S.J.Mak Music - Christian Music Production

Creation is Waiting...On Us?

2011-04-03T07:59:00.003-04:00

Romans 8:18-21 (Amplified Bible) 18[But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and [a]for us and [b]conferred on us! 19For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship]. 20For the creation (nature) was subjected to [c]frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it--[yet] with the hope(A) 21That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God's children. This is why we can't 'play church'...this is why we can't do the 'Christian thing' just for some kind of notoriety and fame. Do you realize the world is literally hurting and suffering because they're waiting on God's people to be revealed and help them!? Let's rise up into our positions today. We have God's blessing and we can do it by His Spirit.

The Word is a Fire

2011-03-14T06:37:00.002-04:00

Read Jeremiah 23:29 and see what God describes His Word as...

Then get somewhere private (or public) to praise God for the AWESOME power that His Word has to establish peace and wholeness in your life.

Amen.

Like It Used to Be

2011-03-08T21:37:00.002-05:00

Remember your old zeal when you first got saved? How many of us can say that things are still the same as when we first got saved? Is the Word as exciting now? What's your story?

Be blessed, and feel free to comment; this is an interesting subject.

Shaine

Where is the Love, Man?

2011-02-16T05:53:00.004-05:00

Not to quote Black Eyed Peas or anyone else...but where is the love?

There is one thing I do not like about social networking sites like Facebook...it's social. (lol) not that being social is a bad thing, but when you connect that with people whose social skills are an "anything goes" or an "I don't care" attitude, then that can lead to some pretty bad times.

Having an outlet to share feelings and thoughts on a regular basis is a good thing...sharing thoughts and feelings with the world who may not be ready to hear them for one reason or another is dangerous.

There have been a few times that I had been hurt by people who happened to be "Facebook Friends", and so I would try to update my status to reflect my pain in a 'nice' way...only to painfully discover that I should have kept my mouth shut!

1 Corinthians 13:5 - (Love) is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

Not that I'm trying to have everyone follow my lead, but we believers must continuously remember that we are to be Spirit-led, not 'feelings' led. Living by feelings and constantly speaking your feelings can: 1. cause you to not be able to hear God clearly, and 2. can hurt other people and establish grudges.

So in general, if I can't convey something on Facebook or in public that will be edifying, I talk to God and my wife about it...not the world. I want to be the one to set an example for the world to see...just like God intended for His people to do. :)

Fight the Feelin'!

2011-02-09T06:43:00.002-05:00

You ever go to your 'closet' to pray...but then you feel so lazy that you are tempted to give God a 2 cent prayer?

FIGHT THE FEELIN'!

Remember...it's not about you anyway. It's not about us! We are created for His worship. Sometimes, prayer ain't gonna be easy, but I believe that just like they say wine is, prayer gets better with time. That's how relationships are...they are established and refined over time...why should our relationship with God be any different?

Volunteers Needed - Could You Lend an Ear for 4 Minutes?

2011-01-05T13:47:00.003-05:00

The "I Need a Beat" contest is underway. Could you lend an ear for just a few minutes and listen to the two tracks in my Reverb Nation player on the right side of this page? The tracks there were submitted by two Christian gentlemen who entered the contest last month.

After you listen to them thoroughly, email me at sjmakmusic@gmail.com and tell me whose song you vote for. Now, don't get me wrong, this is not American Idol...neither are we trying to play God here. We are just giving someone an opportunity to get a free produced beat that may help them with their ministry needs; we're about giving people a chance in Jesus' Name.

Listen to the tracks, judge them based on two things:

1. MINISTRY - Does the song have words that point the listener to God, in an encouraging, inspirational, and real way? Does the song come from the heart?

2. SKILL - Does the artist show noticeable talent/skill at their rapping/singing, etc., craft? Does the artist show creativity and thought in their words and word arrangement?

Give me your vote via email and we'll go from there!

Study to Show Yourself Approved...or Else!

2011-01-04T08:08:00.003-05:00

At Christ Chapel Unadilla, we have been learning the importance of meditating on the Word of God, and it has already helped me so, so much.

I decided to study up on healing this week, and in the process I researched the scripture that talks about the Blessing of Abraham. To be honest, I didn't readily know exactly what the Bible said about it because I've heard it spoken of in a very cliche sense for the past several years.

DON'T RELY ON WHAT SOMEONE ELSE'S INTERPRETATION OF THE WORD IS. STUDY IT YOURSELF SO GOD CAN REVEAL THE MEANING TO YOU! This is too important. I am so excited at the things I am already realizing the Lord has given us.

Study.

Praise Him

2010-12-24T10:42:00.002-05:00

Remember the song, "Praise Him?" We used to sing it at my old church in Macon.

Praise Him, Praise Him
Praise Him, Praise Him
Jesus, Blessed Savior
He's worthy to be praised

True words. Not only is He worthy of praise...but we were made for His praise. Do you realize that, in the Old Testament, praise was not only a charge to the people to offer to God, but it was a duty in the temple? Imagine if your occupation was to praise the Lord...how much more would you put into it?

(I'm preaching to the choir)

The Danger of Opinion

2010-12-21T08:28:00.003-05:00

You ever formed an opinion about someone based on the opinions of others, without taking the time to form your own opinion?

What if God placed someone in your midst to bless you, but you couldn't receive the blessing because Brother Ulysses said that particular person was a hypocrite?

I've been blessed in particular over the past several mornings by a preaching couple that has received a bad rap for their teachings on faith and speaking the word. It's specifically called a "word of Faith" doctrine. Now don't get me wrong...I do not associate myself with "movements" and denominations...I associate myself with the Word, PERIOD.

But the Lord has given us all different anointings...so someone's teaching may be more on Christian ethics, someone else may emphasize healing, someone else may emphasize faith and words, still another may emphasize healthy relationships.

We are ONE BODY with DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS. Use discernment, yes, but remember that we are not all meant to be exactly the same...otherwise we'd accomplish nothing.

I Love the Word

2010-12-20T07:21:00.002-05:00

I can never get enough of the Word of God. Even though it's hard sometimes to study it on my own, God has given us the great resource of TV, DVD, and Internet. After listening to the Word today on TV, I have some direction on what to study this week...walking in the love of God.

Find some good preaching! No, I said find some good preaching...being truthful, not everything out there is good! Beware!

Abundance again?

2010-12-16T08:13:00.002-05:00

God is good. He has apparently opened several doors of employment now, after being unemployed for nearly 3 months now. It's funny how God blesses you so much when you trust Him! Thank You God...He has blessed us financially beyond our dreams...and we didn't have to beg Him.

The thing is...we always talk about living in 'abundance' as if it's something far off and only attainable in the future. But when you walk with God, the fact is, you're already in abundance. Abundance is not financial status...abundance is the freedom of the mind to not have to worry about provision BECAUSE you know with no doubt that God is providing for you, so you will not lack anything.

So, stop praying for abundance so much! Start realizing that you're already in it, and start thanking God for being a faithful father who freely provides for His children.

He Loves Me Like a Parent...Oh, He is My Parent

2010-12-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

Deuteronomy 7:7-9 - The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Most of us grew up hearing the deacons say "Our Father, who aaaaart, innnn, Heavun."

But we probably never internalized that phrase because of being used to hearing that same prayer every Sunday.

God loves us like a father. If we were to establish within ourselves the extent to which God loves us, we would be free to love Him back and to live our lives without self-imposed limits. And we might not ask Him for stuff all the time like we probably do.

I don't know about you, but seeing His love for me is a big blessing.

The "Abundant" Life

2010-12-14T07:58:00.003-05:00

Am I opposed to living the so called "abundant life?"

No! Especially because I understand what it is, and what it isn't.

The abundant life is not achieving a status...millionaire status, billionaire status, or any Forbes list.

The abundant life is not having an overabundance of nice clothes or having so much money that it's possible to eat at Bonefish Grill or Fogo de Chao every single night.

I'm living the abundant life, and I'm unemployed! How?

The abundant life that God promised is when we let Him provide for us by faith, and we have nothing missing, nothing broken, and we are being filled in every area.

Sure, there are a few things that I want a little more of...but I cannot complain. I am smack dab in the center of His will for my life, and there's nothing more abundant than that.

2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

21 Day Word Fast - Day 1

2010-12-13T07:39:00.002-05:00

Today our church is having a 21 day word fast. We are requiring ourselves to not speak anything negative...only positive things. It is a proven fact, even scientifically, that our words have the power to impact our lives. It's not a 'magic' thing...it's a law, much like the laws of gravity and relativity.

I'm excited! We have already been blessed so much to see the manifestation of things we spoke. It's not merely speaking things into existence. It's having faith in God, speaking out what you believe Him for by that faith, and looking for the result. I always knew and spoke that I was gonna go to college, and now I've been out of college for 2 years ;)

Let's do this thing!

Why Did You Limit Yourself?

2010-12-10T07:33:00.002-05:00

What is limitation? Limitation is when something is holding something else back from reaching a certain place or potential.

I recall plenty of people in school telling me that they would probably not go to college like me because they weren't "smart". It used to sadden me because I knew that it was just a mind thing...they thought they weren't smart enough for college simply because their minds had been conditioned that way for soooo long, that they started to believe it themselves as teenagers. My dad had always told us that we were going to college, so I believed that. A Bachelor's degree later, I feel accomplished and grateful.

Deuteronomy 8:18-19. Read it. Do you realize that God has placed a wealth of potential inside of you? Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there...you may not have taken the time to discover it. DON'T limit yourself by giving in to negative mindsets you were conditioned by in the past. Don't limit yourself by being a clone of your 'friends' or family. God invested more than that inside you, so invest more in yourself.

Stay Filled

2010-12-09T06:26:00.003-05:00

Thank God for an era where we can stay filled with His Spirit with so many resources. Remember part of Ephesians 5:18-19? Speaking to one another and to God with spiritual songs and such...

So I'm listening to Mynista right now http://mynistaonline.blogspot.com/p/music.html . He is a Christian rapper that I've met several times and I respect to the utmost because I have seen the Spirit move through his ministry several times. His rap is so filled with scripture that you can't help but hear it.

Stay filled...it's our responsibility, not God's.

"I Need a Beat" Contest

2010-12-08T14:36:00.001-05:00

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1710389006884484134

Is Worship Giving? or Asking....Hmmmm

2010-12-08T06:51:00.003-05:00

I'm guilty of asking God for His presence a lot when I come before Him in the morning. Maybe that's a part of why it doesn't manifest! lol

Today, my prayer was simple, but it was an honest prayer, detailing to God why I thank Him and praise Him. The last time I felt a major manifestation of His presence, it was at a moment of complete honesty. I wasn't praying and whooping like some bishop, apostle, or prophet (lol no offense), I was merely talking to God, much like I'd talk to someone else. So it was a surprise to me that He did that.

So, first of all, maybe you should not always be asking for something. Remember...He is God...we are His creation and we were created to worship Him. Instead of always asking for things, rely on the faith you have that He will provide for you, then go worship.

Secondly...don't preach to God when you pray...He is moved by honesty, not performance. I believe He is much more of a practical God than we may think. ;)

Free Download "The Back Side of the Desert" Album (2009)

2010-12-07T14:23:00.002-05:00

http://www.box.net/shared/193mi2egdk

Download "The Back Side of the Desert" for free today! It will be a blessing to you.

