A Missed Opportunity...

I had a conversation with one of my brothers in Christ...we were having a casual conversation...nothing too deep...we were talking about different things that we had struggled with in our walk with Christ...somehow we ended up talking about our experiences at the barber shop...

Now in the African American community...the barber shop...the hair salon...the nail shop...etc...is the place where you can hear and learn just about anything...no matter what side of the tracks you are from...your paths will cross at the barber shop...You can hear the latest gossip...ESPN can't touch my barber's analysis of the latest sports news and events...You can receive counsel on your relationships and even your taxes...in the barber shop...

Think about your last visit...what did you hear? What did you see?...Did Christ ever come up in the conversation? I'm not talking about church gossip...I'm talking about the Word of God...If we are honest with ourselves...the barber shop can be a place where "virgin ears" will be molested...Where are the Christians? We are sitting right there with them...laughing...and amening...some of the most foolish thoughts and ideas ever uttered...the stylist hands us a mirror...we take a glance...we look good...we pay...and we leave...we leave the shop...feeling better about ourselves...

Preachers and Playas...sit in the same chair...Saints and Sinners look in the same mirror...and see the same thing...a "fine" reflection...How fine is that reflection? We leave the barber shop in the same "jacked up" spiritual state...we found it in...James reminds us in James 1:23-25...that...

23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law[the Word of Truth/Bible] that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Christians we miss our blessings when we sit among sinners and do not share the gospel with them...For years I have been found guilty of this sin of omission...My charge to you today is to never leave the barber shop the same again...You should come in with a Word...and leave a Word for them...now I know this may be harder for some of us than others...but I promise you...the blessings that come from this GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY...will never cease to flow into your life...

Let's pray...Lord forgive us for missing the opportunity share your gospel with those around us...Give us a BOLDNESS in our Spirit...that we may proclaim those things that you would have your people to know...we Love you Lord and we need you...It's in Jesus' name we pray...AMEN...

November

I'm just freewriting...In the aftermath of Black Friday...I chose to lay on the couch...with ESPN on the tube...a recent sermon playing in my ears...and write to you...I titled this post...November...this month has been crazy for me...my head is still spinning...I'm being poured out...Have you ever had that feeling??? You just want a free weekend...no calls...no engagements...you are drained...you would rather be alone than be with friends...shut the door...close the blinds...and rest...rest is a gift of God...How often have we took time to receive that gift? I'm guilty...I often reject this gift...why?...I don't know...maybe restlessness...always on the go...to be idle is not an option...so I reject the gift...feeling the church and ministry would suffer without my efforts...it could have to do with knowing how much time I wasted living for the foolish things of this world...whatever the case...I reject the precious gift of rest...

As God continues to develop me as a preacher...Pastor...mentor...he shows me the importance of time away from the crowd...look at Jesus' ministry...How many times does the Bible speak of Jesus stealing away? I can think of a few without even opening my Bible...If Jesus had to chill...what about us?...I live in the Tennessee Valley...sometimes I like to drive up Monte Sano...walk around in the public parks at the top...it is so peaceful...my "secret place"...where I can be completely alone with God...(right now my car is in the shop)...so my "secret place" has been between my ears...I take a walk and see God in everything...in the traffic jam...in the birds...in the flowers...God is with us....

Although in the natural this has been a crazy month...car trouble...illness...tons of bad news...not to mention I teach kids...lol...inspite of this...I still see God at work...In the Spirit...I know that November is my harvest month...I know that God is revealing Himself...in my four years of ministry...this November has been my most active month...several speaking engagements...constantly pouring myself out...in this I see God developing me into the man He wants me to be...at times I feel alone in the crowd...I feel like I'm in a bubble...isolated...yet I'm surrounded by people that love me and enjoy my company...at times my "secret place" calls out to me...I've learned that I can turn a place of chaos into a sanctuary...this comes with maturity...I pray that you receive God's gift of rest...that you take time to steal away...that you resort to your "secret place" when surrounded by your problems...God is waiting for you there...waiting to encourage you...to comfort you...to give you strength to endure...He will allow you to see the fruits of your obedience...I promise you He'll do it...

