America, America

America, America

How much blood can you take? You seem to crave it more than Audrey II in your Little Shop of Horrors only this ain’t a play. This is America. Gambino tried to warn us, but we thought he was being Childish. #thisisamerica

America, America

In the beginning, how eager we were to fight your war not realizing that when slavery was over and we would need you to protect us the most, you’d remove our federal protections to allow the states to decide our fate. And in the absence of those protections came the 3k’s. #reconstruction #noacres #nomules #thesouth #whitesupremacy

America, America

We hear your constitution, but we know your story. Know how you use religion to rule and justify inhumanity. You decided to give Jackson the $20 bill. No wonder why all these years later, and we still weep. Tell me, how can you keep track of all these Trail of Tears? #natives

America, America

Don’t tell me to pray while you burn crosses on my lawn, deny me a right live, and continue to oppress me with domestic terrorism. Don’t tell me about God and how much you love him whom you’ve never seen, yet you see me every day and hate me. #religion #legalism

America, America

Stop asking me if I forgive while you assume no accountability for your actions and refuse to uphold justice. You want me to have hope in your grand juries, all while you plot, scheme, shake hands with and accept bribes from your grand wizards to continue systemic racism in high places from behind closed doors. #kkk #whitesupremacy #nothankyou

America, America

Stop telling me lies about how All Lives Matter when you offer federal protections for birds that ain’t even from here; all in the name of profit! My people, my people…in that case I say it’s time for reparations! #canadageese #slavery

America, America

My fist and my movement offend you, but I am not here for you! So in the air I raise both my fist and my words as I boldly declare that Black Lives Matter! #powertothepeople #therevolutionwillnotbetelevised

America, America

Uncle Ben has all the rice you could ever need, so how could you justify the shooting of a brown Rice at the hands of fear? You hunt down our boys, Till their lives you viciously take. ForEvers it seems you assassinate our men until they have no choice, but to be free at last. #tamirrice #emmetttill #medgarevers #martinlutherkingjr

America, America

Oh how you love your hoods. Had that yung boi down in Florida been wearing your favorite one, perhaps he would still be here eating skittles in his freshly painted condo, and minding his own business. #trayvonmartin

America, America

Nearly six years ago, I told you “I can’t breathe.” It’s as if my death meant nothing to you because in the distance I can hear another man saying the exact same thing before he commits his spirit into the Lord’s hands. Welcome home, George. #ericgarner

America, America

I know you think I’m a threat, but with my hands cuffed behind my back, my face to the ground, and your knee pressing down tighter and tighter on my neck as I say I can’t breathe, tell me as you’re killing me, who’s the bigger threat; you or me? #georgefloyd

America, America,

This is me. Melanin poppin, rhythm havin, full-lips havin, black man I’m lovin, black boi we’re raising, swagged out me! I ain’t goin nowhere. We ain’t goin nowhere. My weapon is my mind. My weapon is my pen. Ever observant and ever woke. Have you forgotten that the same Savior who died for you, also died for me? #EQUAL

John 4

Scripture breakdown using the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer).

John 4:24-

S: God is spirit, and those who must worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.

O: Worship isn't limited to singing songs and crying out to God. Worship is a lifestyle spent in trying to offer a blameless service to God in every area of our lives. 

A: I am one with God not because he is my natural father, but because I have been born again, which is precisely what Jesus explained to Nicodemus. In becoming born again, this gives me access to worshiping God in Spirit and truth. The truth requires confession. A willingness of me being honest and vulnerable to confess what's on my heart, what sins I have committed in an effort to turn away, and sin no more. I am human. I am going to sin, but in worshiping God in Spirit and truth, it helps me be conscious about my need to repentant daily; for without repentance there can be no true worship.

P: Father God, please help me to not be ashamed of confessing my sins to you. Help me also have the humility to confess my sins to others, and to remember that there is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. My desire is to worship you in Spirit and in truth. Please help my spirit align with this desire when my flesh seems determined to overtake it. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Closing remarks: To worship God "in truth" is to worship him in a biblically accurate way--through the one who is the truth. The Father wants such people to worship him. God is on the hunt for those who will worship him spiritually through Jesus Christ based on the truth of his Word. [The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

John 3

Scripture breakdown using the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer).

John 3:23

S: But anyone who lives by the truth, comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.

O: This verse is preceded by Jesus sharing what it looks like for someone to live in darkness. It can be said that verses 22-23 are comparisons of each other in that Jesus sets up two ways of living be it by darkness or by light. Truth is in the light. Truth cannot hide, nor does it need to hide because the light that encompasses it, makes a way for it to be seen. There are several scriptures that make reference to the power of light. Jesus also tells us in Matthew 5:14-16 that we are the light of the world. He tells us further, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

A: It's clear that Jesus is not advising us to live by truth to appease ourselves or to impress others. No. He's encouraging us to live by truth, and to come to the light so in that--God gets the glory! These scriptures clearly supports this as well.

P: Father God, please help me to not succumb to my flesh and the temptation to live by darkness. Help me to seek the truth of your word, and to live in the light. Not in the shadows of my evil desires. In Jesus Name, Amen.

