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The Uprising Experience – Men’s Retreat

@sheets — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:51:21 +0000

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Stand in victory

@joshuaallenj — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:49:08 +0000

There are so many actions that can be described by the word. Likewise, the word sit or lay down can have various meanings as well. Let’s say that for the extent of this blog they will both refer to merely one meaning respectively. In the case I want to talk about I’m going to be referring to the form of standing that Paul was writing about in Ephesians 6:11-14, with sitting being the direct opposite. Verse 11 says to put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil. I think the Holy Spirit has given him some revelation on not only our intentions in spiritual warfare, but to Satan’s as well. If he exhorts us to armor up so that we may be able to stand then apparently that is his desire for us. That we may be able to stand. Stand in the sense of not backing down from adversity. Stand as not sitting idley by when injustice and evil rule the lives of the people around. Stand up to fight and not cowardly lay down in the presence of our enemies; but rather fulfill Psalm 23:5 and eat at the table that the Lord has prepared for us in the presence of our enemies.

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Oh the depth of that statement! Paul did not expect the Ephesians to stand still in one place all day long. As a Christian, we have placed our feet firmly on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. We have built our houses on this solid rock which shall not be moved. As long as we are STANDING in the grace of God (Romans 5:2) it places a hedge around us that protects us (see Job 1:10) Satan can’t touch us unless we break the hedge (Ecclesiastes 10:8) or Satan petitions God to remove the hedge for us to be tempted. These are a few of the wiles of Satan. God does not allow us to be tempted above that which we can handle and always gives us an escape (2 Corinthians 10:13). Satan petitioned God for everything he held dear, all for the sake of having something he could accuse Job of. This man suffered these things so that we could see clearly into how the cunning serpent operates. His ultimate goal would be to destroy our relationships with God, by stealing and killing (John 10:10). He seeks to remove the only true righteousness man can receive, which is faith in God. However, through standing in the grace of God, we can withstand the evil of the day all for the sake of glorifying the Living God.

I felt like the Holy Spirit gave me a great example of this example earlier today, although it does go in a little different direction while still employing the purpose of standing. Picture it like this: 2 Corinthians 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Think of the strongholds as a castle or a fort. These castles are the dark areas of our heart or the things we struggle with in our flesh. They are strongholds built and controlled by Satan. Have you ever noticed a wall or something that gets in the way of grasping something like God’s love for us? Maybe it’s something that’s an area of sin that you can’t get past. When we sin (fall short of what the law requires) Satan has legal right by God’s word to punish us. This is the truth about what goes that we can only see if the god of this world is no longer blinded our eyes ( 2 corinthians 4:4). All these strongholds we have inside can be formed over a lifetime or a bitter root that forms over night. But now, the arm of the LORD hath not waxed short (Isaiah 59:1). This debt that we continually owe for our sin has already been paid. We are immediately forgiven as is the joy of our Father to do when we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). When we confess our sins God is faithful to cleanse us of all our unrighteousness 1 John 1:9. Every time Satan is accusing us to our Father, Jesus saves us. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the propitiation for us 1 John 4:10. Which means he has the POWER to attone for our sins leaving us free! Jesus paid it all so all to him we owe. What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. 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 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.

Remember the game of king of the hill? Think about there being countless hills that you have to remain on top for 30 seconds to plant your flag or banner of victory on top. As long as your flag is there you control it. However, all the enemy has to do is uproot your flag and plant his by simply controlling the mountain. Sometimes we just need to stand above our territory and remain vigilant and sober and alert. We have to stand and be aware of the plans and actions of our enemy in our own land while we seek to be more than conquerors in new territory (Romans 8:37). Thankfully the Holy Spirit is in charge of us at this point. We simply have to heed his warnings and obey our Lord and his word. Quench not the Spirit 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

Standing is victory

2010 VISION

@bjdaviz — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:07:18 +0000

As a new year is set to begin, we search for Gods Will in everything we do! Uprising Ministries has been given some amazing opportunities to advance the Body of Christ. We pray everyday that God has complete control of our every activity and that He will receive glory in our efforts. The vision that God has placed on our hearts is a grand challenge, but at the same time a mighty honor. We will press on in our quest to unify anyone who loves Jesus, thru FAITH IN ACTION. Here are just a few of the things that will be happening in the upcoming year!