Tracklisting: (Recommended that you copy the files to CD in this order)

1. Desert Intro
2. Desert Intro Part 2
3. L for the L
4. So N2U Prelude
5. So N2U
6. Sunglasses (You Can't See My Eyes)
7. The Things That Make Sad Songs
8. I'll Wait
9. Not of This World
10. Shoutouts
11. My Gift

My joy CAN'T be complete, until...

2010-12-07T08:11:00.003-05:00

...until I feel His presence in a tangible way.

I'm not content with just a good job, a good car, and a comfortable physical life. I want to be in His presence 24/7...I want to be able to stop what I'm doing and realize His presence in a tangible way at any given point in time.

Psalm 16:11 - You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

My joy is not complete without His presence.

Am I "Down For Whatever?"

2010-12-06T07:59:00.002-05:00

I had to ask myself this morning, "am I down for whatever?"

Am I willing to take a piece of humble pie for a minute before God elevates me to be able to fully pursue my passions?

I am STILL unemployed...a Mercer graduate with a degree in electrical engineering, in Warner Robins, surrounded by engineering jobs, yet unemployed. Makes no sense to my natural mind. Nothing has worked so far.

But God has begun to open doors for me to produce music for people, to record for people, to do audio engineering-type applications that are much more fun than most of the other stuff I learned in my engineering curriculum (sound and audio comprised a small part).

Unemployment insurance pay is a blessing, but I could be making more money to support my family somewhere else. My pride does NOT want to take my engineering self to a fast food restaurant again......

But this morning I told God, "I'm down....because I trust You."

I remembered this morning that the ONLY thing that really matters is trusting and being obedient to God. If we really trust Him, the temporary uncomfortable stuff will not matter because we know that His ways are higher than ours, and that the end of a thing is greater than its beginning.

Thank You, Lord!

He Loves Me!

2010-12-02T07:05:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I was reminded that God loves me.

Okay...well, yeah Shaine. And??

See...nah, man. The love of God is something that we overlook waaaay too often. God loves us so much that He has called us, He prays for us, He gave His Son up for us and now we are seated with Christ in heavenly places and we carry His authority! Because He was willing to have His Son die on our behalf, THAT is some sho' nuff love...why would He withhold other needs/Godly desires from us?

And since God loves us so much...and He's the one who called us...who in the WORLD can come against us?

No one.

Read Romans 8:24-39 when you can. If you're going through anything that seems like a trial, this is more than enough to remind you that trials are such an opportunity to experience God's love in a tangible way.

New Feature!

2010-12-01T08:28:00.002-05:00

This site is under construction. S.J.Mak Music is about to offer a new feature to Christian artists who need quick music for their projects, at a manageable price. Explanation coming today!

Motive?

2010-12-01T08:16:00.003-05:00

What's your motive?

What's your motive in seeking God?

Do you seek God so that you can tell others that you did?

Do you seek God just so you can scratch it off your checklist?

Do you seek God so you can be able to sound holy at church?

Do you seek God so that you can be able to quote scripture and seem spiritually deep?

Do you seek God for you, or do you seek God for the love of Him?

What's your motive?

I have at some time been convicted after doing one or a few of these. God forbid that I ever forget why I spend time with Him.

Get Up.

2010-11-30T06:32:00.002-05:00

We learned last night that spending time with God is priceless...there is literally no substitute for spending quality time with God.

Actually, I won't say we "learned" that...I'll say that we were reminded. Deep down inside we know that we need to commune with our God.

Get up a few min. early and at least talk to God. Thank Him for your life. Praise Him for who He is. Pray in faith and in accordance with His Word.

[On a whole different note...be careful with everything that you read/listen to as it relates to God, His Word, etc., because there is some false teaching out there. Some people are too left-wing...others are too right-wing as it relates to certain biblical fundamentals. Pray that God gives you guidance, wisdom, and discernment so that you can receive what He wants you to receive.]

Are You Walking By Faith? Or Are You Just Saying That?

2010-11-29T07:59:00.003-05:00

Praise God for His Word.

We walk by faith...which means that we live not by what we can figure out naturally; we live based solely on our trust in God. That's a HEAVY thing...considering we have so many natural senses that we normally rely on.

Before you say that you're walking by faith, ponder that statement. If you are constantly worried or jump to conclusions or quick decisions, especially without considering God's Word first...are you really walking by faith? Think about it.

The advantage of walking by faith is that we are assured of certain things from God. Conversely, the disadvantage of living by normal human rationale is that we can never be really sure of ANYTHING....we just kinda 'float' and whatever happens just happens.
Sorry...I can't live like that! [lol]

Yes You Do Have a Reason to Praise God!

2010-11-24T08:07:00.002-05:00

I am pretty particular about the way I express myself to God. I have long seen people in the church praise God in a certain way because the pastor does, or because their family or friends do.

I don't ever want to praise God a certain way because someone else does...why not? Because it wouldn't really be coming from me...and if it's not my praise, then it ain't real! And if it ain't real, could I really expect God to take it seriously?

This morning I came to God wanting to praise Him, but wanting it to be sincerely from me. My confession since yesterday is "We will bless You Lord, at all times...Your praise SHALL continually be in our mouths..." Psalm 34:1...so I wondered what to say today to praise God.

I thought I 'heard' Him say, "look in my Word and read about me." So I did.

Long story short, if you read about Him in the Word...not reading about what you can get from Him, but reading about Him...you will find plenty of things to praise Him about...and you will also be reminded of reasons to praise Him.

