By Your Fruit - Issue 01 - Christian Magazine

Table of Contents Men After God’s Own Heart - PG. 7 Anthony Rush Jr. Rodie Lamb Jr. Noah Williamson

Elevated Faith Clothing - PG. 28 4 Important Ways To Know If You Are Bearing Good Fruit - PG. 30

3rd Day Clothing - PG. 12 Music With Purpose - PG. 32

INTERVIEWS

A Man Living For God

Kyle Ringer Rivers & Robots

INTERVIEWS

Jamal Miller - PG. 20

A Magazine For Young Christians

Editor J.J.Sermon Special Thanks to this Edition’s Contributers Sara Sermon Rodie Lamb Jr. Reginald Hurt Jessica Neal Nickolas Bostic By Your Fruit Magazine Markell Magsby www.byyourfruit.com Letters to the Editor info@byyourfruit.com Thanks to everyone who chose to read this magazine

Letter From The Editor The vision for By Your Fruit is to provide valuable resources to help people who want to grow closer to God. We want to give you insightful tips that can improve your mindset with regards to Christ. Not everything in this magazine will take your breath away, but you may find one piece of information that can parallel you in the right direction. This magazine started because God placed this burden on my heart. He gave me this vision of helping not only myself but everyone who comes across this magazine. Helping in all areas of our lives to honor God in everything we do.

If you are interested in finding modern advice on how to live a righteous life and fulfill all the things that God wants you to be then this magazine is for you. We will be interviewing Christians who provide profound tips and stories that can help you in areas such as Relationships, Church, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Music, and Health, and even Financial Freedom. These stories will show you that you are not alone in your walk with Christ, and that you can become the person God called you to be.

Furthermore, to this month’s feature story which highlights men who are living for God and music with purpose. If you have interested in reading powerful stories from men and women who are walking in purpose. Look no further! Also, if you are looking for some amazing Christian songs to add to your playlist, we will provide a few artists you should definitely add today.

We hope you enjoy this magazine as well as our other monthly issues that will come. You are a part of the By Your Fruit community and we are committed to bringing compelling stories that you will love to help you bear spiritual fruit through your lifestyle daily.

The Editor J.J.Sermon

Who is This Magazine Intended for?

Audience This magazine is intended for Young Christians. If you’re wondering what we mean when we say young, we’re speaking of youth -- young in age and young in Christ. So, if you fall into one of these categories, this magazine is specifically for you.

If you are older, you can still take important information from our magazine. We provide extremely useful tips to grow in your walk as well. Furthermore, we are truly thankful that you have decided to read this magazine and join us as we bear good fruit, no matter where you are in age or in your walk. We pray this magazine blesses you because this is all for God’s glory.

Men After God’s Own Heart

Anthony Rush Jr.

Interview: In this issue, we sat down with Anthony Rush Jr. to discuss his life as a man who is in active pursuit of God. Anthony talks with us about the biggest lessons he’s learned in his walk with Christ and some important reflection points that we can all consume and think about in our own lives.

O

ne thing that made us interested in interviewing you was your transparency. You didn’t try to uphold an image to your audience and like a post you said “I AM JUST LIKE YOU”, you talked about being human and having flaws, and etc., so for people who may not know you where did you grow up and how much of your city made you into the person you are today spiritually?

Anthony: I grew up in Peoria IL. A few hours south of Chicago. My city is everything to me. I love my 309 people and I would not be who I am today if it were not for that place. I encountered so many things good and bad that I had to decide early on what kind of person I wanted to be. Although I was never the party type, or gang banging type I still knew those people and were cool with them. It took me a while to fully embrace who God had called me to be, but I am glad I did it. With that being said I had so many people who looked out for me spiritually because they knew how easy it was to be in the streets. They knew how easy it was to end up in that “wrong place at the wrong time” situation. My

family made sure that they kept me and my friends always prayed up and learning about God whether we wanted to or not.

You also talked about how you fully accepted Jesus during your sophomore year in college, so can you talk about how that college experience helped grow your faith?

Anthony: I think I just got to a point where I hit rock bottom. I just was not happy with who I was when I looked in the mirror and I knew God was calling me to change 100%. I had been trying to do things on my own for so long; and God just told me let me do this and follow me, so I said yes, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

College was a time where I had to make decisions on my own. There was no more Mom or Dad there to guide me every day. I had to put my big boy pants on and decide if I was going to take full advantage of the opportunity to grow the right way or just continue to try and cost like I always did.

What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned with your walk with Christ?

Anthony: Man, if I could just sum up my faith walk in a phrase it would be: “Keep walking, don’t stop.” Growing up I experienced some things that kind of scared me in ways that affected me in ways I did not realize until transferring to a Christian college. My faith was challenged, temptations were everywhere, and I had to decide who I wanted to be. My biggest challenge has always been consistency. I struggle with being so laid back, that it can get me in trouble. But experiencing those things and seeing God come through for me every single time has shaped that phrase for me. If I keep walking God will guide me. He always has, and always will no matter what.

You mentioned that Romans 12:2 KJV is one of your favorite bible verses and it says “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” That’s such a great verse.

Can you talk about not conforming to the world and how to stay focus on God’s plan for your life?

Anthony: Man yes! I love that verse, I held on to that verse in college when I decided to take it seriously and allow God to have me fully. I think it is important to stay consistent in prayer and constant communication with God. When we are in tune to the Holy Spirit we don’t allow a hole for the enemy to work with.

