Speak Up

Today is one that is to me very confusing, but also very painful. When looking at this great nation the United States. I see neighbor against neighbor over rights of which were bestowed upon us by our forefathers. Why is it we feel we must change each other? This is something that from the beginning of time has been a problem, and looking to history has created great turmoil for the parties involved. These issues, and all issues we need wisdom on we must go to prayer, and ask for guidance on all these things. This nation is one that above all else is under God! We are all destined for grand things. We have minds and hearts that cry out to explore and tell our neighbor all of these. Your wonderful in every way, shape, and form. Unique from every other being that has walked this earth. Do something today that helps better your fellow man. It all comes down to the individual not the nation. Everyday you wake up your making a difference in someones life whether that being positive or negative. Above all other things when you close your eyes tonight, and are praying to God let it be something that is grand and satisfying in your heavenly fathers name. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent." -Acts 18:9. Speak up today whether it being the school, or the locker room. When you give God the wheel he'll take you to places you never thought possible. Let his grand light shine upon you, and continue blessing you.

He Hears All

Tonight I was reached out to by a dear friend who said, "I'm getting frustrated in God not answering my prayers". This is very common in the society we live in today. It's frustrating not because we don't  hear God when he answers, but that we sometimes aren't willing to stretch out of our comfort zone to do what is needed. There is something also to be said about the era that we live in. One that marks itself upon instant gratification, and ease of access. The path that we are led down is sometimes one that to you may look gloomy at first, but in the end is one that God intends us to go down. He's seen your journey, and has seen that if you took your path it would be one that is worth all the punches at first.

We must remember that God knows your heart. He knows what it is you desire, and what you truly want. When praying we must remain true to ourselves. There is no need in saying things your heart isn't believing. Stay true, and let it be known from your heart and soul what it is you are requesting from God. When praying we must constantly be thinking about this. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

In all that we do, and all that we have we can't forget that this was given to us by the grace of God. For without we would have nothing, but more importantly would be nothing. I ask that you don't just pray for the material things on this earth, but for also the things that you are unable to put a price on. The things that are willing to be done by giving the gift of yourself, and your time. Laugh, Live, and Love.

In conclusion I say that you must stay the course. The roads that are the toughest, and roughest sometimes. Can be the ones that offer us the most fulfillment, and joy in our lives. I will also say that when praying next time speak to God as if he were a friend that is with you till the very end, and someone that loves you unconditionally. Have a wonderful week my friends.

Note: Say a prayer for all those involved in Hurricane Sandy.

Keep at it

When everything is going down in your life, and when the "stuff" hits the fan who do you turn to? If everyone were to leave you today, and you were sitting alone pondering on this what would you do? Most people today if you asked them this question wouldn't be so quick to provide an answer to this , and that's totally fine, because by the end of this post I'm going to make you feel secure, and comforted by letting you know that there is someone who is constantly making sure we are taken care of. A force that makes us wake up, and get our day fired up in the right direction. Who instilled us with the qualities of not just GOODNESS, but GREATNESS. God has laid out the people, places, and things needed to uncover his plans for all of us. All we need to do his rip the sheet off!

Talking with a dear friend of mine earlier we pondered over the daily struggles that sometimes hinder us in our abilities to stay on the path of righteousness. After just being baptized I believe that I've got to experience first hand what he had been dealing with. We must understand a very simple principle about not just the new believer, or the believer

who spends 90+ hours at the local church. We have to realize were not perfect, and that is OK. Do your very best, and make sure that at the end of the day your still able to look yourself in the mirror with a clear, and loving conscious. 

In conclusion I want you to go throughout this week with a level head, and a open heart. Know that our plan is right there set out in front of us. Open it up, and get started.  You don't owe that to anyone else but yourself. I know your road may be hard, and it at times may seem completely hopeless, but toss those feelings aside. The only person that is going to make your situation bad is you. Keep your positive frame of mind, and remember your plan has already been laid out, and it's your time to play it out!

Extra Note:

Thank You to everyone that has inspired me to continue writing my blog. God has worked through all of you, and has shown me that he still has work for me to do. 

Prayer Changes Everything

I hope you go throughout today and make it so beautiful. Waking up knowing you have a heavenly father that loves, and cares about you is something that there is nothing like, or comes close to. So why not tell him what you think? Why should we not go to him, and tell him how magnificent in all his ways that he comes into our life, and sails us to calm waters when we are going through our storm? Well now is a better time than any to start. There is no formal way to pray in my mind. We simply come as we are to him. He knows your heart, and soul. He merely wants you to speak the things that lie deep inside you. In praying don't be discouraged, and don't be ashamed. When we consume ourselves with the Lord there is nobody that can say we can't do the things we know to be right, and just to us. In looking at the common denominator with some of our most high impact leaders we see that it is found in their daily prayer life. Praying for over 90 minutes a day is certainly not unusual in the study of most of these individuals. In the Bible there are 7,487 promises made and many of these promises involve God's willingness to answer prayer. 

