Luke 6:22
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.
Everybody wants to be loved and respected. You want to know that people appreciate you. If you are the kind of person that needs a daily dose of this kind of validation then fulltime ministry may not be for you. When you really live out what it means to be a Christ follower and live out the true meaning of a radical gospel you will not be liked or loved by everybody.
Biggie Smalls said, “You’re nobody 'til somebody kills you.” Jesus said it another way, “you’re nobody until somebody hates you.” You’re probably not doing anything significant for the Kingdom if people are not hating on you. I’m not talking about people critiquing you for moral failure or ethical improprieties or even being addicted to mediocrity. I’m talking about people just being mean because you are outside the box and don’t conform to their paradigm of what they understand to be normal.
Hating is when people don’t like your light because they have no shine. Hating is when people assassinate a person’s character with no substantial proof of misgivings. Hating is when you cannot celebrate someone else’s achievement because they did it before you. You are a hater if you are reading this right now and wondering, “Is he talking about me?” (I see you, hi hater…LOL).
Not everyone is a hater just those who hate you and don’t even know why they don’t like you. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. Nothing wrong with people holding you accountable, but there is something wrong when people hate you for simply doing right and helping people.
Jesus was hated. He said, “No student is above his teacher. If they hated on me they are going to hate you too.” Jesus also said that there are three ways they hate on you and you are blessed when it happens:
1. When they exclude you. You may wonder why you are not invited into certain circles. You are not supposed to fit in. That’s why you are excluded. Your anointing will not allow the wrong people to be comfortable around you.
2. Insult you. They say ugly things about you to tarnish your name, whether it be your name, your business, or your organization. They try to demonize you so that it is easier for people to join in their hatred of you.
3. Reject your name as evil. They try to associate the mention of your name with everything bad. They can’t even stand for people to mention your name. “Oh you go over there?!” “Yeah I know him/her.” What is sad is that they don’t even know you. They’ve never sit down to have a conversation with you but they “know you.”
They do this not because the negative things they say are true but because of your relationship with the radical nature of Jesus. Jesus was a revolutionary who loved the marginalized, the poor, the tax collectors, prostitutes and the sick. His ministry methods were unorthodox; healing on the Sabbath, touching lepers, talking with women in public, drinking and eating with sinners. He couldn’t be contained in traditional boxes and traditional/religious people hated him.
When you operate in this pattern, people are going to hate you. What you need to be worried about is when everybody speaks well of you. V. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated false prophets.
Like NAS said, “you can hate me now but I won’t stop now!” the sooner you realize how blessed you are for being hated as a follower/disciple of Christ the more effective you will be. You’re not supposed to fit in. Your ‘Hateration’ is only Validation that God is using you.
Dear God, thank you for setting me apart for your service. It’s been lonely at times but the reward of seeing your people blessed has been worth the hits and the isolation. I know you sent me after those nobody else wanted and to say what nobody else would say and do what nobody else would do so we could live like nobody else has lived. We are blessed in the city, we are blessed in the field, we are blessed when we come and when we go. Thank you for blessing me when I’m hated on. I love my Haters.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Did You Get It Yet?
Daniel 9:23
As soon as you began to pray an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore consider the message and understand vision.
There are times when we are waiting on a response or a package or anything we have sent out a request for and it seems as if it’s never going to get here. Sometimes when you see your friends online and you send them an instant message you wait on instant response but just because it says they are online doesn’t always mean they are available. They could be talking to someone else, stepped away from their computer, or they could just be ignoring you. Whatever the case we’ve all been in a place where we are waiting on a response.
Sometimes, God can keep you waiting too. It’s not that He hasn’t received your message; it’s just a matter of time before He processes your request.
Here’s the Good News:
1. As soon as you began to pray an answer was given. God’s faster than text messaging and He will give you an answer. It just may not be what you want to hear. There are three responses you can get; yes, no, or not yet.
2. He will send a messenger to tell you. Sometimes it’s a vision, a sermon, a song, or a person. But God will always send a messenger. The bible says, “How can they hear without a preacher?” to consistently get a message you need a messenger.
3. You are highly esteemed. All prayers will be answered in the order in which they are received. Aren’t you glad that God is able to hear all of us at once? Revelation 5:8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
4. Consider the message. When God gives you the answer consider the message. Think about what is actually being said. Go over your notes when you get home. Purchase the CD/DVD of the sermon and listen to it again so you can get the full message. Sometimes, we miss the details of the message because we were distracted by our emotions.
5. Understand the vision. In all your receiving get understanding. Ask God to make the vision clear before you run with it. Write the vision and make it plain so the people can run with it.
Dear God, thank you for hearing my prayers instantly! Now I’m waiting in confidence for your reply. I’m ready to do whatever you tell me to do. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to be in a position to receive what you are sending my way.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
As soon as you began to pray an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore consider the message and understand vision.
There are times when we are waiting on a response or a package or anything we have sent out a request for and it seems as if it’s never going to get here. Sometimes when you see your friends online and you send them an instant message you wait on instant response but just because it says they are online doesn’t always mean they are available. They could be talking to someone else, stepped away from their computer, or they could just be ignoring you. Whatever the case we’ve all been in a place where we are waiting on a response.
Sometimes, God can keep you waiting too. It’s not that He hasn’t received your message; it’s just a matter of time before He processes your request.
Here’s the Good News:
1. As soon as you began to pray an answer was given. God’s faster than text messaging and He will give you an answer. It just may not be what you want to hear. There are three responses you can get; yes, no, or not yet.
2. He will send a messenger to tell you. Sometimes it’s a vision, a sermon, a song, or a person. But God will always send a messenger. The bible says, “How can they hear without a preacher?” to consistently get a message you need a messenger.
3. You are highly esteemed. All prayers will be answered in the order in which they are received. Aren’t you glad that God is able to hear all of us at once? Revelation 5:8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
4. Consider the message. When God gives you the answer consider the message. Think about what is actually being said. Go over your notes when you get home. Purchase the CD/DVD of the sermon and listen to it again so you can get the full message. Sometimes, we miss the details of the message because we were distracted by our emotions.
5. Understand the vision. In all your receiving get understanding. Ask God to make the vision clear before you run with it. Write the vision and make it plain so the people can run with it.
