Daily Devotionals by Dr. Stacy L. Spencer

Go With Me!

2012-02-02T09:39:00.000-06:00

Go With Me!

Exodus 33:15 Then Moses said to him, “if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

When I was a little boy we lived in a trailer behind my grandmother’s house. Inevitably my mother would send me over to my Grandmother’s house to get something at night. We lived in rural Kentucky with no street lights. It was so dark you could see every constellation in the sky surrounded by the cacophony of sounds from wildlife. I would stand in the doorway trying to get up enough nerve to go across the field to Grandmama’s house. If my little brother was anywhere near me I would tell him, “Go with me!” I wouldn’t tell him I was afraid but instead I made it appear that it was merely for companionship. I felt a little more confident, secure, and braver when he was with me.

There are times when God sends us out to do something but as we stare out at the expanse of the unknown, we become fearful and want somebody to go with us. Moses had to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt into the Promised Land. They would have to pass through hostile territory. God initially told Moses he would not go with them because the people were a stiff necked people and he would end up killing them on the way there. Moses begged God to go with them or else not send them. Moses needed God to go with him because:

1. He needed God’s presence for assurance. There are some things so large and intimidating that we dare not handle without God’s presence with us. In his presence there is fullness of Joy. We need God’s presence to get through things that are bigger than us.

2. He needed people to know God was pleased with him. There are assignments that God gives us that we need his presence for so that people will know that God is pleased with us. A lot of politicians are waiting on the right endorsement to prove that they are worthy of being president. I just want God to endorse me with his favor.

3. He needed something to distinguish them from all the other people. We are a royal priesthood and a chosen generation when God’s hands are on us and his presence is with us. It’s important to have God’s oil on your life so that you are distinct from everyone else.

Dear God,

Please go with me today. I can’t do this by myself. If you go with me I know I can face whatever it is that I need to face, do whatever I need to do. Father please go with me, I need your presence.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Money Can't Buy This!

2012-02-01T09:43:00.001-06:00

Acts 8:20

Peter answered, “May your Money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

It’s been said that money can’t buy you Love, although some have tried. Money can buy you a house but it can’t make it a home. Money can purchase you a bed but it can’t make you sleep. Money can buy you clothes but it cannot purchase your self-esteem. There is something immaterial that money has no control over and that is your Spirit. God is the only one who is able to pour in you his spirit and ability. It is even God who gives you the ability to get wealth. It is not your wealth that gives you the ability to be like God. You can do a lot of things with money but you can’t buy God.

Simon the Sorcerer was used to people following him when he used his magic to draw them but when the people heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ they were baptized and started following the Apostles. Simon was drawn by the miraculous signs, wonders, and gospel; he was baptized as well. When Peter and John came to Samaria to lay hands on the people they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this he wanted in on this “action.” He was attracted to the signs and the popularity of the Apostles and wanted to purchase the Holy Spirit. He had been baptized but he had not been regenerated. His heart had not been changed. He offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter responded, ‘May you and your money go to Hell because you believed you could buy God’s gift with money!”

Money can’t buy what only comes through Relationship. God’s Holy Spirit is free to those who have been born again and are in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Many of us have been trying to buy only what God can give. This is why your money won’t work:

Peter told Simon, “you heart ain’t right with God!” This is how you get right with God:

a. Change your heart and life. When you come to God for the right reason his Holy Spirit will begin to regenerate your heart and your life will begin to realign itself around God’s will. Your heart will drive you to make changes in your life that are pleasing to God.

b. Turn from your wickedness. We can’t drag old ways into a new life. We have to make a U-turn and head in a New Direction.

c. Ask for forgiveness. Peter tells Simon he should plead to God not to send him to hell for trying to purchase the Holy Spirit for his own material gain. If we confess our sins God will forgive us our sins.

d. Get at the root of your bitterness and envy. Simon envied the Apostles because they were getting the attention he used to get. We need to always check our motives to see what’s really driving us. If we can identify the source of our emptiness God can fill us with his Holy Spirit instead of covering up with stuff that can never satisfy.

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me the ability to be wealthy in your spirit and not in money. When I seek you first all these other things will come. I want you more than anything God. I can have money and still be miserable if I don’t have you. God I thank you for your Holy Spirit that makes me prosper even as my soul prospers. Lord Keep my heart pure today so that my ways are pleasing to you.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

You Have the Last Word

2012-01-31T10:31:00.001-06:00

Acts 7:59-60

While they were stoning him...Stephen cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Whenever you stand for truth you will always have opposition. Jesus warned his disciples, “If they hated me they will hate you also…pray for those who hate you.” It was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, “We will overcome their capacity to hate with our capacity to love.” It seems unnatural to show love or be forgiving to people who mean you harm. When you are caught up in an exchange of words and you believe you are standing on the side of right, you want the last word. In your last words will you pronounce blessings or curses?

Stephen was one of the first martyrs. He was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to help serve the Grecian widows food. In Acts 6:8-10 it states, “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, these men began to argue with Stephen but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Sprit by whom he spoke.

Whenever you have position you will have opposition. This is how you overcome opposition when you are in God’s will:

1. God’s grace and Power. Stephen had experienced the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So even under extreme opposition he was able to keep his composure because of Grace.

2. Wisdom. Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. Stephen was a student of God’s word. That’s why he was able to convict those who opposed him because he used the word.

3. The Holy Spirit. God spoke through Stephen and pierced the hearts of those opposing Stephen and their only recourse was to get physical because they were defeated spiritually.

They couldn’t defeat him in arguments so they decided to retaliate by stoning him to death. Before they killed him, he had the last word, “Father do not hold their sins against them.” He was getting ready to die, getting hit upside the head with big rocks and his last words were like Jesus, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” The very person that gave consent for Stephen to be stoned was a man named Saul who would later be converted to follow Christ and his name changed to Paul. Because Stephen had the last word Christianity grew and the chief oppose became the chief apostle.

Do you think Stephen’s death or his last words had anything to do with Paul’s conversion? When you have an argument this week or a point of disagreement, what will be your last words?

Dear God,

Fill me with your Grace so that I can face my opposition with your wisdom and be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Even when it appears that I’m losing the argument. Help me to realize that I’m really winning because as long as you get the Glory, I get the last word.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Be Still

2012-01-26T09:03:00.001-06:00

Exodus 14:14

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still

Growing up in the country we had a saying for people who panicked in the face of adversity and began to move around spastically. We would say that person was running around like “a chicken with their head cut off.” Back in the day my grandmother would prepare her own chicken for dinner fresh from the back yard. She would select a hen from the backyard that was walking around, grab it by its head and give it a twist until its head came off. The chicken would run around a few minutes headless because the body was running off of muscle memory but without the use of the brain.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a mindless panic or “mindless behavior” because life seems overwhelming. We are stuck in fight or flight mode because we have not learned inner peace. We are not sure that God can save us because where we are we have not been before.

The Israelites were fresh out of slavery and the Egyptians were trying to take their heads off. It looked like they were in a dead end with the red Sea in front of them and mountains on either side but God purposely brought them there so that he could show them who he was and what he was capable of. God made a highway through the sea allowing them to walk across on dry ground but drowned the Egyptian army.

Moses gave the people instructions prior to their deliverance:

1. Don’t be afraid. Sometimes fear will have us in fight or flight when it’s not even necessary. When God is with us we have no need to be afraid.

2. Stand Firm and you will see your deliverance today. We can’t waiver in the face of danger but instead we should stand firm in our faith and convictions.

3. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. There are some enemies that have been troubling us that if we give them over to God we will never see again. Let God handle them.

4. The Lord will fight your battle. There are some fights that are too big for us but nothing is too big for God. Instead of telling God how big your problem is tell your problem how big your God is.

5. You need only to be still. Your only need today is to be still. God’s got this and he will see you through.

Dear God,

I choose to be still today instead of being frantic. I will be anxious for nothing. I take comfort in knowing that you will fight my battles if I just keep still! I trust you Lord.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Shortest, Fastest or Other!

2012-01-25T18:08:00.001-06:00

Exodus 13:17

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

Whenever I travel to an unfamiliar place I like to use my GPS. After entering the address of my destination the GPS asks me if I would like to take the shortest distance, the fastest route, or “Other.” What I’ve discovered is that “short” is not always the most effective and ”fast” is not always cost efficient. Instead of going the shortest or fastest route, could it be that God wants to take you the other route? Could the “Other” option be God’s choice for us because he can see something that we can’t?

When God took the Children of Israel out of Egypt from slavery, 600,000 of them traveled the “Other” route. God could have taken them the “shortest” route through Philistine country but God knew they would have to fight going through there. If they had a battle now they would not be ready because they were fresh out of slavery. As a slave you are not taught to fight back. Not only did God have to get them out of Egypt but he needed time to get Egypt out of them. We may think that we are ready for something but God knowing best takes us another route. It might seem like he took the longest route but if you knew what he was protecting you from you would thank him even though it’s taking you longer to get there.

I want to give you some reasons why God chose the “Other” route for you:

1. God’s working old ways of thinking out of your spirit. God’s got to get this slave, renters, sharecropping mentality out of you before he releases you as owners in the Promised Land.

2. God’s taking you around something that may be too much for you right now. You don’t have the resources to take this on right now. It’s not a denial just a delay.

3. God's preparing you for something you can’t handle right now. The next time you face it you will be able to defeat it.

4. God's got to build relationship with you. The Israelites had to see Miracle after Miracle so they would know who God is and what he is capable of. This is the season where you get to Know God better.

5. God's got to build your confidence in yourself. God had to change the negative self perception of former slaves into warriors, owners, and Kings. It takes time for God to rebuild your self-esteem.

Dear God,

Thank you for taking me the other way. Thank you for keeping me from dangers seen and unseen. When I get to where I’m going I know I’ll be ready for whatever you bless me with.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

What Happened to Your Fire?

2012-01-24T11:10:00.000-06:00

Luke 24:32

They said to each other “weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”

When we are motivated to do something and passionate about something we are fired up about it! It’s a drive inside our souls that propels us forward. A basketball player can be fired up about a game. A leader can be fired up about a cause. An activist can be fired up about a movement. There must be some kind of fire in our belly that motivates us to keep going in spite of the challenges we will run up against.

Every now and then we will run out of fire. Over time fires begin to dim if not stoked or fueled. Paul had to remind young Timothy when he was giving in to the negativity of others who said he was too young and to his own fear. Paul reminded Timothy of his faith that he saw in his grandmother, mother, and in him; with that in mind Paul told Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” When discouragement tries to snuff out your flame allow God to stir it back up.

Two of Jesus’ disciples had lost their fire when Jesus was crucified. He caught up with them on the road to Emmaus, seven miles outside of Jerusalem. It is often outside of the Holy City and after great distress that Jesus will walk with us to restore our fire. If you are walking in a place that seems to be outside of God and your fire is about to go out, here’s how you get it back:

Jesus walked with them. Even though they didn’t know it was Jesus they allowed Jesus to walk with them to discuss why they were sad. It’s when we open up about where we are that God can come in.
Jesus talked with them. It’s in prayer that we begin to reconnect to our power source. The old folks said in prayer, ‘I feel a little prayer wheel turning and I feel a little fire start burning.’
He explained the scriptures to them. When we continue to get understanding of the scriptures in bible study that’s when we get our fire back! We must get fired up about God’s word.
He ate with them. We must continue to fellowship with one another. Where two or three are gathered together there will Jesus be also. Keep coming to church and Bible study to get your fire back.
Dear God,

I will continue to walk with Jesus and open his word so that his word can get in my heart. Jeremiah reminds us that we can’t help but to be on fire when we allow your word to get in us. Jeremiah got discouraged because of persecution and said he wasn’t going to talk about you anymore but he said, “When I said I would not speak of God anymore, his Word was like Fire shut up in my bones!” God fill me with the Fire of your Word so that I can be fired up to do your will.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Coming Up Short!

2012-01-19T09:13:00.001-06:00

Luke 19:3

He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.

There are times in life when it seems that we keep coming up short. We try our best to reach expectations set by ourselves and others only to fail to reach our objectives for various reasons. In spite of our limitations, there is a way to get around our shortness. Whether it is being short physically, financially, emotionally, or spiritually, there is a way to come up short that actually works out for our good.

Zacchaeus was a little person who wanted to see Jesus as he was passing through his neighborhood. Zacchaeus was wealthy but short. Normally when you think of people coming up short you think of somebody poor but Zach was rich. He had tall money but he was short on admiration and spiritual consecration.

He wanted to see Jesus but could not because the crowd blocked his view due to the fact that he was short. So he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore fig tree. He came up short! He didn’t let his disability stop him from seeing Jesus. If we are going to come up in spite of our shortness, we have to do the same things that Zach did.

He ran ahead of the crowd. Verse 4 sometimes we have to pull away from the people blocking our view. If you can’t move the crowd then move away from the crowd.

1. He climbed up verse 4. You have to get higher than the people who are blocking you from Jesus. Always take the higher road in the way you respond to any given situation. That’s why it’s important to get a Higher Education and believe in a Higher power so that you can always take the High Road.

2. Go out on a limb. Zach climbed a Sycamore tree which meant he had to go out on a limb until Jesus got there. We must be willing to take a risk when it comes to pursuing Jesus. The greatest risk in life is to risk nothing.

3. He waited for Jesus to call him down. Verse 5 when you seek Jesus he will find you. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness you will be satisfied. Don’t move from where you are until Jesus calls you down.

4. Take Jesus to your house. Verse 6. Zach did something radical; he took Jesus to his house even though he had a bad reputation as a swindling tax collector. At some point we have to bring Jesus home in spite of lifestyles that are in conflict with who he is. Jesus isn’t offended or embarrassed to be with you and he’s willing to help you fix where you are coming up short.

5. Give back to the poor verse 8. When the crowd tried to put Zach on blast for his reputation, he said he would give half his possessions to the poor. When our hearts have been touched by Jesus we should give back to the poor. Use your success to bless others.

6. Restore broken relationships verse 8. Zach told Jesus if he had stolen from anybody he would pay back four times the amount. When we have broken relationships we should try to make amends for where we have come up short. Give back what you owe as best you can.

Dear God,

Thank you for seeing me when I came up short. You called me out and came to my house in spite of my mess. Thank you for restoring my dignity and my relationships. Most of all thank you for Salvation. Now I’m coming up but not short!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

That's Why I'm Here!

2012-01-18T09:28:00.000-06:00

Genesis 45:5

And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

Sometimes when we are going through a series of unfortunate events we begin to wonder, ‘why in the world are we where we are?’ At the beginning of your life you felt favored by God but now you feel forgotten. Why am I here? It would be easy to give up where you are because of the struggle, the injustice, and the cruelty but then you would miss the ending of your own movie. Your latter is going to be greater but you have to make it through the middle to see the end.

Joseph lived through this kind of drama. Favored by his Father, his brothers sold him into slavery at 17 years of age. He went from slavery to prison to the palace. He was made second in charge of all of Egypt by age 30. You could say he graduated from the "school of hard knocks" with a Master’s in Management through crisis and a Doctorate in Divine Intervention. Everything Joseph went through, God used it to make Joseph into the leader he needed to be to save many lives.

He used the pit to separate him from his jealous brothers. Sometimes when we are persecuted by people who we thought had our backs is really an opportunity for us to distance ourselves from people who could block our destiny.

He used Potiphar’s house to teach him how to manage OPP(Other People’s Property). Joseph was put in charge of the entire estate. Mrs. Potiphar made sexual advances against Joseph but he refused and said, “With me in charge my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” If you can be trusted with little you can be trusted with much.

He used Prison to teach him perseverance. Potiphar’s wife lied on Joseph and he went to prison on trumped up charges but God still used him in prison. He interpreted the dream of the cupbearer and asked him to remember him when he got out and tell Pharaoh that he was innocent. He forgot Joseph for 2 more years.

He used the Palace to bring him into his purpose. The cupbearer finally remembered Joseph when Pharaoh had a dream no one could interpret. Joseph told the King the dream was a warning about a famine and what he should do about it. Pharaoh put him second in charge.

When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt looking for food during the famine, Joseph finally revealed himself to them. He told them, “God sent me here ahead of you to save many lives. What you meant for my evil God meant or used for my good. “That’s why I’m here. Instead of bemoaning the misfortunate events in your life trust that all things work for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.

Dear God,

Thank you for using my series of unfortunate events to shape me and put me in my purpose. I’m glad that all things are working for my good. I Love you Lord and I trust you during this process. God work it out for my good, so that I can tell my haters, “What you meant for my bad turned out for my good.”

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Don't Just Sit There!

2012-01-17T10:34:00.001-06:00

Genesis 42:1-2

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other? I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

There is nothing more frustrating than being in a dilemma that is fixable but everyone is just standing around waiting on somebody else to do something about it. Oftentimes, we know that there is a solution but we don’t move to action.

I grew up in a family where you didn’t sit around when something needed to be done. It was all hands on deck when there was something that needed to be accomplished. You didn’t just sit around looking when there was a job to be done.

Jacob had 11 sons who were sitting around looking at each other during a famine. Ironically enough, their brother Joseph that they sold into slavery was in Egypt running the whole country. He had created a system that would ensure the survival of not just Egypt but surrounding countries. He saved up the grain from the seven years of plenty because God told him there would be seven years of famine to follow. His brothers back in Canaan didn’t even know if he was still alive much less responsible for creating a surplus to supplement the famine.

God will send people ahead of us to handle something that we don’t even know is being handled on our behalf. Many times we sit around stagnated because of some issue that God has already fixed. Their father Jacob had heard that there was grain in Egypt and he asked a good question of his sons, “Why do you keep looking at each other?” Why do we just sit around looking at each other when we are faced with a dilemma?

Intimidation. Maybe they were thinking about how far Egypt was or the fact that it was a foreign place with a different culture. Sometimes in order to overcome a famine we have to go to places we’ve never been before. We might have to move to another city, find work in another place, or associate with people we normally don’t associate with. We can’t afford to be intimidated.
Procrastination. They kept waiting for the inevitable. They hadn’t run out of food yet. We ought not wait around until there is nothing left before we decide to move. We should take a shortage as a signal that it’s time to move. Don’t wait until all the cheese is gone before you go get some more new cheese.
Trepidation- They had a fear of the Unknown. They didn’t know what was going to happen between here and there. Fear can be paralyzing. We have to walk by faith and not be paralyzed by fear.
Frustration. They kept waiting on somebody else to step up. Sometimes, when you have a lot of people around you, it’s easy to keep expecting somebody else to step up and do something. Sometimes when you want something done, you have to do it yourself.
Jacob’s solution: Go down to Egypt and buy some grain so that we may live and not die. What do you need to do today so that you and your family may live and not die?

Dear God,

Please remove the fear of the unknown so that I can go get what I need for my family to live and not die. Please make my journey successful and give me grain for my family and protection during my journey.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

More Than That

2012-01-12T09:05:00.000-06:00

Luke 12:23; 31 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes...But seek first his kindom and these things will be given to you as well.

It seems that life is filled questions like: 'what are we going to wear and what are we going to eat?' On TV it seems every five mintues there is a barrage of commercials filling our minds with questions we are not even asking. We've become an overfed and underconcerned generation because our minds have become focused on what we eat and what we wear. I think that's why this 21 Day fast is so important because we are trying to overthrow "King Stomach" and put King Jesus back on the throne.

I was watching the King of the South, TI and Tiny on their reality show the other night. Tiny took her beautician and friend to see a plastic surgeoun in Beverly Hills. The friend wanted her acne cleared and her stomach flat. The Doctor explained to her that caffiene was breaking her face out even as she drank coffee and stuffed her face listening to the doctor. Then later in the show Tiny's friend was arguing with her about how much money she was being paid. I thought to myself, "there's got to be more to life than this!"

Jesus said, "life is more than food and clothes." Your Heavenly Father knows you need food and clothing. God will porivide but what we need to do is seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness and all these things will be added to us. We waste so much time on shallow pursuits that we miss what matters the most. God's Kingdom transcends all of the trivial things we worry about on a day to day basis. God's Kingdom consists of what we do that impacts eternity. lIfe is more than what we see or what we consume, it's what we do. This is how we get MORE out of life:

1. Sell your possessions. De-Clutter your life. Instead of getting more this year we need to get rid of some of what we already have. This is the year that we do more with less. Look in your closet, you already have more than what you need.

2. Give it to the Poor. When we help those who are less fortunate, we are storing up treasure in heaven. This heavenly account is what God uses to withdraw from when we need something from him. What's in your heavenly bank account right now? what's the balance?

3. Strive for Righteousness. We have to live according to God's word. When your ways are pleasing to God, he will give you the desires of your heart.

Dear God,
Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. Don't let me get caught up in being shallow because hollow is not your name. I know that if I live a righteous life that you will give me a fulfilling life. Every good thing that you give me, I Pray I learn how to give it back. It is more blessed to give than to receive. You've done so much for me. Thank you God for giving me life and life more abundantly.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Sit Down Somewhere!

2012-01-10T11:16:00.001-06:00

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Have you ever seen someone who is just busy all the time? You can’t even enjoy your peace because of the anxiety that they are toting around and bringing in your space. When we were children and we were running around in the house disturbing the peace, my mother would get our attention and exclaim, “Get somewhere and sit down!” Order would be restored and my mother was able to go back to her peace and quiet, at least for a little while.

There are a lot of grown folks who need to get somewhere and sit down as well because they are disturbing the peace and don’t have any peace themselves. That’s why the bible tells us, to be still and know that He is God. A lot of times we are just busy bodies but we are not really being productive and we are making everybody else anxious in the meantime.

Many of us are ‘Mary’ living in a ‘Martha’ world. Mary is at peace while Martha is distracted/worried by many things. When Jesus visited the house of Mary and Martha, Martha was frantically preparing dinner for Jesus who made a surprise visit, while her sister Mary sat down at the feet of Jesus to listen to what he had to say. Martha got mad at Jesus and Mary. Martha asked Jesus, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” some people are bothered when they see you at peace while they are panicking. Some people are aggravated when they are anxious and you are at peace.

Martha was anxious, upset, worried about many things. It just wasn’t that her sister was not helping her; it was that this had become her way of dealing with life, she stayed busy. Jesus said, “You are worried and distracted by “Many” things. This had become a lifestyle, being perpetually busy and distracted while Mary chose the good thing.

Jesus said, “Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away.” In a world that is chaotic and filled with many distractions we have to learn to get somewhere and sit down! Mary chose the good thing, this is what she did:

1. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet. She had submitted to his leadership instead of just staying busy.
2. Mary was listening which meant she was learning from Jesus. We have to take time everyday to get still and listen to what Jesus is saying before we get busy.
3. Mary had peace which surpasses all human understanding. Her sister could not understand why Mary was not anxious with all that needed to be done. When you have a solid relationship with Jesus, life will not make you anxious.

Dear God,

Help me to be like Mary in a Martha world. There is so much to be done but I don’t want to do it until after I’ve received from you. Some thing’s have to wait. I’m going to sit down somewhere so I can hear from you today.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Can You Follow @Jesus for 21 Days?!

2012-01-09T11:55:00.001-06:00

Can You Follow @Jesus for 21 Days?!

Luke 9:23

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

As we begin our 21 day fast we do so in hopes of following Jesus closer. We are starting out on a spiritual quest for more power. This is day 2 of our fast and we are praying for Wisdom and Faith. If you would like to join us you can get more information at www.N2NewDirection.org/21DayFast2012.pdf. We are at the beginning of a New Year in search of a New Us! In order to get there we have got to Follow Jesus.

I think where we messed up in the past is that we wanted Jesus to follow us but we did not follow him back. In the Twitter world you follow people to see what they are doing, how they are living, and what they are thinking throughout the day. We want Jesus to hear our prayers, watch what we are doing, and bless where we are going but we don’t follow him back. If we are going to receive power and be better disciples we have to do three things:

1. Deny ourselves. Fasting is denying yourself of things you want and need but you 1can make it without. Denying ourselves, disciplines our body and mind to be in tune with the Holy Spirit. Every day we must deny ourselves from things that could take us away from Jesus.

2. Take up your cross. Your cross is your burden for ministry. What are you doing for Jesus that serves other people on a daily basis? Are you praying for people? Are you serving in a ministry? There ought to be something you do for others that reflects your love for Jesus. Jesus said, “as you do to the least of these you also do unto me.”

3. Follow Jesus daily. This means to go and do what Jesus would do. Follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. The old folks used to sing, “lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead me I will not stray.”

Dear God,

Today, I discipline my body, mind, and sprit so that I can follow you closer and experience the power that comes from denying myself, taking up my cross, and following you all day, every day. Today, I begin my journey to follow you every step of the way.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

I Need A Doctor!

2012-01-05T10:33:00.000-06:00

I need a Doctor!

Luke 5:31

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick...

I'm about to lose my mind

you've been gone for so long

I'm running out of time

I need a doctor

call me a doctor

I need a doctor, doctor

to bring me back to life

[Eminem]

I told the world one day I would pay it back

say it on tape, and lay it, record it

so that one day I could play it back

but I don't even know if I believe it when I'm saying that

doubt starting to creep in, everyday it's just so grey and black

Hope - I just need a ray of that

'Cause no one sees my vision when I play it for 'em

They just say it's wack

they don't know what dope is

and I don't know if I was awake or asleep

when I wrote this,

all I know is you came to me when I was at my lowest

you picked me up, breathed new life in me I owe my life to you

In his song, I need a doctor, Eminem laments his friend Dr. Dre whose career has seemingly flatlined and all the people he had helped had turned their backs on him. As a friend, Eminem had come back to help the doctor come back to life. The doctor needed some healing.

This morning I got a call that a friend and colleague in ministry died of a massive heart attack at 3am. Joseph Taylor was just 39 years of age. He had helped me start New Direction, walked with me in ministry, and went on to start his own ministry. I hadn’t spoken with him in a while and I didn’t know his condition. The last time I saw him I congratulated him on losing weight and taking care of his health. He and I chatted on face book, comparing the growing pains of having three children and he ate with me on occasion at our Pastor 2 Pastor brunch but I didn’t know he needed a doctor.

We have got to take better care of ourselves physically and spiritually this year and we have to take care of each other. Like me, we all need to do a better job of knowing the condition of the people we eat with.

The Pharisees asked Jesus why he ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners. Why do you associate with people who are “sick?’ Jesus said, ‘because the sick are the ones who need a doctor.’ Jesus is the great physician and it’s our job to get those who are sick to him. If we are going to bring life back to our friends they need a doctor named Jesus and this is how we get them to the doctor:

1. Healthy Fellowship. Jesus ate and drink with people that were considered to be “sinners.” They were rejects from an established religion. Dr. Dre took a risk on a young white rapper Born Marshall Bruce Mathers III. Everyone in the Hip Hop world thought he was crazy but Eminem is unquestionably one of the greatest MC’s in Hip Hop today because he got help from the doctor. What person, who is on the outside of acceptance, could advance in life if we took the risk of healthy fellowship.
2. Share the good news with them. Jesus' prescription for a healthy life was the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand, that he had come to give them life and life more abundantly. As Christians, we need to share the good news of the alternative of a healthy lifestyle, whether that’s information on physical health or spiritual health, there are sick people who need good news, information, and inspiration.
3. Help them turn their lives around. Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The word repent means to make a U-turn. We ought to help our friends turn from destructive lifestyles to the healthy and prosperous life that Jesus has for us.

