How Can We Become Doers of The Word?

By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins

        Praise The Lord Saints!!  Praise The Lord!!  How are you doing today?  Fine, I hope.  I want to ask everyone a very important question.  The question is: How can we become doers of the word?

 The answer to this question is simple.  We have to have both a behavioral change as well as a spiritual change within ourselves.  I know for me personally, I have changed a whole lot behaviorally and spiritually right now.  For example, I do not use any vulgarity anymore.  An example of this is in Proverbs 15:1 says: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up strife.  This is my model Bible verse because it enables me to actually think before I act on all things.

        Next, I want to ask how we can become doers of the word.  First, we need to establish a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I have to accept Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior.  How can we all do this; is by confessing our sins to Jesus Christ.  I know that I am only a Work in Progress. 

What is a Work in Progress?  A work in progress is an unfinished project that is still being added to or developed. “The book itself is still a work in progress” (in accounting) the total value of the materials and labor for unfinished projects. “The board had estimated the value of its work in progress”. What does it mean to be a work in progress?

Work in Progress. Being a work in progress is a wonderful thing. It means you are never “finished” which means that you always have the chance to improve yourself and become something and someone better than who you are already.

        Further, I want to inform all of you that my life has changed for the better because it enables me to imitate Jesus Christ.  I also have to read His Word and share the Gospel of Peace with everyone.  I also help others as well.  I have always helped others by sharing with them the things that Jesus Christ has done for me.

 I also give things away that I do not need.  I humble myself each day of the week by being honest as a person.  I demonstrate how to become a doer of the word by my actions.  I feel at this time that listening to worship music and church sermons have enabled me to be a doer of the word.  I know that it is a whole lot more to it than that in order to become a doer of the word. 

Moreover, a doer of the word is a person who lives according to the Word of God.  I have come so far in my life by improving my relationships with other people.  I know that my life has changed because I wanted to make some positive changes in my life. God likes it when we can keep a very good attitude about life, our relationship with Jesus Christ, and connecting with others in a positive manner. 

 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
–James 1:21-25

1. Prepare your heart and be open.

It’s so easy to get into the daily Bible grind and never, once, truly pounce on what we’re learning or reading: get up, pour a cappuccino (or three), personal devotional of  fifteen minutes, write down some thoughts, put Bible on shelf, carry on with the morning . . . is this really what we limit ourselves and God to? Are we missing out on multiple opportunities because we haven’t prepared our hearts to be open and receptive? Shy away from a daily spiritual grind, seek God for opportunities to become a doer and invest in the lives of those around you.

2. Be willing and available.

Part of extending your hands in compassion and love is actually having a willing heart. Unfortunately, having a heart willing for love and sharing the Gospel isn’t just an “on/off” switch. It has to be transformed and cultivated by the same Gospel. If you are serious about becoming a doer and an action man/woman, pray for a willing heart.

We all know that person, or perhaps we are that person, who has great intentions of ministering to others, but is far too busy with a complex schedule to be available.  There could be any number of reasons for a lack of availability, but I think we’re all thankful that Jesus didn’t turn away the paralyzed or the ill because of a conflicting schedule or a lack of availability.

Such an attitude might have caused trauma to His ministry—so if you’re serious about Christ and your serious about acting upon your faith—make yourself available. Reach out and mean it—don’t just say it. If you offer to meet a struggling peer for coffee to talk, do it. If you see someone in need, address the problem or find the right person to address the problem (i.e. pastor, carpenter, doctor).

3. Prepare to be uncomfortable.

Just know that being a doer can be difficult, confusing, unpleasant, and uncomfortable. It can mean getting messy, seeing the side of people that is unpleasant, experiencing sadness, seeing the dirt  and the sins of humanity, and become all too aware of our personal shortcomings. I’ll never forget the first time I went to Haiti on a missions trip, I was never more aware of my ever growing list of shortcomings. Often, while doing Kingdom work our capacity of comfort, faith, and humility are tested—it’s like a game of Survivor with an eternal focus. We have to become prepared to be uncomfortable in some shape or form, but not allow it to deter us from carrying on in faith. However, there are great joys and luminous revelations while being a doer, but we must be prepared to hold out for those moments while in the midst of being uncomfortable.