Dear God, thank you for hearing my prayers instantly! Now I’m waiting in confidence for your reply. I’m ready to do whatever you tell me to do. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to be in a position to receive what you are sending my way.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Are You Awake?
Luke 9:32
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake they saw his Glory and the two men standing with him.
In the movie, “The Matrix,” Neo is asleep at his computer when the words scroll across the screen, “WAKE UP NEO!” After that it’s on. Neo is visited by Morpheus and his eyes are opened to the fact that he has been a slave in an illusory world called the Matrix. It is the deepest movie I’ve ever seen in my life.
We all live in “the Matrix.” There is a deeper reality behind this “Matrix of a Media” that keeps spoon feeding political propaganda through partisan spin. We live in a “Matrix of Materialism” that is broadcast through commercials, television programming and music videos. We live in a “Matrix of Religion” that is full of doctrine but light in transformational power that comes only through relationship with Jesus Christ. Behind this Matrix is the Kingdom of God waiting to be revealed but we can’t see it because we are asleep at the computer. WAKE UP NEO!
Peter and his companions were on the top of the mountain with Jesus. They were in the right place at the right time but they were sleepy. To their credit it was natural for them to be sleepy. They could have been sleepy because of the physical strain of climbing the mountain or maybe because of the thinness of the air and the high altitude. Whatever the case, the bible says that they were sleepy.
Moses and Elijah appeared and were having a conversation with Jesus. This was a major revelation. Two of the greatest prophets in Israel’s history are back from the dead talking with Jesus. They were in there, “Glorious Splendor” talking with Jesus about His departure. God sent two of his most powerful prophets to encourage Jesus about the most difficult test of his life, his crucifixion. To defeat the Matrix Jesus had to die.
Peter, James and John were about to miss this revelation because they were sleepy. They were stuck between a conscious and unconscious state. How many times have we been in God’s presence half asleep? If you want to get the full revelation you have to be fully awake.
1. Get a good night’s sleep before you come to worship. How many times have you stayed up too late on Saturday night and really couldn’t enjoy service because you were too tired?
2. Make sure you are fresh when you read your bible.
3. Don’t pray when you are sleepy.
4. Give your body proper rest so your Spirit can get a full revelation.
5. Watch less TV and Read more. Study to show yourself approved.
Dear God, wake me up so I can receive the full revelation. I want to experience your glory. Thank you for waking me up this morning and starting me on my way. Now my eyes are open and I’m ready to see your revelation and experience your Kingdom behind the Matrix.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake they saw his Glory and the two men standing with him.
In the movie, “The Matrix,” Neo is asleep at his computer when the words scroll across the screen, “WAKE UP NEO!” After that it’s on. Neo is visited by Morpheus and his eyes are opened to the fact that he has been a slave in an illusory world called the Matrix. It is the deepest movie I’ve ever seen in my life.
We all live in “the Matrix.” There is a deeper reality behind this “Matrix of a Media” that keeps spoon feeding political propaganda through partisan spin. We live in a “Matrix of Materialism” that is broadcast through commercials, television programming and music videos. We live in a “Matrix of Religion” that is full of doctrine but light in transformational power that comes only through relationship with Jesus Christ. Behind this Matrix is the Kingdom of God waiting to be revealed but we can’t see it because we are asleep at the computer. WAKE UP NEO!
Peter and his companions were on the top of the mountain with Jesus. They were in the right place at the right time but they were sleepy. To their credit it was natural for them to be sleepy. They could have been sleepy because of the physical strain of climbing the mountain or maybe because of the thinness of the air and the high altitude. Whatever the case, the bible says that they were sleepy.
Moses and Elijah appeared and were having a conversation with Jesus. This was a major revelation. Two of the greatest prophets in Israel’s history are back from the dead talking with Jesus. They were in there, “Glorious Splendor” talking with Jesus about His departure. God sent two of his most powerful prophets to encourage Jesus about the most difficult test of his life, his crucifixion. To defeat the Matrix Jesus had to die.
Peter, James and John were about to miss this revelation because they were sleepy. They were stuck between a conscious and unconscious state. How many times have we been in God’s presence half asleep? If you want to get the full revelation you have to be fully awake.
1. Get a good night’s sleep before you come to worship. How many times have you stayed up too late on Saturday night and really couldn’t enjoy service because you were too tired?
2. Make sure you are fresh when you read your bible.
3. Don’t pray when you are sleepy.
4. Give your body proper rest so your Spirit can get a full revelation.
5. Watch less TV and Read more. Study to show yourself approved.
Dear God, wake me up so I can receive the full revelation. I want to experience your glory. Thank you for waking me up this morning and starting me on my way. Now my eyes are open and I’m ready to see your revelation and experience your Kingdom behind the Matrix.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, September 16, 2010
How Can I Get In?
Revelation 21:27
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
We are developing a new community that will be called, “Eden Square Town Center”. It will be a place of sustainable urban redevelopment. It will be anchored by our charter school, Power Center Academy, with grades K-12, affordable housing, health center, performing arts, wetlands, football/Lacrosse/baseball fields, and niche retail. This will be a wonderful place of community with a diverse people. When one woman heard us talk about it, she got so excited. She said, “ I was thinking about leaving Memphis and moving back to Minnesota, but now I want to stay! How can I get in?
When we described this beloved community this woman wanted to get in. We emphasized that this was a place for all people but we would have rules for our community so we could uphold the standards for a viable community.
When we hear descriptions of heaven it sounds like a ‘beloved community’ where we would all like to get into. God himself will be there along with the Lamb (Jesus). God will wipe away all tears. There will be no need for moon, sun or stars because God’s glory will light up the city. There will be no more sickness, pain or dying. Sounds Great! How do I get in? He who overcomes will inherit this! But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars will not be allowed in. There is a disclaimer on the gates that reads, “Nothing impure will ever enter it.” Then the question remains how can I get in?
The only way we can get in is to overcome all the things that keep us out. If you’ve ever tried to overcome these proclivities like everybody else I know, then you’ve probably fallen short. The only way to get in is to be in relationship with Jesus who helps you to overcome and His blood cleanses you of your sins which allows you access. That’s how we get in. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the Life, no man can come to the Father unless he comes through me. That’s how you get in.
