Warning... For 'Christians'!!

This blog might come off a bit harsh and eventually be rejected by some persons but for others it will bring conviction which leads to repentance. I write this blog out of sincere love for my brothers and sisters in Christ and truly hope that you will take heed to the warning. 

I want to be the first to say, I am by far, no means perfect. I am a sinner saved by the grace of the Living God and Savior Jesus Christ. I can only live a pure life because the Holy Spirit lives within me and He gives me the power to overcome all my challenges, help me to not heed to temptations and give me self-control. I know with ALL my heart that you can also do ALL things through Christ who will give you the strength. 

Let me say this boldly.. too many persons who professed to be "Christians" are having SEX outside of marriage and involved in other sexual immoral acts. 

I cannot try to sugar coat it because it is a mere fact.

 And honestly, this is unacceptable in the Kingdom of God!

Honestly, I believe in the Church we fail to discuss these issues as often as we should. We try to pretend that it's not happening, we lie, compromise and deny it or many just don't care because everyone they know are doing it also. 

We grow up hearing 'no sex before marriage' but it has become such a cliche statement in the church and almost a curse word in the world that we no longer take the command of God seriously. The world is so sex-saturated that we can't even sell an umbrella without a half-naked woman being portrayed. The sad part is 'Christians' can no longer be identified because we speak, dress and behave exactly like the world. 

Even though Romans 12:2 states 'Do not conform to the patterns of the world..." and John 17:14 speaks of being in this world but not of it!

Let's be real, you cannot say you are a Christian (child of God/follower of Christ) if you are having sex outside of marriage habitually! 

It doesn't matter how much tongues you speak, how many platforms you sing, dance or preach on, how much Jesus' posts on your social media or even if your dress reaches your ankle; if you are habitually indulging in sexual immoral acts .. You should stop tarnish the name of Jesus Christ by calling yourself a Christian or a Believer. 

Fact is, a Christian is born-again and this means you now have new desires and passions and if you love God as you say, you will obey His commands and want to please Him with your thoughts, actions and words. 

A Christian's evidence is bearing fruit and one aspect of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control. The fact that you cannot put your bodies under subjection means you are being led by the flesh when Romans 8:14 states only those who are led by the Spirit are children of God. 

1 Corinthians 6:9 says   "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to nor perform homosexual acts".

So, why are we pretending to others that we are righteous or claiming to be a believer outwardly but in private you are involved in all forbidden acts by God Himself? 

I confess I was there... I was proclaiming to be a 'Christian' while involved in fornication, masturbation and pornography. I heard I shouldn't have sex before marriages but I followed the world's beliefs and excuses. I believe that I was in love so that's how we should express it. I claimed I did not want any 'puss in a bag'. I was listening to the secular songs which didn't make my situation better because these songs wiled up the sexual desires in me. I believed that God would forgive me because of His grace and mercy. I claimed that sex before marriage was an old law and was impossible to do in this decade. I believe that it just wasn't possible because everyone else was doing it too.

LIES! LIES! LIES! LIES! ALL THESE ARE LIES FROM THE PIT OF HELL!

We have to remember Satan's plan is to steal, kill and destroy our purpose and God's plans for our lives. Everything we are taught in the world is contrary to what God says and it will only continue to separate us from God. 

Until I truly encountered Jesus Christ and decided that I will love Him with ALL my soul, my heart and my might and walk in obedience to His commands at all cost; that's when I realize that I had the power to stop having sex and stay completely pure despite my past sexual experiences. The Holy Spirit gave me the power to choose HOLINESS over PLEASURE! 

I am truly burdened that many persons in the church no longer have the fear or reverence of God. The scriptures say "because I, the LORD, am your God. Set yourselves apart and be holy, because I am holy" (Lev. 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16). The desire to please the world has gotten far greater than the worship of the Holy God. 

