Become FRIENDS with GOD; HE is Already a FRIEND with YOU!

John 15:14-16 (The Message)

"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.  You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.”

 

 

Today is the last day of 2011 and I just wanted to take a minute to thank God for his constant love for me.  For drawing me closer in everyway to take rest in him, knowing that He is my Daddy and I am His son.  For making relationship with Him possible; the way it was meant to be.  God wants relationship not religion with you today; grab hold of the Gospel of Grace and start living in the Grace Zone!

 

You have heard me say before that God made man for relationship and that he sent his son who was born, birth; life made new, lived among us, the lamb of God; Savior of the world, died, took on all death; sacrificed for us, paid the price in full, arose from the grave, claiming victory over death for us; so that we who believe can have life everlasting, and will soon return.

 

Glory to God, Thank you Jesus!

 

I will start today reading from 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

 

2 Corinthians 5:14-20 (The Message)

 

Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.

Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

God seeks to have relationship with you.  The world was created so we could live and breathe and have relationship with him.  To walk in the cool of the day, to fly with the eagles, to lie down in green pastures, to run and never grow weary, David’s psalm tells it this way.

 

Psalm 23 (The Message)

 

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. 

You have bedded me down in lush meadows, 

You find me quiet pools to drink from. 

True to your word, you let me catch my breath 

and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. 

Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. 

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me 

every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

As 2011 comes to a close today and we embark on 2012 and all the New Year has for us God wants you to know that He seeks relationship with you. God wants you to grab hold of life the way He meant it to be since creation.  He wants you to know how much he loves you and cares for you and that he is there in every situation. Right now he is asking these questions;

  

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

 

God sent his Son Jesus to proclaim you innocent, to be sacrificed for all your sin; past, present, and future, to rise in victory over death to give you life, believe in this and receive the gift of salvation given freely for you today.  Do you want this relationship that God seeks to have with you?  If so pray this prayer with me today…

 

Dear Daddy God, thank you for sending your Son to proclaim me innocent, Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you, Jesus for taking all my sin to the cross past, present, and future. Because of your sacrifice I am now a Son (or Daughter) of the most High God. My heart leaps full of Joy knowing that you have sent the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort me. Most of all thank you Jesus for giving me your gift of Peace, because of you Jesus I am free from death and will enjoy life eternal ! Amen

 

If you prayed that prayer today I want you to know that you are now living in what I call the “Grace Zone”.  All that God has is yours. 

 

Matthew 6:26 (AMP)

 

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? 

YES YOU ARE!

As you move forward in 2012, rest in knowing that God is there for you every step of the way.  You are now a New Creation, old things are past away, and all things are made new.  Let God’s peace and understanding fill your heart and soul, for there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

 

God Loves You!  You Are Blessed!

 

The Greatest Gift of All!

In all the hustle and bustle of the season, decorating, trimming the tree, shopping for that right gift, cooking up everyone’s favorite dish, cookies and candy, have you ever stopped to take the time to realize what the real gift is that was given?


Yes, we all know that Jesus is the reason for the season, but what does it all mean? Let's start in Isaiah 9 verse 6;


Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)


For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.


Unto us a Son is given. Not only is Jesus the reason for all seasons, He is the ultimate gift given because of God’s love and grace to make the world right again, to bring peace to a world full of chaos. Let’s turn to John 3:16;
John 3:16 (MSG)


This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.


I am sure you have all read the King James Version of this verse. As a child it was probably one of my first verses memorized and most certainly the one that I remember the most. The gift of His Son, so that no one need be destroyed; can you imagine after all the prophecies that the greatest gift of all would come into this world in such a simple way? To fulfill God’s plan to bring us back into right standing with Him so we could have true relationship with our creator.


Yes, Christmas is our way of celebrating the birth of Jesus, but what is Christmas if you are given a gift and never open it, or even worse you open it like what you see but never take it as your own. When God gave this present he had you on His mind. He wants you to not just receive the gift but open it and grab hold of all that it has to offer. Today is Christmas day and in Luke 2:11 we find;


Luke 2:11 (AMP)


For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!


The gift has been given, it has your name on it ready for you to tear into and enjoy everything it has for you. You might not even have a gift under the tree this morning but God has wrapped this one especially for you. He is reaching out to you wanting you to take it so He can fill your life with Joy! You might be the one with plenty of gifts, but God has one wrapped especially for you as well, He had you on His mind the whole time he was wrapping it, He is reaching out to you with the anticipation of you taking the gift and making it yours. God loves you!