Try it!

Praise...a Key

2010-11-23T08:07:00.002-05:00

Read Psalm 34:1.

Then read it again...and again...and again...

I have been seeking a realer sense of God's presence lately, because it has been a long time since I've experienced Him! I was reminded that two keys to experiencing spiritual breakthrough are prayer and praise.

Why prayer and praise? Because they are two forms of intimate contact with God. When we reach to Him, He sees that as the invitation to reach back.

I want Him to have the invitation to reach back...don't you?

Obedience Brings Breakthrough

2010-11-22T08:18:00.003-05:00

Yesterday at church, God spoke to me directly, through our pastor, and said some specific things about my job predicament, etc.,

He told me that the key to my breakthrough is the anointing that He's placed on my life...the piano/keyboard. This is the second time I've heard something to the effect that the gift He's given me will cause things to happen in my life, if I keep using it. But the fact that it's even connected to my spiritual AND natural life?!? Wow Lord...amazing.

But it makes sense:
Isaiah 10:27 - And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

Praise God...I don't see how in the world playing the keyboard in my worship time is gonna get me a breakthrough in the area of getting a job/income, but God chooses what things seem foolish to shame the wise...so if He said do it...I'm doing it! Point Blank.

Humility...Or Else (lol)

2010-11-19T07:16:00.002-05:00

How many of us know preachers or evangelists with super-long titles?

"The Most Reverend Apostle Bishop Dr. Clarence Somebody"

I'm convinced that, if your name is read in a church program and it takes more than one second to actually get to your real name...something might be wrong, lol...

Some of our church elders and overseers are exalted by us people, to the point that we begin to see them as higher than they really are. Yes, God has appointed us ministers and overseers, but we must be careful that the ultimate glory is unto God. We are all kings and priests in the Kingdom, but the attention does not belong to the bishop, pastor, evangelist, deacon, worship leader, etc.,...our attention is collectively turned toward God.

The Lord has confirmed several times, even through my pastor (who is actually my dad), that He has appointed me to be a real minister of music at my church, all glory to God. DO NOT CALL ME Minstrel/Prophet Shaine McClendon! (Unless God Himself comes to you in a vision and tells you otherwise,) I do not even desire a title because I don't get a kick out of titles...as a fellow seeker of God, I only get a kick out of the pursuit of, and service for, God.

Not saying at all that people can't have titles...but I pray that the church ends this overkill of titles and notoriety/fame that we've been awarded by ourselves. And personally, let's all make sure we individually don't esteem ourselves TOO high, lest God Himself have to humble us...our lives are for His worship alone!

Maybe You Haven't Seen Healing Yet Because...

2010-11-17T07:40:00.002-05:00

How many of us have prayed for healing, and it seems like it kinda didn't come?

How about this: this morning I just realized that God has not only provided His Word as a means of receiving healing...but in my prayers for healing, He's sent me SO many ways to heal myself.

Uhhh...Shaine, are you missing something?

Nope, I'm not! He has given me so many resources that talk about how to eat right, and how the American diet/industrialization of food has really destroyed our bodies over the past century. If we would but change our diets to whole foods...not processed crap, but mostly vegetables, fruits, healthy lean meats, and things that have not been manipulated in any way by a processing plant (enriched, fortified, pasteurized, refined, etc.,), then our bodies will begin to heal themselves.

Proverbs 18:9He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.

Nuff said...I hear You, Lord.

Why Not Now?

2010-11-16T08:09:00.002-05:00

Okay...I was sitting here pondering my purpose...not just why I'm here on earth, but why my life has been the way it has been lately. I'm still unemployed by no fault of my own, and just by virtue of my undergraduate degree, statistically I should have had a new job about a month ago.

God spoke through the pastor last night at bible study and reassured me that I was here because God is constructing something for me to do, and it's not finished yet. Amen, amen, and amen again (lol); because of faith, I believe that, and that's all I need.

This morning, in studying the Word, I came across a passage referring to the musicians who served in the Lord's temple in the time of King David...music always catches my eye in the bible now, especially since the Lord called me last year to be a minister of music at my church (thank you Lord).

It wasn't a dramatic call...it wasn't audible, there was no big light emanating from the sky with angels singing holy praises, NO...none of that. I literally said out loud one day while I was producing music, "Lord, I really wish I could play the keyboard"...and almost just as soon as I said that, I 'heard' inside me "Why not now, Shaine?"

There may be a passion inside you that you have wanted to pursue for years. But YOU'RE waiting because you think you're not trained enough, or that it's simply not time. Have you ever entertained the thought that God is waiting on you? No training...just faith, is necessary. Why not now?

Choose for Your Body

2010-11-15T08:01:00.003-05:00

Do you know that God has given us a choice on how to live? He doesn't make us choose Him...He gives us our own opportunity to choose.

I have been reading a book that talks about nutritionism...the way that America approaches food. It explains that America has lost its way because of industrialism, so that we try to thrive on "created" foods that we claim have all these health benefits. For instance...people don't eat whole oatmeal much, but they will eat a box of multicolored cereal that is packed with synthetic vitamins and is called "healthy".

Our bodies were designed to digest vegetables, fruits, and occasionally meat from healthy animals. Do you wonder why heart disease, diabetes, and cancer kill us Americans so often?

What will you choose? Life, or death? Do some research today on how to take care of your body.

What Do I Do?

2010-11-12T07:13:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I just wonder...what can I do today to get closer to Him? As if there's one thing that I could do today that would bring dynamic change to my awareness of His Presence.

Speak, Lord, Your servant Shaine is listening, waiting to hear from you to be obedient.