People have gotten so blinded by the ripple effects of sexual immoralities in the Kingdom of God; HIV/AIDS, increased fatherless homes, abortion, heartbreaks, soul ties and the many other STDs that you get comfortable in living a lifestyle displeasing to the God we say you worship.

Also, the impact that it has on the sharing of the Gospel and the constant backlash of being called hypocrites as 'Christians' continue to indulge in all the same practices as the unbelievers then try to pretend like they are different. 

STOP... CHECK YOURSELF... OPEN YOUR EYES!! 

Fornication, masturbation, pornography, oral sex, anal sex, fingering, homosexuality, adultery and lust are ALL SINS! These acts are totally forbidden by God and you cannot profess to believe in God and practice these sinful acts. Any sex outside the union of marriage is 'wickedness' according to the Word of God ((Romans 1:24; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19).

God design sex to be beautiful and pleasurably but misuse of His intentions will not be accepted by Him. 

Please I implore you.. stop deceiving yourself.. get help.. repent...seek God and cry out for His help.. Don't buy into the devil's lie that you cannot stop. 

You can do ALL things through CHRIST who will give you the strength!!

Take heed to the warning.. The Kingdom of God is near!! 

God loves you and I love you too!! 

Hope you have a blessed week... 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal  

Watch this video by Paul Washer!

New Season.. New Month.. Embrace Newness!!

Happy April Friends!!

Can’t believe today is the 92^nd day of the year, exactly 274 days left in 2016!

For me, it’s like I’ve barely accomplished anything I had set out to do. I wonder if any of you feels like this?

I had declared 2016 – Year of Expectancy.  I always try to be positive so I was expecting ‘great’ things. To be honest, it hasn’t been as peachy as I hoped BUT I am really grateful for the season I am in. I am learning so much from the tests and as James 1:2-4  say “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” . 

I believe I am truly being refined as pure gold or better as precious as “Crystal” (yea a bit corny but I crack myself up..lol).

I want to share three (3) lessons I’ve learnt since the year began. They might not be new information but I’m certainly being reminded and I pray you will be encouraged and try to apply them to make your year even better than it has started!

1)      I’m not superwoman!

Yea Yea.. I know that to you that might be a ‘duh’ moment but for many of us Alicia Key’s fan we might have started to take the song literally (lol…sorry I’m on a roll aye). I’m miss-busy-body! I believe I should say YES to everyone, I should try to do everything and I must be everywhere. Since 2016, God has truly been teaching me to slow down or I will burn out. I’m learning I can’t be anyone’s savior ..that’s what JESUS is for. He is THE ULTIMATE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!

So I am a ‘super’ woman but I don’t have to be everyone’s superwoman.

2)      Expect the Unexpected

I’m a planner.. That’s what I do.. I try to set goals, keep budgets, make lists, schedule things and journal everything but in this life we have to accept that we basically have control over nothing; especially as a Christian. When we say we surrender ALL.. it truly means that GOD is in control and His plans and timing can differ and we have to simply EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! In three (3) months – I’ve changed church.. sold my car (taking bus).. one of my dads died..lost more friends ..just to name of few of the things that have been happening. It might seem like nothing but when you weren’t expecting these changes then it can truly shake you a bit. But I have to put on my big girl pants and deal with the changes as they come. So I encourage you to do the same!

3)      Do not THINK for people

Yes! It sounds crazy but it’s not! Many times we do this not realizing that’s what we are actually doing. We immediately start thinking how others will respond and start thinking for them and by doing this we are defeating ourselves. We “think” we know the answer even before we ask and that’s too much negativity to deal with. Three specific experiences this year taught me that once I want something, I must ask. Don’t premeditate the response of the other person. Spend your time formulating what you are asking for and come up with necessary ‘arguments’ to make your request valid. Spend no time preempting what someone else will say.  Pray and ask God to lead you, fight the fear of rejection and don’t take anything personal whatever their response might be.

I hope these were helpful as these are lessons I’m truly practicing myself. It might not be a new year, but it’s a new month, a new day and a new season so there is still so much you can still do.

Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow – Albert Einstein

Start where you are, use what you have, so what you can – Arthur Ashe

New Season.. New Month.. Embrace Newness!! 

Thank you for reading this blog.. God loves you and I love you too!! 

Hope you have a blessed week... 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal  

Press on.... God is in control!

Hi guys... 

I am not even sure why I am blogging but I just felt led to encourage someone to continue pressing and know God is in control despite how we feel or what we are going through. 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 

This year has been one of the roughest years I can remember. From one thing to another. It will appear physically that I am losing so much, the constant attacks spiritually and emotionally I have just felt so drained. 

On Saturday my dad died (tears) and you wouldn't imagine how I am feeling but truly I haven't gotten any chance to mourn because so many other things have been happening but one thing I can say the HOLY SPIRIT is truly a Comforter!! I have not been spending as much time as I want in quiet time but I am constantly praying for my siblings and other persons who I've been burdened for that I know are going through so much. I haven't even written in my journal because I just know it will become more real when I begin to write...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 

To be honest, ALL the things I've been preaching, the scriptures I've been reading, the sermons I've watched and the things I've been praying about .. I believe it's a test to see if I truly will continue to trust God and serve Him even when everything seem to be going contrary to what God has told me about my life, purpose and His promises. 

Will I still have faith when I don't see how anything will work out? 

It is tough.. It is rough.. It is hard.. But I keep asking the HOLY SPIRIT to help me to endure because He is the Helper! 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:7

While writing this blog, I just got news that one of my co-workers were stabbed to death during a robbery:-( .. #justlikethat 

This is life.. But GOD is still GOD.. GOD is still GOOD.. GOD is still FAITHFUL!!

So, whatever you are currently facing, whether financially, spiritually, physically or emotionally, I want you to know you are NOT alone. GOD is with you! Yes, I know it feels like He is not but GOD is not a liar and He says He will never leave you or forsake you. Press on my friend!! Press on sister!! Press on brother!! Press on Crystal (saying to self)!!

This too shall pass..  Believe me, I know its hard but every day, we have to decide who’s going to be in control of our life — us or God. That choice is a battle. 

Psalm 46:10 says, “Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth

Honestly, I am daily saying GOD.. take control!! 

Be encouraged... Give your concerns to Him!! 

Thank you for reading this blog.. God loves you and I love you too!! 

Hope you have a blessed week... 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal  

Sharing God's Love in dark place.. Valentines Mission

This started out as a Facebook post but I had a tug on my heart to blog instead so I hope you are blessed by this testimony. 

It has been a very 'testing' 2016 so far but I am so grateful for the different lessons and testimonies of God's continuous faithfulness in my life. So even as you read this, I pray that you will be encouraged and reminded that GOD LOVES YOU!! He cares about every single detail of our life and He has such a great plan for us so we need to truly learn to trust Him with our whole being! GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!! 

Anyway, a couple months ago I posted this on my Instagram and Facebook page -

"So I'm driving home from the God centered conference and passingNew Kingston and at least 20 half naked women, selling their bodies for the next 'bread'. My heart was heartbroken for these ladies cuz even though it might seem like they chose this life, in the end we know SIN blinds us so many times we just get to the point of hopelessness that we just continue in the depth of the world & it's filth. Then I just had a total rush of gratefulness that led to worship... That could have been my life BUT God's grace and mercy kept me. I'm driving home might not know where the next gas money coming from but I know a Sovereign God who will provide for my needs. I didn't always know Him, or didn't always accept Him or love Him. But He never gave up on me.. I love Him now only because He first loved me. And He loves all those ladies also if they just took the chance to accept it. He loves us, all of us... If we only take chance to accept His free gift of salvation. 

People wonder why I worship as I do, why I praise as I do, why I write about God as I do.. But I know where I could have been, this 'ghetto' girl was saved by the blood.. Lord, you are so awesome.. I owe you my life!! 

