Chasing After You

Do I have any God Chasers in the building? Is there anybody out there who is really seeking the will of God for their life? Is there anybody that is just Chasing after God so hard that they cannot stand it? Well I know for one thing I'm at a point in my life where I just hunger and thirst for God. My song for the season has been Chasing After You by Bishop Paul S. Morton! I'm Chasing After You no matter what I have to do, I need you more and more! Through the years I've learned a lot as a person, friend, daughter, sister, cousin, student but most importantly as a Christian. As I look over my life I see that I have been truly BLESSED all the way around the board. God has opened so many doors for me, but I also realized I am not walking fully into what God wants me to walk into. I was not Chasing after God I was simply going through the motions. I let school, friends, family, and this may even sound crazy but church come between my relationship with him. Let's straighten something out just because your in church working does not mean your personal relationship with God is where it needs to be. That is a major misconception people have about Christians we go through just like everybody else and we have flaws just like everyone else. The difference is we known someone greater who loves us with our flaws and all-Jesus Christ. As I began to drift from God I could see I wasn't trusting him with all the problems in my life either. All that is over I have walked into a new season that God wants me in. I'm chasing after God with all my might. I'm praising my way through my only desire is to be closer Lord to you-I'm Chasing After You! We all need to examine ourselves, our motives, and our actions to be sure that they are lining up with the will of God! When you do things out of selfish ambition or to get back at somebody your not doing it out of LOVE<-( that's for a later time)! Back to today's topic-->If your not Chasing After God than you have to be chasing after something else! What are wasting all your energy towards chasing? Use that fuel to Chase after God and he will continue to refuel you! Chasing After God never gets old...Try It!

I Work...I Thrist...I WIN!

So I'm at the gym working out and I am super tired. So, as soon as I finish working out what do you think my next move will be? Well....if you're smart you would have said that I am going to get a drink, specifically water! Anytime we are doing work we get tired and we need water to restore our body so we can back and continue what we started. God calls us to carry out his work until it is completed no matter what the costs. So as Christians we MUST be Thristy for God. The bible says we need to hunger and Thrist for rightoueness! So if we are doing our part as the body of Christ and putting in work we are going to get thristy. The harder we work the more thristythat we are going to become. As Christians we have to be Thristy! If our hearts and souls are not longing for the living water of Jesus to consume us then we need to stop dead in our tracks and Get THRISTY. Those who drink from this well will never have to worry about it running dry! So as Christians if we are not Thirsty then we must be doing something wrong. This word right here came from my big sis Shajuana Ditto (srditto.blogspot.com) I Work....I Thirst.....I WIN! All of those things work hand in hand if we are not working then we will not be thristy for more. Which means if we never work then we will never win. Every team has to come together and put in work in order to be successful and pull off the WIN. When I looked up the word WIN in Webster's dictionary there were several ways to define the word. As I looked over the list of options there was one that just stood out. To win means to capture territory! We need to go capture that lost territory that Satan has such an incredible hold on. Christians let's DO WORK, Stay THRISTY, and in the end we will WIN! I work... I thrist.... I WIN........