John 3:27

S: John responded, "No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven."

O: John the Baptist's disciples were beginning to feel threatened over the growing popularity of Jesus. John in his humility was reassuring them that the power displayed in Jesus could only come from God--from heaven. I love how confident and content John was in his ability to know what God had called him to do; rather than trying to compete with Jesus. It takes a lot of security and confidence to applaud the work of someone else, when people come to you trying to cast doubt regarding that person's ability and/or authority to perform said work. John goes on to say that, Jesus must increase and that he must decrease. It's almost as if John knew that his time was coming to an end. And he chose to have peace over it.

A: Jealousy is a strong thing. It can destroy our ability to have healthy perspectives when it comes to the success of others; in juxtaposition to how we view ourselves. If we're unable to be honest with ourselves and confess our sins to God, jealousy can destroy us. It's not just reserved for our haters. No. Jealousy is equal opportunity. It's for anybody willing to have or want it. If we don't check our hearts, our jealousy over others talents and gifts can be stopping us from achieving God's glory with the talents and gifts he's given to us to worship him.

P: Father God, please help me to celebrate others rather than questioning the ability to which you have given them to serve. Help me to pray for those in power, and in positions where they stand to help or hurt many; let not judgment rule in my heart. Help me also to grow in contentment with what you have given to me without the need to question or compare it to what you've given to my brother or sister. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Closing remarks: John knew that his job had been assigned to him by God; therefore, he was content to receive no more than what God wanted him to have. John was simply the opening act, expected to warm up the crowd and then get off the stage. Jesus was the main event, the star attraction. John's job was to point to and glorify the Messiah. And that's our job too. John was content with and grateful for his role. Are you? [The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

John 2

Scripture breakdown using the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer).

John 2:4-5-
S: "What has this concern of yours to do with me, woman?" Jesus asked. "My hour has not yet come." "Do whatever he tells you," his mother told the servants.

O: Jesus, along with his mother and some of his disciples were attending a wedding, and they ran out of wine. Mary makes this announcement to Jesus in verse 3, and verse 4; well, that's his response to her! I just love how comical it reads. Basically, Jesus is trying to tell his mother to not put his gifts out on full display because it wasn't his time to display them. Yet, in verse 5, she says to the servants, "do whatever he tells you." There was something transpiring between Jesus and his mother that isn't recorded in these verses. Despite his original response to her, Mary knew her son enough to know that somehow, and some way he would find a way to fulfill her request. Whatever the nonverbal interaction between Jesus and Mary--it was effective enough for him to reconsider his first response, and to find a solution to the wine shortage without risking his identity. And to top it all off, the wedding celebration could continue without missing a beat; I'll toast to that!

A: As the mother to a toddler, I am beginning to see the special bond that my son and I share. The ways in which he gravitates towards me at times is overwhelming in the sense that the joy in my heart is running over. His thoughtfulness and care for my well-being, at such a young age, is so very endearing. That being said, I am reminded of the responsibility I have to not try and steer him in the wrong direction. To not rush him into situations and/or experiences before God says it's his time. My son has the right to tell me no, if what I am wanting of him compromises a directive he's received from God. God is no respecter of persons. He can speak to my child and reach him at his level, and as a Christ following adult, I should humble myself to receive God's word through my child. Hosea isn't less than because he's a child; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

P: Father God, I pray that in the same way you gave Jesus the creativity to devise another way to meet a need; you would also give that gifting to my son, Hosea, as life begins to introduce him to problem solving. In Jesus Name, Amen.

John 2:24-25:
S: Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.

O: Ain't no fakin with JC! He can spot a real from a fake. We can try and act pure, but Jesus sees through it! The scriptures tells us that Jesus gave to us the gift of the Holy Spirit as he was preparing to ascend to the Father. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of truth. Not of deceit. Not of maybe. Not of feeling...but of TRUTH. I love when I encounter people in life, who can just tell it like it is! Who can give it to me straight, no chaser. Here was Jesus Christ performing signs and wonders in people, but he knew they were not for him, per se. He knew they couldn't handle the fullness of who he was, and he accepted it. He didn't compromise his identity for immaturity, fear of others opinions, or doubt, but he also remained open to being gracious and merciful despite knowing the truth about human nature.

A: I've got some people who want to be associated with me for the wrong reasons. They see where I'm going, and they either want to ride on my coattails or try and stop me from getting there altogether. Sometimes, it's hard to discern what my response to them should be without being ruled with a need to be liked; to be accepted by them. That's what stands out to me about these verses...Jesus' confidence. He doesn't seemed bothered by the truth of man; while also being a great example for setting healthy boundaries with people. He knew what to give of himself to others and what to keep. Now that's social distancing!

P: Father God, please help me to remain confident and discerning as to who needs to be walking beside me on this new exciting journey where you have placed my feet. Help me not be moved by fear of others opinions or a fear of rejection. Let not a spirit of doubt stop me from pursuing your will for my life. There is some pain and betrayal ahead, but I trust that you will send me those who are from you, and are willing to stand in the gap with me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Closing remarks: Spiritual growth is important because it expands our capacity to experience more of God. Jesus does not relate to all believers the same way. [The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]