“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45.
We all know without a doubt, that most of the worlds greatest talents, were either grafted from the Church or had a brief stint in the House of God. This formula worked so well for a time and season that certain parents regardless of what they planned to do with Christ themselves, planned to use the House of God to get their children some fame, or a leg up in the entertainment world. The only people who do not know the privilege of being in God’s vicinity, is the church itself. Even demon possessed people come into the house of God to find spouses. And the likes of them eventually fall for them and their deceptions. God always protects those that sincerely and honestly abide in Him.
The other side and the problem with the Church stint celebrity, is that these people have to some extent or not, whether they were serious or not, tasted the goodness of the Lord. You cannot abide in His house hypocritically or otherwise and not somewhat benefit from the protection that His presence brings. If it rains on the just and the unjust, and God provides sustainment for every living thing. How much more would He do when they hang in a place that calls itself by His name. However, we all know and the world tells us ‘you cannot eat your cake and have it at the same time’. That particular exposure, calls for responsibility and careful handling. You see the devil knowing that these people have somewhat an idea of what the truth is or have to some extent had truth work in their lives; gives them extra harrassing attention and hassle. Like the verse in the beginning of this blog, the attack is more than the average sinner encounters.
Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord. That means that regardless of the god that anyone is serving, the gift they have, was given to them by the Lord God Almighty the Creator of everything. Therefore if it was given by the Lord, it was given for His use and His glory; and only Him can keep it from becoming detrimental and a curse.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:16-18
“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Romans 11:28-30
We were originally made to worship God in and with everything we have and do. When you buy an electronic item, it has the name of the manufacturer emblazoned on it. It also tells you where it was made or assembled. Further more, most come with a manual (instruction for the use and care of the equipment). When the item needs servicing, replacement parts or fixing, you can only send it to the original manufacturer if you hope to have a rewarding outcome that is. If you send it to the wrong place and person, they might send it right back or destroy it while attempting to fix it. Only the original maker can venture to know the problem, fix it or replace it with a brand new one.
When human beings receive attention reserved only for God, by idolatory or immortal expectation. It creates a tear in the already existing vacuum that can only be filled by God. Weight and pressure is put on an immortal to be and perform only what God can perform, sustain and maintain. Since there is an uncanny need and an innate nature in every living thing to appeal to a higher and more powerful being or structure, the rejection of the Manufacturer (God the Creator) widens the void. As the void widens, the gaping and hungry hole not only begs, but demands to be filled. Then man begins to create his own god, with objects, animals or other human beings. Unfortunately for the person set in such a pedestal, things would have to fall apart in a frail center.
God gave me a burden for Whitney Houston about six years ago. I had listened to her rendition of ‘I go to the Rock’ and I heard something… I instantly knew that God had touched her life at some point. She indeed knew what she was singing about. Born to a gospel singer, she had without a doubt a considerable knowledge of God and His ways. Success and fame came knocking (and rightfully so), she had effortlessly and endued with charisma and style one of the greatest voices (if not the best) of our time. Whitney’s voice made room and opened doors for her. She did not have to strip on stage, gyrate vulgarly or mouth of sleaze. God gave her a voice and that was that. Then came fame and with little or no biblical and solid foundation, the rest is indeed history.
“A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Proverbs 18:15-17
I was happy when I heard of her comeback album. She sang a couple of her songs with conviction and an inbred knowledge of WHO she was singing to. I was happy, and thought: ‘go ahead sister come back to the one WHO has ‘always loved you and gave you all that you have and still has more to give’. I thought the time of my call to prayer was over, this sheep was on her way home. In my little world of obscure existence, I walk into a place and all hell breaks loose as the demon possessed begin to manifest and the flesh driven are besides themselves in intimidation. This is all before I even state my mission. I am reminded of my desperate need of Jesus every second, minute and hour. I HAVE TO MAINTAIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM TO MAKE IT THROUGH DAILY AND IN MY RIGHT MIND!!!
I believe that during her comeback, Whitney would have happily gone back to that little church in New Jersey to get some peace with her God. But it takes more than a head decision. It is a war that requires dedicated and diligent warriors on your side, a war that requires people who love you enough to tell you ‘the Truth that will set you free’. Unfortunately in Whitney’s world, even if you are not up to delivering on any day what is expected of you or you have exhausted your human limits. You are supposed to turn to ‘substance’ to bolster the emptiness of your desperate, lonely and tired heart. Even when you want out (especially at such a legendary status), you are reminded of the pyramid of people depending on your career and performance to sustain themselves and their habits too! A very sad world devoid of its true Manufacturer (who even ventured to lay down His life) JESUS.
In the end in a desperate need to connect to that knowing tug in her heart, the last time anyone would have heard her perform was an impromptu rendition of ‘Jesus loves me’. In her final album; her song ‘I look to you’ has these words in the first stanza :
“As I lay me down, heaven hear me now, I’m lost without a cause, after giving it my all. Winter storms have come, and darkened my sun, After all that I’ve been through, who on earth can I turn to? I look to YOU…”
I believe that was her last cry as she mistakenly and unwisely took one more ‘substance’ to stabilize, hide the pain and prepare for another night of fake and lascivious carousal with people who were just as desperate and addicted if not more than she was. Hers was just more obvious, because of her achievements. Just before yet another offer and scheduled great comeback ( not unlike Michael Jackson – yes he had a documented encounter with God!). God said: ‘that is enough!’ Come home, if I let them take you back in their ‘come backs’ one more time, it will be eternal doom.’
I go to the Rock of my salvation… when all around is sinking sand, on Christ the Solid Rock I stand…
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” Luke 11:24-26
“As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked
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generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.” Luke 11:29-32
