TRUE UNITY IS NEEDED

Unity can be defined the state of being one; oneness. When I think of unity or the state of being one, my mind goes to Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called to one body and be ye thankful." or Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Can't be unity within a bunch of bickering and backbiting amongst each other. That's one of the reasons America is so jacked up. We call ourselves, "United" and yet we're the furthest from it. We in the church like to talk about how messed up America is when the church is not at a perfect state right now itself.

The church is supposed to be an example of unity, but it's the furthest from it. Prove it you say? What's the most segregated day of the week? Sundays. Unity? I know we as people have different thoughts and ways we do things, but why do we let that stop us from unifying? The head and the feet are different but they both serve a purpose on the body, right?

I'm going to use the Church of God In Christ for an example. The break down goes something like this: local church, then district, then jurisdictional, then national. It takes more than one church to make a district. So if the district superintendent wants to have a meeting of the churches and one church shows up it's not really a district meeting is it? Or if the jurisdiction calls for a convention and one district shows up, then it's not really a jurisdictional meeting. It takes more than one finger to make hand. It takes more than one house to make a neighborhood. It takes more than one car to have a collection of cars. It takes more than one team to make up the whole NFL.

Think of a family. If a family only comes together only during the holidays, where is the unity in that? Being blood related makes no unity. You have to spend time together. Get to know each other to create unity. Of course a family reunion is going to be awkward if you only have it once a year. The C.O.G.I.C. has multiple conventions for all the churches in the organization to come and worship together. That creates unity. "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

How can you say you're unified with God when you don't pray. When you don't try to get close to God how is that being unified? Think of getting unified like a relationship, and what's one of the main keys to relationships? Communication. Usually when there's no communication, the relationship falls apart. Where there's unity, there's power. We as believers have to be more unified. I'm not talking denominations, I'm taking believers as a whole. Red and yellow. Black and white. We are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

TEMPORARY VS EVERLASTING...I CHOOSE EVERLASTING

Temporary: lasting for only a limited period of time; not permanent.

Everlasting: lasting forever or for a very long time

Eddie Murphy has a song called Temporary. Yes the same Eddie Murphy that did Party All The Time. Anyway the chorus goes like this, "Temporary. Everything is only temporary. But God is everlasting." Before you get thought that Eddie is trying to sing Gospel. Nah. It's just an inspirational song. Inspirational and Gospel go hand and hand, but just cause a song is inspiring don't make it gospel.

Let me go back on topic. Some of us that are addicts tend to look for the temporary fix. Whether it's a swig of alcohol, a hit of a joint, or sex, whatever it is, the satisfaction is only temporary. Why? Cause the next day or sometimes minutes later, you're looking for another fix. Why go for the temporary when you can go for everlasting? God's love is everlasting. It lasts forever. To me that's a no brainier. Don't get me wrong, I understand addictions. Some addictions you can't stop cold turkey. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." How do you resist? Don't talk about it. Don't watch it. Get away from certain people that are no help to you. You may have to literally run away from it. Certain shows I can't watch. I have to change the channel. Music is usually my get away from a lot of things. A major way is to pray about it. Read the Bible. Fast. Mark 9:29, "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."

Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Another word for "filled" is satisfied. We go back to the temporary fixes looking for satisfaction but nine times out of ten we don't find it. If we start to seek ye first the Kingdom of God, we'll find an everlasting satisfaction worth it all. I know there's a saying out that says, "After you try everything else, try Jesus." Why not try Jesus first? Try God first. Don't try religion. Try relationship. Relationship with the try and living God. Temporary fixes vs an Everlasting loving God. Makes sense to me.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

CAN'T BE SILENT ANYMORE

October 03, 2013 I posted a blog entitled, THIS BLOG POST SHOULDN'T EVEN EXIST, BUT GOD. Reason why I wrote that blog was to tell a little bit of the story of me going to the hospital that September because of my blood pressure and shortness of breath. I got out of the hospital for what I thought was motivation of a lifestyle change. Changed the way I ate, and all that. Only when it came time to testify that God brought me out of the hospital, I didn't say anything. Of course I blogged it, but life and death lies in the power of the tongue. I wasn't that good in biology, but I do know that my fingers have no tongue. Also what I didn't blog about, the hospital bill got wiped away through some kind of program through the particular hospital I was at. Again, said nothing.

December 25, 2014, over a year later. Back to the E.R. for the same issue. The night before I couldn't sleep a wink. I tried to lay down, but every time I couldn't breathe. I was also coughing my lungs out as well. So went to the E.R., and again, my blood pressure was sky high. How high? I would venture to say higher than Snoop Dogg on a 4/20. Of course got checked in to the hospital, and spent my Christmas in the hospital. During this stay, I found out that my heart was weak, and also that I have one functioning kidney. At age 27, this is unheard of. All the nurses, said, how did this happen? I really didn't have straight answer. But in all honesty, I didn't care about myself. I felt like no one REALLY cared, so I didn't care. Notice, I put the "really" in caps. I heard people say they cared, but in my mind, they were just staying face. I didn't buy it.

"What the devil meant for evil, God turned it around for my good."

The calls to my family, Facebook posts, some Instagram comments, and even a snapchat. I really felt that people cared for my well being. I can't tell y'all how happy I was to finally get out that hospital gown, and finally sleep in my own bed again. I was let out on that next Monday. That Wednesday night, I went to Watch Night at my church, Prayer and Faith Ministries COGIC where the pastor is Pastor Anderson Gray, I got a chance to testify and this time I did it. First words out my mouth, "I know if I didn't do this, I'd get a whuppin'."

