Numbers 14:24
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
I just realized something at 42 years of age, its okay to be different! We waste too many years trying to be like everybody else and please everybody else. Halle Berry in an interview with Essence Magazine said that she is not at a place in her life where she could care less what other people think about her. Not that she is living in reckless abandonment. She is still very much productive, great actress, and a great mother. She’s just okay with being different. There is great freedom when you discover your swag and confidence. When you dare to be different is when you experience the breakthrough in your own life. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. There is a different spirit on you. You may have wondered early on your life why you were so different from everybody else and why you didn’t fit in. It’s because God had something different for you, you can’t do anything extra-ordinary being ordinary. You have a Different Spirit.
Out of 12 spies sent to the Promised Land to spy it out only two stood out, one of them was really different. His name was Caleb. He told everybody to be quiet when they were whining about how big the people were in the Promised Land and how they should just abort the mission. Caleb said, “child Please! We can do this!” Caleb had a different Spirit!
What made Caleb different? What can make us different and stand out?
He was a critical thinker. He did his own research. He didn’t go off of other people’s opinions.
He didn’t let others do his thinking for him.
He didn’t give into peer pressure. He was in the minority. He and Joshua were the only two who said they could go take the promised land. When you have a different spirit sometimes you will be in the minority. It’s Ok!
He had great faith in God. God said that Caleb followed him wholeheartedly. When you have a different spirit like Caleb you only have one gear that’s Over Drive! I got to serve God wholeheartedly.
He was Physically fit. He and Joshua had to carry those giant grapes all the way back to camp. When you have a different spirit you make sure you are in shape.
Joshua had a tight circle. Joshua was his good friend. The bible says where 2 or 3 are gathered together. You only need 2 or 3 good friends who also have a different spirit.
He never stopped growing just because he grew older. At 80 years of age Caleb was still talking about “give me this mountain.” I want to be like Caleb still sharp, still strong as a Senior Saint.
Because he had a different spirit, God promised to bring him into the Land and bless his descendants. When you walk in the uniqueness of who God made you, get ready for God to reward you and your descendants with your Promised Land.
Dear God,
Thank you for making me different. I’m glad I don’t fit in. I’m so happy being me. Help me to stay focused on my mission and to carry out my assignment in spite of the fact that I appear to be outnumbered. Today, give me the courage to see it through and to follow you wholeheartedly.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A Bad Report
Numbers 13:32
And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the Land they had explored. They said, “the Land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are great size.
Men Lie. Women Lie. Numbers don’t.
There has been much debate over the surrender of the charter of Memphis City Schools and the merger of the two school systems. Much of the rhetoric from those opposing is nothing more than fear mongering. “There will be chaos, people will lose jobs, our children will suffer.” All those things are already happening in a school system that is failing our children. 87% of the students in Memphis City School system are economically disadvantaged while in Shelby County School system there are only 37%. Memphians currently pay for schools through county taxes and then again through city taxes. WE graduate 50% of our students. It’s time to move forward with consolidation so that we can create a school system that is best for all of our children. When Memphians’ vote yes on March 8th it will be our best chance to stop Shelby County from creating a special school district to wall in economically disadvantaged students from getting a quality education.
There are so many progressive minded people in Memphis who want to go forward to create a more equitable and efficient school system by voting yes for a merger but there is another group against it that keeps spreading a bad report.
When Moses had the 12 spies to go check out Canaan, the Promised Land, they found evidence (giant clusters of grapes and pomegranates) that the land was flowing with Milk and Honey. There is only one problem, the land was still inhabited. That’s why it was called “the Promised Land.” It was a promise to Abraham but now his descendents had to come up with a plan for the Promise. Part of the argument for not going forward with the surrender of the charter and the merger of the two school systems is that there is no plan. God had the plan for the children of Israel, he just sent 12 representatives to look at the potential of the Promise. They surrendered their charter when they left the oppression of being slaves in Egypt.
They came back with evidence that the promise was true; Two big clusters of grapes that took two men to carry. We have over 150,000 students in Memphis and Shelby county. The children represent the fruit of our future. It’s going to take two systems coming together to carry this fruit! The problem wasn’t the fruit; the problem was the people who reported back to Moses and the people. Ten of the men told Moses, “the people are too large for us to take the land.” Joshua and Caleb were the only two who said, “we can take this land!” In order to prevent the people from going forward the 10 intimidated leaders/spies put out a Bad Report.
We have come too close to the Promise to let a bad report stop us from moving forward into our Promise Land of a better Educational Plan for our children. Education is the Number One Civil Rights issue of the 21st century. If we don’t vote on March 8th for the surrender of the charter we could see ourselves rich back in 1963 with a school system that is separate but not equal. Opponents to the charter surrender are telling Memphians, “if you don’t know vote No!” that’s not faith nor factual. That is Fear! If you don’t know then you owe it to yourself and your children to arm yourself with accurate information. If you vote no, Shelby county will form special school districts that Memphians will have to pay for in taxes.
Whose report shall you believe?
Do your research. Go to voteforunity.com and get your own opinion. If you don’t have an informed opinion somebody else will give you one. www.voteforunity.com
You can go early vote now or vote yes on March 8th. My fear is that Memphians are going to stay home on March 8th and we go backwards instead of forward.
Educate other people about this issue.
I believe that voting “YES” on march 8th for the surrender of the charter will put Memphis and Shelby County in a better position to put our students in a place where they will have a better chance to succeed locally and globally. I believe by consolidating the school system that the dollars needed to educate economically disadvantaged students will get to them and help end the cycle of poverty. I believe by voting “YES” we will give Memphis a better chance to draw in more companies to create jobs because our talent base will increase due to the fact that we will be graduating a higher number of students. Don’t let a bad report keep you at home on March 8th. A Bad Report will continue to give Memphis Students a Bad Report Card.
Dear God,
Help the citizens of Memphis to make an informed decision come March 8th. Dr. King was right the night before he was assassinated in Memphis, “I’ve been to the Mountain top and I’ve seen the promised land, I may not get there with you but we as a people will get to the Promised land!” God give us the courage to fulfill Dr. King’s dream and not waste his sacrifice. Give us this mountain and help us take the Promised Land of Education Equality.
In Jesus Name,
Amen!
And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the Land they had explored. They said, “the Land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are great size.
Men Lie. Women Lie. Numbers don’t.
There has been much debate over the surrender of the charter of Memphis City Schools and the merger of the two school systems. Much of the rhetoric from those opposing is nothing more than fear mongering. “There will be chaos, people will lose jobs, our children will suffer.” All those things are already happening in a school system that is failing our children. 87% of the students in Memphis City School system are economically disadvantaged while in Shelby County School system there are only 37%. Memphians currently pay for schools through county taxes and then again through city taxes. WE graduate 50% of our students. It’s time to move forward with consolidation so that we can create a school system that is best for all of our children. When Memphians’ vote yes on March 8th it will be our best chance to stop Shelby County from creating a special school district to wall in economically disadvantaged students from getting a quality education.
There are so many progressive minded people in Memphis who want to go forward to create a more equitable and efficient school system by voting yes for a merger but there is another group against it that keeps spreading a bad report.
When Moses had the 12 spies to go check out Canaan, the Promised Land, they found evidence (giant clusters of grapes and pomegranates) that the land was flowing with Milk and Honey. There is only one problem, the land was still inhabited. That’s why it was called “the Promised Land.” It was a promise to Abraham but now his descendents had to come up with a plan for the Promise. Part of the argument for not going forward with the surrender of the charter and the merger of the two school systems is that there is no plan. God had the plan for the children of Israel, he just sent 12 representatives to look at the potential of the Promise. They surrendered their charter when they left the oppression of being slaves in Egypt.
They came back with evidence that the promise was true; Two big clusters of grapes that took two men to carry. We have over 150,000 students in Memphis and Shelby county. The children represent the fruit of our future. It’s going to take two systems coming together to carry this fruit! The problem wasn’t the fruit; the problem was the people who reported back to Moses and the people. Ten of the men told Moses, “the people are too large for us to take the land.” Joshua and Caleb were the only two who said, “we can take this land!” In order to prevent the people from going forward the 10 intimidated leaders/spies put out a Bad Report.
We have come too close to the Promise to let a bad report stop us from moving forward into our Promise Land of a better Educational Plan for our children. Education is the Number One Civil Rights issue of the 21st century. If we don’t vote on March 8th for the surrender of the charter we could see ourselves rich back in 1963 with a school system that is separate but not equal. Opponents to the charter surrender are telling Memphians, “if you don’t know vote No!” that’s not faith nor factual. That is Fear! If you don’t know then you owe it to yourself and your children to arm yourself with accurate information. If you vote no, Shelby county will form special school districts that Memphians will have to pay for in taxes.
Whose report shall you believe?
Do your research. Go to voteforunity.com and get your own opinion. If you don’t have an informed opinion somebody else will give you one. www.voteforunity.com
You can go early vote now or vote yes on March 8th. My fear is that Memphians are going to stay home on March 8th and we go backwards instead of forward.
Educate other people about this issue.
I believe that voting “YES” on march 8th for the surrender of the charter will put Memphis and Shelby County in a better position to put our students in a place where they will have a better chance to succeed locally and globally. I believe by consolidating the school system that the dollars needed to educate economically disadvantaged students will get to them and help end the cycle of poverty. I believe by voting “YES” we will give Memphis a better chance to draw in more companies to create jobs because our talent base will increase due to the fact that we will be graduating a higher number of students. Don’t let a bad report keep you at home on March 8th. A Bad Report will continue to give Memphis Students a Bad Report Card.
Dear God,
Help the citizens of Memphis to make an informed decision come March 8th. Dr. King was right the night before he was assassinated in Memphis, “I’ve been to the Mountain top and I’ve seen the promised land, I may not get there with you but we as a people will get to the Promised land!” God give us the courage to fulfill Dr. King’s dream and not waste his sacrifice. Give us this mountain and help us take the Promised Land of Education Equality.
In Jesus Name,
Amen!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
He Touched Me!
Mark 1:41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing” he said. “be Clean!”
In his book the five Love languages, Dr. Gary Chapman talks about five ways people feel like they are loved. 1. Words of affirmation 2. Quality Time 3. Receiving Gifts 4. Acts of Service 5. Physical Touch.
All of these ways of receiving love are important to somebody but Physical touch is important to everybody. Touch is one of the Love Acts that can be easily abused through neglect or through misuse. As we teach our children there is good touch and there is bad touch. Touch can be sexual or non-sexual. From the time we are born touch is important because of the different clusters of nerves throughout the body layered in the skin. Touch is dependent on the emotional well being of humans. A baby that’s been held and caressed by the mother is more likely to be psychologically well adapted than a baby who has not. When we are having a bad day sometimes you will hear people say, “You need a hug.” They might think they are being funny but in actuality they are right on the money. Hugs release Oxytocin into the body giving a person a sense of being nurtured.
But what do you do when nobody wants to touch you? What do you do when you are untouchable? For many people we begin to lose our sensitivity and we cut ourselves off from people because we have lost touch. What do we mean when we say a person has lost touch? They don’t communicate. They are not in tune with reality. They are not sensitive to cultural nuances. They are no longer connected to primary relationships.
Sometimes we lose touch because of something we are going through. We can have traumatic experiences or illnesses that can cause us to lose touch over time.
There was a man who crossed the path of Jesus who had an infectious skin disease called leprosy. In its worst stages, leprosy would cause a person’s ears, nose, fingers, and toes to fall off. The person with leprosy had to live outside the city and if they came close to “healthy” people they had to yell a warning by saying, “I’m Unclean! I’m Unclean!” what would you do if what you were dealing with caused you to be separated from the people you loved? What would you do if you had to yell out your condition anytime you came around people? You’d probably just lose touch!
This man lost touch until Jesus came around. When he saw Jesus he fell on his knees and begged him, “if you are willing you can make me clean.” The problem is not that Jesus wasn’t willing; the problem was that this was against the Law. If Jesus had contact with this man he could potentially 1) be ceremonially unclean and lose his job as a religious teacher 2) get sick himself. Who are some modern day lepers we avoid because doing so would jeopardize our status?
Jesus did something radical. Before he even healed the man he touched the man! He could have just spoken a word like he did with the ten but he touched this one. Why?! Because he wanted to reaffirm the man’s humanity. You are not dirty! I’m not afraid of You! I see you! Can’t you see this man overjoyed that somebody finally recognized him as a human being again? ‘Jesus touched me! Nobody would even look at me but he touched me!’
If we are going to bless somebody today through a lovealution we need to be able to do four things:
Be filled with compassion. When you have the Love of God in you, you can’t keep walking past his children and turning up your nose just because they don’t look like you, dress like you, or smell like you. Behind their condition is a human being with feelings just like you.
Touch people. Something spiritually kinetic takes place when you touch other people. Whether it’s a handshake, a hand on the shoulder, or a hug, you should make it your goal this week to hug at least three people with a non-sexual touch. Touch somebody with the love of God.
Be willing. Put yourself in a position to be conduit of compassion. Don’t let societies rules stop you from blessing somebody different from you. It doesn’t matter what race, social class, sexuality, or medical condition they might have. Be willing to help.
Speak Life! Jesus told the man. ‘Be Healed!” speak life into people who have lost touch.
Dear God,
Thank you for touching me when other people avoided me. Thank you for healing my condition and touching me where I needed to be healed. Use me to touch people who are in need of having their humanity restored.
Thank you Jesus!
Amen
In his book the five Love languages, Dr. Gary Chapman talks about five ways people feel like they are loved. 1. Words of affirmation 2. Quality Time 3. Receiving Gifts 4. Acts of Service 5. Physical Touch.
All of these ways of receiving love are important to somebody but Physical touch is important to everybody. Touch is one of the Love Acts that can be easily abused through neglect or through misuse. As we teach our children there is good touch and there is bad touch. Touch can be sexual or non-sexual. From the time we are born touch is important because of the different clusters of nerves throughout the body layered in the skin. Touch is dependent on the emotional well being of humans. A baby that’s been held and caressed by the mother is more likely to be psychologically well adapted than a baby who has not. When we are having a bad day sometimes you will hear people say, “You need a hug.” They might think they are being funny but in actuality they are right on the money. Hugs release Oxytocin into the body giving a person a sense of being nurtured.
But what do you do when nobody wants to touch you? What do you do when you are untouchable? For many people we begin to lose our sensitivity and we cut ourselves off from people because we have lost touch. What do we mean when we say a person has lost touch? They don’t communicate. They are not in tune with reality. They are not sensitive to cultural nuances. They are no longer connected to primary relationships.
Sometimes we lose touch because of something we are going through. We can have traumatic experiences or illnesses that can cause us to lose touch over time.
There was a man who crossed the path of Jesus who had an infectious skin disease called leprosy. In its worst stages, leprosy would cause a person’s ears, nose, fingers, and toes to fall off. The person with leprosy had to live outside the city and if they came close to “healthy” people they had to yell a warning by saying, “I’m Unclean! I’m Unclean!” what would you do if what you were dealing with caused you to be separated from the people you loved? What would you do if you had to yell out your condition anytime you came around people? You’d probably just lose touch!
This man lost touch until Jesus came around. When he saw Jesus he fell on his knees and begged him, “if you are willing you can make me clean.” The problem is not that Jesus wasn’t willing; the problem was that this was against the Law. If Jesus had contact with this man he could potentially 1) be ceremonially unclean and lose his job as a religious teacher 2) get sick himself. Who are some modern day lepers we avoid because doing so would jeopardize our status?
Jesus did something radical. Before he even healed the man he touched the man! He could have just spoken a word like he did with the ten but he touched this one. Why?! Because he wanted to reaffirm the man’s humanity. You are not dirty! I’m not afraid of You! I see you! Can’t you see this man overjoyed that somebody finally recognized him as a human being again? ‘Jesus touched me! Nobody would even look at me but he touched me!’
If we are going to bless somebody today through a lovealution we need to be able to do four things:
Be filled with compassion. When you have the Love of God in you, you can’t keep walking past his children and turning up your nose just because they don’t look like you, dress like you, or smell like you. Behind their condition is a human being with feelings just like you.
Touch people. Something spiritually kinetic takes place when you touch other people. Whether it’s a handshake, a hand on the shoulder, or a hug, you should make it your goal this week to hug at least three people with a non-sexual touch. Touch somebody with the love of God.
Be willing. Put yourself in a position to be conduit of compassion. Don’t let societies rules stop you from blessing somebody different from you. It doesn’t matter what race, social class, sexuality, or medical condition they might have. Be willing to help.
Speak Life! Jesus told the man. ‘Be Healed!” speak life into people who have lost touch.
Dear God,
Thank you for touching me when other people avoided me. Thank you for healing my condition and touching me where I needed to be healed. Use me to touch people who are in need of having their humanity restored.
Thank you Jesus!
Amen
Monday, February 21, 2011
See No Jesus, Hear No Jesus, Have No Jesus!
Acts 28:27
For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.
Working out in the gym on a regular bases over the years without gloves has caused my hands to get calluses; rough spots on my hands that allow me to feel as keenly as I used to. The repetition as of the friction on the iron bars over the years has caused them to be rough. That area on my hands is not as sensitive to touch as it used to be because it’s been worn over. I’ve gotten used to it. I’d rather have callus hands then a callus heart.
We seem to live in a time where people have been rubbed the wrong way for a long time, over and over to the point that their hearts are no longer sensitive to the voice of God. There used to be a time when we could hear God speak to us as children. We could see him in the rainbow, hear him in the rustling of the wind, but now we can’t hear him scream through the word.
There used to be a time when the Black Church was the lighthouse and place of refuge for the poor and disenfranchised especially during the Civil rights era but the great grandchildren of that era have grown callus because of a few things:
1. Exposure to bad religion. After the civil rights era we embraced a semblance of prosperity and started worshipping the material and forgot about the creator. Then the church started practicing bad religion. Bad or worthless religion is when we ignore the poor, the orphaned, and the widow. Bad religion has made some people hard hearted toward Jesus and his church because of misrepresentation.
2. Some are hard-hearted because they are drunk with the wine of the world. When we become pleasure seekers we become insensitive to God. Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol give us the illusion of fulfillment but really numb the reality of our emptiness. After a while God no longer matters. When you are high you ain’t trying to hear what Jesus is putting in your ear.
3. Worries of this world choke out the word. When we are constantly stressing out over the issues in our lives we can’t hear Jesus. Oh what needless pains we bear when we fail to take them to Jesus and leave them there.
4. The middle ground of unbelief. Many of us are like the father who told Jesus, “I believe but help me with my unbelief.” We are stuck between the agnosticism of a Bill Maher, politically insightful but spiritually toxic and untruly conservative to the point that everybody that disagrees with us must be from the devil. This kind of polarization puts spiritual seekers in a place of unbelief; Which is detrimental because it is impossible to please God without faith.
We need to ask God to give us a new heart so we can hear him again.
1. Ask God to change your heart. Ezekiel 11:19
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
2. Parents have to turn their hearts back to their children. Malachi 4:6
He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
3. Go back and listen to the word. Romans 10:14-16 (New International Version, ©2010)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[a]Humble yourself before God.
4. Humble yourself before God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
No Jesus. No peace! Know Jesus. Know Peace!
Dear God,
Touch our hearts again. Open up deaf ears. Please don’t give up on this generation. We still need you and there are those of us who still believe in you. We love you Jesus and we still hear you and see you in every move of grace that we experience from the Father. Keep talking Jesus because your servants are listening.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.
Working out in the gym on a regular bases over the years without gloves has caused my hands to get calluses; rough spots on my hands that allow me to feel as keenly as I used to. The repetition as of the friction on the iron bars over the years has caused them to be rough. That area on my hands is not as sensitive to touch as it used to be because it’s been worn over. I’ve gotten used to it. I’d rather have callus hands then a callus heart.
We seem to live in a time where people have been rubbed the wrong way for a long time, over and over to the point that their hearts are no longer sensitive to the voice of God. There used to be a time when we could hear God speak to us as children. We could see him in the rainbow, hear him in the rustling of the wind, but now we can’t hear him scream through the word.
There used to be a time when the Black Church was the lighthouse and place of refuge for the poor and disenfranchised especially during the Civil rights era but the great grandchildren of that era have grown callus because of a few things:
1. Exposure to bad religion. After the civil rights era we embraced a semblance of prosperity and started worshipping the material and forgot about the creator. Then the church started practicing bad religion. Bad or worthless religion is when we ignore the poor, the orphaned, and the widow. Bad religion has made some people hard hearted toward Jesus and his church because of misrepresentation.
2. Some are hard-hearted because they are drunk with the wine of the world. When we become pleasure seekers we become insensitive to God. Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol give us the illusion of fulfillment but really numb the reality of our emptiness. After a while God no longer matters. When you are high you ain’t trying to hear what Jesus is putting in your ear.
3. Worries of this world choke out the word. When we are constantly stressing out over the issues in our lives we can’t hear Jesus. Oh what needless pains we bear when we fail to take them to Jesus and leave them there.
4. The middle ground of unbelief. Many of us are like the father who told Jesus, “I believe but help me with my unbelief.” We are stuck between the agnosticism of a Bill Maher, politically insightful but spiritually toxic and untruly conservative to the point that everybody that disagrees with us must be from the devil. This kind of polarization puts spiritual seekers in a place of unbelief; Which is detrimental because it is impossible to please God without faith.
We need to ask God to give us a new heart so we can hear him again.
1. Ask God to change your heart. Ezekiel 11:19
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
2. Parents have to turn their hearts back to their children. Malachi 4:6
He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
3. Go back and listen to the word. Romans 10:14-16 (New International Version, ©2010)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[a]Humble yourself before God.
4. Humble yourself before God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
No Jesus. No peace! Know Jesus. Know Peace!
Dear God,
Touch our hearts again. Open up deaf ears. Please don’t give up on this generation. We still need you and there are those of us who still believe in you. We love you Jesus and we still hear you and see you in every move of grace that we experience from the Father. Keep talking Jesus because your servants are listening.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Are You Ready for an Early Spring?
Leviticus 26:3-4
If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.
The groundhog did not see his shadow so we are scheduled to see our early spring. Every year people look with great anticipation to see if the groundhog will see his shadow or not, especially since we’ve been through such a hard winter. People are looking forward to the landscape being green again, the leaves returning, the flowers blooming, and the seeds of a new harvest being planted.
God promises that whenever our season comes he will send the rain not because of a groundhog but because of our obedience. He will supply all our needs according to his riches and glory. We shouldn’t be worried about the seasons as much as we should be focused on our obedience to follow god’s decrees and obeying his commands.
When God sees the shadow of our obedience reflected by the light of his son Jesus he then makes a shift in the season of our lives. He will cancel a winter recession and rain down blessings in a springtime recovery.
The opposite is also true. We can extend our winter by being disobedient. There are some lessons we should have learned by now so we don’t have to repeat a season.
If we want to receive the benefits of an early spring we have to:
1. Keep his commandments. Jesus said, “If you love me then keep my commandments.”
2. Stay in paths of righteousness. David said, “The Lord is my shepherd he guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
3. Avoid all appearances of evil.
4. Be doers of the word not just hearers. We have heard enough words and sermons to last us a lifetime, now it’s time to start living them out.