Dear God,

Use me to help bring life back to my friends. Don’t let me be so Holy that I can’t help those who are “sinners.” Thank you for being my doctor and healing all my souls’ diseases.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

RIP Apostle Joseph Taylor October 1972-January 2012

Don't Get High Off Your Own Supply!

2012-01-04T10:28:00.001-06:00

Genesis 9:20-21

Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.

This is the year that God wants us to plant and be productive but the fruit we produce is not just for our own consumption. When a tree produces fruit it is not for the tree. In fact, Jesus said, that every tree that bears fruit must be pruned so that it can bear even more fruit.

The problem in the past is that we’ve gotten high off our own supply. One of the “Crack Commandments” from the Notorious BIG, who was a former crack dealer turned rapper, was that a dealer should never get high off of their own supply because you would cut into your profits and become addicted to your own drug. The crack epidemic was the worst thing that ever could have happened to black people in the inner city back in the 80’s and we are still recovering from it but Biggie’s point is profound in that we have gotten high off our own supply at the detriment to ourselves. Whatever your “supply’ is make sure it’s fruitful to others or it will kill them and you.

Noah was a man of the soil; he had the gift to grow stuff. He planted a vineyard and made wine from it. He got drunk off of the fruit of the vine that God supplied. He doesn’t share his fruit; he gets drunk off of his own supply. There is no one around him as he consumes his own supply. He’s probably tired of sharing his supplies and space after being on the Ark with his family 152 days. He over consumes his own supply and gets drunk, naked, and exposed.

Three things happen when you get drunk/high off your own supply instead of sharing your fruit with others:

Drunk. You are intoxicated with your own success and are not sober enough to know what’s going on around you. We become enamored with our own achievements and are not even cognizant of the needs of others when you are drunk you are numb to your surroundings.
Uncovered. Noah was drunk in his own tent but he was uncovered. It is symbolic that we can be successful but no longer be covered. It’s like driving a nice car with no insurance. If you have a wreck you are not covered. When you are drunk you leave yourself at risk for not being covered and vulnerable.
Exposed. The last stage is that people see you naked that were never supposed to see you like this. When we refuse to heed God’s warning his last resort is to expose you to an open shame.
Ham, the youngest son of Noah, saw his father naked and drunk. Instead of covering him he exposed his nakedness to his brothers. His brothers walked in backwards and covered their father with a blanket. The good news is that even though we’ve all gotten high off our own supply at some point in our lives, God sent Jesus to cover our nakedness and sober us from our drunkenness. Now we have to use our fruitfulness to bless others and not get high off our own supply. This year use your fruitfulness to bless others and not waste it on self-indulgence.

Dear God,

Make me productive this year but keep me sober and covered. Please don’t expose my foolishness but instead help me to bless other people with the fruit you bless me to produce. Help me to enjoy the fruit of my labor without getting high off my own supply. Help me not to over-consume but to live my life in moderation.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

This is Your Year to Produce!

2012-01-03T09:38:00.000-06:00

This is Your Year to Produce!

Luke 3:9

The Ax is already at the root of the tree, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

It’s pretty clear on professional sports teams like the NFL and NBA that if you do not produce, you will be cut. If you do not bring anything to the team they will cut you from the roster. If you are not productive at work, there is a chance they will cut you. That’s why you should be so productive that it will be virtually impossible to let you go.

The Kingdom of God is no different. God is looking for fruit from us this year. When John the Baptist was baptizing people he told them to “Show fruits of repentance.” It’s not enough to give your life to God but you must produce Fruit. John said, “The Ax is at the root of the tree and every tree that does not produce Fruit will be cut down!” This lets me know that you can be rooted (be a member of a church) but not be fruitful (be productive). There is a difference from being an active productive disciple vs being an inactive unproductive member. If you are a follower of Christ and a member of a local church you should be worshipping, learning, serving, and giving. People may never kick you out of a church for being unproductive but God can cut you off. That’s scary! I don’t want to be in church but cut off because I refused to be productive.

When John told them that they were in danger of being cut off for being unproductive they asked him, “What should we do?!” John told them:

Share. The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one with food should do the same. Verse 11
Don’t be greedy. Don’t collect more than you are required to. Verse 13 The greed of wall street got us in this recession, the grace of giving will get us out.
Be Honest. Don’t cheat anyone, don’t accuse people falsely, and be content with your pay. Verse 14.
Dear God,

Thank you for not cutting me off. You gave me another year to be productive and this year we will be more productive than we were last year. We are ready to grow and bear fruit for you. Use us Lord but please don’t’ cut us off.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

How to Overcome

2011-12-29T10:46:00.000-06:00

Revelation12:11

They overcame him (satan) 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.

It seems that we are living in the last days. There is so much godless behavior, no respect for life, satan seems to be having a field day deceiving the masses and accusing the brethren. It's almost as if people are ashamed to be indentified as Christians. We have so misrepresented the name that I’m embarrassed myself. I’m not embarrassed of Jesus, but as his representatives, we haven’t done a good job. We’ve either been so conservatively cold that nobody passes our hypocritical lens of judgment or we’ve been so liberally lukewarm that we’ve allowed everything to go on under our watch.

We’ve kept the law without keeping the Sprit of the law. We’ve taken the love out of our faith. If we are going to overcome the world and keep our faith we have got to overcome the devil and prove him to be the liar we know him to be.

Here’s how we overcome:

The Blood of the Lamb. The blood of Jesus is what cleanses us from our sins and redeems us from death. It was the only perfect sacrifice that could free us from the penalty of our sins. The blood of Jesus keeps death from having the last say so.
The word of our Testimony. You can’t have a testimony without a test. We must prove ourselves faithful so that those who are watching can be blessed by how we pull through what we are going through.
They didn’t shrink back. Jesus said that those who try to save their lives shall lose it but those who lose their lives for his sake shall find it. We can shrink back in the threat of losing something. If I got to lose it to keep Jesus then it wasn’t worth having.

Dear God,

Give us the ability to overcome the deceit of this world by making sure we are covered by the blood of Jesus. Help us to endure our trials and tribulation so that on the other side of what we are going through we can have a testimony about your goodness. I will not shrink back until you come back!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Where Do Prayers Go?

2011-12-28T09:40:00.001-06:00

Revelation 8:4

The smoke of the incense together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angels hand.

How many times have you wondered where your prayers go? How can God hear all of us at the same time? Is God listening? The question is not ‘Is God listening, but rather, ‘Are we praying?’ We have not, because we ask not and when we ask we must believe that God is able to do what it is we are asking him to do. It is impossible to please God without faith. When we pray or talk to God our prayers go up collectively into the throne of God.

When we come together in two’s and three’s, touching and agreeing there is a collective power that is stronger than if we prayed alone. John said, “the prayers of the saints went up before God from the angel’s hand!” There is an angel collecting your prayers and hand delivering them to God. In the proper time, God releases those prayers back to earth in the form of a response. Prayers go up to heaven and God sends back a response.

The old folks said that, “prayer changes things!” Prayer can also:

1. Cause Healing. James 5:14-15
2. Pray can get you out of a bind. Acts 12:5
3. Prayer can end demonic activity. Mark 9:25-29
4. Prayer Get’s God involved. Exodus 17:4-6

Dear God,

Thank you for hearing our prayers. It is my desire to increase my prayers so that our faith will increase, and healing increase, and blessings increase. Father teach us how to pray and what to pray so that heaven can release what we need. I’m excited today to know that the fervent and effective prayers of the righteous availeth much, I’m also excited that you hear a sinner’s prayer. Thank you for hearing mine.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

It's Time to Return

2011-12-27T10:28:00.001-06:00

Revelation 2:4-5

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Watching people addicted to drugs on the TV show Intervention reminds me of what a lot Christians might look like to God. Like the addicts, we really don’t know how far gone we are because we no longer have the ability to see ourselves. We are in danger of losing our “healthy shame.” Healthy shame keeps us within the limitations of God’s holiness; toxic shame takes us outside the limitations and leads to death. When we go beyond our limitations it leads to sin. Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and make you pay more than you want to pay. Thank God we have an interventionist! God sends the Holy Spirit to remind us just how far we’ve fallen from our place in God.

This is a good time to make an assessment of our lives to see how far or how close we are to God. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s Glory but now it’s time to get back to where we need to be. The first step to recovery is to admit that our lives have become unmanageable.

When we are out of control we end up hurting the people we say we love the most. Sin will make you forget your first love and walk away from the one that loves you the most. Our first love is Jesus. There is no greater feeling than the unconditional love of Jesus. He loved you when nobody else thought you were loveable. He took the risk of dying for us hoping that we would love him back. He’s done so much for us and I have failed to love him back to the degree that he loved me. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments, “I’ve got to return to my first love! If you are like me then you’ve gotten to the end of this year and realized I am nowhere near where I should be in God. Sin has taken me further than I wanted to go, made me stay longer than I wanted to stay, and made me pay more than I wanted to pay, it’s time for me to get back to where I was in God. This is how:

1. Remember the height from which you have fallen. Remembering means looking back on where you were when you first gave your life to Jesus Christ and look at where you are now. What’s different? Do you remember when you first accepted Jesus and how on fire you were?! God’s fire consumed every part of my being, I couldn’t think about anything but Jesus. I’ve let too many distractions interrupt my relationship with Jesus. I got to return to my First Love!

2. Repent. Turn away from the things that took you away from Jesus. Once you turn away from something that is destroying you, you cannot go back to it.

3. Do the things you did at first. Experience God in Worship every Sunday. Empower yourself in Biblestudy. Engage in ministry and missions by serving other people.

Dear God,

I don’t want you to take my light or my fire. I’m ready to be committed like I was at first. You are my first love and I miss you. I miss talking to you like I used to. I miss the closeness we used to have. I want you back in my life fulltime. Nothing else matters. I love you more than this and that. You deserve all of me and not some of me. I’m not going to tell you that I love you, I’m getting ready to show you. Use me to the fullest this year. Even if I have to lose some friends, use me. Even if I don’t get invited to some places, use me. Even if I have to walk by myself, use me. I remember who I am now, but more than that I remember how much you love me. I love you Jesus and I’m sorry for falling off.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

This Is Not The Time for Jesus!

2011-12-20T09:47:00.001-06:00

John 7:6

Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come, for you anytime is right.”

We are living in a time of expectancy. People are waiting on change, waiting on jobs, waiting on Jesus. Two or Three times this year someone has wrongly predicted the world ending or Jesus coming back. Advent is a season of expecting the Holy. We ought to be looking for Jesus while realizing that this is not the time for Jesus.

What?! This is not the time for Jesus?! We are trying to put Jesus on our timetable but not live our lives on his time frame. There is something we want to happen right now and Jesus says, “This is not my time for that.” It’s going to happen but God is not going to let it happen until the right time.

Jesus’ brothers wanted Jesus to be a politician or a public figure. ‘They wanted him to show off the miracles for the religious people at the feast of Tabernacles. They said, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.” They assumed that Jesus was doing what he was doing for vainglory, they assumed Jesus came to entertain; they assumed that Jesus had a personal agenda and not a Kingdom agenda. This wasn’t the time for Jesus to seek political popularity, or participate in religious entertainment. What’s most revealing is that John says that Jesus’ brothers didn’t even believe in him. Why would they by pushing him into the spotlight and they didn’t even believe in him?

If you are not careful you will have people who are close to you but don’t believe in you to push you into something that is not your time to do nor your purpose. Jesus had a firm understanding of Why God sent him, so much so that he didn’t even let his brothers pressure him into something that was not his time to do. Do you have a close enough relationship with God to know what time it is?

Jesus said, “The Right time for me has not yet come, for you any time is right.” Instead of letting people talking you into moving before it’s time to move you should:

1. Be clear on who you are. Jesus knew that he had been sent by God for the lost sheep of Israel first and then to the gentiles. He knew that his Kingdom was not of this world.

2. Be anxious for nothing. Just because everybody around you is anxious doesn’t mean that has to move you. God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on him.

3. Be Still and know that he is God. The Holy Spirit will lead you to move when it’s time to move, not until.

4. Be Sober and Alert. You won't know what time it is if you are drunk or high. Make sure your mind is clear.

5. Be ready when Jesus comes. The bible says that Jesus will come back like a thief in the night. No man knows the hour, nor the day when Jesus shall return. You just need to be ready.

Dear God,

Thank you for helping me to discern the times. There are so many people in my ear that I got me times confused but this morning I’m setting my watch to you. I will not move until you say it’s time.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

I've Got to Pass This Test!

2011-12-15T11:56:00.001-06:00

James 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

So many students are taking tests this week for final exams and mid-terms. Before they can advance to the next level they must pass the test covering the material they’ve been going over. The teacher wants to know if they have retained the information that has been given.

There are not too many people who are excited about tests but Paul says, “Consider it pure Joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Why in the world would I be Joyful when I’m going through trials and tests? Because it’s not the test, its what happens after I pass my test that I’m Joyful?

Not only that but when I’ve studied to show myself approved and the word is in me then I have a confidence that supersedes my anxiety of the test. Plus, its an open book test! God’s word is what gets me through my test.

When we go through our tests it develops something inside of us. When we go through hard times something is taking place that is making us better. The Holy Spirit is bringing back to remembrance everything you’ve been taught and your ability to persevere begins to grow. Perseverance is being able to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint. It means to persist in anything undertaken, maintain a purpose in spite of a difficulty, obstacle, or discouragement.

Once we pass this test the next level is spiritual maturity and having no lack. It’s time to pass this test!

Dear God,
Help me to pass my test today so that I can go to the next level in my living. Help me to maintain my purpose in spite of what I might encounter today. Grant us wisdom to not only pass but to be at the top of our class.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Keep Me From Falling

2011-12-14T09:03:00.003-06:00

Jude 1:24

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and great joy.

So many great men and women of God, pastors, and leaders, have fallen in recent years. There’s no need to call their names because the media has already done a good enough job in parading their shame. The world seems to get great joy when Christians fall from Grace. It seems Americans in general get great satisfaction in seeing each other fall. There is some kind of built in “knee jerk” reaction to want to laugh when we see someone fall. However, the older we get the less likely we are to laugh at the fall because through empathy we realize that the older we get the harder it gets to recover from a fall.

When I taught my sons how to ride a bike, I took the training wheels off. I held them up by their seats so that they wouldn’t fall but eventually I had to let them go so that they could learn how to ride by themselves. When they inevitably fell I made sure I was close enough to catch them so they wouldn’t feel the full impact of the fall. When I wasn’t close because they had created distance through progress and they fell, I came to the rescue to pick them up after the fall.

God is the same way! He’s able to keep you from falling but sometimes we get ahead of God and fall on our own. Sometimes, he has to allow us to fall so that we can become stronger. Les Brown said, “It’s alright to fall as long as you pick up something while you’re down there.” The good thing about God is that even when you fall he’s close enough to make sure you don’t experience the full impact of the fall and he’s able to restore you back to your rightful place if you repent.

Through Jesus Christ, God restores us so that we are presentable. We are justified. God makes us look brand new, just as if we never fell, without fault and with great Joy.

Today, I give you to God. I present you to the one who is able to keep you from falling. As you set out on your journey today just know that God is right behind you and he will not let you fall.

Dear God,

Thank you for keeping me from falling. Please keep me each day so that I will not fall but instead finish strong.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Don't Divorce Jesus!

2011-12-13T10:51:00.001-06:00

Don’t Divorce Jesus!

Hebrews 10:25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.

It’s no surprise that one of the biggest contributing factors in divorce is finances. When times get hard financially it can cause conflict between the spouses but when the two of them have love and faith in each other they are more likely to pull together and make it through. Then there are other couples who don’t have a strong relationship and their faith waivers which could lead to divorce.

During this recession there has been a strain on marriages. One particular marriage that has been strained more than any other seems to be between Jesus and his bride, the church. As followers of Christ, we make up the church, we are the bride of Christ, but during hard times it appears that many of us have become the “Runaway Bride.” If we can stop coming to church during this recession because we are financially strained we have to stop and ask ourselves, “Did we really love Jesus or were we just with him for his money? “ I think some pastors have over promised which makes Jesus look like he under delivered but the truth of the matter is that Jesus has been faithful and should not be divorced.

When we are married we make vows. We are supposed to stay together in good times and in bad times, in plenty, and in want, in sickness and in health and nothing should separate us from the Love of God, not even death. But when we walk away from the church for any reason other than adultery (worshipping false gods) we commit adultery and if we substitute that relationship with anything else that becomes spiritual adultery.

This is not the time to divorce Jesus, especially at Christmas! Many people have got in the habit of not coming to church. This is the time that the bride of Christ should draw closer to Jesus. This is the time we need each other the most!

Instead of leaving the church and divorcing Jesus we should:

Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Verse 22

1. Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. Verse 23
2. Let us spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Verse 24
3. Attend church on a regular basis and encourage each other. Verse 25
4. Don’t keep on sinning or else Jesus will divorce us. Verse 25

Dear God,

You have been faithful to us more than we have been faithful to you. I pray that you would reach those who’ve gotten in the habit of missing church and bring them back home. Keep us together during these tough times, knowing that trouble don’t last always. We will be faithful and we will wait in excitement for the groom to return.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Why is Everybody Leaving the Church?

2011-12-08T10:56:00.000-06:00

I Timothy 4:1

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

As a child, I remember an old gospel song that said, Get on board the old Ship of Zion, it has landed many of thousands, King Jesus is the captain." It was a song written around 1867 that gave recently freed slaves hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ as a vessel for their further advancement. They were embarking on a faith journey on the Ship of Zion (the church). Decades after that their great, great, great grandchildren are disembarking from the ship (the church), abandoning their faith. In the book, "You Lost Me," David Kinnamon says that 43% of twenty somethings drop out of church after turning 18. They become skeptical and disenchanted from the church and the Christian faith.

It seems we are in the "Later Days," that Paul was talking about when he said, "The Spirit clearly says that in later days people will abandon the faith, and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." The devil's job is to deceive God's people away from God. Satan always wants you to think there are shortcuts to your spiritual fulfillment through sensual shortcuts that lead to dead ends. He brings in doubt about the relevance of church. 'Is Church really necessary? Isn't it enough just to be spiritual? You don't need church! You can have a personal relationship with Jesus and stay home." These are all deceptive words that the enemy has been sowing in our spirit.

The Ship of Zion is symbolic of the church and Jesus who is the captain of the ship. Sometimes, we want to disembark because of who is on the ship. Many times we allow the passengers, the crew, or even the captains to run us off the ship. Unfortunately, there are no perfect churches/ships but there are some good ships with imperfect people.

The Apostle Paul talked about the importance of staying on the Ship even when it's rocky. Paul was on a ship going through a terrible storm, so much so that they were throwing things overboard just to stay afloat. Some of the sailors were trying to sneak off to save themselves and the prisoners were trying to escape. Paul said, "unless these men stay on the ship no one will be saved." There were people on that ship that deserved to die and some who were good people but all of them had to stay on the ship in order to survive the storm.

Many of us have shipwrecked our faith by abandoning the ship. Giving up on church is not going to save your life, it's going to make it worse because we need each other to survive these storms.

Paul says, "do not give up on meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. The more you skip out on church the more of a habit it becomes. Before you realize it, you have abandoned ship. Paul said do not get in the habit of avoiding Fellowship. Fellowship is nothing more than two fellows in a ship. There is power where two or three believers gather for fellowship in the ship called the church.

The trend today is not only to listen to deceiving spirits leading people away from the church but also giving in to demonic teaching. There are media hounds form hell and radio talk jocks that are picking at the remains of church scandals and carnage. The failings of some pastors have become fodder for the propaganda of those who already hate the church. Unfortunately, we have given them plenty of ammunition through our indiscretions but this is not the time to abandon ship.

This is the time to get back on board the 'Old Ship of Zion'. You can't change anything from the outside looking in. If the ship was good enough for our ancestors then it's good enough for me. I feel like Noah trying to get people on a ship with animals telling people it's going to be a flood with rain in sight. Noah and his family stayed on that ship 40 days and 40 nights while it rained and people outside the ship died from God's judgement. God took Noah and his family on a ship to a new place and he saved humanity through that ship. As stinky as it was on that ship with those animals, Noah and his family stayed on the ship until God got them to the other side. They did not abandon ship.

what about you? Have you abandoned ship? Why? You could help the church better from the inside rather than being on the outside. This is not the time to abandon ship but it's time to get on board and get to the other side.

Dear God,

Help us to get on board with your will for our lives. Your Church is the ship that will transport us to salvation. Give us the ability to make the needed repairs to the ship so that we can get others on board that need a way to heaven. Help me to reach those who've gotten off to get back on before the ship leaves out without them. Thank you for letting me get on board the Old Ship of Zion. Thank you for being my captain.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Don't Do It For Them!

2011-12-07T10:37:00.001-06:00

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

"They don't appreciate me! I feel like they take me for granted! They could have at least said, 'Thank you'. People are so fickled!" Have you ever heard these laments from people who do things for people only to feel under-appreciated? We've either heard them or said it ourselves at one time or another. It's inevitable that at some point in your life when you try to help others you will feel like there is an inequity of return for what you have given out. If you are not careful you will fall into the trap of waiting on people to adequately compensate you for that which only God can fill. Even if they were to extend some kind of recompense for your contritbution of kindness, it would be fleeting to say the least because only what you do for Christ will last. Yes, you should be adequately compensated for services rendered but when you serve make sure it's for the right reason or no amount of money will satisfy when you motives are misguided.

So many people set themselves up for disappoinment because they do stuff for the wrong reasons and for the wrong people. we should do good regardless of who it is but we should never do it "for them." You should do it "for the Lord," that way if they never say 'Thank you,' if they never give you anything in return, you are still good becasue the Lord, whom you did it for, will see why you did it and he will reward you for the good you have done on his behalf.

That's why Paul said to the Christians in Collasse, "Whatever you do do it for the Lord and not for men. He went on further on what we should be doing for the Lord..."As God's chosen people, Holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another." (Colossians 3:12-13)

Today, when you decide you are going to do something for somebody, just make sure you're doing it for the Lord and not "them."

Dear God,

Help me to be a vessel you can use to bless others, knowing that my blessing will come back to me from you and not them. I have been blessed to be a blessing and that's why it's easy for me to bless people who may not even come back to say, "Thank you." My inspiration for doing good is that you have already been good to me. I will not be waiting on reciprocity, neither will I be waiting on somebody to acknowledge my good, because I have comfort in knowing that you already seen it and whatever I put out in the Universe has got to come back to me. Thank you for using me to bless them for you.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Catch Up To Yourself

2011-12-06T10:48:00.001-06:00

Phillippians 3:16
Let us live up to what we've already attained.

Sometimes, we are so busy chasing success that we can't even enjoy what we already have. I was able to catch up with a new reality show called, "TI & Tiny" last night. TI had spent 11 motnhs in prison for violating his parole on gun charges and was grateful to get back to work and to his family. On one particular day, he was trying to catch two different football games to watch his sons play and make it to a BET awards show rehearsal. He made it to the first game but on the way to the second game the driver missed the exit making it impossible to catch the game and rehearsal. TI called his son to inform him that he wouldn't be able to make it to his game. You could hear the dissapointment in his little boy's voice. TI paused for a minute and told his driver to turn around and called his agent to tell him he would be late for rehearsal because he had to catch his son's game. TI said, "I love my career but I love my family more."

TI has matured and realized that it's time to live up to what he's already attained. Many of us have already been blessed with something that others are striving for but we can't even enjoy it for reaching for more. We should stop chasing and catch up to what we already have.

1. Relationally. If you are married or have children, make sure you are fulfilling your responsibilities in each role to the best of your ability. Time is filled with swift transitions, make every moment count.

2. Educationally. Whatever level of education you've attained make sure you master what you already know. Have you read all the books on your shelves? Do you remember what you read? Are you still learning? Do you need to go back to school and finish?

3. Spiritually. Now that you are a Christian, are you a disciple? Are you a student of Christ? Paul said, "Not that I have already obtained all of this, or have already been made perfect but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

There's a reason Jesus took hold of you and me. Now I want to live up to it. Now that I've been given a second chance, like TI, I don't want to waste another 11 months of my life chasing pipe dreams. I want to catch up with myself and live up to what i've already attained.

Dear God,

Help me to finish what you started in me. Help me to be Father, be Husband, be Pastor, be Scholar, be Visionary. I"m ready to live up to what I already have. I've got so much to thank you for. Let me live up to it.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Back in Stride Again

2011-12-05T10:09:00.002-06:00

Psalm 119:59
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statues.

You know when you've gotten off task or ventured too far away from the path. You just know it. You feel it. It's easy to do. It's like being in a boat without an anchor and the wind is blowing gently and you're drifting without even knowing that you are drifting.

If we tell the truth about it, many of us have expereinced "soul drift." We have drifted from our noble intentions and we are not as close to God as we were in the beginning. The wind is deceptively gentle and it pushes us off course without us even noticing the drift. One little compromise after another pushes us away from where we are supposed to be in God.

It is only when we wake up and look up, that we notice how far we are from God. The end of the year is a time of Spiritual reassessment. It's time to consider our ways to see if they are pleasing to the Lord and ask ourselves, 'Have we gotten off track?' Have we been obedient to God? Are we living in the will of God or just spinning our wheels? Many of us have had the sobering reality of the four lepers who were being greedy when they discovered the food, clothing and gold left by the enemies during a severe famine. Intead of sharing with their fellow Israelites, they hid what they found. They said, "This is a day of good news, We should be sharing, we are not doing right!" They turned their steps back to Israel to share the good news.

Once we consider our ways and realize that we are off course, we've go to get back in stride again.

The only way we can get back in stride again is to:

1. Turn our steps towards God's statutes. verse 59 Our Lifestyle has to match the word of God. If we are not living in alignment with God's word we are off course.

2. In order to live Holy we must keep ourselves pure by staying in the word of God. verse 9. We are supposed to be set apart and there are special instructions that come with our use. Those special instructions are found in the word of God.

3. We must delight in God's decree and not neglect his word. verse 16 Blessed is the man who delights in the word of God, he shall be like a tree firmly planted by the rivers of water, yielding forth it's fruit and whatever he does will prosper. (Psalm 1)

4. Hide God's word in your heart so you will not sin against him. Verse 11 God's word is like a virus protection software. There are things that try to creep in to our spirit daily but if we have God's word the virus protection program of God's word will not allow you to sin against God.

Dear God,

I pray that you would get me back on track. I've drifted too far from you and I need your word to get me back on course. My anchor grips and holds the solid rock. That Rock is Jesus! Keep me Lord and do not let me stray. I want to get back in stride again.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

We Rejoice in Our Sufferings!

2011-12-01T09:10:00.002-06:00

Romans 5:3

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope

You never really see anybody glad about his or her suffering. You don’t see too many smiling players after a loss of a game. You don’t see too many people glad after they lost a job. You don’t see too many people jovial over the struggles in life but yet as believers we are told to rejoice in our sufferings.

On 60 Minutes the other night I saw a report about homeless families in central Florida. One particular family made a home out of an old bread truck. They washed up every morning in gas stations before going to school. They did their homework in libraries so they could use the computers to do their homework. They ate their dinner out of tin cans. When they interviewed the two children, the oldest daughter was asked, “are you sad?” She said, “No, I look at this as an adventure. ..Its just life!” And she was smiling. She was rejoicing in her suffering.

