by vatg4him

Itching Ears

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. –2 Timothy 4:3-5 (English Standard Version)

Jason M. Alexandre, Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

The apostle Paul gave a serious charge to his pupil Timothy to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching”. -2 Timothy 4:2 In the following verse he warns Timothy of the time that is to come and indeed it is here now when people will not endure sound teaching (doctrine). It pains my heart to see and hear people being led astray by preachers who sugar coat principles that is clearly written in the infallible word of God, the Bible. Instead to gain the approval of men and to fill up their churches they often times will resort to what resembles more of motivational speaking content with the intention to encourage but with no intention to reprove, rebuke and exhort. My friend that is a speech; not a sermon.

Preach the gospel but don’t make it sound easy. No one can assume that they are on the right path unless they are living a life of obedience to Jesus Christ. Unless they have put their complete trust and faith in the shed blood of Christ for their sins, they are not a Christian. It’s much easier to prefer what is wide, broad, and attractive. It’s fatally and deceptively easier to simply go along with the crowd. Jesus did not teach that it would be easy to become a Christian, he said it would be hard. The narrow road is difficult but it is eternally worth it.

How painful it is for me to hear people who believe that you can “name it and claim it” and if you pray enough and have enough faith that there will be no suffering, no heartache, no pain, no sickness and everything is just going to be amazing. That is a falsehood and anyone who believes that I am concerned that they have never read the New Testament seriously and honestly. Jesus does not promise all the prosperity and all the healing and everything that I want. Godly people suffer physically and in different ways. As we prepare our hearts for the Christmas season, let’s us give praise and admire how cute and wonderful “Baby Jesus” is but let us not forget the true unadulterated Good News and principles of why “Grown Jesus” came as God in his incarnated form and why he died and was resurrected. Amen. God bless you.

-Jason M. Alexandre

About Jason M. Alexandre

Jason Melchizedek Alexandre was born in November of 1989 in Brooklyn, N.Y. His family later moved to Philadelphia, Pa., and he now resides in Limerick, Pa. In May of 2014, Jason obtained his Master of Social Work degree at Widener University. Professionally, Jason counsels persons who are homeless, parents, veterans, and others who suffer from various kinds of abuse. Although Jason’s career is Social Work, his spiritual passion is missions. Jason believes in actively answering the Great Commission call Jesus gave all Christians for the Gospel to be spread from person-to-person and nation-to-nation. Annually, Jason travels primarily to Haiti on a mission trip with Haiti Christianity Inc. Each year, Haiti Christianity, Inc., visits cities and/or villages in Haiti bringing children educational supplies, clothing, and medical supplies. They also facilitate conferences in which bible study, budgeting tips, financial planning and most importantly, evangelization takes place. Jason is currently the organization’s public relations director. Jason’s vision is for the gospel to continue to spread throughout the world and believes it is Christian’s responsibility to carry out this mission effectively. To learn more about the organization for which Jason volunteers, please visit www.HaitiChristianity.org.

12.03.14

by vatg4him

Through Jesus, You Are Greater Than Your Mistakes

Ana Martinez, Chef and Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

“I was 16 when I became pregnant. It wasn’t easy turning into an adult so soon…” Read how God blessed Ana in what seemed like hopelessness and shame. Shared by our friends and ministry partner, pureHOPE. Ana Martinez is a Voices Against the Grain devotional writer and occasional VATG radio show host. Read Ana’s message “Through Jesus, You Are Greater Than Your Mistakes.” http://purehope.net/jesus-greater-mistakes/

12.01.14

by vatg4him

We Did Not Expect

2 Corinthians 5:7- For we live by believing and not by seeing. (New Living Translation)

Herbert Bowen, Jr.
Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

If we do not believe in ourselves, how on earth can we be expected to achieve? If the thoughts of others are genuine, why do their smiles look to deceive? If you care about the opinions of others, how can God reveal the trump card, which is cached beneath his sleeve? Thus, we walk this life not to fulfill the dreams of others, but to be prepped in order to administer the Lord’s good will to all who ask. For we didn’t expect to move to a new city, but God did. We did not expect to land a new occupation, but God did. We didn’t expect…the Lord to shift our lives solely on the premise that we were not ready. Hence, what we want is not even a small subset of God’s greater picture. Therefore, we move with confidence because we know HE has us. We work with a mentality of success because we know HE has us. We once were shaken, but that mustard seed grew into a mighty oak tree, to which no one could ever uproot because we know HE has us. Amen

About Herbert G. Bowen, Jr.