Psalms 30:11-12 KJV

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Romans 8:28 KJV

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Again, I want to say thank you for all the prayers and the thoughts. As I'm typing this my weight is coming down, and my blood pressure is doing well. I've been taking my medicine and sticking to a low sodium food plan. Don't stop praying, the Lord is nigh. Don't stop praying, He'll hear your cry. For the Lord has promised, and His Word is true. Just don't stop praying, He'll answer you.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD (GIANTS WILL DIE)

1 Samuel 17:26b (GNB) "After all, who is this heathen Philistine to defy the army of the living God?"

Psalms 133:1 (GNB)"How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God's people to live together in harmony!"

U.S.A. United States of America. The country has never really been united unless a terrorist attacks. I remember 9/11 when it seemed that everyone was an American for like a week or two and then after that it was back to normal. What can I compare that to? Our denominations. When is the last time the body of Christ has ever truly united? We can't even unite on what the Bible says. We got the Baptist not liking the Pentecostal folks and vice versa. I hear all the time, "God delivered me from the baptist church." Word?

Homosexuality is not the only giant attacking the church. Don't get me wrong homosexuality needs and must be talked about, but it's not the only thing attacking the church. We got this giant of racism that needs to be dealt with. We got this giant of arrogance that needs to be dealt with. Who are the Davids to slay these giants? Who's willing to stand up these Giants with their rocks and sling shot? If Giants die, who's going to slay them? We can sing and talk about Giants dying and let's slay these giants, but there's got to be some action, right?

James 1:22-25 (GNB)  "Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. Whoever listens to the word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror and sees himself as he is. He takes a good look at himself and then goes away and at once forgets what he looks like. But those who look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, who keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice — they will be blessed by God in what they do."

What am I saying? All this talking about the world is coming to an end, and we're about to get out of here is all true, but sitting down saying it over and over isn't changing a thing. Action brings change. People want to know what to do, but if you're not willing to tell them, then what? People are giving up, people are throwing in the towel, and us preaching our denominations isn't going to help. Jesus gave this command that my Pastor recently preached on, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." I didn't read that it was a baptist gospel, or Mormon gospel, or a COGIC gospel. "This gospel" refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. So if a preacher comes to your church to give the sermon, don't worry about the denomination, worry about if he has Jesus in his heart. Is he or she filled with the spirit.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

I'M TRIPPIN

Revelation 12:11 (GNT) They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die.

So this was a few weeks ago now, but I was working at Velux. The lunch buzzer rang and we all went to lunch, and I had a little bit of Chinese food that I had from the night before. One of the co-workers, commented on the little bit of food I had. So I responded with, "It's better than nothing." Cause I remembered when I had nothing to eat. Anyway, that led into me  telling my story. Living in an extended stay, living in a Kia Sedona parking in parking lots to have some where to rest. Plus a little bit of other stuff. I knew I went through those things, but never talked about it. Never really talked about it to anybody. Not even my family or my spiritual family. I kept that stuff hidden. So after I talked with my co-workers, I felt myself tearing up. "I can't cry at work," I kept telling myself. I didn't want to cry at work because I was that kid that cried at school all the time. I really started thinking about my story, and how I was living then vs now, and realized that I was tripping. I was complaining about this and that, not being like this person or that person. Yet God brought me all that I've been through and I didn't have the courtesy to say thank you. To truly say thank you.

Anyway, and the buzzer rang and lunch was over. Went back to my post, and I was still crying. "Why can't I stop?!?" Co workers asking me what's wrong, I told the truth. Thinking about my life and how I've been trippin'. I mean I couldn't tell them nothing was wrong when they could easily see. I had to tell the truth. I told this one guy a little bit of it and he told me, "To go through what you've been through and to still be standing here working, you're a hell of a man." That helped. Then with the icing on the cake one of my other co-workers looked at me and said, "You're my role model." #waterworks I was crying like Jessie Jackson after Obama got elected the first time.

Why was I crying? Cause I know Daniel Richerson. Needless to say, I've known him my whole life. This guy is no role model. The guy that has an attitude problem. He has self esteem issues. He doesn't like his own face. He think the world is against him. He feels like he does nothing right. This guy has no right to be considered a model let alone a role model. Yet, God some how found a way...

"David was a whore monger, David was an adulterer. He was a horrible husband. He was a horrible father. But somewhere in the text it said David was a man after God's own heart." ~Kirk Franklin

In spite of all that I've done and do do, Jesus keeps on looking out for me. I don't know why He loves me so much, but He keeps on making a way. I'm not the only one that's been trippin' lately, but I can admit it. The fact that people in my life hasn't knocked me out yet is a miracle. I said all this to say don't think low of yourself. God made you for a purpose. I've heard it said, "For I was born with a purpose, placed in the Earth just to give You praise." We all don't have the same story. We all don't have the social security number. We are individually made. Be that individual God made you to be. Don't live to impress anybody. AN-Y-BOD-Y. Live so God can use you any where any time. 

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

SOME PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO HELP YOU

Ladies and gentlemen I have a problem. My problem is this new generation of saints or christians. When I was coming up, the truth was the truth. It wasn't judging. It was the truth. The folks that taught me believed what the bible says, the truth shall make you free. But we live in a generation now where you tell the saints what they're doing is wrong and a sin, they get offended and lash back like it's an argument. There was this famous line that was quoted many times after it was heard, "You can't handle the truth."