It’s not that easy, but I find it to be so helpful. I also think surrounding yourself with a community of people who have the same mindset as you is crucial. That is definitely one of the reasons I’ve made it thus far. I had a great group of guys I could confide in and show my dirt.

There was no judgment or hiding we all put it out there and were in the war together.

You stated that “Getting to share the love of Christ and his Word on a daily basis with the youth is a dream come true. Do you feel helping the youth is your purpose in life?

Anthony: Yes, I definitely feel like God has called me to share his love and message with

the youth. Before I moved to Dallas, I did it in Kentucky for an incredible place called Love City. The youth are the future leaders of this world. I feel like, especially for our young African American males they need to see a positive black man who loves Jesus. They need to see that there are other ways to find happiness and love without making tons of money or having tons of women. They need to know they don’t have to run the streets, that there is a creator who loves you and has a plan for your life and I’m here to help you find that out.

We’ve noticed that you aren’t shy about representing God through your style, so with so many businesses out there, how do you find great Christian apparel and what are some of your favorite brands?

Anthony: I love seeing Christian businesses man. I love when they proclaim the name of Jesus boldly and aren’t afraid of it. I just try and really look at what they are presenting through the images and captions they post.

I think you can kind of tell most times when

someone’s trying to make a quick buck. But, I have a lot of friends who rock with the brands I rock with as well so they kind of makes it easier for me to say: “OK yea I can rock with them.”

What Christian artist are you currently listening to?

Anthony: Man, I listen to so many Christian artists, but if I can name a few I’ve been bumping heavily it would be : Beleaf, Andy Mineo, Nobigdyl, Aha Gazelle, Lecrae, Wordsplayed, Social Club Misfits, NF, Dave Asaph, Propaganda, and Ty Brasel.

I’m currently newly married, so can you talk about your role as a husband and how your relationship with God has changed since you became married?

Anthony: Being a husband is a constant learning curve man. I think as a husband our roles change every day. We are to be a leader, a lover, a forgiver, a helper, a listener, and the list goes on. Throughout the last two years of being married I think being able to see

where you can adapt and how you can help within every moment with your wife is our job.

Marriage is such a rewarding and fun opportunity to experience. I think that is a perfect example of how God works with us. He is all of that to us no matter what and that is how we are to be with our spouse. Love knows no boundary or end. So, we must strive to be what God is, love.

In one of your recent posts you talked about “Self-Reflection is Vital” and the trueness of being uncomfortable. Could you discuss what you were feeling at the time?

Anthony: I think I was having a heart check.

For me it is very important that I check myself to remind myself that I am nothing without Christ. I’m not saying that I want to tear myself down but I want to humble myself constantly and allow God to be the head of everything I do. For me the more I do that, the more I remember to be in constant communion with the Lord.

Instagram @RushAnthony

Men After God’s Own Heart

tHE iMPACT oF Church Noah Williamson is a man who is truly living for gOD THROUGH HIS WORDS AND ACTIONS. iN THIS INTERVIEW, WE DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF CHURCH AND LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN THROUGHOUT COLLEGE AND AFTER.

nOAH wILLIAMSON

Men After God’s Own Heart

Growing up in Greensboro, NC., How would you describe your upbringing with your family and when did you first encounter Jesus Christ? How did that all come about growing up?

Noah: I was raised or reared in a God-fearing family. My family definitely had a reverence for God. They were centered in Christ, our beliefs, and morals. I grew up in church. I was always in church. My dad was an elder so he was always on call like 24/7. Then my mother was like the service coordinator.

So we were in church like four times a week… I came to know Christ for myself, I made that declaration, when I came to the age of 16, I truly understood that this was something that I need to have – so that was something that really started the journey for me.

he came and filled me up… that’s a moment I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.

That’s a really good story. One thing we noticed is that church seemed like a big part in shaping and developing your relationship with God. Can you share how being in the church really helped you stay on track and/or getting back on track in college?

is something I should aspire to do.

Thirdly, to be an example.

You’re a role model to those who may not be going, those in your family who may not be saved yet. All of these things are very important factors in the life of a believer.

Also developing my own prayer life --The power of corporate prayer and corporate fasting, people who all Noah: Man, the church is so on one accord: one voice and detrimental to your relationone mind – there’s so much ship with God for three main power in that. Me being able reasons. The first one is: that to see that as a young child you’re in a community of like- was very impactful, because I minded believers. You know, feel like it had a lot to do with a lot of times we come across me rededicating my life back people who say, “I believe in to Christ in my college years.

God and I rock with Jesus” but they’re not present in the Can you talk more about local body. I feel that we’re being a Christian but also not able to edify one another, trying to find yourself to build one another up, or during those years of colencourage one another when lege. Also, discuss how we may face the obstacles in you were able to stand out I can say, leading into my life that we may come across. at an HBCU – while being adult life I began to stray So, it’s very important for black. away from that. I didn’t see your physical presence to be anybody else living for God. in church.

Noah: Entering into college, I was involved with sports I really had an open mind. and student activities. I was Secondly, your own perHonestly, I was in entering definitely in an environment sonal relationship with God into my rebellious stage. with people who were doing and knowing what it looks Simply, because growing up their own thing… They were like through serving – havin a Christian household, my out here doing other things ing different opportunities family was very God-fearing. and I’m not going to say that to serve in different areas in They set the morals of the I wasn’t or that I was holithe church whether it be: a house. My dad really took er than thou[laughs] , but I greeter, in the choir, or parkthat seriously. He told us the definitely had that relationship ing lot duty – helping peothings that he was not for… with God.. I definitely grew ple park cars – just giving a He would love us but not supto know Christ at 16, at a heart of serving. Jesus was port us acting out of how we youth encounter, and that’s a servant-leader. He came to were supposed to act being when I first encountered the serve not to be served. So, raised according to the Word.