1. Rock-the-Block
This is a program Uprising Ministries will be starting as a way of allowing people to get involved in their city by cleaning, serving, mentoring, praying, and giving. You and your group will be able to take one city block under your wing. You will be able to make a huge impact on so many people by showing them the love of Jesus! We will also have an option of adopting a local ministry that is currently active in our city. We will be getting wish lists from the different leaders and you will be able to make their wishes come true. We are so excited about what will happen when you begin to put your faith in action!!

2. Highland Kids at the Dream Center
Uprising Ministries has partnered with the Birmingham Dream Center to assist in putting on an inner city children’s service. We go into the local housing projects and spread the word by handing out fliers and candy. We also provide rides to any kids who’s parents are unable to get them to the Dream Center. This is an every saturday event from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. After the kids service we take several of the children to the near by recreation center and play games like kickball, football, frisbee, makeup for girls, and many other activities. This ends at 3 p.m. The impact that this is having on the kids of this area is AMAZING!! Please join us every saturday!!

3. Whatley School
This is an inner city school that has allowed Uprising Ministries the chance to come in and do all that we can to improve the leaning environment for the students and teachers. 97% of the students in Whatley are on the free lunch program. Uprising Ministries will be providing mentoring for students, boys and girls. We will have a once month honor roll and most improved students party, to honor those that are making the most effort. We will do LIFE group for the teachers. Ballet and Cheerleading classes will be run by some of our ladies. In the spring will have a field day for all the students. Tutoring and teacher assistance will also be available. There will be many, many, many more things that will be happening in this school, and we would love for you to get involved. If God has laid a vision on your heart, please share and we will do all that we can to provide for you the way to make it happen.

4. Local Church Partnerships for Event Planning
Uprising Ministries will be partnering with several local churches to help plan events for them to get their members involved. These will be very well thought out and developed plans so we can have the most Kingdom impact while at the same time encouraging people to put their faith in motion. Please join us to assist in planning these events, and by encouraging your church or organization to get involved.

Uprising Ministries is doing all we can to bring HOPE wherever HOPE is needed!! We are a group of believers in Jesus Christ that not only read and study Gods word, but do all that we can to LIVE IT!!! These are only a few things that will be happening in the upcoming year. If God has given you the nudge to get involved please contact us!! Please stop asking the question why? and start asking yourself why not? You can contact us on our website www.uprisingbham.com or call us at (205) 202-0835. We pray that God blesses you in everything you do. Also if you know of anyone that needs HOPE, please let us know!! :0)

Heart-felt Thanks

@joshuaallenj — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:19:55 +0000

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:25.

Saying thanks simply doesn’t cut it. I can remember a few points in my life where I felt like I had nothing to be thankful for. The closer I get to Jesus and the more I learn about God, the more ignorant I see myself to have been. Jesus told his disciples to ask and they shall receive and that our Heavenly Father loves to give his children good and perfect gifts. Being that it’s now Christmas time and with all the gift-swapping going on, I’d definitely say it’s high time to exalt one gift above the rest. For the gift of God in his son Jesus the Christ is beyond our comprehension and explanation. For by him were all things made and all riches of wisdom and love are found in him. Before I realized the truth, I was much better at counting curses than I was blessings. However, with our Redeemer, our Savior, what was once a curse in our life is transformed into blessing. Every problem, issue, trial, tribulation, catastrophe is God-permitted opportunity for him to impart his character into is. Without which, there would be no such thing as character and no need to worship a good and holy God. Life with God is beautiful only if we can see the truth. Upon receiving revelation of the truth, worship is the only response. Not just in a few songs and then return to living for ourselves, but true worship is a life of loving and willing submission marked by joyful obedience and Christ-like behavior. Empty words said only for the sake of being heard are fruitless. God desires those who worship in spirit and in truth. Thanking God is an act of submission and a relinquishing of credit to where it is due. It relieves pressure that comes from relying on yourself to provide. Thanking God shows where your hope is and in whom your trust can be found. When we have the full depth of our complete forgiveness revealed I do believe that thank you and Iove, whether they come out in words or tears are all that’s necessary. In a heart-felt thanks, befitting actions always follow.

