“Keeping Ministry in Perspective”

Scripture: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” –Galatians 1:10, NIV

Through this thing we call life, one thing we are charged to do from time-to-time is place things in their respective perspective. In other words, we ought to understand the rationale/reason of why we do things. As a husband and stepfather, I come to work daily because my rationale/reason is to continuously take care of my family and provide for them as best as I can. As an employee, my rationale/reason is to conduct quality reviews on my cases that would result in cases being completed, with the potential to line me up for greater assignments and tougher challenges. Each of us has a something we ought to keep in perspective. On today, God wants you to keep your ministry in perspective as well. Mind you, because you are not a “licensed preacher of the Gospel” does not mean that you do not have a ministry. We all have ministries – ministry of compassion, ministry of love, ministry of help, ministry of encouragement, and others. Through the eyes of the Apostle Paul, he will help us understand more about keeping our respective ministries in perspective.

Our message for today is found in Paul’s epistle to the church at Galatia. Scholars have stated that this book may have been written between 48 and 55 A.D. Within this church, Paul had to deal with some Jewish converts as well as Gentile converts. In this day and age we live in today, it’s imperative to have a spirit that allows you to work with different types of people. It’s imperative to have a spirit that does the best one can to get along with his/her fellow man. Within this introductory chapter, Paul releases his initial greetings (verses 1 – 5), along with discussing that there’s no other Gospel (verses 6 – 10) and Paul explained how he was called by God (verses 11 – 24). In Paul’s discussion of there being no other Gospel is where we find today’s main scripture and how he challenges us to keep our ministries in perspective.

Paul begins today’s text with this question, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men?” Doesn’t this make you scratch your head for a moment? Oftentimes, we get caught up when we are singing praises unto God and yet, look for man to pat us on the back. This leads to the question Paul asked, are you doing it for man’s approval or for God’s approval? There are times where we have preached God’s Word and thoroughly enjoy it when everyone praises us for the Word, but is it you that deserves the glory or is it God that deserves the glory? Is it men that you are trying to appease or is it God you’re trying to appease? Whatever you do ministry wise, whether if the ministry is in or outside of the four walls of the church, keep it in perspective and ask yourself, who am I doing this for!

Paul asked this initial question, but provides an answer that should be our answer. He says this: “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ”. When you teaching the Word of God, remember that you are doing it as a servant of Christ with the intent of pleasing God! When you are preaching the Word of God, remember that you are doing it as a servant of Christ with the intent of pleasing God! When you are the husband of one wife, you are doing it as a servant of Christ with the intent of pleasing God and loving your wife as Christ loved the church! When you are the wife of one husband, you are doing it as a servant of Christ with the intent of pleasing God and being able to submit to the covering God gave you. When you are an employee on your respective job, you are doing it as a servant of Christ with the intent of pleasing God and allowing your light to shine where men can see God in you! Whatever you do, keep your ministry in perspective, and know that you are a servant of Christ that is not trying to please man, but please God!

In closing, ministry can be and is hard work! Nevertheless, with the help of God and keeping it in perspective, we are not here to obtain man’s approval, but we are here as servants of Christ and looking to receive approval from the Almighty God! Are you looking for, as we mentioned in a previous message, “Man’s Stamp of Approval” or “God’s Stamp of Approval”?

“Heads or Tails?”

Scripture: “If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.” –Matthew 23:12, The Message

If you ever took time to watch football, whether it’s college, the CFL, the Arena League, or the NFL, each game starts the same. How do they start the same you ask? They start with a coin toss of the two teams. The coin toss determines who gets the ball first and the placement of which way the teams go within the first half. There are two names that can be called during a coin toss, heads or tails. After the preliminaries of the coin toss, we enjoy three to three and a half hours of great action! Within this spiritual game of life, we also have a coin toss of heads or tails in many different arenas. You can call heads and get the best of life from the Head or you can call tails and get the worst of life if you follow the tail that’s the enemy. Today, within Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus allows us to deal with this thought when it comes to being humble. Let’s examine this thing.

As Jesus delivered today’s main scripture, He also dealt with the seven woes in Matthew 23. In the beginning of this text, Jesus says this for the “tails” side of humility according to the Message Bible: “If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you”. If we honestly think about this portion of the text, this applies to us all, everywhere. I think about the movie, “Any Given Sunday” where Jamie Foxx played the backup QB Willie Beamon. Beamon came off the bench for the franchise QB of the Miami Sharks and led them to a victory. After leading the team to the victory, people started swelling Beamon’s head up and in turn, he became full of himself. Through Beamon doing this, he began to alienate his teammates and the next game they played, he was getting drilled every five seconds by the opposing defense. Truly, Beamon got the wind knocked out of him! Brothers and sisters, God loves you so much that He wants you to be great in the things He has for you. On the flip side of that, He does not want you to get the big head, thinking it was you all by yourself. Yes, He has blessed you with a beautiful home, but don’t get the big head! Yes, He has blessed you with a phenomenal spouse, but do not get the big head! Yes, He has blessed you with a nice paying job, but do not get the big head! Yes, He has blessed you to become somebody in the church, but do not get the big head! If you want to have the big head, have one praising God for the things He has done for you and do like 2 Corinthians 4:17 where it says, “if you are going to boast about something, boast about it in the Lord!”

Here’s the heads end of humility from Jesus’ standpoint: “But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty”. Ladies and gentlemen, the New International Version says, “If you will humble yourself, then you will be exalted”. I know this to be true! One of the great lessons I have learned whether I have taught God’s Word, preached God’s Word, did a speech somewhere, gave some remarks, did a good job at the workplace, that Haile Lindsay CANNOT take any glory for it! I have to give that glory and honor to God, the one who gave me the opportunity to do what I do! If you possess that mentality, God will blow your mind and use you in ways like you have never been used! If you humble yourself in God, the house you desire will be yours in due time! If you humble yourself in God, the car you desire will be yours in due time! If you humble yourself in God, the healing you desire for you or a friend will be yours in due time! If you humble yourself in God, then God will give you the desires of your heart! These things ONLY come through maintaining humility!

In closing, when it comes to humility, it’s a coin flip. The truth is you control the coin and how it falls. Do you want tails and get the bad end of life because you are so up in the sky or do you want heads and get the best out of life by staying humble? The choice is yours!

"Get Up!"

Scripture: "Sir, the invalid replied, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me. Then Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” –John 5:7-9, NIV

Over the past ten years, there has been a group in Gospel music who has created awesome songs of ministry and yet songs with crossover appeal. When I say crossover appeal, I mean being able to be not only a Gospel hit, but a R&B/Hip-Hop hit. This group I am making reference to are a set of sisters from the metropolitan Los Angeles, California area. These sisters go by the name of Mary Mary, with Erica and Tina Atkins-Campbell, making up this dynamic duo. In 2008, Mary Mary released their last album which receives major play throughout the radio waves today entitled “The Sound”. On this particular album, the ladies released another one of those crossover hits, which serves as the impetus of today’s message. This song is entitled “Get Up”. The gist of this song encourages you to make the most of your time because you are one of God’s greatest creations. It encourages you to get off of your bed of do nothing and do something! It encourages you to be proactive and make things happen, instead of sitting and waiting for things to happen. As men and women of God, God is encouraging you and me on today to do the same thing! He is encouraging us to get up from our beds of do nothing! He is encouraging us to get up from our bed of procrastination! He is encouraging us to get up and make things happen! With this thought in mind, today’s text provides the perfect example of someone taking the initiative to get up.

Today’s scripture is located in the Gospel account according to John. Within this fifth chapter, John takes us to Jerusalem where our Lord and Savior is there for the Feast of the Jews. Before getting to this feast, Jesus went to a pool known in the Aramaic as Bethesda and at this pool, there were sick people (paralyzed, blind, and lame). At the pool, we find a particular man who has been at this pool, according to the text for 38 years! The text refers to this man as being an invalid. In the King James, it refers to this man as a man with an infirmity or sickness. Why was this man an invalid for so long? Well, if you go to the King James version, in verse 4, it makes mention that at a certain season, an angel comes and troubles the water (i.e., He stirs the water) with healing power and anyone who can make it to the pool would receive healing. If I could poll the readers, how many of you are willing to just be an invalid? How many are you are willing to say, “God, help me to do what I can not to be like this invalid!” As Jesus approached this invalid, He simply asked him do you want to be made well? With this in mind, we’re now at our main scripture.

The invalid answers Jesus by saying, “Sir, the invalid replied, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me”. If you sit and read this thing for a quick second, what is this invalid man giving Jesus? Yes, you guessed it, an excuse! I have heard the cliché that excuses are like buttholes, everyone has one! As men and women of God, God is not looking at us for excuses, He is looking at us for solutions! He is looking at us to simply answer the questions He poses to us! He is looking for us to simply trust Him at His Word when He asks us things! He is looking for you to man/woman up, not boy/girl down! Since this man had an excuse, Jesus had an answer and solution to work pass this man’s excuse.

He tells the man this: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” In the King James, it says, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk”. As I write today’s message, there is someone who will read this and say that I am like this invalid man, whether you are invalid in finances, invalid in emotions, invalid mentally, invalid physically, or even invalid spiritually. Well, I have some news for you: God says for you to get up! Get up off of your bed of depression! Get up off of your bed of emotional letdowns! Get up off of your bed of mental breakdowns! Get up off of your bed of stress at the workplace! Get up off of your bed of past agonies! Once you get off your bed, pick that bed up, and walk! Walk into your destiny! Walk into your victory! Walk into your healing! Walk into your miracle! Walk into your breakthrough! Walk into the season God has destined for you!

In closing, Mary Mary’s “The Sound” has reached #1 on the U.S. Gospel and U.S. Christian charts. They also went on to win a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance for this song, “Get Up”. I am thankful for the message they conveyed through this song; however, I am even more thankful for Jesus conveying this same message to us through the Gospel of John! Jesus came that you may have life and have it more abundantly! I encourage you, my brother, and my sister, that no matter what bed you may be lying in, God wants you to get up! When you get up, take your bed, and walk into the things He has for you! Are you ready to get up or are you satisfied lying down?

"Give Him the Green Light"

Scripture: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” –Revelations 3:20, NIV

Within the last couple of years, I have grown fond of the music expertise of one of the best Neo-Soul artists around. This particular artist I am making reference to is a Philly native by the name of John Legend. He has made hits like “Ordinary People” and “Used to Love U” on his “Get Lifted” album that garnered him sales over 2.1 million thus earning the distinction of double platinum. In 2008, Legend dropped his last album entitled “Evolver” and so far, it has sold over 600,000 copies thus earning the distinction of gold. On this particular album, he recorded a song with Andre 3000 of Outkast that has become one of my favorites entitled “Greenlight”. Within this song, Legend wants to obtain the green light to get with a woman and be able to enjoy her on a more personal level. As I began to think about this song, I began to think our Heavenly Father and how He desires the green light from us! He desires it in such a manner where He wants to show you more and more each day how God He really is in your life! He wants the green light so that He can share things with you! He wants the green light so He can help you see your way through situations, instead of you trying to struggle through situations. My question to you on today is “Are you giving God the Green Light in your life?” Today’s scripture ministers to us why we should give God the green light.

Today’s scripture is found in the last book of the New Testament, thus making it the last book in the Bible, the book of Revelations. This book was written by John the Revelator while being alone on the isle of Patmos (a small island located in modern-day Greece). In Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelations, God instructed John to write to what is known as the Seven Churches of Asia Minor (located in modern-day Turkey). These churches were located in Ephesus, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Pergamos (or Pergamum), Sardis, Laodicea, and Smyrna. Today’s main scripture is found when John wrote the church at Laodicea. As he was writing this particular church, he was letting them know about their lukewarm faith in God. He tells the church that you are neither hot nor cold, but you are lukewarm and that God will spew you out of His mouth. If we were to be honest with ourselves, at one point or another, we have been Laodiceanish! We have been very hot, then become very cold! We have been lukewarm, but God provides us a warning here not to be this way! He wants us to serve Him and serve Him wholeheartedly (or at least strive towards serving Him in this manner)! Even through this discussion with Laodicea, John provides the church and us why we should give Him (God) the green light.

The text begins with God exclaiming, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock!” Each and every day, God stands at the door of your hearts and He knocks! He knocks become He wants to get in! He knocks because He cares about you! He is at the door because there’s something He wants with you and wants to do through you! If truth were told, just because we hear someone knocking at the door does not mean we let them in. Today, God does not want you to treat Him like a stranger off the street! God wants you to give Him the green light!

Then, the text concludes with this: “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me”. Wow! By giving your Heavenly Father the green light, He will come in and eat with you and you with Him. In other words, He will come in and minister to you His love for you! He will share with you the cuisine of love! He will share with you the dessert of happiness! He will share with you the cuisine of longsuffering! He will share with you the cuisine of clarity on life’s matters! He will share with you the dessert of joy! Not only will He serve you these dishes, you can serve Him a side dish of praise! You can serve Him a side dish of worship! You can serve Him an entrée of Hallelujah, Glory to Your name! You can serve Him an entrée of yourself, being a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is our reasonable service (Romans 12)! Giving Him the green light and letting Him in opens up the doors of opportunity in your life! It will bring about prosperity, happiness, joy, understanding, forgiveness, longsuffering, patience, and other critical things needed to be an effective Christian!

In closing, Legend is a respected artist with awesome thoughts relayed through his music. “Greenlight” was an example of this artist in action. On today, God wants to receive from you, my brother and my sister, the green light! The green light to gain entrance into the doors of your heart! As you give Him entrance into the doors of your heart, He will be there to eat with you and you with Him! As you do that, He will feast off of you and you will truly feast off Him! Will you give God the green light?

"Give Me One More Chance"

Scripture: “Then God ordered me, Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who's in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife. Love her the way I, God, love the Israelite people, even as they flirt and party with every god that takes their fancy." –Hosea 3:1, The Message

As a teenager listening to music, there was an artist from New York City who grabbed my attention. He was not the lightest skinned of guys, nor the skinniest of guys. However, he had something to say and the right man provided him the opportunity to do so. This artist, this rapper, that I am making reference to is known as Biggie Smalls aka the Notorious B.I.G. In 1994, the Notorious B.I.G. dropped an album under the Bad Boy umbrella entitled “Ready to Die”. This album was such a hit that it sold over four million copies, thus earning the distinction quadruple platinum. One of the songs that was on this particular album was entitled “Give Me One More Chance”. This single alone garnered over a million copies being sold. Within this song, you hear the ladies asking Biggie to give them one more chance because other guys/men are in the picture or with them. When I think about the title of this song, I think about God and how He is with us, His children. There are times where we go astray and just like God, He is like “Give me one more chance!” There are times where we go the wrong way and think God has left us and in turn, we ask Him “Give me one more chance!” Today, we have a great example of this title in action.

Today’s message takes us to the Minor Prophet of Hosea. Within this book, we learn that Hosea is married to a prostitute by the name of Gomer. In its introductory chapter, we find that at this time, there was a strong disconnect between Israel and God. We also find out that Gomer bore Hosea three children, two sons and a daughter. Each of their names carried negativity with them. Within your circles of life, be careful that your name does not bring negativity or add negativity to a scene! As we forge ahead to the third chapter, we find the thought of “Give Me One More Chance” at work.

Hosea writes, “Then God ordered me, Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who’s in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife”. What a STRONG statement! I know most of my ladies that are readers would say that there’s no way in the world that they would take a cheating husband back. In turn, I know that most of my men that are readers would say that there’s no way in the world that they would take a cheating wife back. Hosea showed some guts and more importantly, he showed obedience to God! There will come seasons in your life where God will tell you to do some really strange things and it will be on you, my brother, and you, my sister, to step up and do what thus saith the Lord! That’s why the text makes mention that “obedience is better than sacrifice”. Many of us often hear that we’ll be blessed in the city, blessed in the field, blessed when we go, etc., but that blessing cannot be pronounced over you unless you obey Him! Oftentimes, all God want you to do is give Him one more chance so He can show you His goodness!

