BRANDON J. SUTTON
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Overcoming Fear

4/26/2019

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“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” - Psalm 56:3
 
My father died at the age of 37. I was two (the same age my daughter is today). Until this point, I have lived my life afraid of dying prematurely/unfulfilled. When I was younger I was in a hurry, chasing earthly possessions, college degrees and jobs that I thought would fulfill me. I was determined to live a full life by the time I turned 37. I let fear and anxiety determine my thoughts, words and actions. As an older-ish man (I’m 33) I’ve grown to understand that the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time, disappointments, triumphs, lost, gains and chance happen to us all.
 
When you live in fear what you’re really doing is living in doubt of God. Fear is a tool the enemy uses to steal your peace, kill your dreams and destroy your potential. For me, overcoming fear has meant letting go, trusting God and embracing myself. If you give your fears to God He will make you whole, He will set you free and if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!
 
Letting Go: It would be irresponsible for me or anyone else to tell you how to grieve because we didn’t lose what you lost. What I can say is holding onto painful past experiences hinders your future. Fear requires us to stay in painful places. To let the heart attack that killed my father rob me from enjoying the life God has given me today would be tragic. I’m not saying forget, I think of my father daily but to overcome fear we must let go of past hurts and the burden of trying to understand why and instead let God’s will manifest itself in our lives. 
 
Trusting God: What if your situation doesn’t improve? What if you don’t get the job? What if you’re not healed? What if the relationship fails? Are you willing to trust God even if what you prayed and asked God for doesn’t happen? Overcoming fear means understanding that God orders our steps, but it is up to us to take the first step of faith. Yes, sometimes God takes us through things we may not fully understand but remember God ways are not our ways and what He has for us is immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
 
Embrace Yourself: There has never been anyone like you and there will never be another you. Therefore, embrace yourself and all that God has made you. It took me a while to comprehend this especially with social media encouraging us to be like everyone else, but your physique, weird quirks and smile are uniquely you! Fear teaches us to care more about what people think about us rather than what God says about us. God says you were fearfully and wonderfully made in His image, you are more than a conqueror and you are highly favored. Do not worry about what anyone else may say or think about you and instead live with a heart that seeks praise from God, not man.
 
Do not fear, do not worry and do not doubt for God is with you and if God is with you He’s more than the world against you. So, live your life in expectancy of his goodness and grace and watch Him show up in your life in astounding ways.
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Brand-New

4/19/2019

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​“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” – Romans 8:11 
 
If you had an old jacket that was dirty, torn and undersized and received a new jacket that was clean, protective and comfortable which one would you wear? This may seem like an imprudent and obvious question to ask, but many of us choose to cover ourselves in the old (familiar ways of thinking, speaking and acting) instead of embracing the new. Once we accepted Christ as our savior we became a new creation – the old has passed away and a new life has come!
 
The transition from old to new can be a difficult one, but it’s a necessary journey all believers must endure in-order to receive the abundant life Christ promised us. To live for Christ means we must die to this world and just as Jesus was pressed, crucified and resurrected so are we.
 
The Pressing: Before the crucifixion, Jesus took his disciples to Gethsemane (place of pressing). He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Yet, as he sweat drops of blood and prayed to God to take his burdens away his disciples slept. In this life, you are going to go through some trials and tribulations alone and may even ask God to take them away, but remember His grace is sufficient for you and His power is made perfect in your weakness. Embracing the new means trusting God and his ways even when they lead you to your cross (suffering).
 
The Crucifixion: As Christ was dying on the cross he declared, “it is finished”. With those three words, all our sins were forgiven. Whatever it is you’re struggling with know that Christ has already defeated it. Fear, worry, doubt, lust, anger, jealousy, sickness, disease and death have no power over you. Embrace the new, confident, loved and favored version of yourself that Christ sacrificed himself for.
 
The Resurrection: Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Live and embrace your new life in Christ. When Christ rose, he left the grave (dead things) behind. What are the dead things in your life that you need to leave behind? Leave that tired relationship behind, leave those petty people behind, leave the condemnation, negativity and apprehension behind. You are forgiven, you are loved and a brand-new person in Christ Jesus. Live by Faith, trusting and believing that the same God who gave His only begotten Son for your life will surely take care of you.
 
Christ said that, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Resurrection is not an event it is Jesus and when He got up you got up too! Embrace your new life in Christ, forgetting what is behind and looking forward to what lies ahead.
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Freaky Friday

4/8/2019

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“I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” – Romans 7:15
 
In the popular movie Freaky Friday, a mother and daughter switch bodies and must live out each other lives. Essentially becoming two persons in one body, the person you see on the outside and a completely different person within. The same could be said of us as Christians, sometimes we live in our righteousness doing and saying the things God has put in our hearts while other times we do and say things we know are wrong.
 
Everyone falls short spiritually, but the enemy wants you to feel condemned over the failed relationship, over the addiction or because you lied, stole, cursed and cheated. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You are not condemned, you are loved, you are blessed, and you are still in the will of God. The Bible is full of men and women who lived less than stellar lives but were still used by God and is remembered for their faithfulness. The same is true for you.
 
Saul vs. Paul: Before his conversion, Saul killed and persecuted Christians and tried to destroy the early church. After having an experience with Jesus, Saul who was also called Paul would go on to become a disciple of Christ and write most of the New Testament.
 