5. Make sure you sow in the right season and the right field. God gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower. You got to know when to eat and when to sow. Don’t eat your seed; eat your harvest.
Dear God,
Keep me in this in between season. I am eagerly waiting for my springtime so that I can experience the fruitfulness of an obedient life. My winter of discontent is about to break because I’m determined to live for Jesus because I’m determined to live for Jesus. I must decrease so that you may increase. I’m ready for an early spring!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.
The groundhog did not see his shadow so we are scheduled to see our early spring. Every year people look with great anticipation to see if the groundhog will see his shadow or not, especially since we’ve been through such a hard winter. People are looking forward to the landscape being green again, the leaves returning, the flowers blooming, and the seeds of a new harvest being planted.
God promises that whenever our season comes he will send the rain not because of a groundhog but because of our obedience. He will supply all our needs according to his riches and glory. We shouldn’t be worried about the seasons as much as we should be focused on our obedience to follow god’s decrees and obeying his commands.
When God sees the shadow of our obedience reflected by the light of his son Jesus he then makes a shift in the season of our lives. He will cancel a winter recession and rain down blessings in a springtime recovery.
The opposite is also true. We can extend our winter by being disobedient. There are some lessons we should have learned by now so we don’t have to repeat a season.
If we want to receive the benefits of an early spring we have to:
1. Keep his commandments. Jesus said, “If you love me then keep my commandments.”
2. Stay in paths of righteousness. David said, “The Lord is my shepherd he guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
3. Avoid all appearances of evil.
4. Be doers of the word not just hearers. We have heard enough words and sermons to last us a lifetime, now it’s time to start living them out.
5. Make sure you sow in the right season and the right field. God gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower. You got to know when to eat and when to sow. Don’t eat your seed; eat your harvest.
Dear God,
Keep me in this in between season. I am eagerly waiting for my springtime so that I can experience the fruitfulness of an obedient life. My winter of discontent is about to break because I’m determined to live for Jesus because I’m determined to live for Jesus. I must decrease so that you may increase. I’m ready for an early spring!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
What Are You Waiting For?
Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
Sometimes, I lay in the bed after the alarm goes off trying to allow my body to catch up to my mind. I have to tell my body to move because it wants to remain comfortable in that warm bed enraptured by a state of inactivity. We have too much to accomplish to lie in the bed for hours after the alarm has already gone off. Some of us are sitting in front of our computers, lying in the bed with our smart phones, but we have not gotten up. What are you waiting for?
There is an alarm built in your spirit that God has placed there that reminds you that you have work to do. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day for when night comes no man can work.” If you saw daylight today that means that you still have work to do, that’s why the old folks could wake up with joy singing, “Lord you gave me one more sunny day.” But if you are still idle this morning I have to ask you, ‘what are you waiting for?’
After the Apostle Paul had his Damascus road wakeup call he had to lay down in a house on straight street. After he recovered he was still lying down. God sent Ananias to give Paul instructions on his journey and what he would accomplish for the Lord. Maybe the reason you are still laying down after recovery is that you need a Life Coach like Ananias, who can spur you on toward good works and ask you hard questions like, “What are you waiting for?” There is something great inside of you that God is trying to birth in you but you have been procrastinating and putting off what you know God has purposed you to do. I don’t even think that you are afraid of failure you are more afraid to succeed. If I do what God tells me to do I will no longer have the luxury of lying in obscurity inoculated by mendacity but I must engage the world with what he has commissioned me to do with my life. It’s time to wake up! In order to break this spirit of procrastination we have to:
Get up. Half the battle for attempting to accomplish anything worthwhile is getting up. The other night when Eminem won his Grammy for his Album Recovery, he yelled out, “Detroit, Stand up!” It was like Eminem after his own recovery from drug addiction was speaking to his dead and impoverished city with so much potential, "it’s time for us to stand up again.” After your recovery you don’t stay down you stand up.
Be Baptized. That is Immerse yourself in that which is going to make you new. When you have a passion for something you have to immerse yourself in it until you accomplish what it is you set out today. Don’t get sprinkled with hit and miss attempts, get baptized! Put your whole self into it.
Wash your sins away. Forget about past mistakes and failures. Instead press toward the new thing God is doing. Paul said, “Not that I have already obtained perfection but one thing I do is forget those things that are behind me and press toward the prize of the high calling of Jesus Christ.”
Call on his name. Start operating in the authority God has given you. Jesus said, “Ask anything in my name and it will be given to you.” That’s authority! Star calling on his name.
Whenever I wake my boys up in the morning I call them through the monitor system. “Son are you awake? ‘Yes sir (sleepy voice).’ “Then get up and put your feet on the floor. It’s time to have a great day.”
Dear God,
I’m ready to get up to do what you have for me to do. Use me as you see fit. Thank you for waking me up this morning and starting me on my way. Baptize me Jesus with your Holy Ghost and help me to walk in authority all day long.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
Sometimes, I lay in the bed after the alarm goes off trying to allow my body to catch up to my mind. I have to tell my body to move because it wants to remain comfortable in that warm bed enraptured by a state of inactivity. We have too much to accomplish to lie in the bed for hours after the alarm has already gone off. Some of us are sitting in front of our computers, lying in the bed with our smart phones, but we have not gotten up. What are you waiting for?
There is an alarm built in your spirit that God has placed there that reminds you that you have work to do. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day for when night comes no man can work.” If you saw daylight today that means that you still have work to do, that’s why the old folks could wake up with joy singing, “Lord you gave me one more sunny day.” But if you are still idle this morning I have to ask you, ‘what are you waiting for?’
After the Apostle Paul had his Damascus road wakeup call he had to lay down in a house on straight street. After he recovered he was still lying down. God sent Ananias to give Paul instructions on his journey and what he would accomplish for the Lord. Maybe the reason you are still laying down after recovery is that you need a Life Coach like Ananias, who can spur you on toward good works and ask you hard questions like, “What are you waiting for?” There is something great inside of you that God is trying to birth in you but you have been procrastinating and putting off what you know God has purposed you to do. I don’t even think that you are afraid of failure you are more afraid to succeed. If I do what God tells me to do I will no longer have the luxury of lying in obscurity inoculated by mendacity but I must engage the world with what he has commissioned me to do with my life. It’s time to wake up! In order to break this spirit of procrastination we have to:
Get up. Half the battle for attempting to accomplish anything worthwhile is getting up. The other night when Eminem won his Grammy for his Album Recovery, he yelled out, “Detroit, Stand up!” It was like Eminem after his own recovery from drug addiction was speaking to his dead and impoverished city with so much potential, "it’s time for us to stand up again.” After your recovery you don’t stay down you stand up.
Be Baptized. That is Immerse yourself in that which is going to make you new. When you have a passion for something you have to immerse yourself in it until you accomplish what it is you set out today. Don’t get sprinkled with hit and miss attempts, get baptized! Put your whole self into it.
Wash your sins away. Forget about past mistakes and failures. Instead press toward the new thing God is doing. Paul said, “Not that I have already obtained perfection but one thing I do is forget those things that are behind me and press toward the prize of the high calling of Jesus Christ.”
Call on his name. Start operating in the authority God has given you. Jesus said, “Ask anything in my name and it will be given to you.” That’s authority! Star calling on his name.
Whenever I wake my boys up in the morning I call them through the monitor system. “Son are you awake? ‘Yes sir (sleepy voice).’ “Then get up and put your feet on the floor. It’s time to have a great day.”
Dear God,
I’m ready to get up to do what you have for me to do. Use me as you see fit. Thank you for waking me up this morning and starting me on my way. Baptize me Jesus with your Holy Ghost and help me to walk in authority all day long.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, February 14, 2011
Are You Fresh?!
Is that fresh?
Leviticus 24:8
This bread is to be set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as lasting covenant.