Give Us Clean Hands

Here lately I have just developed a great DISGUST towards the church. I'm not talking about any single church building but I am talking directly to the body of Christ. Why is it when God calls us to be a people of order (1 Corinthians 14:40) and to do things decently and in order we are so dysfunctional? I am sick and tired of this! You may ask am I angry? Am I disappointed? Am I confused Am I fed up!?...just a little! We as Christians have complicated the gospel and turned it into something that it was never intended to be. It troubles me to know that we try to be leaders in the kingdom of God but our hands look like we been mud wrestling. In most cases that is exactly what we been doing! Because we are stuck in this flesh we wrestle in sin and that does nothing but separate us from God. Do we all sin and fall short of God's glory? Yes, Romans 3:23 clearly states that but the problem is when our audio talk does not match our video walk! As Christians especially CHRISTIAN LEADERS we need to get our stuff together. God does not and will not continue to bless mess! It does not go together no way no how! I am not sure how much longer God is going to hold back his wrath on this generation because we are so LUKEWARM! Live like the person that God has called and ordained you to be. We CANNOT live defeated! Choose to be victorious daily! As a leader in the body of Christ I cannot and will not let Satan get the best of my ministry. I will not set back and let people with dirty hands block what the spirit is trying to do. Guys it's time we get real and STOP ignoring corrupt behavior. Wrong is wrong and right is right bottom line! If you know you are not living the life you proclaim stay out Sunday school ministry, don't get up in the choir stand, get off the deacon board, get off the usher board, lay down your apron culinary staff, resign today youth leaders who ARE NOT serious b/c we need serious leaders to capture this generation, PLEASE do not get up and perform in the drama teams and get out the pulpits so God can move us foward! I'm just so done with playing church! I am seeking restoration in all parts of my life especially in my friendships because I am tired of making a mockery of God. We need to go ALL IN or else we will GIVE IN to Satan and his schemes! NO more I am DONE. Lord I pray that you Give Us Clean Hands and let it begin with me! Give Us Clean Hands and Give Us PURE Hearts!

So It's Been a While!

Life has been super busy these past couple of months in the world of Jasmine! It feels like it has been 20 years since I've posted...I know I need to get it together! All in all my semester has been good it's still hard to believe that God has allowed me to push this far on my college journey to him be the glory! I'm currently 20 years old a junior in colloege and the older I get the more I learn and grow which I am very thankful for. The main reason that I have not posted in a while is I just been thinking, praying, and meditating. I found it very important that I just take some one on one time and map my life out. Even though I haven't posted in while God has laid a lot on my heart that I'm getting ready to pour out in these next few weeks. So stayed posted for more!
Blessings
Jasmine!

I Needed That!

GO GO GO! This is the way I feel most of time and it seems like my life is on constant overdrive. I have to be here at this time, get this done by that date, and still try and have time to rest. Don't get me wrong I love my life and all the things I do but sometimes it gets very overwhelming to say the least! Sometimes it is best just to have some me time! As a leader seeking and desiring to further the kingdom of God I sometimes find myself in this position of just needing some rest. I love to lead worship I know that is exactly what God has called me to do, but sometimes I just need to rest. These past couple of Sundays myself and some of my closest friends have been on a Worship Tour. Some people may call it church hopping but we are just on tour seeing how different congregations present the gospel. This has been one of the most refreshing things I have ever done in my Christian walk. It has been awesome to go to morning service and just have an all out worship encounter with God! It felt great just to sit back and let God love on me by pouring out his spirit! Don’t get me wrong there is nothing like being on the platform bringing/leading people in worship but we all need to be feed and last Sunday was my time. The worship tour stopped last Sunday at The Vineyard Church in Campbellsville, KY and the Holy Ghost fell on that place. They know how to usher in the presence of the Lord through song. Wow! It was honestly some of the most anointed worship I have ever been in! Benson looked at me and said that could be addicting and he was absolutely right! There was one point in the worship service where I was in all out worship to our king praising him and thanking him for all he does in my life. Then at one point I had my palms turned over, my hands lifted, arms outstretched and I couldn't put them down. Even when I tried God spoke into my spirit just let me love on you. It was the most amazing therapy session I could have ever asked for! There is nothing better than letting the spirit of the Lord just dwell on you and I needed every second of that. What I am trying to say through this blog is never get so busy feeding that you never get feed. It's just like the story of Mary and Martha with Jesus. Martha was too busy worried about taking care of stuff but Mary just wanted to rest at the feet of Jesus and let him feed her his word. Worship leaders, pastors, deacons, FCA Huddle Leaders, Sunday School Teachers, Christians all over the world, whoever you are make sure you get FED! It is so important as a leader not to get BURNT Out. More importantly as a follower of Christ! In order to keep worship fresh and our personal walks with the Lord we have to be fresh and forever be seeking God's fresh oil!
-Fly w/Christ