Jacob vs. Israel: Jacob, whose name means “he cheats” was a trickster who swindled his brother out of his inheritance. The Lord would not let Jacob’s past define him. After wresting with God, He forgave and no longer held Jacob’s sins against him. The Lord renamed Jacob Israel, which means “El (God) fights.” 
 
Peter vs. Peter: Peter was, to use a famous African American idiom, Jesus’s ride or die partner. Peter cut off the ear of a servant trying to arrest Jesus, walked on water to reach Jesus but he also denied Jesus three times. Jesus referred to him as Satan but would also say of Peter “upon this rock I will build My church”.
 
Noah vs. Noah: Noah was faithful and obedient to God’s commands but also drank until he got drunk.
 
Rahab vs. Rahab: Rahab was a “harlot” but because of her faith she became an ancestress in the royal line from which Jesus came.
 
Moses vs. Moses: Moses killed a man but he also led God’s people out of Egypt.
 
David vs. David: David slayed Goliath, wrote half the book of Psalms and became Israel’s greatest King but he also committed adultery and had Uriah killed so he could take his wife.
 
You vs. You: You are/did __________, ___________ and ___________ but you are also loved, destined and cherished by God. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.
 
If you are honest with yourself then you know there is a gap in your life. A gap between who you are and who you were meant to be. Luckily, God has afforded us the opportunity to bridge that gap through Christ Jesus. By developing a meaningful relationship with the Lord, you have the opportunity to live your destiny in the gaps of life.

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Rope-a-Dope

4/5/2019

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“The LORD himself will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still."
 – Exodus 14:14
GNT
 
Boxing is known as “The Sweet Science” because of the various strategies and techniques successful boxers use during a match. One of the most famous boxing strategies is the “rope-a-dope”. This strategy requires one fighter to cover up and lean back against the ropes to allow their opponent to become exhausted by throwing punches so that the opponent cannot defend effectively late in the fight and is thus defeated.
 
During this time of uncertainty, injustice, division, sickness, disease and death it may feel like you are just one gut punch away from giving up. Remember, the fight comes before the victory. If you want to be victorious, you are going to have to show up to the fight. If you can withstand the barrage of punches the enemy will throw at you and not grow weary in well-doing, at just the right time you will see a victory (Galatians 6:9).
 
Like a skilled boxer, there are spiritual techniques we can deploy to help us become successful in our fight against the enemy.
 
Stance/Footwork: When the enemy is throwing punches at you it is imperative for you to plant your feet in God’s word. Remain rooted and built up in Him, strengthened by your faith (Colossians 2:7). Stand firm and believe the things God has declared – things like you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37), that no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17), that no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near you (Psalm 91:10) and that if God is for you, He is more than the world against you (Romans 8:31).
 
Defensive Techniques: A skilled fighter can elude some punches but will eventually get hit. Your opponent will land some blows, but he does not have the power to knock you out. You may lose the loved one, the job, the money, the home, the car or the relationship and you may feel condemned, worthless or depressed, but you will not lose the fight if you do not throw in the towel. Become skilled at eluding the punches of the enemy – bobbing and weaving when the enemy throws his best punches. When you get hit, when he does knock you down – get right back up and stay in the fight.

Offensive Techniques: You are in a fight and a fight requires you to punch back. As Christians, we punch with praise; praising God for who He is and thanksgiving; thanking God for sustaining us. God is in your corner, so do not quit. Your praise and thanksgiving will give you the strength you need to claim victory over the enemy’s attack.

In life, you are going to have to endure some tough blows but take comfort in knowing that God is with you and has rigged the fight in your favor.
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Best Seller

4/2/2019

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“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ – Isaiah 46:10
 
When I was in High School, my dream was to become a screenwriter/director. I have written at least a dozen screenplays and short stories – as the author, I determined the plot, development and fate of all my characters. Simply put, from the very beginning I knew how the story was going to end. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus is author and finisher of our faith. So, do not let the enemy edit the story your heavenly author has written for you.
 
Now, every great story has the same essential elements – plot, character development, conflict and resolution. The same is true for the story God has written for you.
 
Plot: The plot is thought of as the sequence of events in your narrative. We find ourselves out of alignment with God when we try to create our own plot, rush the story and make our own conclusions. God knows the sequence of events in your life. He knows about the loved one you lost prematurely, the layoff, the sickness, the disappointments and setbacks. Do not try to skip the pages of life in order to reach the conclusion of your story prematurely – for in those pages, God reveals his blessings, love and purpose for your life.
 
Character Development: Every good story has great characters. Characters are developed by the trials and obstacles they face. As the protagonist of your own story you are going to have to overcome various obstacles to get to your destination. James 1:2-3 reminds us that when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So, do not run from the trials of life, instead look at it as an opportunity to turn the page and grow in your faith.
 
Conflict: Conflict motivates characters, affects the plot, and ultimately dictates the theme of a narrative.  How do you deal with the conflicts of life? The conflict is there not to kill you, but instead it is there to motivate you and to move your story forward. So, do not give up on yourself because you’re not on the page of life you want to be on – after you have suffered a little while, God will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will establish you.  
 
Resolution: Before God formed us in the womb He knew us, before we were born He set us apart; He appointed us. God has always known how your story ends. He is not making it up as He goes along - He knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you plans to give you life and strength. So, do not doubt or lose sleep worrying about the conclusion of your story because spoiler alert, you win in the end.
 
Your life is a heavenly best seller – so sit back, relax and take joy in the amazing things God has written for you. 

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    New blog posted every month.

    ​The views expressed in this blog are my own and does not represent the views of any organization.

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