When we are praying we need to be praying big. We should be taking exactly what is on our heart, and offer up to our Lord. In talking about prayer I'm reminded how we should not just pray in times of great prosperity, but also in times when we can't rub two dimes together. We should not just come to him when were healthy, but when we are weak and barely able to stand. I feel that when we do this in our moments of complete despair. I feel Gods presence even closer to me. It's almost like weathering a horrible storm, and that good Samaritan comes up to put a blanket around your shoulders. 

Lastly I want to say that in all your problems, addictions, and shortcomings. Go to God with all of these. If you see yourself slipping in a direction you don't want to be heading in go to prayer. Make it to where you have a chance to truly reflect on what is about to happen, and what a greater power who put you on this earth to flourish, and develop into a wonderful being would think. Were not perfect people, but we still have to be accountable for the things we do. Stay positive. and know there will never be another you. Make it a point to look up, and pour your heart out today!

Note: Please let me know if you need me to pray for you. I'd be more than happy to receive any prayer requests you have for me. 

Contact Info:

Bryantcloud11@gmail.com

817-666-8533

Cast Doubt Away

::Practical Application::

All doubt that you encounter today I want you to push that aside. I want you to focus on accomplishing your goal, or objective. Leave the negatives out of this today. Stay positive, and allow great things to happen for you today. Have a wonderful weekend!

Additional Notes: Please comment below and share your story of shedding all doubt from today.

Take That Chance

Has there ever been something in your life you've regretted doing, because you didn't want to take that chance? Was this done out of love, fear, or uncertainty to if you could actually accomplish this feat? Is this something that still haunts you today? If you do have something that you still wish you would've done better don't worry about that. Today is a brand new day. It's one that holds promise, and certainty in that you will make the decisions you know that are best for you. Too many times we worry about what everyone thinks on this. I'm not saying forget about everyone else, but I'm saying don't hold back your promise from God. There will come a time when he has everything setup, and ready to go for you. All he's asking is that you commit to this promise he holds in store for you. If we expect to climb the mountain, make the shot, or get the person of our dreams we have to answer our call. 

In the book of Isaiah we learn how Isaiah was able to stand in the presence of God. He was one of the very few people who actually did this. It tells us that he was sent up to talk to God about Israels current state. This place had become corrupt, and riddled with idolitry, greed, and religion without relationship just to name a few."Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me". (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah spoke up to his true calling. He took that chance, and spoke up to the Lord. "Send Me", what a Holy sight that must have been to stand in the presence of God, and express your desire to go for your people.

Are you ready to "Take That Chance"? Is now your time to do the things that you wish you would've done 5, 10, 15 years ago. Well now is your chance! Go, and answer your true calling. In conclusion I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Keep Smiling, and being the superb person God has made you to be!

Additional Notes:

Please forward all "Prayer Requests" to: Bryantcloud11@gmail.com

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.(James 5:16)

Make Today Better

When talking with most people, and getting to hear people talk on the subject of making a better life for themselves I hear the same thing. It is always talked about in future tense. It's constructed to be this impossible force that has to be changed at a later date. I say why not start today? Why not begin the rest of your life right now instead of waiting for the rest of the world to catch up to you, or before the time "feels" right. I'll tell you now when your making changes, and contemplating whether, or not you should change something about yourself. The time will never "feel" just right. It's going to be a little uncomfortable at first, but it's totally fine. Keep moving forward, and keep believing in what you want to do. When I listen to the motivational speakers, and spiritual figures of our day I hear them talk about the 3,4,5 step process, but not how it actually feels going through the jungle. These need to be addressed if we want to ultimately make it to our destination. 

YOU don't know where your going til you know where we've been. In talking about stepping up to the plate to make difficult changes about us we need to realize we have to know who has done the things were striving to accomplish. If we can do this we'll have such an easier climb uphill on our journey then if we never checked into some peoples experiences where we aspire to be, or the challenges we will overcome. It's going to be a wonderful adventure climbing to the top just realize that you must take bruises on this way up, and it's totally fine. If you weren't feeling the pangs you wouldn't be going to your ultimate destination.

Don't be afraid to hit the wall. It's going to be alright if you don't do it perfectly the first time. Your going to make mistakes, but just remember we learn from these to get better. If you look back on our history we see that some of the most influential people in our history went through great adversity to get to their final destinations. The difference between them, and the other guy/gal is that they kept on striving to make it to this place. Looking at the story of Job is one that has inspired me throughout my life. Job was a man that had to endure great pain at the hand of the Devil. He lost his children, livestock, and servants. Job had lost everything even his skin. He had developed massive boils all over his skin. To top it all off his wife said,  "Are you still trying to be godly when God has done all this to you?  Curse Him and die" (Job 2:9). So having to deal with all these difficult tribulations he still maintained his loyalty, and love for God. Make yourself someone that your proud of. You're unique, and capable of doing so many wonderful things. Start NOW and I promise you'll "Make Today Better"!