Dear God, thank you for granting me access to the Kingdom. Help me to live in a way that doesn’t disqualify me from getting in. I can’t wait to move in the New Jerusalem and to be with you and Jesus. I’m getting my house in order so I’ll be ready when you come.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
We are developing a new community that will be called, “Eden Square Town Center”. It will be a place of sustainable urban redevelopment. It will be anchored by our charter school, Power Center Academy, with grades K-12, affordable housing, health center, performing arts, wetlands, football/Lacrosse/baseball fields, and niche retail. This will be a wonderful place of community with a diverse people. When one woman heard us talk about it, she got so excited. She said, “ I was thinking about leaving Memphis and moving back to Minnesota, but now I want to stay! How can I get in?
When we described this beloved community this woman wanted to get in. We emphasized that this was a place for all people but we would have rules for our community so we could uphold the standards for a viable community.
When we hear descriptions of heaven it sounds like a ‘beloved community’ where we would all like to get into. God himself will be there along with the Lamb (Jesus). God will wipe away all tears. There will be no need for moon, sun or stars because God’s glory will light up the city. There will be no more sickness, pain or dying. Sounds Great! How do I get in? He who overcomes will inherit this! But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars will not be allowed in. There is a disclaimer on the gates that reads, “Nothing impure will ever enter it.” Then the question remains how can I get in?
The only way we can get in is to overcome all the things that keep us out. If you’ve ever tried to overcome these proclivities like everybody else I know, then you’ve probably fallen short. The only way to get in is to be in relationship with Jesus who helps you to overcome and His blood cleanses you of your sins which allows you access. That’s how we get in. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the Life, no man can come to the Father unless he comes through me. That’s how you get in.
Dear God, thank you for granting me access to the Kingdom. Help me to live in a way that doesn’t disqualify me from getting in. I can’t wait to move in the New Jerusalem and to be with you and Jesus. I’m getting my house in order so I’ll be ready when you come.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I'm Glad God's Slow
Psalm 145:8
The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love.
In this microwave, broadband, 3G world we live in we want everything instantly. We don’t have to same patience and tolerance we use to have. We want what we want when we want it. We want instant gratification over delayed gratification. We don’t want to wait on anything.
I love speed more than anyone. My 3G Ipad and Iphone have me spoiled by being able to get information quickly at the touch of a button. I just have to remember that even though God is a Trinitarian God, he’s not 3G.
God is purposely slow. Now he can move faster than 3G when he wants to but God is intentionally slow. The old folks said, “He may not come when you want him but he’s always on time.” Believe me, you don’t want God to be on time because if God moved every time He should have moved you and I wouldn’t be here today. It is because of his mercies that we are not consumed.
It’s amazing how we want God to move fast when we want something from Him but we want Him to move slow when we deserve discipline. I’m glad God is slow. Even when I want Him to be fast His slowness is giving me time to get myself together so I will not ruin what he’s fixing.
David said, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate. God holds back His judgment when He should have released His fury. The bible says, “He’s slow to anger.” When it comes to getting what I deserve, I’m glad God is dial up and not broadband, because if we got what we deserved we’d be dead already. The only reason we are still here is:
1. God is slow to anger. God wishes that no one would perish but that all would be saved. He’s giving us time to get ourselves together and surrender to his will. God is so patient that he is purposely slow in giving us what our sins deserve. He is gracious and his compassionate.
2. God is rich in Love. God has so much love that it is in overflow. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. God loves us so much that it hurts Him to see us not live up to our potential so He gave Jesus to die in our place so that we could live with Him forever. Jesus went to Calvary to save a wretch like you and me. ..That’s Love!
Dear God, thank you for being slow to anger and rich in your love. Your love for me kept me alive when I deserved to die. There is a reason why I’m still here and I want to thank you for being slow. Your slowness kept me and gave me some time to get myself together. Today, I will not waste this time you’ve given me. I’ve got to get myself together because I’ve got somewhere to go. I want to go to heaven someday. Thank you for giving me more time.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love.
In this microwave, broadband, 3G world we live in we want everything instantly. We don’t have to same patience and tolerance we use to have. We want what we want when we want it. We want instant gratification over delayed gratification. We don’t want to wait on anything.
I love speed more than anyone. My 3G Ipad and Iphone have me spoiled by being able to get information quickly at the touch of a button. I just have to remember that even though God is a Trinitarian God, he’s not 3G.
God is purposely slow. Now he can move faster than 3G when he wants to but God is intentionally slow. The old folks said, “He may not come when you want him but he’s always on time.” Believe me, you don’t want God to be on time because if God moved every time He should have moved you and I wouldn’t be here today. It is because of his mercies that we are not consumed.
It’s amazing how we want God to move fast when we want something from Him but we want Him to move slow when we deserve discipline. I’m glad God is slow. Even when I want Him to be fast His slowness is giving me time to get myself together so I will not ruin what he’s fixing.
David said, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate. God holds back His judgment when He should have released His fury. The bible says, “He’s slow to anger.” When it comes to getting what I deserve, I’m glad God is dial up and not broadband, because if we got what we deserved we’d be dead already. The only reason we are still here is:
1. God is slow to anger. God wishes that no one would perish but that all would be saved. He’s giving us time to get ourselves together and surrender to his will. God is so patient that he is purposely slow in giving us what our sins deserve. He is gracious and his compassionate.
2. God is rich in Love. God has so much love that it is in overflow. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. God loves us so much that it hurts Him to see us not live up to our potential so He gave Jesus to die in our place so that we could live with Him forever. Jesus went to Calvary to save a wretch like you and me. ..That’s Love!
Dear God, thank you for being slow to anger and rich in your love. Your love for me kept me alive when I deserved to die. There is a reason why I’m still here and I want to thank you for being slow. Your slowness kept me and gave me some time to get myself together. Today, I will not waste this time you’ve given me. I’ve got to get myself together because I’ve got somewhere to go. I want to go to heaven someday. Thank you for giving me more time.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
It's Time to Come Back Home
Ezekiel 36:8-11 (The Message)
8-12 "'But you, Mountains of Israel, will burst with new growth, putting out branches and bearing fruit for my people Israel.My people are coming home! Do you see? I'm back again. I'm on your side. You'll be plowed and planted as before! I'll see to it that your population grows all over Israel, that the towns fill up with people, that the ruins are rebuilt. I'll make this place teem with life—human and animal. The country will burst into life, life, and more life, your towns and villages full of people just as in the old days. I'll treat you better than I ever have. And you'll realize that I am God. I'll put people over you—my own people Israel! They'll take care of you and you'll be their inheritance. Never again will you be a harsh and unforgiving land to them.