Whenever we go to the grocery store to purchase food like bread or milk we always check the expiration date. We like our food to be fresh. Nobody wants food that’s been setting up in display all day. We like fresh bread. Maybe that’s why Krispy Kreme does so well with their sign that says, “Now serving Hot doughnuts!” that sign is so tempting because no one can resist hot, fresh doughnuts.
God likes hot fresh bread too! We are the bread. Every day we are to give ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. We can’t live off last week’s bread. Every week we have to start from scratch kneading out the dough of our daily devotion, removing the yeast of sin, and involving ourselves in the heat of regular worship.
Every Sabbath the priests were to put 12 loaves of bread before the Lord. The number 12 represented the 12 tribes who were to assemble themselves before the Lord for regular worship. We should regularly assemble our tribes, our families, for weekly worship. Our worship ought to be fresh!
How do you have fresh worship?
1. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise Psalm 100:4. When we come to church we have to come with our fire. You can’t bake bread if you don’t have that fire.
2. Consecrate yourself. Leviticus 11:18 “Tell the people: Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow…” whenever the people assembled themselves to be in God’s presence they had to get themselves presentable. We need to get our minds and bodies clean in preparation of coming into God’s presence.
3. Sing Hymns. When we come to worship we ought not to have a performance mentality where we sit back and let the praise team entertain us. We are the praise team and God is the audience. Ephesians 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.
4. Pray for each other. Ephesians 6:18 pray in the sprit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
5. Come with Expectation. Ephesians 3:20 He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Dear God, help my worship and my living to always be fresh. Daily will I seek your face. Give me fresh wind and fresh fire so I can give your people a fresh word. Help me to serve others today with freshness. “Now Serving Hot Bread!”
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Leviticus 24:8
This bread is to be set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as lasting covenant.
Whenever we go to the grocery store to purchase food like bread or milk we always check the expiration date. We like our food to be fresh. Nobody wants food that’s been setting up in display all day. We like fresh bread. Maybe that’s why Krispy Kreme does so well with their sign that says, “Now serving Hot doughnuts!” that sign is so tempting because no one can resist hot, fresh doughnuts.
God likes hot fresh bread too! We are the bread. Every day we are to give ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. We can’t live off last week’s bread. Every week we have to start from scratch kneading out the dough of our daily devotion, removing the yeast of sin, and involving ourselves in the heat of regular worship.
Every Sabbath the priests were to put 12 loaves of bread before the Lord. The number 12 represented the 12 tribes who were to assemble themselves before the Lord for regular worship. We should regularly assemble our tribes, our families, for weekly worship. Our worship ought to be fresh!
How do you have fresh worship?
1. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise Psalm 100:4. When we come to church we have to come with our fire. You can’t bake bread if you don’t have that fire.
2. Consecrate yourself. Leviticus 11:18 “Tell the people: Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow…” whenever the people assembled themselves to be in God’s presence they had to get themselves presentable. We need to get our minds and bodies clean in preparation of coming into God’s presence.
3. Sing Hymns. When we come to worship we ought not to have a performance mentality where we sit back and let the praise team entertain us. We are the praise team and God is the audience. Ephesians 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.
4. Pray for each other. Ephesians 6:18 pray in the sprit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
5. Come with Expectation. Ephesians 3:20 He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Dear God, help my worship and my living to always be fresh. Daily will I seek your face. Give me fresh wind and fresh fire so I can give your people a fresh word. Help me to serve others today with freshness. “Now Serving Hot Bread!”
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Night Vision!
Acts 16:9
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Can’t sleep at night, something just ain't right, maybe God is trying to tell you something. –Shug Avery’s song she sang as she left the night club going back to her daddy’s church.
God has a way of speaking to us even if he has to do it at night. Sometimes, it is when we are still and free from the distractions of the day that God can finally get a word in or a vision communicated. The Prophet Joel said that in latter days young men would see visions and old men dream dreams. In these dark days, God is showing us Night Visions. Sometimes, we can be so busy thinking we are living out God’s plan, when in fact, we are heading in the wrong direction. God offers corrections to our course by communicating through night visions.
The Apostle Paul wanted to travel to Bythnia but while he was sleeping God showed him a night vision of a man standing up in Macedonia begging him to come there. What is it that is begging your attention? There is something that God has put on your Sprit that is different from what you are doing right now. This could be your Macedonian call.
Oftentimes, God will put people in my heart by showing me their face in a dream or their name in my spirit and when I get that feeling I try to follow up with a call to see how they are doing. Sometimes, there is a cause that God could be calling you to. You know what it is because you can’t shake it. It begs for your attention: Helping the poor in Haiti, Adopting a child, democracy in Egypt, ending homelessness in America, ending world hunger, supplying clean drinking water, a cure for cancer, stopping the HIV/AIDS epidemic, eradicating teen pregnancy.
What is it that God is giving you a night vision for? Paul changed his course to follow his vision. Once God gives you a night vision you have to change your course fulfill what he’s calling you to do. I met a wonderful brother from New York, Scott Harrison, who was a former night club promoter. He woke up one night and realized he was living his life keeping people high but not helping people live. He got on a ship and devoted his life to giving people clean drinking water in poor countries. Check out his testimony here: http://www.charitywater.org/about/scotts_story.php
Dear God,
Help me to be sensitive to your call. Give me a vision in this night time of our existence that will meet the needs of people I may not even know about yet. There is something that begs my attention and I want to be obedient to the vision that you give me. Whatever you want me to do, wherever you want me to go, whatever you want me to say, I’ll do it Lord. Send me and I’ll go. Only show me the way. Whatever you are doing in this season Lord, don’t do it without me!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Can’t sleep at night, something just ain't right, maybe God is trying to tell you something. –Shug Avery’s song she sang as she left the night club going back to her daddy’s church.
God has a way of speaking to us even if he has to do it at night. Sometimes, it is when we are still and free from the distractions of the day that God can finally get a word in or a vision communicated. The Prophet Joel said that in latter days young men would see visions and old men dream dreams. In these dark days, God is showing us Night Visions. Sometimes, we can be so busy thinking we are living out God’s plan, when in fact, we are heading in the wrong direction. God offers corrections to our course by communicating through night visions.
The Apostle Paul wanted to travel to Bythnia but while he was sleeping God showed him a night vision of a man standing up in Macedonia begging him to come there. What is it that is begging your attention? There is something that God has put on your Sprit that is different from what you are doing right now. This could be your Macedonian call.
Oftentimes, God will put people in my heart by showing me their face in a dream or their name in my spirit and when I get that feeling I try to follow up with a call to see how they are doing. Sometimes, there is a cause that God could be calling you to. You know what it is because you can’t shake it. It begs for your attention: Helping the poor in Haiti, Adopting a child, democracy in Egypt, ending homelessness in America, ending world hunger, supplying clean drinking water, a cure for cancer, stopping the HIV/AIDS epidemic, eradicating teen pregnancy.
What is it that God is giving you a night vision for? Paul changed his course to follow his vision. Once God gives you a night vision you have to change your course fulfill what he’s calling you to do. I met a wonderful brother from New York, Scott Harrison, who was a former night club promoter. He woke up one night and realized he was living his life keeping people high but not helping people live. He got on a ship and devoted his life to giving people clean drinking water in poor countries. Check out his testimony here: http://www.charitywater.org/about/scotts_story.php
Dear God,
Help me to be sensitive to your call. Give me a vision in this night time of our existence that will meet the needs of people I may not even know about yet. There is something that begs my attention and I want to be obedient to the vision that you give me. Whatever you want me to do, wherever you want me to go, whatever you want me to say, I’ll do it Lord. Send me and I’ll go. Only show me the way. Whatever you are doing in this season Lord, don’t do it without me!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Protect Your Neck!
Acts 15:10
Now then why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
Sometimes, when I’m working out at home, it’s funny to see my boys trying to lift the same weights that I select. They want to show me that they are strong like their daddy but they are not at an age where they can lift what I lift. So to protect them I give them weights that they can handle and still be able to work out with their father.
