Broken

What is the best time for someone of something to grow? For me the answer was when I had a broken heart, and was broken down crying out to God. Personally I was verbally hurt, mentally doubting God's love in that moment, then I prayed for God to help me in my broken state of mind, and then I started writing fb notes to get my mind off of things, and then I began reading the Bible consistently and He is giving me His truth more than I could ever imagine. I know being broken is not easy, but look in nature and how things that are broken can grow and work well. The rain clouds break up sending forth rain, flowers blossom or the top breaks and you see a beautiful flower, butterflies come out of a broken cocoon. To be broken is to go before God, in a heart crying out for direction in humility as King Josiah when he prayed to live for the Lord when no one else was going to because they misplaced the Book of the Law. Paul was broken down, because his friends abandoned him in prison, all but Luke. King David was broken in half of the book of Psalms when he cries out to God during his problematic situations. The best form of brokenness is the body of Jesus Christ which was whipped, spit at, nailed, speared and broken so that we may come to salvation in His name for eternity in glory in heaven magnifying the worthy, holy name of God. When we are tired our brokenness come to the front of our minds, because we are low in energy or tired of going through the same things in terms of ruined relationships, hurt feelings, anger, and doubt. That is why God is the true vine and we are the branches, he who abides in Jesus will have Jesus abide with them. We can find rest in the arms of Jesus so in times of stress, we must be still and listen for the still small voice. We have a spirit of boldness, confidence, love, peace, kindness, and joy, and not a spirit of anger, and timidity. So if you have been hurt, broken, felt pain from someone intentionally as I have had before, please know that Jesus Christ can bear your burdens for you, please know that He loves you as much as the person who despises you and if they are Christians who despise you then give them to God, pray for them, and do your part to serve them and live for Christ, it will throw them off maybe and if it does not then you will be serving and loving Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself, which includes the people who hate you, despise you, cause you pain intentionally and do not care that you are existing at the present moment, which is really tough to experience and I pray that if that happens we can show the love of Christ Jesus our King.

I am a broken man, saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ,
Mark Cannon

King Josiah

2 Kings 22
The Book of the Law Found
1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother's name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

3 In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the secretary, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the temple of the LORD. He said: 4 "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people. 5 Have them entrust it to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. And have these men pay the workers who repair the temple of the LORD - 6 the carpenters, the builders and the masons. Also have them purchase timber and dressed stone to repair the temple. 7 But they need not account for the money entrusted to them, because they are acting faithfully."

8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD." He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. 9 Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: "Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the LORD and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple." 10 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: 13 "Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us."

14 Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophetess Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.

15 She said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 'This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all the idols their hands have made, [a] my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.' 18 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: 19 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.' "
So they took her answer back to the king.

There is a lot of info packed into this Scripture!!! First of all Josiah became King of Jerusalem at age 8!!! We are not even thinking about obeying our parents all the time at age 8 let alone lead a nation!! Secondly, Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. He was one of the few people at that time to walk rightly in the sight of God. The people of Jerusalem had misplaced the Book of the Law which is the Scriptures!!!!!! My question is how you can misplace or not know where the Bible is? A few reasons that they misplaced the Bible were that they had forsaken God, they burned incense to other gods, and they caused God to become angry because of the idols that they have made. God heard King Josiah because he humbled himself before God, he tore his robes and wept in the presence of the Lord. Now I have a question for the Christians in America and across the globe. Do we humble ourselves before God and weep in the presence of God for our nations? Do we care enough for the places in the world that forget the Book of the Law and forsake God Almighty? I know I do not do this all the time but I pray that God will bring me to that point so that God can hear me in my prayers for the nations of the world. I pray you will humble yourself in the presence of God Almighty as well so that He will hear your prayers for the nations that fall away from the Book of the Law.

Praise King Jesus for you my brothers and sisters, and may you humble yourself in the sight of the Lord,
Mark Cannon aka MCSUPERBLESSED

Gifts and Talents are given to us by God

Gifts and Talents are given to us by God

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Who gives us gifts and talents? Do we acquire them or have we had them been given to us from God?

1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Spiritual Gifts
1Now(A) concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that(B) when you were pagans(C) you were led astray to(D) mute idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I want you to understand that(E) no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is(F) accursed!" and(G) no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.

4Now(H) there are varieties of gifts, but(I) the same Spirit; 5and(J) there are varieties of service, but(K) the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is(L) the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7(M) To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of(N) wisdom, and to another the utterance of(O) knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another(P) faith by the same Spirit, to another(Q) gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another(R) the working of miracles, to another(S) prophecy, to another(T) the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another(U) various kinds of tongues, to another(V) the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit,(W) who apportions to each one individually(X) as he wills.

So these Scriptures show us that we are given spiritual gifts by the will of the Holy Spirit. People are given wisdom in their decision making, the ability to know Scripture, the ability to distinguish between spirits, the ability to interpret tongues, and the ability to speak in different tongues. Whatever the Holy Spirit has given to you as a spiritual gift, please pray for the ability to glorify Jesus Christ with it and to impact the world for Christ through them.

