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=DG

Daily Purity Psalms 48:3 'A Good Rep...'

Psalms 48:3 "...God is known in her palaces for a refuge."

Greetings World,
I pray everybody is doing well, and in the favor of the Lord. Im greatly pleased today and living with anticipation of my much needed vacation next week. I have been looking foward to this time of rest and relaxation for months now, and if the Lord says the same, sunday morn, I will be headed south for a little over a week. Will you pray for me as I go? That the hand of the enemy be put down and the God's protection be over me and my family as we depart? Thank You, and I appreciate it.

God has been leading me in the book of Psalms lately. He showed me this particular scripture this morning and it captured my attention.
While reading the first few verses of chapter 48 you will see that the writer speaks of the Greatness of God. Ok, well we already know God is a Great God. As a matter of fact we know that God is Great, Almighty, Wonderful, Awesome and Powerful. What makes this scripture unique is that the writer is speaking of the Greatness of God, within a certain city. The scriptrue refers it to Mt. Zion, also known as Jerusalem, the Holy City of the Jews. The writer throughout this chapter speaks of the greatness of God in the city of Jerusalem. He was praised and honored and thought of highly. He was exhalted and lifted up. You could say God had a...good reputation in that city.
Why is a reputation so important? Its importance is not based on what you think, but what others see you as.
While in NJROTC back in high school, our company participated in plenty of drill meets in and around the county. High school kids from all over Maryland would ascend into one school from morning to evening, performing the drill steps that were rehearsed day in and day out. It was rarely any fun, but very interesting.
Out of all the schools that participated in these drill meets there was one school who exceeded in everything. Milford Mill Academy Marine Corps JROTC. They always won first place in every competition during the meet. Armed, Unarmed, Exhibition, Squad, Platoon, Color Guard. You name it, they conquored it. They were great. I guess you could say that they had a good reputation in our county. We always knew they were going to win. Its not that we didn't try, it was just that they were better then us.
Well, they had all the respect in the county. But their reputation wasn't just noticed within the county, but their reputation was noticed by others outside out county, and they literally reached national status as one of the best schools in the nation. So good, that soon kids were being registered into the school at early ages just to get into the program. People knew about them well before they even seen them. Their reputation was just that great.

Well, thats just it. God's reputation went out before Him into other cities. Besides Jerusalem, others heard of the Greatness of God, and heard of the almighty power of God and came to love God because of His reputation.

Vs. 3 says that He was known in her (Jerusalem) city as a refuge. God was known to be a deliverer, a defender a savior to the city. That was his reputation. That's what He was known for and many would soon come to Christ because they were looking for refuge themselves. So they went to that city to find refuge. Just like parents of young middle school kids would register their child up in the program, they registered them because of the programs reputation to help a child become polite and disciplinded. Many come to Christ, because of the reputation that He has in the life of others who proclaim it. Its our job to let the world know what God has done in our lives so that we may draw others to Christ.

What will His reputation be in your life? What will God be known for in your life on this earth? A Deliverer? A Mighty Hand? A Healer? Whatever it may be, make it known to the world! The latter part of Vs. 13 says "...that ye may tell it to the generation following." Psalms 45:17 "I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever." Let the world know about Jesus!

My Big Bro ASJ says "Tell The World...Tell the Nation...That only what you do for Christ will last!"

Tell everybody about Jesus, and what He is in your life. Let His reputation be as it was in Jerusalem! A refuge... A Great God!

Closing Prayer
Father, we come to you today asking for your forgiveness for any unrighteousness that may be within us. Cleanse us God and purify us for your use. Lord, give us a boldness to proclaim your great name within our lives. As the people of the city of Jerusalem, help us to lift up your name and declare to all Your greatness, Your power and Your awesomeness. For You are our refuge, in the time of trouble. Your word says that You are very present help! Thank You! We will forever give You glory and forever lift You up. Help us to cry aloud to all generations Your greatness, and we will be so careful to give your name the priase and honor.
For we were once blind, but You gave us sight, we were lost but You found us, and we did walk in death but now we walk in life...and we thank You!
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen!