A Longing

2010-11-11T06:35:00.004-05:00

You ever been in a particularly 'weird' season in your life and naturally wondered what reason you were there for?

I have been unemployed for over a month - a position that, as a graduate from Mercer, I never would have thought I'd have. VERY humbling in that sense.

But I have had more time to think...and to get in the Word. I almost wonder if I'm getting out of this time what He wants.

He has been leading me to speak the Word aloud a lot more, and to practice on the keyboard a lot more.

I really want/need to feel His presence. You ever long for His presence sometimes? It has been a loooong time since I've had a tangible sense of His presence. Now don't get me wrong, He has shown Himself to me in many different ways over the past several years, so I don't have any doubt of His presence. But there's something awesome about His tangible presence that I sorely miss.

Lord, touch me today with Your presence. Show me what I need to do to lose myself in Your Presence...In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Words Again?

2010-11-10T08:31:00.003-05:00

So, we've already established that words alone cannot make certain things happen. Words alone won't make you magically go to college or obtain a car...

BUT....

There is power in speaking positive words, especially in the context of the Word of God. Speaking the Word in faith has the power to change the course of certain things. Parents speaking the Word of God over their children has the power to keep them protected in situations that might otherwise be dangerous. I truly believe that speaking the Word of God over your belongings has the power to protect them from the enemy who would otherwise harass you by touching what belongs to you. It's a matter of seeing what the Word says and pursuing it with all your faith.

Just remember...faith without works is dead. There are some things that the Lord said we could just speak to in faith, and they can be changed. But the Word emphasizes obedient actions following our faith. In the New Testament, a blind man was healed, only after he washed the mud off his eyes in obedience to Jesus.

Talking Sooo Much...

2010-11-09T08:41:00.003-05:00

People always talk about their plans, their goals, their aspirations. They talk about how they're going to go to college; about how they're going to get physically fit; about how they're going to get things right with God. They declare before God that they will live debt free, and that they will enjoy a good relationship/marriage.

But those same people often end up with the exact opposite of what they speak. "Why isn't this working?" they probably say. Why wasn't I healed? Why did I get a divorce when I spoke that I wouldn't?

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD...

In case you didn't know, the name it-claim it theology is not quite right. We thought we could simply say what we want, and we'd get it. Do you realize that, if this were true, we would be SO messed up right now?! The things that come out of some of our mouths would have ruined or even killed some of us by now.

Don't believe God for healing from cancer if you are going to keep smoking and eating fast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't believe God for deliverance from debt if you are still forced to live from check to check because of your spending/lack of saving habits.

You are ready to believe God for something when both your words and the actions following your words say that you believe God.

Alright? So, get in the Word...find a scripture that promises a blessing in your area of need. Speak it out loud in faith...and start living like you already have it. :)

FIN

Speaking Stuff Into Existence...Is It Really THAT Easy?

2010-11-08T08:31:00.003-05:00

According to the Word, our words have the power to shape our destiny...BUT

...there's a line somewhere. Really? Yep...ask the person who "speaks wealth into existence" but is as poor as ever. Ask the family who prayed for a sick loved one who ended up dying...

We must remember, we are not all powerful; only God is. God has given us power to shape our destinies by our decisions but all the details of life are not dictated by us.

Do I believe we can go through life without sickness? Well...I believe that, according to the Word, we can experience a degree of freedom from sickness, since Jesus redeemed us from the curse of sickness as expressed in Deuteronomy 28, and the fact that Jesus is a healer.

BUT...we are human. AND, sometimes we bring sickness on ourselves by our own means; lack of sanitation, bad eating habits, etc., We can ask God to heal us of heart disease...but if we keep eating pork rinds for snacks, pig feet for dinner, and bacon for breakfast, isn't that a situational oxymoron?

In order for us to live as free as we can, our words shape our destinies, but our ACTIONS in obedience to God (and good sense) can help with the little details. God takes care of the rest.

The Tongue

2010-11-05T06:37:00.004-04:00

- Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it. [Proverbs 18:21]

indulge - to yield to, satisfy, or gratify

What by-products of your words are you eating? Looking back on my life so far, I realize that, because my parents taught me to expect to go to college, to marry a woman of God, to know God as a provider, etc, that is what I always said, prayed for, and expected. And now it is what I am living in.

Our current states of living are likely a by-product of our speaking of God's Word or the lack thereof, as well as other positive/negative words. It's part of the law of sowing and reaping. Words are seeds...when they are spoken, they are planted, and eventually reap a harvest. Be careful not to plant weeds and thorns with your own words...we are all guilty of this. Let's strive not to do this anymore, man.

What Better to Come Out of Your Mouth Than...

2010-11-04T08:02:00.002-04:00

Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe...

Wow...so even the name of the Lord is powerful? What is His name? God? lol...well, Yes, that is primarily what we call Him, but in the day this scripture was written, God had many names based on His many functions on behalf of His people:

Jehovah Jireh - The Lord Who Provides
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord is There
Jehovah Rohi - The Lord Our Shepherd

In the midst of a hard time, haven't you ever said..."Well God did it before, so He'll do it again...He won't fail me!" You basically used God as a strong tower to find refuge in, when there was no hope in your situation. I would encourage you to do the same with the names of God. We can do this because we have access to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, so we can come before Him as bold as we wanna be, lol!

Words...So Much More Important Than You Think

2010-11-03T07:55:00.002-04:00

Proverbs 18:4 (NIV) - The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

I read several versions of this same scripture, and they all seemed to say the same thing. They would compare words from a person's mouth to deep water, while comparing wisdom to a bubbling spring or flowing fountain. I NEVER want to assume the meaning of scripture from context clues alone, so I pray instead that the Lord gives me revelation.