There have been times when we all have had to leave home for one reason or the other; whether it’s going off to school, to fight for your country, or to work. Then there are other reasons like going in pursuit of a dream, fleeing dysfunction, or just being rebellious. We’ve all left home but the good news is that you can always come home.
Church is like home because it is the house of God where the people of God represent his family. Like family we love each other but we don’t always get along and we don’t always do what the father says do. Sometimes, we get scattered, grow apart, and lose our way but God has a way of bringing us back home. Like the prodigal son God gives us time to work out our rebellion to bring us back to the Father.
The Children of Israel were disobedient to God and he caused them to be scattered and their land became desolate. Their numbers decreased because people were taken captive or died, but God promised the prophet Ezekiel that the Children of Israel were about to come home.
I believe God is getting ready to send the lost sheep, his scattered children back home. This Sunday is back to church Sunday and God is sending his angels out to tell his people it’s time to come back home. When we come back home here is what God’s going to do:
1.God will look on us with favor. God tells the prophet I see you and I am concerned about you. God is concerned about what you’ve been going through and he’s ready for you to come back home.
2.You will be plowed and sown. God’s about ready to break up some old stuff so that he can sow some new stuff in your life. God wants to put the past behind you so that he can grow your future.
3.God will multiply the number of people. Just as God had to take away some old people he’s about to multiply the people that had to leave your life. He’s giving increase.
4.The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. When God sends the people back home, they will inhabit the towns and rebuild what is torn down. We have work to do to transform our communities. Transformed people transform communities. It’s time to come back home!
5. God will make you prosper more than before. When you come back home God will give you more than you had when you left. Prosperity is more than money, its health, its peace, it’s wholeness.
When God brings us back home he is able to do more with us together than he can with us scattered. This week your assignment is to go get every person you know that has not been to church and invite them to come back home this Sunday. It’s time to come back home!
Jodeci had a song entitled “I’m Still waiting.” I believe God’s still waiting for you to come back home, to fulfill this life, you’ve been dreaming of. Another day might be too long, come home so nothing goes wrong.
Dear God, bring my brother/sister back home this Sunday. For whatever reason, they left but your spirit is calling them back because you care for them and you’re ready to show them favor. Please God forgive us for leaving and forgive us for causing people to leave. Restore us to where we are more prosperous than we were before we left. I’m ready to come back home to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
8-12 "'But you, Mountains of Israel, will burst with new growth, putting out branches and bearing fruit for my people Israel.My people are coming home! Do you see? I'm back again. I'm on your side. You'll be plowed and planted as before! I'll see to it that your population grows all over Israel, that the towns fill up with people, that the ruins are rebuilt. I'll make this place teem with life—human and animal. The country will burst into life, life, and more life, your towns and villages full of people just as in the old days. I'll treat you better than I ever have. And you'll realize that I am God. I'll put people over you—my own people Israel! They'll take care of you and you'll be their inheritance. Never again will you be a harsh and unforgiving land to them.
There have been times when we all have had to leave home for one reason or the other; whether it’s going off to school, to fight for your country, or to work. Then there are other reasons like going in pursuit of a dream, fleeing dysfunction, or just being rebellious. We’ve all left home but the good news is that you can always come home.
Church is like home because it is the house of God where the people of God represent his family. Like family we love each other but we don’t always get along and we don’t always do what the father says do. Sometimes, we get scattered, grow apart, and lose our way but God has a way of bringing us back home. Like the prodigal son God gives us time to work out our rebellion to bring us back to the Father.
The Children of Israel were disobedient to God and he caused them to be scattered and their land became desolate. Their numbers decreased because people were taken captive or died, but God promised the prophet Ezekiel that the Children of Israel were about to come home.
I believe God is getting ready to send the lost sheep, his scattered children back home. This Sunday is back to church Sunday and God is sending his angels out to tell his people it’s time to come back home. When we come back home here is what God’s going to do:
1.God will look on us with favor. God tells the prophet I see you and I am concerned about you. God is concerned about what you’ve been going through and he’s ready for you to come back home.
2.You will be plowed and sown. God’s about ready to break up some old stuff so that he can sow some new stuff in your life. God wants to put the past behind you so that he can grow your future.
3.God will multiply the number of people. Just as God had to take away some old people he’s about to multiply the people that had to leave your life. He’s giving increase.
4.The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. When God sends the people back home, they will inhabit the towns and rebuild what is torn down. We have work to do to transform our communities. Transformed people transform communities. It’s time to come back home!
5. God will make you prosper more than before. When you come back home God will give you more than you had when you left. Prosperity is more than money, its health, its peace, it’s wholeness.
When God brings us back home he is able to do more with us together than he can with us scattered. This week your assignment is to go get every person you know that has not been to church and invite them to come back home this Sunday. It’s time to come back home!
Jodeci had a song entitled “I’m Still waiting.” I believe God’s still waiting for you to come back home, to fulfill this life, you’ve been dreaming of. Another day might be too long, come home so nothing goes wrong.
Dear God, bring my brother/sister back home this Sunday. For whatever reason, they left but your spirit is calling them back because you care for them and you’re ready to show them favor. Please God forgive us for leaving and forgive us for causing people to leave. Restore us to where we are more prosperous than we were before we left. I’m ready to come back home to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, September 13, 2010
Did You Hear the VMA?
Did you hear the VMA?
Ezekiel 33:32
Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.
Did you see the VMA’s (Video Music Awards) last night? Everyone was waiting to see the resolution to the tension between Taylor Swift and Kanye West. Taylor seemed to extend an Olive Branch to Kanye by proclaiming “you’re still innocent and you are not what you did.” While Kanye seemed to bask in his own arrogance as he, “made a toast to the scum bags, etc.” Outside of Taylor Swifts attempt at reconciliation there was not much to listen to and the ones we should have listened to weren’t heard.