Holy Spirit and that’s when just taking on that motto. This

In my upperclassmen years of high school, I had kind of strayed away from really walking with Christ diligently. Entering into college, I was like I’m about to do whatever I want, because I wasn’t allowed to have that type of freedom. In college, People knew that I was a Christian and that I believed in God, but I can definitely say that the majority of my actions did not line up with that… I was indulging in sin. That’s just what it was… just defiling my own temple and not caring who I was laying with it…sexual sin.

I had a desire to lead, to grow in my character. So I sought out opportunities to join out organizations… Once you’re known by faculty and staff you’re guaranteed to be known. That definitely had a lot to do with my growth and my character.

I want to know how those low moments led you back to Christ?

Noah: Man, every person that calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Right?

Right.

Noah: It was in that dark place that I cried out to him. I was sleeping on my friend’s pull out couch over the summer of 2016. It was actually the day before my 22ndbirthday. I really felt this emptiness. I felt broken. I felt betrayed. I felt angry. I felt bitter – resentment. Just all of these emotions… I was just looking at the ceiling.

Mind you my friends were in their rooms being loud; but in this moment, everything just slowed down. The Holy Spirit said, “Call out to me,’’ and I just started calling out “Jesus” and crying. The next morning my homebody had

a bottle and told me to take a drink… That was the last day I would live for myself. I was feeling so empty. I was just like “I want to live for God!” God showed me people who were looking up to me and June 10th, I officially rededicated my life back to Christ…

That day I started thanking God and the emptiness began to go away… I wanted to do everything right. I wasn’t perfect but God was perfecting me. From that point, I was living for God. I didn’t care what anybody said.

Wow man! That’s really good.

Now, let’s talk about how this process led you to meeting your wife.

Noah: I met her when I was a sophomore and she was a freshman. I knew she was going to be my wife -- without a doubt… She didn’t know.

Instagram: @therealnoahwill Facebook: @noahwilliamson She was like, “You cute but you aren’t really my type.” We were really good friends for about a year --We weren’t intimate or anything like that. She had a relationship with God, too, but we both weren’t living it out – so we fell victim to worldliness. We started dating the next year… I knew she was my wife; but I knew where I was in my life. I wasn’t best suited to be in a relationship with her. I wasn’t living right… The one thing that made Sonne stand out, from any person I’ve date or pursued was the friendship. She has always loved me through my mistakes – that in itself reminded me of the love of God… She had me head over heels and I knew that no one could top that… A lot of stuff transpired during that time of us courting, but I can really say that it strengthened our friendship, our relationship, and God being the center and foundation of our relationship. It really speaks to how we’re able to be married at a young age. Society says you have to have all of these big things in place before you get married (a whole retirement built up or a house) … When I proposed to Sonne, I didn’t have my own place or a job, but the Lord supplied it all as we walked through obedience.

What advice would you give to young Christians who are in a courtship – who

want to live for God and keep him at the center of their relationship – even at a young age?

Noah: For the man, I would say to be obedient with what God is telling you to do. Every season is different. There’s a time and season for everything. That’s Ecclesiastes 3. I would tell him to read Ecclesiastes 3…

Share your vision with the person who you’re aspiring to marry. What is your vision for both of you in a partnership? How many kids?

Where would you want to live? Where would you want to be in the next 6 months to 2 years? A lot of people say “set far goals.” But no, I see to see the small steps. When women see the small steps, they see so much after you share so little. They are so unique.

They both have to plan. Communication is so definitely so huge, and building that friendship. If your foundation is not Christ and not centered on his truth, ultimately, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Can two walk together except they agree? Submitting to God’s will for your life is how you’ll get the desires of your heart. At the end of the day, we really have to be obedient.

Men After God’s Own Heart

Rodie Lamb Jr.

Rodie Lamb Jr. bALANCING lIFE wHILE haVING fAITH iN THIS iNTERVIEW, we discuss his life as a military child and how he developed his relationship with God. Rodie also talks about balancing life as a Christian, an activist, and A black male in today’s society.

First things first, tell the audience a little more about yourself.

Rodie: My name is Rodie Lamb Jr. and yes Rodie is my real name. I usually get a lot of people who are like “Is Rodie really your real name, is it a nickname, is it short for something?", but I’m actually named after my father. His name is Rodie as well.

I come from a military family.

My Dad is a lieutenant colonel and he’s also an army chaplain. I moved every two to three years of my whole life up until college at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). While I was there, I took up a major in business administration. I was involved various organizations such as NAACP, Student Government, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and lastly apart of the Renaissance program that were for minority males. Like before, I enjoy talking about God, I enjoy helping people, and I really enjoy putting a smile on people's faces.

Can you describe your life growing up and how it shaped your faith?

Rodie: That’s a great question, so being that my father was an army chaplain, he would get an assignment for a Church on the military base.

Now, the assignment would either be all soldiers in the congregation or a combination of soldiers and their families, so growing up I was able to hear my father preach and teach on the regular basis.

That’s when I really started to understand the word of God and see it manifest not only through him, but through the ministry because I see my father be able to preach to different age groups, different ethnicies, and different people who were at different walks in their faith.

