestive system works, it just does? All I have to do is take a bite of a Five Guys Burger (MMMM Five Guys) and it goes to work. I don't have to make it happen. I don't have to feel it, for it to happen. It just happens. That's the way your body is made up.

Exact same way, when you feed on God's promises and "swallow", they go into your spirit by saying, "I believe, I receive,"  then faith is released. 

You don't have to "make" it happen.... Nope!! You don't have to "feel it" happen. It just happens. Your spirit is just made up that way.

When you constantly say with your mouth, "I believe, I receive... my healing" or "I believe, I receive... all my financial needs met," and then begin to speak scriptures that back up those things, faith is released in your life to bring power to those needs.

One of my favorite ministers, Dr. Kenneth Hagin always says, you need to "keep the switch of faith turned on." 

It's really not difficult...just begin with the phrase, "I believe, I receive". Say it when you pray.  Say it when you praise God. Say it when you read the Word.

Especially, say it in the face of darkness when it looks like you're not receiving. When everything looks the worst, is when you should say it the loudest. "I believe, I receive!!"

Do you want to activate your faith today? Then make these four key words the most important words in your vocabulary. Use them every day. You'll soon discover, just as we did...they work!!!

Have a blessed week, until next time!!

Burk

Your Inner Image

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

– Romans 8:24-25

According to the book of Romans, HOPE... is actually looking at something that you can't see. 

(I know what you're thinkin'... Burk you are throwing that crazy Yoda-isms at us!!) haha

I'm really not, but ask yourself... How do you do that? You do it by looking at the promises of God in His Word until with your inner eyes (the eyes of your spirit) get a clear picture.

Here's an example, one of the hardest things I have to overcome and face, is the fact that the inner image I have of myself is being a Failure / not somebody of value . Having all the talent in the world, and never being successful with any of it... (Most people don't even know this about me) It doesn't matter how hard I try to change that perspective of myself, it won't go away. 

So I find myself always striving to try and be successful... Be the next "Big Thing". Do something that will leave a mark in this world.... and you know what? 

I have had a lot of success in my lifetime, and a lot of it came through the talents the Lord has blessed me with... but it's the thoughts and the inner perspective of myself that I have to battle against.

I finally had to admit that as long as my inner image of myself was that of a failure, my outer self was going to match it. (WOW!! That preaches) Remember, it's faith that changes things, and without the inner image of HOPE, faith cannot work.

So I have decided to search my Bible for every scripture I could find on victory, success, hope, joy, peace and God's love for us... and in my search I have found tons of "Soul Food" to chew on.

When I'm having one of those down moments I pull out those papers and meditate on every one of those scriptures and pray. What am I doing? I am grabbing hold on a different inner image.

This is not something you can do overnight. (Heck, I've been doing this for years now...) It takes time. Especially if the inner image you're changing has been there for years.

But you can do it!! I have faith in you... Go to the Word of God today and begin to change the images inside you. Change them from images of depression to images of hope. Images of discouragement into encouragement... Map out a plan in your heart and allow God to strengthen your faith to build on it!

I'm being really transparent with you today.... I just want you to know, we're going to make it!!! and hopefully, these lil' tid bits of "Soul Food" can help sustain!!

Until next time, have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings,

Burk 

Turn Up Hope

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing--through the experience of your faith--that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing(bubbling over) with hope.

– Romans 15:13

You know, how cool would that be... to be running over with hope!!

I wish I was brave enough to throw my whole life and everything I have... into building a dream that comes straight from the heart of God. (That would be Beast!!) I wish I was brave enough to get out there so far... that without God's help, I could't make it back.

Many people don't think that way though because they're afraid to fail.... I don't know about you, but I can't stand it when I fail... I hate it!!!

You see, the fear of failure is so dangerous. If you let it dominate you, it will cause you to do the one thing that inevitably guarantees failure.... that's not attempting at all.

How do you overcome the fear of failure?

1. You turn up your hope. 

2. You get alone with God and listen to Him. 

3. You meditate on His promises until the picture is so clear on the inside of you that nothing can shake it out of you.

Here's an example: If you're lying on a sickbed and the doctor told you, you'll never walk again, instead of wallowing around in self-pity, you start dreaming. 

You start building a dream of climbing mountains and witnessing to people in the backwoods. 

Go to the Word that promises that those who wait upon the Lord shall run and walk and not faint or be weary. 

Look at it until you see nothing else. Picture yourself walking for miles and running from one place to the next, telling everyone that Jesus has raised you up and made you whole.

That's what hope is all about. It's a divine dream. It's an inner image that's bigger than you are because it's built on the promises of God.

If you're a Christian, you ought to be a dreamer. (Dream BIG!!) Take the Word of God and build some dreams today.

Until next week, enjoy your Soul Food!!!

Blessings,

Burk