Unshakable Hope

@kaseyshores — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:53:39 +0000

The holidays. For many of us, this is our favorite season. We love the decorations, the fellowship, gift giving, the sights, the sounds, the smells. You name it…..we love everything about this time of year. For so many others, however, “the most wonderful time of the year” is not only stressful, but intensifies feelings of depression, lonliness, and financial burden. Alcohol and drug abuse increases, along with suicide rates.

Isn’t it disheartening that the holiday celebrating the HOPE of the world being born has turned into such a hopeless time for so many? Isn’t it just like the enemy to take the most hopeful event in history and use it to make people who are feeling helpless even more discourged and downhearted? No matter how much Satan tries to torment our minds and our spirits, the truth of God’s word remains. Jesus, the hope of glory’s name, is ABOVE ALL OTHER NAMES. It’s above depression, debt, suicide, alcoholism, brokeness….it’s ABOVE the enemy. We as a people have to fight for our brothers and sisters, especially during this season. We have to proclaim where our hope comes from!!!!

Lamentations, written by Jeremiah (aka “the weeping prophet”), is filled with brokenness and what seems to be an attitude of helplessness. But no matter how discouraged and sorrowful Jeremiah became, he NEVER lost sight of the one who His hope was in. It wasn’t in his circumstances, his situation, his unmet expectations. Instead, it was in an Almighty, omnipotent, omniscient God. And because His confidence and strength was in God, his hope remained unshaken!!! Let’s make a choice to refocus our minds for this upcoming year. CHOOSE to focus on God’s love, everything He’s done for you, His greatness, His might. The more He increases, the more we and the trials and tribulations we face will decrease. I hope you all have an amazing, HOPEful holiday season!!!

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love WE ARE NOT CONSUMED, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ” The Lord is my portion and therefore I will wait for Him. The LORD is good to those whose HOPE IS IN HIM, to the one who seeks Him!!!” Lamentations 3:21-25

Agents of change

@joshuaallenj — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:32:57 +0000

And he who sat upon the throne said, behold, I make all things new. Write these things because they are faithful and true. Revelation 21:5. That’s power and authority. That’s a real hope that is an anchor for souls (heb 6:19). Not the kind of hope that says I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow. The kind of hope that comes from having faith in almighty God who loved and died for us. If our faith is in him then we can KNOW we are able to do all things because Christ strengthens us. (phil 4:13). So let us boldly approach the throne of grace in our times of need (heb 4:16). There is a redeemer. Jesus, God’s own son. In him we find the strength and power to bring change to our own lives first then to the world. People dedicated to heeding their master’s call to show his true love all nations are his children. They see evil and injustice in the world and simply cannot let their involvement end with idle words (matt 12:36). They are given to show the world their faith through their works (jam 2:18). They are the body of Christ. They have true religion because they that God’s heart behind his law is to keep man unspotted from the world. If man could see that he is surrounded by evil in this world, he would be so mug furher removed from. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (matt 5:8). Let our lives be offered as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God in view of his mercy (rom 12:1). Through God we shall do valiantly, for he it is that shall tread down our enemies (psalm 108:13). Be part of the revival and redemption that the Lord desires for his children and his flock that is carried away captive. Be an agent of change for the victorious King of kings Jesus Christ.