There are other VMA’s we tune into every Sunday but we don’t really listen to them either. These are Gods’ VMA’s (Voices of My Anointed). All over the country believers sit in sanctuaries listening to pastors/preachers being empowered through the gospel but they never put into practice what they hear.
When we come into church and hear the VMA/preacher/prophet but fail to put their words into practice we treat the preacher as an entertainer, one with a beautiful voice, (they sure did say it) or one who knows how to play an instrument well (they sho' know how to say it) but we fail to put into practice the life saving principles that they share. Church becomes nothing more than a showcase of spiritual entertainers when the members fail to put into practice what they hear from their pastors.
Your pastor has been sent as a watchman to give you warning to turn from your sins that weigh you down. Many of us come in and applaud them then go right back out to do the opposite of what we are told. Then we blame the preacher for not having any fruit in our lives. So we go to another VMA thinking that was the problem when in actuality it was us not putting into practice what we heard. We’ve been in enough church services, heard enough word to save a world. It’s just that now we have to live out what we heard and share it with other people.
When we hear an Authentic Voice of God’s anointed, we have to put their words into action.
1. Don’t just be hearers of the word but doers. Luke 11:28He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
2. Hearing without doing still leaves you dirty. James 1:22-24 (New International Version)
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
3.Faith without works is dead. James 2:17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Dear God, help me to hear your VMA’s/preachers/prophets/pastors and do what they say. You’ve sent me an anointed watchman over my life, now I must choose to do just what they say or else the blood is on my hands. Move me past spiritual entertainment to spiritual empowerment by putting into action the things I’ve been taught through your word. Speak Lord for your servant is listening and ready to act.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Ezekiel 33:32
Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.
Did you see the VMA’s (Video Music Awards) last night? Everyone was waiting to see the resolution to the tension between Taylor Swift and Kanye West. Taylor seemed to extend an Olive Branch to Kanye by proclaiming “you’re still innocent and you are not what you did.” While Kanye seemed to bask in his own arrogance as he, “made a toast to the scum bags, etc.” Outside of Taylor Swifts attempt at reconciliation there was not much to listen to and the ones we should have listened to weren’t heard.
There are other VMA’s we tune into every Sunday but we don’t really listen to them either. These are Gods’ VMA’s (Voices of My Anointed). All over the country believers sit in sanctuaries listening to pastors/preachers being empowered through the gospel but they never put into practice what they hear.
When we come into church and hear the VMA/preacher/prophet but fail to put their words into practice we treat the preacher as an entertainer, one with a beautiful voice, (they sure did say it) or one who knows how to play an instrument well (they sho' know how to say it) but we fail to put into practice the life saving principles that they share. Church becomes nothing more than a showcase of spiritual entertainers when the members fail to put into practice what they hear from their pastors.
Your pastor has been sent as a watchman to give you warning to turn from your sins that weigh you down. Many of us come in and applaud them then go right back out to do the opposite of what we are told. Then we blame the preacher for not having any fruit in our lives. So we go to another VMA thinking that was the problem when in actuality it was us not putting into practice what we heard. We’ve been in enough church services, heard enough word to save a world. It’s just that now we have to live out what we heard and share it with other people.
When we hear an Authentic Voice of God’s anointed, we have to put their words into action.
1. Don’t just be hearers of the word but doers. Luke 11:28He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
2. Hearing without doing still leaves you dirty. James 1:22-24 (New International Version)
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
3.Faith without works is dead. James 2:17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Dear God, help me to hear your VMA’s/preachers/prophets/pastors and do what they say. You’ve sent me an anointed watchman over my life, now I must choose to do just what they say or else the blood is on my hands. Move me past spiritual entertainment to spiritual empowerment by putting into action the things I’ve been taught through your word. Speak Lord for your servant is listening and ready to act.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Turn Around
Lamentations 1:21
People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my distress; they rejoice at what you have done. May you bring the day you have announced so they may become like me.
You should always be careful laughing at the distress of other people especially when they belong to God. Whenever God’s people go through adversity it is either Judgment or God strengthening them through their trials. Either way, after that period of time is over the people who were gloating over your hardship will have to switch places with what you’ve been going through.
All through the Bible, God’s people have the last laugh. God doesn’t chastise us forever and he always has the last say so. Those whom God loves he also chastises but he also chastises those who make fun of his chosen while he chastises them. When I was little if you wanted to get in trouble real fast, just start laughing while your brother/sister was getting a whooping. You parent wouldn’t appreciate you laughing at your brother/sister because a real parent would already be grieving that they had to discipline their son/daughter anyway. So if you got caught laughing at somebody else’s punishment you might expect to get the same thing they got.
You never know how God is dealing with someone but one thing is for sure there will be a turn around. The prophet Jeremiah was lamenting how the enemies of Israel were making fun of Israel’s distress. People were begging for bread, children were dying in the streets, homes reposed and the people in despair, but a day would come when God would turn around the misfortunes of his people.
When God judges his people it’s always with the hopes of redemption. He’s giving us time to get ourselves together. Our trials are the furnace for the purging of our impurities. If we endure we shall come forth as pure gold.
God will flip the script on the people who were celebrating our hardship. The people who had the nerve to laugh at you today will have to switch places with you tomorrow. Don’t waste energy on people who lie on you and make fun of you. Instead learn your lesson, repent of your sins, and get ready for the Turn around!
Dear God, I’m looking forward to the turn around. Everyone who celebrated my struggle will have to witness my success. I humbly submit to your corrective process because I know you’re doing it for my good. I already feel better knowing you will have the last say so and I will get the last laugh because I know your Word says, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” I’m waiting for the Turn Around!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my distress; they rejoice at what you have done. May you bring the day you have announced so they may become like me.
You should always be careful laughing at the distress of other people especially when they belong to God. Whenever God’s people go through adversity it is either Judgment or God strengthening them through their trials. Either way, after that period of time is over the people who were gloating over your hardship will have to switch places with what you’ve been going through.
All through the Bible, God’s people have the last laugh. God doesn’t chastise us forever and he always has the last say so. Those whom God loves he also chastises but he also chastises those who make fun of his chosen while he chastises them. When I was little if you wanted to get in trouble real fast, just start laughing while your brother/sister was getting a whooping. You parent wouldn’t appreciate you laughing at your brother/sister because a real parent would already be grieving that they had to discipline their son/daughter anyway. So if you got caught laughing at somebody else’s punishment you might expect to get the same thing they got.
You never know how God is dealing with someone but one thing is for sure there will be a turn around. The prophet Jeremiah was lamenting how the enemies of Israel were making fun of Israel’s distress. People were begging for bread, children were dying in the streets, homes reposed and the people in despair, but a day would come when God would turn around the misfortunes of his people.
When God judges his people it’s always with the hopes of redemption. He’s giving us time to get ourselves together. Our trials are the furnace for the purging of our impurities. If we endure we shall come forth as pure gold.
God will flip the script on the people who were celebrating our hardship. The people who had the nerve to laugh at you today will have to switch places with you tomorrow. Don’t waste energy on people who lie on you and make fun of you. Instead learn your lesson, repent of your sins, and get ready for the Turn around!
Dear God, I’m looking forward to the turn around. Everyone who celebrated my struggle will have to witness my success. I humbly submit to your corrective process because I know you’re doing it for my good. I already feel better knowing you will have the last say so and I will get the last laugh because I know your Word says, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” I’m waiting for the Turn Around!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Stay Where You Are
Jeremiah 42:10
If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you.
When things are going bad where you are there is always the temptation to leave and go somewhere better. Just because things are not ideal where you are doesn’t mean it’s not where you are supposed to be. Sometimes, God uses the adversity of where we are to get us closer to him and he then will restore the land where we are.
Judah had been besieged by Babylon. Most of the people had been killed or taken captive. There was a remnant there who wanted to know from the Prophet Jeremiah, what they should do because it was only a few of them left. Have you ever felt like that? Your numbers had dropped. The people around you had died or been taken captive and you only had a few people left to support you. Maybe it’s time to go somewhere else. Maybe it’s time to go somewhere with better resources. My promised land no longer looks like the Promised Land so I might as well go back to Egypt. Is there a word from the Lord?
Ten Days later, Jeremiah, the prophet, tells them, “God says, stay in this land, and I will build you up…” This is not what they wanted to hear. Not only had the King of Babylon already raided Judah but he was coming back because a rebel had killed some of his officials and they feared the King was coming back to deal with them. But Jeremiah tells them God was going to cover them and protect them.
This is not what the people wanted to hear. In fact, the bible says the “arrogant’ men told the prophet he was lying. When God tells us what we do not want to hear, we turn against the prophet and leave anyway and wonder why we go from bad to worse when we thought we were going from bad to better. Because when you leave God’s will and Gods place, Better always gets Worse. Even when you go to a better place you mess it up because you disobeyed God.
What I hear God saying is this:
1. Stay in ‘this land.” Your land is your place that needs some work. Your resources are slim, but God told you, this is your place. It ain’t time to leave. Wherever God has you is where you are supposed to be no matter how hard it is right now.
2. God will build you up. That is after the breaking down of your land, as a result of your disobedience, God will rebuild you if you stay in the land. God always builds up after brokenness.
3. God will plant not uproot. God will re-establish you and cause you to be fruitful if you stay in the land. There is a blessing in the place you’re in even though it doesn’t look like it. Stay in the land.
Dear God, give me the discernment to hear your voice and the discipline to obey it. Remove my anxiousness and increase my faith. There is only a few of us left. The recession has been difficult but I know my blessing is in this land. Give me the perseverance to stay around and see the turn around. I feel my help coming on right now! Thank you for the Turn Around!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you.
When things are going bad where you are there is always the temptation to leave and go somewhere better. Just because things are not ideal where you are doesn’t mean it’s not where you are supposed to be. Sometimes, God uses the adversity of where we are to get us closer to him and he then will restore the land where we are.
Judah had been besieged by Babylon. Most of the people had been killed or taken captive. There was a remnant there who wanted to know from the Prophet Jeremiah, what they should do because it was only a few of them left. Have you ever felt like that? Your numbers had dropped. The people around you had died or been taken captive and you only had a few people left to support you. Maybe it’s time to go somewhere else. Maybe it’s time to go somewhere with better resources. My promised land no longer looks like the Promised Land so I might as well go back to Egypt. Is there a word from the Lord?
Ten Days later, Jeremiah, the prophet, tells them, “God says, stay in this land, and I will build you up…” This is not what they wanted to hear. Not only had the King of Babylon already raided Judah but he was coming back because a rebel had killed some of his officials and they feared the King was coming back to deal with them. But Jeremiah tells them God was going to cover them and protect them.
This is not what the people wanted to hear. In fact, the bible says the “arrogant’ men told the prophet he was lying. When God tells us what we do not want to hear, we turn against the prophet and leave anyway and wonder why we go from bad to worse when we thought we were going from bad to better. Because when you leave God’s will and Gods place, Better always gets Worse. Even when you go to a better place you mess it up because you disobeyed God.
What I hear God saying is this:
1. Stay in ‘this land.” Your land is your place that needs some work. Your resources are slim, but God told you, this is your place. It ain’t time to leave. Wherever God has you is where you are supposed to be no matter how hard it is right now.
2. God will build you up. That is after the breaking down of your land, as a result of your disobedience, God will rebuild you if you stay in the land. God always builds up after brokenness.
3. God will plant not uproot. God will re-establish you and cause you to be fruitful if you stay in the land. There is a blessing in the place you’re in even though it doesn’t look like it. Stay in the land.
Dear God, give me the discernment to hear your voice and the discipline to obey it. Remove my anxiousness and increase my faith. There is only a few of us left. The recession has been difficult but I know my blessing is in this land. Give me the perseverance to stay around and see the turn around. I feel my help coming on right now! Thank you for the Turn Around!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Conjecture
Revelation 12:11
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Conjecture: an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
The devil’s job is to accuse the brethren before God day and night. He has been hurled down to earth and continues his mission of accusing believers by using other people to conjecture. When we form opinions or come to conclusions based upon limited information we are being used by the enemy to conjecture.
If you’ve ever been a victim of conjecture, you know how frustrating it is for people to form an opinion or come to a conclusion based off of limited information. People don’t know where God is taking you but try to limit you on a piece of information without seeing the bigger picture. Just because you hold a piece of my puzzle you can’t see the big picture of what God is doing in my life. You can’t allow people to conjecture to the point where you want to stop running for Jesus. Like the old song said, “I’ve been down and out, up and down, 'buked and scorned, talked about just as sure as you’re born, but I’m not tired yet! I’m Running for Jesus!”