I think we’ve lost the ability to rejoice in our suffering. African-American’s mastered the art of rejoicing through suffering by recognizing that this world was not our home and that we were strangers in a foreign land on our way to somewhere better. The legacy of Slavery in America cause Africans in America to struggle with their faith in God and through that experience they met a suffering servant by the name of Jesus that liberated them through their suffering. The Black Power generation would look back on that slave generation and scorn them for their “pie in the sky” theology but it was their ability to transcend their existential pain for greater gain that got us through as a people.

Like the Apostle Paul, our ancestors knew that their present sufferings would lead to something far greater.

1. Suffering produces perseverance. When we suffer through the trials of life it creates the ability to endure hardships. I believe it was Nietzsche that said, “that which does not kill us makes us stronger.” Frederick Douglass said, “Where there is no struggle there is no progress.” What you are going through is actually making you better.

2. Perseverance produces character. You are a better person because of what you survived. When you endure your suffering it builds your character. God will never take you where your character can’t keep you. Your Character speaks to what kind of person you are. When you endure sufferings it strengthens the integrity of your character.

3. Character produces Hope. The reason the little girl who was living in the bread truck could smile was because she saw something beyond the bread truck. By surviving and being focused on her dreams, studying in the library, spending time with her family, acting in community theatre, this girl had more focus on her future than a child who is spoiled with luxury.

Paul said in Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we don not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

I rejoice in my sufferings because it leads to my hope that God is working this out for my good!

Dear God,

Thank you for being with me through my suffering. This present suffering does not compare to the future Glory that you have for us. Keep my eyes on the prize so that I can hold on to the hope that I have for a better tomorrow. Use me today to help somebody who might be suffering to encourage them that weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. I rejoice that you trust me with trouble because as a result I’m stronger, wiser, so much better. Without you God, I never would have made it.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

I Can't Give Up Now!

2011-11-30T09:39:00.001-06:00

Romans 4:20-21

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave Glory to God being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

It’s hard to keep holding on when it appears that nothing is changing and you’re running out of time. Sometimes, you feel like what’s the use of trying when it seems like nothing is changing and my promise is yet to be fulfilled. It is during these times that you have to lean back on your faith and trust that what God said he will do that he will bring it to pass. Could it be that God is more patient with us than we are with him? How long did God wait on you to get it together? Is he still waiting?

Abraham waited on God to give him a son for a long time. His body was ‘as good as dead’ and he was at least 100 years old waiting on a son. What is it that you have been waiting a long time for? You can’t give up now! Abraham held on to God’s promise that he would give him a son even though it looked like he would never get. How did he do it?!

He did not waiver through unbelief. We are all going to be faced with unbelief because the situation may look like it’s not going to change but there must be an inner assurance that will not allow us to waiver or to be moved. Unbelief is like the wind that Peter heard while he was walking on water. He took his eyes off of Jesus and allowed the wind to move him. Don’t be moved by unbelief, keep your eyes on Jesus.

He was strengthened in his faith. The way you strengthen your faith is to remind yourself of what God has spoken through his word, regular church attendance and serving others. The only way you strengthen your faith is by using it.
Give God Glory. The way you Give God Glory is Be Anxious for nothing, Pray about everything and be thankful for anything then God will give you peace which surpasses all human understanding. Give God the credit for what he’s already done and what he’s going to do.

He was fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he promised. God’s got the power to do what he promised! You must be fully convinced that God has the power to finish his promise.

Dear God,

I can’t give up now, I’ve come too far from where I started from. I am fully persuaded that in spite of what it looks like that you are able to finish what you started. I believe you will do what you promised. I can’t and I won’t give up now!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

This Is How You Win!

2011-11-29T10:08:00.000-06:00

New International Version (NIV)

11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Nobody likes to lose. I believe it was Vince Lombardi who said, “Winning is not everything, it’s the only thing!” It was the Apostle Paul who said, “Don’t just run to be running, but run in such a way as to win.” It was DJ Khalid who said, “All we do is win, win, win, no matter what!” What’s the use of playing if you’re not trying to win?

Each of us should be trying to win every time we wake up in the morning…not trophies, not beauty contests, not lotteries but there is something way more important at stake. We should be trying to win the respect of people who don’t know God or believe in Jesus. More than ever we are living in a time when people are asking, “Why follow God or believe in Jesus?” Many Christians aren’t helping much because we are acting like losers.

It used to bother me when I was in elementary school playing kickball and the teacher would split us into teams. It never failed that the teacher would put some cute “girly, girl” on my team who didn’t want to get dirty or win. The ball would come her way and she would scream and move out of the way of the ball on purpose! Don’t put anybody on my team that doesn’t want to win!

As Christians we can’t be so cute that we don’t get dirty for Jesus. Here’s how we win:

Be ambitious to live a quiet life. Ambition and quiet seem like odd words together but we should strive to live a peaceful life. We should never be accused of disturbing the peace.
Mind your own business. We should not be involved in hearsay and gossip. Don’t be a messy person. We do well to sweep around our own front door.
Work with your hands. Find something productive to do. Make yourself useful. Even if you are unemployed, find something helpful to do. Your gifts make room for you and bring you into the presence of great men. Join a team and play your role to help them win.
When we do these things we win the respect of outsiders by the way we live out our daily lives. When you live respectable lives you win the respect of others.

Dear God,

Help me to live my life everyday respectfully. I want people to see Jesus in me. In the way I talk, walk, act, live. People want to be on a winning team. Help me set the pace in the way I live out my life that people would want to follow Jesus. Today, I’m going to be a winner for you.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

God Will Supply

2011-11-17T10:50:00.001-06:00

2 Corinthians 9:10

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

When I was a little boy, my granddaddy would take me to the seed supply store to get seeds to plant in our garden. Everything we needed to plant a harvest was in the supply store; farming equipment, fertilizer, and seeds. After we got the seeds we had to go plough the field and sow the seeds. That was so exciting as a little boy to help my granddaddy sow those seeds and anticipate a harvest coming up.

God is our seed supplier. Everything we need for a harvest he has in his storehouse. What’s amazing is that his storehouse is filled through the faithfulness of the believers. (Malachi 3:10) Then the seed is sown or scattered abroad to the poor. The only way we experience a harvest is when we faithfully sow the seed that God has provided. Unless the seed goes into the ground and dies it cannot bear fruit. You cannot eat your seed and expect a harvest.

God will Supply…

1. He Supplies seed to the Sower. God Is not obligated to give seed to people who do not sow. Paul reminds us in verse 6, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

2. God will give us our daily bread. God is a provider and he will give us what we need when we sow our seed. When we sow our seed God provides for our needs.

3. God will supply and increase your store of seed when you sow. God is our supply store but his currency for seed is generosity. When we are generous in sowing giving, and helping others he will keep supplying and increasing our store of seed. Verse 11, “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.”

4. God will enlarge your harvest of Righteousness. When you do what is right in God’s sight he will enlarge your harvest.
Our increase is dependent on our generous release of the seed that God supplies. Your harvest can’t grow until you let go of the seed in your hand. Plant it in good ground today.

Dear God,

Thank you for the seed you have supplied. All I have needed your hand has provided. Thank you for my harvest. I know that everything good that has happened to me you did it, and as a result I’m filled with thanksgiving. I’m ready to go sow my seeds today so I can reap my harvest tomorrow!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Momentary Troubles

2011-11-16T09:22:00.002-06:00

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary troubles are delivering for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Never make permanent decisions for temporary problems. There is a tendency to get caught up with what’s going on in the moment and lose sight of God’s bigger plan for our life. Much of what we are going through right now are “Momentary problems,” meaning that what we are going through didn’t come to stay but it came to pass.

God is using your momentary troubles to achieve for you a future Glory that far outweighs what you are going through right now. If we are not careful we can miss our future Glory by getting caught up in temporary misery. It’s tempting to give up when you are going through momentary troubles and lose sight of future Glory.

God is using your momentary trouble to achieve for you a future. The Apostle Paul described his momentary troubles like this:

We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8

It’s God’s Holy Spirit operating in us that does not allow us to give up during momentary troubles. When you are on a roller coaster ride they tell you to stay in the car until the ride is over. You don’t jump out of the car in the middle of a roller coaster ride. It can be fatal. Life is like a roller coaster ride that we must either endure or enjoy without stepping out of the car before the ride is over. I’d rather be on a roller coaster ride than a Merry Go Round. When I go through an Amusement Park I want to go from Ride to Ride. God will take you from Glory to Glory but you can’t get off in the middle of a ride. What makes the ride even more enjoyable is when you have a good riding partner. I’m glad Jesus rides with me through my Momentary troubles.

These Momentary troubles are achieving something greater for our lives so we can’t give up until we go up. Stay on the ride and enjoy it because troubles don’t last always. It get’s greater later!

Dear God,

Help us to stay the course to finish our race. These momentary troubles don’t compare to the future Glory of being with you forever. Take us through our momentary troubles into our future Glory. I’m riding with you today Jesus!

In your name,

Amen

Can You Smell Me?

2011-11-15T12:08:00.001-06:00

2 Corinthians 2:15

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing I believe it was Scottie Pippen a long time ago who had a commercial with speed stick deodarant he said, "The best defense is not to offend." He was referencing body odor. It's so important that we aslways have good hygiene so that we do not offend the people around us.

I was reading the instruction for our intercessors sent out by their ministry leader the other day. She was informing them on how they should pray with people at the altar. It was itneresting to discover that among the instructions on how to pray, there were also instrucitons on hygiene such as putting mints in their mouth for fresh breath and making sure fingernails were clean and manicured. It's important that when we minister or serve people we do not offend them by the way we smell.

You should always make sure you floss and brush your teeth, go see the dentist every six months. Keep mints in your pocket or purse. Make sure your deodorant is strong enough for your body chemistry. Men should wash their hair at least 3 times a week and women at least once a week. You want to make sure that you don't offend people by the way you smell. My mother always said, "You ought to be able to smell yourself" but if you don't it's always good to have a friend who will tell you the truth. Can you smell me?

When we are amongst people in ministry we are to be the Aroma of Christ. My staff says that I have a sensitive nose. I can walk into a room and tell you what you had for lunch. I can smell just about anything. It's a gift and a curse. LOL. But there is someone else whose nose is more sensitive than mine. God has a sensitive nose! God doesn't just smell our skin but he smells our sin. He doesn't just smell our scent but he can also detect our decent into moral decadence.

God can smell our intentions and our Holiness. That's why the Psalmist said, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing and acceptable to you O' God." When God grew tired of corrupt religious practices in Israel he told the prophet Amos, "I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me." Amos 5:21

God said that he would rather have justice and righteousness than a bunch of religious activity with no conviction behind it. When we are living out the teachings of Jesus we are a pleasing aroma to God.

Did you know you can smell good to God and stink to others?

Whenever i travel from America to the Middle East I know i've crossed over into foreign territory because the smells change. A lot of Easterners don't wear deodorant and they think Westerners stink! They think that the natural pheromones of perspiration are more attractive then the masquerade of deodorant that Westerners wear. Culturally we stink to them!

To some in America, Christians stink. We smell like death because when we truly represent Jesus we are a reminder that culturally we stink. We are dead to the ways of this world, we are free from the masquerade of psuedo success. We are offensive becasue our values are counter cultural, but to those who are being saved we are a pleasing aroma. They didn't know that life stripped of the illusion of success and materialism could smell so good.

When people see you filled with Joy, walking in Love, and practicing compassion they might ask you what it is that you have on? You can tell them, "Oh that is just Lily of the Valley."

Cleanliness is next to Godliness but Righteousness keeps you close to God because that smells good."

Dear God,

I pray that others smell the aroma of Christ on my life. Search me and if you find anything offensive in me that would block somebody from getting to Jesus please take it out right now. Clean me up, wash me, and make me Holy. Today, let me be a pleasing aroma to you and others.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Not Easily Moved

2011-11-14T09:12:00.001-06:00

I Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, My dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

With so much going on in our world today we must make sure that we are anchored int he Lord. We can't be unnerved by every little thing that threatens us. As a child we used to play a game when we were little called, "Made You Move." The object of the game was that one person would remain steady, staring straight ahead while the other person would act like they were going to hit the focused person in the face to see if they would move or flinch. If the person blinked or moved, the other perosn would say, "Ha Ha, made you move."

The devil's only job is to make you move out of position and miss your blessing. If he can get you disturbed over what somebody said about you, if he can get you hurt by something that happened at church, if he can use the economy to scare you away from your faith, then he has succeeded at his job. He made you move. You cannot afford to move from your position. You are too blessed to be stressed. No matter what it looks like:

1. Stand firm. Make sure your feet are set on solid ground. On Jesus Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

2. Let nothing move you. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Jesus said, "Do not fear the person who can kill the body but fear God who can kill body and soul." Don't let idle threats and negative reports move you, whose report shall you believe God's or man's?

3. Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord. When you are busy doing God's work you don't have time to worry about the foolishness of the world. There is a peace that comes over you when you are doing the work of the Lord that doesn't allow you to be easily moved. Keep working for the Lord because your work is not in vain.

Dear God,

Keep me steadfast and unmovable. Help me to keep my eyes on the prize and hold on. Today, don't let any bad news or negativity phase me as i strive toward reaching my goals. I will not be moved by anything or anybody. I'm trusting you to see me through.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Did I Do That?

2011-11-10T08:53:00.002-06:00

I Corinthians 8:9

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

In the hit sitcom, Family Matters, Steve Urkel always seemed to find a way to bumble and cause someone else to stumble. He was a loving little nerd but always seemed to be getting in the way and whenever he caused some kind of mishap, he would ask, "Did I dooo thaaaat?!"

How many times have we looked back on the mess we left in our tracks to ask, "Did I do that?" It's so much easier to keep going and blame others when they trip over our stuff instead of asking, "Did I do that?" At some point we have to take ownership in the influence that we have over other people.

As Christians, we have a moral obligation to make sure we don't do anything to cause those who are weaker in the faith to stumble. We've all had some blunders in our lives where we meant something good but like Steve Urkel we just made a mess out of things. Steve was smart he just didn't use common sense sometimes. As believers we have to use common sense to make sure that what we do is for the common good.

The more enlightened we get in terms of God's grace and lose the chains of traditon the more freedom we feel to live life unfettered by the opinions of narrow minded people. On the other hand, we have a responsibiilty to manage our freedom in such a way that it doesn't cause weaker people in the faith to stumble.

The Apostle Paul talked about eating meat sacrificed to idols as being theologically permissable for Christians. Prior to Jesus' liberating the Jews from man-made laws concerning what foods they could eat, the Jews had strict dietary regulations. Jesus said, "It's not what goes in the man that defiles him but what comes out." Paul believed this too but, he also believed that we should not use our freedom to cause somebody else to stumble, so if eating meat that was believed to have been sacrificed to some other god caused new believers to stumble then you shouldn't do that.

If having a glass of red wine for dinner offends your dinner guests because they just became a Christian and they thought that drinking was forbidden, then maybe you should have water that night even though there are health benefits for drinking red wine and you believe that it's okay to drink in moderation. You must exercise your freedom with responsibility.

We must be responsible with our freedom by:

1. Practicing Discretion. Just because you can doesn't mean that you should.

1 Corinthians 8:13

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

2. Practice Moderation. Too much of anything ain't good for you.

Ephesians 5:18

The Message (MSG)

18-20

Don't drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.

3. Practice Consideration. Always think about how your actions will impact others. Make sure you do what you do out of love and concern for those that you influence.

1 Corinthians 8

1

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that "We all possess knowledge." But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.

Dear God,

Help me to use my freedom responsibly. I know you want me to enjoy life and life more abundantly but I also know that you want me to be a stepping stone and not a stumbling block. If I have said anything or done anything that caused someone weaker in the faith to stumble please forgive me and help them to recover. Today, use me to help someone see you in what I do. Today, I want to see somebody get closer to Jesus so I can look back and say, "Did I do that?"

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Is It Good for You?

2011-11-09T09:15:00.002-06:00

I Corinthians 6:12

Someone will say, "I am allowed to do anything," yes but not everything is good for you. I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me its slave.

The late, great Heavy D had a song that asked, "Is it good to you?" It was a love song where the overweight lover Heavy D kept asking his love interest, 'Is it good to you?' It's an important question that every husband ought to ask his wife but it's not a great question to ask yourself. Too many people are stuck on this question and it seems to be the prevailing question of this generation who seem to be driven by pleasure, 'Is it good to you?" But if you are drven by purpose the question ought to be, "Is it good for you?" Because what's good to you may not be good for you.

America is the land of the free and the home of the slave. We are free to do whatever we want to do but in doing so we have become a slave to our compulsivity. I found out yesterday that 89% of HIV cases in Memphis, TN are African Americans, and 27% of those are black women. We are one of the most unhealhtiest cities with sedentary lifestyles and obesity. We have good food but many times it just ain't good for you. We are also one of the higest cities who have a high incident of bankruptcy. Some of us have made some good money but we haven't done good with our money.

Sex, food and money are not bad in themselves but it's what and how we use them that determines if they are good for us.

1. Sex--Sexual Immorality is sex outside of marriage. Sexual integrity is when you are fulfilled by your spouse only. Sexual sin is the only sin that does damage to the body spiritually and physically. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Sprit and your spouse is the only high priest ordained to come in.

2. Food--food is not all about how good it taste but it's about how good it is for you. What is the nutritional value of what you're eating? What is the caloric intake you are supposed to eat everyday for maximum health benefits? How much exercise do you need to maintain good health.

3. Money--Money is not the root of all evil but the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. It's hard for the rich to enter into heaven. They are slaves to their money.

You are free to do whatever you want to do. You are a grown person but if you really want to live the abundant life that Jesus has for you then you have to change your question from, "Is it good to you?" to "Is it good for me?"

Dear God,

Thank you for helping me to change my question. I want to be pleasing and acceptable to you before I please myself. I would rather please you than be caught up trying to please people. Give me the discipline to do what is good for me and not just what is good to me. Lead me today into what is good for me.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Are You a Fool?!

2011-11-08T10:16:00.003-06:00

I Cor. 1:26-27

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards…but God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

I was in the Nike store the other week and I was looking at some shoes when a young man with a gold grill, braids and white T-shirt approached me and said, “Hey fool, you work here?” I calmly replied, “No man, I don’t work here.” He said, “Sorry about that, thanks.” For some reason I wasn’t offended. For one I knew that’s the greeting that most young men give each other in the streets and then secondly, I am a fool...for Christ.

The old folks used to say, “God watches over babies and fools.” When I think back on when I was first called to be used by God, I qualified for the fool category. I loved God but I was ignorant to his way and lost in my own way of doing things. I didn’t come from a long line of royalty or wealth; I was smart but not wise. I didn’t have any fans or followers, but God decided to put his hands on me anyway.

God purposely looks out for fools to confuse the wise. He looks for the weak to mess up the strong. When it’s all said and done you and I can’t take any credit for what only God can do. I can’t really tell you how God took us from 60 people to 18,000 people in ten years of existence as a church. I think when we attempt to start explaining it and taking credit for it, that’s when God removes his hands off of it. The only thing I can truly say is that God loved me enough to use me and he can use you too.

Here are the criteria for being used by God:

1. Not very wise. Solomon says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. When Solomon became King after his father David, he told God, “I don’t know what I’m doing.” And he asked God for Wisdom. If you don’t know what you are doing but you get out of the way and let God use you, he can make you wise. Don’t use the excuse that you don’t know how to do it to stop God from using you to do it.

2. Not many were influential. Leadership is influence. If you are leading and no one is following, you’re just taking a long lonely walk. People follow you because they are influenced by God’s spirit in you. God gives charisma or gifts for people to lead. You can use those gifts for good or bad. How you use them determines if God continues to let you lead.

3. Not of Noble birth. God often chooses people of the smallest clan and tribes to lead his people. i.e. Gideon, David, Jesus. Despise not small beginnings. I was born in a town with a population smaller than the size of my church. I love God’s sense of humor. If you come from a small place or a lowly place, you are a good candidate for God to do something big through you.

So if you are going to do any bragging about what you’ve been able to accomplish, let me ask you something: “Hey Fool, do you work here? Hey fool, did you graduate because you were so smart? Hey fool, did you really do all this by yourself?” My reply is: “No, I didn’t and I’m not a fool! I am a fool for Christ.”

Dear God,

Thank you for choosing me to serve you and lead your people. You’ve made my stumbling look like steps and my guessing look like genius. I really don’t know how you did it or why you did it but I’m so glad that you did it. Even though the world may think that I’m a fool for serving Jesus, I will be the biggest fool I can and serve you all the more because I know too much about you for them to make me doubt you. I am a fool for Christ.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Have You Heard the Rooster?

2011-11-03T09:47:00.003-05:00

.Mark 14:72

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

My Grandmother used to raise chickens. When the sun rose in the mornings the most alluring sound would be the trumpeting of the rooster alerting us of a new day. It was time to get up when you heard the rooster crow. A new day had dawned when the rooster crowed. There was no more sleeping when the rooster crowed.

Not many of us wake up anymore to the sound of a rooster breaking the silence of the night to introduce a new day but there is the alarm of our conscience that alerts us that we have betrayed Jesus somewhere in our lives. If you listen hard enough you can still hear the rooster crow.

Peter had good intentions. He told Jesus he would never leave him or betray him. Peter told Jesus he would die with Jesus if he had to. Jesus told Peter, “You will deny me three times before the Rooster crows twice.”

Sure enough Peter saw Jesus arrested and beaten. The severity of the beating and the trauma of seeing Jesus being manhandled caused Peter to fall back, follow at a distance, and forsake his allegiance. All this he did without even realizing that he was doing the exact opposite of what he told Jesus he would do.

Peter denied Jesus in three different instances before the rooster crowed:

1. He denied association. When times get hard many of us who used to be with Jesus, distance ourselves in hard times. Jesus and the church is taking a beating lately and many of his followers have fallen back. The church is the bride of Christ and to deny her is to deny him. Don’t fall back step up.

2. He denied confirmation. Other people recognized Peter had been with Jesus but he denied it. People have spoken over your life and confirmed what you know inside but fail to confess. Jesus is in you but you agree with the call on your life.

3. He denied validation. They said, “You talk like him.” They could hear Jesus in his dialect. We deny Jesus when we refuse to speak about him or deny that there is something distinct about our dialect.

After their third time of denying Jesus, the rooster crowed, then Peter remembered what Jesus said, and he broke down and wept. When was the last time you cried after you realized that you’ve been living in denial? Has the crow caught up with your conscience? Has God awakened you to the sound of your own denial? Do the people you associate with know that you are a follower of Jesus or are you just hanging out? Have you received confirmation that there’s a call on your life or are you still in denial? Have you been broken over the fact that your intentions to follow Jesus have led to the realization that by the way you live you have actually denied Jesus existence? Do you hear the rooster crowing?

If you hear the rooster crowing this morning, wake up and recommit yourself to truly representing Jesus. Jesus is calling!

Dear God,

Help me to live out my intentions to follow you even if it means dying for what I believe. Let your light shine in me for the world to see. I cannot deny that I belong to you. Forgive me of falling back when I should’ve stepped up. I’m awake now, I heard the rooster crow. Thanks for the wakeup call.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

The Poor Give More

2011-11-02T09:35:00.002-05:00

Mark 12:43-44

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.

Growing up I can always remember fondly, how poor folks always took care of each other. Whether it was swapping vegetables from their gardens, or sharing fish they had caught in the river, or wild game they got from the hunt in the woods, we took care of each other. What little we did have, we shared with one another.

I’ve experienced this same kind of resurgence recently in our community of faith with the people in my congregation. Sunday when I asked all of the unemployed to come to the altar, half the congregation came down. We gave away gas cards, paid light bills, groceries, and signed people up for job interviews after church. One of the most moving experiences as pastor was when I had more people who needed groceries than we had grocery cards for. The members responded by giving more money right there on the spot to help people get food to eat. The members responded by giving more money to help out. With half the people in the church not working they still gave more!

God sees our hearts when we give. There is not a time that goes by when Jesus doesn’t notice what we put in. In this text a poor widow woman puts in her last two coins in the offering and Jesus said, “She put in more than anybody else because she put in all she had.” Now mind you there were wealthy people putting in larger amounts than this poor widow but she gave more. Her sacrifice was greater. Many of us give but we don’t sacrifice. When we give it ought to come from our hearts and be sacrificial. God doesn’t want equal giving but equal sacrifice. This woman was poor but she gave more. Are you giving God your best or just enough to look good?

In the movie, The Grapes of Wrath, there is a poor family that is surviving the great depression. I love the movie because it shows poor people persevering and overcoming one of our nation’s hardest financial crisis. The mother in the movie says to her son, “I’m Learning one thing good..If you’re in trouble or hurt or in need-go to the poor people. They’re the only ones that’ll help—the only ones.”

The poor give more because:

1. They have a better sense of where their help comes from. If his eye is on the sparrow surely he watches over me.

2. They know what it feels like to need help. Matthew 5:7 You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘careful,’ you find yourselves cared for.

3. They know there is a greater reward coming. Blessed are the Poor for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20

4. The more you have the harder it is to let it go. It’s hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. Mark 10:25

5. They know God’s going to give it back. Luke 6:38

Dear God,

Help me to trust you like that poor widow. All that I have, I give it back to you, knowing that you will provide for me and my neighbor, because poor people help poor people. Thank you Jesus for becoming poor so that I could live abundantly. You blessed me to be a blessing and today I give myself away so that you can use me.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Mi Cloud

2011-11-01T10:05:00.002-05:00

Mark 9:7

Then a Cloud appeared and enveloped them and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.'

iCloud is so much more than a hard drive in the sky. It makes it quick and effortless to access just about everything on the devices you use every day. iCloud automatically and securely stores your content so it's always available to your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac or PC. It gives you access to your music, apps, latest photos and more from whichever device you happen to be using. iCloud does it all for you.

This souds simple but also intimidating. This Cloud is going to have access to all my information. It's easy but can I trust this cloud to securely hold all my information and can I retreive it anytime I need it? I like the fact that it keeps all my devices in sync. I like the fact that it gives me storage space for my important documents. I like the fact that I have access at all times to my most important things. Everyitng I need is in iCloud.

When you stop to think about it we've always had iCloud. When God led the Children of Israel out of Egypt he was a Cloud by day and fire by night. Moses asked him what his name was. He said, "I am that I am." That makes him ICloud!

Psalm 121 says, "The Lord watches over you--The Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. the Lord will keep you from all harm (secure) he will watch over your life.

When Jesus was transformed on the Mountain he had three of his disciples or devices; Peter, James and John. Jesus was tyring to upgrade his mission by downloading a revelation while syncing with older versions Elijah and Moses to a newer version of the OT Lion of Judah. When his syncing was interrupted by Peter who suggested they set up 3 servers one for Elijah, Moses and Jesus. Just then ICloud showed up to simplify the process and download the Revelation to all three disciples at the same time. The Voice from the ICloud said, "This is my beloved Son, listen to him!" Afer the voice spoke the disciples looked around and there was no one there but Jesus, meaning that from now on everything they needed would be in him. Jesus is our Siri! With the new Iphone 4s, Siri is the voice that will help you access all the information in the cloud or on your device. All you have to do is ask Siri what you need and the voice is able to access the cloud to give you what you need through your device. You and I are the device that other people ought to be able to hear the voice and access the cloud.

God is the iCloud that has:

1. Access to all your information. Jesus knows all about our struggles. There is nothing hidden to God that will not be revealed. What is done in the darkness shall come to the light.