From first glance, the first half of the scripture seems to note the fact that words are important. They are compared to "deep" waters instead of shallow waters. Deep water not only holds more volume of water than the shallow, but in the deep waters of the ocean, you consider the fact that there is MUCH more within the deep water than there is in the shallow. There are even species of marine life that still haven't been discovered yet in the deepest parts of the ocean...that is a fact.

So this seems to imply that the power of words is much more valuable than our mind may fathom.

But, wisdom has something that mere words do not have. Wisdom has a "flow" with it. Deep waters don't "flow". True, the ocean has currents and waves, but the currents and waves are dictated by various winds and weather patterns, not to mention the tide is dictated in part by the moon. Wisdom has its own, independent, powerful flow. Wisdom is apparently more powerful than words alone. A man who speaks a lot of positive words but still has no wisdom is robbing himself of his potential.

So what does that mean to me? Get wisdom AND speak positive words? Where does wisdom come from? GOD...meaning, we can ask Him for it when we pray, and we must study His Word which is full of wisdom.

Positive words? Yes...but not merely positive words. This is what separates our faith from some of the new age religions that tend to suggest the same thing about speaking positive words. Positive speaking is essentially a law of nature similar to gravity...it just works that way. BUT...we speak positive words not just for the sake of doing it, but based on the Word, especially based on the sure promises of God. That is an advantage over just positive words alone, and there is MUCH more power in the Word of God than in just saying positive words.

More tomorrow!

The Words Coming Outta Yo Mouth!

2010-11-02T10:32:00.002-04:00

Mannn oh man...this weekend, my wife and I went to the Get Motivated seminar in ATL at the Ga. Dome. Yeah, it was pretty motivating, but more than anything, it was such a blessing to hear God in the midst of all that talk of successful businessmanship. We heard God speaking through those men so much, it was ridiculous.

But the thing that tripped me out was how much several of them admitted the power of words in their lives. Not the power of investments, not the power of internet marketing...the power of words.

I would add, it's not only the power of words that can direct your life, but The Word, being the most powerful set of words in existence, is the most powerful thing you can let come out of your mouth in regards to the direction of your life. Proverbs 18:20-21

Are you talking negative all the time? STOP! LOL
Are you not letting the Word of God come out of your mouth in regards to your livelihood? START!

The Pursuit of Fullness, Part 2

2010-10-29T08:15:00.002-04:00

Praise God to be able to hear His voice...as I'm obedient to Him, it gets stronger in my 'ears'.

I truly believe He gave me the idea to be directly obedient to His Word in reference to Ephesians 5:18-20 to be filled with the Holy Spirit....the four requirements I mentioned in the past blog...

So I did all four, basically. Now, I don't intend on becoming religious with it and making it a formula. I will just do it until I feel I should stop, believing that by then, anyway, it will be more of a norm for me, believing that I will be filled to overflowing by then.

What does the Word say? Obedience is better than sacrifice, right? So if some sweaty, hollering preacher told you in a tent revival that some "breakthrough anointing" was available to fill you with the Spirit for a "release offering" of $25, would you pull out the wallet? Or would you go to the Word to see what God says about being filled with the Spirit? Obedience is better than giving God money...
[give beyond your tithe only when you feel led; you can't 'buy' blessings. Sometimes, God will lead you to give beyond your tithe in faith, but other than that, give only when you're led by Him or if you desire to because of your own reasons, NOT because of compulsion!]

Lemme stop...that's a whole 'nother subject.

The Pursuit of Fullness

2010-10-28T08:11:00.002-04:00

As far as being filled with the Holy Spirit, I've always read about stories of people who simply prayed for the Spirit to fill them, and then suddenly they were filled in a remarkable way, with some of them even speaking in tongues.

It didn't happen to me that way...

Not denying that it can happen that way...not at all. But my experience taught me that God does not do the same thing the same way to different people. Plus, even if a person does pray and get filled that way, they can't maintain it through prayer alone...nope nope nope!

Oh, so are you so sure, Shaine? Yezzirh!

Read Ephesians 5:18-20

The requirements for staying in a filled state are the following:
1. speaking to ourselves and amongst each other in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs - I think of this as praise & worship at church, even listening to CD's or simply reading the Psalms/the Word out loud as a means of edifying oneself.
2. making music/singing directly to God - self-explanatory. I don't think this necessarily means writing songs to God then singing them...it could be a spontaneous song or melody unto God, even without a melody...the meaning of the word 'song' is more or less subject to the person making it, ya know
3. Giving thanks to God always, for everything (Good and Bad)
4. submitting to each other in Christ (being servants of each other in the love of Christ)

These are very practical. These are things I've been guilty of not doing sometimes. Lord, keep me ever mindful of this stuff! I've GOT to be filled...I HATE running on E.

All the Blessings, None of the Curses?

2010-10-27T08:47:00.002-04:00

God presented me with a door last night/this morning that could potentially pull me out of unemployment. I told him this morning; even if this door does not do that, I will not be utterly 'dismayed' or disappointed. If my faith is gonna be what it's supposed to be, I can't trip like I used to anymore...ya know?

On another point...I've been pondering what the Bible says about healing. I want to know that, when I pray for someone to be healed, they'll be healed. And Deuteronomy 28:60-61 convinced me that sickness in general is a part of the curse under the Old Testament, the same curse that Christ redeemed us from. Boom shackalaka...whoop there it is!

But this morning, I had a thought...is it possible to live a life full of all the blessings under the Law, and none of the curses? Think about it....I'm gonna study that really soon.

2010-10-26T08:34:00.002-04:00

I woke up with a headache this morning, man...

But then my mom called me and told me that I was anointed musically...big blessing. Sometimes it's so edifying when someone reminds you of what God has put in you, and reminds you of the favor on your life.

I have been unemployed for nearly a month now...not even by my fault; I was laid off. I have no idea where sustenance is coming from in the natural...but God is SO good. I trust Him so much, it nearly makes no sense. He had me to say Yes and Amen to something about a month and a half ago...and I have NO idea of what it is, but it's something!

Got Healing? Part 2

2010-10-25T07:45:00.002-04:00

WOW...
Listening to a sermon by Pastor Dollar, titled, "Your Right to Live Healed" [4/19/2010].

I didn't listen to the whole thing...it'll be continued tomorrow, but my faith is already stimulated! Remember that if you need your faith strengthened, it comes from hearing the Word. PERIOD.

Galatians 3:12-14 basically provides the basis for which we can truly say that we are delivered from all types of bondages, because of how Christ's death redeemed us from the curse of the law of the Old Testament days.

The law??? Yep, and if you go to Deuteronomy 28:15-68, we can see all the consequences of breaking the law back in the day. And guess what? Sickness was a curse associated with breaking the law.

But Christ's death redeemed us from the curse of the law...which means...since sickness is a curse of the law...we were redeemed from sickness, literally! This is enough basis to pray and believe for healing!

AWESOME. But don't take it from me. Read it yourselves.

Got Healing?

2010-10-24T07:15:00.002-04:00

I listened to a sermon by a man named Bayless Conley (I think that's his name). He was talking about healing...he mentioned the scripture "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" and explained that, if faith for healing is a struggle, then it needs to be remedied by hearing the Word of God. He then told a story of a family with a young son who needed healing and came to a convention to be healed, but the evangelist felt in his spirit that the boy was not ready to be healed, and needed to come back to the convention over the next few days.

On the third day of the convention, the boy was healed...not because hands were laid on him, but because the Word gave Him the faith to be healed. AWESOME.

And WHO Said God Couldn't Use Me?!

2010-10-23T07:48:00.002-04:00

1 Corinthians 1:27 - But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

God put this in my spirit this morning while I was covering the house...SO TIMELY!

I have been unemployed for nearly a month now, and I have applied to so many jobs, only to be rejected for one reason or another...whether it's because my GPA in college was a tad low (yes, it was, but engineering was HARD!), or because my work experience was not in the exact field that employers were looking for.

But it don't matter (excuse my improper english). Society says that, as long as you have everything together, you will be successful.
Sorry, society, I don't buy that.

The Bible says that, even the things that are seen as week and ineligible, God can use to a great extent, JUST to make the strong and eligible confused...WOW.

Don't deny that God can use you. Please don't. Just read the scripture above, meditate on it, and give God glory for it.

Where He Leads...cont'd

2010-10-22T07:58:00.003-04:00

WOW...
Do you realize that we have the power to pick our own battles, so to speak? This one is for two groups of people...those who are saved that have a few weak areas, and those who claim to be saved but don't have anything at all to show for it...no strong areas.

Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

So...if we are free from bondages because of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection...could it be that the bondage is only in our minds? Do you realize what that means? You are free! Your bondage is only mental. If you can get that through your mind and begin to allow the Word to renew your mind, then you will finally begin to realize what freedom feels like! Thank You, Lord!

Where He Leads...

2010-10-22T07:27:00.002-04:00

You know how I sometimes determine whether God is leading me to do a particular thing or not? Sometimes I can almost be sure when He's leading if it seems like He's telling me to do something that I can't do by myself...something that I need His help on. And yesterday, out of the blue while spending time with my wife, He put a thought in my head that was so "on point" but so difficult from a human standpoint.

2 Corinthians 12:9a - But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."

How about that? I guess God isn't necessarily looking for a "strong" Christian all the time. His best work is done with those who are weaklings in different areas of life. I ain't ashamed to admit that I have a few weak areas...we all do; don't you dare deny it! LOL

But it's all the more opportunity for God to use us and get the glory. Remember that.

Keep in Step

2010-10-21T08:18:00.002-04:00

Galatians 5:25 - Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

The Lord just prompted me to think of it as choreography. Let's be sure to watch the move of the Spirit more closely so that we can be better used by Him. Otherwise, what is life but a series of awkward, unbalanced movements?

Same Action + Expecting Different Result = NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

2010-10-20T07:38:00.002-04:00

I long to experience the manifested presence of God on a regular basis. Matter of fact, that's where my mind was this morning when I sat down to have devotion. But if I'm expecting to experience Him by having lazy devotions, it ain't gon' happen!

Moses started out by the burning bush, but God was ALWAYS with Him from then on. And part of the reason why was because He was in God's face...constantly seeking Him when he was unsure about something; sure, he even frustrated God a few times because he kept saying, "God I'm incapable of this and that...". But at the end of the day, he communicated with God constantly, so he constantly got a response.

Are your 'phone lines' open for a response? Maybe you haven't called Him enough yet...

2010-09-30T15:57:00.000-04:00

You Have It for a Reason...Work It!

2010-09-14T21:56:00.003-04:00

Last year in July, I responded to an inner drive to play the keyboard that I had kept inside for many years...in the process, I discovered that I had an anointing on that instrument...I don't say that out of pride; I say it very, VERY carefully and based on both the Word, and on what other men/women of God would tell me without me having to ask them...

But my gift on the keyboard did not come by magic...I had to discover it. That desire all along, over all those years, had been put in me because it was something the Lord had called me to do, even when I couldn't technically do it!

So does that mean that now, since I've discovered one of my gifts, I can sit on my glutes during the week until Sunday, and then just 'let the Spirit flow'? NO!
My experience has been MUCH like Matthew 25:14-30.