Jesus did that for us. He knew that we would not handle the weight of God’s law because we were weakened by sin. So he lightened the load by dying in our place and giving us a weight we could handle and still workout with the Father. That weight is called Grace, unmerited favor, from the father. That is why Jesus said, “Come unto me all of you that “work out” and I will give you rest, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For my yoke is easy and my burdens are light.”
Jesus lightened our Load making it possible to walk alongside of the Father to do the work of the Kingdom. We are able to be in relationship with the father based upon the work that Jesus did on Calvary.
Religious people have come along and tried to increase the weight through tradition and dead rituals. The Pharisees were complaining that the Gentiles who were being saved needed to be circumcised out of Jewish tradition. Peter had to remind them that God made the decision to pour out his spirit on the Gentiles, so why should they come behind Jesus and put weight on the necks of new believers that they couldn’t even lift? He said, “Why do you test or provoke God by putting heavy yokes on the necks of these new disciples we couldn’t even carry?”
In Football, the linemen and maybe some linebackers have a “yoke” around their necks to protect them from neck injury. They are made out of foam so the helmet can only go so far back in a collision. God’s grace is like the foamed yoke that protects our heads form getting so heavy with rules and oftentimes our righteousness collides with the opposition. It's grace that keeps our necks from being broken by the sin that so easily entangles us. Sometimes, the rules get so heavy on our minds that it threatens to break our relationship but Grace sustains us. We are saved by grace not works but we still have rules.
Peter said in verse 28; it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements. Verse 29; “you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.” So they narrowed it down to eating healthy, eating righteously and having righteous relationships. You would do well to protect your neck.
Dear God,
Thank you for lifting my heavy burden and making it possible to work with you and for you. Forgive me of my sins and help me to do that which pleases you. You are my strength and my redeemer. I’m stronger; I’m wiser, I’m better so much better because of you. When I look back on all you brought me through I realize I made it because I had you to hold on to. Thank you Jesus.
Amen
Now then why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
Sometimes, when I’m working out at home, it’s funny to see my boys trying to lift the same weights that I select. They want to show me that they are strong like their daddy but they are not at an age where they can lift what I lift. So to protect them I give them weights that they can handle and still be able to work out with their father.
Jesus did that for us. He knew that we would not handle the weight of God’s law because we were weakened by sin. So he lightened the load by dying in our place and giving us a weight we could handle and still workout with the Father. That weight is called Grace, unmerited favor, from the father. That is why Jesus said, “Come unto me all of you that “work out” and I will give you rest, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For my yoke is easy and my burdens are light.”
Jesus lightened our Load making it possible to walk alongside of the Father to do the work of the Kingdom. We are able to be in relationship with the father based upon the work that Jesus did on Calvary.
Religious people have come along and tried to increase the weight through tradition and dead rituals. The Pharisees were complaining that the Gentiles who were being saved needed to be circumcised out of Jewish tradition. Peter had to remind them that God made the decision to pour out his spirit on the Gentiles, so why should they come behind Jesus and put weight on the necks of new believers that they couldn’t even lift? He said, “Why do you test or provoke God by putting heavy yokes on the necks of these new disciples we couldn’t even carry?”
In Football, the linemen and maybe some linebackers have a “yoke” around their necks to protect them from neck injury. They are made out of foam so the helmet can only go so far back in a collision. God’s grace is like the foamed yoke that protects our heads form getting so heavy with rules and oftentimes our righteousness collides with the opposition. It's grace that keeps our necks from being broken by the sin that so easily entangles us. Sometimes, the rules get so heavy on our minds that it threatens to break our relationship but Grace sustains us. We are saved by grace not works but we still have rules.
Peter said in verse 28; it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements. Verse 29; “you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.” So they narrowed it down to eating healthy, eating righteously and having righteous relationships. You would do well to protect your neck.
Dear God,
Thank you for lifting my heavy burden and making it possible to work with you and for you. Forgive me of my sins and help me to do that which pleases you. You are my strength and my redeemer. I’m stronger; I’m wiser, I’m better so much better because of you. When I look back on all you brought me through I realize I made it because I had you to hold on to. Thank you Jesus.
Amen
Monday, February 7, 2011
Don't Listen to Them!
Acts 14:2
But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
The people in Cairo said that they can no longer trust the media in Egypt because of the Propaganda put out by the government. The government has become corrupt and President Mubarak is poisoning the waters with what he wants the people to hear. You really have to be careful who you get your news from.
Whenever there is a revolution taking place there will always be opposition from those who stand to lose something, be it power, position, or political influence. The quickest way to kill momentum of a movement is poisoning through propaganda of people who are successful in getting your ear. Eventhough we have to be skeptical of any news source in the media we also have to be leery of family and friends who don’t have our best interest in mind. If they are not where you are spiritually they could be poisoning your mind all in the name of love.
Paul and Barnabus were sent to a synagogue in Iconium and preached the Gospel. They were so impactful that Jews and Gentiles believed. In the crowd were also Jews who didn’t believe and ran the risk of losing their influence even though they didn’t care about the Gentiles. They stirred up the Gentiles by poisoning their minds.
In the movie, “Australia”, Sarah has to drive her cattle to the Market before her competition or she loses her farm. The next time they travel, they are driving across a really dry place. Magarri is at a watering hole, but he only splashes the water. The camera zooms out and there is a dead animal in the pool and one near it. He tells Drover that the water is bad. Fletcher (her competition) is the one who probably poisoned it. They argue about what to do. The nearest water is a five-day ride, but Magarri remarks that across one of the deserts, a three-day ride, there is water. Drover argues that there is no way they can drive across it, because there is not enough landmarks, so they’ll get lost and die. However, King George appears, and Nullah asks him to find the way to water. They follow him, and KG is shown singing and dancing his way through the desert. Drover explains that the aborigines have a song for every rock and landmark, allowing them to find a path.
When people who are in opposition to your movement see they can’t stop your momentum, they will try to poison your watering hole. But you got to have somebody who is a spiritual guide to get you from your place of poison to your place of purpose. It might not be King George but they might read from King James. When people close to you try to poison your mind they can say things like:
“Why are you going to that church? Why are you giving them all your money? They don’t appreciate you! God is not in that! You should leave! I think your season is up!” If you are not careful you will let miserable people who are not going anywhere talk you into joining them in their misery.
To counter this poisoning of the mind Paul and Barnabas:
1. Spent considerable time teaching the people who had been wrongly influenced. Some of us have to be untaught some of the damaging things people have misspoken in our minds. Make sure you spend time in a bible believing church with kingdom minded people.
2. Confirming the message of God’s grace. What Kingdom minded people teach should match the grace that you have experienced in Jesus Christ. If it doesn’t fit you must acquit.
3. The Apostles' miraculous signs and wonders confirmed they were from God. When God is in a movement there will be evidence that he is a part of it. Men lie. Women lie. Numbers don’t.
Dear God,
Protect my mind from Propaganda. Help me to protect my ears from people who don’t believe in the vision. Everyone cannot speak into my life especially if we are not equally yoked. Remove the poison with the antidote of your Word and your Holy Spirit. My ears are listening for your voice and I will not hearken to another. Today, I will be selective in who I let in my space.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
The people in Cairo said that they can no longer trust the media in Egypt because of the Propaganda put out by the government. The government has become corrupt and President Mubarak is poisoning the waters with what he wants the people to hear. You really have to be careful who you get your news from.
Whenever there is a revolution taking place there will always be opposition from those who stand to lose something, be it power, position, or political influence. The quickest way to kill momentum of a movement is poisoning through propaganda of people who are successful in getting your ear. Eventhough we have to be skeptical of any news source in the media we also have to be leery of family and friends who don’t have our best interest in mind. If they are not where you are spiritually they could be poisoning your mind all in the name of love.
Paul and Barnabus were sent to a synagogue in Iconium and preached the Gospel. They were so impactful that Jews and Gentiles believed. In the crowd were also Jews who didn’t believe and ran the risk of losing their influence even though they didn’t care about the Gentiles. They stirred up the Gentiles by poisoning their minds.
In the movie, “Australia”, Sarah has to drive her cattle to the Market before her competition or she loses her farm. The next time they travel, they are driving across a really dry place. Magarri is at a watering hole, but he only splashes the water. The camera zooms out and there is a dead animal in the pool and one near it. He tells Drover that the water is bad. Fletcher (her competition) is the one who probably poisoned it. They argue about what to do. The nearest water is a five-day ride, but Magarri remarks that across one of the deserts, a three-day ride, there is water. Drover argues that there is no way they can drive across it, because there is not enough landmarks, so they’ll get lost and die. However, King George appears, and Nullah asks him to find the way to water. They follow him, and KG is shown singing and dancing his way through the desert. Drover explains that the aborigines have a song for every rock and landmark, allowing them to find a path.
When people who are in opposition to your movement see they can’t stop your momentum, they will try to poison your watering hole. But you got to have somebody who is a spiritual guide to get you from your place of poison to your place of purpose. It might not be King George but they might read from King James. When people close to you try to poison your mind they can say things like:
“Why are you going to that church? Why are you giving them all your money? They don’t appreciate you! God is not in that! You should leave! I think your season is up!” If you are not careful you will let miserable people who are not going anywhere talk you into joining them in their misery.
To counter this poisoning of the mind Paul and Barnabas:
1. Spent considerable time teaching the people who had been wrongly influenced. Some of us have to be untaught some of the damaging things people have misspoken in our minds. Make sure you spend time in a bible believing church with kingdom minded people.
2. Confirming the message of God’s grace. What Kingdom minded people teach should match the grace that you have experienced in Jesus Christ. If it doesn’t fit you must acquit.
3. The Apostles' miraculous signs and wonders confirmed they were from God. When God is in a movement there will be evidence that he is a part of it. Men lie. Women lie. Numbers don’t.
Dear God,
Protect my mind from Propaganda. Help me to protect my ears from people who don’t believe in the vision. Everyone cannot speak into my life especially if we are not equally yoked. Remove the poison with the antidote of your Word and your Holy Spirit. My ears are listening for your voice and I will not hearken to another. Today, I will be selective in who I let in my space.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Don't Do It Without Me!
Exodus 33:15
Then Moses said to him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
Bishop Paul Morton has a song that says, “Lord whatever you’re doing in this season please don’t do it without me.” What a powerful plea. God’s definitely up to something. He is getting his harvest ready. He’s gathering his people together and make preparation for Jesus’ return. He’s shifting some things around and I want to be in that number. There are some great things God has in store for us this year but we are in danger of missing his move if we aren't sensitive to what he is doing. We don’t want God to do it without us and we surely don’t want to do it without him.
God was about to shift the Children of Israel from the wilderness to the Promised Land but God told them, “Go up to the land flowing with Milk and Honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” (Exodus 33:3) Sometimes a promotion can be a demotion if God doesn’t go with you. I don’t ever want to go up if God doesn’t go with me. The people were grief stricken with this news and Moses went in to God to seek his favor because he realized he couldn’t do it without God.
Moses said, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
If you don’t want God to do it without you, here’s what you need to do:
1. Be still until you know His will. Make sure God is going with you before you take a step.
2. Get in God’s presence through worship and ask him to go with you. God told Moses in Exodus 33:17 I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.
3. Ask God to teach you his ways and show you his Glory. Moses wanted to know God more intimately. He spent 40 days and 40 nights with God without food and water. When he came down his face was glowing. God had transferred his Glory to Moses so the people would know that God was with them.
Dear God,
Whatever you are doing in this season please don’t do it without me. Show me your Glory and teach me your ways so I can lead your people into the Promised Land. We are ready to follow you forward.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Then Moses said to him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
Bishop Paul Morton has a song that says, “Lord whatever you’re doing in this season please don’t do it without me.” What a powerful plea. God’s definitely up to something. He is getting his harvest ready. He’s gathering his people together and make preparation for Jesus’ return. He’s shifting some things around and I want to be in that number. There are some great things God has in store for us this year but we are in danger of missing his move if we aren't sensitive to what he is doing. We don’t want God to do it without us and we surely don’t want to do it without him.
God was about to shift the Children of Israel from the wilderness to the Promised Land but God told them, “Go up to the land flowing with Milk and Honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” (Exodus 33:3) Sometimes a promotion can be a demotion if God doesn’t go with you. I don’t ever want to go up if God doesn’t go with me. The people were grief stricken with this news and Moses went in to God to seek his favor because he realized he couldn’t do it without God.
Moses said, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
If you don’t want God to do it without you, here’s what you need to do:
1. Be still until you know His will. Make sure God is going with you before you take a step.
2. Get in God’s presence through worship and ask him to go with you. God told Moses in Exodus 33:17 I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.
3. Ask God to teach you his ways and show you his Glory. Moses wanted to know God more intimately. He spent 40 days and 40 nights with God without food and water. When he came down his face was glowing. God had transferred his Glory to Moses so the people would know that God was with them.
Dear God,
Whatever you are doing in this season please don’t do it without me. Show me your Glory and teach me your ways so I can lead your people into the Promised Land. We are ready to follow you forward.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Who Are You Standing Under?
Acts 8:31
“How can I (understand), “he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” so he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Okay, I lost my mind, it's somewhere out there stranded I think you stand under me if you don’t understand me—Lil Wayne in the song 6’7”
We are all out there stranded when we don’t have understanding. Wayne Carter says something profound in his song 6’7”. This phrase is like a treasure that found a dirty cave strewn with the mess of misogynistic lyrics. He says you can’t understand him unless you stand under him. In a sense we are all out there stranded out of our minds without someone helping us understand. Where he falls short in his thought process is that you can’t stand under somebody who is lost themselves. Who we choose to stand under in terms of leadership determines if we ever arrive at a higher level of understanding.
Whether we admit it or not, we are all standing under somebody’s umbrella. Some of us get our understanding from watching the news but you have to be careful because many news networks spin according to their partisan affiliation even though they are supposed to be bi-partisan. Many get understanding from street culture. Rappers like Tupac, Biggie, and Jay Z got their understanding from pimps, hustlers, and drug dealers. Then, in turn, our youth get under these rappers to get their understanding about life, how to treat women, and who God is or isn’t.
Who are you standing under?
In life, we are all seeking understanding for life’s questions. It is only in God that we get unpolluted answers. God is Holy which means God is pure. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Solomon said to his son, in all your getting, get understanding. It’s in God’s word where God gives us understanding about his plan for our lives but without proper explanation you can be left stranded on the side of the road.
An Ethiopian Eunuch, a man that had been cut off and serving the Queen of Ethiopia was trying to read the book of Isaiah 58:7-8 about the lamb led to the slaughter. It was an early reference to the Messiah or Jesus. The Holy Spirit told Philip to go over to the chariot and that when Philip heard him reading. Philip had been one of Jesus’ disciples. Philip asked the Eunuch did he understand what he was reading? “He said, “How can I unless someone explains it to me?”
If you want understanding there are some prerequisites:
1. You have to have a hunger for God’s word. The man was pulled over on the side of the road reading the book of Isaiah. When you are stranded on the side of the road of life you should pick up God’s word for instruction.
2. You have to have a teachable Spirit. When the student is ready the teacher will appear.
3. You need a spirit led teacher knowledgeable of God’s word. I like when Joel Olsteen closes out his broadcast. He always encourages his listeners to get in a local bible believing church to get under a local pastor. Every believer needs to get under an anointed teacher/pastor.
4. You have to ask questions of the text. The Eunuch asked, “Who is this prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”, that’s when Philip gave him understanding about who Jesus is.
5. You have to take time to get taught. Sunday morning is good but you also need bible study individually and collectively in order to gain further understanding. Tune into TNT Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. Online @www.n2newdirection.org for further understanding.
Run DMC said, “The next time someone’s teaching why don’t you get taught. It’s like that and that’s the way it is!
Dear God,
Give me a greater understanding today. When the student is ready the teacher will come. God I’m ready. Please send the Holy Spirit to teach me your ways and to bring back to remembrance the things you already taught me. I don’t want to be out here stranded. I need some understanding.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
“How can I (understand), “he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” so he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Okay, I lost my mind, it's somewhere out there stranded I think you stand under me if you don’t understand me—Lil Wayne in the song 6’7”
We are all out there stranded when we don’t have understanding. Wayne Carter says something profound in his song 6’7”. This phrase is like a treasure that found a dirty cave strewn with the mess of misogynistic lyrics. He says you can’t understand him unless you stand under him. In a sense we are all out there stranded out of our minds without someone helping us understand. Where he falls short in his thought process is that you can’t stand under somebody who is lost themselves. Who we choose to stand under in terms of leadership determines if we ever arrive at a higher level of understanding.
Whether we admit it or not, we are all standing under somebody’s umbrella. Some of us get our understanding from watching the news but you have to be careful because many news networks spin according to their partisan affiliation even though they are supposed to be bi-partisan. Many get understanding from street culture. Rappers like Tupac, Biggie, and Jay Z got their understanding from pimps, hustlers, and drug dealers. Then, in turn, our youth get under these rappers to get their understanding about life, how to treat women, and who God is or isn’t.
Who are you standing under?
In life, we are all seeking understanding for life’s questions. It is only in God that we get unpolluted answers. God is Holy which means God is pure. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Solomon said to his son, in all your getting, get understanding. It’s in God’s word where God gives us understanding about his plan for our lives but without proper explanation you can be left stranded on the side of the road.
An Ethiopian Eunuch, a man that had been cut off and serving the Queen of Ethiopia was trying to read the book of Isaiah 58:7-8 about the lamb led to the slaughter. It was an early reference to the Messiah or Jesus. The Holy Spirit told Philip to go over to the chariot and that when Philip heard him reading. Philip had been one of Jesus’ disciples. Philip asked the Eunuch did he understand what he was reading? “He said, “How can I unless someone explains it to me?”
If you want understanding there are some prerequisites:
1. You have to have a hunger for God’s word. The man was pulled over on the side of the road reading the book of Isaiah. When you are stranded on the side of the road of life you should pick up God’s word for instruction.
2. You have to have a teachable Spirit. When the student is ready the teacher will appear.
3. You need a spirit led teacher knowledgeable of God’s word. I like when Joel Olsteen closes out his broadcast. He always encourages his listeners to get in a local bible believing church to get under a local pastor. Every believer needs to get under an anointed teacher/pastor.
4. You have to ask questions of the text. The Eunuch asked, “Who is this prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”, that’s when Philip gave him understanding about who Jesus is.
5. You have to take time to get taught. Sunday morning is good but you also need bible study individually and collectively in order to gain further understanding. Tune into TNT Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. Online @www.n2newdirection.org for further understanding.
Run DMC said, “The next time someone’s teaching why don’t you get taught. It’s like that and that’s the way it is!
Dear God,
Give me a greater understanding today. When the student is ready the teacher will come. God I’m ready. Please send the Holy Spirit to teach me your ways and to bring back to remembrance the things you already taught me. I don’t want to be out here stranded. I need some understanding.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Let Your Glory Fill This Place
Exodus 29:43
There also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my Glory.
There is something special that occurs when God decides to visit with his people in the context of worship. There is something you can’t get when you are not present in the assembly. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name then I will be in the midst.” When believers come together touching and agreeing God shows up. Every now and then the Glory cloud shows up and fills the temple. There have been times in worship, as a leader, that I didn’t know what to do next because his Gory was so thick. The word Glory means, the weight of God’s presence. When God led the children out of Egypt it was his Gory that led them out. He was a cloud of fire by night and a cloud by day.
When God gave Moses instruction on how to preset burnt offerings in the tent of meeting he told Aaron to consecrate himself. Before you go into the presence of God you ought to consecrate yourself.
1. Get your mind right. James 1:8 says, “ a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
2. Get some rest. Dr. Gardner Taylor said, “if you can’t give the Lord anything else give him a rested body to work with.”
3. Come in already prayed up. Ephesians 6:18 pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
4. Check your hygiene. Leviticus 16:4 so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.” Godliness is next to cleanliness.
5. Dress as not to offend. Exodus 20:26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.” Do not come to church with anything that will expose your nakedness.
I thought you could come to church as you are. You can to a degree. You have to do everything you know to do to make yourself presentable on the outside but there is still some inside work the Holy Spirit has to do. There are some spots you can’t get to in your mind and in your heart but God can. Whatever else is not right will be cleansed in the cloud. God says, “I will consecrate the place with my presence.
Earnest Pugh had it right when he said; “Rain on us!” you ought to pray this song this morning:
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all consuming fire fill this tabernacle and purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing Lord, purify our hearts
Verse:
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all consuming fire fill this tabernacle purify hearts
Surround us in this place
and breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing Lord saturate our hearts
Chorus:
Rain on us
Breathe on us
Shower down
Shower down
Send your spirit Lord
Dear God,
Rain on us, saturate our hearts until we look and act more like you. Fill this earthly vessel with your power. I feel you in here this morning. I still feel your Glory in this place. Thank you for showing up in the place and for filling me with your Glory. We have this gift, this treasure, in earthen vessels. Thank you for the gift of your presence.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord.
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord
There also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my Glory.
There is something special that occurs when God decides to visit with his people in the context of worship. There is something you can’t get when you are not present in the assembly. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name then I will be in the midst.” When believers come together touching and agreeing God shows up. Every now and then the Glory cloud shows up and fills the temple. There have been times in worship, as a leader, that I didn’t know what to do next because his Gory was so thick. The word Glory means, the weight of God’s presence. When God led the children out of Egypt it was his Gory that led them out. He was a cloud of fire by night and a cloud by day.
When God gave Moses instruction on how to preset burnt offerings in the tent of meeting he told Aaron to consecrate himself. Before you go into the presence of God you ought to consecrate yourself.
1. Get your mind right. James 1:8 says, “ a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
2. Get some rest. Dr. Gardner Taylor said, “if you can’t give the Lord anything else give him a rested body to work with.”
3. Come in already prayed up. Ephesians 6:18 pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
4. Check your hygiene. Leviticus 16:4 so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.” Godliness is next to cleanliness.
5. Dress as not to offend. Exodus 20:26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.” Do not come to church with anything that will expose your nakedness.
I thought you could come to church as you are. You can to a degree. You have to do everything you know to do to make yourself presentable on the outside but there is still some inside work the Holy Spirit has to do. There are some spots you can’t get to in your mind and in your heart but God can. Whatever else is not right will be cleansed in the cloud. God says, “I will consecrate the place with my presence.
Earnest Pugh had it right when he said; “Rain on us!” you ought to pray this song this morning:
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all consuming fire fill this tabernacle and purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing Lord, purify our hearts
Verse:
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all consuming fire fill this tabernacle purify hearts
Surround us in this place
and breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing Lord saturate our hearts
Chorus:
Rain on us
Breathe on us
Shower down
Shower down
Send your spirit Lord
Dear God,
Rain on us, saturate our hearts until we look and act more like you. Fill this earthly vessel with your power. I feel you in here this morning. I still feel your Glory in this place. Thank you for showing up in the place and for filling me with your Glory. We have this gift, this treasure, in earthen vessels. Thank you for the gift of your presence.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord.
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
Want you to breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our ~~ hearts
Choir Part 1
Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
And purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Saturate our hearts
Chorus
Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord
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