How do you avoid the fatigue of conjecture?
1. We overcome by the blood of Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus’ blood paid the penalty of my sin so what the enemy tries to use against me can’t hold up in a court of law because I’ve been forgiven. There is still power in the blood of Jesus. There is atonement in the blood of Jesus. There is redemption in the blood of Jesus. We are covered in the blood of Jesus.
2. We overcome by the word of our testimony. Can’t nobody tell it like I can tell it. If God has brought you through it it’s no longer anything to be ashamed about it’s something to shout about. People try to use your past to silence you but God uses your past to advance you because you overcome by the word of your testimony. People can’t conjecture because you complete the picture for them by taking their pieces to show them the bigger picture of what God is doing in your life.
3. We avoid the fatigue of conjecture by not being afraid to die. We don’t shrink back by loving our lives. Jesus said, “he who tries to save his life will lose it, but he/she that loses their lives for the sake of the word of God shall find life for real!”
We are inspired into the brotherhood and the sisterhood of the unashamed. We have an inner most spirit and desire. The dye has been cast. We have stepped over the line. Our decision has been made. We are disciples of Jesus Christ; We won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. Our past is redeemed, our present makes sense, our future is secure. We are finished and done with low living, light walking, small planning, smooth knees, dulled dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap walking, and dwarf goals. We now live by faith, lean on our strengths, walk by patience, lifted by prayer, labor by love. Our pace is set, our gait is fast, our goal real, our road narrow, our way is rough, our companions are few, our guide reliable, and our mission clear. We cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed. We will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of procrastination, negotiate at the table of fear, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. We won't give up, shut up, let up, until we've stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and become the people that God intended us to be.
Dear God, thank you for helping me to overcome conjecture. There have been many who tried to assassinate my character off of limited information but you helped me overcome by the blood of Jesus and the word of my testimony. The devil is mad because his time is almost up and he can’t stop what you are doing in my life. I am more than an overcomer through Christ Jesus!
In His name I pray,
Amen!
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Conjecture: an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
The devil’s job is to accuse the brethren before God day and night. He has been hurled down to earth and continues his mission of accusing believers by using other people to conjecture. When we form opinions or come to conclusions based upon limited information we are being used by the enemy to conjecture.
If you’ve ever been a victim of conjecture, you know how frustrating it is for people to form an opinion or come to a conclusion based off of limited information. People don’t know where God is taking you but try to limit you on a piece of information without seeing the bigger picture. Just because you hold a piece of my puzzle you can’t see the big picture of what God is doing in my life. You can’t allow people to conjecture to the point where you want to stop running for Jesus. Like the old song said, “I’ve been down and out, up and down, 'buked and scorned, talked about just as sure as you’re born, but I’m not tired yet! I’m Running for Jesus!”
How do you avoid the fatigue of conjecture?
1. We overcome by the blood of Jesus. The sacrifice of Jesus’ blood paid the penalty of my sin so what the enemy tries to use against me can’t hold up in a court of law because I’ve been forgiven. There is still power in the blood of Jesus. There is atonement in the blood of Jesus. There is redemption in the blood of Jesus. We are covered in the blood of Jesus.
2. We overcome by the word of our testimony. Can’t nobody tell it like I can tell it. If God has brought you through it it’s no longer anything to be ashamed about it’s something to shout about. People try to use your past to silence you but God uses your past to advance you because you overcome by the word of your testimony. People can’t conjecture because you complete the picture for them by taking their pieces to show them the bigger picture of what God is doing in your life.
3. We avoid the fatigue of conjecture by not being afraid to die. We don’t shrink back by loving our lives. Jesus said, “he who tries to save his life will lose it, but he/she that loses their lives for the sake of the word of God shall find life for real!”
We are inspired into the brotherhood and the sisterhood of the unashamed. We have an inner most spirit and desire. The dye has been cast. We have stepped over the line. Our decision has been made. We are disciples of Jesus Christ; We won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. Our past is redeemed, our present makes sense, our future is secure. We are finished and done with low living, light walking, small planning, smooth knees, dulled dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap walking, and dwarf goals. We now live by faith, lean on our strengths, walk by patience, lifted by prayer, labor by love. Our pace is set, our gait is fast, our goal real, our road narrow, our way is rough, our companions are few, our guide reliable, and our mission clear. We cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed. We will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of procrastination, negotiate at the table of fear, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. We won't give up, shut up, let up, until we've stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and become the people that God intended us to be.
Dear God, thank you for helping me to overcome conjecture. There have been many who tried to assassinate my character off of limited information but you helped me overcome by the blood of Jesus and the word of my testimony. The devil is mad because his time is almost up and he can’t stop what you are doing in my life. I am more than an overcomer through Christ Jesus!
In His name I pray,
Amen!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Rooted
Ezekiel 17:24
All the trees of the field will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.”
In order for a tree to grow it must have strong roots. The deeper the roots go down the more nutrients they get and the more anchoring they receive in times of storm. The old gospel song used to proclaim, “Like a tree planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.” Even with strong roots trees can be moved anytime God gets ready. We are the trees that God plants and uproots whenever he gets ready. When we are rooted in him we flourish, but when we are shallow, planted in superficial soil, producing plastic fruit, God oftentimes uproots us. Any tree that does not produce fruit he uproots.
The fruit of the Sprit that we should be producing in our lives is found in Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The key to producing fruit and being rooted is being humble. When we humble ourselves God raises us up, but when we exalt ourselves God will bring us down. God says, here to Ezekiel, “I will bring down tall trees and dry up green trees.” But when we humble ourselves he raises up low trees and causes dry trees to flourish. Sometimes, we will use the excuse that I’m a good tree planted in a bad place but even that is no excuse because God says if we are humble and turn from our wicked ways and pray then he will hear from heaven and heal our land!
In order to stay rooted:
1. Stay prayed up
2. Humble yourself before the Lord. Pride comes before the fall.
3. Stay grounded. Serve in a ministry so you can stay in touch with real people.
4. Study to show yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth
5. Get in a local church and be active in the commmunity.
Dear God, Strengthen my roots and check my ego. If you find anything in me that s threatening my roots system take it out right now. Take away the yeast of pride, lust, greed or any kind of offense that may cause me to be uprooted or exposed. Today, help me to bear more fruit for you realizing that my fruit is not for my own consumption but it is to bless others that they might know that there is a God who sits high and looks low. Eventhough I am a dry tree in this hot recession, I know you are able to make a dry tree flourish and raise a low tree high. Father I’m rooted in you and I’m ready to Grow!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
All the trees of the field will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.”
In order for a tree to grow it must have strong roots. The deeper the roots go down the more nutrients they get and the more anchoring they receive in times of storm. The old gospel song used to proclaim, “Like a tree planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.” Even with strong roots trees can be moved anytime God gets ready. We are the trees that God plants and uproots whenever he gets ready. When we are rooted in him we flourish, but when we are shallow, planted in superficial soil, producing plastic fruit, God oftentimes uproots us. Any tree that does not produce fruit he uproots.
The fruit of the Sprit that we should be producing in our lives is found in Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The key to producing fruit and being rooted is being humble. When we humble ourselves God raises us up, but when we exalt ourselves God will bring us down. God says, here to Ezekiel, “I will bring down tall trees and dry up green trees.” But when we humble ourselves he raises up low trees and causes dry trees to flourish. Sometimes, we will use the excuse that I’m a good tree planted in a bad place but even that is no excuse because God says if we are humble and turn from our wicked ways and pray then he will hear from heaven and heal our land!
In order to stay rooted:
1. Stay prayed up
2. Humble yourself before the Lord. Pride comes before the fall.
3. Stay grounded. Serve in a ministry so you can stay in touch with real people.
4. Study to show yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth
5. Get in a local church and be active in the commmunity.
Dear God, Strengthen my roots and check my ego. If you find anything in me that s threatening my roots system take it out right now. Take away the yeast of pride, lust, greed or any kind of offense that may cause me to be uprooted or exposed. Today, help me to bear more fruit for you realizing that my fruit is not for my own consumption but it is to bless others that they might know that there is a God who sits high and looks low. Eventhough I am a dry tree in this hot recession, I know you are able to make a dry tree flourish and raise a low tree high. Father I’m rooted in you and I’m ready to Grow!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I Need You Right Now!
Psalm 70:5
Yet I am poor and needy come quickly to me, O God. You are my deliverer, O Lord, do not delay.
If we ever needed the Lord before we sure do need him now. We need him every day and every hour.--Take 6
There was a time when we acted as if we didn’t need God. When our pockets were full of money and our tanks full of gas, we acted like we didn’t need God but there is something so sobering when you have nothing but God. When nobody is giving you anything there is a new awareness that maybe I do need God.
Even David knew he needed God. Before David was a great and powerful king he was a poor struggling middle class employee to Saul. When David was in the wilderness of his own recession, he lost his job, his wife, his house and was staying in a cave depressed. But the thing that David knew to do was to call on the Lord. He had the confidence that when I’m down to nothing that God is up to something.
There are four stages you go through when you are down to nothing:
1. Deprivation is when you’ve exhausted all your natural resources and you realize that all my help comes from the Lord . We are like the church in Laodicea that said we are rich and don’t need any help but Jesus’ reply is: 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. The sooner we realize we are poor and needy, morally bankrupt and in need of salvation, economically strapped and in need of a stimulus the better we will be.
2. Deprivation leads to desperation. I need you Lord! Come see me quickly. There is an urgency when you realize that I can’t do this by myself. All your pride is gone and you begin to cry out to God to return to you quickly. You run out of excuses as to why you don’t go to church. You forget about being angry with God and you cry out, “Lord I need you now!”
3. Desperation leads to deliverance. God is able to get us out of things we can’t get ourselves out of. The Psalmist said I will look to the hills from whence cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord. God is the only one that can deliver us from our hopeless situations.
4. Delay does not mean denial. God’s timing is not our time. He can and he will deliver on time. When you call on him get your bags ready because he will deliver.
Dear God, we need you to work on our behalf. These are scary times and we are not certain how we are going to make it, but our eyes are on you. I pray that you will provide for the poor and needy. Give them food, shelter, and clothing. Give us all the comfort of knowing that you hear us and that you will deliver on time, because you are an on time God!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Yet I am poor and needy come quickly to me, O God. You are my deliverer, O Lord, do not delay.
If we ever needed the Lord before we sure do need him now. We need him every day and every hour.--Take 6
There was a time when we acted as if we didn’t need God. When our pockets were full of money and our tanks full of gas, we acted like we didn’t need God but there is something so sobering when you have nothing but God. When nobody is giving you anything there is a new awareness that maybe I do need God.
Even David knew he needed God. Before David was a great and powerful king he was a poor struggling middle class employee to Saul. When David was in the wilderness of his own recession, he lost his job, his wife, his house and was staying in a cave depressed. But the thing that David knew to do was to call on the Lord. He had the confidence that when I’m down to nothing that God is up to something.
There are four stages you go through when you are down to nothing:
1. Deprivation is when you’ve exhausted all your natural resources and you realize that all my help comes from the Lord . We are like the church in Laodicea that said we are rich and don’t need any help but Jesus’ reply is: 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. The sooner we realize we are poor and needy, morally bankrupt and in need of salvation, economically strapped and in need of a stimulus the better we will be.
2. Deprivation leads to desperation. I need you Lord! Come see me quickly. There is an urgency when you realize that I can’t do this by myself. All your pride is gone and you begin to cry out to God to return to you quickly. You run out of excuses as to why you don’t go to church. You forget about being angry with God and you cry out, “Lord I need you now!”
3. Desperation leads to deliverance. God is able to get us out of things we can’t get ourselves out of. The Psalmist said I will look to the hills from whence cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord. God is the only one that can deliver us from our hopeless situations.
4. Delay does not mean denial. God’s timing is not our time. He can and he will deliver on time. When you call on him get your bags ready because he will deliver.
Dear God, we need you to work on our behalf. These are scary times and we are not certain how we are going to make it, but our eyes are on you. I pray that you will provide for the poor and needy. Give them food, shelter, and clothing. Give us all the comfort of knowing that you hear us and that you will deliver on time, because you are an on time God!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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