Psalm 3 Mentality

Why do we try and fight our battles when we know we always are going to loose??? It really puzzles me because I do it all the time myself! We try and tackle our problems on our own strength/abilities instead of relying on God's supernatural strength and abilities. Psalm 3:3-4 (3)states but you Lord are a shield around me, my glory,and the one who lifts my head(4)I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain.When I was studying this scripture my eyes were opened so much! God is our provider, strength, strong tower, our father, our friend, a way maker, our redeemer, comforter,and most of all he is holy and worthy to be praised. If we can attach all those titles to him then why can't we give him the storms that try and overtake our lives. God is bigger than any problem, addiction, or stronghold that we may have in our lives there is nothing that he can't handle. There is nothing impossible with God! Luke 1:37 Like Bishop Larry Trotter said in the song "With God I Can Get Through This!" I dare you to give your life all the way over to God! Any problem you face, negative thought, or hate towards another person give it away because God wants it! God has not set us up to fail we have to remember that! It is not his will that any man perish but that all receive eternal life! Yes God wants us to prosper and have blessings running over! That's right God wants us to Brace Ourselves for Our BLESSINGS!!!Yes I have been stuck on blessings here lately because we do not count ours enough. God keeps on making ways for me and opening doors that I never thought I would see. If I look back over my life and examine all things I don't deserve anything he's given me but God is good...let me stop and get back to Psalm 3 before I break something up! Psalm 3 states that God is a shield around me my glory and the lifter up of my head. In other words God has got my back and that is really all that matters. I'm glad about it! People WILL fail you but God never fails!!! I don't need to worry about my enemies because the text says that God is gonna strike them on the cheek and that is far more painful than anything I can do. So from now on I'm living life with that Psalm 3 mentality. God has my back, he is the lifter of my head and that's all I need!!! I challenge each and everyone of you to adopt that Psalm 3 mentality and see how God blesses and changes your life.
Fly w/ Christ

Brace Yourself For Your Blessings

Why are we such a negative society? It seems like we are always looking for something bad to pop up and we feel like we never catch a break. After sitting around and analyzing that thought maybe that is the reason why we never get blessed. We just aren't expecting God to come in our lives and do some extraordinary things. When God is blessing us all we want to do is question God and make sure he's got the right person. God is omnipotent he has all power in his hands and he knows exactly what he is doing!!!I know I personally get frustrated by negative pessimistic people so imagine how God feels. If we constantly feel defeated then that is how we are going to stay! We need to brace ourselves for our blessings! No longer should we cut the hand of God short. He wants to open up the windows of heaven and bless us in a mighty way. So wherever you may be right now lift up your hands and recieve it because that is a mighty word and I claim it myself! When a storm in your life occurs trust God then too because there is a blessing in the storm! Position yourself to be blessed!

I'm Chasing After You!

So I haven't blogged in a while simply because I have just been so busy! It feels like these past few weeks all I've done is work work work! I'm not complaining because God has blessed me with 2 jobs and some people can't even find one but, it is very tiring! Even though I have been out of the blogging world for a while I still have some awesome stuff to put down in these next few posts that has been heavy on my heart and mind. Have you ever just felt really distant from the presence of God but yet so close at the same time.This is a season I have faced in my life over these past couple of months. I've been in some awesome wonderful services worshipping with fellow believers but my one on one time with the Lord has slacked.If I read God's word as much as I checked my facebook I would be much better off. This thought has crossed my mind so much lately and I have been very convicted by that. It's time for me to come back to my first love with my whole mind, body, and soul. Praying and reading scripture here and there just does not cut it. We have to seek an intimate personal relationship with our father because he loves us and wants us just to rest at his feet. There is nothing impossible with God if we just place ALL our trust in him. No longer will I facebook before I put my face in the good book God's holy word! IT JUST WON'T WORK nothing fills me up more than being in the presence of the Lord for he is awesome and worthy of all the praise. I'm going back to a point where I want to chase after the Lord no matter what I have to do because I Jasmine Paige Barnett need him more and more! Right now I'm asking you to take time out and examine where you stand in your personal relationship with the Lord. Are you all in for him or just playing and dabbling in sin?! I'm done! I'm chasing after God and going all in for him in 2010!