Let's pray...Lord we love you...we wanna be more like you...help us to keep your way...to honor you with our lifestyle...order our steps...help us to receive your rest...today...don't allow us to go another day without taking time to share with you...we need you Lord...pray for us Holy Spirit...renew us...pour into us...Lord we thank you...and it is in Jesus' name we pray...Amen

Concerning followers...

I haven't posted a blog in awhile...I have been busy...with work and the ministry...When I started this blog...it was only a tool for me to couple my passion for writing and sharing God's Word...with anyone who would take time to read it...some of my favorite blogposts were the ones I wrote in the summer of 2008...so if you are viewing my blog for the first time...start with the old blogs and work your way to the most recent...I try to only post when I am inspired to write...that way whoever reads my blog will be blessed with something fresh...and especially for them...

I was concerned that no one was reading these blogs...until today...I realized that I had a new follower...someone that I never met...took the two seconds it takes to become a follower of my blogspot...to those who choose to take the time to follow this blog...I want to say thank you...thank you for encouraging my ministry...someone I have never met before...actually reads the insights that God shares with me as I walk with Him...I think that is deep...and I thank you from the bottom of my heart...for your obedience to the Spirit of God...My prayer is that you have been encouraged...

Just like you follow this blog...I am following the example of Christ...I am reminded of Philippians 4:8,9...it says...Finally, brethen, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

These are the words of Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi...basically he was saying to them...whatever things are of God...think on those things...and if you can not do that...look at my example...follow me...and the God of peace shall be with you...

Now I am no Paul...and I am definitely no Jesus...I am just like you...I struggle with everything everyone else struggles with at my age...I assume...but Paul was able to tell the church at Philppi...if you can not see God...look at me...and the God of peace shall be with you...My prayer is that my life will be an example to all that look on me...everyday I try to lead my life in a way that would be pleasing to God...and that others might come to share in relationship with Him...on account of something that I was able to say or do...of my three followers on this blog...I only know one of them...the other two are complete strangers...my prayer is that you reach out to me via email...so that we can share in our walk with Christ....I want to know more about you than what the "followers" application will allow me to know...I want to pray for the intimate details of your life...I want to KNOW you...so please reach out to me...that I can minister to you through this blog...

If you never read another blog...take this with you...Don't ever put your trust in man...put your trust in Christ...allow Him to lead you...and I promise you...you will come into the knowledge of His peace...peace that you can not understand...peace that only comes through relationship with Him...Let's pray...

Lord you are so awesome...thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ...who died for our sins...thank you for allowing Him to be a perfect example for us to follow...allow your peace to rest on our lives...grow us where we are weak...and prepare us for your purposes...teach us your ways...and allow us to never forget what you have shown us...through our life experiences...and the experiences of others...surround us with good Christian examples...that your Kingdom might be edified...Lord we love you...and we bless your holy name with our lifestyle...we ask these things in Jesus' name...Amen

The Willing...The Wavering...and the Weak

In my last blog...I spoke about the Men's Retreat at my church...This was the Word from the Lord...Matthew 26:36-50...The Willing...The Wavering...and The Weak...

Matthew 26:36-50

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And He came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh He to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people
48 Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed Him.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore are thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Imagine for a moment if you knew the exact way you would die? If you know the time, the day, the place...everything about your death you already knew about it...well that is where Jesus was...that is the mental state he was in...He had the last supper with his disciples...He retreated to a familiar place...a frequent hangout...Gethesmane...An olive oil press at the top of the Mount of Olives...I do not know why Jesus hung out here. I do not know why Jesus chose to hang out at an olive oil press...I assume it was to be close to the oil...Oil has always represented the presence of God...maybe he chose to CLIMB to get closer to God...

If you haven't guessed already...in our text tonight...Jesus represents THE WILLING servant...

Jesus was willing to CLIMB...He have to be willing to grow in the Lord...we ought to have a desire to get closer to God...that is the sign of a willing servant...a close relationship with the
Master...
Jesus was willing to PRAY...the pray the same prayer three times...concerning his weakness...We have to be willing to PRAY to talk to God in our time of need...not only for ourselves but for others as well...
Jesus was will to DIE...the last sign of a willing servant is his commitment to the command...his commitment to the will of the Master...Jesus ultimately dies on Calvary for the sins of the world...He was willing to stick with it until the end...even unto death...