Can you talk about your journey to remain abstinent while in college?

Rodie: I look back on it and all I can do is thank God because it has become a lot easier for me to talk about it now then it was when I was in school. I was very embarrassed and I didn’t want anybody to know that I was a virgin.

However, one of the biggest fears for me was having a

child out of wedlock. I take sex very seriously and it’s a very sacred act for me. Ironically, both of my parents were virgins until they met, so growing up they stressed the importance of abstinence and saving myself for marriage.

Not allowing peer pressure to cause me to give in. Furthermore, in college it was hard because I’m around so many beautiful women and I did want to have sex? I sure did, but did I know the consequences that it would have on my spirit? I sure did as well, so for me I wasn’t willing to sacrifice that for some temporary pleasure. Even though we are tempted we have authority over temptation with Christ.

What advice would you give to young Christians who want to live for God while in college and remain abstinence?

Rodie: The first piece of advice I would give them is to be very cautious of their friend’s circle. When you Come to college you’re going to be excited and you’re going to meet people through freshman orientation, class, etc. but your circle of friends that

you keep play a huge factor in your matriculation in college.

The morals and values that your parents instilled in you aren’t always going to be the popular thing amongst college students, so it’s very important for you to develop the strongest foundation possible and allow yourself to stand firm in that even though people may not agree.

The second piece of advice is to get involved in a campus ministry or a local church that they can connect you with other believers. There’s nothing wrong with visiting a few different churches or visiting a few different Christian organizations on campus to see what’s the best fit for you.

The third and final piece of

Instagram: @RodieLambJr

advice is to not put so much pressure on yourself. Not feel as if you have to be perfect and do everything perfect because we are all still learning and we are all still growing. The person that you are freshman year nine times out of ten, won’t be that person by senior year at all. All in all, be open to growth, to new experiences, and also new challenges that will come.

How do you balance being a young black male, an activist, and a Christian in today’s society?

Rodie: At this day and age, when it comes to balancing being a black male, activist, and being a Christian to be honest, I think they are all synonyms in a sense. In

terms of me being a Christian and me living out the gospel to the best of my ability. I’m still learning, developing, and drawing nearer to God every day, but it’s hard for me to remain silent about issues because people lives are in jeopardy. This is something that is affecting me and people who look like me and not even just African-Americans, but Hispanic Americans and Indigenous People. It’s so much across the board. As a believer, if I’m truly going to take up my cross every single day, I can’t pick and choose which parts of the cross I want to take up. I can’t just pick up the parts that justify my privilege or my opinion, I have to look at everything from a holistic standpoint.

Facebook: @RodieLambjr

Avalaible Febraury 2nd, 2019

Jamal Miller has accomplished a lot his life already, and we had the opportunity to talk to him about being married at an early age and how he has grown in his walk with Christ.

What advice would you to give to men who are battling with insecurities and are on the fence with living for God and living for the world?

Jamal: The advice that I would give a person that’s struggling with insecurities or fears or concerns in high school or college is that God uses that to catapult you into your purpose. If you come to him with your fears, your worries, your concerns, your weaknesses.

The bible says he takes our weaknesses and makes it his strength. That is God’s fuel and a lot of times in the things we do extremely well we don’t make room for God to come in and do it even better, so that’s why God says “Hey I’ll take your weaknesses and I’ll take the stuff that’s really shows”. That was nobody but God because I suck at that on my own. I could have not never done that on my own and you know giving God my complete room to just have his way. Fix your eyes on

Jesus and let him come in and determine how your life should be even in the midst of all the things you feel like you’re not adequative at or good at or able to do. Chase after God, don’t let anybody stop you. Go after him and watch what he will do in your life.

What are the benefits of serving in the church from your experience when you started to give your life to God? Jamal: Yeah man. Serving in the church gives you direction and it gives you the opportunity to really direct your energies towards something that is not going to benefit you directly.

Do you have other godly men who helped you grow in your walk, and can you talk about the importance of having a community?

Jamal: Man, Absolutely! I have always had someone. I’ve never done a season where I’ve been fruitful alone. I’ve always had brothers and also pastors and also my spiritual father and mentors that have always just been around me. The bible says “There’s safety in the multitude of counselors” and I take that scripture very seriously. That if I’m going to be a man of leadership and a man who embodies responsibility that I’ve got to make sure I’m doing what is necessary for me to ensure that I keep my caliber of leadership at a strong level by having other leaders that are able to speak into me. Speak into my journey, speak into my decisions, speak into every area of my life because at the end of the day, I’m just a man. I can easily miss God to think that only God will speak to me about a thing is irresponsible because God is going to confirm his word and there are things that I believe that things are not given from God. Like God if you say something to me, I need you to confirm it with somebody else only because I don’t trust myself. The bible says that the heart is deceitfully wicked and there’s no good thing in it. Right, so you just got to be careful of that of the desires that come

out of your heart. The things the enemy will try to plant seeds in to try to destroy you, so I’m very careful and my safeguard is having good faithful men around me that can help me make the right decisions.

Who are some of your favorite pastors that you would recommend for spiritual growth?

Jamal: My number one is my spiritual father Dr. Matthew Stevenson. He’s the go to. He’s been the man that’s challenged me more in my faith than any other man in my life and he’s the one person that I believe one hundred percent is walking in their divine calling of God for his life as well as leading others to do the same. He embodies purpose and he is one who has given himself fully over to completing the destiny that God stamps him to complete and he is doing everything in his power to not only complete it, but to protect himself from anything coming to deter him off the path that God has called him to be on.

