God’s Love is Always With Us
Oh to be covered by God’s love and His only Son with ever flowing grace, peace AND LOVE!!
I love to say, “I’m so glad that God is not like us”. God’s mercy, love, and grace are ever flowing, covering and protecting us. During this Advent season, we are reminded that even though Jesus was the gift of life through His death, He yet remains. We must not only be mentally or spiritually reminded, but we must through and by Faith know that He is always with us. What a way to celebrate our Risen Savior by walking in the power of His love in that he gave himself to and for us. This is the most precious immeasurable gift we could have ever had and yet still do.
Celebrate with dance, song, timbrel, family, friends, partners all around… for this is a must. Because His love is ALWAYS WITH US!!!
This was abundantly clear when God called me into a new journey. The REEL Center stands for Reaching Everyone Equally with Love. I started this ministry in the confines of my home. It started with a group of peers – all LGBTQIA – because we were expressing ourselves and how uncomfortable it was to fellowship and worship in other “churches”, ministries, and faith spaces. We created a non-traditional Bible study initially called G.L.A.D – God 1st Love Accountability and Development. We created an interactive panel that had discussions surrounding faith and sexuality. We would pray, talk, cry and sing. This worship space became our place and then The REEL Center was birthed. We understand the church is likened to a hospital so we love on all people in word and deed! It was love manifest!
As we reflect during this Advent season, even as a peculiar people, let us remember the greatest gift this season … that gift is LOVE!! This gift should be free flowing and freely given to all.
Let us remember all of God’s children – queer, trans, LGBTQIA. It is my hope that you can show God’s gift of love to even those who do not look like us. It is not only a gift but a command to love your neighbor as you love yourself. In perilous times such as now, we must show AGAPE and Unconditional LOVE of the Father and His Son to all of our siblings no matter who they are. Love urges us to action in that while we all were yet sinners, Jesus gave His life so that we could live in freedom and liberty.
Free to love, free to give, free to live in our truth.
What shall we say then… that nothing will be able to separate us from the love God has for us. Be kind and do not forget to show love this season to all you encounter, for this is the will of our Father to love all mankind.
But how will you show love to others in this season?
Will the love of God be shown and reflected by all that you say and do?
We also have this promise of God’s everlasting love in that for God so loved this world, the Greatest Gift and Sacrifice that He gave His only begotten Son so that we may have life (John 3:16).
What will you give this season? How does this love manifest in your life?
We need a lot of action right now. And at the same time, this love does not have to be extravagant. Give the gift of love to everyone you see or encounter. Most importantly don’t forget to love yourself, understanding again that GOD is always with us through grace, through mercy, through forbearance, through sacrifice, through and in forgiveness.
May the favor, grace, peace, joy and love of God, family and friends, surround you this season. May there be an abundance of blessings to those who always show love to everyone in every place and space. Remembering that God’s love is available to all people. Don’t forget the gift. It may not come wrapped in decorative paper, it may not be under the tree, it may not even be in a stocking over the fireplace, but it is ever flowing and glowing within you, burning to be spread abroad to those who know and believe in this gift straight from God.
What a wonderful way to spread God’s purpose and message through the love we show to one another.
We also need to know in our community that we are loved, and this gift was freely given to us all. In moments where we often feel unseen, unheard, and unloved, reflect on God’s covenant sealed with the rainbow of promise – each color representing each person from every walk of life. God’s promise of love is this: there is NO respect of persons with God and whom the Son set free is free indeed!!
I remember when I finally walked in my freedom and that is where the love of God surrounded and saturated me with God’s presence and Spirit. So in the Spirit of love and this season of Advent let us never forget to show and spread love abroad, for this is the will of God and in and through us is God’s love made perfect and the most precious gift from above.
To my Trans and Queer siblings, continue to celebrate and love yourselves and each other. If we can share and show love we can be the beacon of light that lights up the days of every season and the light that spreads this gift to all around. To know that we are loved in all of our authenticity is the greatest gift we can ever have. I love you all and I’d rather we remind each other of this love daily.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Apostle-Bishop Que Josiah Thomas was born (Openly Trans-Masc) in Alliance, Ohio in June of 1978 to Prophetess Etta and Archbishop Michael Thomas. Que was raised by Prophetess Thomas-Lilly and Mr. Miles Lilly in Canton, Ohio, Texas and eventually South Georgia. Que has 3 other siblings. Que was raised in Holiness, Pentecostal churches. Growing up singing and leading choirs and different praise teams. Also, at a young age being prompted by God, Que began operating prophetically. God dealt with Que in dreams and visions. Prophetess Etta nurtured this gift with Que. Que’s biological father was also heavily known for Ministry and Pastoring. Que enjoyed singing/ministering and basketball. Que went to college at the age of 16 years old on an academic and athletic scholarship. Que was operating under COP Ministries by the age of 18 years old. Bishop Q.S Caldwell was his Leader at the time. As life progressed, Que became incarcerated at the age of 21. During this journey, Que obtained several Ministerial and Chaplaincy certifications for Ministry as well as an advanced diploma from Emory University School of McAfee in Religious Studies. Que was released after 16 years of incarceration. Que has 4 children biologically; ages 23, 25, 27 and 29. Two girls and 2 boys, 3 granddaughters (1 on the way), and 2 deceased grandsons. Apostle Que has resided in the Metro Atlanta area for about 5 years. Que was ordained a Minister in the Lord’s Church by Bishop Alana Thompson in 2017 at Empowerment Church. In 2019 under the leadership of Apostle Damyeon Massey of Glory Nation Churches of Atlanta, he was elevated to Elder/Overseer. Pastor Que Josiah Thomas founded The Reel Center of Atlanta in September of 2020 and was installed as the Senior Pastor by Bishop Timothy L. Jackson in July of 2020. Que has always sought to love and serve others. The REEL Center was given to Que in a vision and charged by God to non-traditionally bring others back to God through love and without tradition and religious bonds. He and his friends would talk about having their own ministry due to experiences within the body and the “Church”. The vision was given and executed almost immediately. Apostle-Bishop Que is heavy in Outreach, Homeless and Jail/Prison Ministry especially within the LGBTQIA Community. He loves to give, love, and help others.
Unbound Social