4. Don’t wait.

Being doers can mean traveling across the globe to extend compassion and the love of Jesus or it can mean traveling to your backyard to the neighbor who is battling cancer. It’s not about the distance, it’s about the Message. Location isn’t relative, the issue at hand is that we are demonstrating compassion and spreading the Gospel. We’re called to share Christ’s love and we’re called to glorify Him (Matthew 28:19). We’re called to care. We’re called to protect, defend, and care for the defenseless, the poor, and the abandoned. It doesn’t matter where.

Demonstrating love and compassion can be done right now—the opportunities are limitless. We live in a world of darkness, just take a look around and be stunned by the abundant opportunities that await you.

Being a doer starts in the home. It starts in the work place. It starts in the Church. It starts with relationships. It starts with the grumpy neighbor, disgruntled cashier, or the unpleasant individual who just stole my parking spot (while I had my blinker on, I might add!). It starts here. Compassion starts now. If we think that we have to travel overseas to extend compassion or love, I’m afraid that we’re missing out multiple opportunities that are staring us right smack in the face.

People are people. We all need the same thing, we all need Jesus desperately. You can make a difference here, and you can make a difference there. It’s not really relative to where you are geographically, God’s love and compassion needs to be spread just as much in Baltimore City as it does in India. His love needs to be spread in a nursing home just as much as it does in an orphanage. Don’t wait for an opportunity, just because you don’t think it’s the opportunity you would choose. Don’t become discouraged when you feel like your impact isn’t as great as you would hope—it’s not about us. It’s about Him. Don’t waste an opportunity to become a doer out of pride—take a leap of faith.

5. Listen and love.

Be a hearer and a doer. It’s far easier said than done, but it’s a goal worth aiming for. Many of the people I know have come to Christ from visually seeing the works of Christians in action. We can talk all day long using Christianese and spiritual terms, but until there is evidence in our lives that we mean what we say, we might find we have trouble connecting with others in an effective manner. Become amazed at how God can work in your life when you give Him a heart ready for action.

Matthew 10:36
“…a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”

Explanation and Commentary of Matthew 10:36

After explaining that he did not come to bring peace, but a sword, Jesus now says that a “man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” Understandably, this can be confusing for many. After all, is Jesus not the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6)? Did he not say, “Blessed are the peacemakers”

(Mt 5:9)? To be sure, Jesus’ death on the cross brought peace, first with God, and then with our fellow man. But here, Jesus is speaking in a completely different context.

Jesus was not as popular as one might have expected him to be in his life and his earthly ministry. He was, in fact, a rather polarizing person and proclaimed an even more polarizing message. To understand how the message of the already/not yet kingdom of God could be bad news for some, we have to remember that Jesus entered into the midst of a fallen and broken world, where many were given over to satan and were being somewhat rewarded for doing so by the prince of darkness. The evil one is content sometimes to wait until a person is in hell before he really begins to torture him. Otherwise, we might turn from him and to God in repentance. Those who are benefiting on earth from his reign will not only be resistant to Jesus, but also to his people. It is an absolute certainty that some will face this resistance from those in their own households.

Christians would do well to ask themselves if they are getting along too well with the world. We should be loving and forgiving, which are often qualities that are attractive to evening hardest hearts, but we should also be able to stand for truth in a culture that hates that truth. It is probably a sign this is exactly what is not happening if “all men love you” (Lk 6:26). All men did not love Jesus, and they will not love us either.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 10:36

#1 “…a man’s enemies…”
In one sense the Christian has no enemies because we are called to love our enemies. We may be their enemies, but they cease to be ours when we love and forgive them. But in this sense, Jesus means those who hate us and persecute us for following Jesus.

#2 “…will be the members of his own household.”
This is tragic but true. It is purely the grace of God when all one’s household repents and loves Jesus, such as was the case with the Philippian jailer. Nevertheless, many are called, but few are chosen (Mt 22:14), so it should come as no surprise when some in our own household oppose us in our faith.