Born in King of Prussia, Pa., Herbert G. Bowen Jr., accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at the tender age of 5. An active member of the Central Church of God in Charlotte, N.C. where he resides, Herbert serves as a youth/discussion group leader, where he has preached and taught Sunday school, as well as Wednesday night service. In addition, he has preached at Second Baptist Church in Pottstown, Pa., Destiny City Church in Salisbury, N.C. Herbert is the youngest board member on the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Leadership Council, where he serves to lessen the costs of tuition for African American students. Moreover, Herbert serves on the pureHOPE advisory board, where his commitment to “wait until marriage” fits perfectly with PureHope’s mission to bring a Christian solution to an immoral culture.Finally, Herbert through the will of God writes weekly devotionals to combat the decreasing morality in the 18-30 age group a.k.a., “the transition gap.” This is an effort to re-introduce Jesus Christ to this spiritually starved generation. His devotionals go out to 2,000+ people and continues to grow under the Lord’s watchful eye. He is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Business Management.

11.29.14

by vatg4him

Ferguson and All: Meet the Restorer of Our Streets

Nicole D. Hayes, Creator of Voices Against the Grain

Viewing this past week’s events of protests, rioting, vandalism and violence displayed in Ferguson, Mo., and nationwide upon learning the grand jury’s decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the August 9, 2014 shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, we know some things to be true: violence does not bring about justice. Hate does not bring about peace. None of these actions restores our streets or our dwelling places. None of it restores our lives. No such actions are fruitful in any way.

The following passage spoke to my spirit in considering the healing we want restored in Ferguson, in our nation and our world. Isaiah 58 shows how God will move mightily on our behalf when we fast, pray, humble ourselves to seek His will, His way. Instead of exhibiting peace one day and inflicting violence upon others the next, the Lord asks us to move in righteousness and 8- “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9- Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”

Think about it. I encourage Ferguson, those of our nation and world to meet the Great Restorer of our streets.

58 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
    Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
    and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
²For day after day they seek me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
    and seem eager for God to come near them.
³‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
    ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
    and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
    and exploit all your workers.
⁴Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard on high.
⁵Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
⁷Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness^[a] will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
⁹Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
¹⁰and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
¹¹The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.
¹²Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

¹³“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
    and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
    and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
    and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
¹⁴then you will find your joy in the Lord,
    and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
    and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

About Nicole D. Hayes

Nicole D. Hayes is committed to serve as a vessel of compassion, instruction, love and truth for Jesus Christ. Born and raised in Topeka, Kan., she is a member of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, D.C. Drawn to know Christ in her early childhood and saved at the age of 12, Nicole is a student and applier of God’s Word. She is also a successful public relations professional operating in Washington, D.C., with more than eight years experience of coordinating and delivering strategic communications and media outreach support for nonprofits and small business owners. During her career she has placed several nonprofits and small business owners in national, local and regional media spaces. She operates with a personal and business mantra of “making an investment in people.” Among many things, Nicole is also a motivational speaker. She has been invited to deliver messages to business leaders to not be misguided by the world’s view of success, to direct young people navigating through the world’s challenges, and to remind those who may have lost their way that joyfully, “God Has Not Changed His Mind About You.” Nicole’s purpose in creating “Voices Against the Grain” is to be light in darkness, to boldly instruct truth amidst confusion so as to bring clarity and restoration.

11.28.14

by vatg4him

Remember the Time

Hebrews 13:1- Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. (New Living Translation)

Herbert Bowen, Jr.
Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

Sometimes it takes the words of 1 person to change your perspective. Sometimes it takes the same person to display tolerance, in order to illustrate a concept that you may have forgotten. Sometimes that person can provide a new vantage point from an angle that was previously unseen. Maybe that person reset your clock back to a time where you were stumbling through the world in order to locate solid footing. Your mind has now been altered to see the reflection of your former self. Whether destitute, lascivious, or pious you have seen yourself grow from experiences of hardships, judgments and/or failures. Therefore, that 1 person has illuminated a life once trapped behind the shutters. For we’re not called to live within our hypocritical glass houses to peer out and condemn from afar. No, we’re called to shatter the facade that held us captive, in order to reach others who can now benefit from our God ordained tutelage. Amen

About Herbert G. Bowen, Jr.

11.24.14

by vatg4him

pureHOPE News & Notes, Bill Cosby, Rape Culture

From the Bill Cosby scandal, to nationwide campus rapes, sex trafficking to sexual violence anywhere in our world, we are beyond proud of our ministry partner pureHOPE for sharing these articles that address our oversexualized culture that continues to take and does not give love or security. As their note states, “God has a better story of sex.” Thank you, thank you. If you are interested in stemming the tide, read the below “News & Notes.”

http://purehope.net/news-notes-week-43/

This excellent article by A Holy Experience shared by pureHOPE hits all the right notes. “Real men don’t pressure but treasure.” Read “35 Things We Better Tell Our Sons About Harassment, Assault & Boys Will Be Boys.”

11.24.14

by vatg4him

The Land Already Scouted

Judges 18:5- Then they said, “Ask God whether or not our journey will be successful.” (New Living Translation)

Herbert Bowen, Jr.
Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

At first our belief wavered, but then we sought out council for our belief to be restored. We lived in fear, but God assured us that if we “Go in peace,” that “the lord is watching over our journey” (Judges 18:6). Therefore, we follow HIS lead, while walking within the faith to succeed. We now take another step out into this unknown domain, to trust in the Lord always as he goes ahead to scout out the rugged terrain. For two steps is what was needed to remove ourselves from the lagoon of skepticism, to begin our inhabitants in the well-spring of joy and good tidings. Hence, our lives have been placed through the kiln in order to be hardened into the mold God formed us to be. Thus, when cooled, no rain, nor intense heat will be able to crack our inner shell. Hence, the reason we approach our task with immense confidence for the Lord is our shield and with HIM our victory is imminent. Amen

About Herbert G. Bowen, Jr.

11.21.14

by vatg4him

ETA: Grateful in the Wait

Does it seem like everyone else is getting blessed but you? You’ve been faithful, obedient, waiting on God to move. How can we remain thankful in the wait? Read our 5 tips shared in this Gospel Today article! We pray it blesses you. http://www.gospeltoday.com/blog/2014/11/21/eta-grateful-in-the-wait/

11.20.14

by vatg4him

When the Blind Refuse Sight

Nicole D. Hayes, Creator of Voices Against the Grain

Who wouldn’t want to see? It seems strange that a blind person would willfully pass on the opportunity to receive their sight. Prior to considering this concept, I couldn’t imagine who’d make such a choice. But these people exist. I’ve met them.

No, they aren’t using a walking stick or guide dog. Nor are their eyes concealed by protective eye wear. Bumbling, fumbling and stumbling, these blind people walk with their eyes wide open but lack sight. When opportunities, life lessons or people present sight to them, they choose not to receive it. Instead, they choose to keep bumbling, fumbling and stumbling on the poorly lit path they tread. Proceeding with no sight and partial light, they dismiss the signs directly ahead and guides alongside them lighting the way. They prefer getting banged up and stumbling into a ditch…repeatedly. Ego, pride and a false perception of self have kept them ignorant, obstinate and afraid to see what they don’t want to see. They will also lead the unwise into the ditch. Hence the saying, “the blind leading the blind.”

I recall the 1999 movie “At First Sight” starring Val Kilmer and Mira Sorvino. Sorvino’s character is girlfriend to Kilmer’s character who is blind. They enjoy their lives together, yet in desiring to improve her boyfriend’s quality of life, she informs him of a new but risky surgery that could restore his sight. He resists the treatment for some time, but eventually proceeds. Not to spoil this 15-year-old movie if you haven’t yet viewed it, but upon receiving his gradual sight, the couple endures various challenges. His restored sight is a gift but is he prepared to handle what he sees/what he is shown?

The same scenario occurs when we’re blind to something we’re doing, involved in or contributing to, and then someone tries to tell us the truth about it; to shine light on it so we’re no longer walking into the ditch. We may not like what we see/what we’re shown. It takes humility to receive it and courage to make the course corrections with the information shown. Otherwise, be prepared to bumble, fumble and stumble. “Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, English Standard Version)

I used to invest significant time in people who I desperately wanted to help “see.” Oh, how my heart pained for them when an opportunity to receive sight presented itself and they preferred to stumble in the dark, because it was comfortable. Witnessing this scenario repeatedly with the same and different people, I realized I had to let them stumble.

I’ve shifted my efforts to preparing people who want to be prepared; people who want to see. I learned some people are not prepared to receive the sight I’m offering them. As they continue stumbling in the dark, I pray for them to see the futility in their thinking. I’ve also been liberated from their liability by saying this one, two-syllable word: “Ok.” “Ok” doesn’t mean I agree. It simply means I’m steering clear of the open ditch they’ve chosen.

In Matthew 15:14, Jesus shares these wise words: “Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both fall into a pit.” (New International Version)

-Nicole

About Nicole D. Hayes

11.17.14

by vatg4him

Riches Untold

Luke 16:9-Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. (New Living Translation)

Herbert Bowen, Jr.
Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

A life lived with a lesson learned. A generous heart with no money to burn. A cheerful giver who left no one spurned. It’s the belief that money held closely leads to more money gained. That the less money spent will gather interest to help double the riches that God provided you. However, “we came into the world with nothing and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.” (1 Timothy 6:7). Therefore, why should we trust it? For money has many forms, such as the snake that slithers away from the just to the hands of the unjust. The bomb that is passed from those responsible to those who wish to strike terror in the hearts of individuals. Perhaps, it’s the tool used to fund life-saving research. Hence, money can’t be our life’s goal, but rather the favor of God and the blessings of good friendships. Amen

About Herbert G. Bowen, Jr.