He’s a man worth following. After that, then

it gets into people that I believe just are one hundred percent just killing the game today that are exemplifying different aspects of God’s character and God’s heart for today’s world and today’s generation. so I will go from my spiritual father to now going to close mentors and close friends. Another friend of mine that I believe is just killing the game is Jared Ellis. He is a great brother of mine who is taking on huge battles in regards to doing things that are so counter cultural in regards to leadership in taking on a church. He took on a church that was not his. That he didn’t launch it. He could of launched his own church but took on a church, and so you can follow him on YouTube and look him up on Instagram.

Man, there are so many. I love all the campus pastors for All Nations Worship Assembly. You know LaBryant Friend, Brandon Clack, Josh Hart, Adrian Davis are just some great men that are all just leading the charge. You know Sherman Dumas, these great men of God that are just continuing to battle the narratives of what a man of God is in the 21st century.

Bryan Meadows, John Eckhardt are just some

bowers in the faith that are giving themselves over to completing God’s purpose for their life and I can keep going all day of men that I just truly honor, respect, and are so grateful for.

Another thing that we wanted to dive into is marriage and singleness. You got married at a early age, so we wanted to ask you, what were the major reasons you felt like you were ready to get married at an early age?

Jamal: Oh man, I was tired of doing this thing alone. You know, when you get to a place of doing purpose. Adam was doing it.

Adam was killing it in purpose. You know how much of a feat it is to name every animal.

That is an amazing feat if we really process it and I’m sure after doing that task that’s whenever you know it’s like how much more could he do with a partner. That’s where I was and I had climbed to a place of doing pastoral ministry where I was like God I was ready to have somebody to take on this life

with and that’s when I would say I was ready.

I wasn’t just trying to find somebody just to be booed up with. You know, I was looking for somebody to truly chase after God’s will for our lives together.

What has been your biggest obstacle early on in your marriage as you reflected on yourself?

Jamal: That you are not everything your spouse needs on day one and you are going to have to learn on how to grow into the person that truly pleases your spouse. If both of you can get that into the thick skulls of each other, then you can do so much more faster together because at the end of the day for some reason we have this soulmate complex that we think that the moment we say “yes” and “I do” and that this person is everything that I need to be able to be happy and there not. Both of you need to realize that you’re not enough to keep each other one hundred percent satisfied and you’re going to have to

continue to grow every single day at being the person your spouse needs you to be in order for them to feel safe, secure, and satisfied in your marriage. That is not on day one. It’s going to be a journey for the rest of your life just like wine gets better over time. Marriage gets better over time if it’s put in the right environment for it to get better. A lot of people think if I just stay in it, it’s going to get better. Nope,

you got to be put in the right environment and allow it to develop and grow and that environment is so important. The environment you create in your marriage by the two of you sitting down and creating goals and expectations and also having moments where you can be able to reconnect and refresh. Also, taking time to be away from each other. To fall in love with each other again. These are all

the things that contribute to the environment and the atmosphere you both will live in.

Honest communication and being able to be honest and truthful and upright with one another. All these things contribute to the success of the marriage, so that’s my thoughts on what it takes to be ready. To be ready to truly grow. That’s all it is. If you are stuck in your own ways. You don’t want to change.

You don’t want to be better. You’re going to have a hard time being married.

Amen to that! Another thing we wanted to talk about is temptation because in the bible and Jesus was even tempted. How do you deal with temptation as a successful African-American male in a major city?

Jamal: It all comes back down to what you have that you’re going to put in jeopardy of for falling into a trap. The bible says for the joy set before him, he endured the cross.

What is the thing that is in jeopardy and do you have full visualization of that thing? Can you visualize it being completely destroyed or not happening because of your decision that you make today? And if you can visualize that then it should give you the strength to say no and that is the thing for me man that I always holding on to. My family is one hundred percent dependent on me to live the best life I can. My wife, my business, my church, and even those that are called to connect to my life and to be impacted by my life. All these things are going to be affected by me taking the time to simply do something that is not best for my future or that is built to destroy me. That’s a safeguard to visualizing your future. Another safeguard is knowing yourself. By knowing yourself, you know what to not allow in yourself to be involved in and be involved with. That is something I would say every man needs to be aware of. What are your weaknesses? What are the things truly you know if I’m put in this environment, I’m going to fall? If I watch that movie, it’s going to led to something I should not be watching or doing later. If I be around that conversation, yeah, I’m not going to be

able to sit well tonight. You know, just knowing you need to back away from to protect yourself right? At the end of the day, men our body is made to protect ourselves. If you trip, immediately reflex is to catch yourself. Your body literally tries to immediately respond.

What does your spirit do in the moment it is tripped up? How does your spirit respond?

Is it strong enough to catch itself or is it going to possibly because you’re not strong enough, not know how to catch yourself spiritually and change your direction? What is that thing that happens whenever you get into a moment of temptation and how do you respond knowing yourself well because you set yourself up to win and not lose?

1 You aRE Looking Forward To Serving pEOPLE Looking forward to serving people is one important way to know if you are bearing good fruit. This falls perfectly in line with being humble. When you humble yourself unto God, you can position yourself for a blessing. Looking forward to serving others develops pateince and strong will that can help with any aspect of your life.

2 yOU dESIRE rEADING thE wORD of gOD mORE The second way to know if you are bearing good fruit is when you desire reading the word of God. You gained a new sense of motivation to streghten your faith. Reading the bible daily and meditating on the word throughout the day is a clear sign of bearing good fruit because you will make better decisions by understanding the word more.