God gave us specific talents as well. Some are given musical abilities, some are given athletic abilities, some are given writing abilities, some are given the ability to encourage, some are given the ability serve cheerfully. So whatever your talent is please glorify Jesus Christ by going 110% in all you do for Him. God will reveal you the specific time for the gift, and the specific person in whom your gift can impact.

Blessings Kingdom Family,
Mark Cannon

The Veil Has Been Torn

One of the best truths in the Bible is that the veil is torn!!! Now some background on the significance of of the veil. In the temple there is a veil that separates the rooms in the temple from the Holy of Holies which is where the ark of the covenant is and where the glory of God was. The high priest was the only person allowed to come into the Holy of Holies, and he was only allowed to come into the Holy of Holies once a year while being splattered with the blood of a lamb, so that he could cry out to God for the sins of the people that only God could forgive them for. One of the names of Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God and this is the reason for it. He was the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world, and to bear the wrath of God the Father for the sins He never committed so that the people He came to save would be able to have access with God the Father. When God sees us, He sees us as saints because of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made by bleeding for us and dying in our place for our sins.

Hebrews 10:18-25:
18And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

So yes we are sinners and yes we do not deserve to be alive, but God being rich in mercy and His great love toward us, came down in the body of Jesus Christ, lived perfectly and died sacrificially for our sins and His blood covers us and makes us as white as snow. So now that we have the ability to communicate with God the Father, He tells us we can come boldly and with confidence to the throne of God in prayer and Scripture reading because of the blood of Jesus Christ. We must hold to the hope that is within us because of the fact that Jesus who gave His life for our freedom deserves to be known all around the world and to the people who feel hopeless, depressed, angry, in pain, and feel like they are not loved by anyone. We are also called as Christians to build up others in their walk with Jesus so that they can encourage others and encourage you when you are having a down day or are feeling sad about how people are treating you.

So Christians let us encourage others, love others, be there for others, and hold on to the hope of eternal life with Jesus that He provides. Let us remember that God sees us covered in the blood of Jesus Christ who showed the greatest love of all time by dying for those who rejected, mocked, laughed at, and spit at so that they could have an eternal life with God in His holiness.

Be blessed and encouraged brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,
Mark Cannon

Major Trade!!!

The St. Louis Cardinals completed a major trade today in which they acquired Matt Holliday from the Oakland Athletics for 3 minor league prospects which will offer much needed stability, power, and protection for Albert Pujols who is the franchises most productive player and he is also a solid Christian which is a positive for all young athletes out there to do all they do in workouts and in games for the glory of Jesus Christ. This trade got me thinking on some of the best trades in the history of sports, the list is pretty long so I will choose the most lopsided trade in the history of the NBA.

1. Kobe Bryant traded to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac in what has proved to be one of the most lopsided trades in the history of sports. This trade allowed the Lakers to win 4 NBA Titles in the last 10 years and make it to 6 NBA Championship Series in the last 10 years. Kobe Bryant is arguably the best player in the NBA besides Michael Jordan who owns that title right now, although Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul Jabar have some things to say about that, as well as Bill Russell who won 11 NBA Titles with the Boston Celtics which is worth respect even from a Lakers fan to the core.

I want to tell you about the most lopsided trade in the history of the world. Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross, bled and died for our sins, which we deserved to die for, but He traded His life for our lives so that we can have a right relationship with God the Father and that His wrath will no longer abide on our lives. We are dead souls, and we have no hope within ourselves when we have not accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saving King. Once we have accepted the salvation of our sins through faith alone in Jesus Christ and grace of God the Father alone then we are adopted children of the most holy God of the universe that He spoke into existence.

Crucifixion

What do we know of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ? What I know about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is that He hung on a tree at Calvary,His precious blood shed for us to save us from our sins, he was speared in the side of His chest, He was nailed in the hands and the feet, He had to suck vinegar, He had to push Himself up to breathe which crushed His body, He was mocked by the people He came to save from their sins, God the Father turned His face away from Jesus while He was dying because sin cannot be in the presence of the Holy God. Now there is no time like the present to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, because the criminal on the side of Jesus asked for Christ to remember him in His Kingdom and Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise. So whenever you feel like everything is going wrong in life, your friends are turning against you, your money is failing to help you at the current moment, and you feel like the life you are living is not going the way you planned, then you must check the cross of Jesus Christ and His blood that washes us clean from our sins. The world will let you down but King Jesus who was crowned with thorns at Calvary does not let anyone go who has called upon His name for salvation. If you have not called upon Christ Jesus for salvation, please contact me or other Christians you know, it is the most important decision you will ever make in your life.