Wages of sin

@joshuaallenj — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:20:58 +0000

Ask the Lord for a revelation in his word and he never fails to deliver. Case in point came for me today in a still small voice as usual. Romans 3:23 says that the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Previously I’ve always read that to mean I didn’t have to die because Jesus paid the debt I owed; while thankfully that perception could not be more true – I feel like the Holy Spirit took it a little deeper. You see you can’t be born again without first dying. Paul said he is crucified with Christ and that he no longer lives but Christ is alive in me in Galatians 2:20. He plainly states that he had to die to himself, even the death of the cross to receive Christ. So now in my own words I will restate exactly the same truth Paul said almost 2,000 years ago. When I decided to lay down my life for God, I had to give up all my hopes and dreams and comforts. Of course, decisions like that do not come without the second part of that verse. I sinned and came up short of the glory of God which is the only standard worthy of mentioning, therefore meaning I owed wages. In Luke 14 Jesus gives us the example of this when he asks which of you wanting to begin building does not sit down first and count the cost? Lest haply ye begin to build and run out of money and not finish and be mocked by all those who see. The fact of the matter is that God will richly supply all you need IF you do make the choice and take the first step of picking up your cross and crucify your flesh with Christ so he can become alive in you. There simply is no other way to receive the gift of God without submitting to his will and resisting the devil. Jesus pays the debt for all who receive him and gives them life, and life more abundant John 10:10. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him, a process which begins with loving not our own lives.

One Heart

@joshuaallenj — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:24:15 +0000

What would happen if walls between Christians were torn down? What could the outcome be if everyone who has been saved by the grace of God said that this world and the things in it are not enough? I believe that possiblities are limitless for the Children of God when they start living like the Savior they are named after. In Revelation 2:4, Jesus says to the Church at Ephesus that they have done many great deeds and hated evil, but that he had something against them. He commanded them to repent from the condition of their hearts and return to their first love. I know for me that this letter may as well have been written directly to me. I’m reminded of a verse in Amazing grace that says “how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed”, that is describing exactly the same issue.

I believe that returning to our first love would look something like the group of new Christians described in Acts 4:32-35. They had just gotten saved by hearing the apostle’s preach about the ressurection of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost. Starting with vs. 32 it says that the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul and that none of them said that anything they owned was actually theirs. The ones that owned land and other possesions sold all of it and laid the money at the apostles feet, who then distributed evenly unto all so that no one lacked. How radical would that be if it happened in your church today? I want to join that church!

If the body of Christ came together with one heart completely after God.. ohh the possibilities. Only God is capable of moving in the hearts of his children and beginning revival, but i dare to say he has begun. His revival is moving through those who allow it to. The believers that have seen and heard enough about the evil in this world are ushering in revival. Matthew 12:36 says that everyone shall give an account for every idle word they speak. I believe this plainly addresses complaining about injustice and doing nothing about it. Ouch. There it is. Conviction. God has given us power and grace and freedom to make a difference with our lives and bring his kingdom here to earth. There is no better time to start than now. I hear so many people say that they can see themselves being like that one day.. I heard a quote the other day that said “I hate when people bring me a problem without a solution”. I can’t help but think that our Heavenly Father feels the same way; especially when he has given us the solution to every problem. So exactly what are you waiting for? What’s the hold up? What’s more important, what will be sacrificed or the reward from God? Does sacrificing now make up for continued disobedience? Father God, thank you for redeeming a people to glorify your name! I pray that you would turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh and draw your children together with hearts of purity and unity so that we may see your face. Let your love be perfected in us and give us grace to love you with our whole hearts. Let a great awakening be stirred by your Spirit in those who will listen and heed your call. We ask for clarity and protection as we seek to be the hands and feet of your son Jesus so that the captives of this world may be set free! In the mighty name of Jesus I pray.. AMEN.