3 you Don’t Render Evil for evil The third way to know if you are bearing good fruit is when you don’t render evil for evil. If someone is producing bad fruit, you don’t make poor decisions and join them. You start to be more conscious about your decision making and put forth more effort to honor God.

4 YOu Are Spreading Love The last way to know if you are bearing good fruit is when you are spreading love no matter where you go. Spreading love to friends and family by checking on them. Making a great effort to show kindness towards any and everybody. Ultimately, God’s love is shining through you and it’s evident.

Impactful Music

Kyle Ringer Things Get Better: Creating Music That Glorifies God

Kyle Ringer talks about his recent EP “Things Get Better” and how it has helped him grow as a man in all aspects of his life.

Let me start by saying this, your new EP “Things Get Better” is truly incredible from start to finish. Before we go into detail about the EP, can you tell us a little bit about your upbringing and how it helped you grow in your walk with Christ?

Kyle: Thank you! To talk about my upbringing, I’m a pastor’s kid from Ohio. My pops is a Bishop with a couple doctorates. He’s been preaching and teaching for about 30 years now. My mom is prayer warrior and a counselor. Growing up, my parents never really forced Christianity on us. We always had free-will. Oh yeah, by we, I mean myself and my brothers. I have 3 older brothers that I grew up with.

Anyway, we all have gotten to know Jesus for ourselves.

Yes, we were in church but we weren’t really in church if that makes sense. We were growing as men, finding ourselves and our identity so being in 2 parent household really helped shape us. As time progressed, I had some personal experiences hanging around the wrong crowd, girls, and started going wild.

I got myself into a sticky situation with a female and basically told God, “Lord, if you get me out of this one..

I’ll dedicate my life to you.”

He ain’t play NO games. By the grace of God, I was freed from that situation and decided to dedicate my life to Christ not too long after that.

fore I was ever appointed, I was anointed for the position; I just didn’t know it yet. Jesus was preparing me to lead my peers to Him. The fact that I’m the first ever youth pastor for this ministry is not something I take lightly. The Lord led me to establish two brand new youth ministries within our church and open them up to the community, we call them ‘NexGen’ and ‘IMPACT; one for teens and the other for young adults. Up to this point, lives have been changed because of it. Souls are being healed, delivered and set free because of what the Lord has allowed us to do in our ministry.

You are also a youth pastor, so can you talk about that experience?

Now, let’s talk about the EP. Can you let us know your journey leading up the EP?

Kyle: Yeah, man. Being a youth pastor wasn’t always a dream of mine or anything like that but I’m glad I’m here.

I’ve been developing in ministry since I was 17, I’ve always been a worship leader and head musician. The Lord has really blessed me with a plethora of gifts both natural and spiritual. This has led to a great deal of influence amongst my peers, whether in my church or outside of my church. People have always flocked to me since I was a kid, I’ve always been a leader. Through fellowshipping and being on staff at other larger ministries, I gained an outside perspective of the way things should be done in church. Ran it by our pastor and we started moving. Be-

Kyle: For sure! The EP was not something I planned at all. I had been in a rough spot for a few weeks, maybe even a few months. I was feeling inadequate and like I wasn’t doing what God wanted me to do. I had knowingly sinned against God and was deep in a struggle. Writing has ALWAYS been my get away, my way of breaking away from the world and seeking Jesus.

I started producing, just to get my mind off things. It’s like a release, ya know? Then I began writing and telling it all.

I did the whole EP in a week.

Produced, wrote, mixed and released. Everything you heard on that EP, I did myself. Jesus sat in the room with me a couple times in that week and we really just vibed

Instagram: @revringtv

together, man.

One thing that was evident in your songs was your transparency. In your song “Things Get Better”, you weren’t afraid to talk about your flaws and that’s commendable. What inspired you to write this song and what scriptures helped you overcome those moments?

Kyle: Life inspired me to write that record. Being in the struggle helped me write that record. I was at a point where I was vulnerable and the Lord was reconstructing my being.

He had to break me in order to reshape me according to His likeness. Throughout that week of writing these records, I was in the purest state of worship I’ve ever been in my

life. I blocked out the world, my friends, social media, everything. I went to work, came home and wrote records.

Most of that EP was created in prayer and TRUE WORSHIP. The bible says in James 5, “Confess your sins and pray for each other so that you can be healed”. I’ve never wanted to hold back or hide who I was because I know my testimony is going to help other people get saved and grow in their walk with Jesus. A scripture that I live by is Luke 12:48 which paraphrased according to the reading of Kyle Ringer says “To whom much is given, much is required”. I live by that scripture because I know that I’ve been given a lot so I give everything I have when it’s necessary.

In a recent video, you mentioned that writing is like a safe haven for you. Can you tell us how writing has helped you in difficult times in your life?

Kyle: Always, always, always.

I’ve been writing music since I was 9 years old. Built my first studio at 11. As a young boy, I wasn’t always accepted. I had a major speech impediment so I was picked on. I used to get picked on for having body odor. As a kid, those things are tough. I used to write about how much people hated on me and I would drop names in my raps. Calling them out in Jesus Name! As I grew, so did my writing. In high school, I was the man because people knew I would be honest and tell it like it was

and the Lord legit shifted all of that. We had a talk one night and she broke some things down to me that I never realized, ever. I know that was God. She told me that she was afraid to mess up around me because I was such a perfectionist. The Lord showed me that I was trying to control her and make her into who I wanted her to be.