Remember Jesus Loves you, and So do I!
God Bless

=DG

Daily Purity Psalms 44:5-8 'Not My Might...' "CHRISTIANNNNNNN!!!"

Psalms 44: 5-8 "...Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and has put them to shame that hated us. In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah"

Greetings World,
In my devotions the other day, God showed me this and it helped me so much. I have a story that God gave me, that I pray will help explain this scripture a little more.

So, theres a young man, named Guy, who had gotten in some mischeif and found himself in the back of the school by the monkey bars, starring down the biggest 8th grader he had ever seen. His name was Lucern Johnson; better known by students and faculty as Lucifer! Now, Lucifer was known for a number of things. Being the oldest 8th grader in middle school history, being the only 8th grader old enough to drive, and his specialty, making lunchmeat out of little runts like Guy. Guy was a little 6th grader who was small, wore bi-focal glasses and wore pro keds! Guy had a little sister named Naomi and a big brother named Christian! Christian was very protective over his little siblings, and was always there whenever they called him.
No more background info, back to the scene. It was 3:11 pm. Guy was supposed to meet his little sister and big brother at the meeting place so they could walk home together, but the roaring of the crowd and the pressure from peers made Guy find himself in a place of distress; a place where he was uncomfortable; a place where Guy clearly needed help. Now Guy was no match for this Lucifer fellow, as a matter of fact, even if Guy went on a 12 Month - 21 Day work out Plan with Billy Banks, he still wouldnt be a match for this 8th grade bully.
What was a guy to do? What could he do for himself?
Nothing.
Thats just the point. There was nothing that Guy could do for himself that would help him defeat this enemy that was present before him.
"You ready for this, you lil' runt?" scorns Lucifer.
Sweat beginning to drop from the brow of Guy, he looked around and saw something in the distance. Guy smiled.
"No, but I know someone who is." replied Guy.
So, why was Guy so all of a sudden confident. What made him so, happy?
Well, the usual meeting spot for Guy and his siblings was in the back of the school, by the monkey bars. So since it was a little past 3 pm, he knew that anytime now his lil sister Naomi would be showing up, but more importantly his bigger, stronger brother Christian would be coming also. As a matter of fact, there they came. Guy stared smiling because he knew his help was near. He saw his brother and little sister walking toward the monkey bars, towards the confusion.
"Well here it comes pal!" Lucifer said, as he walked toward his prey.
There was nothing else that could be done. Guy's face was about to be a punching bag for Lucifer and the concrete was about to become the cutting board! Christian could not see what was going on, but all he heard was the crowd getting louder. Screaming with anticipation. Lucifer grabbed Guy by the buttons on his burgundy polo, picked him up, cocked his fist back and...
"CHRISTIANNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!! **breath** CHRISTIANNNNNNNN!!!!"
Guy screamed Christian's name. As loud as he could. Lucifer squinted his face and said "What did you just say?"
Instead of calmly telling Lucifer what he had said, Guy repeated it loud enough for all of the school grounds to hear. Guy cried out,
"CHRISTIANNNNNNNN!!!! HELPPPPPP MEEEEEEE!!!!!!! HE IS ABOUT TO BEAT MY FACE INNNNNNN!!!!!!"
Christian heard this, immediately picked up Naomi and hustled toward the frantic crowd.
Lucifer immediately dropped Guy and said "How do you know Christian?"
Lucifer seemed uneasy and a little friegthend at the moment.
"Thats my big brother." Guy said a little relieved yet with a stammering tounge.
"Whats it to you?" Guy asked.
Thing is, Christian and Lucifer were the same age, and Christian was Lucifer's worse enemy when it came to street football. Lucifer never got a pass off, when he played quaterback, because that huge linebacker of a 9th grader, Christian, would never let it come to pass. Christian was lucifers worse nightmare.
Christian, at this time, comes through the crowd, never letting Naomi down from his back, and rubs Guy's head. Consoleing him and calming him down.
"What happened...whats going on?" Christian says.
"Well he was about to..." Guy pointed to the place where Lucifer once stood, but puzzlingly so, stood no more.
You see when Lucifer saw Christian come through the crowd, he immediately knew that Guy was now off limits and he took off running. Because as Guy was no match for Lucifer, Lucifer was no match for Christian.
Guy was amazed at how Christian didn't even have to raise a hand, and Guy's oppression was relieved. All he had to do was cry out to his big brother. From that day on he was forever changed and forever confident.
Guy had no weapons, he was not big, no karate skills, nor skills of levitation; But from now on that runty kid named Guy boasted in his secret weapon. The name of his big brother; Chrisitan.

Sounds familiar? Well it is. The writer of this psalms lets us know that we should not trust in our own ability, gifts or strengths (vs6), yet we should trust simply in the name of the Lord God. The name of the Lord is strong enough to break down and trample over any oppressing thing.
Psalms 43:2 says "For thou art the God of my strength..."
Our God is a God of strength.
Remember in our weakest time, thats when His strength is made perfect.

We also thank God that he won't put someone down just to help you. Our God is Omni-present. Everywhere at the same time. What I like about what God gave me in the story is that when Christian heard the voice of his brother crying out to him, he picked up Naomi and ran toward him. Once he got to Naomi, the story says that Naomi, remained on Christians back. Wow! God will not leave you alone to help others, but He will be there for all of us. Praise God.

Lets remember guys that we are not to rely on our own swords or weapons, but simply on the name of the Lord. Then also...boast about it!
Boasting the name of the Lord God is probably the best thing you could ever boast in. Not your ability to play (muscians) or you ability to preach (preachers) nor is it your ability to put things together (administrators) rather we boast in that the name of the Lord is great. We boast in God Himself. None other.

Closing Prayer:
Father, we first come to you to ask of your forgiveness. Cleanse us and purify our souls for your use and take away all unrighteousness withing us. God we ask you to help us not to trust in the mere gifts that you give us. Help us not to rely on the strength that we have, nor the confidence that pride builds up. But help us to rely solely on your name, oh God. Help us to become totally dependent upon your name. Father give us the peace and joy in knowing that we are protected, not by the army or marines, not by security systems, not the government, nor by carnal weapons, yet we are protected simply by the blood of the lamb and we defeat the enemy with your name on our lips. We will proclaim the Name of the Lord all our days.
We love you Lord, and we thank you.
We once were blind, you gave us sight, we once were lost, but you found us, and we did walk in death, but now life....and we thank you!
In Jesus' name we do pray...
Amen!

Remember God Luvs you!
God Bless

=DG

Daily Purity Psalms 43:5 'Hope in God'

Psalms43:5 "...Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet priase him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God"

Good Morning World,

This verse of scriptrue encouraged me as i prayed and had my devotions this morning.
Often times as humans, we get discouraged. We oft time become weary and broken. The cares of life seemingly has us in a bind that is often unbreakable. There's a song writer who put it like this...
...my faith has taken a holiday, and strength is almost passed away...

But the author of this specific Psalm admonishes us to 'hope in God'
The greatest factor in this life of a christian is their hope.
A not a fading hope, but a hope that endures.

Natalie Grant says it like this..."Our Hope Endures, the worse of conditions...its more then our optimisim...let the earth quake...Our hope is unchanged!"

Today pray that God gives you and unchaging hope. A hope like the prophet Habakkuk. In reading the story about the prophet you will read the account of a man whose main vision was to warn the people of his country of the wrath of God. They didn't listen, instead they rebelled and were then to be destroyed by a pagan nation that God appointed. Habakkuk suffered pain, persecution, death all around him. Nothing to hope in...but through the midst of it all, Habakkuk had this to say...

Habakkuk 3:18-19 "...Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."

Closing Prayer:
Father, we come to you first of all asking for forgivenss for any unrighteousness within us. We pray father that you would forgive us for losing hope...for losing faith...for losing our complete trust in you. Give us a resolve to trust you with our entire heart, mind and soul. For you are the God of our Salvation. We put our trust in you and only you. God, we will forever have our hope in you!
For we love you and we give you all the glory, the honor and praise.
For we were once lost, but you found us...we were once blind, but you gave us sight...and we did walk in death, but now in life...and we thank you!
In Jesus' name we pray...
Amen!

Remember, Jesus Loves you and thats the greatest Love of all...

=DG, hopeinGod...

Psalms 44:5
Habakkuk 1-3

Hey all...just wanted to check this mobile thing...!

=DG

My Official First Blog...

Well,

This is a first for me! I have been apart of plenty of social media websites. You know, the usual...facebook, myspace, xango and all that jazz! Plenty of emails and even had a website at one time. But never had a blog. this feels good though. This gives me a chance to be, well...=DG! =DG, is simply my name Devin Gray. Well let me just tell you a little about me.

My name is Devin, last name Gray (as if you didn't know that by now)

Im from Baltimore, Maryland. Born and raised. "...on the playground is where I spent most of my days..."

Im in a beautiful relationship with a beautiful young woman. Her name is Ashley! I love her sooooo!!!!! (Ahhhhh, love...) She is most definately the most beautiful woman in my life, and I look to definately spend the rest of my life with her (if it be the Lord's Will) .

Truthfully many people spend their whole lives searching for that special someone to make their lives worth living. I have been blessed to find my rib early. July 8, 2007 our anniversary date of our first date to the Olive Garden in Columbia, MD. What a day. We both were nervous and shy toward each other. I wasn't much of a talker but it worked out! And after about 2 years of love and getting on each others nerves we are still together. Im in love and were doing well. I cant wait to be caller her husband. Selah!

Anywho...I also am in Love with Music! There is no need to explain and write too much about it! I just do. I am an 'ok' pianist and producer.

Ummmmm....oh yeah, Im the worship leader for a ministry based out of Maryland named Set Apart...we are a Christian Music Ministry whose main goal is to 'restore integrity back into Priase and Worship! Whoooooo!!!!! We have been playing since Winter 2004!!!! We have shared the stage with such greats as Jonathan Nelson, Isiah Thomas, Jessica Greene, Kevin LeVar, John P. Kee and More! God has blessed us to be in great company and we are looking to take our gift partnered with the anointing that God has given us everywhere our feet will take us.

You should follow them on Twitter...they are pretty cool people!!!! lol twitter.com/setapart4lyfe

Anywho, I attend church in Baltimore city, MD...Actually going to start looking for another church home soon. Nothing bad, but I just want a different view then what I have been accustomed to seeing my whole life. A different view...dnt get my wrong its either God is still the only way! Holiness or nothing...that will forever be my motto. But God is showing me that where my heart is there will i prosper the most. Selah...I guess thats for me to get, but...yeah!

I have a momma, a pop and lil sis (who aint really little)!

I like dogs, but I dont want one!

I like cats, but I dont want one!

I like football, but Im too fragile now to play for real!

I like to laugh and have fun! I am an easy loving guy...I like to have a good time! Friends and family, cnt get better then that!

Ok, so im about done, thats all you need to know...lol!

hit me up and ask about me if you wanna know more...doesn't mean ima tell you , but its nice to ask! lol

Last but certainly not least...I LOVE JESUS!!!! Im living my life poured out and submitted to Christ, and living is not an option for those who love God! Its a promise...come follow my blogs and find out more about Christ, because everything i write here will be based off of Scripture and not what I think!

Jesus loves you...and its such a great life, knowing that He does...I pray there is a witness to this out there!

God Bless you all...andknow that Jesus loves you and so do I...

=DG