Our God Is Greater!

I don't know about you but I know that we serve an awesome, mighty, and powerful God. When all else fails he is still on time! As many of you know we have been asking prayer for Luke Aaron Sexton aka Baby Luke for God to perform a miracle in his life specifically his heart. Ever since Luke entered the earth he has been fighting for his life. At times his situation looked bleak but God has had his heart all in his hands this entire time. This situation with Luke has showed and taught me so much! Life is tooo short and nothing is promised to us. We all really need to take time and praise God! I praise God for my salvation, my family, my friends, my health and all the things that he is doing in my life. I even praise him for the storms that I endure because they are only going to make me stronger! These past couple of days God has just reassured me that He's Got It! I don't need to do anything but simply trust him!!! God is a way maker and I'm very thankful for the mircale he's performing in Baby Luke. If you wanna learn more on his story check out www.lukesexton.blogspot.com Keep lifting up the Sexton 3 they still have a long way to go but Our God Is Greater!

Wow Chris Brown

After watching the BET Awards I feel like Chris Brown truly showed the world how sincere and sorry he was! Check it out plus I love Michael Jackson Awesome Tribute!

Baby Luke!!!

The time has finally come the arrival of my nephew and the newest addition to the Steadfast family baby Luke! I know that God has great plans in store for this little boy! He has endured so much with just his short time here on earth the enemy is attacking but we know that God has it ALL in his hands. There is a reason why this trial has been put up against Baby Luke, Kristen, and Benson and God is using it. In the end I know that we will see the victory in Luke's health and his life! I just wanted to post this blog to encourage everybody to really lift up Baby Luke, Kristen and Benson in your prayers. At a time like this prayer and support are the best gifts that we can show them. Right now in this blog I speak healing over Luke and restoration. To Benson and Kristen I pray that God continues to give you all a peace that passes all understanding. We LOVE you all and are lifting you up in our prayers!This song is for Baby Luke, Kristen and Benson keep on fighting the victory comes Through The Fire!

From The Trap to the Table!

Yesterday was just an incredible day for me! The entire day I just felt the presence of the Lord all around me. DeMarcus, Benson, Ed and I journeyed out to Cincinnati to go to a conference and a concert but that evolved into so much more! We literally had church all day from the Methodist conference, to conversations with my dad and from the time we entered into revival with the Crabb Family. Last night worship was amazing but the sermon that Gerald Crabb preached blessed me in a great way. So many times we get caught in a trap of sin and we stay there and let the devil slay us and defeat us. It's like my dad said once Satan gets you he wants to keep you until he destroys you. The reason for this is if you ever make it back like the prodigal son did there is no telling how God will use you!!! This is a good word for God's people. I just want to encourage you right now that if Satan has you in a trap you can make it out like the prodigal son and sit at the King's table. God is eager for us just to lie at his feet and be wrapped up in his presence. Do NOT let the enemy destroy your life! Take a hold of your situation and walk into the calling that God has on your life...From The Trap to the Table!

Satan Is Busy...But I Want It All Back!

