BRANDON J. SUTTON
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The Bill is Due

2/27/2019

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Just three weeks ago; Trump, like all of his predecessors declared that the state of our union is strong and he is right – for big businesses, the rich and well connected the state of our union has never been better, but for working class Americans one paycheck away from financial calamity, those concerned about climate change, the uninsured, minorities, thousands of kids separated at the border from their families and thousands of American citizens killed in Puerto Rico the state of our union is in peril. 

  • • According to a report from the Federal Reserve Board four in ten Americans can’t cover an unexpected $400 expense. Simultaneously, the Republican tax plan has provided the rich with millions in tax relief while millions of working-class Americans have seen a rise in their tax bill as the National Debt increases (Trump has added 2 Trillion to the debt since becoming President).
  • • Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement (International Climate Change Agreement) at a time when scientist say that humans are responsible for global climate change – as sea level rise, storms become more intense and wild fires rage the cost to tomorrow’s generation of Americans will be hundreds of billions of dollars.
  • • Republican’s efforts to sabotage The Affordable Care Act over the last two years has caused the number of Americans without health insurance to increase by four million.
  • • According to the Southern Poverty Law Center there has been a 30 percent increase in hate groups which coincides with Trump’s campaign and presidency. The rise in hate groups has no doubt contributed to the rise in hate crimes. Last year; The Federal Bureau of Investigations, recorded a 17 percent increase in hate crimes.  
  • • The Trump Administration has created a humanitarian disaster at the Southern Border by separating thousands of children from their parents. The Administration has stated that it’s not “in the realm of the possible” to unite all those children with their parents.
  • • Nearly three thousand Americans were killed during Hurricane Maria and the response from the Trump Administration has been to propose cutting aid to Puerto Rico. 

Donald Trump’s long-term “fixer” Michael Cohen confirmed in his House testimony what many of us already knew – that Trump is a “conman”, “racist” and “cheat”. While Trump may one day have to face the consequences of his illicit actions - for millions of other Americans the bill from his disastrous presidency has already come due.
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In His Arms

2/25/2019

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"The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” – Deuteronomy 33:27

Nearly every night my daughter falls asleep in my arms. In my arms she feels safe, comfortable and at peace. The only issue is she is a wild sleeper, but no matter how wild she sleeps I keep her in my arms. The same is true about God in our lives. Despite our sins, shortcomings and wild inclinations He keeps us in His arms. Scripture tells us that God is our refuge and fortress, a place of rest when we are feeling weary. So, no matter your situation or circumstances; if you’re feeling tired, weary and like giving up in your current struggle be still and find rest in the Almighty for He has you in His everlasting arms. Amen! 

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Let Them Talk

2/19/2019

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“Don't have an opinion where you don't have a responsibility.” – Joyce Meyer

We are all guilty of gossiping or being critical of other people. Jealously and unhappiness about our own lives often lead us to be judgmental towards others. In that same manner, while you are in the midst of a storm you’ll often find people speaking negatively about you - not just strangers, but family and alleged friends. Folks are always going to have an opinion where they don’t have a responsibility, but that’s okay because when God says He’s making a table for you in the presence of your enemies what He’s saying is everyone who meant evil, doubted and spoke negatively towards you will now have to sit and watch as God blesses you. So, let them talk about that. Amen!

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Greater is Coming

2/15/2019

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“…weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5 

Pastor Marvin Winans once said, “My present faith is based on past experiences.” In my life I’ve known God as a protector, provider, savior and Father. In your life you may know Him as a way maker, deliverer, healer and comforter. The same God that was there for you before will be there for you now. What God has in front of you is always better than any hurt or lost that is behind you. Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning - So let me be the first to tell you, Good Morning! Amen!

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Feelings

2/14/2019

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“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
– Proverbs 28:26 ESV
 
When someone asks, “How are you feeling?”, do you find yourself masking your hurt and pain by responding, “I feel fine”, knowing that internally you feel like you are drowning in grief, uncertainty and remorse?
 
Throughout the course of our lives, we all experience many different types of feelings. Sometimes we express feelings of happiness, love and gratitude while other times we allow ourselves to be overtaken by feelings of depression, loneliness, anger, desire, sorrow and fear. Having feelings is natural, but when we begin to act out of our emotions instead of our spiritually, we find ourselves in distress. 
 
How Are You Feeling?
 
“A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” - Proverbs 29:11 NKJV
 
So, how are you feeling? Feelings are dangerous because they are fleeting. How you are feeling at this moment may change in a second, minute, hour or day. When we act out of our emotions, we say things we do not mean, do things we later regret and sometimes harm ourselves and others.
 
If you are a passionate person like me, gaining control of your emotions can feel like a monumental task at times. Remember that your feelings may come and go, but God’s word will stand forever (1 Peter 1:25). So, when you are feeling down, remember Psalm 9:9, “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” When you are feeling anxious, remember 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” When you feel like “popping off”, remember James 1:20, “Human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose.”
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By planting yourself in God’s word, you will be able to overcome your feelings and live in God’s truth. Then, when people ask, “How are you feeling?”, you will be able to answer truthfully and confidently that you are indeed loved, blessed and favored by God.
 
Regardless of your circumstances, feelings and mistakes - God still loves you, wants a relationship with you and will provide for you. So, praise God even when you do not feel like it.
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Manipulation

2/13/2019

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11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11

I’ve often tried to manipulate my relationship with God. Praying and declaring things out of alignment with His purpose. I tried bending God’s will to my way. When you try it your way - God will still bless you, but He will continuously push you into alignment to what He has planned for you. That means being uncomfortable, taking some losses and trusting God through the pain. But the Glory that awaits on the other side of your hurt/disappointment is greater than anything you can imagine. Seek God, trust his methods and timing. God’s purpose is greater than your plans.

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Pieces

2/12/2019

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  - Galatians 5:22
 
I forgot how challenging assembling a puzzle can be until working on one with my wife and daughter. The puzzle required a lot of work – figuring out which pieces fit together, and which ones did not. The same is true of our lives. Through our trials and circumstances, God has given us all the pieces (patience, love, strength, intellect, faith, forgiveness, etc.) we need to live a purpose driven life:
 
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully (Romans 12:6-8).
 
Therefore, it becomes our responsibility to work towards putting those pieces together. Pursue your God given passion no matter how you may feel or what your present circumstances may be. Write the book, go back to school, start the business, etc. Do not give up on yourself. If God has given it to you, then He will use those gifts that are within you for His glory.
 
Commit yourself to working towards putting the pieces God has bestowed upon you together and watch Him do immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within you (Ephesians 3:20). 

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As You Wait

2/11/2019

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“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14
 
One of the hardest things you will ever have to do as a believer is wait. All of us have things we are waiting on God for. You may be waiting on God right now to make a move in your personal life, relationships, health, career and finances. Sometimes, God speaks a word and works in an instant while other times He requires us to wait. Therefore, waiting on God becomes an exercise in faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
 
As you wait, live your life in expectancy. Expect that God will answer your prayers and restore you in His time. Through the lost, disappointment and uncertainty - praise God, for He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
 
Your breakthrough isn’t going to come when you think or look and feel how you may want it to, but it is coming for your present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in you.

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Encounter with God

2/10/2019

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“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.”
- Galatians 2:20

Since it is Christ who dwells within you and it is in God’s image that you were made - then having a real encounter with God is about coming to terms with yourself - both the good and bad. That means acknowledging your shortcomings, weaknesses and sins but not letting them define you. Accepting who you are and not who you pretend to be.

Trust me, accepting the truth about yourself will not feel good, but remember His power is made perfect through your weakness. God does not see you as you are because to see you is to see your sins, shortcomings and disappointments. Instead, He sees you through the lens of Christ’s blood and His love which covers a multitude of sins. The world may view you one way, but God sees something else, something beautiful, something strong, something fearless, something delivered and something He can call His own.

So, accept the truth about you, align yourself with God’s will for your life and remember you’re already enough! You’re already free!

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Even Though

2/9/2019

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“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26
 
We all have experienced some “even though” moments in our lives. Even though you lost a loved one, even though the relationship ended, even though you were laid-off, even though you’re sick, even though you’re in debt - God is still able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine.
 
Do you believe this? Do you believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He promised? We often declare our faith but live faithless lives. Choosing grief, anxiety and doubt over God’s promises. He promised to fight for you, to never leave you, and to renew your strength. You will not always feel God’s presence, understand His ways or see what He’s doing but deep in your heart you know that every promise of the LORD your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!
 
Even though you’re not where you want to be and even though your life has not turned out as you expected, still place your faith in God. Your situation and circumstances may seem insurmountable, but God is a God of resurrection. He will make all things new in your life. What you’re perceiving as the end, God sees as a new beginning.   
 
Resurrection isn’t confined to Christ and Calvary. The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is within you!
 
Resurrection doesn’t just mean Christ got up - it means you can too! 

 
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