It’s TIME

@kaseyshores — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:06:17 +0000

“LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in OUR day, in OUR time MAKE THEM KNOWN!” Habakkuk 3:2

When I read this scripture today, I couldn’t help but think of all the mighty men and women of God in my life. I feel honored to be a part of a group of believers that want to go after God with everything they have. If we’re gonna be a people who truly want to see Jesus’s face, this has to be our heart’s cry to God. We shouldn’t be content with just hearing about the miraculous acts God did in times past, but we must long to see those things come to pass NOW….in OUR day, in OUR time! So that others will know that we worship the same God Habakkuk the prophet, Abraham, David, Isaiah did…..the same ALMIGHTY supernatural God. He is longing for people who want to REALLY know Him and make Him known. He is still the same God that created the universe, the God that sets the captives free, the God that delivered His people time and time again supernaturally from their enemies. It should be the desire of our hearts, that through us, this amazing God is revealed to all nations, all people!

Brothers and sisters, God, JESUS CHRIST, is the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER (Hebrews 13:8!!) He DOES NOT waver. We just have to make ourselves available, as willing vessels, for Him to operate through! When we do, I am convinced that God will reveal Himself in ways we never thought possible!!! Be blessed today!!

God, we’ve read about and heard of the amazing things you’ve done. Because of them we praise you and honor you. But God, we want you to show yourself strong in OUR time, OUR day, in OUR GENERATION, and in generations to come! We offer you our lives and our bodies as living sacrifices. Reveal yourself to others through us in mighty and miraculous ways!! Be glorified in us Jesus!! AMEN

Man on the Moon

@bjdaviz — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:16:06 +0000

Dreams, goals, and vision. How big can they be? How far can they take us? The other night I was pondering these questions when God spoke to me. After some serious worship and prayer with our Uprising team, I was standing outside in the cool air staring at the moon. It came to me. Several years ago there was a man who stood on the same earth that I was standing on. He was staring and admiring the same moon I was. When suddenly an overwhelming sensation came over him. He looked at the moon with a different vision. He looked at the moon as more than a beautiful sight. More than a navigational beacon. He saw the moon as an adventure to have. His heart skipped a beat as he thought of the possibilities. He said to himself, “I would love to walk on the moon”. From this, a vision was born. A dream was set in motion. With no rockets, no NASA, not even electricity. This visionary sparked a movement. Several generations later men accomplished this dream by walking on the moon. Through many trials, many failed attempts, many lives lost, and many doubts and nay sayers. This vision became a reality.

So why does this speak to me so much? I realized that maybe we will not be the ones that walk on the moon. We may not be able to see our vision come to a reality, but maybe, just maybe, we will spark the movement that completely flips the world upside down as we know it!!! If we can change the scope of our vision, and align it with the vision of God, the possibilities are endless. All we have to do is eliminate the idea of impossible.

Impossible is an idea that the devil created to keep us from reaching our full potential. I believe that God is beginning a reformation in the Church as we know it. I believe that God is searching the earth for those men and women who are ready and willing to say, “God, here I am, use me for whatever Your Will may be!!” Every great movement begins with a person who is not afraid to be called crazy. Not afraid of what the world will think. Imagine what the other people said when that man many years ago said, ” I want to walk on the moon!” Imagine what people said when Noah began to build a boat when it had never rained before. Imagine what people will say when we no longer buy into the American Myth, and we begin to not only read the Word of God. Not only study the Word of God, but we actually LIVE IT OUT!! What will they say when we love, serve, give, and worship with reckless abandonment!!! I do not know what they will say, and to be perfectly honest, I do not care! I believe that when we do have the courage to live out this faith, God will smile, lives will be changed, and the world as we know it will no longer be the same.

I know that you are willing. I know that you are able. What barrier is in the way of you jumping into the river of God and becoming completely submerged in Him? I pray that we find it. It is not a personal flaw, or a charter trait that you do not have. It is simply the devil keeping you chained by deception. I say simply because I know that he is a defeated foe. The chains that he has on us are chains that we willingly hold onto. So today, this day. Lets throw down our chains and walk on the moon!!