by vatg4him

Love Incarnate

Song of Songs 8:10- “When my lover looks at me, he is delighted with what he sees.” (New Living Translation)

Herbert Bowen, Jr.
Voices Against the Grain Blogger

When the novelty fades and the thrill is gone, will you still be there my love? When time ages us and our skin creases, will you still look at me adoringly, my love? When we are ridiculed for having only each other, will you regret your decision, my dove? Or will you take my hand to soar above the earth like eagles, my dove? May our time together be an example. A paradigm of epic proportions. A display to unveil the glory of God’s truth amidst the world’s lies. For the characteristics of godliness built an unquenchable fire that no man or woman can put asunder. For patience nurtured that emotion tied to the gate of eternity, while purity affixed our eyes to behold the soul located beneath the flesh. If perseverance coddled the flame, then what was ignited before will hold its heat from the beginning. Here is love shown in its greatest form. A loyalty and trust that will weather any storm. Love in Christ.

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. At his current age of 24, 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. He provides business expertise to help others start their businesses.

12.25.13

by vatg4him

2014: Receive the One Who Gave All

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ana Martinez, Voices Against the Grain Guest Blogger

Another blessed Christmas and New Year begins. At this time let’s remember all that God has done for us this year and the so many that came before.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Our Savior has come, He has risen, and He lives! Christ came to bring us salvation, hope, peace, forgiveness and everlasting life. No amount of money can buy that gift. 2 Corinthians 5:21- For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. How amazing is that?

God loves you! He loves you! He loves us! This Christmas Season know that He loves you in spite of all the mistakes, disappointments, heartache, grief and pain—His love for you remains. It is not too late to cast your cares on Him. It is not too late to lay your burdens down, to receive His forgiveness, to turn from a life of sin, or to receive healing. He is waiting to have every area of your life, yet we allow fear to grip us and it only holds us back. What IF we gave Christ everything? I know for me, there is so much I am holding onto and He is telling me to let it go. How do you let go of past hurts and disappointments? You lay them at His feet and trust that He will see you through.

As the New Year arrives, I encourage you to let go of all bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, doubt and unbelief. Leave it behind you and move forward with an open heart and open hands ready to receive all that He has in store for you.

Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad,

Ana Martinez

About Ana Martinez

Ana Martinez was born in Michigan. When she was age 4, her parents Pastor Juan and Deborah Martinez founded the Potter’s House Christian Fellowship in Almont, Mich. Ana grew up in the church and in a humble, loving Christian home. Her parent’s faithfulness and commitment to ministry for over 27 years has been a testimony to her. In her youth she was like the prodigal son. She knows what it means to walk away from your call and to stray from the Word of God. Her life experiences have taught her that God’s way and His principals are worth upholding. She is a God-fearing Christian woman determined to do the will of The Lord. Her heart’s desire is to reach the lost and win souls for the kingdom of heaven by sharing the Good News, according to Matthew 28:19. Ana truly believes people are hurting and need to know that there is forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give ye rest.”

Ana has served on the Missionary Field, and has served in and led praise and worship, web design, children’s ministry and youth ministry. Ana’s most recent initiative isGeorgia Peach Ministry, a non-profit she founded that serves widows and orphans. Ana is also on the board of the Potter’s House Christian Fellowship. Ana is a private chef and has worked with professional athletes over the past five years. She is also an entrepreneur and is part owner in an interior design business, a chef placement business, and is entering into the food product industry.

Ana resides in Southern California with her three beautiful children and seeks daily to model this scripture from Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

12.24.13

by vatg4him

Christ: Our Confident Hope

Romans 12:12- “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” (New Living Translation)

Herbert Bowen, Jr.
Voices Against the Grain Guest Blogger

Some perceive ‘hope’ as an unfulfilled dream that will never come to fruition. Some deem patience as a 30-second endeavor, which must yield instantaneous blessings. Some view prayer as nothing more than a last resort when they feel like their world is turning upside down. “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7. Only you, LORD.

When doctors can’t cure an illness, our hope is in You, LORD. When our bodies waste away and our minds become forgetful my hope is in You, LORD. Thus, when hope reaches its end, patience of an indomitable will takes over. Patience to see a world who will choose serving others than their own desires. Patience to see shopping take a backseat to fellowship. This should be our prayer, as it is not my intention to dampen the holiday. This is a reminder that we can’t forget CHRISTmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ first and foremost, Who is our confident hope. This makes everything else secondary. God bless and Merry Christmas.

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. At his current age of 24, 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.

12.18.13

by vatg4him

Christ Confuses Today’s Wisdom

Nicole D. Hayes, Creator of Voices Against the Grain

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. (1 Corinthians 3:19, New International Version)

Books upon books. The Internet. The Secret. Oprah Winfrey. Dr. Phil. Iyanla Vanzant. Wayne Dyer. The list runs long in resources trusted by some people who seek to understand life and life’s plans for them. Much of the information, teachings and “wisdom” presented by these popularly sought after sources gives their fans a sense of confidence for their next steps. Yet, such “wisdom” pales to the vastness and wisdom of God which far surpasses the limitations of our human intelligence. Our mental capacity is a mere blip compared to the abilities, depth, knowledge and wisdom of God, who created us. Was Oprah there when God laid Earth’s foundation or dimensions, or that of our universe? Does Iyanla Vanzant give orders to the morning or show the dawn its place? Can Dr. Phil take you to where darkness and light dwell? Can Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret, loose the cords of Orion or count the clouds? Rather than these folks, I want direction from the One who created all of this and more; One who knows me so intimately, He knows the number of hairs on my head at any given time (Luke 12:17). Such human limitation is incapable of telling you about the plans for your life, when God who created you knows all. We’re instead asked to “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33, New Living Translation)

Moreover, I am amazed in the human sources people will rest upon for their confidence, comfort, peace and joy, and disbelieve the simple yet powerful message of Christ Jesus’s birth, gift of Salvation to us and the message of the cross. To understand this message does not require a certain level of intelligence. Oh, we’ll never fully comprehend what He did for us. It simply requires faith and an open heart to receive it.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19, New International Version)

This Christmas season I still remain in awe at the perfect and wondrous miracle of Jesus’ birth, His death on the cross and his resurrection three days later. The exquisite and precise orchestration of each event is beyond what I can comprehend. The mere fact that a virgin gave birth to a baby confuses today’s wisdom. Trust me, I value knowledge and intelligence. Yet I am confident that my greatest exercise of intelligence will pale in comparison to my simplest exercise of wisdom in saying “yes” to Him.

11.19.13

by vatg4him

Crisis-Driven World, Crisis-Driven Saints

Shootings. Earthquakes. Financial crash. Typhoons. Wars. In His Word, God forewarns us of turmoil to come. He tells us these things so we won’t be distressed. Yes, we have empathy and concern for those affected—but our faith should not be moved nor should our reactions become crisis-driven. Our actions should be Spirit-led.

Read the following excellent post written by Hakim Hazim, dear friend,Voices Against the Grain radio show guest, national security expert, author and co-founder of Christian think tank, Freedom Squared. His post, “Crisis-Driven World, Crisis-Driven Saints,” speaks to the crisis-driven media that sends many into crisis-mode, fleeing from their inherited peace and rest found in Jesus Christ. Thank you Hakim for allowing Voices Against the Grain to share this message with our readers.

John 16:33:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (English Standard Version) Biblos.com

Hakim Hazim, Co-Founder of Freedom²

Everywhere we look we are reminded of impending doom and worst case scenarios. There is something about the human soul that is attracted to good character, beauty and hope; conversely, we are drawn to and occupied by evil, fear and uncertainty. Try making a movie without those six elements and the heroes and antagonists who embody them, and you will ensure a flop. Art mirrors life.

As a species we nurse the wounds and injuries we have acquired over the years. We constantly devise ways to protect ourselves and loved ones that come up short. Long term hope seems in short supply and when good things happen our next question is, how long will it last? This sometimes drives us to conclude we should extract everything we can from situations or people that will benefit us because we never know when they will end. We become survivalists and takers—not givers as instructed by scripture. Living in a perpetual state of high alert concerning the potential crises we may face next, we lose sight of our Savior. The world is crisis-driven and unfortunately, so are many saints.

To remedy this, I offer some instruction. Consider the statement of Christ above. He said that we would face tribulation in the world. There is no way around it; so plan on it and accept it. Next, ask God how we can glorify Him in the crises we face. We were born in a turbulent ocean but He has given us the navigational tools for the journey and an arc—Christ, who will safely guide us home to the New Jerusalem. Our peace is knowing that He is with us in every crisis, and He has equipped us to face each one, even those of our own making.

We must learn to be Spirit-led, not crisis-driven. The noise and tumult demand our attention, but we don’t have to focus on to them. God is worth our undivided attention. Let us rest in that regardless of what is to come. He has chosen us; therefore when He moves us forward and we see something on the horizon, we should move forward whether it appears fortuitous or ominous.

About Hakim Hazim

Hakim Hazim, author of several published books and articles, nationally recognized criminality and national security theorist is the co-founder of Freedom², which focuses on believers in America and other free societies. Hakim, who is based near Boise, Idaho, was raised Muslim and is a born-again Christian since 1993. Daniel Jackson, a former youth pastor, is the organization’s other founding member and technology expert with a Fortune 500 company. Other project partners include researcher Charles Holmes, Jr., and Dracy Jenkins. Hakim is also the founder of the Christian-based national security consultancy, Relevant Now, which provides clients with ”timely, insightful and transformative information.” Hakim has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and a Master of Arts in National Security Studies from the California State University San Bernardino.

10.24.13

by vatg4him

Created for His Purpose

Dear Friends. I am happy to share with you a guest devotional from a great brother in Christ, Dracy Jenkins. His devotional reminds us that our living has greater meaning, direction and purpose with Jesus at the center of all we do. It’s a bold statement to make given other belief systems exist. Moreover, our world places its own labels and values on people as they deem worthy—and not through the lens in which Christ views us. The fact is, people seek other people, things and behaviors to fill voids and find themselves feeling empty and always seeking but never finding the joy, love, peace and security only He can provide. Our purpose is found in Him. Thank you Dracy! God bless each of you. -Nicole

“Life is filled with meaning as soon as Jesus Christ enters into it.” — Stephen Neill

Dracy Jenkins, Devotional Writer

2 Timothy 1:9-10 (New Living Translation)- For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10- And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

God’s plan for us was/is to show us His love and grace through His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we were created with a purpose and for His purpose. Never allow anyone or anything to define your worth or purpose in life but the love and Word of God through Jesus Christ. The world has its own way to measure a person’s value that cannot provide the peace and joy of Christ. The world’s standards cannot provide the way to our eternal destiny, which was established by Almighty God himself.

When we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, the final puzzle piece of a purpose-filled life and meaning is completed. This doesn’t mean we do not have a journey to embark upon, nor does it mean this journey won’t be filled with the occasional rough road. But it does mean we are on the right road.

Be encouraged today that if you don’t feel valued or don’t see/don’t understand your purpose right now, God values you and will reveal more details of His plan for your life as you continue to move forward and trust Him. Continue to look toward Christ who will make your purpose clear. God bless you all today with His grace, mercy and favor.

Minister Dracy

After God’s Own Heart Ministries

John 3:16 For God so loved….

07.19.13

by vatg4him

Filling the God-Shaped Vacuum Within Us

Dear Friends. I am happy to share with you a guest devotional from a great brother in Christ, Dracy Jenkins. His devotional reminds us that when we were formed in our mother’s womb, God deliberately created a void within us that only He can fill. People seek other people, things and behaviors to fill this void and find themselves feeling empty and always seeking but never finding the joy, love, peace and security only He can provide. Thank you Dracy! God bless each of you. -Nicole

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ. —Blaise Pascal (17th century mathematician, physicist and Christian philosopher)

Dracy Jenkins, Devotional Writer

Philippians 1:9-11- 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (New Living Translation)

I still remember how I tried to fill the emptiness in my life with so many different things, in order to bring me joy and happiness. The more I purchased or did, the more that was required to appease the desire to be someone that I wasn’t. At that time, like so many of us, I had bought in to the lie that to be somebody, I had to look and act like what was being portrayed in the media. And every time, I achieved a certain level or purchased the next great thing, I was left emptier than before.

It wasn’t until I was in the midst of my frustration, despair and anger, that I was able to hear Christ knocking at the door to my heart. I heard Him speak to my spirit and tell me that I wasn’t created to be like the world, and that no matter how hard I tried to fill my life with anything other than God’s love, I would never be satisfied or complete. He said that only He could adequately change me into the person that would be pleasing to God and to me. He then said it was my choice.

Maybe you are struggling to be satisfied with your life and are looking to fill that emptiness you feel inside with everything you see or hear from society. Can I share with you how futile that is going to be? Maybe you already realize it. But the reason that the things of the world will not fit the void in our lives is because that void is shaped exactly like a cross. It’s an old rugged, wooden cross, where our Savior Jesus was nailed to and died upon for our sins. There are many things of the world that appear to fit, but a closer self-examination will show gaps, voids, air pockets and holes, that continue to leave one incomplete, unfulfilled and without hope.

But I’m here to tell you that Jesus is still knocking on a lot of our doors with the answer to our incompleteness. He wants to fully fill that emptiness in your heart, but He’s not going to force Himself into it. You have to ask Him. It’s your choice.

My prayer today is that we all will do a self-assessment to determine if there are holes or gaps in our heart. If so, let’s remove those things that are inappropriately in the cross-shaped vacuum of our hearts and allow Christ to complete us and make us whole again. He’s standing at the door and knocking. Will you open the door?

God bless.

06.17.13

by vatg4him

Pressing on Toward the Goal

Herbert G. Bowen, VATG Guest Blogger

Philippians 3:12

I have not already achieved these things or have I reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me (or “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”).

Perfection is a coveted goal we all seek. A flawless characteristic that only one person has achieved, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Perfection is a life without sin, a life where overcoming wrongdoing is as easy as closing our eyes. But why can’t we humans achieve this feat? Because too many of us are always in the process of cheating, lying, gossiping, or slandering another person’s name. WE HUMANS ARE FLAWED. However, we have Jesus who makes our paths straight, which sometimes occur in the most embarrassing scenarios before the act is committed. Therefore, we have nothing to be ashamed of, for God, in all his perfection died for the scratched up/broken you and me, thus absolving our sins and pushing us onward towards his glory. 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. At his current age of 23, 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.

06.12.13

by vatg4him

Averting “Well, They Got Me This Time”

This following scenario I believe most, if not all of you have experienced at one time.

Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

My brother has a saying, “Well, they got me this time,” when he’s been the victim of a bad meal. You take a chance, try a new restaurant. Perhaps you do takeout.

You get home, open the bag and discover the meal is NOT what you expected and certainly not what you would have paid for. Unfortunately, you’re already home and don’t feel like trekking back to the place and asking them to redo your meal—only to serve it up twice as badly or with other ‘suspect’ ingredients. 🙂

So, you cut your losses and say, “Well, they got me this time,” and if you’re wise, you make a mental note never to patron their business again. You might also forewarn others by sharing your dreadful experience. The meal you were excited to receive was a false representation of what was promised to you—and you’re still hungry. Is there anything worse? Yes. Worse would be if you kept returning to the restaurant expecting different results.

Bad restaurant food

For some time, we’ve been living in an age that demands Christians and unbelievers distinguish between what is authentic and what is counterfeit. As is his nature, Satan attempts to counterfeit everything of God (such as, “how is marriage defined?” “friends with benefits?” “what does it mean to be successful?” )

By nature, humans have at least three core drives that drive their interactions in order to fulfill natural appetites and needs: 1- To seek or obtain material and immaterial things, 2- To seek sensual or physical pleasure or needs, and 3- To escape or avoid.

We live in a society that doesn’t run to God—it runs from God. God said, “seek ye first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and flee from the devil.” This is the model we should follow but the world operates on an inverse model.

As broken people seek various avenues to become whole again, they will likely stumble upon the counterfeit which brings more emptiness. They choose not to pursue the authentic paths or relationships because the results of the counterfeit appear more promising with presumed quicker rewards.

Truth is, too many people following counterfeit paths are marching toward their own destruction. God is raising up new witnesses to lovingly awaken the confused and to be salt and light in a decaying world. It is imperative that Christians discern the truth amidst the onslaught of the fake, the empty, the counterfeit and the fruitless.

Authenticity is found in Jesus Christ. True to our purpose here at Voices Against the Grain, we seek to lovingly and wisely provide clarity so you can navigate successfully in truth through the confusion.

The stakes are too high for me to be Ms. Congeniality on such matters. We are in a season of preparation. There are fewer allowances for, “Well, they got me this time.” We must avert this at the pass.

Nicole D. Hayes is the founder of Voices Against the Grain, a bold teaching ministry launched in May 2013. Nicole’s purpose in creating Voices Against the Grain is to be light in darkness, to boldly instruct truth amid confusion so as to bring clarity and restoration.

Learn more about Nicole D. Hayes here.

06.07.13

by vatg4him

A New Creation in Christ

Good Day, People. In general, we know people are far less forgiving of our mistakes or past than God. Even if you have moved forward from your past lifestyles and mistakes, people may still approach you with hesitancy, wondering if you will revert to your old ways. You might even allow thoughts of your past to hinder you in moving forward or viewing yourself as God sees you—a new creation.

There are several scriptures in the Bible that confirm God’s love for us, even in sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. A debt we can’t ever repay. Our gift for a new life in putting to death the old is accepting Jesus as our Redeemer and Savior. Two passages that convey how deep His forgetting of our sins:

Psalm 10:12 10- “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11- For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12- as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (New International Version)

2 Corinthians 5:16-19 16-“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is come! 18- All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19- that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” (New International Version)

Praise God! This is the good news! Believe it. God has given you and me victory over our Accuser who is quick to bring up our past and yesterday’s mistakes. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are a new creation. No other god of any religion has come down and given so much to have a relationship with you. None other.

A song that speaks to this excellent transition and gift is “Moving Forward” by Israel Houghton. Enjoy!

Oh, hey, what a moment You have brought me to?
Such a freedom I have found in You
You’re the healer who makes all things newI’m not going back, I’m moving ahead
Here to declare to You my past is over in You
All things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ
I’m moving, moving forwardYou have risen with all power in Your hands
You have given me a second chanceI’m not going back, I’m moving ahead
Here to declare to You my past is over in You
All things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ
I’m movingNot going back, moving ahead
Here to declare to You, my past is over in You
All things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ
I’m moving, moving forward
Said I’m moving forwardSinging You make all things new
Yes, You make all things new and I will follow You forward
You make all things new
You make all things new and I will follow You forwardYou make all things new
Yes, You make all things new and I will follow You forward
You make all things new
Yes, You make all things new and I will follow You forwardI will follow You forward

Voices Against the Grain

Advancing God's Kingdom in a 'do your own thing' society

Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

Love Incarnate

2014: Receive the One Who Gave All

Christ: Our Confident Hope

Christ Confuses Today’s Wisdom

Crisis-Driven World, Crisis-Driven Saints

Created for His Purpose

Filling the God-Shaped Vacuum Within Us

Pressing on Toward the Goal

Averting “Well, They Got Me This Time”

A New Creation in Christ