Do you want God’s gift? All that is required is your belief in the Son of God given to Save you, proclaim you innocent, and put you back into right standing with the Father. The way it was meant to be. If you are pray this prayer with me today, right where you are:


Dear Daddy God, thank you for sending your Son to proclaim me innocent, Thank you for loving me so much that you gave the gift of your son. Thank you, Jesus, for taking all my sin to the cross past, present, and future. Because of your sacrifice I am now a Son (or Daughter) of the most High God. My heart leaps full of Joy knowing that you have sent the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort me. Most of all thank you Jesus for giving me your gift of Peace, because of you Jesus I am free from death and will enjoy life eternal! Amen

Praise God! Rejoice with the angels and take what is said here in Luke for your own.

Luke 2:13-14

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace (the emotion of having no debt or guilt), good will (to be of high reputation) toward men.



God loves you, and He gave so you can have a whole life, nothing broken, nothing missing. Celebrate all that God has for you, “The Greatest Gift of All!”


Merry Christmas,


God Loves You! You Are Blessed!

Jesus Defines Who I Am!

I was awakened this morning to the thought of a conversation that I had with my daughter before going to bed to where she was visiting a church today that her boyfriend was to sing.  Her question to me was what do I say if I am asked why I do not go to church regularly?  My first response was that church does not make the person and that because of Grace; Everyday is the “Lords” day.

I also have stated before that going to church makes you no more a Christian than a mouse eating cheese makes it cheese.  Now whether you like that analogy or not is just a simple way to look at what I am trying to say.  Now, do I believe in fellowship with other true believers? YES!, Do I believe in teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ? YES! Does this have to be only one day a week? No! Does it have to be in a building made of stone? No!

I have used the following verse in Matthew more than once in my messages and I also use it as a curtain call when teaching the Grace message. It speaks volumes and more importantly Jesus speaks these words to you.

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

It is Jesus that defines you not the church you go to or how often you meet.  You are the Temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells not the buildings made with human hands. In Corinthians it states it this way:

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (The Message)

You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God's temple, you can be sure of that. God's temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.

I tell my daughter and I tell you now because of Jesus birth, life death/burial, resurrection and soon return you are a child of God not a servant and the Holy Spirit lives in you.  Rest in knowing that everyday you can spend time in God’s presence and that he is happy with you because of who Jesus is, not for what you do, especially going to church every time the church doors open to be a taught a mixture of the Law of Moses and the Grace of God!  It is because of Jesus you are righteous, not because you follow a ten step teaching of things you have to do to become righteous.   

In Romans you will find one of the most liberating passages ever and this is what it says;

Romans 8:1 (KJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

What this is saying is if you are being judged by those who mean well about your relationship with God and how you should be living it then they are still eating from the same tree of Good and Evil that Adam partook of, feeding on Death the Law of Moses written on Stones instead of Eating from the Tree of Life, Life being guided by the Holy Spirit who lives inside of you.  God does not condemn you, he sees you as his Son and Daughter because you believe in the finished work of Jesus!  

You are a New Creation!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified)

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

Are you ingrafted in Christ?  Or are you trying to hold on to the ministration of death and life with a mixture of trying to please God instead of just letting God be pleased with you?

The message translation says it this way;

2 Corinthians 5:16-20 (The Message)

Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

I end with this, Don’t let people define who you are, Jesus is the ultimate definition of you are.  God wants "Relationship" not religion.

God loves You! You are Blessed!

RESTING IN HIS LEADING OR STRIVING IN YOUR FOLLOWING! by George Odero

Rom.8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God."

I fear that many Christians who come to grace through internet find themselves being led by pseudo-grace teachers who put much emphasis on being led by Holy Spirit. Nowhere in scripture are we admonished to seek to be led by the Spirit. We are only to be filled with the Spirit and we cannot help being led when we are filled. "My sheep hears My voice... He that is of God hears God's words... all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." He is our Shepherd, we are the sheep of His pastures. You did not seek Him, He sought you and found you. He will never leave nor forsake you. He began a good work in you single-handedly and will complete it single-handedly. He is the One working in you both to will and do according to His will. It is His job description to guide you, Faithful is He.

If we allow Satan to beguile us from the simplicity of of Rom.8:14 then we have lost the liberty with which Christ has set us free and will be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed, The Holy Spirit in us will profit us nothing.