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy! Satan the enemy is very busy and seeks to destroy anything that he comes in contact with. In this season and time Satan is very busy seeking to destroy homes, marriages, relationships, but most importantly the body of Christ. This has really troubled me over the past couple of months because I have seen Satan weave his way into my own personal relationships and ministries. I can no longer let the devil have a foothold! I have to claim what is mine and let the enemy have a hold no more. I'm feeling a little bit like Tye Tribbett I Want It All Back! I speak life over my friends, family, relationships, but most importantly the body of Christ. We cannot expect the Holy Spirit to come and fire to fall down if we are in battle with one another. I'm speaking to myself right now and if nobody else will shout over that I will! For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places! We are not each other’s enemies the battle is completely against Satan. Right here I am going to have to quote my white mom Majel we have to fight this battle on our knees through prayer! I am no longer going to let the enemy run circles around my life or the lives of others. As the body of Christ we have to reach out and be Jesus’ hands and feet! Casting Crowns said it best,
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way!
I wish I had an audio recording so we could hear Benson sang Christians must rise join our spirits hand in hand! We have to come together, stop letting Satan get the victory, and be the Christians we are called to be! I Want It All Back!

Our Expectors Have Expired!

I was sitting in revival the other night and one of my mentors/spritual fathers Brian Rafferty spoke these great words Our Expectors Have Expired! He was talking about members of the body of Christ. What he was saying in these four words is that we as Christians don't expect God to move aymore. We limit the holy spirit in all ways! We think that there is no possible way that the things that happened 2000 years ago can happen today! This is a complete lie from the devil. As Christians it is time that we come expecting God to do great and awesome things! I for one am not going to expire but desire for God to do more in my life and the lives of others each and everyday.

Hook, Line, & Sinker

These three words have been on my mind a lot here lately. I was sitting in my room during my devotion time thinking about ministry and the ways that we could improve as a whole, what problems there were etc.. God gave me this. These three words completely describe how we the body of Christ approach Christianity. Often times we try to hook non-believers in through revivals and other outreach ministries. That is awesome because that is exactly what we are called to do we’re going to call this STEP 1 (HOOK). Then Step 2 (LINE) if we are allowing God to control the situation the Holy Spirit will draw them in and change their life. When all this happens we are excited and praising God but then what happens. Step 3 (SINKER) We disciple all these people then we let them sink and do not help them grow and develop. We think that our job is done we lead them to Christ woo hoo star on my crown! WRONG!!!! I'm not saying that we need to invest every hour of everyday to this person and monitor their every step. If we never let that person go out on their own then they will never learn how to stand alone when the enemy attacks. What I am saying is it’s our job to hold them accountable and help pick them up when they fall. Even mature Christians need to be picked up and corrected when wrong we all mess up! Accountability is key as Christians. We no longer need to go on this Hook, Line, and Sinker theology but we need to get real! If you know somebody who is not doing what they are supposed to do then pray and if God leads call them out on that area of their life. God is looking for us to step up to the plate and initiate true discipleship. -Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. --Dietrich Bonhoeffer-

Keep It REAL!

As people in life, all we ever search for is something that is REAL! Whether it be jewelry, clothes, sneakers, purses or most importantly people we want them to be REAL! Don't get me wrong I said REAL not perfect. Everyone messes up and we have to move on forgive those faults and try to help them grow as people. (We'll talk more about that later.)This is where I feel that we are lacking in the church. We don't have enough REAL people! We are to afraid be REAL and unleash our junk that might bring somebody else to deliverance. It's time for that to STOP! In order for the church to move forward or for us to excel as a body of believers we have to get REAL, because we serve a REAL God! My challenge to you is to be REAL! Take off the mask that we tend to put on in society and be REAL!!! The REAL you that God created you to be!!!!

Hello Blog World

Hey guys for a while now God has been pressing me to create something were I can put down my thoughts, so that others may be inspired. In this crazy fast paced life I find it important to sit down and reflect. Reflection gives us insight about ourselves and others. I want to open my thoughts about life to you in this blog.This may be wild, crazy, offensive, and helpful but nonetheless it's me doing me. I try my best to keep it real because we serve a real God looking for real people. You'll catch that in my next blog! It is my prayer that God uses me to inspire you in some way through this. Shout out to Ditto for inspiring me to blog!
I'm Souled Out!