A song that I’m sure a lot Mind you, we had been cool of people can relate to on your EP is “Is It Your Will”. for a solid 2 years at this point and claimed we were bestWhat inspired you to write friends. It was like I was fallthat song? ing in love with who I thought Kyle: Sheesh! Yeah, man. My she was becoming, ya know?

I wasn’t really in love with her, girl and I at the time were in I played myself. So it got to a rough spot. We had been the point of where we weren’t in this state of stagnancy talking for days at a time. and no growth for a solid 3 Claiming that we were in a months. Mind you, we set all relationship but not walking these plans of building a life together. I asked her parents in it or building so we took a break/fasted from each othfor their blessing thinking I er. In that time man, the Lord was about to marry this girl on my records. Little did they know, I was actually a habitual liar but that’s another story for another day. Long story short, I’ve always been about letting it out. I can’t hold hurt in. I can’t attach myself to the past, I have to let it go and writing has always been my way of doing so.

basically showed me that she wasn’t the one. I wasn’t in love and I was repeating the same cycle of past relationships. That conversation on the intro was one of the last times we talked. She was explaining to me how she knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was the Lords will for us to be together and I questioned that 100%. Long story short, we’re no longer together. The record was produced, written and mixed within like 3 hours and released the next morning. It’s just an honest cry to the Lord. Asking Him if it’s really what He has for my life. A lot of times we think we know or we think we have this deep divine connection when we’re really trying to force our own will on Him and that’s what happened here.

Also, can you talk about the importance of making music that glorifies God? Kyle: To me, the music is all about being genuine to my lifestyle. It just so happens that I love God more than anything so my worship is expressed through my lyrics.

I will say this though… Music is the greatest influencer of any topic or idea in the world and if you’re going to make it, be REAL. I hate seeing musicians and artist, especially Christians, that swear up and down what they’re doing in ministry but they have no connection to the people.

They want to tell the story of haters and how God helped them make it or how they’re

on their way up and Jesus is helping them but rarely do they talk about struggles and give people the real spill on their lives. I think it’s weak hearing artist leave out the juice or feel like they have to hide. I tried being that guy with my first EP and it was trash. I told myself everything I say and do from this point on will be honest and genuine and that’s led to this point…

set myself up and fall. Other times, I stay strong and I stand steadfast. I had to learn what faith looks like and decrease in myself so that I could walk in my calling without tainting the people of God.

to now, people have shown nothing but love and support.

That’s the biggest thing to me. I don’t really get booked for shows or anything like that because all my “fans” are online. I’m not trying to be some famous rapper, I never really wanted to be. It’s by What advice would you the grace of God that I was give to up and coming given a gift and use it from Christian artist with regards time to time. My biggest pasto balancing life? sion is seeing lives changed because of the love of Jesus In your song, “I Don’t Kyle: If you’re trying to do Christ, bringing people of all Know”, you said “Right this thing forreal, your worcultures and backgrounds to now, I’m stuck between ship has to be on point. Forthe same space to worship living holy and in my flesh. get the music. Be in tune with our risen savior. That’s what This should be a no brainer, Holy Ghost. Read your word all of this is about. but still I second guess.” and stay on your face daiThat line is so refreshing ly. Live Holy and Righteous Lastly, where can people because being saved and and all the other stuff will be reach you? becoming a new creation added to you. A lot of these doesn’t equate to an easy artists are talented but music Kyle: You can reach me on life. We may be tested even isn’t their calling. Everybody IG @revringtv, Twitter more because the devil isn’t called to be a rapper, @RevRingTV, Facebook Kyle knows that we are chosen. dawg. A lot of these people Stanford Ringer, or by email Can you talk about your in CHH rock with the same revring23@gmail.com. I also own experience with that people and sound the same. vlog on YouTube from time to mind battle?

That’s cool if that’s what time so check that out, too. you’re chasing but if you want Kyle: Side note: I think it’s to be more, chase God, not dope as heck that y’all learn the image. Being all the way the lyrics to my records man, honest, I don’t even listen to Jesus gets the glory out of rap music. Worldly or Christhat love but when you’re tian. I literally just create. a minister and you have good genes, if you know What have been some of what I mean, people flock to your most impactful mothat. And by people I mean, ments, as an artist? serpents. If I’m not strong enough in my word and in my Kyle: For me, it’s always prayer then I am susceptible dope when I see people listo falling into sin. There are tening to my music. People times when we are building send me videos or DMs about a relationship with God and how records have impactgrowing in our faith when we ed them and helped them just completely struggle. At in their walk. From the #Soleast I have… Sometimes I GoneChallenge all the way

Impactful Music

Rivers & Robots

We did an amazing interview with Rivers & Robots (R&R) about their recent album “Discovery”. We talked about their journey leading up to creating the album and their ideas with regards to scriptures, videos, and art.

Let us start by saying this, your new album “Discovery” is phenomenal from start to finish. Can you talk about your journey leading up the album “Discovery”?

R&R: Thank you! We’ve recently changed our line-up as a band, with a new drummer Caleb Choo joining us last year. He’s currently studying at music college in Manchester, which is nice because we sometimes use the rehearsal rooms there to jam and practise. We spent a lot of time between tour dates. Sat in rehearsal rooms playing around with musical ideas and looping different chord progressions and rhythms.