#chosenvessel#crissyspeaks #heartofworship#Hisgrace #Hismercy #testimony#prayingforwomenalloverworld#Christlovesusfirst#IfweunderstoodhowworthyGodis#allpraisebelongstoHim#toworshipHimIlive #grateful"

The night I posted this, I went home just giving GOD thanks for my life and for never giving up on me. As I prayed I got an 'crazy' idea that I should find a way to show these women that God loves them despite their lifestyle. I immediately called my friend Desriann (I swear she is going to block me from calling her one of these days ..lol) and told her about the idea to give these women (prostitutes) roses on Valentines Day. I was hoping that she would say NO but of course she didn't, she loved it! (blahh..lol!). Eventually I shared it with my other friends (She's Royal team) - Tashna and Dameikie and they also loved it! 

Honestly, we knew 'Crystal is so not smart or loving' so this MUST be the HOLY SPIRIT that placed this desire in our hearts. 

Approaching Valentines Day, I really wanted to 'chicken out' because I kept questioning if this is me or this was God; but again my awesome friends who are just as 'crazy' insisted we do it. So on Valentines Day, we bought 25 roses to do this evangelistic mission of 'Shining God's Love and Light in a dark place'. 

So, we met and we prayed and we worshiped! We bind up and cast down every high forces and rulers in dark places and prayed for boldness to do this mission.

Boi did GOD truly 'wowed' us! 

Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

We started our mission .. 

Can I say how awesome and faithful GOD is!!! 

Tashna and Desriann being the 'brave' ones who started to hand out the roses first. The first two women we met, we simply gave the roses to them and told them God loves them and have a Happy Valentines Day. 

The women were so thankful and receptive, they asked us to pray with them and we encouraged them and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. 

This gave us so much encouragement for the rest of the mission...  

Honestly, what we thought would be an half hour of just handing our roses turned into two hours of praying, encouraging, evangelizing and simply showing love to these women. 

All the women were so grateful and responsive to us. They expressed how lovely it was that we could do this and they did not feel judged at all. They told us their names and said we should continue praying for them and their family and hopefully one day they will come to Christ. One of them said she will be praying for us to continue doing this and one was even crying because she needed to hear that God still loves her. 

It was really an awesome experience.. We could not imagine this type of reception but we were even more humbled that GOD could use 'unworthy' vessels like us to share His love and shine His light in the dark places. 

It was so much fun also.. We smiled and laughed and they teased me for wanting to back out..  The evening was such a blessing.. We prayed and worshiped after because we knew God was pleased with us. 

Royalties... I love them loads:-) 

With so many changes going on with the She's Royal Movement, this was an encouragement for us as we prepare for a new direction where God is taking the ministry. 

God used our different gifts and passions to come together to fulfill His God-given mission and He deserves ALL the glory and the honor!!

I am so grateful for this team of godly friends God has blessed me with, their support, loyalty, their prayers and frankness is exactly what I need to encourage me to continue trod this journey of obedience. 

Hugs to our body guard for the night, my friend Dawit-) 

My main reminders from this experience are... (a) God can truly use us if we allow Him (b) We are truly called to be light and light must go in darkness to be effective (c) God loves each and everyone of us despite our situations, background or past experiences  (d) Who we have in our inner circle can either push you to our destiny or pull us away from our purpose  (e) Fear is NOT of God, in everything we do we should walk by FAITH 

Thank you for reading this blog.. God loves you and I love you too!! 

Hope you have a super blessed week... 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal  

Happy 1 year Blog Anniversary:-)

WOW... It's been 1 year since I posted my first blog and God has truly been so faithful!! 

Happy 1 year Blog Anniversary:-)

I've always been a writer, I don't know where I get so much thoughts from but as far back as 11 years old, I remember keeping journals (I still have them). Even though I love writing, I never thought it was good enough to share with others. I had dreams of becoming an author (in far future) but it was never something I tried pursuing or even thought about. But I can say God truly sees our deep heart's desires and He will use our gifts and passion to bring Him Glory!  