My mom told me in no certain terms one time that the truth is the truth no matter who says it. Like shacking up before marriage or cussing. Folks get real offended talking about that. Or the big one, homosexuality. No don't talk about homosexuality. Don't talk about shacking or cussing. Don't talk about why we don't celebrate certain days. I think the problem the devil is trying to shut our mouths. He knows he's heading to the lake of fire and he's trying to take any and everybody he can. I understand that the government is corrupt. We've known that for years. But let's not act like the body of Christ has been perfect. I think the same way we give the devil too much credit, I think we give the government too much credit. We got to take responsibility for our own actions at some point and time. Like black folk blaming the white man for everything.

Now I for one don't like to be singled out or judged if you will. One the many lines I quote often is, "Don't judge me." But yet and still, wrong is wrong. The world as well as the church has become such a "politically correct" society. I hate to tell you but the truth hurts. The truth will offend if you're not willing to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind." It is written, "With loving kindness have I drawn thee." There is a difference between condemning and showing loving kindness. I think we as a generation have been condemned so much that we don't know what loving kindness is. We don't know how to take the truth because we take EVERYTHING as condemning or judging if you will. But I got news for you, not everybody is trying to send you to hell. Some people are actually trying to help you. Stop being so sensitive, oh me. I say oh me, cause my pastor says often, "If you can't say amen, say oh me." .

I can't tell you what to do behind closed doors. I can't tell you how to live your life. But I suggest that you read and study the word for yourself so you can grow. A song I learned as a child says, "Read your bible, pray and everyday and you'll grow grow grow." Shout out to Sunshine Learning Center. Anyway, we got to learn how to accept help. We pray to God for help, he sends it, and then we reject it. Something's gotta give.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

MORE THAN LIP SERVICE...

" Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21, Bible, KJV)

Salvation is more than lip service. It's more than saying the right cliches or quotes to get the people to say amen. In professional wrestling they call that a "cheap pop," when the performer gets on the mike and says something cliche to get a reaction the crowd. A lot of people know how to say the right things on Social Media and not live worth a nothing off of Facebook. A lot of people do that the same thing in church, and at the same time judge the people on Social Media.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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." (Romans 12:1-2, Bible, KJV)

Salvation is an inside job. Can't lived saved with the old mindset. You got to renew your mind. You may have to delete some friends and stop following certain people. And if or when you do stop following people or delete them as friends, no need to make an announcement about it. Just do it. If there's one thing i can't stand it's when people make an announcement about unfollowing somebody. Trust me, the people you unfollow could care less. I've stopped following lots of people on social media and guess what? They've moved on and so have I. Amazing isn't it?

Please don't get it twisted when I type these blogs.

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14, Bible, KJV)

I'm not perfect, and I'm not trying to come off as perfect. To be honest, I've been slipping lately. I'm not trying to be one of those who judge others who are not "saved like me." Believe me, those people work my nerves. That "ain't nobody saved but me" mentality has messed up the body of Christ. How? Cause we're supposed to be leading souls to Christ. So how can we do that when ain't nobody saved but us? We got to renew our mind as a body. We got to humble ourselves. It is written, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14, Bible, KJV)

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

JESUS HAS YOUR HEART, THEN YOUR SPEECH SHOULD SHOW IT

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (The Bible, KJV, Luke 6:45)

We got everybody claiming to have Jesus in their hearts. If you truly have Jesus in your heart, your actions and speech should show it. That's why I have a problem with the term, "cussing Christian." I understand nobody is perfect. I get that none of us want to be judged by what we get caught doing, but I believe that showing Jesus, actually means showing Jesus. You can't show Jesus by living like the World at the same time. It is written that you can't serve both God and mammon. Choose ye this day.

If there's one thing I can't stand is that when I hear one talking some of the nastiest things that could come out of a human's mouth and then claim to have Jesus. Now I was taught that I can't question any one's salvation, but come on now. Never have I seen such lack of Jesus in the midst of Christians. Back biting, gossip, fighting, hate, and everything else. Kurt Carr has a song that says, "We got to put Jesus back number one."

Now let me put this out there for anybody that may be reading these for the first time. When I talk about Jesus, I'm not talking about religion. In religion there's no personal relationship. Never once have I heard somebody say, Buddha just told me...or Muhammad just told me...cause dead people can't talk. Jesus is alive and doing well as I heard it said one time. Why put faith in something that's dead when you can be serving and believing in who is alive?

Let me go back to putting Jesus number one. Jesus never fails. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but Jesus never fails. That alone should be reason enough to put and leave Jesus number one. If Jesus is in your heart then speak Jesus. Stop trying to give Jesus a roommate. We want Jesus in our hearts but don't want to stop cussing, stop lusting, or stop anything else that is unholy. I'm not saying we got to be perfect, but we got to stop purposely making the wrong choices. We got to stop blaming the devil over the choices we make. It is written that if we resist the devil then he will flee. 

If Jesus is in your heart, then let him have it.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

I'LL BELIEVE I'LL TESTIFY, GOD'S BEEN GOOD TO ME (THE DEVIL DON'T LIKE IT) 200!!