Up til now, I used to write a lot of the songs at home and then we’d develop them lat-

here in Manchester, and we spend a lot of time doing a thing we call ‘Worship and The Word’, which is where we take a passage of scripture, often a psalm, and sing through it, we spend around an hour on each passage, The whole theme of this new album is “Discovering just singing through it and then singing spontaneous the knowledge of God and songs and choruses in rerealizing that any view of God that we have is always sponse to what we’ve read. going to be too small com- I think doing that has got me in the habit of singing psalms pared to what’s God actuand incorporating a lot of ally like.” He always better scripture in our songs. Some than we think he is. Can of the key ones would be in you discuss how that has songs like Satisfy, where the changed or helped grow your relationship with God? bridge is taken directly from Psalm 16:11 (ESV) “In your R&R: I remember reading presence there is fullness a book, The Knowledge of of joy; at your right hand The Holy by A.W. Tozer, and are pleasures forevermore”. it completely blew my mind.

We’ve been trying to go Just realising that God is through our lyrics on genius. eternal and endless, and that com and adding annotations even though He calls us to so people can see the differget to know Him and discovent scriptures the songs are er more of who He is, we’ll based on! never fully be able to know all there is to know. To me that’s Will you provide more lyric an exciting thing because I videos for the rest of the love to learn and discover album? new things. I love the idea that you can just keep discov- R&R: Yes! We plan on doing ering more and more of who a video for each track. Some God is, and never reach the will be music videos, some end. lyric videos, and we just uploaded a video of Burn For Your group did a great You which we recorded live job with incorporating the on the first night of our tour.

Word into your music. Do We want to have the whole you mind sharing some of album up on YouTube, and the scriptures that helped we find having a visual for you write these songs? each track is really helpful. er, but this time a lot of ideas started with us sat together coming up with parts and then I’d take that away and write melodies and lyrics. It was a nice change!

R&R: There are a lot! I lead worship quite regularly at Manchester House of Prayer

In the music video for “Provider”, you had people from all over the world sing

your song and it was amazing! How did this idea come about?

a metaphor for jumping into discovering the knowledge of God. We tried some photography of that to begin with, but I R&R: This is something we wanted something that was a actually did for our last albit more abstract and surreal. bum too, the song Lift Up My I’ve always wanted to do an Eyes. I think we just wanted illustrated cover, and I came to do a fun video, and we’ve across an artist called Mozseen that our music is being za, from South Korea, who’s streamed all around the world style I really love. I spoke to and thought it’d be a really fun him about the concept of the way of having our listeners album, and that I wanted to involved. Since we did the Lift portray somebody underwaUp My Eyes video, we’ve had ter, but in a surreal landscape, a lot of people asking when like discovering a new place. we’re going to do another He came up with a few conone, so we did! cepts but the one with the big ‘doorway’ in the underwater Your album displays crecity was my favourite. I love ativity and uniqueness. how it came out!

How does this great artwork relate to the songs on your Can you discuss the album? importance of communicating truth through art?

R&R: When it came to the artwork for Discovery, I always R&R: We believe that art had this idea of having some- is one of the most powerful body jumping into water. Like languages and most effec-

tive ways of communicating a message in today’s world. And we’ve all had experiences of moments where a song or a film or piece of art has had an impact on us and helped us to understand something. And in a world where so many people are looking for answers and truth, and people are trying to find something that brings them true joy and satisfaction, I think we need artists and creators to point people to Jesus through the things that they create. To reveal Him to the world and proclaim the message that God truly satisfies, and real love, real joy and real hope is found in Him. Our hope is that when people hear our music they encounter something of the person of Jesus, and we can reveal something of who He is through our songs.

What were some of your biggest obstacles with re-

gards to creating the album?

songs could mean that much to somebody really blows me away!

it if you feel God calling you into it. It’s definitely hard work, and easy to get bogged R&R: Honestly, I wouldn’t down in all of the admin and say there were any big obIn a video about the making logistics. A lot of our time with stacles in creating this new of the song “Dreams”, you the band and our ministry Set album. It really felt like there mentioned that 30 songs Sail is spent doing a lot of was a freedom to create and were made but only 12 admin work, sitting at a desk write the songs and enjoy the were released. Do you plan and answering emails, so it’s process. Some albums can on releasing those songs not always as glamorous as be a struggle, but there was a in the near future? you think it might be! It’s also real ease to this one and we important not to do it alone. loved the process of working R&R: Yes, we had a lot of Even if there’s nobody who on the ideas and then devel- songs that didn’t make it on wants to join you in it, at least oping them in the studio. It this album. I think some of make sure you’re connected was just a really fun journey! them were unfinished and to other believers who you with some more time might can be accountable to, and What have been some of end up on a future album. But share the journey with and your most impactful momost of them will probably encourage each other. It can ments, as an artist? never be released. We have be easy to get caught up left over songs from each in all the work, and neglect R&R: I’m always blown away album, and we usually don’t actually spending time with by people’s response to our revisit them again because God. I think you’ll always songs. I recently spoke to we want to write new ones work better when you’re somebody in The Netherfor the next album. Some of working out of love for God lands who told us how their them we still really like, so I’m and not just trying to do a lot mother had listened to our not sure what we’ll do with of things. song The Bridegroom just be- them! fore she died and it really had Lastly, where can people an impact on her. They also What advice would you reach you? played the song at her funer- give to Christians who want al. We’ve also heard of peoto start their own Christian R&R: You can find our music ple using that song as they business? on riversandrobots.com, and walk down the aisle at their also find us on social media wedding. The fact that our R&R: I would say to go for @riversandrobots

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