The false teachers twist Rom.8:14 plus other verses to teach that in order to be led by Holy Spirit we need become diligent, obedient sons of God! If you try really hard, if you're sincere enough, or sensitive enough then you will be led!!! What is hidden in those words is that being led is all aboutyour faithfulness, not His! It's about the Law, not grace! We are back into the old covenant, not new! I throw a blanket warning to you dear friends, beware of "spirit-led" groups! What does Rom.8:14 really say? It simply says as follows;

Because I AM a child of God, I am being led by the Spirit of God.

Let me rephrase it incase you missed it!

We are already children of God... therefore we are already being led by His Spirit.

If you still doubt it, then lets study the text in its context and behold the overwhelming evidence in the context!

v14.For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

v15.For you nave not received the Spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a Spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry "Abba Father."

v16.the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.

v17and if children. then heirs- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ...

Are we or are we not children of God? Of course we are, we KNOW that. Then since we are children, we can rest that His Spirit is leading us. We do not need to strive to make this happen because the very fact that we are His children assures that it is.

So now, instead of asking God to lead me, I thank Him for leading me. Making huge difference in my walk with Him. I am resting in His ability to lead me, instead of striving about my ability to follow.

No one comes to the Father unless Holy Spirit draws Him. We are drawn by grace and simply through faith we become children of God. Then the rest of the Christian walk, be it in the areas of healing, deliverance, provision, being Spirit-led, everything is "as you received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk you in Him." How did you receive Christ Jesus? Did you have to fast, do devotions, live holy, do anything? So in order to be led by Holy Spirit do you have to be sensitive, faithful, fast do anything? If you think you need to do something, just repent and believe the gospel truth, He leadeth thee. 

God Loves You !

My Grace Is Sufficient!

I bring Grace and Peace to each one of you in the name of Jesus the Savior of the world! 


There has been so much laid on my heart these past few weeks and the words that I hear the loudest is “Feed my Sheep”  when I ask what should I feed the answer is “feed them the Truth.”  


For to long because of tradition people have been taught a barrage of things that even though it sounds good, looks good it is not the Truth.  


One of the biggest problems that has been brought to my attention is self condemnation.
There lies the problem “self” instead of looking to God and how he sees us we are taught to look at ourselves, when it comes to success, appearance, needs and wants.  People judge themselves on what they see of them not what God see’s in them.  In America we have even been taught to show the world that God has prospered us in the cloths that we wear, the cars we drive, and the homes that we live in.  I am here to tell you if you are fortunate to live in the USA compared to most of the world you are prosperous. This brings me to the meat of this message whether you live in the US or in one of the remote places of the world when you look at yourself and condemn yourself; my question to you is, “compared to whom?”  I hear, and read on a daily bases people begging God for what HE has already provided.


Next time you start to feel anxiety, loneliness, quilt, shame, unhappy,  any form of self condemnation remember the words that Jesus spoke; “neither do I condemn you!”


John 8:10-11 (Amplified Bible)


  10 When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?
   11 She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.


Now, when I first heard the words compared to whom?  The first thoughts that were brought to mind were those less fortunate than me.  This seemed to work for a while but I knew it was not complete.  I also knew to take my eyes off the problem and keep my attention on the answer.  This is true as long as you are aware of what the answer is.


I am here to tell you today the answer is Jesus!  When you feel frustrated the answer is Jesus, when you feel lonely Jesus is always there, when you feel ugly and different Jesus makes you beautiful in him, when you feel guilty Jesus makes you innocent,  when you feel any form of condemnation always remember there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!


I know you are going to say but Brother Bryant you just don’t know the troubles I have.  You maybe right, but I am here to tell you God does and His word for you today is “My Grace IS Sufficient!”   Paul said it this way in;


2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (Amplified Bible)


8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me;
     9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
     10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [[c]in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).


For when I am weak He (Jesus) is strong!  God is telling you today “My favor, Love and Mercy is enough.  God is telling you when you look at you, don’t believe the lies that satan is using to bring you down, always see Jesus for He is fulfilled and complete.  Because of Jesus you are made perfect in God’s eyes!


So next time you start to feel down and lonely remember who you are in Him:


As Jesus is…, God’s Beloved, Righteous, Rich, At the Fathers Right Hand, Acceptable to God, Full of Health and Wholeness, Free from all Calamity, & Condemnation & an Overcomer … So Am I in this world!