My journals from age 11 years.... 

Why did I start blogging?

I remember in August 2014, when God told me to come off social media for 3 months.. I was like why God come on, I am sharing the Gospel on Facebook, sending devotions on whatsapp and all these things for you. Then He said.. 'Crystal you are not their Savior, I AM".. I was so embarrassed! 

Then I shared with a friend that God had told me to take a break from social media and my he said he agreed because my phone is an idol. I was so insulted but it was true. 

So I had to be obedient to God!!

During my 3 months fast from social media, God truly worked on me! I sought God with all my heart.. Read many books, blogs, listened 4-5 sermons daily, prayed, fasted and just begged God daily to work on me and reveal my true purpose. It was during this time, God placed the blog on my heart along with many ministry ideas. It was such a blessed season even though it was a bit scary some of the things He was telling me to do.

I struggled to step out in faith and not worry about what people would think of me, so I asked many persons to pray for me so I would be obedient to His commands. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted people to know so much about me. I am not very secretive but I was just not at a place where I wanted others to judge me. But.. I had to be obedient to God!!!! 

How did I get the name 'Chosen Vessel'? 

One day as I sought God about the blog thing, I heard the Holy Spirit clearly said 'You are a Chosen Vessel'. I did not know what that means so I started to research because I didn't think there was anything super special about me for me to say I was "Chosen" and even though I am special.. I didn't know what I was chosen to do! That same afternoon, I went to prayer meeting at church, nobody knew my about the blog idea because I wasn't sure I would do it but at the prayer session, I got paired with the Prayer Team leader, Sis Lola. She shared her prayer request with me and when it was time for me to share, I simply told her that I believe God is leading me to do something and I just needed prayer to be obedient.So, she interceded on my behalf. She prayed about God using my gifts for His glory and said God will use me to touch many lives.. I WAS SO SHOCKED! It didn't stop there.. when she finished praying.. she said   "God says you are a Chosen Vessel and He has called you for a purpose".. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! THAT WAS MY CONFIRMATION!!

How has blogging impacted me? 

When I read the blogs I've written over the past 1 year, I am in total awe. I know I did not write those blogs.. Every single blog has been written by the Holy Spirit! I told God I won't blog because I seeking to be popular or just to tell people my business. I only write when God has truly burden my heart about a topic. So when I read over the blogs, I am so encouraged, blessed and sometimes so convicted. 

It is also such an overwhelming feeling when persons email me to tell me that my blog has truly blessed them. I get many emails from women from places like United States, Nassau, London, Canada even Ghana. I had no expectations at all when I started blogging but I simply wanted to be obedient. I've truly learnt that it is never about my feelings or my desires but it is always ALL about God's glory! 

I want to say THANK YOU.. THANK YOU.. THANK YOU TO ALL THE PERSONS WHO READ AND FOLLOW MY BLOG... I truly appreciate the support, the love and encouragement  to continue walking in God's will. I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH! 

Thank you so much for reading my blog:-)

My encouragement to someone today -- Don't delay one more day! Whatever God has told you to do, JUST DO IT! I have learnt that someone's breakthrough might be dependent on our obedience. We are called to help each other so don't think your story is too small or too dramatic to share. BE OBEDIENT! 

My joy.. My passion.. My gift.. WRITING!! ALL FOR GOD'S GLORY:-)

This advice is not just for you but again, everything I write is always for me also. So after seeking God for months and months, I am being obedient and writing my first book - 'Living a Royal Reality'. Last year, as I prepared my sermon for the She's Royal Empowerment Conference, God downloaded so much information that He said its more than just a sermon but it is also my first book title. I was a bit overwhelmed but I know I just need to stay in His will and He will work out all the details. So look out for it before the end of the year* yikes!!! 

At She's Royal Conference 2015

Sharing at the Royal Within Worship Experience 

God loves you.. and so do I!! 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal