Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened more strength is needed but skill will bring success
We waste a lot of effort by chopping wood with dull axes. Maybe you haven’t chopped any wood lately but you’ve probably used a knife that wasn’t very sharp and it took more effort to cut because it was dull.
It makes more sense to keep your tools sharp so that when you use them you can work more efficiently. The ax in this proverb is symbolic of us. We have to make sure we stay razor sharp so that when we are called upon we can be effective.
We’ve all heard somebody ask us while we were working, “you working hard?” There are usually two responses:
a. No I’m hardly working b. I’m working smart not hard
When you don’t spend time sharpening your skills no matter how hard you work you are hardly working. But when you continue to improve you skills you are working smart not hard.
How do I sharpen my ax?
1. Continued education. Whether you are at your house or Morehouse study to show yourself approved. You may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but don’t be the dullest either.
2. Read a book a week. There’s too much knowledge available for us to remain dull. Read something whether it be on the Internet, magazine, or newspaper. Reading is fundamental.
3. Staying current with world news. You want to make yourself aware of current events so you can be sharp in your dialogue with others.
4. Exercising 3 times a week. Get your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes three times a week. Exercise keeps your body healthy and your mind sharp.
5. Praying/Devotion every morning. When you are spiritually alert it keeps you sharp and ready to defeat the enemy. The word of God is sharper than a two-edge sword. Stay sharp.
6. Practice your craft. The greatest NBA players have a regimen that is beyond what is expected. It’s been said that ‘practice makes perfect but instead perfect practice makes perfect.
7. Hanging with sharp people. As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another. Make sure you hang with people whose gifts are as strong or stronger than yours to keep you sharp.
Dear God
Help me to stay sharp. Surround me with people who challenge me to do my best. Everyday give me the discipline to prepare my body to be an effective tool for ministry to be the sharpest knife in the drawer by preparing my mind, body, and spirit. Keep me sharp so I can be effective for you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Who's Messing with your Genius Mix?
Ecclesiasts 7:5
It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.
Fool:
1. a person with little or no judgment, common sense, wisdom, etc, silly or stupid person; simpleton
2. a man formerly kept in the household of a king to ENTERTAIN by joking and clowning; professional jester
I really like the genius mix on I-Tunes. It takes all of the songs you have in your music library and mixes the songs of the same genre. When I’m working out I love it when there is a consistent flow of good songs that inspire but as genius as these mixes are there are times when a song makes it into the rotation that doesn’t fit. Especially on the days when I’m trying to be inspired and a foolish song comes on. A foolish song is one with no substance, no moral structure, it is totally antithetical to where I’m trying to progress. Yes I have more music other than gospel. On my “Genius” mixes there is Hip Hop, Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Crossover Pop, Classic R&B, Quiet Storm, Dance Club Remix, Christian Urban Mix, Contemporary R&B Urban Crossover.
The older I get the more I’m conscious of what’s going on in my genius mix. It’s hard to be a genius when you are listening to the song of fools. Ironically, the person who was in charge of entertaining the King was known as the fool. He was hired because of his lack of substance, and how he could demean himself for the entertainment for the elite. The problem with some rappers, some singers is that their songs are the songs of fools because they entertain the elite at the detriment of your genius. They numb your sensibilities and insult your intelligence.
It’s better to listen to a wise man’s rebuke than to song of fools. We would rather continue on a steady diet of Hip Hop, Club, and R&B rather than a mix of Gospel, Scripture, and wise counsel. We love to be entertained by fools because they lack common sense.
Jay Z in his song “Moment of Clarity” says,
I wanna rhyme like Common Sense
(But I made Five Mill)
I ain’t been rhyming like Common since
When your sense got that much in Common and you been hustling Since
Your inception
Forget Perception
Go with what makes Cents
Since I know what I’m up against , we as rapper must decide what’s most important, and I can’t help the poor if I’m one of them
For a brief moment we get a moment of clarity from Sean Carter, aka Jay Z, as he wrestles with his gift. Does he rap about that which is positive and uplifting like Common does or does he continue with his tales of hustle and material pursuits at the detriment of his people? He concludes that making more money is more important than the substance of his lyrics but the caveat is that he helps the poor with the money he makes. To his credit he has helped the poor in Africa by building wells for clean drinking water but what goes further the wells in Africa or what he offers to drink from the stage of Life when he proclaims, “Jesus can’t save you and life begins when the church ends?”
In the movie Malcom X, Elijah Muhammad tells a young Malcolm that when he has the ear of the people he has a choice. He puts a glass of water on the desk that is pure. He says if you give this to the people to drink they will drink. Then he pours ink into the water to dilute it and says, “if you give them this they will drink from it because you have their ear.” Which one will you choose?
Dear God, I pray that I choose wisely who’s on my playlists. Give me wisdom over entertainment. I need enlightenment over entertainment. I choose wisdom over riches because a fool and his money will soon depart. In my genius mix I choose the gospel of Jesus, the mind of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the grace of God. Let the living Waters flow!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.
Fool:
1. a person with little or no judgment, common sense, wisdom, etc, silly or stupid person; simpleton
2. a man formerly kept in the household of a king to ENTERTAIN by joking and clowning; professional jester
I really like the genius mix on I-Tunes. It takes all of the songs you have in your music library and mixes the songs of the same genre. When I’m working out I love it when there is a consistent flow of good songs that inspire but as genius as these mixes are there are times when a song makes it into the rotation that doesn’t fit. Especially on the days when I’m trying to be inspired and a foolish song comes on. A foolish song is one with no substance, no moral structure, it is totally antithetical to where I’m trying to progress. Yes I have more music other than gospel. On my “Genius” mixes there is Hip Hop, Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Crossover Pop, Classic R&B, Quiet Storm, Dance Club Remix, Christian Urban Mix, Contemporary R&B Urban Crossover.
The older I get the more I’m conscious of what’s going on in my genius mix. It’s hard to be a genius when you are listening to the song of fools. Ironically, the person who was in charge of entertaining the King was known as the fool. He was hired because of his lack of substance, and how he could demean himself for the entertainment for the elite. The problem with some rappers, some singers is that their songs are the songs of fools because they entertain the elite at the detriment of your genius. They numb your sensibilities and insult your intelligence.
It’s better to listen to a wise man’s rebuke than to song of fools. We would rather continue on a steady diet of Hip Hop, Club, and R&B rather than a mix of Gospel, Scripture, and wise counsel. We love to be entertained by fools because they lack common sense.
Jay Z in his song “Moment of Clarity” says,
I wanna rhyme like Common Sense
(But I made Five Mill)
I ain’t been rhyming like Common since
When your sense got that much in Common and you been hustling Since
Your inception
Forget Perception
Go with what makes Cents
Since I know what I’m up against , we as rapper must decide what’s most important, and I can’t help the poor if I’m one of them
For a brief moment we get a moment of clarity from Sean Carter, aka Jay Z, as he wrestles with his gift. Does he rap about that which is positive and uplifting like Common does or does he continue with his tales of hustle and material pursuits at the detriment of his people? He concludes that making more money is more important than the substance of his lyrics but the caveat is that he helps the poor with the money he makes. To his credit he has helped the poor in Africa by building wells for clean drinking water but what goes further the wells in Africa or what he offers to drink from the stage of Life when he proclaims, “Jesus can’t save you and life begins when the church ends?”
In the movie Malcom X, Elijah Muhammad tells a young Malcolm that when he has the ear of the people he has a choice. He puts a glass of water on the desk that is pure. He says if you give this to the people to drink they will drink. Then he pours ink into the water to dilute it and says, “if you give them this they will drink from it because you have their ear.” Which one will you choose?
Dear God, I pray that I choose wisely who’s on my playlists. Give me wisdom over entertainment. I need enlightenment over entertainment. I choose wisdom over riches because a fool and his money will soon depart. In my genius mix I choose the gospel of Jesus, the mind of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the grace of God. Let the living Waters flow!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Monday, June 7, 2010
In Too Deep
Psalms 18:16
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
Comedian John Gray said, “I will not go swimming in water where my feet can’t touch the bottom.” For those of us who might not be excellent swimmers, at some point in our lives we may remember a time when we felt our feet drift to the deeper end of the pool and found ourselves sinking in the deep end. This panic filled us as we fought our way back unsuccessfully until someone helped us back to our comfort zone.
In some area in our lives, we’ve all drifted in too deep. We had no intentions of drifting in too deep but the currents pulled us gradually or we went after others who lured us into a place we were not equipped to swim. You look around you with a quiet panic wishing you hadn't drifted this far and try your best to get back.
When my wife and I were in Hilton Head, SC, we noticed Lifeguards positioned all along the beach with eyes like Hawks watching the ocean front for people in distress. I can imagine this is what the beaches of the Kingdom really look like with poised angels who guard our lives on a daily basis as we find ourselves in too deep.
David was in too deep when Saul and his other enemies were pursuing him. David said, “in my distress, I called out to God and he reached down into the deep waters and took hold of me.” I’m glad we are never too deep that God can’t reach us. When you find yourself in too deep make sure:
1. You don’t panic. Many people drown not because they can’t be saved but because they panic. Some people will drown the people trying to rescue them by pulling them down in their attempt to save them. Participate in your salvation don’t fight against it.
2. Cry out to God. When you are in over your head cry out to God. When you’ve done all you know to do make your needs known to God and he will answer you in your distress.
3. Swim across the current. When under currents try to pull you down you don’t fight with the current, you swim across it. You have to be counter cultural by swimming across what is pulling you. People will not understand why you are coming out when you come out but it’s because you feel yourself getting in too deep.
4. Reach out to God. When God throws you a lifeline take it. God will always provide a way of escape but you can’t let your pride keep you in too deep. Don’t drown trying to impress your friends. If you can’t afford to stay in too deep take your exit now.
Dear God, thank you for hearing my despairing cry. When noting else could help your love lifted me. Every now and then I find myself far from the peaceful shores and sinking to rise no more but you, the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, now safe am I because your love lifted me. Thank you for being my Life Guard and giving me a chance to rise above my circumstances and overcoming my enemies and for placing my feet on solid ground.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
Comedian John Gray said, “I will not go swimming in water where my feet can’t touch the bottom.” For those of us who might not be excellent swimmers, at some point in our lives we may remember a time when we felt our feet drift to the deeper end of the pool and found ourselves sinking in the deep end. This panic filled us as we fought our way back unsuccessfully until someone helped us back to our comfort zone.
In some area in our lives, we’ve all drifted in too deep. We had no intentions of drifting in too deep but the currents pulled us gradually or we went after others who lured us into a place we were not equipped to swim. You look around you with a quiet panic wishing you hadn't drifted this far and try your best to get back.
When my wife and I were in Hilton Head, SC, we noticed Lifeguards positioned all along the beach with eyes like Hawks watching the ocean front for people in distress. I can imagine this is what the beaches of the Kingdom really look like with poised angels who guard our lives on a daily basis as we find ourselves in too deep.
David was in too deep when Saul and his other enemies were pursuing him. David said, “in my distress, I called out to God and he reached down into the deep waters and took hold of me.” I’m glad we are never too deep that God can’t reach us. When you find yourself in too deep make sure:
1. You don’t panic. Many people drown not because they can’t be saved but because they panic. Some people will drown the people trying to rescue them by pulling them down in their attempt to save them. Participate in your salvation don’t fight against it.
2. Cry out to God. When you are in over your head cry out to God. When you’ve done all you know to do make your needs known to God and he will answer you in your distress.
3. Swim across the current. When under currents try to pull you down you don’t fight with the current, you swim across it. You have to be counter cultural by swimming across what is pulling you. People will not understand why you are coming out when you come out but it’s because you feel yourself getting in too deep.
4. Reach out to God. When God throws you a lifeline take it. God will always provide a way of escape but you can’t let your pride keep you in too deep. Don’t drown trying to impress your friends. If you can’t afford to stay in too deep take your exit now.
Dear God, thank you for hearing my despairing cry. When noting else could help your love lifted me. Every now and then I find myself far from the peaceful shores and sinking to rise no more but you, the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, now safe am I because your love lifted me. Thank you for being my Life Guard and giving me a chance to rise above my circumstances and overcoming my enemies and for placing my feet on solid ground.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Take the Bitter with the Sweet
Proverbs 27:7
He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
When I was a child, seldom did I remember being bored. Every few minutes my children come to me and bemoan how bored they are. They have television, basketball goal, toys, and video games. How can these kids be bored?! Too much honey!
We live in a dying era of overconsumption. We consumed so much that we couldn’t appreciate how sweet life really is. Growing up poor allowed me to really taste the sweetness in my bitterness. We would ride our bikes through the country roads smelling the flowers, eating wild blackberries, and tasting honeysuckles. How sweet those days were!
We’ve got to get to a place where we can appreciate the sweetness of life. The way we do that is by not being so full. When you are full you get sick of more honey and can’t appreciate the sweetness in life but when you are hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. When I travel to Africa the people are so sweet, they have a 1/3 of what we have but there Joy is off the charts. They have learned to appreciate the little things that God grants them and find sweetness in what we would call bitter.
This recession has forced all of us to appreciate what we have even the bitter. We appreciate having groceries even though we can’t afford to go out to eat. We appreciate having a ride to work even though our car is down. We appreciate having our family together even though we don’t have our own home. We’ve learned how to take the bitter with the sweet.
We were talking about the acquired tastes of turnip greens the other day at lunch. Mayor Deberry was explaining to Derwin Sisnett from New York why Southerners like Turnip Greens. Derwin said they were too bitter. Mayor Deberry said, “yes they are bitter but when you cook them you have to add some sugar.” Black folks ate greens because we had to nobody else wanted them because they were bitter but because we were hungry we just added some sugar. When you are hungry enough even bitter moments become sweet. When we struggle we don’t become bitter we become better. When you are hungry you can make bitter moments into something sweet. Most of the successful people I know became successful and found their sweet spot because they were hungry.
Today learn how to take the bitter with the sweet:
1. Instead of complaining about something being bitter add some sugar to it. Sweeten up your environment with your attitude today. You get more flies with sugar than you do with vinegar.
2. Appreciate what is free; there is honey to taste when you are freed up to appreciate the simple things.
3. Maybe you need to fast so you can appreciate the taste of what you already have.
4. Don’t over consume, give some away so life can be sweeter, not bitter.
Dear God, how sweet it is to be loved by you! I’ve got so much to thank you for, so many blessings and so many open doors. I’m not getting bitter I’m getting better. Oh taste and see that the Lord is Good. God you get sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. I love you Lord.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
When I was a child, seldom did I remember being bored. Every few minutes my children come to me and bemoan how bored they are. They have television, basketball goal, toys, and video games. How can these kids be bored?! Too much honey!
We live in a dying era of overconsumption. We consumed so much that we couldn’t appreciate how sweet life really is. Growing up poor allowed me to really taste the sweetness in my bitterness. We would ride our bikes through the country roads smelling the flowers, eating wild blackberries, and tasting honeysuckles. How sweet those days were!
We’ve got to get to a place where we can appreciate the sweetness of life. The way we do that is by not being so full. When you are full you get sick of more honey and can’t appreciate the sweetness in life but when you are hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. When I travel to Africa the people are so sweet, they have a 1/3 of what we have but there Joy is off the charts. They have learned to appreciate the little things that God grants them and find sweetness in what we would call bitter.
This recession has forced all of us to appreciate what we have even the bitter. We appreciate having groceries even though we can’t afford to go out to eat. We appreciate having a ride to work even though our car is down. We appreciate having our family together even though we don’t have our own home. We’ve learned how to take the bitter with the sweet.
We were talking about the acquired tastes of turnip greens the other day at lunch. Mayor Deberry was explaining to Derwin Sisnett from New York why Southerners like Turnip Greens. Derwin said they were too bitter. Mayor Deberry said, “yes they are bitter but when you cook them you have to add some sugar.” Black folks ate greens because we had to nobody else wanted them because they were bitter but because we were hungry we just added some sugar. When you are hungry enough even bitter moments become sweet. When we struggle we don’t become bitter we become better. When you are hungry you can make bitter moments into something sweet. Most of the successful people I know became successful and found their sweet spot because they were hungry.
Today learn how to take the bitter with the sweet:
1. Instead of complaining about something being bitter add some sugar to it. Sweeten up your environment with your attitude today. You get more flies with sugar than you do with vinegar.
2. Appreciate what is free; there is honey to taste when you are freed up to appreciate the simple things.
3. Maybe you need to fast so you can appreciate the taste of what you already have.
4. Don’t over consume, give some away so life can be sweeter, not bitter.
Dear God, how sweet it is to be loved by you! I’ve got so much to thank you for, so many blessings and so many open doors. I’m not getting bitter I’m getting better. Oh taste and see that the Lord is Good. God you get sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. I love you Lord.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
If My Homie Falls It Ain't Worth It!
Romans 14:21
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
We live in a very liberal time. Our social mores have loosened to the point where we are not sure of what is right or wrong. There is a lot of talk of “boundary” issues because people keep moving the old boundary markers and people are stepping all over what used to be sacred or taboo. Some of our bold new moves are the result of laws that have been changed for our good and some to our detriment. In a greater spiritual sense there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and symbolically we are like Peter when God spoke to him on the rooftop about not calling anything unclean that he now made clean. Jesus gave Peter a green card to go eat with Gentiles to share the gospel. As a result of this freedom from the law as it pertained to food, there was great anxiety in the early church over what was clean or unclean. There was confusion over clean or unclean meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Mature believers who did not worship the gods, who the meat was sacrificed to, ate it and had no problems with their conscious but the weaker, more traditional believers still had hang-ups about the meat that had been offered to false gods.
Paul said neither of the two were wrong in their theological understanding in trying to live their lives out before God but the stronger in the faith have more responsibility to make sure the weaker-more traditional is not offended by his/her freedom. Whether it's eating meat, drinking wine, dancing, smoking cigars, listening to secular music, whatever it is if it offends those weaker in the faith then we ought not do it. In other words, you and God can have an understanding that what you do does not breach a Holy contract with you and him. It's not a deal breaker, but here’s the caveat. If it offends your homie/neighbor/friend/spouse then you have to give it up even though you believe it's all good. Paul says do not let your good be spoken of as evil. There are some things you have to give up for the greater good of others and the Kingdom.
The other reason you have to give up some “border line” offenses is just that, they are “border line.” When you waiver between your own viewpoints of it being good or not good then it’s probably offensive. If there is “cognitive dissonance” your conscious is torn, then that’s a good sign that this particular act shouldn’t be done until God gives you a ‘rooftop’ revelation that it’s okay. Look at verse 23 but the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats because his eating is not from faith, and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
If what you do causes someone to fall don’t do it.
Dear God, help me to be conscious of others and not just please my own tastes. Help me to be sensitive to my playlists while other people are listening. When no one is listening but you and me, help me not to offend you. In all that I say and all that I do, may it be acceptable to you and my Homies.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
We live in a very liberal time. Our social mores have loosened to the point where we are not sure of what is right or wrong. There is a lot of talk of “boundary” issues because people keep moving the old boundary markers and people are stepping all over what used to be sacred or taboo. Some of our bold new moves are the result of laws that have been changed for our good and some to our detriment. In a greater spiritual sense there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and symbolically we are like Peter when God spoke to him on the rooftop about not calling anything unclean that he now made clean. Jesus gave Peter a green card to go eat with Gentiles to share the gospel. As a result of this freedom from the law as it pertained to food, there was great anxiety in the early church over what was clean or unclean. There was confusion over clean or unclean meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Mature believers who did not worship the gods, who the meat was sacrificed to, ate it and had no problems with their conscious but the weaker, more traditional believers still had hang-ups about the meat that had been offered to false gods.
Paul said neither of the two were wrong in their theological understanding in trying to live their lives out before God but the stronger in the faith have more responsibility to make sure the weaker-more traditional is not offended by his/her freedom. Whether it's eating meat, drinking wine, dancing, smoking cigars, listening to secular music, whatever it is if it offends those weaker in the faith then we ought not do it. In other words, you and God can have an understanding that what you do does not breach a Holy contract with you and him. It's not a deal breaker, but here’s the caveat. If it offends your homie/neighbor/friend/spouse then you have to give it up even though you believe it's all good. Paul says do not let your good be spoken of as evil. There are some things you have to give up for the greater good of others and the Kingdom.
The other reason you have to give up some “border line” offenses is just that, they are “border line.” When you waiver between your own viewpoints of it being good or not good then it’s probably offensive. If there is “cognitive dissonance” your conscious is torn, then that’s a good sign that this particular act shouldn’t be done until God gives you a ‘rooftop’ revelation that it’s okay. Look at verse 23 but the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats because his eating is not from faith, and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
If what you do causes someone to fall don’t do it.
Dear God, help me to be conscious of others and not just please my own tastes. Help me to be sensitive to my playlists while other people are listening. When no one is listening but you and me, help me not to offend you. In all that I say and all that I do, may it be acceptable to you and my Homies.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Don't Think About It
Romans 13:14
Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Parents seem to have this built in radar for their children. They can see your intentions way before you even know they are on to you. As a parent, you can see a toddler on their way to an expensive vase confusing it with a toy and you grab the vase in one hand and hold back the child with the other while saying, “don’t even think about it!” That child had no idea how much that vase cost or how much damage they would have done if they had broken it. It takes a caring parent to let them know that this is something you need to take off of your curious menu selection.
Our Heavenly Father knows us pretty well too. Our hearts are perverse and we constantly need to be re-directed from our pursuit of pleasure. Jesus said, “it’s not what goes into a man that defiles him but what comes out of him that kills him.” I’m preaching this Sunday about Iron Man Revealed. Tony Starks has a heart that he had invented to keep him alive. The heart is making his body toxic. He told his friend that the same thing that is keeping me alive is also killing me. When our hearts are set on the wrong things it can be deadly.
There was a season of immaturity where we gave in to our depravity to gratify our fleshly desires, debauchery, orgies, and sexual immorality but now is the time for us to wake up. It’s morning time! Everything that looked good and felt good is not good for us. It looks like a toy but it's really an expensive lesson that could cost us our lives.
Don’t even think about it!
1. Clothe yourself with Christ. To clothe ourselves requires that we first acknowledge our nakedness. Revelation 3:17 (New International Version)
17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. What we have used for covering is actually exposing our vulnerabilities. We must clothe ourselves with Christ by putting on the full armor of God.
2. Don’t think about it! This is the season to stop being pre-occupied with what is killing your anointing. Your focus needs to be on what is building up your spirit man and not what is toxifying your flesh. Colossians 3:2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3. Be about your father’s business. We must work the works of him who sent us for the day is almost over, behold the night of God’s judgment is coming and when night comes no man will be able to play catch up. Romans 13:11 (New International Version)
11And 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.
Dear God, thank you for waking me up to realize that I almost touched something very expensive that would have cost me a lot. You kept me from danger seen and unseen. It’s time for me to wake up and be about my father’s business. Today my focus is on you and your purpose for my life. I’ve wasted enough time on pleasure; the rest of my life is on purpose.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Parents seem to have this built in radar for their children. They can see your intentions way before you even know they are on to you. As a parent, you can see a toddler on their way to an expensive vase confusing it with a toy and you grab the vase in one hand and hold back the child with the other while saying, “don’t even think about it!” That child had no idea how much that vase cost or how much damage they would have done if they had broken it. It takes a caring parent to let them know that this is something you need to take off of your curious menu selection.
Our Heavenly Father knows us pretty well too. Our hearts are perverse and we constantly need to be re-directed from our pursuit of pleasure. Jesus said, “it’s not what goes into a man that defiles him but what comes out of him that kills him.” I’m preaching this Sunday about Iron Man Revealed. Tony Starks has a heart that he had invented to keep him alive. The heart is making his body toxic. He told his friend that the same thing that is keeping me alive is also killing me. When our hearts are set on the wrong things it can be deadly.
There was a season of immaturity where we gave in to our depravity to gratify our fleshly desires, debauchery, orgies, and sexual immorality but now is the time for us to wake up. It’s morning time! Everything that looked good and felt good is not good for us. It looks like a toy but it's really an expensive lesson that could cost us our lives.
Don’t even think about it!
1. Clothe yourself with Christ. To clothe ourselves requires that we first acknowledge our nakedness. Revelation 3:17 (New International Version)
17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. What we have used for covering is actually exposing our vulnerabilities. We must clothe ourselves with Christ by putting on the full armor of God.
2. Don’t think about it! This is the season to stop being pre-occupied with what is killing your anointing. Your focus needs to be on what is building up your spirit man and not what is toxifying your flesh. Colossians 3:2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3. Be about your father’s business. We must work the works of him who sent us for the day is almost over, behold the night of God’s judgment is coming and when night comes no man will be able to play catch up. Romans 13:11 (New International Version)
11And 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.
Dear God, thank you for waking me up to realize that I almost touched something very expensive that would have cost me a lot. You kept me from danger seen and unseen. It’s time for me to wake up and be about my father’s business. Today my focus is on you and your purpose for my life. I’ve wasted enough time on pleasure; the rest of my life is on purpose.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Just Drop It!
Proverbs 17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
I can feel it, coming in the air tonight
Oh lord
I’ve been waiting for this moment, for all my life
Oh Lord
You can feel when an argument is getting ready to happen. It’s like a storm cloud rising in your chest. There is a little voice in your head saying, ‘run for shelter’ but your need to be right makes you keep running into the storm. The best way to end an argument is to recognize the warning signs before it even gets to that point and drop it.
The writer of Proverbs says that arguing is like breaching a dam. Breaching is a breaking up or disruption of friendly relations. It’s like taking a sledgehammer and knocking a hole in the wall of a dam. Nobody wins in an argument, everybody gets flooded.
He who loves quarreling loves sin. Proverbs 17:19 Arguing is becoming defensive. When you put up a fence or a wall you invite destruction. The higher the wall the more people want to attack it. “But if I don’t become defensive, then they will win.” When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord he makes even his enemies at peace with him. It’s more important to be in right relationship with God and others than it is to win an argument. Just drop it!
In the movie Fearless, Jet Li’s character watches his father as a little boy preparing for a fight. His father is getting ready to go settle a dispute with a rival the old fashioned way. They are using martial arts to settle it once and for all. The father tells the son to stay at home because he doesn’t want him to see this violence. The boy sneaks away and right as the father is getting ready to issue the deathblow he catches the eye of his son and stops inches of the man only to be defeated by the man. Saving his son’s innocence was more important than winning.
Even though you could issue a death blow with your words because you have the knowledge or information which could render your opponent speechless and humiliated, what’s the use when all you do is ill a friendship?! Drop it!
Proverbs 17:27 a man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even tempered.
1. You’re not weak for dropping it.
2. There is wisdom in restraint.
3. Overcome evil with good; do not be overcome with evil.
Dear God control my temper and help me to be a repairer of the breach. Today, I give up my right to be right, so that there may be peace. It’s not about me but about peace and reconciliation. I’m dropping it.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
I can feel it, coming in the air tonight
Oh lord
I’ve been waiting for this moment, for all my life
Oh Lord
You can feel when an argument is getting ready to happen. It’s like a storm cloud rising in your chest. There is a little voice in your head saying, ‘run for shelter’ but your need to be right makes you keep running into the storm. The best way to end an argument is to recognize the warning signs before it even gets to that point and drop it.
The writer of Proverbs says that arguing is like breaching a dam. Breaching is a breaking up or disruption of friendly relations. It’s like taking a sledgehammer and knocking a hole in the wall of a dam. Nobody wins in an argument, everybody gets flooded.
He who loves quarreling loves sin. Proverbs 17:19 Arguing is becoming defensive. When you put up a fence or a wall you invite destruction. The higher the wall the more people want to attack it. “But if I don’t become defensive, then they will win.” When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord he makes even his enemies at peace with him. It’s more important to be in right relationship with God and others than it is to win an argument. Just drop it!
In the movie Fearless, Jet Li’s character watches his father as a little boy preparing for a fight. His father is getting ready to go settle a dispute with a rival the old fashioned way. They are using martial arts to settle it once and for all. The father tells the son to stay at home because he doesn’t want him to see this violence. The boy sneaks away and right as the father is getting ready to issue the deathblow he catches the eye of his son and stops inches of the man only to be defeated by the man. Saving his son’s innocence was more important than winning.
Even though you could issue a death blow with your words because you have the knowledge or information which could render your opponent speechless and humiliated, what’s the use when all you do is ill a friendship?! Drop it!
Proverbs 17:27 a man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even tempered.
1. You’re not weak for dropping it.
2. There is wisdom in restraint.
3. Overcome evil with good; do not be overcome with evil.
Dear God control my temper and help me to be a repairer of the breach. Today, I give up my right to be right, so that there may be peace. It’s not about me but about peace and reconciliation. I’m dropping it.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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