This reminds me of an old hymn I sung growing up;

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Beloved and I say that because that is the way God sees you.  Know that Jesus is the answer to all your shortcomings and problems... and while on the cross He had you on his mind.  Jesus the Lamb of God, the Savoir of the World!


Remember this always, God’s Grace is Sufficient! 


God Loves You!

On This Rock

I bring Grace and Peace to each one of you in the name of Jesus the Savior of the world! 


As I write this I am overwhelmed but not surprised by the response from all over the world of the last message posted:  I proclaim you innocent! 


 http://thegracezone.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-proclaim-you-innocent.html


The need for people to hear the truth about their innocence and God’s love has gone untold for to long.  Over the past week with what has happened in Japan my heart goes out to the people of Japan and I am amazed to say that the majority of hits when it came to this message were made from Japan before the tragedy struck and has continued since.  God’s timing of letting them know of their innocence and His love for them is right on time!  For those all over who read the message take time to share it either in your own words or directing people to this link so all will know the truth that they are innocent and God loves them and is not angry with them.  That God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus 2000 years ago so they would never have to experience His wrath and condemnation but instead His Grace and Love is all you will ever experience in the new covenant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!     


My study for the past few weeks fell on how did the church today get in such a mess in the first place and I was brought to this passage in Matthew where I have come to look at a rock in a completely different way.  If you have your Bible let’s turn now or if not read along with me to;


Matthew 16:14-19 (The Message)


 14 They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."
 15 He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?"
 16 Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
 17-18 Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
 19 "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."


I could actually bring out more than one message from this passage but for today I want to dwell on the words of Jesus when it pertains to the revelation that Peter had when asked, “Who do you say I am?”  


“You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”  


Then with the words of Jesus saying, “This is the rock on which I will put together my church,”  


These words for so long have been taught to reflect Peter not Jesus, which has been wrong, even the Catholic Church is built on St. Peter being the “Rock” on which it is built on.


When it comes to this passage the rock that Jesus is speaking of is the revelation that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  In other words the Gospel of Jesus is the “Rock” on which His church is built and the promise of free access to God, (relationship) and His kingdom, (all that you will ever need), Glory to God,  the keys to open any every door are ours!  You might be saying I have always been taught this which in some cases are true the only problem is that in the church today has tried to mix the “Rock” with stones, also known as mixing the Gospel of Grace with the Law.  


Jesus spoke of this earlier in Matthew,


Matthew 7:24-25 (The Message) 


"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.”


When it comes to the Grace message, (The Gospel of Jesus), rest in knowing that you do not have to justify your beliefs like those built in mixture or religion, because of Grace you are fixed to the “Rock” Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God!


Paul speaks of the rock again in 1 Corinthians… 


1 Corinthians 10:1-5 (The Message)


Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals provided daily by God. They drank from the Rock, God's fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was Christ. But just experiencing God's wonder and grace didn't seem to mean much - most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased.


They drank from the Rock, God’s fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were, and the rock was Jesus… I ask you today what Rock do you want to drink from? The rock mixed with stones that condemns, steals, frustrates, kills and destroys life or the Rock that is love, the Rock that paid the ransom for us all, the Rock that declares you innocent, the Rock that says “drink and you will never be thirsty again!”


 John 4:14 (The Message)


Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."


My prayer for you today is not to dwell on what has happened in the past when it comes to the lies and beliefs you were taught in most cases by good people who were just mislead themselves by teachings of mixture a foundation mixed with the lies of satan in an attempt to keep people in bondage.  Jesus said it this way; 


John 10:10 (The Message)


Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.  


I am going to end with this, for you to understand and rest in knowing the Grace, Peace, and Love of God you must first know the “Rock” the One who came to declare you innocent, the One who shed His Blood on the Mercy seat, the One who is now sitting at the right hand of the Father and no matter what happens to you all you have to do is point to Jesus the reason we are now Son’s and Daughter’s of the Living God!  


John 14:6 (The Message)


Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!"


Live life knowing that Jesus is the “Rock” and because you believe in all that He represents nothing more, nothing less you can truly say; “I know my Father”!


God Loves You! You are Blessed!

I Proclaim You Innocent!

I bring Grace and Peace to each one of you in the name of Jesus the Savior of the world! 