College

I am going to be a Senior in high school this year and I am looking into colleges I can attend after my time in high school. I am looking closely for a place where I can grow closer in my relationship with Jesus Christ my Saving King, who calls for bold people, to serve Him, no matter what the shape, size, ethnicity, or age you are and whether or not you have a physical ailment or not. I have become personally intrigued by Liberty University and BIOLA University. From what I have seen and heard from each school is that they are both schools on fire for Jesus Christ, which means I am looking forward to going to schools like them. I am looking for a school to go to that will allow me to grow daily both in my relationship with Jesus Christ and in my mental ability to be strengthened so I can better serve in the ministry God has called me to be a member of. I want to enjoy community with fellow believers in Jesus Christ who love to discuss the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help us others out who have a desire to proclaim and defend the truth of King Jesus Christ. Fellowship, belief in Jesus Christ, and love for King Jesus and His commandments are what I am looking for in college.

Podcasts

What are you listening to on your ipod? Do you listen to podcasts? I enjoy podcasts so much because they are for the time of your life when you are either listening to music that you enjoy when you are running, when you are working and listening for music, and when you are listening to music when you are relaxing. Now when you listen to Christian podcasts some of the music and teachings are solid Biblically, sound in doctrine, glorifying to God, and worth listening to. Biola and Liberty U and other Christian colleges that have podcasts are worth listening to. The podcast called Wretched with Todd Friel is also worth listening to. Finally Sharing the Victory by Fellowship of Christian Athletes is also a great podcast where Christians who are athletes and coaches in professional sports are speaking about how they witness to fellow athletes about Jesus Christ and His saving power. So if you have time to listen to your ipod I encourage you to take a look at Christian podcasts and to listen to them. Podcasts are another way to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Unwasted Life

We all want to live a life that is not wasted. The questions is how are we supposed to live a life to the fullest which is not wasted? First of all we must accept Jesus Christ and His saving power, through His death and resurrection on the cross, and that He is the only name under heaven to call upon for complete freedom from eternal separation from the King of Kings for all eternity. We all have a specific calling from the Lord Jesus Christ and a purpose for living. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to show us how the best way is to accomplish our mission from God who wants to see us fulfill His plan for our lives and see us succeed for Hm. We can be called to be professional athletes in sports such as basketball, baseball, football, soccer, golf, hockey, rugby and tennis. We can be movie stars, musical artists in the genres of Gospel, Hip Hop, R@B, Country, Jazz, and Rock@Roll. We can be pastors, missionaries, evangelists, and church Elders or deacons. We can be authors of books ranging from children stories to adult novels and anywhere in between. We are all specifically called by God to bring glory to Him and to bring people unto repentance at the feet of Jesus Christ and to tell them about the hope that is within us. We must give our best effort in whatever God called us to be and to exalt His name on the platform that He has blessed us with. So when we struggle with our calling and people see that we ac differently in certain circumstances such as staying calm, praying, or encouraging others who are going through the same problems that we are then we must tell them why we are acting positively in a negative situation and shine our light of Jesus Christ in the darkness of this world.

Ways to witness for Jesus Christ

We as Christians are called to be His witnesses and to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world. There are many ways we can do this. First we can use Gospel tracts which have the good person test on them which proves to us that no one is good, we are all liars, thieves, blasphemers, adulterers at heart, and it is only by the blood of Christ and trust in Him alone that we are saved. Another way that we can witness is through small groups. In these small groups you can discuss events in the Bible such as the life of Jesus and His disciples, who God is according to the Bible, how a Christian is called to live and be a light to the dark world that we live in, and ways that they can pray for their fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. You can also witness to people through social network sites such as facebook, myspace, etc., and through emails, and blogs. These are ways people can read your perspective on the Scriptures, and one of them may be so powerful for the person that they want to talk to you more about the subject and that way you have planted a seed of the Gospel in their lives and you can wait for God to water and grow that seed in their lives. Finally you can to individual witnessing to people on airplanes, on a boat, at a sports game, on the streets, at a concert, even at a church. We must spread the Gospel and never let it depart from our mouths. We must obey the Scriptures, and live how Christ teaches us to live. The Word of God will not come back void, so get out there and plant the seeds of Christ so God can water and grow the seed in the lives of those you come in contact with.

In the world, not of the world

We as Christians are called to be in the world and not of the world. We must apply ourselves to things of Christ, and not things of the world. God wants us to completely devote our time. our money, our possessions, our strength, our wisdom, our love, our hope, our mercy, our grace, our whole being unto the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. We cannot serve both God and the world, we must choose one or the other. Now we are called to be lights in the world like a city on a hill, so that we can shine the light of Jesus Christ upon the darkness of this world and so that people can come to repentance and salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. We are not called to continue to live in our sins, we must change toward holiness which can be provided by trusting in Christ alone and lead by the Holy Spirit. Now this preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will cost us. It could cost us our friends, our money, our time, our relationships with business people, our marriage, our life that we hold so dear. My question is do you care more about the life that you have, or the life that Jesus Christ has set aside specifically for you, so that you may glorify God the Father in heaven by completing the tasks and commandments He has given to us? We will be mocked, spit at, have punches thrown at, maybe even be killed for Christ Jesus but that is the price that He paid for our souls. Brothers and sisters in Christ I pray that we will carry the Gospel and the cross of Christ with boldness and an all out passion for the Lord Jesus so that we may please the Lord and He will say, well done my good and faithful servant. We want the Lord to say that more than we want a person to say, well done my good and faithful friend.

Change

All these politicians and leaders in the government, or power structures in the world preach change. I partially agree with them on the need for change. My concern with change however is a need for a Bible-centered change. This change I am looking forward to is a change where people will put aside their wants including movies, television, books, friends, family, sports, money, hobbies and plans for the future, and instead focus on the love and grace that Jesus Christ has shown to us from His entire life on the earth by teaching His disciples, all the way up to the death in which He carried His was yelled at and mocked, was told to be crucified by a crowd which wanted our sinless Savior to die instead of Barrabas who was a murderer. He bled for 6 hours, was soaked with vinegar, had a spear forced into His side, had a crown of thorns on His head, had large nails pounded into his hands and feet, and if you think all of this is bad which I promise you it is, the worst thing of all is that God the Father turned His face away from Jesus on the cross because our sin cannot be in the presence of our righteous and holy God. Jesus bore our sins, our shame, our anger, and God's wrath, because Jesus loved us enough to offer His life as a sacrifice for our sins and make a way for our unworthy lives to have a chance to live for eternity in glory with the only completely worthy one, that being God. As President Obama has his State of the Union Address, I have my address to the world which is calling for change. May we start reading our Bibles every day and obey what we read, may we bless others by being there for them in their moment of distress because this world is filled with problems of every kind, may we pray on behalf of those who are in need, may we love others so much that we might even go and die for them, may we study God's Word together and in that studying of the Holy Bible may we grow in fellowship with the believers in Jesus Christ, who according to John 3:16 was given to us from God the Father out of the great love that God has for us so that whosoever believe in the name of Jesus Christ shall be saved from eternal separation from Him.

Be bold for Jesus Christ my brothers and sisters in the faith and change through the power of the Holy Spirit,
Mark Cannon

Great Christian Rap Songs!!!

Atonement Q@A by Shai Linne:

Verse 1


Who is God? God is the universe’s Creator

And Sustainer plus the only Savior, there is no one greater

He triune, holy, omnipotent, omniscient, absolute

Loving, sovereign and righteous are a few of His attributes

How do we know this? Well, we know this from the Bible

Where God has revealed Himself- anything else is just an idol

What’s the Bible about? Man’s complete ruin in sin

And what God has done in Christ to bring us to Him again

What is sin? Sin is the breaking of God’s law

Plus our condition, which means from birth we all got flaws

What’s the result? The result is by nature we’re God’s enemies

And must pay the penalty unless God provides the remedy

What the remedy? The remedy is the cross of Christ

Where He suffered all the strikes for the lawless type

I’ve been rescued by the Lamb, I’m convinced that He’s risen

And blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven!


Chorus


Just fall back, and with the eyes of faith

Behold the beauty of surprising grace

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He’s magnified- God’s wrath is satisfied


Just fall back- there’s an atonement now

The cross of Christ is holy ground

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He’s magnified- God’s wrath is satisfied


Verse 2


Regeneration- the Holy Spirit’s true work in His love

To the elect, who receive new birth from above

Expiation- expiation means God’s removed my filthiness

The old testament type was the goat into the wilderness

Redemption- we’ve been freed from slavery to sin

And His very own blood is the price He paid, my friend

Propitiation- Propitiation means since the Lamb has died

His work is finished- God’s wrath is satisfied

Adoption- adoption means God is now my Father

I got the hottest Poppa and by the Spirit holler Abba

Reconciliation means there’s no more enmity

God is now a friend to me, we’re no longer enemies

Justification- God declares us righteous

Sanctification- we’re being made into His likeness

Glorification- that’s what happens at the finish

When God conforms believers perfectly to Christ’s image!


Chorus


Verse 3


God’s grace is magnificent, He slayed His innocent

Son- through faith and repentance we get the benefits

What is faith? Faith is a gift from God- when we receive this

We trust and treasure the person and finished work of Jesus

Repentance? Repentance is turning from your sin

And trusting Christ as the Spirit cleanses you within

What is grace? Oh, grace is unmerited favor

Our inheritance major ‘cause we cherish the Savior

Right, and if I may quote again, we were doomed with Satan

But believers get Jesus’ righteousness through imputation

Imputation? God takes Jesus’ righteousness amount

Through faith He credits it into the Christian’s account

Anything else? Well, I guess this overview must suffice

But none of this is possible apart from union with Christ

And finally, once you know the ways of the Lord than the

only thing that you can say is Soli Deo Gloria!




Identity by Lecrae and Da Truth

Hair check, shoes check,
brand new fit looking cool check,
looking in mirror like "ooooh yes!"
cover for an insecure dude check, She wont' feel me and they wont like me if I ain't in them J's or them brand new Nikes,but lets dig deeper inside my pysche
when it's all said and done even I don't like me
He live in the gym and his hair stay faded
late model car so they think he made it
but he's Christian he gave his life
but he still ain't satisfied in the savior Christ
still finds his identity in looks and cars
if he only knew that he ain't have to look so hard
If looked in God though it may seem odd he be so satisfied he could leave it all.

[ Chorus ]
I'm not the shoes I wear, I'm not the clothes I buy
I'm am not the house I live in, I'm not the car I drive
I'm not the job I work, You can't define my worth
By nothing on God's green earth, my identity is found in Christ.

[ D.A. T.R.U.T.H. ]
How do I gauge success,Why do I say I'm blessed,
Huh,Is it the car that I drive or the place that I rest or the way that I dress,
now Is the cause of my pride,
the stage and the set or my face in the press,
now Cause the applause it dies
When the praise is less if my face is depressed,
then/It's cause my value and worth is in the volume of the work I produce in the booth
It's a prize and a curse if defined by the perks when the truth is through
Man I'm goin' feel like I don't want to live no more, no more, no more
Cause they don't like me like they did in 04,04,04
So, I swallow my pride empowered by God,
I'm complete in Him
He's got peace God's priest I'm in In
His presence weak-His strength
Meet His kin We His brethren Read this list
Me forgiven
He's dismissed guilt and my sin and
I find my worth cause I'm Jesus' friend

[ Chorus ]
I'm not the shoes I wear, I'm not the clothes I buy
I'm am not the house I live in, I'm not the car I drive
I'm not the job I work, You can't define my worth
By nothing on God's green earth, my identity is found in Christ.

[ LeCrae ]
Got her hair done, toes and nails
is that Her? well it's hard to tell
cause she's caked up in so much make up
It's like she's tryna make up for what she ain't
but she's a saint but so confused
cause she's been rejected by all these dudes
that tell her on a scale of 10 she's a two
but that ain't true if she only knew
In Christ she is loved she secure and accepted
She'll never be rejected by God who's elected her
Her beauty is her Godliness
And she ain't gotta try to flaunt it cause it's obvious
[ Identity is found in the God we trust
Any other identity will self destruct.x2 ]

[ Chorus ]
I'm not the shoes I wear, I'm not the clothes I buy
I'm am not the house I live in, I'm not the car I drive
I'm not the job I work, You can't define my worth
By nothing on God's green earth, my identity is found in Christ.


Man Up by Da T.R.U.T.H.

(Verse 1)
You know how da plot goes, you could tell the difference when da pops home, most of us are not told, often when da pops home, leaves a legacy, plant seeds then the crops grow
i recall my pops cults, when i was a snot nosed, kid with no control, that's like a city that's without walls.
I could still hear his teachings ringin though the house halls, when its not profitable,
had to keep my mouth closed.
Gettin over obstacles, dodgin all da potholes,
he taught me eticates and ethics out of God's laws
Turned me on my hine wall chambers
now my eyes close, prayin that i would find a wife that would make my house home
yea; now probably say im faithful, if it wasn't for those spankins then i'd probably pop pain pills
Now im off trainin wheels, since i had a father that, tol me got the fathers heart, ima grip da train and build.....

(chorus)
WARRIORS
if you walk in the authority of Jesus man have your shoulders broad
(where my)WARRIORS
if you stand up under preasure like da hebrew boys and your soul is strong
(where my) WARRIORS
God fearin gentlmen, generals, get in your positions man
(where my)WARRIORS
men take coverage, dont faint, dont fall if you know the lord
(where my)WARRIORS

(verse 2)man we need role models, gotta lot of teachers but, man we need more fathers,
talkin bout spiritual, teach us how to be mature, but of they abandon us,
how we gon go further?
Tell me who we gonna follow, we gonna get our cold values, from the dudes rappin on the screens of our floor models.
and you dont wanna leave it up to rappers who pretend to be track stars, bonafide home mothers
Hold up, more problems,
They wont step one foot in, to the local church cuz it, caters to a womens bent
and its full of feminine, man men we pushin them, far away from Christ into the arms of the muslim men!
Cuz men dont need the print we need strength, Christ was not a hippie pickin lillies' with his friends, Jesus was a mans man, so men followed him, doin God the father will, sayin father i wont sin!

(chorus)

(verse 3)
Listen, I am not a chovenous, but a Godly man is a stickler for holiness, him and Christ look alikes, sorta like the Olsen twins, and he practices what he preaches from the holy script!
But a natural man, he dont even know he's sick, he think its natural man to treat him like he dont exist.
he's enticed by every woman that blows a kiss, sin makes a Godly man wear like moby dick!
A Godly man's content when hes in the church, a natural man chases whatever's in a miniskirt, or in a dress like the gettysburg, its monogomous even if it really hurts like givin birth!
But thats the cause and affect, which really goes to show you how the cross can affect,
new man new clothes in the drawers of our dressers, man we at war with our swords and our vestes!


Legacy by Da T.R.U.T.H.

[Intro]
This song is a tribute
To the families and loved ones of Cassie and Rachel
The two young ladies that were martyred
At the incident at Columbine High School in 1999

[Verse One]
Who would have known that a couple of guys from Columbine
Would come from behind- put guns to the spine
Of some innocent people- the teachers, the students
The feet of the teachers are screeching through rooms
The mood has been set by the fear of the villains
The bombs and the threats are by Eric and Dillon
America's villains- generic you're feeling
It is not- it is the plot for a pair that is chilling
In the glorious heavens, standing for Christ in a crisis
I know that it's rare what I'm feeling
Excitement incited- declaring the Pilgrims'
Faith and their fate I'ma share with my children
Cassie and Rachel, the past of the patrons
That passed through the ages in Africa, Asia
The Master that saved you, the laughter, the hatred
Jesus predicted that the masses would hate you

[Hook]
So, don't think it strange if a change might occur
If it does, are you ready and prepared for the curve
And a turn for the worst- would you fight, would you fall
Would you die for the Christ, that's the price of the call

[Verse Two]
Frustrated by the snares and the toils, parents annoy you
Truth of the matter is we're arrogant, spoiled
America's soil has soiled us, sort of
And pastors insist on declaring us royal
And it's true that we are but we take it too far
To the point where we break and we take down the bar
And forsake all the parts of The Faith that are hard
To embrace after all we've outsmarted the martyrs
We race up the charts- if you trace it to the start
You will find that the way to escape from the dark
And your wake is to carve off the weight and the heart
Of the truth, until everybody loves you
Jesus said woe to you old and new saints
That hold a view that you can go through The Faith
With nobody loathing you, that's a view
That you only can hold when your home is the states

[Hook]

[Verse Three]
The bones that are picked are the bones that depict
That they combed through their homes with the stones and the sticks
The aromas- a stench- so they rose up against them
At home and at Rome- throwing stones at the Christians
Got a hold of them- gripped them, kicked them, scarred them
Saw them, sawed them- they were thrown in a pit
With the toads and the vermin- I'm rolling the clips
It's urgent the scourges- the groans from the licks
The anger, the stranglers, the hangers, the danger
For all of the Christians that rolled in a clique
Ended up in the teeth of the beast that would feast
On the saints that would preach- they were thrown over cliffs
This is not known to exist in the states
Or the place where the home is just bliss
This song is intense- 'cause it's truth
And I'm trying to convince you that no one's exempt
Yet no one's equipped
Got our phones on our clips
Our focus is both on our loans and our cribs
Our fitness- our business has grown in a pinch
Would you fight would you fall
Would you ball up your fist
Would you falter or march to your grave 'cause you're saved
And your life is in Christ and to die is to gain
Would you die in His name
For the rise of His fame
Despising the shame
'Cause you're promised to reign

Bible breakdown

Genesis 31
Jacob Flees From Laban
1 Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father." 2 And Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been.

3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."

4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. 5 He said to them, "I see that your father's attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I've worked for your father with all my strength, 7 yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me. 8 If he said, 'The speckled ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, 'The streaked ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked young. 9 So God has taken away your father's livestock and has given them to me.

10 "In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted. 11 The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I answered, 'Here I am.' 12 And he said, 'Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.' "

14 Then Rachel and Leah replied, "Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father's estate? 15 Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us. 16 Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you."

17 Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels, 18 and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan Aram, [a] to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household gods. 20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away. 21 So he fled with all he had, and crossing the River, [b] he headed for the hill country of Gilead.

This is one of the many passages in the Scriptures in which God promises that He will be with someone. When God makes a promise it cannot be broken by Him because He is not a liar and He will not deceive a person when He makes a promise, He will always hold up His end of the promise, it is up to you to hold up your end of the promise. Jacob and his children and his wives left on camels that he had received in Paddan Aram left to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. Rachel stole the household gods of Laban her father and Jacob deceived Laban by not telling him that he was leaving. God can be with those He chooses to be with, even people who deceive others or people who steal things from others.

Laban Pursues Jacob
22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad."

25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You've deceived me, and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war. 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps? 28 You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters good-by. You have done a foolish thing. 29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.' 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?"

31 Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. 32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, he shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.

33 So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah's tent, he entered Rachel's tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.

35 Rachel said to her father, "Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I'm having my period." So he searched but could not find the household gods.

36 Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. "What is my crime?" he asked Laban. "What sin have I committed that you hunt me down? 37 Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.

38 "I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 39 I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night. 40 This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41 It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you."

43 Laban answered Jacob, "The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about the children they have borne? 44 Come now, let's make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us."

45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 He said to his relatives, "Gather some stones." So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, [c] and Jacob called it Galeed. [d]

48 Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." That is why it was called Galeed. 49 It was also called Mizpah, [e] because he said, "May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. 50 If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me."

51 Laban also said to Jacob, "Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap and pillar to my side to harm me. 53 May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us."
So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there.

55 Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.

God was able to repair the broken relationship between Jacob and Laban and it is not hard for Him at all to repair the broken relationships you have in your life, I know that I have some broken relationships in my life, and I pray that God can allow me to be a member in a new relationship that will glorify the Lord in all actions, in all speech, in all love and grace shown to those who have mistreated me and that forgiveness can come, though the relationship will never be as great as it was before, I pray that the Lord will allow both families to continue to grow daily in the Word of God, in love and obedience toward Him, as well as the servant-heartedness of Jesus Christ as He humbled Himself here on earth to come down and die for us, to give us the hope within us for a life eternal.

Urgent Praise

Breaking news for Christians this is an urgent request: We must worship God for who He is, and praise Him for the lives and bodies that He gave to us for we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator of the universe, and us. Praise King Jesus for you. If you do not have a great voice praise Jesus, if you do not know how to play an instrument, praise Jesus, if you do not have a rhythm or a beat, praise Jesus!!

We are loved by Jesus Christ, blessed with different disabilities that we can use to help others with the same type of physical ailments and to be used to bring people to Christ. We are blessed with different voices to bring the love of Christ Jesus in to the world. We are blessed with different talents to help, encourage, preach, pray, love, and bring the lost into a right relationship with Jesus Christ.

So when you ever feel down because of rejection by someone who you thought liked you but you were totally mistaken and they really did not, if you are ever discouraged because of people laughing at you for believing in Jesus Christ and saying that you're not one of those religious people, if you are ever feeling tired of the burden of taking the Good News of Jesus into the world, then please, please read the Word of God, pray to God who wants to hear from you, be in fellowship with other Christians, and love others so that Jesus Christ will shine.

To all my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ who I know, or have not met yet, or have ever been angry at or caused pain to I truly and deeply apologize for not being an example of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who blessed me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I love you all and want you to know that I am here to encourage and to love on you,
Your Brother in Jesus Christ,
Mark Cannon

Today is the day!!!!

According to the Scriptures we as Christians must go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature -Mark 16:15 and we must according to Matthew 28- 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This is not a once in a lifetime deal and you are done because Jesus says once everyone has heard the Gospel then He will return to the earth to judge the righteous who have faithfully followed the teachings of Jesus and He will judge the unrighteous who denied the existence and the reality of Jesus Christ being the creator and sustainer of the world of whom there is no one greater. He is the righteous judge and King of all.

So if you have not spoken about the hope that lies with in you because being the Lord Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from God the Father in the last month, week, or day, then please speak about it, facebook it, myspace it, sing it, read it aloud, and live it out for the glory of King Jesus!! Today I was listening to Allan Houston speak to Liberty University a few years ago and he said that we might be the only Bible that people see. So please let your words and your actions reflect Jesus Christ and if you do have a rough time in times of hardship, persecution, and trouble, then call upon the Lord for strength, and be there for someone else who needs, love, compassion, a help up, a friendly smile, a kind word of encouragement spoken softly so that it turns away wrath, and to plant a seed in their life so that when they are dying or are in need they will never be able to say that you were not there for them to encourage them and give them the truth of the Gospel in a loving way that Jesus demands of us to do.

So why must we serve King Jesus? Well simply put, look at His life. He was born humbly in a manger which is a feeding trough for the animals. He was teaching the Pharisees and other religious teachers of the day. So when you say that you are to young or do not know enough please look preach the Word of God anyways because the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. Jesus taught in parables or everyday speech which was common to the people, so we do not have to use big complicated words although it is nice to use complex Christian terms we do not have to do so as long as the Gospel is being taught in a Biblical manner. Jesus was spit upon, mocked, laughed at, whipped 39 times, had to carry His own cross to Calvary where He was crucified, bled and died for our sins to bring life that is everlasting to those who accept Him as Savior and trust only in Him.

So if we are ever in doubt of the love that Jesus showed us, please look to the cross on which Christ sacrificed Himself for our iniquities bearing the shame, pain, and wrath of God Almighty that we deserve so we can live free from our sins.

Please seek Jesus Christ and His power, love, grace, and joy so that you can shine like the stars for Him.

Your brother in the King Jesus Christ,
Mark Cannon

please pray

Gaba Bible Institute in Uganda has 100 students and 30 alumni from Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya. They need $100,000 to to secure accreditation from Ugandan National Council of Higher Education so the government recognizes them and that they can improve what already is in place. Please pray and if the Lord places it on your heart to support financially please visit www.gbiuganda.org

Christians in professional sports

Dwight Howard, Kurt Warner, Derek, Fisher, Reggie White, Kaka, Michael Redd, Lance Berkman, Albert Pujols, Matt Holiday, John Kitna, Tim Hightower, and Charlie Ward are all solid men of God in professional sports. Athletes have a huge platform in this world and I am so thankful to see such bold men following after God. I pray that those in professional sports who are Christians and are not using their platforms as boldly for Jesus as they can, will start to do so, and that Jesus will be glorified.

Bible breakdown

In Genesis 30 Rachel envied her sister Leah because she had did not bear any children to her husband Jacob and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die." Rachel gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob so she could have children through her. Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.
6 Then Rachel said, “God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.[a] 7 And Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, “With great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and indeed I have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.[b]
9 When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife. 10 And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 11 Then Leah said, “A troop comes!”[c] So she called his name Gad.[d] 12 And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 13 Then Leah said, “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” So she called his name Asher.[e]
14 Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”
15 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?”
And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”
16 When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night.
17 And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, “God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar.[f] 19 Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. 20 And Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.[g] 21 Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah.
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 So she called his name Joseph,[h] and said, “The LORD shall add to me another son.”

Jacob’s Agreement with Laban

25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service which I have done for you.”
27 And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the LORD has blessed me for your sake.” 28 Then he said, “Name me your wages, and I will give it.”
29 So Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me. 30 For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the LORD has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?”
31 So he said, “What shall I give you?”
And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flocks: 32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.”
34 And Laban said, “Oh, that it were according to your word!” 35 So he removed that day the male goats that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had some white in it, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 Then he put three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
37 Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods. 38 And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink. 39 So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Then Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the streaked and all the brown in the flock of Laban; but he put his own flocks by themselves and did not put them with Laban’s flock.
41 And it came to pass, whenever the stronger livestock conceived, that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the livestock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. 42 But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s. 43 Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, Joseph, and Benjamin were all sons of Jacob and they became the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Bible breakdown

In Genesis 29 Jacob walked over to a well in a field where there were 3 flocks of sheep drinking the water from the well. He then found the shepherds who were taking care of the sheep and Jacob asked them,
"My brothers, where are you from?"
"We're from Haran," they replied.

5 He said to them, "Do you know Laban, Nahor's grandson?"
"Yes, we know him," they answered.

6 Then Jacob asked them, "Is he well?"
"Yes, he is," they said, "and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep."

7 "Look," he said, "the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture."

8 "We can't," they replied, "until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep."

9 While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and Laban's sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle's sheep. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. 12 He had told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her father.

13 As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things. 14 Then Laban said to him, "You are my own flesh and blood."

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Laban said to him, "Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be."

16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak [a] eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel."

19 Laban said, "It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me." 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her."

22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. 24 And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter as her maidservant.

25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?"

26 Laban replied, "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter's bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work."

28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. 30 Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
Jacob's Children
31 When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, [b] for she said, "It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now."

33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too." So she named him Simeon. [c]

34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." So he was named Levi. [d]

35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "This time I will praise the LORD." So she named him Judah. [e] Then she stopped having children.

Laban deceived Jacob into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, but Laban said it was the tradition of the culture that the oldest girl in the family would get married before the youngest girl. Leah bore Jacob 4 sons named Rueben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah and she praised the Lord after Judah was born.

Great men of God in the Bible

I want to talk about great men of God in the Bible. The first of these bold men of God is Benaiah. You might be asking who this person is as I did. I read 2 Samuel chapter 23 and I found out how radically bold for God this man was!!
2 Samuel 23: 20-23
20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. 23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
Wow!!!!! This man took a Biblical leap of faith, conquered his fears, and went out there on a snowy day and killed a lion!!!!! Now we may not be able to kill lions, but these lions are what we fear. We may fear people, but we must be like Benaiah and go out by trusting God, and giving Him our fears of the people who make us angry or scared and faithfully serve the great God of this universe. We are stronger than we think as Christians because we have the power of Christ in us, so be not afraid because God is with us until the end. David respected Benaiah so much that he made him the leader of his army!!!

The next 2 people who were bold men of God are Joshua and Caleb.
Numbers 14:
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
Joshua and Caleb saw the land and that is was ready to be taken for God. They were not afraid of the giants because they knew that God was with them.
20 The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, 22 not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times- 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. 25 Since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea. [a] "
God blessed Caleb for following Him wholeheartedly. We must follow the Lord our God wholeheartedly, because He is worthy of all of our praise and our absolute best effort.

My final bold man of God is Gideon.
Judges 7
Gideon Defeats the Midianites
1 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' " So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

4 But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."

5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." 6 Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

7 The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place." 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.
Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9 During that night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp." So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.

13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed."

14 His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands."

15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, "Get up! The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands." 16 Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

17 "Watch me," he told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.' "

19 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20 The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" 21 While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah."
So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they took the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. 25 They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.
Gideon had so much faith in the Lord God who told him to cut down the size of his army so that the only men who were fighting were those bold men of the Lord who were willing to give up their lives to fulfill the purpose of God. It was 300 people total in the army of the Lord and they defeated their enemies because they were faithful, bold, and served the Lord without doubting His power and His will.

Where are the Benaiah's, the Joshua's, the Caleb's the Gideon's of this world? Where are the men and women of God Almighty who will step out of their fears and into the power of God the Father, God the Son, the Mediator Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who guides our paths into the battle of eternity against Satan and his minions of evil and wickedness. Be bold for the Lord, conquer your fears in the power of God.