God gave the Israelites specific instructions: Drive the Canaanites out of every corner of the land, and obliterate any vestige of their abominable idol worship. This assignment was challenging! Their enemies had formidable chariots.  The Canaanites had seemingly impregnable fortresses that were dangerous and difficult to overcome. The Israelites failed to drive all of the Canaanites from the land.  Much about the Canaanite Lifestyle and religion appealed to the Israelites sinful nature. Rather than destroying them and their idolatry, Israel  compromised. The Canaanites would prove to be a troublesome distraction to the Israelites. Their idol worship would present a constant temptation.  When you became a Christian, God declared war on sins strongholds in your life.  Sinful behavior and attitudes were firmly entrenched in, your character, but God commanded you to tear them down.  The Holy Spirit pointed out areas of your life that truce rather than obliterating every sin. Is anger one of God’s strongholds? If so it will rise up against you in moments of weakness. Is there a stronghold of weakness in your life? If so, you will succumb to it when caught off guard. In careless moments, these strongholds will still tempt you to continue your past sinful behaviors. Do not underestimate the destructive power of sin. If there are strongholds in your life that you have never defeated, the Holy Spirit is still prepared to bring you complete victory.

Is it true that God knows exactly where we are at all times?  By Anthony Joseph Hopkins 11/19/2021

       I have a very important question to ask everyone.  Is it true that God knows exactly where we are at all times?  The answer to this question is yes.  God knows exactly where we are at all times.  Where exactly shall I go from His Spirit?  The answer is no where because He is inside of us.  His Spirit bears with our spirit.  Where shall I go from His presence?  The answer is nowhere.  He is with us at all times.  If I ascend into heaven He is there.  If I make my bed into hell, He is there with us.

       If you want me to be perfectly honest with all of you, we cannot hide from God.  He is watching all of us.  I want to inform all of you that I am asking this question because I would like for anyone to answer this question.  I know that everything that we are doing, God is with us.  I know that I have been telling my family and friends, who are drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana that God does not like it when we destroy our own temple.

       Next, I have been telling all of my family members and friends that we are the Temple of the Living God.  We are supposed to share the things that God is doing for all of us.

 I am supposed to share and save others who are outside of the fellowship of God.  Our bodies are the Temple of God.  According to 1^st Corinthians 3:16 says that we are the temple of the Living God.  If someone destroys that temple, God will deal with them.

 If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  This is the truth when it comes to the Living God.  God is with us at all times.  Even when we do not think so.  God is with us side by side.  The Spirit of God dwells inside of us. 

I am confident that God have saved me from myself.  I do recall on Friday February 13, 2010: I tried to kill myself by taking all of my medication because I was hearing voices that were not the Holy Spirit.  God saved me because He was not ready for me to come to heaven as of yet.  The Lord saved me on that day.  I was transported to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio for several days.  I am very happy that God has given me another chance at living the most beautiful life on earth.

Finally, I want to say that God did not want me to die from a suicide.  I am here for a reason.  God would like for me to share my story with other people.  I want to inform all of you that I have been saved since February 15, 2015.  During the past six years, I have been sharing my story with everyone.  I have written 2 books in one year.

 My first book is called My Grace is Sufficient for Me.  My second book is called Essays.  My two books are about my personal experiences with God.  I have been writing for the past 26 years now.  I am very happy to share my personal story with everyone.

Second Timothy 3:1-7 vs 21^st Century Behavior by Anthony Joseph Hopkins November 16, 2021

       Let’s examine this information for the moment.  2^nd Timothy 3:1-7 says: But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than  lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power, and from such people turn away!!  For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins led away by various lusts.  Always learning and never come to the knowledge of the truth.

       These seven verses that are located in 2^nd Timothy 3^rd Chapter 1-7 verses tells the truth about human behavior at its worse.  Whereas, 21^st Century behavior is similar to the seven verses inside of 2^nd Timothy but the language itself has changed.

       An example of the language that is used in the 21^st Century consists of acronyms.  Children are deceiving their parents on a daily basis.  For example, children are spending too much time with their friends.  The friends are drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana.  Children in the 21^st Century are using electronic cigarettes.  Children in the 21^st Century are spending too much time away from the home.

       21^st Century behavior consists of parents being their children’s best friend.  Therefore, parental roles have changed.  21^st Century parents are too lenient with their children.  21^st Century parents cannot and will not punish their children in the same way they were raised as children.  Law Enforcement are involved in the 21^st Century household.

       21^st Century Parents tend to be younger than usual.  In Addition To the causing chaos inside of the 21^st Century is made up of a mother and her children.  The fathers that are involved in the 21^st Century children household are classified as sperm donors.  21^st Century households are at poverty level.

 21^st Century households have different fathers.  The reason why is because they did not have their fathers in their lives.  Inside of a 21^st Century household, the fathers are not around to take care of their children.  The mother of 21^st Century Children do not get along with their male counterparts.  The women who are raising children in the 21^st Century receive less money from child support.  In some cases, the men are spending time behind bars.  Inside of a 21^st Century household, vulgarities are exchanged between the father, mother, and children.

Some of the 21^st Century parents allow their children to be home alone.  The oldest child will have to babysit their younger siblings on a daily basis.  There is a big difference between the end times and 21^st Century Households.

 Some of what is written inside of the Bible speaks about the 21^st Century Household.  What is a 21^st Century Household is not a nuclear family.  It consists of a mother raising her children all by herself without help from anyone else.

Psalms 94:11 And What It Means To All People?

By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins

        Good Day Everyone!! How are you doing today?  Fine, I hope.  I want to ask everyone a very important question.  Does the Lord knows the thoughts of man?  The answer is yes!! God knows all things in advance.  Psalms 94:11 says The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.  This is inside of the King James Version of the Bible.  Frankly, I want to say that God knows the things that we are going to do long before it takes place.  What I would like to do is have the Word of God to impact my mind, and my thinking.

        Next, I want to say that I need the Lord to allow me to feed on the Word of God.  In the middle of trouble, I need to feed on the Word of God at all times.  I really feel at this time that I am inside of the Lord’s Hands.  How you think determines how you feel.  This means that you have to deal with how you think rather than how they feel.  This is very hard for some people because in my case, I am a person who reacts to things more than I am thinking.

Further, I am trying my very best not to conform to these external supervisions.  This reminds me of Romans 12:2 it says; do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Proverbs 23:7 For as He thinketh in his heart, so is he.  I want to say that I suffer from a mental illness called Schizoid Affective Disorder.  This means that I hear voices or things that other people do not hear.

        Moreover, I want to say that I would like for the Lord to continue to bless me eternally.  The things that I need on earth, the Lord will provide.  I know that my mind craves for the things that I wish that I need.  For Example, I am the type of person, who has changed for the better.  For Instance, I want to say that I used to be very reclusive.

  I tend to withdraw at certain times.  I find myself withdrawing from certain realities of life.  I will admit that I am very intelligent and kind.  I also will admit that I have a passive mind.  Even though I am not apathetic.  I have been through a whole lot in my life.  I used to make excuses for my emotions.  Currently, I am doing a whole lot better emotionally and mentally.  I have a sound mind right now.  I feel excited about life more than I have ever before.

I remember when my parents used to tell me that I talk out loud.  I guess the reason why I talk loud is because I would like for everyone to hear what I have to say.  I want to saturate myself with God’s Word.  My way of thinking has changed because I have the Holy Spirit inside of me right now.  I am literally excited because I am attending Church on a regular basis.  I am reading my Bible every single day of the week.  You are accountable for how I feel.  I am accountable for my emotions. 

Finally, I want to say that self-control is a gift from God that has a purpose for our lives.  My life during the past 30 years have been filled with ups and downs.  I want to be inside of a place that I can govern my emotions.  I want to say that I do not argue with anyone anymore.  Godly emotions go towards God.  I noticed that I do not dwell on negative emotions anymore.  I used to carry thoughts that used to wear me down completely.  What I am doing at the moment is that I am managing my problems. 

In Conclusion, I want to say that my life has changed for the better.  I have to expose myself to the Word of God.  I have become saturated my thinking with the Word of God on a daily basis.  I read the Bible out loud because I want God to talk to me.  I know that I have been saved for the past 4 years now.  What are you spending most of your time thinking about?  For me personally, I would like to become a father someday.

 I would like to attend Seminary School.  I would like for the Lord to pay for my book publishing fees and my student loans.  I do not want life mastering me!! I want to master life!! Please continue to keep me in your prayers because I have a lot of special needs at the moment.  I really need to govern my life instead of allowing my emotions to govern my life.  Please keep do things in a positive manner. 

does it mean to set the Lord always before you?  It means that you choose to relate everything you encounter to trust in God.  What you çhoose to focus on becomes the dominate influence in your life.  You may be a Christian, but if your is always on your problems, your problems will determine the direction of your life.  If your focus is on people, then people will determine what you think and do. In biblical times the right hand was the most distinguished position, reserved for one’s chief advisor and supporter. When you choose to focus on Christ, you invite Him to take the most important position in your life as Counselor and Defender.

Every time you face a new experience, you should turn to Christ for His interpretation and strength. When people insult you and mistreat you, you should seek direction from your Counselor regarding the right response. When you face a crisis, you should receive strength from the One at your right hand. When you experience need, you should consult your Counselor before you react. When you face a fearful situation, you should take courage from the Advocate at your right hand. Everything you do is in the context of your relationship to Christ.

What an incredible act of God’s grace that Christ should stand beside you to guide you and counsel you and defend you! How could you ever become dismayed over your situation with Christ at your right hand? What confidence this should give you!

Children Obey Your Parents by Anthony Joseph Hopkins November 6, 2021

       Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.  I understand that children in the 21^st Century are calling their fathers a sperm donor.  I wonder why?  This is simply because the mother was fulfilling her role as the mother, and picking up the slack that the father has left behind.  To be honest, my mother did the same exact thing.  As soon as her husband left the house immediately after an argument.  My mother was mother and father to 9 children.  She did not make them all by herself!!!

       In the 21^st Century, children are in charge of the household.  The parents are leaving their children at home all by themselves.  While my mother was working inside of a restaurant that was not very far from her home, I had to take care of my siblings.  I had to change diapers for my siblings.  I also cooked lunch and dinner for my siblings.  My father was absent from the home, and he did not sign my birth certificate.

 On my birth certificate it has the name colored as my mother’s ethnicity.  It also has the name colored as the child’s ethnicity.  Right now, when you purchase a birth certificate, the name colored has been changed to black.  Therefore, children have choices in the 21^st Century.  Children can decide to go to an adoption agency or stick with their parents.  I went ahead and lived with my grandmothers when I was growing up.  I know that my mother and her husband was messing up as parents.

 I made a conscious decision to live with my grandparents rather than go to an adoption agency like my siblings did.  This is the reason why my mother and her husband went their separate ways when I was 14 years old.  During the year 1979, I was in High School inside of a classroom when all of a sudden, the school Principal called me to the office.  The Children Services worker stated that I had to live with my grandmother.  My siblings went to the adoption agency.

 My mother and her husband were abusing us, so all of us went our separate ways in 1979.  I have a whole lot of respect for my mother.  My mother’s husband and I did not get along with each other.  He was responsible for causing all nine of us to have tuberculosis back in 1976.  I had tuberculosis for nine years.  I had to take a medication called Ciphro-flaxin for tuberculosis and another medication as well.

Finally, I want to say that I still have respect for my mother until she died four years ago.  I want to inform all of you that I have a great deal of respect for people who are older than me.  It does not stop me from saying “Yes Madam and “No Madam.  It does not stop me from saying “Yes Sir and “No Sir.  I have a lot of respect for people who are older than me.  I know that when it comes to authority figures, if you are older than me, then I will respect you.

  Otherwise, I was raised by my grandmothers and grandfathers in Dayton, Ohio.  I have a lot of respect for mothers in the 21^st Century because my mother raised all nine of us all by herself.  This is a fact of life.  My mother’s husband and I did not get along with each other.  He was responsible for putting my head inside of a hot stove.  He intently burned my hair out.

 When it comes to stepparents, I am not saying to abuse them in any way.  I will admit that I had to assist in raising my ex-girlfriend’s daughter and she was a handful to deal with.  We argued on a daily basis.  I told her that I am responsible for her until she gets older.  Then she can fend for herself.  I do not have any children of my own.  If I did, I would be grateful.  Do you know that becoming a parent will change some people’s behavior?  I had to raise my siblings all by myself.  My siblings have children but I do not have any children.  That is my choice to not have any children.  It cost over a million dollars per year to raise one child!!!!  This is a fact!!!

Proverbs 23: 13-14: And What it means to All People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins November 4, 2021

       Are we supposed to use a rod to punish a child?  A rod is a metal object that is used in construction.  A rod is a thin straight bar especially that is made up of wood or metal.  When it comes to disciplining a child, a belt is used.  According to WHIO TV Channel 7 in Dayton, Ohio.  On Thursday October 28. 2021, a father of a ten-year-old child was sentenced to 51 years in prison for killing his son. 

The mother and friend of the family received prison sentences for participating in the crime.  Recently, another child was beaten 200 times with a belt in Springfield, Ohio.  A Biblical example comes from Proverbs 23:13. This Bible verse says Do not withhold correction from a child for if you beat him with a rod he will not die.  I guess the two examples of the incidents in the State of Ohio proves that the parents took things too far. 

Next, when it comes to these Bible verses, the parents did not exercise better judgment.  Another example of violence took place in Hamilton, Ohio.  A parent of a 6-year-old boy killed her son by dragging him with her car.  She attempted to give the child to the authorities prior to killing him, and throwing his body inside of the Ohio River.  Proverbs 23:14 says You shall beat him or her with a rod because you are delivering his or her soul from hell.  Is this a true statement?  Some parents are taking his too far. 

Proverbs 20:11 says Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.  This Bible verse is true.  I say this because a child learns how to sin from watching their parents.  When it comes to Proverbs 23:13-14, parents will have to exercise self-control.  In 2021 standards, some parents consider their children as their best friend. 

                Does the Lord direct our steps?  The answer to this question is yes.  The Lord God makes it possible for all of us to walk, talk, and breathe His air.  This is because the air that we breathe each day does not belong to us.  If a man’s steps are of the Lord, how come man’s immortality rates are higher than child birth?  When it comes to man, God is always there to help him.  Although man’s sense of direction is questionable.

  I say this because man cannot do everything all by himself.  This is the reason why man needs a mediator between him and God.  If you want know the truth, we are all holding onto God’s right hand.  I have another question.  Is it true that man does not know his own way?  This is a question for someone who has a Theology Degree to answer.  John 3:27 says John answered and said A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.  Therefore, all things are given to man in advance.

  Do you know that man uses 50% of his own efforts when it comes to God?  Yet, man is exhausted and tired after completing a task that God has for him.  I am a man myself, and I will not be able to understand God like some of us.  According to Isaiah 55:8 says My thoughts are higher than your thoughts and My ways are higher than your ways.  man, himself was created by God while inside of our mother’s womb.

  Another question that I have to ask.  Does God really want man to understand him?  In order for man to understand God, he must submit to His will.  Will man ever get an opportunity to understand God?  Is it true that we have to submit to God’s will in order to understand him?  Is there a middle ground?  The answer to this question is no.  I only write blogs and essays just to cope with a mental illness.

It is not too late to ask God for wisdom and knowledge.  God has granted me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change.  Please give me the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Just for today!!  I only wanted to fully understand God, but that is impossible.  I have submitted to His will on February 15, 2015.  For the past six years, I have yielded to God myself.  I have to put Him first in my life.