As I bring this message to you today I want you to hear one thing.  If you do not hear or read anything else I want you to hear these words spoken by Jesus until it permeates your very being.  I promise you if you hear these words and understand what they truly mean whatever has happened in your past does not matter, what is happening in your present is changing and your future will be better, brighter, and more than you can ever imagine. The words are found in John 8:11… Jesus said, “I do not condemn you!” 


If you think about these words, one might ask why Jesus said them.  The easy answer is that Grace cannot condemn only the law condemns.  This is true but there is more, Jesus the Lamb of God was already carrying the sins of the world and likewise the world had already been proclaimed innocent.  


John 1:29-31 (The Message)


29-31 The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, "Here he is, God's Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! This is the man I've been talking about, 'the One who comes after me but is really ahead of me.' I knew nothing about who he was—only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize him as the God-Revealer. That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God."


God’s Passover Lamb who came to the Priest, John the Baptist who was in the River Jordan calling people to repentance sees Jesus and proclaims to the people here is your spotless lamb who forgives the sins of the world, he then laid hands on Jesus, the sins of the world was then transferred onto him and his innocence was transferred into the world.  For three years Jesus went about not judging people but proclaiming their innocence.  Then at the time of His sacrifice blood was shed and sprinkled on the Mercy seat paying the ransom for the world that through believing in this redemption salvation is received.  He then rose from the dead proclaiming life forevermore to those who believe.  Glory to God I hope you are getting this…


Let’s turn now to Romans;


Romans 8:1-4 (The Message)


The Solution Is Life on God's Terms


1-2 With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.


 3-4 God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.


The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.


Now I could read this over and over and preach myself happy but the part that I want to point out is “simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.”  Of course this speaks of the Holy Spirit but what is it doing in us?  First and foremost the Holy Spirit is proclaiming you innocent. My daughter sings it this way; He makes me clean!  The Holy Spirit will never condemn you, Jesus does not condemn you, God does not condemn you, and because of Grace you have been made innocent.  Embrace this fact and your life will be changed forever!  You might be saying but Brother Bryant my pastor says… or you don’t understand… I have always been taught to ask for forgiveness… the question I have is the same question Jesus asked… where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?  For those in Christ there is no condemnation.  You might ask but what about those who are not saved?  All that is required is that they believe in their redemption and receive their salvation provided by God that was planned before the foundation of the world.


With that in mind let’s turn to 1 Peter;


1 Peter 1:18-20 (The Message)


18-21 Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.


That you trust God and that you know you have a future in God.  It is my prayer that you come to this very understanding that Jesus came not to condemn you but to proclaim you innocent so that you trust God and have a future in Him.  Rest in knowing that God cares for you and wants you to know how much He loves you.  You were on His mind when he laid the foundations of the world.  Because of Grace the life that you travel is a journey of life everlasting, with a deep consciousness of God’s Love for You!


So now I close with the words of Jesus… “I do not condemn you” and in the name of Jesus… I proclaim you Innocent!  Now go and do likewise….


God Loves You and You Are Blessed! 

“GOD IS YOUR PROVIDER!”

I bring Grace and Peace to each one of you in the name of Jesus the Savior of the world!  


Back in September when I presented the message: “GOD MY PROVIDER” ( http://thegracezone.blogspot.com/2010/09/god-my-provider.html  for those who have not read it.) I knew that especially in America that it was a controversial message, though true if preached in most churches today I would be quickly given the left foot of fellowship.  For those of you that do not know what that means, it means kicked out, never to be invited back.  I am also aware of the fact that even among Grace Teachers this subject causes division.  Now, if you were to ask; do I believe in the tithe?  I would give you the answer yes because Jesus the Lamb is the tithe whose blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat.  Jesus is the final sacrifice who took on the sins of the world. The tithe has been paid.  The way the tithe is taught in churches today when it comes to money and finances is what I do not agree with and is what I believe to be the last stronghold of Grace.


Because of the manipulative teachings in most churches today there is a spirit of poverty that is robbing God’s people and teaching that they have to give to be blessed is basically saying that Jesus did not pay it all and now we have to take up the slack.  This is not true, Jesus did pay it all and I am here to declare because of this truth that the windows of heaven are open and you do not have to be blessed… You Are Blessed… receive it now in Jesus name!


After realizing that the message back in September is still my most visited message I felt compelled to come back to the subject to give a more personal message of what God my provider means to me.  First off I want to make it clear I do believe in Giving, under the New Covenant it is called "Free will Giving".  There is no manipulation you give people the opportunity to give and because of Christ in them they give.  