The devil doesn't like it when you proclaim the victory you have in Jesus. The devil doesn't like when you tell the good news of Jesus. The devil doesn't like the fact that you made it. There's a song that says, "Never would've made it." You either love it or hate it. Personally, it's my testimony. Because of Jesus Christ, I'm sitting here typing this blog now. I'm going to share this because again, the devil don't like it that I'm still here. About a year ago, I was in the hospital with oxygen in my nose, with an I.V., and was connected to a blood pressure machine. I was scared. I didn't know if I was going to make it. Before going to ER, I was apologizing to my little sister for being a "burden." She told me not to. I got to the hospital room, my mom called me, I was apologizing because I thought this was something I did. I'm not talking about what I was eating and not eating, I was talking about all the stuff like not looking for a job, being lazy, being homeless...I was thinking this was because of those decisions. But mom being mom, she didn't let me continue to think that way. When they let me go home, I requested to leave on a wheel chair, but they never got me. Mom pulled the car around but the hospital people never came back up to get me. I felt alone. I felt like no body cared. I put my head in my hand and tears starting to fall. Again I thought nobody cared. Mom ended up coming up to get me. She told me not to cry, but I couldn't help it.

Reason why I don't testify in church, like stand up and talk, because I'm not comfortable talking to anybody. That's why I don't "open up" like my little sister. I'm different. I'm me. I can't be nobody else. Which is why I'm probably so easy to think down on myself. I've had low self-esteem issues for most of my life. So when I say, I have a job. When I say, I have a drivers license. When I say, I can type. When I say I can put songs together on a mix CD that make sense. The devil doesn't like it. I'm learning that how ever I get treated, I got to be mature. I could easily sink to the level of others, but that solves nothing. I've learned that if you treat people nice that has done you wrong it'll messed them up. I've seen it work that way. It took me a long time, but I'm finally learning to apply what I've learned.

This is my 200th post on this blog site. Technically, it's probably like 202, 203, or something like that, but as of the posts I got now, this is 200. if you would've told me when I was in high school that I'd one day type my 200th blog post on this website, I'd tell you, in so many words, that you're out of your mind. I've posted some controversial stuff through the years. I've posted some stuff that's went over well, I've posted some stuff that nobody cared about. Through the ups and the down, and the good and the bad, thanks for sticking around folks. And thanks to all the people that mock me for posting these. Thanks to all the haters. Thanks for all the people that support.

There's more to come.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT

I've got a feeling that everything's gonna be all right. Be all right, be all right, be all right.

I've heard that song so many times, but it never really struck a chord with me. I now understand that song. Life has been not that easy for me lately, but I heard this song and I felt a relief. I now understand why my dad sat many a time playing Jesus Will Work It Out (Kurt Carr), God Is (DeWayne Woods), and Testimony (Rodney Bryant). Those songs spoke on his situations and gave him a sense of relief. That's why it's important to pay attention what you listen to. Especially young people. Be careful what you let enter your ears.

Psalm 30:5 "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" I'm not going to lie, I was contemplating on writing this blog. Reasons will be kept to myself, but let's just say, the people you expect to support, really don't care at all. I get mocked because of these blogs. Now this is coming from a guy that was mocked most of his life growing up. So being mocked for who I am or what I do is nothing new.

Never the less, here I am in spite of, doing what I do. So here's a little background. The other night I was watching videos on YouTube. I'm a music lover. People that know me know I love music. Playing music between Sunday School and Worship service is actually a joy for me believe or not. I wish I knew how to DJ. With that being said, I found this song by Kabra Benford and Psalm 100 out of Columbia, SC, called Be Alright. It's goes a little bit like the hymn with some extra flavor with it. So when I said in the first paragraph that it struck a chord with me, this is what I meant. I watched the video and listened to the song be sung under conviction and under the anointing, and it messed me up. A realization of everything's gonna be all right was just to heavy for me.

Which goes back to a song I led which I've blogged about before that says, "I don't know why You love me so much, but You keep on making a way." I now realize that it's no coincidence of the songs I've led over my short time on this planet. Song's like God is (Dewayne Woods), Made A Way (Bishop Larry Trotter), I Won't Forget (Norman Hutchins), For The Rest Of My Life I'm Gonna Praise Him (Sammy A Young), Jesus Is Real (John P. Kee). Was it because I could lead them better,, or was it that God was trying to tell me something? I like to consider that it was the latter.

Speaking of latter, another song came to me one night as I was praying that, "Your latter will be greater than your past." Of course my first response is, "Word?" Just keeping it real. But regardless, everything's gonna be all right. I can say that until there's no breath in my body, but if you don't believe it, or if it doesn't marinate in your soul, it's nothing but words. But I do believe despite everything thing that's happening, everything's gonna be all right. Inspite of the wrong,

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

Here's the link to the video I watched: http://youtu.be/3ilqlIYE7PI

I'M HARD HEADED LIKE THAT...

God is alive. He's a living God. Why put your faith in one that is dead I don't understand. Muhammad died in 632. He was alive in the 3 digits. Joseph Smith died 1844. Buddha is dead. My bible says those trust in the Lord shall renew their strength. I blogged last week about the Bible. The living word. His word is alive. This same Bible says God inhabits the praises of His people. In order to inhabit anything you got to be what? Alive, right?

I've been talking with Mormons lately and they've been trying to get me to read the Book of Mormon. I told them I would think about it, but like I said last week, I stand alone on the Word of God. Another testimony of Jesus Christ they call the book of Mormon. I personally believe the Bible speaks for itself. They gave me a verse to justify the Mormon book, the last verse in John which says, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." So they claim that Book of Mormon is everything else Jesus did? The verse says, the world can't contain it. Which means to me the World would not be able to handle it. Don't give me a verse to justify your thoughts and don't expect me to read it. I'm hard headed like that.

I watched a video on YouTube where a couple of Mormons tried to talk to this guy about Jesus, but the guy knew the Word for himself. He old them the truth and one of them got mad. Ain't it funny how mad people get when you don't bow down to their thoughts? Or when you use the same thing they try to use against them? Now I don't want to use this blog to blaspheme anybody, but I realize the skepticism I've been getting when I say I've been talking with these two Mormons. I know one is named Elder Borrows. I apologize to the other gentleman for not remembering his name.

All I'm saying again like I said last week you got to study the Word of God for yourself. Don't just take what anybody says verbatim. Trust in the true and living God.

In that video I mentioned earlier the guy that was talking to the Mormons, brought up this verse Luke 21:15 which says, "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." I looked into it and the study Bible I use went back to Luke 12:11-12, and it hit home with me, "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

Side Note: I hope this doesn't come off as hate. I have no hate for anybody...that you know of.

THE B-I-B-L-E YES THAT'S THE BOOK FOR ME.

The B-i-b-l-e yes that's the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-i-b-l-e.

The above are lyrics of a song I learned when I was a little kid. It came back to me when I was thinking about some things. Lately I've been having conversations with some Mormons. Cool couple of guys. They strongly believe in what they believe. Should I say boldly believe in what they believe. I don't agree with most of it, but I have to respect the boldness. Why do I respect the boldness? Because it shows what kind of boldness I should have for what I believe in. What do i believe in? The Bible is what I believe in. There's an old song that says, "I know the bible is right. Somebody's wrong."

What I have a problem with is people putting other books on the same par as the Bible. Same level as the Bible. I have a problem with that. I read (past tense) in the Bible, Word of God, that in the beginning was The Word, and the Word was with God., and the Word was God. So if God is the Word, then isn't putting another book on the same level like worshiping another God? I believe that one of the 10 commandments is, "thou shalt not have no other gods before me." Around the 4th to 5th grade my sister and I want to this daycare, Sunshine Learning Center. There they taught us a song that says, "Read your Bible, pray everyday, and you'll grow, grow, grow." Read your BIBLE. Get to know your God. Study your God. Stand on the Word. Believe in God. Can't believe in God and not believe in the Bible when they are one in the same.

The Bible says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV) In other words you have to study the Word yourself. Don't just go by what you've heard all your life because 9 times out of 10 you might miss something. For example, most of my life, I've been hearing about Sodom and Gomorrah. Every time I hear about that it's mostly about the homosexual stuff that's happened in that. But once I studied it for myself, I realized that the ones that brought up that story nearly always never brought up the fact that no righteous living people could be found in that city therefore God destroyed it. Now a lot of people call America modern day Sodom and Gomorrah, and believe me I get the comparison. But again I bring up that God could not find 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, or 10 righteous living people in that city. So you mean to tell me that America has no righteous living in the country? America is going to have to pay for it's sins, I know that, but I believe the reason it's still running is more than "In God We Trust" on the money.Why I say that? Because mainly the bible says if you love God you will keep his commandments. It's more than lip service. I believe that, "I have never seen the righteous forsaken..." Then again, I could be wrong. But this is my blog, and--

Anyway, another good reason to study is your success. It is written that, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Joshua 1:8) So with that being, making your way prosperous can't come by depending on whoever your spiritual leaders are. You have to read the Bible for yourself. It clearly says, THOU shalt make THY way prosperous. Not your pastor, not your bishop.

The B-i-b-l-e yes that's the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-i-b-l-e.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

Facebook.com/bigdusty

Twitter.com/big_dusty

Instagram.com/big_dusty

Big_dusty on Vine and Snapchat

GET BACK ON FOCUS

Something that has been bothering me lately, and I talked to a couple of guys about it. Churches are getting off focus. Again let me say that the church is not a building. The church is the people. Without the people, there's no church. Now, we as the church, are losing focus. We're supposed to seek God. Focus on God. Keep God first. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. If there's one thing I can't stand it's when I go to a church that's not focused on the kingdom and more focused on what he or she is doing or not doing.

Nothing like going to a church that's actually God oriented and unashamed about it. We've become so focused on the entertainment aspect of church. Who can dance the best. Who can praise the best. Who can yell the loudest. Who can play the best. More about the show and less about the oil. The oil meaning the anointing. I guess being God oriented won't put butts in the seats, but I heard it said, "Take care of God's business, He'll take care of yours."

It is written, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Wondering why the church has no peace? The focus may be off. When the body is not listening to the head, it's out of order. We got body parts disrespecting the head and wondering why everything is all messed up. When I was growing up, and I disrespected the head of the household, I got what is missing in most homes today, disciplined. Discipline is missed in some churches as well.

Discipline is more than using the belt. It's defined, "the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience." If God speaks to you pastor what the church needs to do, or where the church needs to go, just shut up and obey. Don't say, "Well I don't think that..." You're the body part for a reason. God placed the pastor there for a reason. He sent the pastor there to lead. Stay in your lane. You're over the sound system. That's all you need to put your mouth on. Stop putting your mouth on what is not in your lane.

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) When worry come we tend to pass the blame instead of going to God in prayer. Instead of hitting our knees in prayer, we let the Devil come in and jack up relationships and close down churches. I wonder how many churches have closed the doors because of losing focus. Learn who God is again. The holy spirit is not the only spirit that talks to us. Think before you speak, and keep you mind stayed on God.

Two old hymns came to mind. One says, "There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one. No not one. None else can heal all our soul's diseases. No not one. No not one. Jesus knows all about our struggles. He will guide 'til the day is done. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one. No not one." The other says, "What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and grieves to bear. What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh what peace we often forfeit. Oh what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer." "Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness. All we got to do is take it to the Lord in prayer"

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

SHOW JESUS...

Doing this via a blog may seem like a real punk move, and I know I have to do this in person. Yet I go on. I would like to apologize to everyone who may be reading this that I may have offended or bad mouthed in anyway shape or form. I also want to forgive anyone who may have done it to me. The bible says that if we don't forgive others, God won't forgive us. i don't know about any of you, but I want to be forgiven. Will this change anything doing it this way? Time will tell. With that being said...

I think one of the problems is that  we try to force people to accept salvation. Don't get me wrong. I know that we are in the end times. I do know that Jesus is soon to come. I do know that we are in the last and evil days. I also know that if Jesus came back too soon, some of the people that we would think would be caught up will be left behind. Matthew 7:21-23 says, "
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." I heard it said recently that we can't sham God. We can't fool God. God sees all and knows all. Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; god is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

You can't make someone get saved. You can't make someone accept Jesus. What we do is give the message and let them make the decision. Right? Think about when you accepted the Lord as your personal savior. Was it because someone forced you to? or did you hear a message that convicted tugged at your heart that you decided to follow Jesus. This is a debate in church believe it or not. People say you didn't decide to follow Jesus, you were chosen. Here's my take. Again I may be wrong on this, but I may have been chosen to play on a football team, but that doesn't automatically mean I'm going to play. It doesn't automatically force me to play. Like I was chosen to be one of the soundman at church. I didn't sign up for it. I didn't hold my hand up and say, "Pastor choose me I want to do it!" No. Pastor basically said, "Daniel, I want you to run the sound." and I said, "Ok." That's basically it. So yes God chose you and yes the bible does say that we are "a chosen generation." But does that necessarily make you saved? Does that necessarily get you in to the gates? You still have to believe in your heart and declare with your mouth that Jesus in the son of God and that he rose from the dead, right? You still have to choose or decide to do that right? I'm just saying...again I may be wrong...it's happened before, and it's bound to happen again.

All I'm saying is that we have to go out in he highways and byways as the Bible says, and allow me to say, that can mean Internet highways also? I know it means literal highways and byways, but if folks are always on the net, why not get to them where they're at? We got to show Jesus in and out the 4 walls of the church. There's some people that will never show up to your church or any church, don't they got to know Jesus too? I've heard it said that the church is a hospital, but some people don't know that their sick. So since they don't know we have to be prayed up and studied up so when the opportunity presents itself we'll be ready to speak the word. and you never know it may be the Word that leads them to Christ. Right or wrong?

If you don't know the Lord, the bible 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." The song says, "Come to Jesus, while you have time. Come to Jesus, make up your mind. He will make your mind brand new. Oh He will take care of you. Come to Jesus while you have time."


Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

LET THE WORD WORK AS IT IS

"We no longer have to perform for God" ~Kirk Franklin

I was thinking of posting what I spoke on Sunday. And then I began thinking about ones that try to spice up the Word of God like it's an unseasoned raw piece of meat. The Bible is already good enough as it is. No need to put your opinion on it. The Word is alive by itself. Donald Lawrence had a song that said, "Let the work do the work." Part of the problem of why we see no growth in church is because, I believe, the Gospel is not being preached. Opinions are being preached. Your opinions are not going to get people saved. Your opinions are not going to get people delivered. Your opinions are not going to catch the fish you want to catch. Opinions fail. But the Word (Bible) will never fail. Opinions die when you die, but the Bible is what will stand forever. No matter what man says.

We live in a world now that is doing what is against the Bible, but we as a people have to be unashamed of the Gospel. Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Opinions are what you sometimes end up being ashamed of. Opinions have power. But you really want to really on the power of human opinion? That's called politics, and I'm know I'm not the only one that believes that we don't need any more politicking in the church.

We don't need to try to impress God with our fanciness. It's timeout to just dance and praise in church, then as soon as you leave the "church ground" you get mad of every little thing. It's timeout just showing the love of Christ in the four walls, but outside the four walls you show the false love of the Devil. Now is a time more than any to be real with God. To be real with your spiritual life. Now is a time to start applying church and stop just going to church. Now is a time to start living church.

Somebody is always watching. I'm not talking about God cause God sees all and knows all. I mean non believers and young believers. Keep that in mind the next time you let your temper get the best of you.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

*UPDATE 8/10/14*
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." let the word do the work

ARE YOU PERFORMING OR BEING?

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:5.

A conversation with my sister prompted this blog. People know how to do church. People know how to dance, run, play the right chords, and make the right faces to get by. There's a difference between people that just do church and the ones that are the church. Church is not a building. Despite of what you may think. I learned a long time ago that the church is the believers. Which one are you? The ones that just do church, or the ones that are the church? 

Now let me say this that I'm not casting stones. I'm guilty sometimes of just doing church and not being the church. Before I changed the name, I called the blog site, Keeping It Real. I'm doing my best to not come off as a perfect guy. Please believe I'm far from perfect.

