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

Remembering and Celebrating

We celebrate many different occasions in our culture...we celebrate national holidays...birthdays...events like graduations...weddings....the birth of a child...the death of a loved one...we celebrate so many different things...and we know how and why we celebrate these occasions...

This week's Sunday school lesson speaks of another occasion we should rejoice in...Lesson 6 Remembering and Celebrating...Deuteronomy 16:1-8...the Golden Text...is verse one...let's check it out...

Deuteronomy 16:1-8 says...
Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the Lord thy God: for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the Lord thy God of the flock and the herd, in the place which the Lord shall choose to place his name there.
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread threwith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of they life.
And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee:
But at the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.
Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.

I hope that you can see what I see in this text...it is a wonderful thing to celebrate...I mean truly have a good time...I have had so much fun that I was exhausted...I needed to rest...that is the very simple message of this text...Let me bust this text wide open for you...

Verse one speaks of the month of Abib...Abib is the first month on the Jewish calendar...the month of Abib is when the ripe harvest is gathered...It is in a month of plenty...He said while you are at your best celebrate your deliverance...when you are at your worst celebrate your deliverance...remember how I brought you out...and then rest in my protection...rest in my provision...and grace and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life...

We celebrate a good God...a God that fights our battles...that has given us the victory...and the sad reality is most of us don't even realize that there is a party going on...we know why we celebrate our 21st birthday...to get drunk...we know why we celebrate graduation...because of the huge accomplishment...So why don't we know why...we celebrate what the Lord has done in our life??? How busy is your life that you haven't stopped to smell the roses? What situation has you so tangled up...you refuse to know Christ???

That is a question only you can answer...There is a party going on...and you're invited...your place in VIP has already been reserved by the Son of the Host...so cut loose...and live your life to the fullest...Let's pray...

Lord...you have been so good to us...we don't even know why you send blessings our way at times...it is nothing but your grace and mercy that carry us...thank you Lord for your provision...thank you Lord for your protection...remind us of your Word daily...forgive us of our sins...you are so holy...we want to be more like you...so make us again anew...a fresh anointing Lord...give us direction...give us understanding...we love you Lord...we celebrate you Lord...and it is in Jesus' name we pray...Amen...

Accepting God's Rules for Living

I hope that you had a great Fourth of July celebration...the desire for ribs and potato salad still haunt me...the weekend is not over yet...I may still have a chance for a rib plate...pray for me...

This week's Sunday school lesson begins the second unit of the quarter...Called to be God's People...Lesson 5...Accepting God's Rules for Living...Deuteronomy 5:1-9a, 11-13, 16-21...

Deuteronomy 5:1 (KJV)
And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgements which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
(I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to shew you the word of the Lord: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying
I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
9a Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them.

11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.
Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work.

16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill
Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
Neither shalt thou steal.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Neither shalt thou desire they neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's

Have you ever heard the expression, "Rules were meant to be broken"...I don't know who gets credit for being the first person to ever utter that statement...I wish I could talk with them...and ask them...What exactly did you mean by rules were meant to be broken?

Does it mean that we should expect to struggle with obedience? That is what it sounds like...accepting God's rules for Living...means that God has guidelines that we need to live by...choosing our own way causes us to reject God's rules and die in disobedience...

God has called us to be his people...He has invited us into relationship with Him...and the Ten Commandments were the rules God intends for us to live by...verses 1-9a and 11-13 deal with our relationship with God...and verses 19-21 deals with our relationship with mankind...If we plan to lead an abundant life...full of God's blessings...we need to know Him...and keep His commandments...

John 14:15 says...If you love me, keep my commandments...

Let's us pray...Lord God you are so holy...forgive us of our sins known and unknown...allow nothing to hinder us from hearing your voice...there is so much for us to be thankful for...and we just want to start by thanking you for your Word...that does not return to you void...but accomplishes what it was set forth to do...so help us Lord to obey your Word...to live a life that is pleasing in your sight...help us to come into relationship with you...help us to love our fellow man...to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ...we love you Lord...and we need you...and it is in Jesus' name we pray...Amen...

Finding and Giving Protection...

Have you ever been in a situation where things seemed out of your control? I don't know the particular details of your situation, but whatever they were you felt helpless? Maybe you were having trouble with a bully, co-worker, supervisor, etc...You seemed to be stuck between a rock and a hard place...I once heard a country preacher say...whenever you find yourself between a rock and a hard place...ALWAYS TURN TO THE ROCK...YOUR ROCK IN TIMES OF TROUBLE IS J-E-S-U-S!!!...

In our Sunday school lesson this week, we find Moses and the Children of Israel sandwiched between an angry Egyptian army and "seemingly" uncrossable Red Sea...we see this week that God offers us His protection in the crises of life...

This blog will focus on Lesson 4...Finding and Giving Protection...the scripture lesson text is found in...Exodus 14: 15-25, 30...check it out...

Exodus 14:15 says...
And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they may go forward;
But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharoah , and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharoah's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord look unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.
And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

Exodus 14:30 says...
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

Maybe you have never been in a life or death situation like Moses and the children of Israel...but I want you to know that the same God that delivered them out of the hands of Pharoah is the same God that will same you from the ups and downs of life...

There are a few things that I want you to notice from this lesson...the first thing that I want you to see is that God always offers a solution to your desperate situation...verses 15-17 show us God's plan for the Israelites...the second thing I want you to notice is that God will make your enemies into your footstool...(v.18)...notice Moses...in verse 21...He was obedient to the Lord's command...and it was only in His complete obedience that the children of Israel were delivered...(v.22)...and finally we know that Isaiah 55:11 reminds that God's word can not return to Him void...but it must accomplish that which it was set forth to do...verses 23-25,30...tell us exactly what God said would happen to the Egyptians...we should be confident knowing that if God says it...it is going to happen...

God offers His protection to those who are obedient to His word...so stay in His hedge of protection...nothing will ever destroy you while in the arms of the Lord...

Let's pray...Lord we just come thanking you for your protection...for your provision...Lord we ask right now that you forgive us for all of our sins...known and unknown...that we might be able to inherit the blessings of your kingdom...Lord I ask you to help us where we waver...give us the strength and courage to obey your will in desperate situations...Help us to cross over our uncrossable situations...we need you Lord...and we love you...it is in Jesus' name we pray...Amen...

Recognizing True Authority

I am going to use this blog as a medium to share my notes on the weekly Sunday school lesson with my students...this way they can study with me from their laptops or desktops wherever they are...

This quarter (June, July, and August) we are going to be dealing with...God's Call to His People...In the first Unit (June)...our lessons center around being...Called Out of Egypt...In the book of Exodus...we find the story of Moses and the Children of Israel...

This blog will focus on Lesson Three...Recognizing True Authority...the scripture lesson text is found in the Exodus 5:1-9, 22-6:1...check it out...

Verse 1-9 says..."And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go , we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as hertofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

Exodus 5:22-6:1 says...And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered they people at all. Exodus 6:1 says...Then the Lord says unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

Recognizing True Authority...

What do you think this means? At first glance...it seems like the title of this lesson suggest that we need to not only recognize "true authority", but false authority as well. So what or who has "true authority"? Better yet what does authority mean?

According to several definitions from Webster-Merriam Online Dictionary...The word authority is defined as persons in command or as having power to influence or command thought, opinion or behavior

I can't speak for you, but I have given authority to a lot of the wrong people. I have given authority to my girlfriend, my peers, and even complete strangers at one time or another. At that point, God had never been someone I realized deserved complete authority in my life.

Look at the scripture lesson...what happened under the authority of Pharaoh? We see in the scripture that only bad things came as a result of his authority. God wants to deliver us from our bad situations, but we have to give Him the authority to do whatever it is He wants to do in our life.

Let's pray...Lord, you are so awesome...you know us better than we know ourselves...forgive us Lord of all of our sins...known and unknown...we want to be better Christians...so Lord allow us to submit to your authority...help us to understand that your will for our lives is better than anything we could ever create for ourselves...we need you Lord...we love you...and we ask these things in Jesus' name...Amen

Where I've been...What I've learned...and Where I'm headed...

It has been a while since my last posted...I don't even know when my last post was...I will be sure to do that when I finish posting this blog...I have a lot to say...so we should start talking...

Hey...I may or may not know you...most people that read this blog are my family and friends...I realize that some people have never met me...so I want to introduce myself to you...so that you feel like you know me...okay where to start...I'm 24...I'm a career student (unintentionally)...I've been preaching for 4 years...oh did I mention I have issues...Now these issues may not be your issues...but I have issues...there are things I struggle with...things I don't understand...so a lot of times I find myself on the wrong-side of a bad decision...I have a good idea as to what I want out of life...but I have a hard time "pulling myself up by the bootstraps"...and living my dream...

So I pray...and I pray...and I pray some more...I read the Bible...I study the Bible...and I attempt to live the Bible...which leads me to keep praying....not for just myself but for others too...I hope that you do the same...Intercessory prayer is our greatest weapon in our struggle with Satan...with the evil (not to sound like a Harry Potter novel) forces that seek to destroy our communities...It is important to understand that the world is as spiritual as it is natural...and our Faith can shift things in the spiritual world...that's not me talking that is the Bible...

Ephesians 6:12,18 (NIV) says...verse 12 says "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." and verse 18 says..."And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."...

With that being said...I can get into the blog now...Where I've been...like I said it has been a while since my last blog...I've been growing...I've been away from the computer and bearing my cross...it has been interesting because my blog has always served as an outlet for me...when I wasn't blogging...I was sharing with a friend or a church...and when I wasn't sharing...I wasn't growing...I was sliding backwards...and blogging was the last thing on my mind...I found myself in storm...and the only thing I knew to do was pray and wait...and when that got old...I started to pray and work...

What I've learned is that praying and sitting still doesn't accomplish anything...praying and doing the work of the kingdom is what brings God's blessings...I got off my butt and started visiting the sick...I stopped making excuses about participating in the worship service at my church...I started to do more...teach more...pray and study more...and slowly but surely I found purpose again...and with purpose came passion...and now I am ready...

Where I'm going...I don't have the slightest clue...but that is the great thing about this Faith walk...everything is up to God...all I have to do is pray and live according to His will...and everything I need and want will be made available to me...not by my worrying and stressing...but it will be made available to me in God's time...I know this sounds like a stretch to you right now...but I can only tell you what I've experienced and know to be true...God works...He moves on our behalf...it is His desire that we prosper and live abundant lives...

Let's pray...Thank you God for all that you have done for us...You are so Holy...we want to be just like you...so Lord forgive us of all of our sins known and unknown...we know that You have a plan for us...A plan to prosper us...A plan that leads to true righteousness...Thank you for your Word...for revealing yourself to us daily...God help us where you see fit...make us into the kingdom seekers you called us to be...Bless our families...bless our friends...save us from our flesh...Thank you for offering your Son for us on Calvary...for allowing His great sacrifice to be enough...Help us to trust you...and we ask all these things in Jesus' name...Amen!