What do you think? With whatever gift you have...do you think it's necessary to 'exercise' and seek to better that gift or not?

Contest Coming Very Soon

2010-08-30T07:07:00.002-04:00

Rappers (or wannabe rappers/rhymers), and singers (or wannabe singers...uh oh); stay tuned for an upcoming S.J.Mak Music contest. Not quite an American Idol-esque thing, but there is a prize!

Coming Soon...

Shaine

What's Your Interpretation?

2010-08-21T13:35:00.003-04:00

Hahahahaha!

Have a great day!

In Pursuit of Healing - Day 5

2010-08-20T06:20:00.003-04:00

The enemy has still been trying to attack me with fear. I noticed blood for the first time coming from my nail bed yesterday (day 5) and couldn't understand because I've felt no pain...well, unless I really press on the nail. I set up an appointment with the doctor for this upcoming Wednesday which was pretty much the soonest I could make it.

All kinds of thoughts have been threatening to plague my head; BUT I TRUST GOD. He heals and makes whole...so I'm gonna keep 'touching the hem of the Savior's garment' with my faith, because the fact of the matter is, I'm already healed! In Jesus' Name.

In Pursuit of Healing - Day 4

2010-08-19T06:51:00.003-04:00

WHEW...what a day, Lord. I was speaking the Word in boldness and all...and then the enemy started suggesting things (you know, he loves suggesting things to throw our minds out of whack).

"What if your injury is infected?"
"What if an infection spread throughout your body?"
"You know you don't like going to the doctor, Shaine"
"Needle injections, incisions, surgical tools, whooooooooo..."

There were times when I almost lost it with fear, just because of some satanic suggestion; when in fact I had been totally fine earlier! I spoke my faith confession at least 6 times today, and took care of my injured toe.

The morning of Day 5...it looks and feels better! Get back, satan! Glory to God
!

In Pursuit of Healing - Day 3

2010-08-17T21:22:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I've been praying that confession for a few days now...my toe is hurting very little today. Praise God! A small issue, but I would rather begin by believing God for even the smallest of issues instead of waiting for a big one, lol...It is absolutely wonderful to know that healing can be as accessible as salvation is.

Next candidates for Word confessions: Being Full of the Spirit Constantly, Success in Ministry, Trusting in God's Provision....but as for this healing thing, I'm gonna keep speaking this Word over my life until it even causes manifestation in things that I had forgotten about or lost hope about...ya know? It can't hurt!

In Pursuit of Healing - Day 2

2010-08-17T06:08:00.003-04:00

Since I got a revelation on healing the other day, I have been speaking His Word over my body, looking for results.

What revelation?

The revelation that, because we walk by faith, every promise that we obtain from God is to be obtained by faith. How did you get saved? By faith. You confessed with your mouth according to scripture, and believed in your heart. So that's the same way I'm approaching bodily healing.

I recorded a cd of myself speaking the Word as it relates to healing so that I could play it and confess it over and over again. Yesterday I used the CD four times. Today, the toe that the small toolbox fell on is feeling about 65% better and is no longer bruised...glory to God!

Well, we're gonna keep believing God for my total body healing! Today is Day 3.

It's In Your Mouth...Healing

2010-08-15T07:44:00.003-04:00

Okay Shaine...what in the world are you talking about?
I'll tell you what I'm talking about!

I am what you would call, very 'careful'. I try to be informed about something fully and completely before I pursue it, out of fear of being wrong. The whole "speaking the Word of God" thing made sense a little bit over the past few years, but at times it almost sounded a lot like that "Name it, Claim it" stuff that we all used to do that's not right, lol! Speaking the Word of God is speaking out loud the scriptures in relation to a promise of God in order to obtain that promise.

Well here's the revelation: how did you get saved? You confessed with your mouth, and believed with your heart, right? You told God...I know that I'm a sinner, and I accept the fact that Jesus died for my sins...thank You for saving me. And by faith, you believed you were saved...and you likely didn't feel "chills" or "goosebumps".

Well...as much of a promise from God as salvation is, He has promised us so many other things in this life, that we must receive by FAITH. Remember..."The just shall live by faith. So, if you're believing for healing...look up scriptures based on His promises to heal us, speak them out loud, and believe that you're already healed...even in the midst of your symptoms. That's what I'm gonna do!

Real stuff.

Dream Studios & Media (Warner Robins, Ga.)

2010-08-15T07:34:00.002-04:00

I was privileged to remaster one of my old tracks at Dream Studios & Media, a newly established Christian recording studio based in Warner Robins. It is the 'real deal', man. I thought I was already a mini-expert on Pro Tools having obtained the M-Powered version several months ago. Thank God for a knowledgeable studio engineer, Dahl Moss! He and his wife are humble and real, and I appreciate what God is doing through them.

Any nearby Christian artists should support them...they actually have a special going on as well; a 3 hr. block of studio time is $125...wowwwww.

Blessings to Dahl and Val Moss and may their studio be used for both ministry and recording at an increasingly awesome level!

Real Stuff

2010-08-12T06:03:00.004-04:00

ANY opportunity to use your gift for God is a blessing and an opportunity for worship. And worship involves a heart of repentance and humility; may we never forget where our anointings, talents, etc., come from.

Forsake Not the Fellowship Together with the Brotheren (and don't forget my Sisteren, thanks Veronica)

2010-08-08T18:07:00.002-04:00

Church was good today...I praise God for the gift He gave me to play piano...NO LESSONS, just anointing from Him that He enabled me to have access to, through faith and WORKS. I'm still expecting a deeper manifestation of God's Presence as I continue to serve Him, and I know it'll happen ;)

God is doing so MUCH right now! Pray!