I heard it said that the anointing it will break the yokes. Dancing or shouting is all well and good but is anybody getting free? Or are all we doing is exercising? I'm half black, but I will say black people are known for enjoying a good beat. So with that being said, being saved has to be more than a dance, right? It has to be more than a song that gives you goosebumps and gets you emotional, right? I mean people get emotional over "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith. That's not a gospel song. Then the question comes is being a Christian about putting a performance or is about becoming Christ like to the point where people see more of the God in you rather than you yourself? 

Rapper Lecrae who is saved has a song from one of his old albums that says:

"After the show, after the set, after the music stops what's next?

Will there be fellowship, prayer, disciples?
Will you open your bibles after the music stops

After it's over, after it ends, after the music stops, what then?
Will you understand that Christ is King?Or will you just like the words we sing after the music stops"

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

Big_Dusty on Twitter, Instagram, Vine, and SnapChat

BigDusty on Facebook

EastsideAfro.podomatic.com (New Podcasts)

GET YOUR ZEAL FOR CHRIST BACK

This is going to be a bit of a call back to a blog I typed back in 2009. Before I get to it, I'm asking for your prayers. Now things may change after I post this but as of right now, I've been asked to do something real big. At least to me it's big. I'm not going to mention what that thing is just yet, but I'm asking for your prayers that God has his way and that no flesh gets the glory.

So back in 2009 I typed a blog called, "No Joy, No Strength. No Faith, No Strength." If you go back and read the blog remember it was back in 2009, and I've typed worse things in a blog. Anyway, this is the part of the blog I really want to call back to:

 You hear it said all the time, "The joy of the Lord, is my strength." Yeah, that really sounds good, don't it? But, do you really carry the joy of the Lord or do you let the Devil ride? (Shout out Deacon Moody, the coolest deacon I've ever met.) Do you carry joy, or do you carry hate? Some of us, including me, need to check ourselves. We say the right stuff, but do we really mean it? A lot of us are weak because of our lack of joy. By the way people can sense that, which is why you can't get through to people. We often use the Bible verse, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy's gonna come in the morning." That's true, don't get me wrong. I truly believe that, but I think and believe that we can cause the night to linger longer than it has too. For some of us, the morning could've been here, but we let the Devil influence how we think and feel. Thus we stop believing. Thus we start to doubt. When people go to the altar to give their lives to the Lord, the verse found in Romans 10:9 "That if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved." A lot of people confess but they don't believe, and I think that's how we lose joy. In our heart, we truly stop believing thus we lose joy. Faith is also important for strength, because if we lose faith, we lose joy. My pastor defines faith as this, "You got to see it before you see it if you're ever going to see it." Now the Bible says, that life and death lies in the power of your tongue. So with faith, you got to see it, but I feel that speaking it will add more confidence to your faith. Now if you're gonna have faith, doubt has got to go. Trying to have faith with doubt is like trying to have a classy show on VH1. It's not going to work. I'm just saying if you're feeling weak mentally, maybe you need to get some joy in your life. Use your faith and speak that you will have some joy in your life. How to get joy, you ask? Jesus. Jesus can give you joy. As the late Rev. James Moore would say, "I know Jesus can give you joy! JOY! JOY!"

To be honest there's not much I can add to this but here's an attempt. Don't you wish that you didn't have to force a smile on your face? Don't you wish that you didn't have to be fake? There's an old hymn that says, "Since Jesus came into my heart,Since Jesus came into my heart;
Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart." When someone really has the joy of the Lord, they don't need to fake it. They don't need to force a smile. That's not to say that they don't feel other emotions, but they don't let the devil upset their rest. It took me a long time not to let people get to me. I'm not perfect in that yet, but I've gotten much better with that. As far as letting people do what they do and not letting it affect how I act. There's a phrase that has been used in the past decade that says, "Haters are gonna hate." People are going to do what they do behind close doors. What's done in the dark...you can only hide who you really are for so long until the mask comes off.

So the question comes how does one truly be joyful. I said in the post in 2009 that Jesus can give you joy. Kurt Carr has a song that says, "We got to put Jesus back number one." We have become so dependent on our phones and social media that when we wake up in the morning what's the first thing most of us do? Check for text messages and notifications. What if we woke up and actually started off when a Thank you to the one that woke us up? What if we started with a prayer? What if we started off with meditation on the word of God? If we really put Jesus number one, make him the first priority of your every day, joy will follow. Real joy. No longer will we have to fake being joyful. No longer will we have to force a smile on our face. Get back to when you first received Christ into your life. We need to get back to the zeal we had when we first got saved.

Now if you're not saved, the bible 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."

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

Nice try Devil but you have lost again...

I'm not going to go into detail. All I'm going to say is that the devil tried to get me. He thought he had me, but somebody prayed. But God has won again. When they say there's power in the name of Jesus? I dare you to try it. Try using that name and the power that comes with it. I'm a living witness that it works.

Now to the regular scheduled blog. Well not that scheduled and that's my fault. Cue The Chidrens Bread by Tonex.

I realize at I'm becoming more of a crier. I'm becoming a little more like my dad than I realize. I'm already like him in certain aspects, but never was that much of a crier outside of church of course. What brought this on is I was watching Kevin Durant's MVP speech an when he got to talking about his time growing up with his mom and all that she did, I had to literally scream to keep myself from crying because the tears were there and ready to flow. I fought them back though because that's not what I USUALLY do. We as people are scared to get out of our comfort zone and that might hold you back from a miracle. Step out on faith just one time and I promise it will make an impact. Now make sure that it's God leading you. Don't step out of the will of God, that's not what I'm saying. What I am saying is that if God wants you to do something that's out of your comfort zone, step out on faith and do it. And of course it might not be as bad as it seemed to be.

Like take the song I'm listening to now. God Is by DeWayne Woods. I'm a natural shy guy. Been one all my life. I'm just not one to open up to folks in person. So I bring God Is up because I led this song at this church I used to attend New Harvest Ministries COGIC. And it was always nerve wrecking. Every-single-time. But I stepped out on faith and did it. It ended up being like a release of some sort for me.

Next week I'll be 27 years old. I didn't think I'd make 25 let alone 27. To God be the glory for the things he's done. Yes I'm still single. Never had a date in my life. But is that necessarily a bad thing? I mean I'm still here. Sill alive. God has done too much for me for me to be ungrateful because I've never "had a girlfriend." That's not to say that I don't want to go on a date or have a girlfriend or one day have a wife and all that, but my life does not depend on that stuff. I'm not just going to settle for the first girl that winks at me. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
Big_Dusty on Twitter, Instagram, Vine, and Snapchat
Facebook.com/bigdusty

JESUS LOVES YOU....LOVE HIM BACK

Before I get going, just want to thank everybody who reads my material. If you're new, hello!

The other day I was googling time travel because I was thinking how cool it would be to travel though time. I know it's impossible, but let me dream. Some parts of my life I would avoid, because I know I wasn't the easiest mulatto to deal with. Still to this day I can be a major pain to some people. The difference is though is that now I'm starting to care. I'm starting to care how I act or react to certain things and situations. Not to say I didn't care then but I would not think before I did things. So googling time travel took me to an interesting video talking about reincarnation. In this video it showed this little boy that knew about what happened when the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor. Apparently he was one of the piliots that died. He knew everything about the pilots life and everything. I don't believe in reincarnation but this was interesting. And it was this other lady that apparently was Anne Frank. She knew where Anne Frank was hiding from the Germans at and all that. Now I know this maybe as some old country people say, "Horse pucky." But how does one explain that? I'm not buying reincarnation, I'm just talking bout the video I saw.

So I watched all that, and that lead to the story that the Heaven is Real movie is about. I watched a video regarding the little boy and going to Heaven when he was 3, and that lead to me watching two powerful video regarding aithest experiencing a little bit of what Hell is and turning their lives around. The one constant I found in both of the videos I watched was 3 words, "Jesus loves you." Like inspite of all you're doing or what you have done, Jesus loves you. Some people just need to know that because they feel alone. They feel unloved. Thy feel unwanted. You don't hear about the other gods saying they loved their servants. But Jesus loves you. He loves you. One more time for the trinity, He loves you. That's why we can't call the young people out their name. If God loves them, and we serve God, then who are we to call them out their name? or anyone for that matter? The Bible talks about drawing people with love and kindness. Can't win anybody calling folks out their name. That's not spreading love.

I heard a guy asked a question that it's not a matter of God loving us but do we love God enough to turn away from our sins? Some of y'all know what is sin and what isn't? Do you want to turn away from it, or continue there in? Believe me I'm not throwing stones from a glass house here, I'm just asking in general. They say love is a two way street. So wouldn't one to expect one that if some one loves you past you, you would love that someone back, right? I'm sure those who are married reading this love your spouse passed who they are, right? I haven't yet found my one, but I'm sure that I would love her like that. I believe it's written that Jesus is coming back for a bride. To become a bride or groomsman is based on love right? Should be anyway.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson
facebook.com/bigdusty
Instagram.com/big_dusty
Twitter.com/big_dusty

Praise God for the residue

Isaiah 6:1 NLT It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.

To be in the presence of the Lord is an awe inspiring thing. Some people embrace it while some watch for the entertainment value, and there's some people that don't believe anything is happening either way. But I believe that there is residue from being in the presence of God. It's becoming more of a reality that when your praises is not just for you but for the people that may be around you and for the people connected to you in one way or another.

I was having some issues for a couple of days. Let's just say my stomach was bothering me. Sunday at church the presence of God filled the temple. Young and old crying out. Went home and realized that the issue I had, I no longer had. I believe that was from the residue of the service. This is why it's important to go to the house of the Lord. My pastor quotes this all the time, David said I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord. Those who don't believe in "organized religion" and that being the reason you don't go to church...I heard a minister bring up recently that the Bible says God wants things done decent and in order which is one of my favorite verses. Also it is written, "How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

I'm not trying to force anybody to go to church, but I'm saying if you do find the right service where the spirit is high, expect some residue from being in the midst. I heard somewhere that a lady went to a tent revival to spectate and ended up getting saved when it was all said and done.

It is written to seek first the Kingdom of God AND his righteousness...anybody can seek God, but can you live right? Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and He will supply your needs. Paraphrasing of course. The residue is good, but I don't know about you, I would like to have more than residue. Praise God for the residue, but if you want more than that...you got to do more than go to church you got to be the church.

Mom told me this one time some years back and I'm going to share it with y'all. P.R.O. Pray, Read, Obey. Just came to me so I don't know who it's for may have been just for me. But I'm going to share it anyway.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson