Thank you so much for this post Trip. Although whoever is readying this will most likely not care, I was just reading Sho's last post and thinking about a situation I encountered the other day. My friend who is not saved was talking about creationism vs. God and how her biology TA was basically giving reason for the class to believe that he really doesn't exist. The point of this story was that as I was sitting there I wanted so much to explain in detail my beliefs; that i KNOW that God spoke the world into existence but I couldn't bring myself to it for fear of offending her.
I think in our everyday lives when we as Christians are faced with situations like that we need to remember that we NEED to tell people the truth because it is our duty, its our responsibility, its or mission to be unashamed of the gospel of Christ. We need to always remember those duties and if ever we need encouragement remember that bible says: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"(2 Timothy 1:7)

Blessings and Peace :)
-Jordy

So true! As a teenager the most difficult problem i face is the fact that whenever i reject invitations to party, drink, or have sex, people my age feel awkward and start insulting me and my beliefs. But whenever that happens i am reminded that God chose me by his grace. And by His Son's death on the cross, i dont hav to suffer for a single second in order to talk to God. And like Paul says be thankful that you suffer for Christ's sake. And i truly am. The post above me is so true bc i face that problem in my biology class as well. God Bless both of you and keep staying strong for the Lord!
His servant, Zach

Accidentally sent that 3x

'I strive to proclaim truth boldly even if it offends man, because to shy back would be to offend God.'
Awesome line that we all need to act upon as followers of Jesus. The wise man is the one who fears God not man.

what up trip! Im feelin you on the suffering and offending people for the message of Christ. Because ive been feelin like God has been callin me to be with the people(poor,orphaned,parlytics, and broken) and i just can't seem to get past the scripture in Luke 12:32-34 where he tells us to sell all our posessions and give the money to the poor. Its doesnt really sound like a choice but a command from the Lord Jesus. I tried to tell some of my spiritual leaders about this word that God gave me but they just dont understand i wanna live my life for God wholeheartedly and expiereience the full power of the gospel before i die! Please give me understandin..... i needs help!

I have been in the shoes of the 2nd point you made. i have lost many friends over the years for my relationship with Christ. It is the fact they are seeing my conviction and my change and they are not ready for that. All we can do is love them with the Love of Christ!

Wow Trip! The gospel is no doubt offensive! We definitely don't need to add to the offense. It is offensive enough. Simply share it, and let God do the rest. Also, it is amazing how a majority of America "claims" to be christian, but yet they are the ones who are offended by his teachings. I sponsor FCA at my school, and I am forever sharing with the students how we should be different if we are so-called "christians." These same students who love to come to FCA have a really hard time living out what they learn simply because they are "ashamed" of the gospel. It is not popular, but yet many still lay claim to the name "christian." I don't get it, but I know the bible teaches us that this is the way that it will be (Matt 7:21-23).

As a minister of youth this is an area were the enemy consistently attacks me. He would love to see us compromise the truth for the sake of attracting larger numbers or avoiding conflict. Like Trip said, we shouldn't seek conflict or be intentionally offensive, but if Jesus leads us into situation were we have opportunity to share exactly what we believe about a topic, we must trust Christ in us to allow us to speak the truth clearly. Ephesians 6:19-20. We must pray for one another that we might "speak boldly"!
Your fellow bond-slave of Christ.
chris

Dang son, speak that truth. This is something that my boi and are working through. How to speak the truth in love. Trip, love your last cd and I'm looking forward to your video. Your music and lyrics are a constant blessing in my life. Love you guys at Reach Records. Keeping being bold in the faith and can't wait to see you all in concert down in sunny South Florida.

That is what I am talking bout! My FCA leader plays a game before we all pray to end FCA which promotes all worldly songs. It offends me every time but I finally received the boldness from God to tell her that it is not right. It made her pretty annoyed but at least she heard what was right. We are in this world but not of this world. It does not set a good example when Non-Christians come to our FCA and say, "Christians are just like is in that aspect." We should not have anything to do with the things of the world!I will see yall in JULY in Cummings GA! I'm amped!

Yo fam! I'm so encouraged at the responses and pray you will all print this out and pass it around. Great words Trip.

GET READY TO SHOUT ERRBODY WHO BEEN HATED FOR PROCLAIMING THE FAITH BODLY, CHECK IT OUT....... " PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESSURECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, AND INTO AN INHERITANCE THAT CAN NEVER PERISH, SPOIL OR FADE- KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, WHO THROUGH FAITH ARE SHIELDED BY GOD'S POWER UNTIL THE COMING OF THE SALVATION THAT IS READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME", because... "BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN MEN HATE YOU, WHEN THEY EXCLUDE YOU AND INSULT YOU AND REJECT YOUR NAME AS EVIL, BECAUSE OF THE SON OF MAN. REJOICE IN THAT DAY AND LEAP FOR JOY, BECAUSE GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN!!!!!!! FOR THAT IS HOW THEIR FATHERS TREATED THE PROPHETS." (1 Peter 1:3-5; Luke 6:22-23)

Yo I feel what you saying trip but. There have been times when I've offended peeps for lettin them know there life was sinful (as if mine at times isn't). But my confusion is with the note left on the Prosperity Movement. I know the main focus should always be on JESUS and no other, however I do believe that JESUS don't want us poor!!! He wants us blessed and able to be a blessing to others spiritually, wordfully(I don't know if that word exists), as well as financially. However I do not agree wit peeps just gettin wit the church just so they can be rich. But U know God can move in their life even if their heart's motive aint right. I should probably get educated on this movement as well but someone holla at me if there is any contradiction to what I'm saying here> BE BLESSED FAM HEIR to the KINGDOM OUT!!!

Thanks Trip! This was very helpful!

Hey Darius, I've been kinda dwelling on the same thing, the "sell all that you have and give it to the poor," thing. I want to go and preach the Gospel where it is needed, and I want to just be able to trust God to provide for me, so I'm thinking after I've paid off my debt from 1 year at private college, I'd like to sell my stuff and go. It seems almost like it would be easy, except I'd want to keep my guitar. lol. May God give us strength to give EVERYTHING up!

God bless you guys at Reach, you've all been INCREDIBLY edifying in my life! Praise the LORD for y'all! May the LORD give us strength to speak His truth in love!

-David

EXACTLY!!!! i knew wat u were going to say before u said it. people have told me that all my life. the gospel is offensive. i was always afraid of sharing the gospel because i was afraid of offending someone. but i've learned that, that offensiveness(if thats a word)is so necessary for that persons salvation. but, i am workin on it. thanks for that

God's timing is amazing. I really needed to hear this; You guys are such a blessing; I love yall!
*God Bless.

dats good trip lee that right people don't like the truth its a shame would wanna here a lie instead of the truth because they don't like rebuke.

Wow, this is a powerful! Thank you for allowing God to use you to write this entry. God has been convicting me about this since the beginning of the year. I came into 2009 with a deep desire to see this year be the beginning of fully, confidently, and boldly walking in His power, proclaim the truth of His Word so that His name is fully glorified in my life. For years, I had stood in silence because "I did not want to offend anyone" and I believed the lie that this was showing that "I loved them." In reality, instead of walking fully in Christ and boldly declaring the truth of His Word, I held back, which only revealed that I was "ashamed of the gospel" and I did not really love others enough to tell them the truth and show them the err of their ways. I denied Christ in my silence and timidity. I have asked God for His forgiveness and I thank Him for His grace and for giving me the opportunity to see the err of my ways. Praise God!!! I did not know that this was what was holding me back until the beginning of this year. Today, I ask God for the boldness to proclaim the truth of the Gospel just as Paul did and completely trust Him to lead me through this life. Christ has changed my life and I no longer depend on any part of me for strength; I depend only on Christ to direct me and strengthen me. I thank God for you and other members of Reach Records for proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. Your music has truly transformed my life and brought me to a deeper relationship with Christ. It is so true that I should never take the negative response of those I speak the truth of the Gospel to personally; their offense is really with the Gospel. Their problem is with Christ. So since I have been "bought with a price" and I am no longer living for myself, then I must represent Christ fully and rightly. With that said, I am ready to "roll with the punches" of proclaiming the truth of the gospel this year. It is not about me, at all. My motto and encouragement this year is Paul's saying "To live is Christ and to die is gain." Thank you'll for the encouragement in your music and in your blogs.

Great blog trip, keep up the writing, this and your songs are a great help to grow in christ

Wow! Tripp Lee! God bless you for this TRUTH! Seriously, I need it so much. For the year 2008, I went through many, many things that was unecessary to go through, because I took my eyes off of Him. Now, it is the beginning of 2009, I feel that God wants to take me to another level and that I am about to fufill His purpose on this Earth. It is coming soon and I am preparing for it. However, each day that I strive to take care of the small ministry that He gave me (preaching the Truth or inviting people to Bible studies) I feel like I am alone on that straight and narrow path. Many of my fellow brothers and sisters don't understand at the level that I am and even one said that I am too serious! Now, I am at a Crossroads, in which I don't want to compromise my mentality and calling for the Lord, yet I will be on this path. Please, pray for me!

Thank you for posting this enlightening information. I am always motivated by your words, they hit my heart and I am forced to really sit and evaluate my life, how I speak with people non-Christians and Christians in my own family and work etc. I remember a time when my mom, brother, cousin and I flew to NC for the first time, over the weekend my bro, and cousins were all going to hit up the club. my mom kept tempting me and trying to pressure me to go out and drink and be all around that ungodly stuff...I was glad to boldly say "No" and my mom couldn't understand why i couldn't step into those places anymore. Quoting scriptures helped me feel the power of the Spirit moving and I can say that through doing that it felt amazing pleasing God and not my flesh.

Grace and peace to you my brother!

I have a hair salon in Yukon,Ok. Back in Dec. one of my precious 18 year-old clients who is at Go Ministries told me to buy your new CD for my 12 year-old for Christmas. Taking her advice, I bought REBEL, he liked it, but it grabbed ahold of me, and has not let up!!! Have to let you know, I am a 40 year old, white home-schooling mom! However, I know almost every word on that CD! We play your songs at the salon, and since we don't advertise as a Christian salon, I know God is getting His message into Unbelievers hearts and doing a work in them! All this to say, thank you for being obedient to God's call. Your lyrics are bold,life-changing,relevant,and have blessed this old white woman!!:-)

Hey this is for LeCrae, I just wanna let you know that I thank God for blessin me with the song 'Prayin' For You'! I just la-la-love dis song cuz the way u flow with the truthful words is just ridiculous!! The 1st time I seen this video was on Gospel Music Channel, then I started to see it spread to Bet Video Gospel and all over the net. The beat is bad(in a good way) and I just go nuts when I hear the song and see the video. I really love the part where u said u were prayin for yourself! Many young people need to be inspired in this wild world. You're such a blessin'. Hope ya song blow up all over! And I mean all over. . .

On the prosperity gospel piece, I believe the discussion should migrate to a peaceful debate with Scripture. In the parable of the sower sows the Word, Christians will suffer persecution for the word's sake. Some will get offended and the Word will not impact their lives, some will manage the offense and get a 30, 60, 100-fold return.

Romans 5 talks about glorying in tribulation as it works patience. Psalms 1 says that a person who doesn't hang with sinners or get counsel from the unGodly will be blessed and prosper in everything. Psalms 112 tells us that a man who delights greatly in God's commandments will have wealth and riches in his house.

Personally, I believe the prosperity gospel is Scriptural but has been slanted too much towards the bling type riches of cars, houses, and clothes without enough of a balanced perspective of prosperity being based on where you start in God's eyes(parable of the talents).

Christians need to understand that our enemy is not other Christians with different focuses in their doctrine that we may not agree with. We need to work harder to get together with each other to fight our common enemy who is working hard against us and laughing at us when we have the division we have.

I would like someone who doesn't believe in the prosperity gospel to ignore everything the prosperity preachers have taught, take Psalms 112, Psalms 1, the parable of the talents, the parable of the sower sows the word, Phil 4, and come to the conclusion that God has not make provision for his children to be prosperous in everything including but not limited to finances.

I say this as part of a hopefully peaceful Scriptural debate.

I hit submit too fast. What is unbiblical about believing God is OK with his people being wealth given Psalms 112?

[1] Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
[2] His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
[3] Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

The New Testament refers in many places about how unrighteousness will keep people away from the kingdom of God/heaven (i.e. God's system of doing things). The parable of the talents of Matthew 25 has Jesus telling how the kingdom of heaven IS where he describes a men ending up with 10 and 4 talents as good and faithful and a man who has the same 1 talent he started with is wicked and his 1 is given to the man who had 10. Jesus himself gave this parable of how the kingdom is by describing a rich man getting more and a poor man getting less. How then can we say that Jesus doesn't have any standard of faithfulness based on what people have and continue to produce?

Again, I'm not trying to disprove what Bishop XYZ, or Pastor ABC has said. I'm sharing Scripture for a peaceful debate over a fundamental principle that has caused discord among the brethren which the Father hates.

I reiterate that the way the prosperity message has been taught to me has been slanted too much towards the opulent prosperity which may be true for some but for others, they are no less a good and faithful servant if they get off welfare and end up paying all of their bills in an apartment with a paid for economy car.

I love your approach aficiando_jc. The only thing that I would ask you is for you to explain the main point of each of your scriptural references. It seems to me the message being expressed in each of the references is not primarily about prosperity. If I want to teach my son something about life, responsibility as a man, and I tell him that there is great reward for obeying is father and being diligent even when I am not around, isn't the primary point a lesson about how to live? This I think is the difference that is at the core of various debates: Psalm 1 is a lesson is character as much as Psalm 112 is. The Matthew 25 passage is more about working hard doing the Master work and not being lazy just because he is not around. To take it back to my example, what do you think Jesus would say if one of the disciples looked at me and said anything about getting more talents? He would have likely explained to them that they missed the point. (See John 9:1-5; 14:6-12)
In short, the prosperity Gospel, as evident in the name, puts prosperity ahead of the Gospel, or at best gives prosperity in this life more emphasis than it deserves.

Lotus, I agree that some teachings on the prosperity gospel puts prosperity in a limited form ahead of the gospel. I prefer not to name it "prosperity gospel" as I read the Bible, it is what it is. If Psalms 1 says I can prosper in everything, I believe it. For my children and those who I share word with, I teach it as "God says you can be blessed and prosper in everything if you don't get your advice from the unGodly and don't follow around where sinners and those who mock God are. If a teenager, don't be the one at the skip parties hanging out knowing mess is going on. If you are an adult, don't ask your playa friend for advice on your relationship with your woman since he "knows women" and don't go to your boy's stripper bachelor party because yall go way back. That is standing in the way of sinners. Delight in God's way, seek it, listen to Trip Lee and not TI, listen to Marvin Sapp, get your pastor's CD, give as God has called, and you will prosper in your work, your ministry, your relationships with friends and your woman, your money, your ability to give, everything"

Lotus, your noted scriptures compliment the scriptures on the parable of the talents. Scripture doesn't contradict itself. We can't look at someone and say they must have done something to be in their current state as we don't know their story or where they came from. People start out with different lots in life. The parable of the talents talk about what you do with what you have over time. Do you exercise seed, time, harvest or do you keep your seed in the shed. In particular, in Matthew 25:19 Jesus says

[19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

So they all started with something different but after a LONG time two of the servants had harvest on their seed and one didn't. The 2nd servant ended up with less talents(4) than the 1st servant started off with(5) yet he was called a good and faithful servant the same. God is looking at what we do over time with what we have. I believe the perception of the prosperity movement could then be overly slanted towards the guy who got 10 talents(big house and Benz) and not enough for the guy with 4 talents(small paid for house and economy car after starting on welfare). They should get equal time but we can't throw either scenario out so blasting dudes who teach it is counterproductive to God's mission.

Since HHH is anti-secular hip hop, I understand the anti-money slant. We need to realize though that Christians are not our enemy and not throw the baby out with the bath water. For me, I listen to many Christian preachers, eat the hay, spit out the sticks.

At best, this subject is too debatable to be such a source of discord in the body of Christ which God hates.

Many times when the Bible speaks of "Riches" or any words, phrases, or synonyms thereof, it is speaking of SPIRITUAL riches, not physical riches. Sorry guys. That is the truth. God can but will not necessarily bless anyone with riches simply because he or she is faithful. And this should never be our motivation to serve him faithfully. He does, however, always promise to provide for our needs. Grace and peace.

AMEN- great post. Our job as Christians, and what we should really want to do, is to be used by God in bringing people closer to a real relationship with Jesus.

hi Trip that was a very good message, am still working on how to tell others about God but i always seem to shy away, But hopefully God will help me. God bless you guys you're reaching out to soo many people i Live in England and my friends and I love you guys you represent truth and thats good. I just also want to ask when you guys are coming to England cause i'd like to see you guys in concernt. I hope God richly blesses you and always keep his watchful eye on you. :)

Hi it's me again, am working on not listening to like wordly music but it's actually harder than i thought it'd be i know this has nothing to do with this blog. This is a silly question but could what helped you to not listen to wordly music? :)

R-train, on riches. I believe we should study the Word further to get such clarification. A Strong's concordance is good for that purpose. There are times when the Bible is speaking of spiritual riches and there are times when the Bible is speaking of physical riches. For Psalms 112:3 Wealth and riches are defined as follows:

Wealth
Old Testament Hebrew Definition:
01952 hown {hone}
from the same as 01951 in the sense of 0202; TWOT - 487a
AV - rich 11, substance 7, wealth 5, enough 2, nought 1; 26
n m
1) wealth, riches, substance
1a) wealth
1b) price, high value
interj
2) enough!, sufficienc

and riches
Old Testament Hebrew Definition:
06239 `osher {o'-sher}
from 06238; TWOT - 1714a; n m
AV - riches 36, far 1; 37
1) wealth, riches

The definition in that Scripture wasn't specific and exclusive to spiritual riches. Faithfulness and obedience to God and his full gospel over time will have us taking our resources, making more and being good and faithful servants or taking our resources not making more and being considered slothful. Jesus said this himself.

Our enemies are not believers who believe Jesus wants us to prosper over time. Jesus said it himself in the parable of the talents. Our enemy is the person who told us that other believers are our enemy. Some of the prosperity teaching goes overboard on the type of prosperity that God wants us to have. We still have Jesus in common and can spit those sticks while we eat the hay.

We are the redeemed

fo sho,trip! that hit me hard! i guess i should start loving my neighbour tru enough to offend..its time to live it out

Dope post Trip, Ya-meanski.

Wonderful Message, we need more Soldiers for Christ!
Trip continue to represent......

man........trip lee u tuk da words out mi mouth........i try 2 gently lay GOD'S word dwn 2 da un believers then they jus b like u aint gotta stuff it dwn mi throat......so that b makin me feel guilty 4 goin hard 4 CHRIST......now i jus lay low almost until the "GOD" subject pops up again.....

Trip I live in a small town in North Mississippi and let me tell you sometimes the only time they do hear you is when you offend them.then there are some people who have been under that smothered gospel so long thats all they know and wanna hear,they wanna tell you what they think and not what God thinks and before I know it the Spirit in me get hot and I let'em have it like you said sometimes I feel bad and then sometimes I love it!!!! I'm a demon slayer and Satan slayer 4 Christ!!!!!!!!!!!

For too long I've been ashamed of telling people how I felt about God. I've held back my tongue because of fear. For too long I was living for people instead of God. Not anymore. I'm ready to be cast out, rejected, made fun of, and even verbally/physically abused. I know what my Saviour did and is doing in my life, so anybody that doesn't like it, I sorry but I ain't changing. God gave all who believe a Spirit of love, power and a sound mind. I'll keep reppin' Jesus Christ everywhere I go, no shame no remorse. Keep it in God 116 clique, if I don't get to see you here, we'll catch up in Heaven.

God's peace be with you, and be blessed.

This is a great topic trip even tho iam madd late wit it but i got this short story 2 tell

im soooo glad you guys do this! i was recently saved so i still need a lil bit of help n readin all these blogs really helps! i always believed in God n all that but i was always afraid of talkin 2 other people bout it cuz in high school all people care bout is sex, drugs, n alcohol. bt now i dont care what other people think cuz i kno 4rm experience that ANYONE can be saved.

I agree 100% man, this stuff is hard tho. cus i DO have an abrasive kind of personality. I have a HUGE passion for Christ and i want his will to be done in my life. So i often come hard to those who i surround myself with, because we all represent eachother. I do it intentionally but i do come out of love... tough love? i think that is what they call it. Becus i dont want anybody misrepresenting christ. and when my christian friends do that, i often call them on it. and at times they get offended... i have even lost a friend. I have tried to reconcile the relationship, but the friend has put up a wall. But i guess thats just the price of pronouncing my faith. and its like that.

You are wise beyond your years. My feelings exactly, God is good and makes us strong by telling to some one or groups of people the truth in manner of filled with strength, obsolute no fear, and obsolute peace. That's the way Jesus was. I'm elated to hear this due to test that I am currently under in the work place.

i know trip you offended me .....nah i kid i kid but yo that what you displayed right there is Truth mang continue to grow in his Grace mang Grace and Peace

Hey bro. Trip...I saw you and another brother rapping on DayStar. I loved the song "Real Vision" and especially the video for the song. Great work, brother! Keep up the good work and the clear message against the "prosperity gospel." I love that line in the song, "...They just made Jesus they holy ATM." Wow, man, how profound and true. They have truly made Jesus into some kind of ATM where you get money and material things. Keep it up!

MAN that is SO true what you said. it has been times where i have been offended ansd have offended because of the Gospel and being thold the truth in my face. IT REALLY MAKE SINCE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING WHEN YOU SAY WE WILL BE HATED BY ALL FOR CHRIST NAME SAKE!!! TRUE DAT MY BROTHER. THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS BLOG. YOU REALLY PULLED MY ATTENTION VERY DEEPLY! BUT YOU HAVE MADE SOME VERY STRONG POWERFUL CULTIVATING POINTS ABOUT OFFENDING WITHOUT REMORSE. YOU JUST CONTINUE TO LET GOD USE YOU AND MY HE BLESS YOU TO WHERE YOU DO NOT HAVE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECIEVE AND THAT HE MAY ALSO KEEP YOU. BE BLESSED BRO CONTINUE ON IN YOUR JOURNEY AND DO BIG THINGS FOR THE LORD. PEACE

WHOA! This is insane..Him workin through you...wonderful. beautiful. this offense stuff is serious..and I think I like it!:)(point 2 lol) Its amazing I didn't realize I was offending before but now..its like BAM! If I offending with the word.. I wanna do that more offten!! Thanks
~ Romans 1:16~

It's time to get you cds to the store on time. This makes me very upset, and makes me not want to support you because you don't care enough to put a cd in someones hands. I would much rather support a non-christian artist at this point because of this situation. First with Lecrae's "Rebel", now with Tedashii's? This is bogus and you need to dump your distribution company.

Woha Tim, whats up with all the hostility man.. Ok so they didn't get the cd put on the shelf yet....relax you'll get it. chill take a deep breath. It might take a lil' longer becasue they really want you to get something out of it..and not just a bumpin beat..

Amen!! So very relevant today even as it was then & always will be. God bless

I'm perpetually amused by the culture war and its chief weapon/symptom: offense. “Everyone's so offended by everything,” For starters, it may be a good idea to speak to those whose speech offended. https://catalyticministries.com/

The commandment to love one another does not come with qualifications. Jesus didn't die on the cross for only those who followed biblical commands. You died for everyone. For you or anyone else to decide that God's love extends only to a certain group is wrong.