HELP SOMEBODY

If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
’Cause when you close your heart
You can’t close your...your mind! (Man In The Mirror, Michael Jackson)

Romans 12:2, KJV, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Philippians 2:5, KJV, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

Maybe sometimes the mirror needs to be turn around. I've heard it said many times that sometimes it's not the devil, but it's you. That's why Michael said that he was "starting with the man in the mirror." Seriously, how do you expect others to change when you're not willing to? My dad always told me, "Don't throw rocks from a glass house." In other words to busy commenting on other folks issues or the "world's issues" but not willing to take care of yours. Ever think that the reason some things don't seem to be changing in your atmosphere is the fact that you haven't took care of that? Now, "that" could be anything. We all got that nagging issue that doesn't seem to go away. Not saying we still can't offer help in the midst of of trying to help ourselves because honestly when I type these gimmicks called blogs I'm trying to help myself as well as offer help to whoever is reading this.

Matthew 12:33-34, KJV, "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt, for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."

So some of us need to make our mind on whether we're going to be good or evil? Some of us, including church folks, gasp, try to do both. You can't produce oranges by living like an apple tree. Jesus said he'd rather us be hot or cold because if we're lukewarm, He'll spit us out of his mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16) You're not sick of being covered with saliva yet?

You got to love people in order to try and help. My dad's motto when he was a pastor was, "Help somebody." People are begging for help. They are not looking for tricks. They're not looking to be talked down too. They're not looking to be loved. They're looking for a way out. Believe it or not, some people actually do want to get out, but they don't know how. The world needs Jesus, but we're giving them everything but. Andrae Crouch penned, "Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him there's no other. Jesus is the way." The Bible says that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life. No man gets to the Father except through me (Him)." (John 14:6)

Take a look at yourself. What are you producing? Are producing love or hate? Or are you trying to produce both? Why do you think people leave the church? Not only because of the smoke and mirrors, but because when they're supposed to be receiving love, they're receiving hate at the same time. Jesus is love, right? So why not present Jesus when they walk in to the church, rather than sitting them in the back because they don't dress the part. Michael says, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change." There's a lot of truth in that. I'm not taking anything away from it. May I add though, that if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, make that change, and show Jesus.

First blog of 2017 so of course it was a little all over the place, but I hope the message got through. Thanks for reading.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

GIVE IT TO JESUS, NOT SOCIAL MEDIA

I was driving and this hit me so hard that I had to remember I was driving. You know when that feeling of emotion hits you and you have to fight those tears from even starting up? So, Give it to Jesus, not social media. Every day on social media somebody is putting all their business on it with nothing to show for it. One major thing that can happen from putting it all out for the public to see is turmoil. Because people are just looking for a reason to try and cut you down like a tree. People are looking for a reason to hate you more than they already do. What happens when you put all your business on the internet? Usually nothing positive. The intent is, I'm guessing, is to receive some kind of help, because these people are supposed to be your friends, but sometimes all you get is your so-called friends gossipping about you when they said they were going to pray for you. There's a saying out there that says, "After you tried everything else, try Jesus." Why not try Jesus first?

Why not try the man who died for you? I don't remember reading anywhere how Facebook died for you. I don't remember reading anywhere that MySpace rose from the dead justifying you. Jesus is that man. Jesus is that guy. Jesus is that He. Jesus is whatever you need him to be. Jesus is that He. The He in Living He loved me, Dying He saved me, Rising He justified, freed me for ever, one day He's coming back, glorious Day. Jesus is that lily in the valley, bright as the morning star. Jesus was wounded for your transgressions. He was bruised for your iniquities. The chastisement of your peace was upon Him, and with His stripes you are healed. Jesus is that guy.

Song writer said, Jesus I'll never forget what you done for me/ Jesus I'll never for get how you set (made) me free/ Jesus I'll never forget how you brought me out/ Jesus I'll never forget/ No never. Now as soon as Social Media does ANY of that for me, I'll go to Social Media with my issues. As for me as my house, we will serve the Lord.

I was going through a little something. I blew up. I got, in lay men's terms, pissed off. I was ready to go on a tangent on Facebook. With this epic rant or shoot promo about the whole situation, but then I just talked to Jesus about it. Old hymn says, Have a little talk with Jesus/ Tell Him about your troubles/ He'll hear our faintest cry/ He'll answer by and by/ When you feel the prayer wheel turning/ And you know the fire is burning/ Just a little talk with Jesus will make it all right.

Talking to Jesus will relieve stress. Putting it all on social media will cause more stress than what you're already feeling. Venting to Jesus will do more for you than putting it on social media. People say their ear is always open, but to be real, that's a maybe because all of us get busy. Jesus is never too busy to hear you. And sometimes your posts get scrolled by because it's you that posted it. Jesus won't ignore you because of who you are. I'm so glad Jesus is not like some of y'all. 

Now I could've posted on social media what happened to me and why I got so pissed off, but would that have changed anything? Would that have calmed me down? Why give people some material when I just go to the man that can solve all my problems? Everybody tries to seem deep when you're the one going through. Thinking they have the answer for you. The song writer said, "Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him there's no other, Jesus is the way." It is written that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No man gets to the Father (God) except through Him (Jesus).

When social media wasn't there, Jesus was there. We live in a time when people are looking for hope and the church is not giving an answer of where to find that hope. All that some of the churches seem to be doing is bashing the people looking for hope. We need less bashing and more helping. More conversation. Especially since some of us have been through what they are going through and we can help them find the pathway. We can help them find Jesus.

What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and grieves to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

I call Him sweet peace. I call Him bread of life, I call him Comforter. He is Lord.

What can was away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Social Media is a good place to socialize, but if you're looking for answers, may I suggest going to the Answer. Not Allen Iverson. I'm talking about Jesus. 

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson