Biblically, the number 5 represents Grace.

There are 5 people who God used to save me.

1. My mother. Praying for her children everyday and always.
2. My youth leader. Asked us one day, “if you were to die today, would you go to Heaven?”. I could not say yes and that thought stayed with me.
3. A prophet that God used to prophetically speak one night at church when I did not want to go. He called out a specific sin that I was dealing with and looked directly in my eyes. It was as if God was talking to me and calling out my sin. No one saw this but me. No one knew the sin I was dealing with.
4. A woman that was sitting behind me at church the same night as the prophet was there. She saw that I did not go up to the altar when he called for people to go up. She tapped me on the shoulder and asked why I did not go up. I had no answer. She said “God wants me to tell you to go up to the altar.” I immediately started to cry. I gave my life to Christ that night and have never been the same.
5. Lecrae. His rap music about Christ changed my life. As soon as I got saved, God opened up my eyes to the evil in this world. Music, movies, television, and bad influence of friends were things I needed to let go. I did not know what kind of music or entertainment I could watch. I found Lecrae’s music then found so many other artist who sang or rapped about God in genres that I related to.

God always chases us. He will use anything and anyone to bring us to him. It is up to us to make the decision. He does not force himself on us. He gives us time. He is patient. Yet when he stands at the door and knock, open it. Do it before it is too late. Today is the day.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

I’m mean, can we just get a break? Will all this hatred, evil, murder, and racism ever stop? As long as we live on this earth, darkness, pain, and suffering continue. We are experiencing the birth pains of Jesus’ return. This earth is temporary. He is coming back and there is no doubt about that.

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

We have a part to do on this earth while we are here and will all stand before the Father to give an account for the way we lived our life. There are no amount of good deeds that you will be able to argue a case of you being a good person. Without Jesus, no one gets to the Father.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

The enemy loves to see us destroy ourselves. That is exactly what he wants but Jesus wants to gives us full life.

Let us not forget the only one who can truly save us from ourselves.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Trying to live freely and having someone go out of their way to put you in chains defeats the purpose of life. We cannot pick and choose who gets to live and who does not. We become the enemy’s best friend when we continue to support his wicked ways. Shake the shackles off. Without Christ we are all slaves to sin.

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18

Yes, you had an amazing past. God has blessed you your entire life. Your present may not look like how your past was but you were naive then. You look at old pictures of you and see someone who living in bliss. Everything around you was perfect because there was so much that you didn’t know. Then God takes you deeper, higher, and further. You don’t think the same, look the same or even talk the same. If you could even get a glimpse of your future, you would be smiling all the time. But you should smile all the time anyways. Just like your old pictures. Be thankful for what God has done in you and through you. You have stories to tell that others need to hear. There is so much more in store for you. Just wait and see. You will be amazed. It definitely does not end here. It is only the beginning. 

At what point does God become like a fire shut up in our bones and we can’t help but shout his praises? At one point do we let the Holy Spirit lead and come alive to God’s supernatural abilities? When is it finally okay to stop playing games with God and take him seriously. We put TV, movies, music and all other things in front of God’s face and tell him they are more important. Our church services lack a passion. Our congregation lack fire. Our bible studies lack depth. God has become our side hustle and not our full time job. All our savior wants is for us to stand up and be the bride he has called us to be. No more cutesy Christianity. This is not a game , this is a battlefield! The enemy is out here grabbing people’s attention and blinding them to the truth. We have the opportunity to tell people the truth and yet we hold back because we don’t desire more. How many Christians fast on a regular basis? How many Christians read the bible daily? How many of us pray first instead of making it a last resort? Do we take God seriously or do we not think our souls need more than what we already have?

I don’t know about you, but I refuse to play games with the Holy Spirit. There’s too much destruction of people lives and souls that need to be saved for believers to sleep on God’s word. We need more soldiers of Christ. We need more warriors. We need more lionesses to rise up and take hold the mantel. We need to be unleashed! Our eyes and ears need to be opened spiritually so we can see the reality of what our world has come to. God is moving in the hearts of many and will raise up a new generation of generals. He is calling new faces to the forefront. Let’s eliminate worldliness in church. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit in our midst. Let’s wake up because we cannot afford to stay asleep. The world is waiting for us to unleash. The world is waiting for a move of God. The world is waiting on us, as we keep surrendering to the world..