I told a pastor friend of mine last November as sons and daughters of God it is in our DNA to give because God gave His son Jesus who gave it all.  Unfortunately he did not agree with what I said and stated that is not enough.  I am here to say it is enough.  Another example of the manipulation of people to tithe was brought to my attention when I was told of a pastor that I know in a local church that from stage had to bring it to the attention of the congregation to stop writing bad checks because there was $14000.00 of fees on the church records caused by the problem.  Now, do you think that if “Free will giving was taught that there would be this problem?  No, the Holy Spirit would never guide anyone to give what they do not have! The continued teaching of "tithing" in the churches today produces a spirit of poverty over them. I was even told by a pastor once if he did not pass the plate on a given Sunday the bills would go unpaid.  Unfortunately the American Church today has turned Christianity into a business.


I realize that changing this mindset of teaching for most does not happen over night.  For me I grew up being taught tithing it took me about two years to unlearn so I could come to the full understanding of what it truly means to say God my provider.  Now I feel so liberated but first God brought me to a true realization by using the verses in Matthew… 


Matthew 6:25-27 (Amplified Bible)


25 Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?


26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?


27 And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?


God used the birds to show me that not only does he care for them but that there are times that he uses others to also care for them.  God brought me to a place where in my life I am truly at rest in Him.  I know that every morning that no matter what may be going on around me, that for that day everything has been provided.  God actually brought me into a relationship with him to a point that I know I am cared for and that I am loved.  I know now that because of the words of the Prophet Malachi have been fulfilled and that I am Blessed!  So are you, You are Blessed!


Malachi 3:10 (KJV)


Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and  prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.


I translate it this way… Bring Jesus the Alpha and Omega into the storehouse, that there may be a sacrifice in my house, and prove me now, saith God, if I will not open because of Jesus the Alpha and Omega the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing, I will provide for you.  

In the name of Jesus I bind the teachings of tithing money to be blessed and loose the teaching of Giving of your free will, the windows of heaven are open and you are blessed!

I am going to repeat myself and that is I do believe in giving.  The main message I have for you is when it comes to tithing it is the last stronghold of Grace.  Don't just take my word for it or your pastor's word for it.  Take time to search the scriptures for yourself and let the Spirit of Truth guide you to the revelation that you seek. It is time for me to bow out... enjoy the journey.  


Rest in knowing the GOD IS YOUR PROVIDER.  


God Loves You!  You are Blessed!

Jesus Is The Word!

One of the problems I see among Christians today is that they, like the Israelites want to listen to a man instead of God.  They sit and listen to a message and take it at face value without taking the time to find out what the Word of God really says and spend time with God themselves and basically say, so and so said it I believe it.   


I am here to say do not take anything that I say or have said at face value.  Spend time for yourself in the Word and let the Holy Spirit guide you to the truths that have been revealed.  God wants to have a personal relationship with you, He loves you and when you read, pray, and study His Word, know that Jesus is the Word!  Not only will you come to more of an understanding, your relationship with God will blossom into what it was meant to be.  Let’s turn to 1 John 1:1…


John 1:1-3 (Amplified)


1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 
2 He was present originally with God. 
3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.


Taking this into consideration that Jesus is the Word to me means that when we read the Word we are to read it from the perspective of God’s love for us while seeing Jesus in everything that we read.  When it pertains to the New Covenant all scripture must conclude in no condemnation.


Romans 8:1 (American Standard Version)


There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.


When reading the Old Testament look for Jesus in what you read, for example the story of Joseph, the story of Joshua, the exodus of the Israelites form Egypt, always look for the types and shadows of Jesus.  When reading the Four Gospels remember that until after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus this is still during Old Testament times.  Also when reading the Bible especially the New Testament always take into consideration who it is written to.  Allow the message of Jesus Christ to produce in your life.  Jesus is God’s word about your life.  


God wants to have a relationship with you personally, He loves you and sent His son to die for you.  Make use of the finished work of Jesus.  When ever you hear something always research even to the Greek and Hebrew to see what God wants you to know.  Always remember that the translators from time to time added to the word thinking that God said this but really meant this and they were wrong.  


I will close with this; Take time to read the Word of God for yourself, enjoy His love letters to you.  Live under the influence of Jesus and read the Word from the perspective of God’s love.  


God loves you and you are Blessed!