The disciples are our example of a Wavering servant...

The disciples suffered from severe ministry burnout...Jesus had been busy the last week of His life...read the Gospels and they will all confirm that in this last week of Jesus' life He was everywhere...and the disciples were right behind Him...even at the last supper...they ate together...they finally had a chance to rest...get their feet washed...feel their bellies...and Jesus asks them to follow him to Gethesmane...they were all tired...Judas was lost in the shuffle...and when the finally reach the top of the mount...they had a chance to sit down...and they fell asleep...they drifted...on their specific instructions...on their orders...to watch and pray...and they failed Jesus...he came first to Peter...then to the others...and found them sleeping twice...the third time...he came to them he woke them up...and prepared him for His betrayal...

The Disciples WAVERED in their leadership...Peter, James, and John were the closest to Christ...and even they failed Him...he brought them a little closer to Himself...and when he returned they were sleeping...As leaders in ministry we can not rest....we can not become lazy...or grow weary...because THE SPIRIT IS WILLING AND THE FLESH IS WEAK...
The Disciples were nodding off...and Jesus was in agony...

The Disciples WAVERED in their discipleship...they had been with Jesus more than anyone else...if anyone knew He was in agony...they knew...but they were too tired...to selfish to pray with God...in His moment of need...

The Disciples WAVERED in their relationship...they wavered in their relationship...to their brother...their weakest link...Judas...they allow him to get lost in the shuffle...somewhere between the Upper Room and Gethesemane...Judas goes unnoticed....We can not allow our weaker brother or sister to stumble...it is our responsibility to watch on their behalf...

Now finally...the Weak servant...It would be an injustice not to reveal Judas to you...I don't know what lead him to betray Jesus...maybe it was the fact that Jesus was so powerful...and influential that he could have easily become King...and Judas would be Secretary of the Treasury...what a waste (he may have thought)...Jesus spoke so much about dying for Israel...that he Judas decide to get rich off of His death...maybe he was angry when he left the room because Jesus...had .accused him of betrayal in front of the others...(Jesus didn't accuse him...Judas' guilty conscience may have pushed him over the edge)...nevertheless Judas (whose name means Praise) sold out just for the price of a common slave...Judas didn't live up to his name...He lived WEAK and he died WEAK...Judas later commits suicide overcome with the guilt of his actions...

Judas was too WEAK TO CLIMB...signs of a weak servant...stagnant growth...no growth...spotty service...frequent disappearing acts...you know this brother or sister...yet Sunday after Sunday you don't reach out...you don't disciple him...you allow him to get lost in the shuffle...

Judas was too WEAK TO PRAY...instead Judas chose to BETRAY...He sold out God...he gave into the flesh...he fail for the trick of the devil...he lost the battle with the enemy

Judas was too WEAK TO LIVE...God has called us to an abundant life? Yet we don't live it...we chose to settle for mediocrity...we do not walk into the blessings that God has for us...

Let us not be like the weak servant...but allow us to be more like Christ...who was willing to pay the costs for God's will to be done on Earth...through Him...Let's pray...

Lord you are so good...fill us with your awesome Spirit that our lives will be refreshed and renewed...encourage us Lord...thank you for the Word...thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who came that we might have an abundant life...a life in relationship with you...Thank you Father...bless the lives of those who have a desire to do your will...we thank you and we love you in Jesus' name I pray...Amen

When you know that you know...

I'm just freewriting...My Sunday school class wasn't reading my Sunday school notes...so I lost my motivation to blog...Have you ever been there?

When you are excited...and know matter how you try to explain your excitement to others...they just don't get it...they smile in agreement...nod in approval...but leave your presence without a clue...

I hope you can identify with me...in black and white it may seem bad...when you experience a series of "rained out parades"...this feeling of excitement could be dreaded...but I pray that you don't allow anyone to rain on your parade...I pray that the joy of the Lord fill you...that His anointing carries you...that His grace and mercy follow you everywhere you find yourself...I pray the best for you...I pray God's best for you...so REJOICE in the Lord with me...Don't allow the inconsistencies of this world distract you from blessing...Our FAITHFUL God!!! He REIGNS FOREVER!!!

I've been busy this month...August...my birth month...the eighth month is the month of New Beginnings...(In the Bible the number 8 symbolizes New Beginnings)...It seems as if my ministry has taken off...(For those who don't know...I am a minster of the gospel...I serve at a Baptist church)...I have been so busy...I teach Pre-K by day...but all my other time is committed to my church...this month I have preached more than I ever have in the four years since I announced my calling...I have preached at our Sunday morning worship service...a family reunion...a Youth Explosion...and this Friday...I'll preach at my church's Men's Retreat...what I am trying to say...is my ministry has seen a new beginning...

I have a really close friend...she has been like a mother to me since I've been away at college...her only child left for college a few weeks ago...Like any parent would...she worries...and she prays...She is experiencing a new beginning...

I pray that you are recognizing your own new beginning...I pray that you are dedicating yourself to advancing the gospel...I pray that you are doing everything you can...to seek God's face concerning your purpose...The sooner you do...the happier you'll be...

And when you know that you know that you know...God is real...

You'll give your life to Him...

He gave His for you...

Let's pray...Lord...you are so good...you know us better than we know ourselves...and we are so thankful that you chose to love us...You are holy and we desire to be holy...so Lord forgive us of our sins...teach us your ways...give us a new heart...give us a new walk...a new talk...make us over Lord...we need you...bless our families...keep us grounded...focus us...restore to us the joy of your salvation...whatever we need...You supply...so Lord make a way...reveal yourself to us...we bless you for your faithfulness...we surrender our will to You, Lord...show us the way...we love you Lord...and it is in Jesus' name we pray...Amen

Spreading the Wealth

This week's study is found in the Old Testament...The book of Leviticus...chapter 25:8-21,23-24...The golden text is verse 10...

"ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof...and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and...every man unto his family"

Our lesson deals with the Year of Jubilee...every fifty years the Lord would remind the Israelites to "spread the wealth"...The Lord would produce a crop that would sustain the Israelites for three years...so that in the 49th and 50th year the land could rest...

The Lord requires us to share the message of His gospel...to spread the wealth of His love and good fortune on all we come in contact with...In the Year of Jubilee...debt was cleared...prisoners were set free...and land was returned to its original owner...

In what ways are you "spreading the wealth'...we must remember that nothing we have is ours...everything belongs to God...we should use everything to bring glory to His name...

This week I read something pretty deep and I wanted to share it with you...

The greatest sin of omission...is to withhold the joy of gospel from our neighbor...it is a sin to keep quiet about the blessings God has bestowed upon us...

So let us do all we can to "spread the wealth"...Let's pray...

Lord we are sorry for being stingy with the things you have so freely given us...give us a heart to serve you...and to serve your people...Lord help us to be begin today...doing more and more to advance the message of your kingdom...Lord we don't want to be the same...teach us your ways...forgive us for our sins...known and unknown...bless our coming in and our going out...in the matchless name of Jesus...we pray this prayer...Amen...

Commissioning for Service

The unit for the month of July is titled...Called to be God's people...this is the third lesson in that unit...Commissioning for Service...

God has a certain task for each of us...we specific details as to how we should carry out that task...in the book of Leviticus...the Lord outlines the work of the priest...Moses operates as He is commanded to by God...

Leviticus 8:1-13 says...

And the Lord spake unto Moses saying
Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;
And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Moses did as the Lord commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done.
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.
And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.
And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.
And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the Lord commanded Moses

God is calling us to holiness...Before we can truly work effectively for God...he has to prepare us for the task at hand...It is our responsibility to trust God in every situation that life presents...Ask God to show you the specific task He has planned for your life...Ask Him to come into your heart that you might say exactly what He would have you to say...that you might save His people...

Let's pray...Lord we know that you have an awesome work planned for our lives...we need you God...to show us how to be the men and women you called us to be...instruct us Lord...help us to trust you...help us to walk by faith...help us to study your Word...we desire to know you better...we desire to see your plan come to fruition in our life...so start now God...shaping us and molding us into mighty weapons for your kingdom...and it is in Jesus' name...we pray this prayer...Amen