2. He's able to keep us in sync. Where two or three are gathered in Jesus Name there he will be in the midst. Whatsoever we touch and agree upon shall be done. Whatever we bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Whatever we loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

3. Our information is secure in him. Psalm 121:8 The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever.

4. Don't move without the cloud. Exodus 40:37 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted.

5. He will seperate you from your enemies. Exodus 14:20 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

6. The Cloud means it's time to worship! Exodus 33:10 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.

Dear God,

Sync me up with your will. Lead me with your Cloud. Let your Glory Cloud fill the Church. Let your Cloud watch over me all day. I'm listenting for your voice.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

I'm Lost Without You

2011-10-31T11:52:00.002-05:00

Mark 8:35

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

God's economy is much different than ours. In God's economy the more we give away the more we have left. In our economy the more we try to keep for ourselves the more we lose. Of course the important link is movtive, "Why we do what we do." Only what we do for Christ will last. Without Christ we are lost.

In order to be a disciple of Jesus, we must deny our self-preserving ways and surrender our lives to his service. In his book Radical, Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, David Platt talks about how we must De-captilize the Christian faith to properly reflect the sacrifices for being a follower of Jesus Christ. We've allowed capitalistic influences to infiltrate what it means to be a Christian. Many of us are lost in a religion that no longer truly represents the heart of Jesus.

It is only when we abandon our selfish perusuit of material accquistion and instead use our God given wealth to help others that we truly represent Jesus. When we give ourselves away so that God can use us is when we really find Life more abundantly.

What does it profit a man to become a success but lose his soul in the process? What will a man give in exchange for his soul? We need to abandon anything that would make us compromise our convictions in Christ It's easier for those of us who don't have much to get in sync with God's will than it is for those of us who have more. When God blesses you with excess it's not for you to hoard but for you to give more away.

Dear God,

Help me to give my life away so that I can have life in you. Bless those who do not have through those of us who do. Use me today to bless those that I can with what I can. Use me Lord until you use me up.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

What Else Do They Want From Me?!

2011-10-27T10:03:00.002-05:00

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.

It can be a frustrating thing when you give your best to people and they not respond to what you give. Whether it's a marriage, teaching students in school, pastoring a church, coaching a team; it can be downright disheartening when you teach, preach, share your heart to others only to have them walk way not getting what you have poured out over and over and over. It makes you want to ask, "What else do you want from me?" Their answer would probably be, "Nothing!" The truth of the matter is that there will be people who will not be able to receive from you because for one reason or the other their hearts have become hardened and they can't receive from you any longer. As painful as it is there will be people in your life who will reach a point where they will not receive what was meant for them exclusively and you will have to watch their backs as they walk away from what was meant for them. There is nothing else you can do but share what God gave you and hope it falls on good ground. Giving is your responsibility, receiving is theirs. Just as God cannot make you love him, you cannot make them love you!

Jesus had masses of people following him in the early parts of his ministry when he was healing, feeding, and preaching to the people, but when he extended his reach to the gentiles and challenged them in his teaching many of those same people he helped stopped following him. Every leader reaches a season where the crowd starts thinning out and the core has to be strengthened. What else can you do when it seems that the people you've been called to don't seem to be receiving what you're saying:

1. You have to be clear that God is calling you to reach a specific group of people and everybody is not called to you. Just because they are in the crowd intially doesn't mean they will remain in your corner.

2. Make sure you give quality to those who are listening and not give up because of the fickeledness of the crowd. Keep feeding those that want to hear what God has given you. Check yourself first and make sure you are up on your stuff but after you've done a quality inspection of what you give out you can't get stuck after you've given your best.

3. Don't take it personal when they walk away when you know you've done your best. People come and People go, it's what people do but make sure you take care of the people that are sent to you

4. Do your best and let God do the rest. It is God who adds and gives increase. Do your level best to preach and teach only what God gives you. He will send to you the disciples, team members, and partners who are supposed to be walking with you, who fit your DNA and mission.

5. Pray for the hearts of the people that God is sending you to, that they may be open and receptive to the truth.

6. If they don't receive you, shake the dust from your feet and keep it moving.

7. Celebrate the ones who do receive and pour your time, energy, and love into them.
Thank you for the people you've allowed.

Too Short

2011-10-26T08:53:00.002-05:00

Acts 26:28

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Back in the 80’s evangelical Christians used to hand out little tracts as an attempt to win people to Christ. They were like little short stories of heaven and hell that were used to convince people of their need for Salvation in Jesus. These were great discussion starters but oftentimes they were too short to convince the average unbeliever of their need for Jesus. More than a tract, unbelievers are looking at the trek of your life to see how you live out your life more than they are looking at what you hand out. These popcorn testimonials are great discussion starters about peoples' need for God but in order to convince people to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savor they must be convinced that we follow Jesus ourselves.

The Apostle Paul was on trial for allegedly stirring up trouble in Jerusalem. He was explaining his faith journey and encounter with the risen Jesus to King Agrippa. Paul was getting close to convincing King Agrippa as he tried to make the connection from the Prophets to Jesus. King Agrippa felt Paul trying to make a logical leap and connect King Agrippa to Christ when Agrippa interrupted Paul and said, “Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” ‘Your time is too short!’

Like Paul we don’t have much time with people these days. Time is a precious commodity. Tweets only hold 140 characters. Preachers are sending out prayers in sound bites, everybody is trying to sound profound in a limited amount of time and space and 140 characters are just too short to share all of what God has done for you but you shouldn't let that stop you from sharing your faith just because your time is too short.

1. To effectively share your faith you need time to establish relationship with the people you are witnessing to. You are not always going to encounter people who believe what you do but it doesn’t hurt to share what you believe. Just know that you are not going to convert everybody on the first try. Build relationship and consistently live out your faith. Don’t just say it. Live it!

2. Know that sometimes you are only planting a seed for somebody else to water later. One man plants, one man waters, and God gives the increase. Even though your time is too short God’s word never returns void.

3. It’s not the amount of time but the quality of what you share. Be clear. Be Concise. Be caring.

4. Pray for God to use the time you do have. Don’t waste your time when God puts you in front of important people. Pray for what to say. Paul said in verse 29, ‘Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Dear God,

Use my time to make an impact on the people you put me in front of today. Teach me how to make the most of my time, whether short or long. I pray that unbelievers would come to know Jesus by my life and words because Life is too short.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

I Didn't Have to Pay!

2011-10-25T09:55:00.002-05:00

Acts 22:28

New International Version (NIV)

28 Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.”

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.

There are so many things that we take for granted these days that were provided at a great cost. The freedoms and privileges we enjoy came at a great cost. Our Civil Rights came at the cost of many lives, the shedding of much blood, imprisonments, beatings; lynchings and many of our children are oblivious that someone paid a great cost for their citizenship.

My son Jaden asked me the other day when were we going to stay in the Hotel again. I asked him, “Why?” He said, “I like staying in the Hotel because the food is free!” Jaden doesn’t understand that I have to pay for the room and food; all he has to do is wake up and eat. Many of us are like my 8 year old, we don’t understand the cost because somebody else paid the price for us to enjoy the perks of citizenship.

Paul was about to be flogged because the Roman officials couldn’t understand why the Jews were in an uproar over his presence in Jerusalem. The Romans had occupied Jerusalem and had jurisdiction over the legal affairs of the city. As they stretched Paul out to be whipped he brought to their attention, I am a Roman citizen. Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”

The Commander of the Roman Army who was carrying out the order to beat Paul was startled because he didn’t know that Paul was a Roman citizen. This changed the ball game. Paul’s citizenship gave him rights that Jews didn’t have. But what threw the commander off was that Paul was Jewish, spoke Aramaic, looked like a Jew but had Roman citizenship. He asked Paul, “Are you really a Roman citizen because I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship?” Paul said, “I didn’t have to pay, I was born a citizen!”

He looked at Paul and made a pre-judgment because of his ethnicity and because of the way he talked and concluded that Paul couldn’t have been a citizen but Paul reminded him that I didn’t have to pay. Is there anything you are able to do today regardless of your color, regardless of where you live that you didn’t have to pay for? I remember getting a scholarship in college because my daddy fought in the Vietnam War. I didn’t have to pay because my daddy made the sacrifice. More than that I should have went to Hell but because Jesus paid for my sin with his life I didn’t have to pay to live out my life. I was born a citizen of God’s kingdom!

There are some things you don’t have to pay for because of what you received by simply being born again:

1. The penalty of your sin. Jesus paid the price of your sin by being flogged, and crucified. He went through excruciating pain so that you have forgiveness of sins. I Cor. 6:18-20

2. Abundant life. Jesus said, “The devil came to steal, kill, and destroy but I came that you might have life and life more abundantly!” John 10:10

3. Your Freedom. Not only do we have our Civil Rights but we also have the right to the tree of life through Jesus Christ. John 8:36 says, “He who the Son sets free is free indeed!”

4. Eternal life. If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and believe in him we shall have eternal life. John 3:16 We didn’t even have to pay for it even though we should have. Jesus paid it all.

Dear God,

Thank you for sending Jesus to pay for my citizenship. As a result of being born again I am enjoying the privileges of citizenship. Thank you for the sacrifices of my ancestors who died for the freedoms I now enjoy. Somebody died that I might be born a citizen. I didn't have to pay for this and for that I am grateful!

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Desperate Times = Dependable Friends

2011-10-20T09:10:00.002-05:00

Job 6:14-15

In trouble like this I need dependable friends whether I’ve forsaken God or not. But you, my friends, you deceive me like streams that go dry when no rain comes.

I think they need to come up with a new name for the people who they call “friends” on Facebook. I have over 5000 friends and Facebook only allows 5K. I’ve discovered that when I try to add people with whom I’m in relationship with I can’t because I’m over the limit because I’ve added people who requested to be my “friend” but from whom I never communicate with. They should change the name of “Friends” to “people who want to watch you live.” It’s not a slam on the people who genuinely want to interact with you but it is an inquiry as to why so many people hide behind the word “friend” but are not really friendly.

Social media is a reflection of real life. When we first got on the social scene we got many friends and followers we were linked up with, many people as we met on Foursquare and allowed people into MySpace but what we discovered over time is that many of these people are not dependable in desperate times.

The illusion of friendship in social media has overflowed into our private lives. We have the illusion of quantity with the reality of very little quality. Whodini asked the question, “Friends, how many of us have them, the ones we can depend on?”

The bible says that “brothers are born in the time of adversity, but Job says, “When I found myself in desperate times my brother or friends were not dependable.” Job compared his friends to intermittent streams that swell when it rains or when the snow melts.” There are seasons when people pour into your life when things are going good, you’re on top, you have money, you’ve got good health, everybody wants to be your friend but when it gets hot or you’re catching heat they dry up.

Desperate times calls for dependable friends. Job lost everything he had. He asked the question, “Do I have any power to help myself now that success has been driven from me? A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends.” Job’s friends accused him of doing wrong because he was suffering. Jobs friends speculated as to why he was not on top anymore. Job’s friends talked about him when they should have just listened to him.

Desperate times calls for dependable friends. How do we make sure we are dependable?

1. Be consistent. Be a friend in season and out of season. In good times and bad times.

2. Make sure you’re there when they’ve fallen just like you were when they were ballin'.

3. Encourage them in the Lord.

4. Take up for your friend and not give in to the Peanut gallery. Everybody has an opinion of how somebody got knocked down but only a friend helps them up.

5. Don’t be a fair-weather friend.

6. Call them in their dry season.

7. Pray for them.

Dear God,

Help me to remember that he who has friends must first show himself friendly. Help me to be the kind of friend that I want in my life. Help me to shorten my friend's list because life is too short to be frontin'.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Don't Call Me That!

2011-10-19T09:23:00.002-05:00

Acts 10:15

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

People fear what they don’t understand. It's so easy to sit back and label other people unclean when we have been socialized to believe that because they are different they are unacceptable. For hundreds of years in America, we have been indoctrinated to believe that whites are better than blacks. Herman Cain was partially correct when he said that blacks have been brainwashed he just forgot to be inclusive in saying that White people have also been brainwashed into believing that they are superior to blacks based upon skin color. We have categorized people into categories of clean and unclean, cool and uncool, saint and sinner many times because of cultural conditioning. We have been robbed of relationship because of our labels that have been ingrained through pre-judging or prejudice. Many of us feel like the rapper T.I. when people label us before knowing us, “You might see me in the street but you don’t know me!”

To know me is to love me and many of us can’t adequately love our neighbor because we miss the opportunity to know people because we have labeled each other as conservative, liberal, dirty, sinner, cult and contemporary, secular; without taking the time to really get to know who we are on the inside.

Peter was on the rooftop praying when God gave him a vision of all the things that were forbidden for him to eat according to his religious tradition. God told him to rise and eat! Peter said, “That stuff is nasty and I never have and never will eat that.” God said, “Don’t call anything unclean that I have made clean.” Does God change his mind on what we call nasty or has what we called nasty been redeemed because God changed it?

Once we’ve been redeemed you can’t call me nasty anymore. I am not ignorant you can’t call me the “N” word. Don’t call me that! I am a woman and not a female dog! Don’t call me that! I work hard and pay taxes just like you, don’t call me an illegal immigrant especially if I take care of your house and your children. Don’t call me that! Don’t call me unpatriotic just because I don’t buy into political pedagogy and spin as I refuse to support an unjust war or Occupy Wall Street. Don’t call me that!

God sent Peter to Cornelius’ house who happened to be a Roman soldier and a Gentile by definition. Jews didn’t eat with Gentiles it would defile them religiously but God sent Peter to Cornelius’ house. When he got there he preached to them and everyone there received the Holy Spirit even before they got baptized. They were “dirty” and still received the Holy Spirit. They got baptized after receiving the Holy Ghost! Wow! Some of us need to get baptized with the fire before we hit the water.

Today, God wants you to get out of your comfort zone and talk to somebody who other people would call nasty or uncool or unholy. It is only when we stop labeling that we allow God to move in other people’s lives that are different from us. Different doesn’t mean bad. Go in their space so you can get to know them and share the gospel.

1. Eat in the home of somebody different from you.

2. Take them to lunch and listen to their story.

3. Pray with people from different backgrounds.

4. Listen before you start preaching.

Don’t call somebody unclean when God wants you to redeem them through relationship. You can’t call them that anymore! God loves them just as much as he loved you. You know you used to be Nasty! Don’t call me that anymore.

Dear God,

Thank you for cleaning me up when I was nasty. Now help me to stop pre-judging others without going over to get to know them better. Use me to break down barriers so others who differ from me can receive the Holy Spirit and have relationship with Jesus Christ.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Something's Missing!

2011-10-18T10:26:00.003-05:00

Acts 8:15-16

New International Version (NIV)

15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

When I first moved to Memphis around 1995, I was a youth pastor fresh out of seminary with one youth ministry assignment under my belt and now on my second call at a mega church that would become the mother church that birthed New Direction. God was preparing me for a greater assignment without me even knowing it. I remember reaching a pint of emptiness in ministry where I was reaching kids for Christ but I felt so empty myself.

One day my youth choir director, who is now my minister of music, asked me to go to a prayer meeting over to this lady’s house named, “Mother Cleveland.” I didn’t want to go over some lady’s house for prayer! It sounded boring and spooky, plus I was burnt out on religion but something was missing! So I went reluctantly to this lady’s house. It was kind of weird at first. Just a little old brick house, the room was kind of dim but there was peace pervading the house. We began to sing praises to God and pray. I felt myself letting my guards down. Then she laid her hands on me and began to pray, then she laid hands on my throat, then my stomach and told me to let go. The fire of the Holy Spirit began to stir in my belly and something was locked in my throat. The next thing I know I was on my face speaking in my prayer language for the first time in my life!

I had been baptized at 12, Convicted in my spirit at 19, called preach at 21, and filled with Holy Ghost at 26. Salvation is a process. For some this filling of the Holy Spirit comes much faster because they are more aware of what’s missing but for me it took a while to realize that something was missing.

I believe you receive the Holy Spirit as a deposit when you receive Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1: 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

We all receive this deposit when we are born again but there is more coming through prayer and the laying on of hands. I think that might be what is missing in our churches today. We’ve done a good job in drawing a lot of people but we haven’t done a good job in filling a lot of people. Phillip had preached and baptized many people in Samaria but they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Peter and John were sent to Samaria by the Apostles in Jerusalem as a follow up to what Phillip had been able to do. They went there so the people could receive the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.

When we hear the gospel and it cuts to our hearts many times we are convicted to change our behavior and head in a new direction. A seed is planted and we want to do what the word of God is saying. The problem is that we are still fleshy and prone to sin because of fleshy desires. When we are baptized it’s a statement that I’m dying only to be born again. What sustains my new birth is a second wind. When God created Adam he breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life. When we are born again God sends the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands. The Holy Spirit is the difference between a regular church member and a Disciple of Christ. Just because you’re a member of a church doesn’t mean you are full of the Holy Spirit.

If you live by the Holy Spirit you will not keep doing stuff your body wants you to do. Read Galatians 5:16-23

How do we get what’s missing?

1. You must be born again. John 3:2-4

New International Version (NIV)

2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”

2. Come to prayer meeting individually and corporately. Acts 2

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

3. Keep regular spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and reading God’s word. Read Isaiah 58. Make sure you practice true fasting go to www.live58.org.

Dear God,

Help me to fill what’s missing in my life. I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit so I can live out this abundant life that Jesus died for me to have. I don’t want a form of Godliness but no power to go with it. Fill me till there’s more of you than me.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Fighting through a Disconnect

2011-10-14T21:47:00.005-05:00

Have you ever been in a position where you felt so disconnected from family, friends, career or even God? While sitting in a local restaurant with my wife, during my annual sabbatical this year, I realized that I had become disconnected from the very people I was called to serve. It was from that personal experience that my Leadia experience, "Fighting through a Disconnect", was birthed. I invite you to go to www.leadia.tv and download the FREE app to your iPhone, iPad or iPod and enjoy this insightful, interactive experience. God Bless!

What Are You Devoted To?

2011-10-13T10:55:00.002-05:00

Acts 2:42

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Devote--to give or apply (one's time, attention or self) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause or person.

We are so spread thin today with so many things claiming our attention. So much so, that we need reminders to remind us of what we need to be reminded of. Life used to be so simple. We went from one phone in the house to every person in the family with a cell phone. We went from one TV with a few stations to multiple TVs and computers with multiple channels and viewing options. With all of these distractions it's hard to be focused on just one thing but we must be devoted to something. What is the one thing that you give all of your time, atteniton and self to?

Athletes are devoted to their sport of choice. Doctors are devoted to their specific fields of medicine. Teachers are devoted to educating their students. What are you devoted to? What is it in your life that requires for you to give all of your attention, time and self to so that you can be the best at what it is that God has called you to? What has all your attention at any given time? Who gets the most of you?

As a growing Christian we should be devoted to:

1. The Apostles teaching...we should make sure that we are devoted to learning more about God's word from those who are sent by God. Every morning I devote some time for the Holy Spirit to teach me through God's word. Every day you should devote time to God's word and every week find a bible believing church where God's sent one can pour into you through preaching/teaching.

2. The Fellwoship...We should be a part of a Growth Group. At New Direction, we have small group bible studies on Tuesday nights so that people can fellowship while they learn. Fellowship is simply spending time in relationship with other Christians who are trying to Experience, Be Empowered, and Engage in Missions.

3. Breaking Bread...is not just eating togetehr but also the sacred act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice every time we come together. A lot of these meetings took place in the homes of believers. We should devote time to building relationships and spending time in each other's sacred space.

4. Prayer...We need to devote time to praying for each other and with each other. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together touching and agreeing, there I will be in the midst of them." How much time do you devote to prayer? Prayer is really the only thing that keeps us growing in God. Prayer is our power souce. One Week without prayer makes One Weak.

Dear God,

I devote myself to you this morning. I'm going to make sure that every day you get more of my time, attention and self. Too many things have had me spread thin but I want to shift my attention to you and devote myself so that I can grow to the next level of discipleship. Today, I cut out any distractions that are pulling me away from my allegiance to you. I'm devoted to you Jesus!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Most Men Are...

2011-10-12T08:59:00.001-05:00

Nehemiah 7:2

I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani...because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.

"Most Men are..." I know! I know! There are many negative adjectives that come to mind when you hear the phrase "Most Men..." Through the years there has been much to say about the lack of good men because "most men" are...

Men have been given a bad rap because of the overgeneralization of negative behavior that seems to repeat itself in the male species. Behavior like; corruption, infidelity, narcissism, violence and a lack of fear of God.

God created man in his own image and he expects more from his creation. since the prototypical Man, Adam, men have struggled with being the creation that God meant us to be. After Adam fell he tried to hide from God and God came looking for him by asking, "Adam, where are you?' Today, God is still looking for men who have messed up but still have some good left in them but like most men many of us are still hiding with our potential still locked up in us.

God put Adam in charge because he was made in God's image which meant he had the potential to be like God but he also had the fallibility of being human. Like most men, Adam had the potential for good and evil.

Like Most Men, we all want to be used of God but like Most men our actions often disqualify us from being used like we want to but what gives us hope is the second man. I Corinthians 15:45 the first man Adam became a living being, the last Adam, a life-giving Spirit. What enables us not to be like most men is the life-giving Sprit of Jesus, the Son of Man. I was disqualified because of the first man I became like most men but because of Jesus, the second man, I was redeemed to be able to live a life different from most men. I was like most men because of my natural man but because of the second man, Jesus, I've been restored to my God-like potential. While everybody else saw the worst in me God saw the best in me and put me in charge because I was not like most men because of the second man, Jesus!

After Nehemiah rebuilt the gates of jerusalem he put his brother in charge of the gates. Jesus was our Nehemiah who restored our spiritual foundation and then put us in charge because we were no longer like most men. Nehemiah put his brother in charge for two reasons:

1. He was a man of integrity. Jesus doesn't put us in charge because we are Holy, he makes us Holy so we can be in charge. David was a man after God's own heart but he was also an adulterer and murderer but he had the integrity to say, "I have sinned against you, renew the right spirit within me, and restore the joy of my salvation." Integrity is not pretending to "be the man" but admitting that "you are the man" that has sinned and needs God's help.

2. Feared God more than most men do. David told his son Solomon that the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. David showed that he feared God when he cut a piece of Saul's robe in I Samuel 24. David said, "i will not touch the Lord's anointed." When David told Saul that he had a chance to kill him but he didn't because he was the Lord's anointed Saul said, "You are more righteous than I." In other word's, David feared God more than most men.

What sets me apart from most men is not that I'm better than they are but I fear God more than most men. That's the only thing that keeps me from being disqualified. Are you like most men?

Dear God,

Thank you for using me in spite of myself. Help me to be more like the second man than the first man. Help me to be more spiritual than carnal. Order my steps so that I might go where you want me to go and do what you want me to do. It is no longer my life to live but my life is hidden in Christ and it's in Jesus Name that I pray!

Amen

Why You Mad at Me?

2011-10-10T09:16:00.001-05:00

Nehemiah 4:1-2

1[a] Now when(A) Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of(B) Samaria, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves?[b] Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?"

The rapper T.I. had a song where he asked his haters, "Why you mad at me?!" He begins his lyrical cross examination by asking his haters, "Is it because I came from the bottom to the top? Why you mad at me?" It seems to be a universal trait for people that are in competition with you to become angry when they see you rebelling from the bottom to the top. particularly amongst oppressed groups we find it hard to celebrate the upward mobility of others because competitors feel they will lose something in your forward progress. It's unfortunate that other people get angry when you are only trying to better yourself and your community.

Nehemiah was trying to rebuild the walls that had been destroyed in Jerusalem and when Sanballat the arab heard about it he came angry and enraged. Sanballat and his friends benefited from the walls being down. They raided Jerusalem at will because there were no walls to defend the city. Whenever you build up your defense to protect your family and community, the people who previously benefited from you being 'down' will get angry with you are coming up.

Why you mad at me?!

There are five reasons why they are mad at you:

1. They are mad that you're getting stronger. A lot of times you can get your answers through their questions. What are those feeble Jews doing? They wanted the Jews to stay weak but by rebuilding the walls they were showing themselves strong. If you want to make your haters angry just keep getting stronger with progress.

2. They were mad at the restoration. Will they restore this wall? When you start restoring what was destroyed, when you start restoring community your enemies who benefited from fractured community will be angry. When restoration comes they can't take advantage of your vulnerability any longer.

3. They are mad at your sacrifices. Will they offer sacrifices? They were afraid that when these Jews reinstated their sacrifices to God, that this would jump start their favor with God again. People are afraid of your sacrifice. When you start sacrificing to God, God starts working on your behalf. Give (sacrifice) and it shall be given back to you, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will men give back to you. The founder of TOMS gives away 2 million shoes to needy children every year. He started his business by sacrificing one pair of shoes for every pair he sold. He said in his book, Start Something that Matters, "the quest for success is not the same as the quest for status and money. The definition has broadened to include contributing something to the world and living and working on one's own terms."

4. They are mad because you are about to finish. Will they finish in a day? Nothing makes your enemies angrier than to see you are about to finish what they said you couldn't! Finish your project. Finish your education. Finish your job and let the Haters hate! Jesus made the devil mad when he was hanging on the cross and said, "it is finished!"

5. They are mad because you just did the impossible. Can they bring the stones back to life from the heaps of rubble burned as they are? What is impossible with men is possible with God. If you are doing something you can accomplish with your own resources it's not a God sized project. If you really want to make your enemies mad step out on faith and rebuild something that they said couldn't be done but make sure God told you to do it. Nehemiah had a vision from God to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem. He had favor from the King who gave him the resources to rebuild. When you do it for the right reasons God will give you the resources to do the impossible. If it's his will it's his bill!

Dear God,

Thank you for not letting me listen to my haters. I have too much work to do to let them stop me from finishing. You called me to it and because of our sacrifices you'll see us through it. Bless the work of our hands and see the walls rebuilt. Send restoration and favor. Today, help us to focus on the work and not the words of our haters. Let our work speak for us!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Where is Everybody?!

2011-10-04T10:41:00.002-05:00

Luke 17:17

Then Jesus asked, were not {all} Ten cleansed? Where are the nine?

Have you ever noticed that when there is something being given that can help people in need that you don’t have a problem assembling a crowd? But when that time of disbursement is over you can’t seem to convince those same people to come back for service. It can be frustrating when you help people and they don’t have the decency to come back and at least say, “Thank you.” Sometimes when you help your own people you get more gratitude from outsiders than you do those closest to you.

Could it be a sense of entitlement that we feel we don’t have to come back to say ‘thank you’? Entitlement means a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract. A belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges.

As a child of God, we are entitled to daily bread and everything else is overflow that God is not legally bound to. What about tithing? Don’t ya’ll tell us that if we tithe, God will pour us out a blessing?! Yes that’s true but God doesn’t say what the blessing is, but we know it's tied to what we produce and not just to what he gives.

Jesus reminds the disciples in verse ten as servants of God we ought not look for anything for doing what we are supposed to do anyway. So when God blesses us beyond what he was supposed to do, daily bread, we are supposed to be grateful and return to give him thanks every week on Sunday morning where we fall prostrate at the feet of Jesus but the question is…Where is everybody?

Jesus had healed ten lepers living with disease and separated from a whole life. They came to Jesus and begged him for mercy. Jesus told them to go back to the priest and on their way back to tradition they were cleansed. Then one of them, upon seeing that he was cured turned back, recognizing and thanking and praising God with a loud voice. And he fell prostrate at Jesus' feet, thanking him over and over and he was a Samaritan.

This is what we should be doing every Sunday but where is everybody?! Every Sunday we should be turning back from religion and running to a relationship with Jesus. We should:

1. Turn back after we see what Jesus has done for us. Our first step is to experience God in worship every week. Religion is not the same as relationship. You need an organic encounter with Jesus every week when you turn back from your regular routine.

2. Praising God with a Loud Voice. There shouldn’t be anybody louder than you on Sunday after all that God has done for you that he didn’t have to do. Where is everybody?

3. Thank Jesus over and over. When you think about what Jesus has done you can’t stop thanking Jesus for what He’s done! Where is everybody?!

The only one to come back and say thank you to Jesus was a Samaritan. He was not a Jew who worshipped in the temple. Sometimes the people outside the church are more grateful than the people in the church. What about you? Are you coming back every week to give him praise or just showing up when you need something? Where is everybody?

Dear God,

I thank you for what you’ve done because you didn’t have to do it but you did! I only did what I was supposed to do and if I tell the truth about it, I half way did that! But you blessed me anyway (tears) and for this I give you praise (tears)! Thank you for healing me, for forgiving me, for saving me and providing for me over and over and over and over (shout)! I love you Jesus!

Amen

How Much Does God Trust You?

2011-10-03T10:17:00.002-05:00

Luke 16:10

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

As parents, my wife and I, are always testing our sons with little tasks to see if their maturity level is at a place where we can trust them with more. They have chores to complete to see if we can trust them to follow through on assignments. The more they are obedient the more we trust them especially when we are not around. The more we can trust them the more privileges we extend.

I was so proud of my oldest son the other day. He got a new job at the movie theatre not long ago. His boss called and said he needed to come by and pick up a reward. Reward for what? While cleaning the theater, Omari found a man’s wallet on the floor. He took it to the manager and went back to cleaning. The owner was so overjoyed to get his wallet back he rewarded my son for being honest.

How you handle money and other people’s property will determine if God will trust you with your own. If God can’t trust you with a little money how can he trust you with big money? Many of us are on restriction not because God doesn’t want us to have more it may be because of past actions he doesn’t trust us with more.

The question is not how much do you have but what did you do with the little you did have? When you were responsible for other people’s property were you trustworthy or did you steal time or treasure? We must prove ourselves to be trustworthy by being on time, telling the truth, being professional, doing what you say you are going to do. Based upon how you took care of what God gave you to take care of, should he trust you with more?

How can God trust you with more?

1. Don’t steal from God by not tithing. Malachi asked, “Will a man rob God? You have robbed God of tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3. All of us can use the argument that, “I don’t have that much money.” But we can all say that God has given me something. Whatever God gives you he is trusting you to give him a tenth of it so that the church can help those that have nothing.

2. Help other people. In Luke 16 the shrewd steward helped other people get out of debt even as he was losing his job through mismanagement. Jesus commended him for helping people with their debt so that they would help him when he would soon be jobless. Even as we struggle we should still be helping people.

3. Invest in your future. The struggling steward struck a deal with his bosses debtors so that they would help him in the future. Make sure that you put some money aside for your future.

4. Emergency fund. While you are working now make sure you build an emergency fund that covers three months of your salary in case something happens.

5. Pay what you owe. Even if you can’t pay all of it, pay something consistently. The shrewd steward had the people to mark down what they owed his boss but they still paid something. Don’t avoid your bill collectors but pay them something.

Dear God,

Today, I will use very little things you give me in the right way so you can build your trust in me. If it’s in my power to help somebody even as I’m trying to make it myself then let me do it today. Even when nobody is looking help me to live my life so you can trust me. I just want to hear you say well done, you’ve been faithful over a few things, now come home and get your reward.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Why Can't I Hold On To Any Money?

2011-09-29T09:50:00.002-05:00

Who moved my cheese?

Haggai 1:6
You have planted much but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.

Teddy Pendergrass had a song where he sang, ‘The more I get the more I want.” We could add to that song today by saying, “The more I get the less I have.”

The law of diminishing returns states that in all productive processes, adding more of one factor of production, while holding all others constant, will at some point yield lower per-unit returns. For example; the use of fertilizer improves crop production on farms and in gardens; but at some point, adding more and more fertilizer improves the yield less and less, and excessive quantities can even reduce the yield.

Many of our lives are like that field. We’ve poured so much fertilizer on our selves (money) but we have failed to fertilize other fields (giving). As a result we stopped growing with what we were wasting on ourselves. When we spend more on ourselves and fail to bless others we will experience diminishing returns. At some point in life we fail to get anything productive out of what we get because our returns have diminished through greed. We think that somebody has moved our cheese when in fact we are responsible by over consuming and under giving.

In the classic business book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” Itchy and scratch, two mice, have a dilemma. The place they used to find cheese is running out of cheese gradually. Itchy stays put waiting for more cheese to show up in the same place while scratch uses his instincts to find more before the old runs out.

Many of us are like Itchy standing still in the same place doing the same old stuff expecting something new. The reason the cheese has moved is because of the law of diminishing returns. We’ve wasted so much time consuming without being obedient to the Spirits leading and sowing in new places.

If we can be honest we’ve all had seasons where we gave more attention and resources towards our physical house instead of sowing into our spiritual house. Haggai had to confront the people of Israel for building up their houses while God’s house lay in ruins. Bishop Rudolph McKissick said , “Our Mother’s generation believed in taking care of the church this generation just believes in taking from the church.”

When you are trying to find your cheese the solution is simple: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you! What things?

1. Your money! The Message version says, “You have spent a lot of money, but you haven’t much to show for it.” The prophet Haggai had to remind the people that they spent so much money on themselves but neglected God’s house. When we give our tithes and offering to God’s house it’s to help God’s people. Many times you can’t keep anything in your house because you’ve neglected God’s house.

2. Your food! You keep filling your plates, but you never get filled up. In third world countries, people are dying from starvation. Children are walking around with skin and bones. We know they need food but in America a lot of poor people are overweight. How is that?! The problem is not that we are not eating, we are not eating right! When I was growing up poor we shared our food with people who didn’t have it. You will never get full being greedy with your bread.

3. Your Drinking! You keep drinking but you’re always thirsty. I wonder why they call it “happy hour?” maybe because you’re only happy for one hour after you get drunk. When you sober up your problems are still there. Many of us choose to self medicate by getting drunk instead of being filled with the Holy Spirit. David said, “The lord anoints my head with oil and my cup overflows. When God uses us to bless others there is no greater feeling than God’s filling!”

4. Your Clothes! You put on layer after layer of clothes but you can’t get warm. Clothes don’t make the man but the man makes the clothes. We waste too much money buying clothes to cover our outside while we are empty inside.
God says the reason I took away your cheese is:

Haggai 1:9-11

The Message (MSG)

8-9Then God said:

You've had great ambitions for yourselves,

but nothing has come of it.

The little you have brought to my Temple

I've blown away—there was nothing to it.

9-11"And why?" (This is a Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, remember.) "Because while you've run around, caught up with taking care of your own houses, my Home is in ruins. That's why. Because of your stinginess. And so I've given you a dry summer and a skimpy crop. I've matched your tight-fisted stinginess by decreeing a season of drought, drying up fields and hills, withering gardens and orchards, stunting vegetables and fruit. Nothing—not man or woman, not animal or crop—is going to thrive."

Dear God,

Help us to be faithful in our giving even when it seems that our cheese is dwindling. You can do more with our little than we can with a lot. Thank you Lord for giving me my daily bread, now let me share it with those around me.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

How to Catch a Man

2011-09-29T09:41:00.002-05:00

Luke 5:10
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men.”

So many women today are afraid that they will never be able to catch a man who is suitable for marriage. When you see a man or woman find a good match for a spouse, you will often hear them respond that he or she is a “good catch.” When people break up and lose someone significant friends will try to console them by saying, “There are plenty more fish in the sea.”

With the ratio of men to women being more men than women in the United States you would think that women would be more optimistic, huh? Yes, according to the US Census Bureau the global population totals 6,830,586,95. There are 3,440,026,130 men and 3,390,560,846 women. The sex ratio is 101.5. There are 49,465,293 more men than there are women. Then what’s the problem with women being afraid that they will not find a husband?

Maybe the question is, “Why are there so many single African American women that are afraid of remaining single?” Between the ages of 20 and 29, one black man in nine is behind bars. Michelle Alexander says that the prison system is the new Jim Crow. In her book she says that the “war on drugs” during the Reagan years put a disproportionate amount of black men behind bars through unjust laws targeting black men. Removing so many men from the marrying market has profound consequences. As incarceration rates exploded between 1970 and 2005, the proportion of U S born black women aged 30-44 who were married plunged from 62% to 33%. Because most seek husbands of the same race-96% of married black women are married to black men they are ultimately fishing in the same pool.

One woman wrote, “I thought I was a good catch,” sighs an attractive black female doctor at a hospital in Washington, D.C. Black men with good jobs know they are a “hot commodity,” she observes. When there are six women chasing one man, “It’s like what are you going to do extra to get his attention?”

The disciples had been fishing all night and hadn’t caught anything. They had given up and washed their nets.

1. Sometimes your breakthrough comes when you wash your nets. Sometimes when you stop looking is when you find something. We can expend all our natural energy fishing all night but it might be in the daytime when you are empty that God shows up.

2. Jesus got in the empty boat with Peter to teach. When your boat is empty of relationships, it’s a good time to listen to Jesus teach. It’s through personal spiritual development that God prepares you for a good catch.

3. Put out into deep water and let down your nets. Putting out might get you into deep water. Giving up your body prematurely in a relationship may get you in deep water that you can’t recover. Jesus told Peter to put his boat out into deep water and let down his net. Going out deeper symbolizes moving out of your cultural comfort zone in meeting people you would not have met staying in shallow waters of a myopic cultural outlook. Instead of fishing in the same small pond you might go deep sea fishing.

4. Be obedient to what Jesus tells you even though it defies your limited cultural understanding of how to fish. The disciples were professional fishermen. They knew how to fish! Jesus tells them to go fishing at an odd time and in an odd place. Can you let go of your paradigm for fishing to embrace what Jesus tells you to do? You might catch more than you ever could have using traditional modes of fishing. I’m just saying.

5. There are more fish not only for you but for your friends who can help you get out of your comfort zone. There is nothing wrong with loving your race but do not exclude the human race in your selection process.

Dear God,

Bless the single sisters who are praying for a good catch. Help them to be obedient in their approach to selecting a mate. Open the eyes of the right man so he can see that she is a good catch. Help us all to put out deeper and cast wide our nets. Teach us how to catch men.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Keep It Moving!

2011-09-21T09:36:00.001-05:00

Luke 4:42

At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving.

People realize that you have a lot to do, they just want to make sure you do what they want you to do.—Scott Wilson

If you are not careful you can get tied up in other people’s agenda for your life. God has equipped you and gifted you to be a blessing to others but he has a schedule and plan for your life that is separate from what people want from you. You have to always make sure that you are working at your pace and not march to the cadence of other people’s expectations.

When you have fulfilled your time and obligation to a place and a people you have to learn how to keep it moving. It’s not that you are being rude or stuck up but it’s that you are being purposeful.

Jesus had helped a great many people in Capernaum and they tried to keep him there longer for their own personal miracle worker. Jesus withdrew to a solitary place to get his mind right. When you are always surrounded by people and activity you can lose contact with God’s purpose. People can pump you up into believing that your place of productivity is permanent. Just because you were productive in a place doesn’t make it permanent you have to keep it moving!

Jesus said, “I must preach the good news in other towns also this is why I was sent.” You’ve got to keep it moving because…

1. There are other towns to see. It’s good to be productive in one place but in order to fulfill all that God has for you there are other towns that God wants you to take your gift. There are other people, who are going to be blessed by your gift, don’t limit yourself to one location. Now on the flip side you have to be faithful where you are until God tells you to leave.

2. This is why you’ve been sent. When you know your purpose you can’t be put in a box by other people’s expectation. Be clear about who you are and what God has called you to do. When you know why you’ve been sent, you will know where to go and when to go. Keep it moving!

Dear God,

Help me to be true to my purpose without being side tracked. I’ve got more towns to preach to, more towns to do ministry in, more towns to start business in, and I know what my purpose is. I will not be held hostage by other people’s agendas or expectations. Today, help me to know when it’s time to keep it moving and when it’s time to stay so I can be more productive before my release date. I’ve got to keep it moving.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Take This to Heart

2011-09-19T17:48:00.002-05:00

Luke 2:19

Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart.

There are rare moments in life when God reveals his Glory in our lives. His Glory is the weight of his presence. Sometimes the people who experience his Glory are the ones who share it with those of us who are waiting on it. You can be carrying something and not even see his Glory because what you are carrying is so close to you that you can’t see God in it. When people confirm God’s gift in you treasure what they share because you will need it later.

Mary carried the greatest gift ever…Jesus. There were seasons where Mary saw the Glory of God and seasons where she was just Mary. How do you go from being, “Highly favored” to just plain old Mary? How do you go from being praised by a group of strangers to being persecuted by family and friends? How do you go from being serenaded by angels to being homeless in route to Egypt? You have to treasure the Glory moments to make it through your human moments.

Life is filled with Glory moments when you are high on life, God is showing you favor, people are speaking and confirming God’s hand on you. Then there are seasons where nobody is saying anything. You are struggling financially. People are hyper-critical of your life. You are wondering if God is still with you. That’s where you have to go to your treasure box and pull out what you put away. Where your treasure is, is where your heart is.

When the shepherds and Jesus spoke to Mary in verse 19 and 51 she kept these things within herself, weighing and pondering. God will send people to speak in your life and instead of dismissing it with false humility or emotional discontent we should receive it and put it in our hearts to weigh and ponder for later.

Weight it. Does it equal what God already told you? Do you feel the validity based upon your own experience with who God is? Do you feel the weight of God’s presence in what they are sharing? If you do hold onto it, you’ll need it later. Mary would need it when she was going through difficult seasons.

■ When she had to flee to Egypt with her newborn son.
■ When she couldn’t find Jesus in the caravan and had to go find him in the temple
■ When Jesus started his ministry and drifted away from the family. She thought he had lost his mind.
■ When he was arrested on trumped up charges.
■ When they tortured him all night.
■ When they nailed him to the cross.

When he was crucified a ‘sword’ pierced her heart but the treasure came out. She was reminded of what everybody had spoken earlier. It didn’t make the suffering go away but it helped her to make it through to the resurrection.

Remember what God spoke to you through others in your hard seasons and keep them in your heart, you will need them later.

Dear God,

Thank you for speaking to my heart. Thank you for the gifts you’ve given me to carry. I will reflect on the words you have spoken over me through others and allow those words to get me through difficult seasons. Your word will not come back void; it will accomplish what it was sent out to do.

In Jesus name,

Amen

An Open Book

2011-09-15T10:38:00.002-05:00

Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Our lives should be an open book. There is no greater feeling than to live without something hanging over your head or something you fear might be exposed. When businesses are audited, the auditors go through the books to make sure there are no indiscretions and the work or business they said they were doing is indeed what they did. Sometimes what we say we do, doesn’t match what we say we did. We live in a time where people have an attitude that says, “It’s my business as to how I live my life and only God can judge me!” They are partly right. If you choose to live without accountability that’s your business and God will judge you. Now is that the smartest way to live your life? No. If I can avoid being judged and my life condemns me for something that could have been avoided I will choose to live my life as an open book.

John had seen a vision on the Isle of Patmos of Heaven and he saw the dead, great and small standing in front of God’s throne and each one had books that were opened. We will be judged for what’s written in each one of our individual books. Every day you are adding to your book or your story. Many of you are authors without even knowing it. Everything we do is written in our book, good and bad. God is the recorder of your life. When we write our autobiographies we tell what we want people to hear, when God writes he records everything uncut. What’s in your book?

When I write books I think that I’m finished but there is one more step I need. I need an editor. The editor’s job is to catch my mistakes and errors. The editor’s job is to say something better than I could have expressed. The Editor is not going to allow me to publish something that doesn’t really represent who I am. The Holy Spirit and Jesus work together in your life to edit out what goes into your final revision. Some of the stuff you did won't show up in the final book because the Holy Spirit brought it up to you and you were so convicted by the mistake that you asked Jesus to forgive you and make you over. As a result of Jesus being in your life he took out what could have made it into the final draft by dying for your sins on the cross.

The final book is the book of life. The only way you can get into heaven is that your name is written in the book of life. When you have a relationship with Jesus your mistakes are edited out and you are presented Holy and acceptable before God.

Is your life an open book?

1. Do you live with transparency? Can you take an innocent child with you everywhere you go? If not could you take Jesus with you? Why or why not?

2. Do you have a clear conscience? Are you doing anything that could embarrass you or hurt your reputation?

3. Have you done more good than you have bad? Do you have enough “good works” to make a book? Only what you do for Christ will last and faith without works is dead.

Dear God,

Help me to live my life in a way that everybody can see that I live for you. Please forgive me for my sins and don’t let them show up in the Book of Life but please write my name in the book. I just want to hear you say, “Well done good and faithful servant you’ve been faithful over a few things, now come on up and I will make you ruler over many.”

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Turn Around Now!

2011-09-13T10:29:00.002-05:00

Ezekiel 33:11

As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die?

If you saw somebody you loved heading towards a condemned bridge and you knew the bridge was out would you let them continue to drive in that direction? Many times when we see people headed in the wrong direction or doing something detrimental but we don’t speak truth in love, it’s like allowing somebody to drive past you knowing full well that the bridge is out. We should scream, “Turn around now!”

We are all waiting on a turn around with the economy. President Obama pleaded with Congress the other night to “pass the jobs bill right away!” 13 million people need jobs right now! We are waiting on a Turn Around with our relationships. We need our marriages to get healed right now! We are waiting for a Turn Around with our personal finances, we need money right now! But could it be that God is waiting on us to Turn Around to him right now?

God doesn’t want any of us to perish or go without. He’s giving us time to get it together but he also expects those of us in the church to give a word of warning to the people we care about that it’s time for a Turn Around.

God prescribes how we are to Turn Around in Ezekiel 33:15:

1. Give back what you owe. The bible is very clear that we should owe no man anything. This is a hard one for everyone going through financial difficulties. People are filing bankruptcy, unemployed and facing foreclosure. This is not to make poor people feel worse. This command is for those who have the power to pay something back and choose not to. If you have the income to pay your bills, do so and give God the praise. If you don’t have the money pray that God gives you a way to do so.

2. Return what you stole. When Zacchueas met Jesus he told Jesus If I have stolen anything from anybody I will pay back four times the amount. He was so overjoyed to have met Jesus he was willing to pay back double what he had stolen. When you meet Jesus you can’t keep stealing and you have to give back what you stole.

3. Follow God’s decrees for Holy living. Jesus said, “if you love me then keep my commandments.”

4. Stop doing evil. Right is right and wrong is wrong. There is no right way to do the wrong thing. If you are doing something that God is not pleased with you have to stop doing it in order to experience your turn around.

When you turn from your wicked ways God will hear from heaven and heal your situation. Why should we die before our time when we don’t have to? Turn Around Right Now!

Dear God,

Thank you for letting me know that the bridge is out. Give me the courage to let others know that the bridge is out and to Turn Around Now! Thank you Jesus for being a bridge over troubled waters and a way out of no way.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

I'm Back!

2011-09-12T10:47:00.002-05:00

Daniel 4:36
At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisors and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.

It’s good to see Michael Vick back where he’s supposed to be. For a while it looked like his legacy was over. He had a brilliant career that skyrocketed with the Atlanta Falcons, great salary, commercials, endorsements, but it all came to a screeching halt when Michael was convicted for dog fighting and animal cruelty. It wasn’t just the dog fighting that got him in trouble but it was the “ego drift” that got him caught up with the wrong things and the wrong people. After coming out of Prison and losing everything. He got his job back with Philadelphia, his contract with Nike, but more than that he’s doing better than he was before.

We all can get in a place of “Ego Drift” where we think we are above the law and we are our own god. Where we have a big Ego we can Edge God Out of our lives and lose our minds.

God sent Daniel to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s nightmare. God will always send warning before destruction. Daniel told the King in verse 27: “Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”

Instead of listening the King started bragging: verse 30 “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

God drove him away from the people and made him lose his mind. His hair grew so long it looked like eagle feathers and his nails like claws. He lived out in the wilderness eating grass like a cow and drenched by the rain.

We are all in danger of going through seasons where we can lose our minds. Because we think we should get all the glory for our story. When we forget to give God the credit and the Glory we begin an “ego drift.”

When we start an Ego drift we tend to:

1. Brag on ourselves. The bible tells us to “let another man boast about us.” You shouldn’t have to toot your own horn.

2. Become condescending. We talk bad to people and think more highly of ourselves than we should.

3. Become Stingy and Greedy.

4. Don’t acknowledge God.

Sometimes God has to break us all the way down to build us back up better than we were before. In order to get back to where you were before your breakdown you have to do what it says in verse 34:

1. Raise your eyes toward heaven. This is a posture of prayer.

2. Praise the Most High. God inhabits the praises of his people.

3. Honor and Glorify God.

When you do that God will give you back what you lost, look in verse 36:

1. Your sanity will be restored.

2. Honor and splendor will return.

3. Important People will seek you out.

4. You will be restored to position and prosperity.

5. You become even greater than before.

Dear God,

Thank you for building me back up after my breakdown. I lost my mind for a season but now I’m back better than I was before. Everything that happened to me that was good, God you did it. Thank you for restoration.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Favor in an Unfavorable Place

2011-09-08T10:17:00.002-05:00

Jeremiah 42:6

Whether it is favorable or unfavorable; we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God.

One of the hardest things to do is to stay someplace where the conditions are no longer favorable. For some, it may be a community that seems to have taken a turn for the worst and God is calling us to that community to stabilize it through gentrification. For others it may be a marriage that is rocky but God is calling you to stay in it because there’s still a chance for reconciliation. Maybe it’s a job that is not an ideal job but it pays the bills. Can you stay put in an unfavorable place and depend on God’s favor to get you through?

The Israelites were nothing but a remnant of a people left after the Babylonian exile. They went back to a destroyed city and wanted to know from God what they should do. So they sent Jeremiah the prophet to inquire of the Lord for them under false pretenses. On the surface it looked like they really wanted to know God’s will but underneath they already had their minds made up to go settle in Egypt. They were hoping that they could get the Prophet to cosign on their vision for convenience. They even dressed up their request by saying they would do whatever God said do, whether it was favorable or unfavorable.

Jeremiah told them to stay in an unfavorable place. Verse ten, “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 afflicted on you.”

Instead of listening to Jeremiah they called him a liar and went back to Egypt anyway. As a result of them settling for and in Egypt, more of them died because they refused to stay in an unfavorable place in spite of God’s promised favor.

Why do we settle for Egypt over where God asks us to stay?

1. Where you are takes work, Egypt is already established. The Israelites would have to rebuild their desolate cities, Egypt already had furnished homes. It’s so much easier to go somewhere that appears to already be ready to move in but the question is, “Does God want you to be there?” I’d rather have to work on something that needs building then to go against God’s will and occupy something I was never supposed to settle for.

2. You are glamorizing the past but forgetting you were a slave there. The Israelites used to be slaves in Egypt but were trying to go back as citizens. We should never try to settle for a place that used to have us in bondage.

3. You forget that the idols you worshipped got you in this mess. What’s the use to going back to the things that couldn’t deliver you in the first place?

4. You associate past behavior with past success but overlook present misery. When some people find themselves in unfavorable places they start reminiscing about the ‘good ole days’ when they had money or were happier. The only problem is they remove the connection that their association with that behavior led them to their present consequence. Ex; you might have sold drugs a decade ago and now you are struggling financially. What you don’t see is that God spared your life and now you are struggling, but the struggle is part of your process toward redemption.
You can’t go forward going backwards, no matter how unfavorable our conditions appear. We will go through seasons where the enemy has temporary authority over us because of our disobedience but if we turn back to God and endure hardships as a good soldier and do the work he asks us to do we will find favor in unfavorable conditions.

Dear God

Thank you for giving us favor in unfavorable places. Give us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Who Are You Leaning On?

2011-09-06T18:27:00.002-05:00

Ezekiel 29:7
When they grasped you with their hands, you splintered and you tore open their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke and their backs were wrenched.

Lean on me when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend and help you carry on.—Lean on Me, Club Nouveau

"Lean on Me" was a popular song in the 80’s revised by Club Nouveau. It was a humanitarian anthem that seemed to resonate with young people because we all needed somebody that we could lean and depend on.

With youth comes the inability to always accurately discern who we can in fact lean on. Everybody is not strong enough for you to use as support. If you lean on the wrong person they could hurt you worse than you were before you depended on them.

Egypt had always been a place of refuge for the Israelites in the time of trouble. Joseph bought his family there when there was a famine in the land. Different Kings of Israel called on Egypt in times of trouble to help fight against foreign armies. Even Jesus went to Egypt with his mother and father to hide out as a baby when Herod was trying to kill all the male babies. This fulfilled the scripture, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Somewhere between the time of exile and Jesus’ birth Egypt became arrogant and forgot about God. They had always defied themselves. Pharaoh thought that he was God himself. At some point God grew tired of their delusions of grandeur and allowed them to experience exile themselves.

You have to be careful of who you lean on:

1. You can’t make allies with people who don’t acknowledge that God is sovereign. God will not share his Glory with another.

2. You can’t lean on people who are arrogant. Pride comes before the fall. Arrogant people eventually come crashing and if you are leaning on them, you will come down with them.

3. You can’t lean on people who are little gods. When we make gods of people it robs us of our fellowship with God.

Why Can’t I Lean on them?

1. They will splinter your hand. They will put thorns in your fellowship. God compared Egypt to a splintered reed that Israel had been leaning on. They used it for support but ended up with splinters. When we lean on the wrong people they hurt our fellowship.

2. They will tear open your shoulder. You will no longer be able to bear your responsibility. When you depend on the wrong people you will forget how to do things for yourself and will over compensate on that relationship.

3. They will cause you to become stiff and immobile. Bad relationships freeze your forward mobility.

When you have the right people in your life and you can lean on them they provide:

1. Good fellowship. You feel better about God and yourself when you lean on the right people.

2. Accountability. They will be there for you to lean but they are not there to lift. They are there to assist not takeover.

3. Help you to keep moving forward. A good friend will encourage you to keep going forward not get stuck where you are. Some people only want to be your friend to keep you in misery with them. A real friend pushes you forward even if you are ahead of them.

Dear God,

Send the right people in my life in the right season. If I have splintered relationships keep my hand from picking them back up. Strengthen my shoulders so I can carry my own weight. Heal my back so that I can keep it moving. Most of all help me to lean and depend on Jesus. I’m leaning, leaning on the ever lasting arm.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

The Sin of Congress

2011-09-01T10:34:00.002-05:00

Ezekiel 16:49

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

For the first time in history the President of the United States has been refused permission to speak before the House of Representatives. It’s not surprising considering also that no House of Representatives has threatened to let the United States go into default if its demands were not met. The economy is in a bad state and the President should be allowed the opportunity to address lawmakers before the State of the Union given the suffering so many Americans are feeling. We need jobs!

Rep. John Boehner needs to repent of his sin for misrepresenting the American people. Hard working people. Unemployed people. Poor people. People are waiting with baited breath for good news about jobs in America and Congress wants to play games with the President. Prolonging the misery of the poor through political play is a sin.

It’s time for us to hold the people we elected accountable because too many people are hurting.

Like the daughters of Sodom, our leaders have become disconnected from the people they serve because:

1. They're arrogant. How can you refuse the President of the United States the right to speak about jobs when that is the number one priority in the nation?! The first time in History; really?! Pride comes before the fall. The United States is in danger of destroying itself through arrogance.

2. They are overfed. Maybe the reason they can take their time in helping poor people find jobs is because they are overfed. I can guarantee that nobody in Congress missed a meal last night. Nobody in Congress ran out of gas going to work. Nobody in Congress got foreclosed on. While poor people go hungry from not working Congress is overfed. Maybe they should work for free and give their salary to the unemployed.

3. They are unconcerned. How can you say you are concerned about the American people when you almost let the country go into default and hold the country hostage while you get your demands met? We need jobs and Congress refuses the President the right to speak on Jobs!

We need leaders who are concerned about the poor and needy. As Christians, if we repeat the sins of Sodom or Congress we are no better than they are. If we have it in our power to help the poor and needy but don’t do it, our religion is worthless. God’s greatest command is to Love God and Love people. It’s time for the people of God to take action. Jesus said, “When you do to the least of these you also do to me.” How we treat the poor and needy shows how much we love Jesus. To care about the poor and needy we must do the opposite of Congress we must:

1. Stay humble. God promotes the humble but demotes the arrogant. Make sure you have an approachable spirit so that people can come to you for help if they need it.

2. Share your food. If you have something that could help somebody and you can afford to do without it make sure you share it.

3. Help somebody. James 2: 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead[1]

1. It's time for congress to stop playing games with our jobs! http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/o2012-Time-To-Act-signon?source=20110831_bo_nd&utm_medium=email&utm_source=obama&utm_campaign=20110831_bo_nd&keycode=%25%25CUSTOM_DATASET%5Bslug%3Dfile_dataset%2Ckey%3Dfile_hash%5D%

Dear God,

We need jobs. We also need leaders who really care about the poor and needy. Your people are crying out for help. Please send us the jobs, the food, the shelter and the help we need. Please don’t let the righteous be forsaken nor their children be in the streets begging for bread. Lord we need you right away. Please unite our President and leaders in Washington so that they can work on behalf of the poor and needy.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jas 2:14-17

No More Delay

2011-08-31T09:11:00.002-05:00

Ezekiel 12:28

Therefore say to them, ”This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Many times there is no urgency in what we do because there are no consequences for our delay. We wait for deadlines before we do anything because we know we have some more time to procrastinate. In times past, we had the luxury of Grace that gave us time to get ourselves together. Paul said, “a thousand years are like one day for the Lord.” God has been giving us time to get it together. He wishes that none would perish but that all would be saved. He’s given us time to get it together but now there is no more delay. We are entering a season where God’s judgment comes without delay. God’s word will do what it says it’s going to do when it is spoken.

We live in a generation of young people whose favorite mantra is, “Only God can judge me!” That is true and his judgment is coming swiftly. God told Ezekiel, “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.” As a result, God told Ezekiel I will no longer delay with my judgment. God is a loving God but he also means what he says.

God says there is no more delay when it comes to:

1. Idolatry. Idolatry is when we put something in God’s place whether it be money, our job, our lovers or ourselves. God will not share his glory with another. We have to make sure we get rid of our idols before we experience God’s wrath. Ezekiel 14:6

2. Disobedience. We can’t be hearers of God’s word but we also have to put it into action. Ezekiel 12:2

3. Lying prophets. We just can’t tell people what they want to hear. WE have to speak truth in Love. God is tired of us preaching a popcorn gospel that doesn’t challenge people to Holiness or social justice. We must speak only what God gives us to speak. Ezekiel 12:24

Dear God,

We have been disobedient long enough. It’s time for us to live the life you want us to live. You gave us Jesus as a sacrifice so we would not be condemned to death. You gave us time to catch up with the gift of salvation. The deadline of our judgment is fast approaching and we want to get there before our time is up. Today, help us to walk in obedience so that we can get an extension of Grace. Thank you for giving us time to get it together. There is no more delay.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

It's Time to Change Up!

2011-08-30T11:04:00.002-05:00

2 Cor. 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Ezekiel 10:14 Each cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

Rev. 4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.

God is always changing things up. He told the prophet, “Behold I do anew thing in you, do you not perceive it?” God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow but yet he is constantly changing us. It does not yet appear what we shall be but we shall all be changed in the twinkling of an eye. When we are born again we become a “new Creation” old things have passed and all things become new. God shifts us to handle new assignments in new places. Whatever shape your life takes depends on the assignment that God has for you.

In both the Old and New Testaments, there is a vision of four living creatures around the throne of God. Their descriptions are the same in both accounts accept for one change; the cherub is now an ox. The living creature in Ezekiel had an angelic face or a cherub’s face. In Revelation, he was replaced with an Ox. Angels are messengers. An ox is a strong worker. We shift from an announcement of Judgment in Ezekiel to a preparation for Judgment in Revelation. This may be your season for God to shift you into a new creation. Where you were before required you to be angelic now you are in a season where you have to pull which requires you to be an ox. It’s time to change things up.

1. Lion. The lion is the king of the Jungle. He is at the top of the food chain. Jesus was often called the “Lion of Judah or the "conquering Lion.” There are times in our lives when we need a Lion spirit to go out and conquer territory where the enemy is like a roaring lion. This is the season where you have to be brave to protect your land from the enemy.

2. Ox. The ox is strong and steady. This may be the season where you are not running but you are pulling your weight. Your life is not moving fast but it’s steady.

3. Man. Never lose your humanity. As strong as you are, as brave as you are, you are only human. It’s not by power nor by might but by God’s spirit. To be human is to have compassion on other humans.

4. A flying Eagle. Eagles fly above storms. This is the season where you use your storm to give you altitude. With all of the storms we have been experiencing it may be time to shift to eagle mode and fly above the storms to get to where God would have us be.

Dear God,

Whatever season you have me in change me into a new creature and do new things in me so that I can fly high above my circumstances, pull my weight, hold on to my humanity and handle all of my enemies. Thank you for making me into a new creation. I’m ready for something new.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Wake Up!

2011-08-29T09:26:00.002-05:00

Revelation 3:2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.

I hope I wake up before they start my wake up! –Lecrae, Rehab

Bill Hybels, Sr. Pastor of Willow Creek recently spoke about the Life Cycle of Ministry at his Leadership summit. He said that Life cycle consists of accelerating, Booming, Decelerating, Tanking, and death. He said, “Nothing Rocks forever.” A life cycle is not meant to depress u but to awaken us to the fact that we have to inspect what we expect.

When we first start a ministry, business, or relationship we begin at the Acceleration stage. We start picking up steam. It’s new and word is getting out about the new initiative. People are getting on board slowly but surely.

Booming is where you’ve hit your stride. You’ve reached maximum capacity, you’ve hit your stride. This is where the organization is reaching your intended target.

Deceleration is when things start slowing down. Numbers fall off. Momentum begins to slow. You’ve become stuck in a routine.

Tanking is when it starts going down real fast. You’re pouring resources on something that is no longer working.

Then there is death.

In order to avoid death in your ministry, business or relationship you must come up with fresh ideas during the deceleration stage. Stop nursing dead stuff and put your resources to new and invigorating ideas which will cause you to keep booming.

In order to ensure that you keep growing in your life cycle you need to:

1. Wake up! Take a sober look at where you are and ask yourself are you accelerating, booming, decelerating or tanking. Name the problem and add a solution.

2. Strengthen that which remains. Even if you are decelerating, you still have something left. You can’t get stuck on what you lost but you have to strengthen what you have left. Your new start comes from strengthening that which remains.

3. Finish what you started. It’s not time to die but you have to add some fresh ideas because God is not through with you. As Marty Neumeier says, “you have to Zig while others are Zagging.” In order for your ministry, business or relationship to thrive you have to do something new to once again accelerate and boom.

Dear God,

Give us fresh wind, fresh fire and fresh ideas so we can boom again. Breathe new life in my ministry, my business, and my relationships. There is more you want from me. It’s not time to die. Renew the right sprit and restore the Joy of my salvation.

In Jesus name,
Amen

He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother!

2011-08-25T11:29:00.002-05:00

Jeremiah 38:10

Then the King commanded Ebed-Melech the Cushite, “take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”

There is a painting by an African-American artist I saw when I was younger, depicting a man reaching over a wall to help another man over to freedom. The caption under it read, “He’s not heavy, he’s my brother.” This painting was inspired by a song written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell in 1969. The first verse in the song said:

The road is long with many a winding turn that leads us to who knows were, who knows when but I’m strong enough to carry him. He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.

In these uncertain times there are a lot of brothers and sisters down who not only need a hand out but more importantly need a hand up. Especially from those of us who are in a position to help someone out. We should help lift them up because in helping them we really help ourselves.

Jeremiah, the prophet, was thrown in a well and left to die for telling the truth to the king that they should surrender to the Babylonians. Speaking truth to power can be dangerous but not speaking Dos’ truth can be deadly. Jeremiah said, “when I said wasn’t going to speak in his name anymore, his word was like fire shut up in my bones.”

They threw Jeremiah in a well with no water in it, just mud. He sank into it and was left to starve to death. How many people are sinking into a depression because they’ve been let go, laid off, or put in prison? So many brothers/sisters are starving in dark places with no hope for tomorrow. They’re not heavy they just need a job. They’re not heavy they just need another chance. They need a lift.

Ebed-Melech the Cushite heard about Jeremiah’s plight and went to the King on his behalf. He was a minority. He was an official in the Royal palace. He used his position at the top to help a brother who was at the bottom of a well. Jeremiah had a good name and integrity even though he was at the bottom. No matter how hard times may get there is one thing that people can’t take away from you and that is your good name. Guard it with everything that you have. Ebed-Melech didn’t mind risking his position or helping him because he knew Jeremiah had a good name and he wasn’t heavy!

Lifting people out of a mess is not heavy work when they are worth the lift. Jeremiah was in a mess but he wasn’t a messy person. He wasn’t heavy. His punishment didn’t fit the crime. His only crime was telling the truth. There are some people you can’t lift because they start pulling you down.

When you find someone of integrity who needs your help to lift them out, here’s what you should do:

1. Use your position and influence to talk to important people to get them out. Ebed-Melech went to the King.

2. Use a network of people to help you. Ebed used 30 men from the palace to help him lift Jeremiah out of the well. Who are the people in your network that can help you lift them out?

3. Use whatever resources you can find even if they are not financial. Ebed-Melech used old rags which were below the treasury. He didn’t use money but rags. I guess Jeremiah went from rags to riches through the help of Ebed-Melech.

4. Make sure the person you are lifting is working with you, not against you. Ebed told Jeremiah to tie the ropes around him. Jeremiah had to participate.

5. Don’t hurt them while you are lifting them. He told Jeremiah to pad the ropes with the old rags so the rope wouldn’t burn. We have to be tactful while we are trying to help pull people up. Don’t tell everybody their business or rub in their faces what you are doing for them.

6. Place the lifted person somewhere safe and where they can succeed. Jeremiah was placed in the courtyard of the guard and brought daily bread until the siege was over.

7. Watch God elevate you after you lift them. Ebed-Melech the Cushite was the only person from the royal palace that was saved when the Babylonians finally broke through. God told Jeremiah to tell Ebed, “I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 39:16-18. When you help others God will help you!

Dear God,

Show me how to lift up my brothers and sisters who are not heavy. Give me discernment on who to lift and whose pulling me down. Give me the resources to help those who are not heavy. Thank you that one day when I was stuck in despair, that your love lifted me. When nothing else could help Jesus your love lifted me. Thank you for lifting me out of my mess.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

It's Time For Intervention

2011-08-24T09:39:00.002-05:00

I John 5:16
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.

We’ve all had loved ones in our lives who’ve gotten into trouble before. We watch them as their lives become unmanageable. Particularly in the area of addiction to things like drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping, hoarding, etc. There are times when family members have to do what’s called “intervention.” It’s when the family brings the addict/offender into a room without knowing why they are there and everyone begins to tell them why they can’t live like this anymore. They tell the addict/offender how their behavior is affecting the family in a negative way. They challenge them to go to Rehab. Sometimes, this is the only time that the addict/offender is able to really look at themselves because their loved ones have intervened all at once. They do it out of love because they don’t want to see them die or ruin their lives.

At some point we all need intervention, whether we will admit it or not. Somebody intervened for you. When your life was teetering out of control somebody prayed for you. You probably avoided becoming an addict because somebody intervened early in your life. Prayer is a form of intervention through intercession.

I John 5:16 says, “If you see a brother or sister sinning and they have not already died from it you should intervene or intercede through prayer first.” All sin leads ultimately to death but there are some sins that take us out immediately. It’s only by grace some of us are still here. Then some of us are here because prayer warriors have been interceding, giving us more time to get it together and go through spiritual rehab.

There is a sin that leads to death. Sometimes, when we refuse to stop sinning God has to take us home early to protect our salvation. Then there are sins that have immediate consequences of death like robbing someone and getting shot. When we see someone sinning and they are still alive we need to intervene and pray for God to save them. When we intercede for someone God will intervene. After you intercede through prayer you should follow up with intervention.

Matthew 18:15 is a good model for intervention that can save somebody’s life:

If your brother/sister sins against you, go to them and show them their faults. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If they listen to you, you have your brother/sister back. But if they will not listen to you, take one or two persons with you so that every accusation may be upheld by the testimony of two or more witnesses as the scripture says. And if he/she will not listen to them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally if he/she will not listen to the church, confront him/her with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love. Matthew 18:15-17 MSG

Dear God,

We all need intervention. Thank you for giving us time to get ourselves together. I should’ve been dead but you spared my life. Thank you for Jesus intervening on Calvary’s cross so I wouldn’t have to die but have eternal life.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Is There Anything Too Hard For God?

2011-08-23T10:27:00.002-05:00

Jeremiah 32:27
I am the Lord, the god of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

We are facing some difficult days and times right now. It seems like we’re in perpetual limbo with our finances. Some of us are so distraught because we feel like there is no way out but there is one thing that separates us from everybody else, our faith in God!

Jeremiah was in prison for prophesying the truth about Jerusalem’s destruction. He warned the people that they would be taken captive by Babylon because of their disobedience to God. It was equivalent to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. being thrown in a Birmingham jail because he spoke truth to Power and he wrote one of his greatest messages on a roll of toilet paper, “we can’t afford to wait.” This was the fate of Jeremiah, but just because you don’t want to hear the truth doesn’t mean the truth will not be heard or come to pass.

Jeremiah is in prison and God sends his cousin to ask him to buy some land. God tells him to buy the land in prison! God is going to restore his people in years to come and Jeremiah is to put the deed of trust in a clay jar and bury it until God’s promise is fulfilled. Jeremiah is obedient but with his checkbook in his hand, in prison, under siege, he is honest with God and asks God, “You want me to buy some land with the way conditions are right now?!” God answers him with a rhetorical question: “Is there anything too hard for me?” God tells Jeremiah that when his people turn back to him he will turn things around! He says I will:

1. Bring back the people and allow them to live in safety. Verse 37. With all that is going on God’s promise to us is that when we turn our faces back to him he will bring us back to the land we were kicked out of.

2. Give us singleness of heart and action. Verse 39. God will give us focus again and bring all the people on the same page. There has been so much division lately from the White House to your house. God will bring us back together as a nation.

3. He will never stop doing good for us. Verse 40. God told Jeremiah that those who survived the sword would find favor in the desert.

4. He will plant us in new places. Verse 41.

5. He will once again give us prosperity. Verse 42. Prosperity is more than money. It’s life and life more abundantly. In the past we thought prosperity was only material things to be spent on ourselves. In the future we will not waste our prosperity but use it to be a blessing to others.

6. The housing market will pick back up. Verse 43. When we get back right with God, our homes will have value and we will restore our neighborhoods for good.

7. He will restore our fortunes. Verse 44.

Dear God,

I believe that when we turn around things will turn around. God we will show you our face and not our backs. We repent of our sins and follow you in obedience. Thank you for hearing our prayers.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

I Can't Keep Doing This!

2011-08-22T09:24:00.002-05:00

I John 3:9

No one who is born of God will continue to sin because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

When you are born again, God places a deposit inside of you. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit. God then begins his redemptive work that was set in motion by Jesus dying for us on the cross. Old things have passed away and behold all things should be new. We must work out our soul’s salvation every day. That’s why Jesus taught us to pray daily, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Even when we are saved and give our lives to serve Jesus we are still prone to drift. What keeps us is God’s seed and his inner voice.

If you truly belong to God and you have been born again there is the seed of God’s Spirit and his word inside of you and it will not leave you alone. The old folk’s use to sing, “What is this that makes me feel so good inside, what is this that makes me want to love my enemies, what is this that makes me want to do right when I want to do wrong, whatever it is I don’t want it to leave me alone.”

John says, ‘You can’t go on sinning if God’s seed is in you.’ God’s seed is the Holy Spirit which nurtures the word of God when we hear it. When John says, “We can’t go on sinning if we belong to God”, he doesn’t mean that you won’t make mistakes after you get saved. The Writer of Romans tells us that ‘all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.’ What it means is that when we find ourselves off course the Holy Spirit will help us to “Recalculate”.

Whenever I drive out of town, I like using my GPS. If I make a wrong turn the ‘Voice’ of the GPS says, "Recalculating”. The Voice is trying to get me back in the right direction but I have to choose to listen to the Voice. It’s not that God doesn’t speak to us, it’s that we don’t listen. If you belong to God you can’t keep ignoring his Voice. What is it that God is trying to get you out of that you keep ignoring his Voice? You have to get out before you miss your exit.

Dear God,

Help us to hear you loud and clear today. We can’t keep doing this! You’ve been too good to us to jeopardize our lives by heading in the wrong direction. Today, I’m going to recalculate my life’s plan to make sure that I’m following your voice.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Behind Closed Doors

2011-08-18T10:41:00.002-05:00

John 20:19

On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Recently, we lost a great man of God, a colleague in ministry. Zachary Timms was just 42 years young, pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in the Orlando, Florida area. He died in a Manhattan hotel room of a heart attack behind locked doors. The hotel security had to break through the door to discover his body. After blessing so many people with his life and ministry he died alone searching for peace. I wish some of his friends and colleagues could have been behind those closed doors to intercede with him and help him get the peace that only Jesus could offer.

Ministry can be demanding and draining. The toll it takes on you can make you want to hide behind locked doors in fear for your life. Even when we are in the will of God, fear can still get the best of us. Fear sometimes is False Evidence Appearing Real but it can still be paralyzing. The enemy can get you behind closed doors and make you think your ministry is over, you don’t have “it” anymore, nobody loves you, you’re doomed, and if you are not careful you can give into those lies.

The disciples were hiding behind closed doors because Jesus had been executed. They thought they were next because all of the haters hated their teacher enough to kill him so why shouldn’t they experience the same fate?

Even though Jesus had been teaching them and showing them he had the power over life and death they allowed fear to wipe out what they already knew to be true. To their credit they did something right. They were together. As fearful as they were they were still together behind locked doors. The enemy can break you if you are by yourself but Jesus promised, “Where two or three are gathered together there I will be in the midst.”

As Christians, ministers, and human beings we must make sure we are connected to 2 or 3 people who we can call no matter what we are going through. You should never be alone when you are hiding in fear. There is nothing so bad that God can’t fix and help you face. When you come together with 2 or 3 believers Jesus will show up and help you with your fear. Jesus came through the locked door and:

1. Stood amongst them. Jesus told us that he would never leave us nor forsake us. When we are together Jesus is standing in the midst of us.

2. Spoke peace to them. Peace is Total well-being, prosperity, and security associated with God’s presence among his people or the cessation of conflict.

3. Showed them his wounds. I think Jesus did this not just to prove that it was him, but to show them that in spite of his wounds he was still alive. We are all wounded healers. Our wounds shouldn’t stop us from God using us.

4. Gave them their new assignment. This was important because all of them felt like failures for running out on Jesus but he assured them by telling them he still had work for them to do.

5. Filled them with the Holy Spirit. He told them to receive the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, when we are empty we need to be refilled with the only thing that can get us back in the right place, the Holy Ghost.

No matter how bad it looks right now don’t give up on your dreams, your purpose, your ministry. We‘ve all made mistakes like the disciples. Peter denied him, Thomas doubted he was alive; James and John fell asleep while Jesus was under stress. They all ran away but Jesus still loved them enough to come behind locked doors to give them peace. Open your door today. Jesus wants to come in.

Dear God,

Touch my brothers and sisters who are hiding behind locked doors. Let them know that you are still with them. Let them know you have a new assignment for them. Let them know this is not the time to die! Come through the doors and heal them and fill them.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Trouble Don't Last Always!

2011-08-17T09:31:00.001-05:00

Jeremiah 24:6

My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them.

There seems to be so much trouble in the land right now. People are suffering in disproportionate number. Jobs are seemingly impossible to come by. Families are being displaced. There hasn’t been much to celebrate lately. Everyone seems to be waiting for this storm to lift.

Jeremiah 25:32 “look! Disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth.”

There is something corrective in this storm that we haven’t seemed to figure out yet. When we finally turn back to God, and take care of the poor, practice justice, stop striking each other with wicked fists; I believe God will heal this land.

Like the remnant during Jeremiah’s time, God has a remnant of people who still believe and have hope. God has promised to that remnant that he would:

1. Watch over us for our good. There is a blessed assurance that the believer has over everyone else. God’s eye is watching over us and all things work for the good of those who have the Lord and are called according to his purpose.

2. I will bring them back to their land. Like the widow woman during Elisha’s time, who had to abandon her house during the famine only to come back seven years later to find favor with the king; we will get back what the famine took away if we come back to God.

3. I will build them up and not tear them down. After deconstruction comes reconstruction. Some of us have already been broken down. If you are down to nothing God is up to something. God now wants to build you back up stronger than you were before.

4. I will plant them not uproot them. In order to grow, plants must have uninterrupted growth in a place where they’ve been planted. After this period of correction that we are going through God will once again plant us in a place where we can flourish without interruption.

Dear God,

We receive your correction. We don’t have to go through this again. Your people have suffered and your remnant is ready for a new day. Please turn this day of darkness into a day of promise. We are ready for a New Direction.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Hold Your Position!

2011-08-16T10:45:00.002-05:00

Psalm 112:4

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

In these turbulent times everyone seems to be struggling trying to keep a grip on their lives in this uncertain financial climate. Famine has claimed a corner of the Globe as it darkens the continent of Africa. The middle class in America have become the new poor and new homeless. The prison system has been used to try and make blacks into a permanent underclass as it replaces slavery as the new racial caste system. Thousands of people are still unemployed looking for hope that this economy is finally going to turn around. In the midst of all this darkness there are still points of light that illuminate the hopelessness of this nightmare. It is the light of the upright. God has been keeping us in the midst of it all in spite of our inconsistencies.

The psalmist exclaims that God still illuminates the darkness for the upright. Upright does not imply perfection but position. There are people still in a posture of seeking God and attempting to live right, these represent the upright. Every now and then I attempt to do yoga and there is a position where we do a head stand (or try to). You must engage your core to stand on the crown of your head, supported by your forearms with your feet straight up. Holding this position is challenging. I can do it but I keep falling out of it, but then I get back into it because my teacher says, “be patient and do your best.” I believe that’s what Jesus says to us, he sees us struggling, wobbling, and falling in and out. But he honors our effort knowing that we are saved by grace and not works.

Living Holy is like trying to hold that yoga position. It is counter cultural or counter intuitive to live upright when everyone else’s core values are upside down. It is living upright that God honors our attempt to hold our position. We must engage our core values to stay upright. God takes care of the upright even in dark times there are three core values we should employ to hold our position:

1. Gracious. Grace is unmerited favor shown by God. When God give us grace it is underserved. When we have been recipients of this grace it is only right that we show it. We ought to be gracious in how we show grace to others. Giving keeps the window of heaven open for God to shower us with blessings. When we show grace it keeps grace coming our way.

2. Compassionate. Compassion is when you are moved in your sprit to do something about a situation that troubles you. The world is full of what Marty Neumeier calls, “wicked problems,” problems for which there seems to be no solution but which we should have compassion. Pastor Wayne Lomax of the Fountain church was asked by a Haitian pastor to come to Haiti with his mission team. Pastor Lomax asked him, “What do you need?” He said, “Come and see.”

3. Righteous. Being Righteous is living right. It’s when you delight in the Law of the Lord and you meditate on it day and night. It’s like Spike Lee’s character the ‘Mayor” played by Ossie Davis in the movie, “Do the Right Thing.”

Mayor says to Mookie, “Dr. …..I have to tell you something….Always do the right thing.”

(Mookie) “is that it?!’

(Mayor) “That’s It!”

(Mookie) “I’m Out!”

What the Mayor was telling Mookie is what Jesus is telling us, if you want God to keep you during these hard times always do the right thing, and hold your position. Stay upright.

Dear God,

Help me to do the right thing, to live upright, in a world that is upside down. Thank you for keeping me in these dark times. I pray my character would keep me where my talents take me.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Give Him Glory!

2011-08-15T08:41:00.002-05:00

John 17:4
I have brought you Glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Glory
1.
1. A: praise, honor or distinction extended by consent
2. Worshipful praise, honor and thanksgiving
3. A. Something that secures praise or renown (the Glory of a brilliant career)

You’ve heard people in the church exclaim, “Give Glory to God saints!” Usually that follows with people giving God praise, erupting in Hallelujahs because they are acknowledging the worth of God’s awesomeness. It's giving God honor through thanksgiving but this is just one part of the definition. Some of us do pretty good on Sunday’s giving God the Glory but it's also important to give him the Glory in the way we live.

The way we choose to live out our lives either secures praise for God or takes it away.

Jesus was talking to God the Father when he said, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” The question for us is, ‘are we doing the work God called us to do?’ Is the work we do giving Glory to God or bringing attention to ourselves? Are we are building God’s kingdom or trying to build our own? When we help other people to see God we are giving him Glory. Glory is not about you, it’s about what we do for others on God’s behalf. Sometimes, God has to get us out of the way because he will not share his Glory with another. Jay Z and Kanye have a new CD called the “Watch of the Throne.” One of the songs is called "No Church in the West", where they ask “What’s a God to an unbeliever.” One writer compares Kanye and Jay Z to gods in the rap game and they have earned the right to sit on the throne. It’s dangerous when we put ourselves on thrones when God is the only one who should ascend. Whenever anyone tries to make you a god make sure you correct them real quick!

Acts 14: 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.

We are to be like the moon and not the sun. The only function of the moon is to reflect the light of the sun so there will be light in the dark. We are supposed to reflect the light of God’s son so his people will see his Glory.

Dear God,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Raising the Deficit of Healing

2011-08-11T09:53:00.002-05:00

Jeremiah 8:20-22
The crops are in, the summer is over, but for us nothing’s changed. We’re still waiting to be rescued. For my dear broken people, I’m heartbroken. I weep, seized by grief. Are there no healing ointments in Gilead? Isn’t there a doctor in the house? So why can’t something be done to heal and save my dear people? (MSG)

I keep wondering if this intense heat will ever lift. Today, there is a pleasant overcast with a promise of rain. I never thought I’d be relieved by an overcast. Many of us keep waiting for something to break while we sit under an overcast of dissension, political jockeying and economic uncertainty. All of the gains we made in the Dow Jones this year have been lost, our school system is closer to being consolidated but yet still divided, and people are still looking for work with threats of more layoffs. Memphis feels like Israel when Jeremiah said, “the harvest is past, the summer has ended and we are not saved. Since my people are crushed; I mourn and horror grips me.”

In the midst of all that is going wrong in our world, I’m still helpful that there is a balm in Memphis as well as the United States of America. Jeremiah asked a rhetorical question when he asked “Is there no balm in Gilead?” He knew there was a balm, that is a medicinal extract from a tree in Gilead, he just didn’t know why his people didn’t have access to it. We have the ability to create one equitable school system in Shelby County. Why are we still divided? We have the ability for every person to get healthcare. Why are we still arguing over Universal healthcare? We have the ability to bring our troops home. Why are we still fighting? We have the ability to create jobs by focusing our energies on rebuilding America’s infrastructure. Why are we sending more jobs overseas?

A house divided against itself cannot stand. The sooner we can come together for the good of the people, for the good of the children, for the good of the least of these we can see the balm or the healing we need for our city and nation. The way we see that relief get to where it’s needed the most is to put into practice what God told Jeremiah for the people of Israel in Jeremiah 7: 5 Change the way you are living and stop doing the things you are doing. Be fair in your treatment of one another.6 Stop taking advantage of aliens, orphans, and widows. Stop killing innocent people in this land. Stop worshiping other gods, for that will destroy you.7 If you change, I will let you go on living here in the land which I gave your ancestors as a permanent possession.

The effects of healing in our city and our land have been blocked by self interest, partisan politics, and a lack of concern for the least of these. Whether it’s an unjust shooting by police officers in London, Five million starving people in Somalia unable to get food and water, or unemployed teachers in Memphis, we must put our difference to the side and create an equitable school system, create jobs for our people, bring our troops home, and work together for liberty and justice for all. In short, we must heed what God said to us in 2 Chronicles 7:14

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. New International Version (NIV)

What's On Your Account?

2011-08-10T08:54:00.002-05:00

John 12:11
For on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

It’s good to regularly check your account to make sure you are not in the negative. Sometimes, you can think you have more in your account then you actually do. If you make more withdrawals then you do deposits you can be penalized for an overdraft unless you have overdraft protection. Really that’s the only reason many of us have been making it is because God give us overdraft protection. We have a tendency to take out more than we’ve put in. God’s grace has covered us time and time again when we have taken far more than we have put in. Every now and then God even puts something on our account even though we didn’t make a direct deposit.

What have you done lately that God can put on your account? Do you have a positive or negative balance with God? The way we get in the positive or as Biggie Smalls said, “I went from negative to positive and it’s all good” is to allow God to use the negative in our lives and make positives out of them.

Dave Ramsey gave an interesting perspective on the Dow Jones being down the other day when everyone was anxious about a double dip recession, he said, “It’s like a blue light special at K-mart, everything is on sale. Rather than panicking this is a good time for people to buy stocks while they are low and sell them when they go back high.” The key is that we don’t panic when things are in the negative but instead look at what you can add to your account.

When your life is at its lowest that’s when God is getting ready to put something on your account. Lazarus died. That’s the lowest you can go. Jesus raised him from the dead. That’s the highest you can go. On account of Lazarus’ turn around, the Jews were coming over to Jesus and putting their faith in him. When our lives reflect the Glory of God, that goes on our account. Like the stock market our lives might take a turn for the worst but if we remain steadfast God will come in when everybody else walks out and put something on our account to give us value again! What has God or Jesus done in your life lately that is on your account? How many people have put their faith in Jesus because of your life going from negative to positive?

How to put more on your account:

1. You must be born again. When we are spiritually reborn through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross people are able to see us go from death to life.

2. Share your testimony. We overcome by the word of our testimony. What we are going through today will help somebody else get through tomorrow. On our account others will put their faith in Jesus.

3. Bring people to Jesus. We must continue to bring people to Jesus and it will be credited to our account as Righteousness.

Dear God,

Thank you for putting something on my account. I went from negative to positive now it’s all good. You’ve been better to me than I’ve been to myself and I just want to say thank you.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Take Away the Stone

2011-08-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

John 11:39
"Take away the stone" he said, "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."

There are some issues we don't want to deal with because they stink. The longer we delay the more they smell. when we fail to address issues in our lives we will experience the decay of delay. Sometimes it's easier to just bury our feelings instead of raising the issue but at some point if you want to see God work on your issue you have to roll the stone away.

Jesus' friend Lazarus had died and had been laying in his grave four days. Jesus came to raise him from the dead; but it seemed it was too late. There are some things that appear to have sit too long for us to raise but if Jesus is present we don't have to be afraid of the odor.

We cant leave unresolved issues in our marriage stagnant in our relationships, mired in our ministry, or buried in our business. When we have issues we have to speak to the issue and take away the stone. In Jesus day, whenever they buried someone, they put them in a cave and rolled a stone over the entrance. There was no embalming fluid instead the body would decompose at a fast rate because of the desert climate. For Jesus to ask them to roll the stone away was a shock to the already grieving family because the body would have been offensive to the senses after laying there for four days. No matter how long your issue has been laying there if Jesus is there he can cause what should be offensive to have new life.

I like what Samuel Chand says in his book, Breaking your Churches Cultural Code, "we need to have HOT conversations, Honest, Open, and Transparent." His thesis is that if we really want to know what's going on in our organizations we have to roll the stone away and have HOT conversations in Love.

The way we have HOT conversation is that we have to:

1. Take Away the Stone. Don't be afraid to face your mess even if it looks like it's dead.

2. Call him out. Speak truth in Love to whatever appears to be dead. Some people appear dead when all they need is for you to speak life back into them.

3. Loose him and let him Go. Lazarus came out stumbling because he was wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus told them to take the grave clothes off and let him go. Resentment and unforgiveness are grave clothes. In order for you to move past your issues you have to release others through forgiveness.

Dear God,

Help me to face what I've been trying to keep buried. I'm afraid of the stink but I love them too much to let them lay there, especially when I have Jesus standing here with the power of resurrection. Give me discernment to know what needs to die and what needs to be raised. Show me what stone to roll away today so I can speak life and not death.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

God Needs Some Facetime

2011-08-08T09:21:00.000-05:00

Jeremiah 2:27

They say to wood, 'you are my father.' and to stone, 'you gave me birth.' They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, 'Come and save us!'

I was talking to a member of my church who is a father of a teenage girl. He said his daughter called him the other day with excitement in her voice. He said, "I knew then she wanted something because she never really calls me." Not only did she call wanting something but it was a big ticket item, she wanted her daddy to get her a car! Prior to this the daughter had spurned any attempts at relationship from her father but when she wanted/needed something she called her father.

Does this sound familiar? often times we are the Teenager and God is the father. God only wants a relationship with us but instead we give him our back. God wants some FaceTime. When singer, Katy Perry, is out on the road she likes to talk to her husband on her IPad through FaceTime but wishes they had a 'black&white' option because, "everyday looks better in 'black&white'." Everybody looks better when they have FaceTime with God in 'black&white' with no gray areas. Those who worship God must worship him in Spirit and in truth. We ought to approach him even when we don't want anything.

When we choose other things and other people over God it's like turning our backs on God. When we worship money, fame, relationships over God, it's like choosing idols and turning our backs on God. When God requests FaceTime and we click ignore we give him our backs. In order to keep growing in grace and favor we need to seek God's face and not just his hand.

Give God your Face by:

1. Praying every morning. David said, "Daily will I seek you." God needs some face time with you. You should fall on your face and seek God early in the morning.

2. Reading scripture everyday. God's word is a lamp unto your feet and a light for your path.

3. Serving others in ministry. Jesus said, "when you do for the least of these you also do unto me." By serving others we are spending FaceTime with Jesus.

Dear God,

Today, I give you my face and not my back. You deserve more from me then just a call when I need something. Daily will I seek your face. Thank you for giving me time to be with you and to do your Holy Will.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Pick Up The Pieces

2011-08-04T10:53:00.002-05:00

John 6:12
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

When I was a child you didn’t throw away food. Leftovers became tomorrow's dinner. Food was too hard to come by to be wasting anything. When you sat down for dinner you could get all you wanted but you better want all you got. My dad would say, “dont’ let your eyes be bigger than your stomach.” If there was anything left we had to pick up the pieces because we could use them to get us through rougher days when we might not have the same abundance that we had on payday. Some of you know what it’s like trying to stretch your money and food out from one pay period to the next.

Great Grandmama taught us how to pick up the pieces when she made dresses or clothes for the kids. If she had any material left over she made quilts to cover us and keep us warm. Whatever God provides you, make sure you pick up the pieces because you will need them later.

One day Jesus had a multitude of people who followed him because they heard he could heal the sick. When it was lunch time he had about 5 thousand plus staring at him with hungry bellies. One of his disciples said, “Send these people home, if we worked 8 months to feed these people we wouldn’t make enough for each of them to get a piece of bread.” Then another disciple found a little boy with a lunch bag consisting of 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. The disciple said, “How can this small meal feed so many?” Some of you have the same question today, here’s how you pick up the pieces:

1. Make the people sit down. Miracles take place when we all sit at the feet of Jesus. Many people miss miracles because they stop coming to church. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name there I will be in the midst.” Where Jesus is and we are sitting together there you will find miracles that meet your needs. This Sunday come to church and sit in worship with your unmet needs, with your hunger, and watch God provide. Jesus said, “Those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied!”

2. Put the little bit that you do have in Jesus’ hands and watch him multiply it. The little boy gave up his lunch to feed more people than they had food. The generosity of this child sparked a miracle. Sometimes, what we think is our last is really what God wants to use for a miracle that leads to leftovers. God loves a cheerful giver. It’s not equal giving it’s equal sacrifice that God honors.

3. Pick up the Pieces after your miracle. When you sit at Jesus feet in worship and give him what little you have get ready for the miracle you need from God. After he blesses you make sure you pick up the pieces. When the disciples picked up the pieces they had 12 baskets of barley loaves. That was one basket for each disciple. When they got to a place where there was no food guess what they ate off, the leftovers. Pick up your pieces!

Dear God,

Thank you for my pieces. My pieces gave me peace when I was in a hungry season. You gave me just what I needed when I needed it. Work a miracle for every hungry person, every unemployed person and make it stretch until their next season of more than enough. Thank you for the pieces. Give us this day our daily bread. Thank you Lord for making a way out of no way!

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen.

It Could Be Worse

2011-08-03T08:55:00.002-05:00

John 5:14
Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

Have you ever been sick before? I mean down on your back sick and you told God, “If you get me through this I promise I’ll do better.” We’ve all been sick before or in a place where we were not complete. God graciously stepped in to our time and space to heal us. However, there was a pre-requisite to your healing; you had to want to get better. God can’t move against your will. You have to want to get better and do better. Getting better and doing better both go together. The very thing that God is bringing you out of could be worse than what it is because after you get better you have to do better. It could be worse.

Many people who get organ transplants are advised by their doctors to take care of their organs but many of them go right back to the behaviors that made them sick in the first place and destroy the new organ. They are worse than before. They have wasted the sacrifice.

When Jesus gives you new life you have to change your lifestyle or you could be worse than you were before he saved you. Jesus healed a man that had been an invalid for 38 years, lying in the same spot making excuses that people kept cutting him off. How many of us have been lying in the same spot for years? Do you want to get well?

I was watching a movie last night called Surrogates with Bruce Willis who plays a cop trying to stop a man who helped create a high-tech surrogate phenomenon that allows people to purchase remote controlled humanoid robots through which they interact with society. These fit, good-looking, remotely controlled robots ultimately assume their life roles, enabling people to experience life vicariously from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Bruce’s character destroys the machines because it robbed the people of their ability to truly live. Many of us have surrogate appearances while our true selves remain invalid. Once the façade of who we are in public is destroyed who we are in private has to get up and do better.

Jesus has raised us to our true selves and we have gotten back in church. Jesus healed the invalid, got him back on his feet, but he doesn’t know who healed him. Could it be that many of us have benefited from being healed by Jesus but we really don’t know Jesus? We’ve been healed but we haven’t been discipled. Jesus meets the man in the temple. You have to give the man credit at least he was in the Temple even though he didn’t know the man who healed him. Jesus had slipped away before he could finish his introduction. Many times we leave church before we are properly introduced to Jesus but every now and then he will catch us at church and he will tell us, “You are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

After you are healed you need to:

1. Go back to church. This Sunday you need to get back in church so you can have an encounter with Jesus. You can worship with us live or online at www.n2newdirection.org 8 am and 10:30 am, 6120 Winchester, or 9:15 am Collierville, 114 Highway 72.

2. Get Disciples which simply means, get taught on what it means to be a Christian by attending Tuesday night Bible study live or online at 6120 Winchester @6:30 p.m. or Wednesday in Collierville 114, Highway 72 6:30 pm.

3. Change your Lifestyle or give your life to Jesus through service. Sign up for a ministry so that you can engage your life in something positive. When you stop doing something bad you need to start doing something good.

Dear God,

Thank you for saving me and healing me. My life could be worse than what you delivered me from. I don’t want to see what worse looks like. I’m ready to head in a New Direction from the inside out.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Something Better Than This

2011-07-14T08:47:00.002-05:00

Hebrews 11:25

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.

You can’t stay comfortable in a place you don’t belong no matter how comfortable it is. The pleasures of life don’t measure up to the purpose for your life. No matter how good something is you can’t remain in it, if it does not connect with what God has for your life. Some lifestyles cannot be sustained because the payout doesn’t line up with your purpose. When you know who you are and whose you are you can’t stay in Egypt when you have a Promised Land.

Moses was raised as a prince of Egypt eventhough he was born a Hebrew. Who he was on the inside didn’t match who he was on the outside. While he lived in luxury his people lived in slavery. When he saw his people being mistreated he couldn’t take it or fake it any longer. He rose up and struck down the Egyptian task master and fled for his life. He abandoned his life of luxury to eventually become the Liberator of his people. The bible says, “Moses persevered because he saw him who was invisible.

Moses chose to be mistreated with his people rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. Moses knew there was something better than this. When you know that there is something better than this you:

1. Might have to let go of what you thought you couldn’t do without. No matter how pleasing something is to you, you can’t hold on to it if it is not good for you.

2. Be mistreated for a season until you are delivered out of Egypt. Moses gave up his status as Prince to be treated as a Pauper so that he could see the liberation of his people. The most dangerous man in the world is the one that has nothing to lose.

3. Stay on the back side of nowhere until you see him who is invisible to receive your assignment. Moses was in Egypt for 40 years and then had to hide in Horeb for another 40 years. God had to work Egypt out of his system before he brought him back as liberator.

4. Go back to face your past to liberate your people and connect with your purpose. God told Moses, “Go tell Pharaoh to let my people go.” What is your purpose that will help your people?

Dear God,

Thank you for being with me through my mistreatment. I’d rather connect with my purpose than to be stuck in my pleasure. Move me into my purpose so that I can liberate my people.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

A Deadly Habit!

2011-07-13T09:17:00.002-05:00

Hebrews 10:25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Bad habits are hard to break. A habit is an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary. When you do something over and over it becomes second nature. It takes 21 days to form a new habit and after that it just becomes natural to keep doing it. One of the habits that is killing us is when we decide to skip church. It becomes easier and easier not to go to church when you stay at home because it has become a habit. You lose the desire to come to worship and as a result you drift further and further from God until it no longer bothers you. It’s a deadly habit.

As a child it was ingrained in me that you must attend church every Sunday. I could have stayed out all night and dragged in at 3am but I was getting up to go to church that morning. Now some people would ask, “Isn’t that hypocritical to party all night Saturday and then come to church?” I would argue that it’s not hypocritical but helpful because you can’t keep coming to church and be exposed to the word of God and not make changes in your life. What hurts us is when we cut church out and create a void of God in our lives. Oftentimes, when I didn’t feel like going to church but made myself go anyway is when God blessed me the most. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to continue to make excuses for not coming together for worship on a weekly basis.

Jesus said, “Where two or three people are gathered together in his name he would be there in the midst of them. There is no power where we stay at home missing the connection with other believers. Once a week we should meet together so that we can:

1. Encourage one another. Oftentimes, we are able to hear from other believers through testimonies, bible study, and small groups that we are not the only ones dealing with something. When we attend worship regularly something the preacher says or the choir sings can be the very thing that helps us to deal with an issue we could not solve on our own.

2. Serve one another. In church there are so many people with different gifts that we might be missing. Some people have the gift of encouragement where others may have the gift of discernment to help you see something you couldn’t. Some people have the gift of helps where they can assist you where you thought you were all alone. God gives the church different gifts so that we can help each other.

3. Save one another. There is accountability in church. When we are connected to other believers they will not let you drive down a road where they know the bridge is out. We need other believers to encourage us toward good works. We don’t need to be surrounded by people who tell us what we want to hear but instead we need believers to tell us what we need to hear.

We owe it to ourselves, one another, and to God to start a new habit of regular worship attendance. For the next 21 Sundays make a new habit of coming in the building and worshipping with other believers. This habit will save your life.

Dear God,

Help us to create healthy habits that will bring us closer to you. Please break the habit of skipping church because it's killing our power, robbing our anointing and hindering our community. Give us the discipline to get back in church on a regular basis.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Mix With Faith Before Stirring!

2011-07-07T09:41:00.002-05:00

Hebrews 4:2
For we also have had the gospel preached to us just as they did but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with Faith.

Whenever you get juice from concentrate and it is shipped to be consumed it must always be mixed with water before serving. The concentrate juice will go further and be consumed by more people if it is mixed with water. You can't serve the juice to others if it is still in concentrate form. Then you also have to be concerned with the purity of the water that you use to mix with the concentrate. You can have some good juice from concentrate and mix it with some polluted water. It only works if it's combined or mixed with the right thing in the right way.

God's word is pure concentrate. His word does not come back void, it goes out and accomplishes God's will. God's word is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Every time we hear God's word preached it's like receiving pure concentrate but it's no good if it's not combined or mixed with Faith. We can hear the gospel preached but if it's not mixed with faith it stays with us but never gets served to others.

1. It is impossible to please God without faith. When we come to God we must believe that he is able to do what he said he would do.

2. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You have to see it before you see it or you never will see it.

3. We walk by faith and not by sight. Quit focusing on what can only be seen but instead focus on What God said can be and mix it with your faith that he can do it.

4. Faith without works is dead. It's not enough to believe God can but you've got to act on what he tells you to do. You have to pray like everything depended on God and act like everything depends on you.

5. Ask God to help strengthen your faith. Paul told Timothy, "I am reminded of the same great faith that was in your grandmother and your mother and is now also in you, Stir up the gift of God that is in you!" Paul told him to, "Fan into flame the gift of God." Sometimes, our flames of faith go down because of the hardships of life but you have to mix some faith with God's word to get your flame back up.

This morning, before you start serving anybody, make sure you mix the gospel you have already received with the faith that can move mountains. People are not going to get God if you don't concentrate on His word and mix it with your faith. Get out there and serve them up!

Dear God,

Please increase my faith so that I can effectively serve you and your people. You've already given me your word, now I have to mix it with my faith. My faith looks up to thee thou Lamb of Calvary. I believe but help me with my unbelief!

In Jesus Name,

Amen

He's Able

2011-07-05T10:30:00.001-05:00

Hebrews 2:18

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Sometimes, when we are struggling with our humanity we feel ashamed of our failure to live up to God’s standard of Holiness. It is Satan’s job to entice you then condemn you. It’s Jesus' job to free you then fill you. Jesus knows all about our struggles. He became a human like us so that he could fully understand the weight of our human condition. Jesus was tempted in every way but he did not sin. The writer of Hebrews says, “He suffered when he was tempted.” When you resist temptation there is suffering that comes along with it because you are fighting against the gravitational pull of animalistic inclination as well as the repercussion of the backlash from a culture that does not understand your resistance to conformity. Holiness is what I long for but brokenness is what I need and brokenness hurts.

Jesus went through the gauntlet of being tempted. He resisted and his reward was crucifixion. Chuck D in his song, ‘Welcome to the Terror Dome,’ said, “Crucifixion ain’t no fiction still they got me like Jesus.” The terror Dome of life can be excruciating because of the crucible of life. Jesus absorbed all of our sins on the cross. By his death he destroyed Satan and freed us from the fear of death.

Jesus is able to:

1. Give us strength while we are being tempted. Jesus gets up under our heavy load to help us to bare our cross. In the poem, Footprints in the Sand, a man wonders why there was only one set of footprints in the sand during the hardest part of his life. He thought God had left him. Jesus said, “That was the time I was carrying you.”

2. Provide a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

3. Set us free from the grips of sin and death. Hebrews 2: 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Dear God,

Give me the ability to successfully navigate my way out of temptation. Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. Don’t move my mountain but give me the strength to climb.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Teach It 2 See It

2011-06-30T08:57:00.001-05:00

Titus 2:1
As for you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine {the character and right living that identify true Christians}.

If there is ever any quality missing in someone, you care about and they are influenced by you, you must teach what you want to see in them. That’s why attending church is so important for believers because the teaching of what it means to be a Christian must be constantly ingrained upon our hearts. The gospel of Jesus Christ is counter-intuitive to what the world believes. If we are not careful we can become conformed to the pattern of this world because our minds are not being transformed through the teaching of God’s word. Our Wives start acting like Basketball wives, the husbands start acting like Charlie Sheen thinking they're winning when they are losing, our children start being disrespectful and the family as a whole disintegrates because there is no teaching.

It’s been said that once people know better they do better. People of every age must continue to be taught in order to continue to grow and evolve. Paul tells Titus that there are five groups of people he has to teach and what to teach them.

1. Older Men. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity and wisdom, into healthy faith, love and endurance.

2. Older women. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness.

3. Younger women. By looking at the older women younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous (Proverbs 31) and pure, keep a good house, be good wives.

4. Young men. Urge the younger men to be self-restrained and to behave prudently (taking life seriously).

5. The teacher or yourself. But mostly show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane.

Dear God,

Help me to teach what I want to see but most of all let them see it in me.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Unfinished Business

2011-06-29T09:05:00.002-05:00

Titus 1:5
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

Have you ever wondered why you are still in a certain place? Other people have moved on but you are still here. There may be another place you desire to be but you are still in this place.

I’ve always had a sense of urgency in my life and I never wanted to be left behind. It would bother me as a child whenever I missed the school bus. Even now I have a reoccurring dream that I’m in college and there is a final exam I’m supposed to take but for whatever reason I forget to study and the dream ends with me not wanting to be left behind.

The reality is that some of us have been left behind but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Paul purposely left one of his protégés behind. Titus must have had some anxious feelings about being left behind because Paul opens this letter by saying, “the reason I left you behind in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished.”

Before you can move on to your next assignment you’ve got to finish the one where you are. Titus had to appoint elders in every town Paul had been. He had to finish what was unfinished; we have to do the same:

You can’t be a success without a successor. Where you are now you need to be pouring into someone else who can do what you do when God calls you to the next place. Jesus told his disciples to go make disciples. Every believer has the responsibility of making disciples before we can advance to the next level.
You have to teach what you want to see. Jesus told the disciples to teach them whatsoever you have seen and heard from me. There is the assumption here that we are disciples of Jesus ourselves. That may be the unfinished business that requires us to stay behind. After we receive it ourselves we then have to teach it.
You have to inspect what you expect. There were expectations for the elders that Titus would be putting in place. You can’t just assign people with inspecting what you expect. Are they living up to what you expect out of them?

You can’t leave until your people are in place. You never want to leave a place with your work undone. You always want to leave a place with solid infrastructure and solid people in place to carry on the vision.

Instead of feeling sorry for yourself for still being where you are, ask God what is it you want me to finish? Study to show yourself approved, so you can pass this final exam.

Dear God,

Help me to finish what I started. Give me discernment on how to select the right people and to make disciples by teaching them everything you taught me. Help me to stay ahead of the curve by finishing what is unfinished.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

I've Been Restored

2011-06-28T10:15:00.002-05:00

Psalm 80:7
Restore us, O God Almighty; Make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

One of the most frustrating things for me is when my iPhone will not function properly. Recently, I received notification that I was eligible for an upgrade on my phone. When I tried to sync it with my iMac it gave me an error message saying, “This device is not eligible for an upgrade”. To make matters worse it kicked my iphone and ipad into restore mode. I was hot! I felt so lost. I had to go back to the Genius bar at Apple to see why my devices wouldn’t work.

Do you know how it feels to have some equipment that you depend upon and they not be able to function. Nobody could call me. I couldn’t call anyone. I could see the light on but I wasn’t getting any power. They had a form of functioning but no power to go with it. I took them to Apple and the genius people told me the reason they weren’t working was:

1. Too many people were trying to access the server. When too many people have access to you it causes you to be overloaded and you miss upgrades from the Holy Spirit thus causing you to go into Restore mode.

2. My iTunes was not properly loaded. If you are not in Tune with the Holy Spirit you can’t receive new information. I have to be Tuned into God to receive new revelation.

3. I lost all of my functionality and needed to be restored back to factory setting. Every now and then we need to be restored back to our factory settings. When David messed up with Bathsheba and committed adultery and murder, he asked God to restore the joy of his salvation and to renew the right spirit within him. Even the best of us mess up and need to be restored.

4. After you’ve been restored you have to reload your Apps. Watching everything I was putting back on my phone made me question did I really need this App or was it just taking up space?

Today, go to the Genius Bar and ask God to search you and if he find any wicked way to take it out. Ask God to restore you back to the place where you were in him before your overload so he can download the new information he has for your life.

Dear God,

Restore us. Get us back to the place where we were before we gave away too much access and too much disk space. Shine on us again so that we can be saved and upgrade our lives to match your will.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Don't Leave God in the Valley

2011-06-27T08:51:00.002-05:00

2 Chronicles 25:15
The anger of the Lord burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?”

Have you ever looked at someone else’s life and how they have failed in one area or another, saying to yourself, “I would never do that?” We have many examples of scandals, failures, and missteps that could last us a lifetime just this year. You would think that with all of the dramas unfolding around us and in the news that we would be wiser than to follow the footsteps of the foolish. The bible says that the steps of a righteous man are ordered but we have to choose to go where he guides us.

All throughout the old testament there is discussion of the Kings of Israel and the Kings of Judah how either they followed in the footsteps of David who was after God’s own heart or they followed the footsteps of Ahab who worshipped false gods. It was amazing how God kept intervening for both Judah and Israel even when they were not faithful to him. What’s even more amazing is that after God gives them the victory over their enemies they still go back to worship the gods of the people they defeated.

Amaziah, King of Judah was outnumbered by the Edomites but yet God still gives him the victory in the Valley of Salt. It’s ironic that God would give him the victory in the Valley of Salt because that’s exactly what we are supposed to be as Christians. Salt. Salt is supposed to transform not conform. Salt is supposed to preserve not spoil. Amazaiah, instead of giving God the glory for the victory, conforms by taking their gods and spoiling the favor on his life.

That doesn’t make sense to me, why would you take the gods of the people you just defeated? If they didn’t work for them why should they work for him?

1. Maybe he saw all of the previous victories that this army had and thought he could have their previous favor not realizing he had everything he needed to win.

2. Maybe he saw all of their riches but didn’t look at the fact that they a soulless people.

We have to be careful taking back to our homes the gods of defeated people. How do we do that?

1. Don’t take the values of people who are lost themselves. When you can’t see any spiritual fruit from “successful people” be careful living like they live.

2. Material wealthy does not equal abundant life. When God told Amaziah that he didn’t need the men he had paid to go to war, he asked him what about the money I paid them? The Prophet said, “God will give you more than that back.” Don’t worry about losing money when you’re doing God’s will, he will give it back.

3. If you listened to God for the victory, make sure you listen to him after you win. Amaziah listened to God in the Valley of the Salt but he refused to listen after he got the victory.

4. Don’t get cocky after your victory and fight an unnecessary war. Amaziah tried to fight Israel and was defeated because he was following the gods of the people he defeated. Defeated gods can’t help you after you abandon the true and living God.

Dear God,

Help me to hear your voice today and not my ego. Help me to hold true to your voice and not their values. Help me to be Salt in the Valley today by transforming my environment and not conforming to it. Save me from cultural corruption and instead preserve what is good. Thank you for the victory and not giving up on me.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Clean Up Before They Catch Up!

2011-06-23T09:01:00.002-05:00

I Timothy 5:24
The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them, the sins of others trail behind them.

It's human nature to give all of our attention is those who are exposed to misdeeds. We love public spectacles of important people whose sins are displayed in tragic details. It almost makes us feel better about ourselves because, ‘if they are that bad at least I’m not.’ It’s a false sense of temporary righteousness. It’s like the story Jesus told of the sinner and the Pharisee:

Luke 18: 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

[1]

In comparison to people whose sins are obvious we who have sins that trail behind us always look good in our own eyes.

Paul admonishes young Timothy that the sins of some men are obvious and reach the place of Judgment ahead of them but the sins of others trail behind them. Eventually, all sin leads to Judgment unless we take heed to warning that comes before destruction. God gives us time to get ourselves together.

We need to Clean up before our sins catch up:

1. Confess. If we confess our sins he’s faithful to forgive us of our sins.
2. Clean up your mess. Zacchaeus told Jesus that if he had wronged anybody or taken anything he would pay back four times the amount. We have to make amends for what we’ve done wrong.

3. Change your behavior. We must show fruits of repentance. It’s not enough to say I’m sorry you must show in your actions that your heart has been changed.

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me time to get myself together. Thank you for forgiveness of my sins through the sacrifice of Jesus. Help me to practice forgiveness and not join the “Peanut Gallery” in condemning those who are exposed. Instead of looking down on the condemned help me to lift someone up who’s fallen, knowing it could have been me. Thank you for Grace, its Amazing!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

a Or to

[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 18:9-14

Look At Me Now!

2011-06-22T09:21:00.002-05:00

I Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

All eyes have been on R&B singer Chris Brown to see if he can recover from his disappointing domestic abuse charge against his former girlfriend Rihanna. Both of them are so young and gifted. I believe in redemption and I was glad to see Rihanna walking in forgiveness as she asked the judge to allow Chris to be in the same building with her so he could get back to work.

All Chris had to do was go to therapy, do some community service, and get back to work. Instead of getting his heart and mind healed he allowed the public scrutiny to make him bitter and dedicated his new album to all his “haters.” I could tell his heart was not healed when he had a blow up in the NBC studios when Robin asked him about Rihanna. I lift Chris up as an example of many young people who are thrust into the spotlight without the inner work necessary to survive the scrutiny of success. If I could have helped him I would have told him what Paul told young Timothy….”Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your youth but instead set an example for the believers.

People are always going to be skeptical of younger people in leadership, in the spotlight, because they think you don’t have the experience or maturity to be there. That’s why it’s important to work on your inner character just as much, if not more, than your outer appearance. Paul tells Timothy working out and going to the gym has some benefit but character development helps you in the present life and the life to come. Verse 8.

Before you tell people to “Look at me now” make sure you’ve done your inner work. Don’t’ let anyone look down on your youth but instead set an example for all believers:

1. In speech. Watch what comes out of your mouth. Out of the mouth the heart speaks. Make sure your heart is healed and filled with the Holy Spirit before you open your mouth. James 3:6

2. In life. Your lifestyle should mirror your values. Jesus said, “You shall know a tree by the fruit it bears. When your life is productive and you are helping other people it will shut your critics up real fast.

3. In Love. People will know we are Christians by our love. I Cor. 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

4. In Faith. Based upon how you react to any given situation you show people what kind of faith you have in God.

5. In Purity. God is Holy therefore we have to be Holy. Are your motives pure?
After you do your inner work then you can confidently tell all your critics, “look at me now!”

Dear God,

Work on me. Search me. If you find anything in me that is not like you take it out and recreate my image so that I reflect your image. Before you put me on stage, allow your Holy Spirit to be my PR coach and give me instructions on how to develop a positive public image by living in your image. You created me in your image and I want to be more like Jesus. Give me the mind of Christ so that I can live my life in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to you. I know if I please you then it doesn’t matter what men say. Give me a peace that surpasses all human understanding and when People look at me let them see you.

In Jesus Name!
Amen

This Ain't Your Fight!

2011-06-21T09:41:00.002-05:00

2 Chronicles 20:17

New International Version (NIV)

17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”

You ever get tired of fighting? Seems like every time you turn around, there is something else jumping off. It can be draining to always have to fight. You feel like Ms. Sophia, “I’ve had to fight my Uncles, my cousins, I will be doggone if I’m going to have to fight my husband to.” Sometimes, you get tired of fighting. Every time we turn on the TV we have battles waging. We have the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. We have the war between the democrats and the republicans. We have the war of unemployment and foreclosure. We have the war of poor education and lack of healthcare. It can be draining.

The good news this morning is that you don’t have to fight all of these battles. In fact, the battle you are up against right now is not your fight. You will not have to fight this one because this one is the Lords! God says, “I got this one!” You just show up and watch me do my thing! After all you’ve prayed for God is about to show up on your behalf.

King Jehoshaphat was surrounded by three enemies and he was outnumbered. He was so overwhelmed that he did the only thing he knew to do. He prayed. He called all the people together and asked them to pray and fast. Jesus told his disciples that there are some things so difficult that the only way to deal with them is through prayer and fasting. After they prayed and fasted the Holy Spirit fell on one of them and he prophesied that they would not have to fight they would just have to:

1. Take up their positions. You will not have to fight but you have to let the enemy know where you stand. What do you believe about the war in Afghanistan? What do you believe about education in America? What do you believe about Universal Healthcare? What’s your position?

2. Stand firm. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If a man has not found something to stand for he will fall for anything.” You can’t be flimsy in your faith.

3. Go out and face your enemy. You can’t be afraid to face the people that are up against you. When David had to face Goliath he didn’t just face off with him, he took out running towards him.

When Jehoshaphat did what God told him to do, God showed up on his behalf. I like what he did before he went out to face the enemy. He put the praise team in front of the army. They began to sing, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever!” The more they praised him the more the enemy was defeated. God sent an ambush against the enemy so that when they got there the enemy was already defeated. You ought to give God praise in advance for the battle he’s fighting for you!

Dear God,

Thank you for fighting for me! I refuse to give into fear or anxiety. This is not my fight. This fight is not carnal but spiritual. I surrender my fear in exchange for my faith. I will take up my position, stand for what I believe, and go out to face what I need to face knowing that I already have the victory! I’m praising you right now for a victorious outcome! Thank you Lord, for fighting for me.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

You May Get Something!

2011-06-20T09:07:00.002-05:00

2 Kings 5:20
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.

I never understood why my Mother didn’t allow me to accept everything from everybody. As a child, whenever we went to visit other people and they offered us something to eat or if one of our cousin’s gave us a toy, Mama would sometimes say, “no they don’t need it! Thanks anyway.” I would be so angry because I was hungry or I was coveting that toy.” My mother knew how to discern what was needed and not needed. She was able to distinguish when people were offering something out of obligation or if there were strings attached. As a child, I had to learn how to respect her decisions even when I didn’t understand.

There are times when you are not supposed to take stuff from other people because of what comes with it. Everything that is offered, you are not supposed to take no matter how appealing it might look. I was watching a video with Marsha Ambrosius, entitled, “Late Nights & Early Mornings”. In the video, there are two couples who are getting ready to make love or have sex. Above their heads are + and – signs on one couple and two – signs on the other. The couple with the + and – signs have unprotected sex and then at the end of the video there is + and + over each heads. AIDS in the African-American community is an epidemic because many of us are pursuing accepting something we never should have chased down.

Elisha the prophet heals an enemy commander of Leprosy. The man is so grateful for his healing that he offers Elisha some silver and some clothing. Elisha has discernment that he doesn’t want anything from his enemy because God is his provider and he doesn’t want what was associated with this idol worshipper. Elisha’s servant couldn’t understand why Elisha didn’t take the silver and the clothes. He’s thinking, “I could use this money and some new outfits. “ So he decides to run after this man and ask him for what Elisha didn’t take.

When he gets back Elisha asks him where he’s been. He says, “Nowhere!” Elisha says, “My spirit was with you when you asked him for the silver and the clothes.” Wow! Did you know that God’s spirit is with you whenever you are accepting anything he told you not to get?!

The servant said, “I’m going to run after him and get something from him.” Be careful what you say because that’s exactly what he got…something. Elisha told him as a result of his disobedience he got the Leprosy that Naaman got cured of and it would stay with his family forever.

1. Never accept anything from somebody who’s infected. You need to know the background of the people you are dealing with before you have an intimate exchange that can stay with you forever. The safest sex is abstinence until you’re married.

2. Never chase anybody down that is already left to get something from them. When you catch up to them you may get what they got.

3. Listen to the man of God and obey even if at first you don’t agree. They see something you don’t.

Dear God,

Don’t let me chase down something I’m not supposed to have. I trust you that when you say no, you have something better for me. Give me discernment to know when to receive and when to let go. Thank you for not allowing me to be so desperate to chase down the wrong person. I’m listening to you Lord.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Don't Stop Praying!

2011-06-15T08:51:00.002-05:00

Colossians 1:9-10

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.[1]

As long as Moses lifted his hands (in prayer) the Israelites were winning but, when he let his hands down (stopped praying) they lost. Prayer is our direct link with God. It is the channel in which we connect with the power we need to win at life. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray after he had performed great miracles. We are the exact opposite. We experience great miracles then we stop praying.

When we stop praying it’s like constructing a building but never completing it because the resources stopped coming in. We cut off our Spiritual resources when we stop praying. The Apostle Paul encouraged the church in Colossae that they would continue to be built up because:

1. From the time they heard about them they didn’t stop praying. What devastating news have you heard about that still needs prayer? Haiti, Tuscaloosa, Japan, the American economy; you ought to keep praying until it’s fixed and ask God how you can assist in fixing it.

2. Ask God to fill the people you are praying for with spiritual wisdom and the knowledge of his will. So many new Christians stop short of being filled because we stop praying for them. New believers need constant prayer so that they can be completely regenerated. Ask God to show you an individual in your church that you can partner with to pray for continually.

3. Pray so that they may live a life worthy of the Lord and bear fruit in every good work. It encourages my heart when I meet people that tell me that they are praying for me and my ministry because without it I can’t produce anything. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

Dear God,

We have a lot to pray for. We are confident that the work you began in us you will be faithful to complete it, we just have to keep the channel of communication open between you and us. Teach us how to pray without ceasing so we can keep on growing.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

[1]Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Col 1:9-12

The Secret of your Insanity

2011-06-14T10:18:00.002-05:00

Philippians 4:12

New International Version (NIV)

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Do you really need that or do you just want it? It’s amazing what we can make it without once we have to. These hard economic times have forced all of us to downsize in some shape or fashion. Whether we had to choose another home, a smaller car or no car, try to find another job we have had to make some kind of adjustments. I’ve relearned a secret from my childhood, that is, I’ve learned to be content with what I already have. When I was a child I had to finish what was on my plate before I could consume anything else. The secret to your sanity is to make full use of what you already have before you long for something more.

A brother in Christ helped me with this not long ago. He said, “Don’t take on any more debt during this recession! You don’t really need to buy anything else. How many shirts do you have? How many shoes do you have? How many of them can you wear at one time? Be thankful for what you have and spend your money wisely.”

We live in a culture that creates a false need through advertisement. The average American watches 3 hours of TV a day, spread out that’s 10 years of TV viewing in a lifetime. All the while advertisers are stealing your contentment by making you purchase stuff you don’t even need.

The secret to your sanity is to learn the secret of contentment.

1. Be happy with what you already have. Mix and match the clothing that is already in your closet. Repair that car that is already paid off before you go get a new one. All we have needed His hand has already provided.

2. Keep clean and take care of what you have. Growing up we may not have had the newest clothes but they were clean. We may not have had a mansion but our trailer was clean. We always took care of what we had and thanked God for it.

3. Get rid of clutter. When the widow woman was in debt the prophet told her to sell what was in her house. She found some empty jars and filled them oil to sell to her neighbors. Sell what you have to get what you need.

4. Don’t create any more debt. Pay off what you owe with what you save from not spending on false needs.

5. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Dear God,

I’m good! You keep making a way for me over and over again. I have no complaints. I’m moving towards being D-Free! Debt Free! Distress free! Depression Free! I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. I have learned the secret of being content.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Love & Respect!

2011-06-09T09:20:00.002-05:00

Ephesians 5:33
Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself and the wife must respect her husband.

There is always this war of the sexes as to who will bow down to the other. Are the men supposed to be more loving or are the women supposed to be more submissive? A woman came up to me after church and said she had been in debate with a bunch of men at her job about women submitting to men. She said, “They were saying a woman’s role is to cook, clean, and take care of the children.” I told her, roles are flexible because we live in a time where both sexes are working outside the house but there are two things that are fixed, Love and Respect.”

Love

Men are to love their wives in two ways:

1. As Christ loved the church. That Love was a sacrificial love, an Agape love. Jesus died for his bride, the church. Men ought to die to their selfish ways to do what’s best for their brides.

2. Love their wives as they love themselves. No man has abused his own body (that was in his right mind) or neglected to care for himself. We must take care of our wives as we take care of ourselves. Paul says in verse 29 None of us ever the our own bodies. Instead, we feed them, and take care of them, just as Christ does the church.

Respect

Women should respect their husbands. Paul says that the wives respect their husbands by submitting to them in everything. Respect and submission are important pieces of the same puzzle.

1. Respect means to hold in esteem or honor. When you respect your husband you don’t talk crazy to him or treat him with contempt.

2. Submit means to yield oneself to the power or authority of another. For a woman to submit is to respect the fact that her husband is the head of their family. For a man to love his wife, he sacrifices everything for what’s best for her.
It takes love and respect for a marriage to work. It’s a mutual love and respect. It takes two to make a thing go right. He who finds a wife, finds a good thing.

Dear God,

Thank you for modeling love and respect through Jesus. He died for us, the church, so that we could love and respect each other. Today, I submit my will to yours so that you get all the honor and Glory.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Don't Over Do It!

2011-06-08T11:00:00.002-05:00

Ecclesiastes 9:17-18

Do not be over righteous…Do not be over wicked…It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.

Have you ever met someone who was so heavenly minded they were no earthly good or so dark that you couldn’t see any light in them? Sometimes, you want to ask people why are you so serious and then other times, do you take anything serious?’ there has to be a balance.

The writer of Ecclesiastes says that the man who fears God avoids all extremes but has a good handle on both worlds. In this book, the Next Christian, Gabe Lyons talks about how this generation of Christians don’t overreact to the world but they actively engage the world. We are not to be ascetic Christians that remove ourselves from the world but we are to be Christ centered so that we go into the world to shine our lights. We don’t have to alleviate fun we elevate fun.

Jesus was the best example living a balanced life. He went to a wedding banquet and restocked the whine barrels. He attended a house party with Matthew and his friends. He talked to a sexually promiscuous woman at a well in broad day light. He touched a man who had leprosy and put himself at risk for infection. Jesus recognized the balance in life. He was serious about his work but he didn’t take himself so serious that he couldn’t enjoy life.

He told his disciples, I came to give you life and life more abundantly. He knew the hypocrisy of religious people and how you could never please them:

Matthew 11:18-19 GNT

When John the Baptist came, he fasted and drink no wine, and everyone said, “he has a demon in him! When Jesus came, he ate and drink with sinners and everyone said, “Look at this man! He is a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts! God’s wisdom, however, is shown to be true by its results.”

In other words Jesus said, “The proof is in the pudding.” are people being helped by how you live your life? Are you engaging people without losing your identity and godly influence?

Don’t overdo it!

1. Work hard and play hard. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy but all play and no work makes him a dumb boy.

2. Stay prayed up so you can stay effective as you engage. Engaging the world drains you, spending time with God fills you. Do both.

3. Have a mixture of friends saved and unsaved with the hopes of enriching their lives as they do yours.

4. Enjoy your life because when it’s over, it’s over.

Dear God,

Thank you for a balanced life. Continue to ground me in your goodness so that I can actively engage the world without being corrupted. Help me to love the world as Jesus did instead of running from it. Help me not to overdo it but to be true to it. Help me to live my life abundantly.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Two Are Better Than One!

2011-06-07T10:02:00.002-05:00

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

9 Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

10 If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

As successful as Adam was, God said, “It’s not good for a man to be alone.” God made Adam a suitable help mate. Each of us in order to be fulfilled, needs someone significant that can help us meet our full potential. I think it was Lil Wayne that said, “woman of my dreams, I’ll never find her, because I don’t sleep.” Ironically enough, Adam didn’t find Eve until he was asleep and God brought her out of Adam. It’s not until we rest in God’s presence after doing God’s will that God matched us up with a help mate.

It’s interesting that when people find their ideal job or business or team, they will use the analogy of a good marriage. Like Adam, we must also find good help mates at work and at home. It's not good for a man or a woman to work alone.

What are the benefits of two working together?

1. Together they have a good return on their work. You get more done when you are working together.

2. If you fall down the other will be there to help you up. If you fall down by yourself nobody will be there to help you get back to your feet. You don’t want to be like the elderly lady on the Life Alert commercial, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” We need a Mick from Rocky in our Corner to tell us to Get Up when we fall down.

3. Keep each other covered. Two people can keep each other from freezing to death when it’s cold.

4. More likely to defend yourselves. One person can be easily overwhelmed whereas two people can fight back to back to keep from being overwhelmed.

5. Not easily broken. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. When you are in good relationship with two or three good people that’s a strong bond.

Dear God,

Thank you for sending me a help mate at home and at work. I am surrounded by good people who make work more satisfying and make me better. Two are better than one.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

You're Closer Than You Think!

2011-06-06T16:17:00.002-05:00

Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

When I was riding in the passenger seat of my car the other day I noticed the writing on the side mirror, “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” Sometimes, when you look in the mirror it may appear that the car is further back and you can have an accident trying to get over when in fact the car is closer than you thought it was. Sometimes, when we look in our mirror we are looking at what is coming up on us or what we left behind. Just be aware that what you see in the mirror is closer than it appears.

When we look in the mirror every morning we are looking at where we have come from and where we are going. Both of them are closer than they appear. Your past made you who you are but it doesn’t stop you from going forward. As you're merging into the next lane of your life just be sure you gauge the proximity of your past with the space allotted for your future. You are closer than you think.

The person that bridges you to your future is Jesus Christ. He is Alpha and Omega. He knows your beginning from your end. We used to be far away from God because of the sin in our past but now we are closer to salvation than ever before because of Jesus. Through his death on the cross Jesus closed the gap between us and God. We are closer than ever to our purpose when we acknowledge the sacrifice of Jesus in shedding his blood to cleanse us so we could come closer to the will of God in our lives. You are closer than you think.

How are we closer than ever before?

1. Jesus destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. When Jesus died the curtain separating the Holy of holies from the common people was torn into. Jesus death brought us closer to God by removing that which separated us. V. 14

2. Jesus abolished the Law and gave us grace. Grace is unmerited favor. God does things for us because of what Jesus did on the cross. He took our sins into himself and died so that we might live. V. 15

3. Jesus reconciled us to God through the cross. The love that Jesus expressed on the cross by dying for our sins drew us back to the heart of God. V. 16
Today, you need to realize that you are closer to your destiny than you have ever been. Look in the mirror and tell yourself I’m closer to God today because of Jesus. Your past is behind you and your future is brighter. Keep driving forward knowing that you are almost there. Don’t wreck looking at your past, go forward into your future. You are closer than ever.

Dear God,

Thank you for getting me closer to my destiny through the loving sacrifice of Jesus. I’m determined to get there and I will not stop until I get to where you want me to be. Today I’m putting one foot in front of the other as I make another step toward my purpose. Thanks for getting me closer than I’ve ever been before.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Finish Your Breakfast!

2011-06-02T11:06:00.002-05:00

Proverbs 24:27
Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.

In his book, Decoded, Sean Carter said his friend Strict uses the phrase “finish your breakfast” as a way of saying that you need to finish your job up strong. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but how many of us skip breakfast? Breakfast gives us the energy we need for the morning so we can be productive. You don’t want to eat half of it and then be halfway productive. You want to finish your breakfast so you can have a powerful morning.

Finishing your breakfast means doing the things that are foundational and important so that you can go to the next level in your life. There are some things that you must do first before you can move onto loftier dreams. You don’t start something and not finish it. Whatever job it is you’ve been given to do, finish it strong before you move on to something else. You never want to be known as someone who never finishes something.

Even as a child I always wanted to finish what I started. If it was a puzzle I kept going until every piece of the puzzle fit. If it was a test I answered every question to the best of my ability. As a young man if I had a job to do I finished it no matter how unpleasant the task. In finishing my breakfast, I’ve learned how to enjoy dinner.

Solomon tells his son to finish his outdoor work and get his fields ready, after that build your house.

There is some preliminary work that needs to be done before you build a house.

1. Finish your outdoor work. There is trash that needs to be removed. Hedges that need to be cut down. Grounds that need to be leveled. This is the non-sexy part of the work. It’s the dirty work that must be done prior to putting up what’s attractive. This is where you are stuck in a musty library for three hours a day studying for college exams. This is where you are working two jobs trying to make ends meet. These are not permanent seasons but necessary.

2. Get your fields ready. You have to get your fields ready so that you can plant something that will sustain you once your house is built. Before you build or buy a house you need to make sure that you have some career that will sustain you through a recession. You don’t buy a house with a part-time job. You need to have cultivated your field. What field of study are you in? What field are you cultivating that is recession proof? Do you have more than one field in case one of them fails?

3. Build your house. After the foundation has been laid then build your house. Even with that make sure you count the cost so that you will not get in the middle of the building project and not be able to finish. Get a budget, plan for unexpected expenses, go slow, do some value engineering, get wise counsel, get the right contractors so that you can build a strong house that will withstand the storms of life.

Dear God,

Help me to finish my breakfast. There’s so much I want to accomplish for you in my lifetime. I want to work the works of him who sent me while it's day, for when night comes no man will be able to work. This morning I’m going to finish my breakfast so that when I sit at the dinner table I can hear you say, “well done, my good and faithful servant, you’ve been faithful over a few things, now come on up and I’ll make you ruler over many.” I’m going to finish my breakfast.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

We Don't Have Time For That!

2011-06-01T09:46:00.002-05:00

Romans 13:11
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

When it’s time to wake up in the morning it’s hard to get out of that bed sometimes. You want to lay in there a few more minutes. You hit the snooze button repeatedly only to realize that you slept another hour. All that changes when you know you have to be somewhere. You don’t have time to sleep when you have somewhere to be. Oftentimes, when I’m traveling and have to catch a plane, I wake up two hours earlier than I have to so that I can make sure that don’t miss my plane.

We all have an appointment with our purpose that we are in danger of missing because we love sleep more than we love being about our Father’s business. Proverbs 20:13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. Sleep is metaphoric for being idle and not active in the things that bring about self-fulfillment. We are at a crucial hour in this world where every believer needs to arise from their slumber because we don’t have time for that.

Paul says that the Law can be summarized in one sentence, Love your neighbor. You can’t love your neighbor and do evil. By this time in our spiritual journey we ought to be helping people instead of slumbering in sin. The time is approaching when God will judge each of us for what we were supposed to be doing for him. The older we get the nearer our appointment with God. We don’t have any more time to waste. All those youthful lusts we chased and wasted time with are no more. It’s time for us to rise from our sleep and be productive for God.

Paul says, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” When you wake up there are some things you have to take off and some things you have to put on.

Take off the deeds of darkness:

Sexual lawlessness-- I Corinthians 6:18 Shun immorality and all sexual looseness (flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed). Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

Drunkenness-- I Thessalonians 5:6 Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect)

Conflict-- Romans 12:18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Jealousy-- Proverbs 14:30 A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.
When you wake up clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ by putting on the full armor of God

Helmet of Salvation
Breastplate of righteousness
Shield of faith
The belt of truth
Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God
The foolish things we did when we were younger we don’t have time to do anymore. It’s time to wake up, we’ve got work to do and somewhere to be. Like Mary Mary said, “I’ve got to get myself together because I got somewhere to go, And I’m praying when I get there, I see everyone I know. I wanna go to heaven, I wanna go to heaven.”

Dear God,

Help us to wake up this morning with a sense of urgency to Love our neighbors, to take care of the poor, to practice justice, do mercy, and walk humbly with you. The night time of our lives has passed and we are ready to wake up to a new day filled with opportunities to serve you and establish your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. I’m awake now Lord and I’m ready to do what you want me to do. I refuse to go back to sleep.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Are You A Friend or A Companion?

2011-05-31T09:36:00.002-05:00

Proverbs 18:24
Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. MSG

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin but a friend sticks closer than a brother. NIV

The man of many friends (a friend of all the world) will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.AMP

I was watching an episode of Chloe and Lamar where Lamar’s friend, Jamie, was being kind of trifling. They had been friends since high school in Queens, played basketball together, and won a championship. They are more like brothers than friends. Jamie almost died of a colon disease but Lamar was right there for him giving him a job and keys to his house. Jamie started slacking on his responsibilities because of his friendship and eventually messed up a big business deal. Lamar relieved his friend of his duties. Jamie was devastated and didn’t answer his phone for three days. Lamar went to look for his friend and found him dirty, depressed, and drunk. He called his wife to tell her he was spending the night until Jamie sobered up so he could have a real talk with him. Chloe told Lamar, “You’re a good friend.” Lamar said, “You’re a better wife.”

Lamar showed me something about friendship. There is a difference between a companion and a friend. Whodini asked us a very important question back in the 80’s, “Friends, how many of us have them…the one’s we can depend on?" What we learn in our maturity is that some of the people we called friends were really just companions.

1. Companions are friends who come and go but real friends stick by you like family. Lamar kept saying that Jamie was his brother. He stuck by him even when he was at his lowest. He didn’t just let Jamie slide on being trifling and messing up the business deal but he didn’t kick while he was down either.

2. Companions are unreliable friends who if we continue to allow in our lives will cause us to come to ruin. Is it possible that Lamar was a friend to Jamie but Jamie was a companion to Lamar? If Jamie really values Lamar as a brother then he has to step up and be a brother not just a companion. A man who has friends must first show himself or herself reliable.

3. Companions try to be friends with everybody and never really established any real depth or transparency but everyone should have at least one friend who knows you like a brother. Sometimes, blood brothers are more like companions and friends more like relatives. You can’t choose your relatives but you can choose your friends. Choose wisely!

Dear God,

Help me to be a better friend to a select few. Increase the quality of my friendships. Give me discernment to know who to pour into and who to withdraw from. My success depends upon my lifeline connection to real friends. Help me to stay connected to real brothers and not unreliable companions.

In Jesus Name,

Amen