God tells Hosea to do this by using this example: “Love her the way I, God, love the Israelite people, even as they flirt and party with every god that takes their fancy”. If we were to cut the grass short enough, does that sound like the Christian church on today? Does that sound like you and does that sound like me today? Yes, we strive towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus, but in turn, we often flirt and party with other gods! You know, the god of money! The god of having lavish things! The god of jealousy! The god of envy! The god of strife! At the end of the day, aren’t you glad that He has given you one more chance on today? Aren’t you glad that though we may flirt and party with the little g gods, He still wants to be our big g God? Aren’t you glad that as He has given you one more chance, He wants us to give Him one more chance?

In closing, the Notorious B.I.G. made a pronounced statement with his album, Ready to Die. Over four million records sold and reputation for being a great rapper came with his diligence and hard work. “Give Me One More Chance” is definitely one you can boob your head to, but today provided us a platform to understand God and His love for us. This title has opened our eyes to appreciate God and His compassion for us. As He has been compassionate with us, let’s be thankful unto Him, and be compassionate for our brothers and sisters! Just give Him one more chance and watch the blessings He will bring your way!

"Daddy Said Knock You Out"

Scripture: “This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” -1 Samuel 17:46, NIV

About twenty years, James Smith or as the world knows him as, LL Cool J, dropped an album entitled “Mama Said Knock You Out” with a song on there named the same thing. This song’s emphasis was given by his grandmother. It was stated that Smith’s grandmother told him to knock out the critics by dropping a great album. When the smoke cleared, the album sold over two million records, thus receiving the distinction double platinum with platinum meaning you have sold over 1 million records. Just as LL Cool J’s grandmother encouraged her grandson to knock out the critics through his lyrics, God is encouraging you and encouraging me to knock out some things in our lives! He wants us to knock out negativity that surrounds us! He wants us to knock out the enemy that is within us! He wants us to knock out low self-esteem! He wants us to knock out marital issues! He wants us to knock out financial issues! He wants us to knock out emotional issues! He just wants you to serve notice on the devil, no matter where he is, that Daddy said knock you out! Just in case you have not received this revelation, let’s investigate a text that further emphasizes this point.

Today’s devotional brings us to 1 Samuel and to the renowned battle between David and the 9 foot giant named Goliath. It was earlier in this chapter where we find David bringing food to his brothers and thus seeing this polarizing figure as he has challenged the Israelites to fight against him. We find that he challenged them, morning and night, for forty days. Through David seeing his brothers and his countrymen afraid, he visited King Saul and told him that he would like to take on the challenge! Through King Saul’s human eyes, he told David that he was too small to fight Goliath. He was too young to fight Goliath. He did not have the experience to fight Goliath. Then, David had to show King Saul that he was capable and qualified. He let him know that God has allowed him, David, the shepherd boy, the power to kill a lion and a bear who tried to attack him and his flock. Because of this story, King Saul gave David his armor in order to go fight Goliath. As David tried out the armor, he realized that he could not wear Saul’s armor. As men and women of God, we have to recognize that we cannot wear our pastor’s armor! We cannot wear the deacon’s armor! We cannot wear the deaconess’s armor! We cannot wear the minister’s armor! We can only wear the armor that God has equipped us to wear! Through this revelation, David took the things he needed in order to fight Goliath, which was a slingshot and five smooth stones!

The story continues with Goliath talking junk to David and telling him that he would feed his body to the birds. Within today’s scripture, we find that God had given David the green light to knock out Goliath. We know this because David says, “This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head”. Today, I want you to think about the giants that are in your life. I want you to think about the future that God has in store for you. When you think of those aspects, think about how God has given you the strength to cut off the heads of those giants! Know that God has given you the power to knock out the giant of disappointment! Know that God has given you the power to knock out the giant of depression! Know that God has given you the power to knock out the giant of loneliness! Know that through it all, God has given you the power to defeat your giants, knock them out, and take their heads as trophies!

In closing, LL Cool J dealt with his adversity through what people said about him and his work as a rapper. Then, he came back with the album “Mama Said Knock You Out” and when it was said and done and two million records sold later, he did just that, he shut up his critics and knocked them out! Just like he did that to his critics, we can do that to the enemies that stand in our way! The rationale because we can knock them out because God, our Father, our Daddy, told us that we can knock them out! Exercise your God-given power and authority and knock out your enemies!

"The Evidence of the Spirit"

Scripture: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” –Joel 2:28, NIV

Growing up as a 80’s kid and a 90’s teenager, one of the best shows to come on TV was a court series called Matlock. My mama glued herself to the TV every Tuesday night at 8 pm to watch the star of the show, Andy Griffith, as Ben Matlock, defend his clients in a Fulton County Courthouse. Nine times out of ten, Matlock would win his cases. However, he had private investigators working for him in order to get the evidence he needed to win. If truth were told, many of us love our family members, our friends, and co-workers, but there are times where you would like to see evidence of that love. Evidence of that love including a phone call to see how you are doing, a card for Christmas, a call on the significant days like your birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc, and other things. Spiritually, we also look for evidence as well among our brothers and sisters. We often look at them and watch the words they say and the things they do to see if their life is evident of a God that loves them! I am encouraged today because today’s scripture provides us an example of what spiritual evidence looks like.

Today’s message is birthed from the book of Joel, one of the 12 Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. Within the Old Testament, you have Major Prophets and Minor Prophets and what differentiates them is the amount of information written within their respective books. Written between 835 and 800 B.C., Joel is set in Judah, where it has been destroyed by locusts. Scholars state that Joel uses this metaphor of locusts as an army to destroy Judah as punishment for their sins and disobedience to God. Within this particular chapter, Joel is describing the outpouring of the Spirit and through this outpouring is where we will gain the evidence of what the Spirit looks like and can do.

First part of the text tells us that “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people”. In other words, I here is our Heavenly Father. Since He is the I, He tells us that He is going to pour out His Spirit on all people (King James says all flesh). If you cut the grass short enough and get past the sins of people, there’s some Spirit of God that resides in them! There’s some Spirit of God that tells them what’s right and tells them what’s wrong! There’s some Spirit of God in there that tells them how to make it from day-to-day and other things. Just know that, within your family, friends, and even enemies, there’s a level of the Spirit of God within them!

Here’s the evidence of the Spirit: “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions”. As we live in this world today, how evident has this been within your life? How evident has this part of the scripture been within your family’s life? Though I have been around going on 31 years, I have heard the visions God has given His men for the development of a shopping area, for the development of a renewed church, for the development of a business, for the development of a multipurpose center and other things. I have seen sons and daughters of God minister to others and myself through prophecy to see the prophecy come to past. I have seen where old men have dreamed dreams and they have come to past. Is it just me or is the Spirit of God in play in this time and juncture? Irrefutably, yes it is! It’s in full effect and if you have not hung around the types who have prophesied into your life or other’s lives, old men dreaming dreams, and young men seeing visions, keep on living life because you will see it!

In closing, Ben Matlock was a great lawyer and he won the majority of the time because he had the proper evidence to support his case. As men and women of God, we often look for evidence of His Spirit within His people. On today, Joel painted the picture of what happens when God pours out His Spirit onto His people. Continue to be the man/woman God has called you to be and watch out for the evidence of the Spirit in your life!

"When the Spirit of the Lord Hits You"

Scripture: “The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. …” –Judges 14:6, NIV

As I have grown over the past ten plus years, I have learned a lot of myself. One of the things that I have learned about myself is that when I am good and ticked off, I like to make the naysayers shut up. There was an instance where I did not think I was going to finish my PhD in four and a half years, but when I became good and ticked off, it fueled me to do it and do it in a manner where my committee members respected me more than they did previously. If truth were told, we all have “something” that causes us to go into another gear and get things done. That “something” might be fear of failure, self-motivation, reputation, etc. In the spiritual realm, that “something” should be the Holy Spirit. That’s the something that should make you love right, talk right, and other things. Today’s scripture provides another example of what can happen when the Spirit of the Lord hits you.

Today’s focus shifts to the book of Judges. This historical book talks about the twelve judges who served Israel after the period of kings within the land. Within Judges, you see a recurring cycle within each judge: Obedience, Disobedience, Forgiveness, Deliverance. Today’s focus chapter, Chapter 14, takes us to a man of great strength (physically) and one who was born for greatness. This man/judge was Samson. He was a Nazrite, which means his hair could not be cut because he would lose his strength and he could not partake of wine or other liquors. Samson, like most men, had an eye for women, in this case, a Philistine woman. His eye was so strong for her that he convinced his parents to go to Timnah and request her hand in marriage for him. If you read the first few verses of Chapter 14, we learn that this was a God-driven ploy to confront the Philistines. As Samson and his parents were in Timnah, a lion attacks him, which brings us to today’s scripture.

The text says, “The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat”. What an awesome power from an awesome Spirit of God! The Spirit infused Samson with that kind of power to destroy the lion that was trying to attack him with his bare hands! Just like Samson, when the Spirit of God hits you, you can also destroy the lions that try to attack you! You can destroy the lion of depression! You can destroy the lion of low self-esteem! You can destroy the lion of “woe is me”! You can destroy the lion of financial instability! You can destroy the lion of health instability! You can destroy the lion of mental instability! You can destroy the lion of occupational instability! You can destroy the lion of spiritual instability! Jesus told His disciples that they had the power to walk over serpent’s heads! Just like He gave them that power, He infused you with that power as well and that power is driven by His Spirit!

In closing, there’s something that drives us to do bigger and better things. Well today, we have learned about what can happen when the Spirit of God hits us! We learned that through Samson’s example, as he tore the lion apart with his bare hands, we can tear apart our lions with our bare hands as well, through prayer, reading God’s Word, standing on His Word, and being doers of His Word and not hearers only! What are you going to do when the Spirit of the Lord hits you? Sit like a bump on a log or tear the head off of your enemies? You be the judge!

"He Gives You Understanding"

Scripture: “But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.” –Job 32:8, NIV

One of my toughest subjects in school, from elementary school through my doctoral studies, was English. English forced me to verbalize myself that was not mathematic and not scientific. It forced me to pay close attention to detail in a story in order to receive its gist or understanding. When those times came where I did not understand, I am grateful for such superb high school teachers who painted the picture clearly for me. There’s nothing like receiving understanding or getting something you have been trying to get. If truth were told, we have all needed someone to explain something to us, whether if it was Biblical, in Math, in English, in Social Studies, or any subject. I am encouraged today that there’s someone who wants to give you understanding, who wants to give you clarity on your life’s matters, who wants to illuminate your vision to see what is in store for you. Journey along with me as we look at today’s main scripture.

Our main scripture for today is found in the Poetic book of Job. Job was described as a man who feared God, upright, blameless, and eschewed (shun/hated) evil. He was the ideal family man. He had ten children and as his children partied and enjoyed the good life, he covered them in prayer and sacrificed on their behalf. As parents, godparents, grandparents, or anything else, we ought to sacrifice for our little ones because down the road, when you are in a pinch, you would expect them to sacrifice for you. As the good times roll, here came the enemy. If you look at this thing, God gave the enemy permission to mess with Job, but gave the enemy the restriction of not touching Job’s soul. Ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to these troubles of life, know that God gave the enemy permission to mess with you because He knows what He has placed in you and though it might try to kill you, it won’t! As the story goes, Job loses everything! He lost his family! He lost his riches! He lost his home! He lost it all! Throughout the 42 chapters of Job, we find out how Job withstood life’s pains and circumstances. Within this particular chapter, we are introduced to a conversation had between Job and Elihu. Elihu was a special man within Job because of the fact that he was very unhappy with the discussion Job had with his three “friends” and in addition, he was disappointed in Job for justifying himself rather than God. Through this dialogue, we learn about who wants to give you understanding.

Elihu stated for today’s main scripture by saying, “But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding”. It’s the Spirit of God that resides in you that provides you, my brother, and you, my sister clarity and understanding. When you are a little puzzled about financial situations, tap into the Spirit of God that resides in you to receive understanding. When you are a little puzzled about emotional situations, tap into the Spirit of God that resides in you to receive understanding. When you are puzzled about spiritual situations, tap into the Spirit of God that resides in you to receive understanding. Whatever you need understanding about, tap into the Spirit of God and know that His Spirit resides in you and allow that to guide you correctly. Jesus told His disciples that when He would leave, He would leave them the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them in all things! Just as He left them the Holy Spirit, He left us this same Spirit to help us!

In closing, I was glad to make it through English through receiving understanding from my teachers. Just like me, we have all had to have someone help us with things. On today, God wants you to know that His Spirit will give you understanding in the things you deal with. Aren’t you glad knowing that God cares for you and that He is willing to provide you clarity/understanding? If you are, then take a moment to talk to Him about your life’s situations and I promise you, He’ll provide understanding!

"Even When You Do Wrong, God Still Loves You"

Scripture: “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;” –Daniel 9:9, NIV

As a young man growing up and even as a man on today, one of the biggest pains I would feel is when I disappointed my Mama. There were several instances during my childhood where I heard the words “I’m disappointed in you” because of something I did wrong. Because of that, I would wear a frown on my face until I apologized or did what I could to make it up to her. After the “smoke cleared”, Mama would come wherever I was and let me know that though I did wrong and disappointed her, she still loved me. If truth were told, we can all identify with this type of story, whether if it was with your Mama, your daddy, your Big Mama, or Papa. No matter how bad you done wrong, they forgave you and reminded you how much they love you. Within this life we live as Christians, we do disappoint God regularly, but guess what? Despite our disappointing God, He still loves you and He still loves me! This message is conveyed within today’s text.

Today’s focal book is the book of Daniel. Daniel serves as the final book within the Major Prophets portion of the Old Testament. This book encapsulates the life of the prophet Daniel and his service to the various kings that included Cyrus, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius. Daniel also includes the journey of three of his boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as they had their test in the fiery furnace because of their choice to serve God and not the idol god created (Daniel 3). Within this ninth chapter, Daniel is praying, petitioning, and fasting to God. The rationale being is because Jeremiah prophesied that Jerusalem would be desolate for seventy years (verses 1-2) and that time was coming to an end. Within this chapter, we learn how God loves us despite when we do wrong.

Daniel lets us know that God loves us despite our wrong when he says, “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him”. If we “cut the grass short enough”, we have all rebelled against God in one form or another (Romans 3:23). Whether if you did not follow the orders of your pastor, that’s rebellion! Whether you decided to go one direction and God told you to go another direction, that’s rebellion! Whether you were supposed to tithe, but decided to give God half of the tithe (Malachi 3:8-10), that’s rebellion! At the end of the day, aren’t you glad this morning to serve a God that is merciful and forgiving even when we fall? Aren’t you glad to serve a God that recognizes you even when you are trying to hide from Him? Aren’t you glad that there’s a God who loves you beyond your sins and yourself? Aren’t you glad to know that He sent His Son Jesus to wash your sins away as white as snow? Aren’t you glad that He keeps you even when you don’t want to be kept? Aren’t you glad that He is God and not you? If you are happy about the God that loves you despite your wrongs towards Him, you ought to praise Him and thank Him wherever you are!

In closing, we do not like to disappoint our loved ones, whether if it is your mother, grandmother, father, grandfather, wife, children, etc. At the end of the day and despite life’s disappointments, they still loved you and God still loves you! Daniel showed us that today when he said that our God is merciful and forgiving even when we rebel. Make it your business on today to serve God continuously with excellence and remember that though you may slip, He’s right there to catch you, wipe away your tears, and prop you back up!

"God Possesses a Long-Term Memory"

Scripture: “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”-Hebrews 6:10, NIV

Have you ever been a part of a family gathering and someone begins to talk about a past incident/experience? Next thing you know, there’s one/two individual(s) who remember the incident as if it was yesterday. They could tell you what day it was, when during the day, who was a part of the incident, how the incident occurred, what happened after the incident, and other things. As you listen to people talk like that, you become amazed that they would remember what happened. You say to them, “Man, you have a memory like an elephant”. Just as certain family members possess long-term memory about certain incidents and accidents, so does your Heavenly Father. How can we make such a bold statement? Let’s examine today’s text to receive clarity here.

Today’s main scripture is located in the book of Hebrews. Scholars consider this epistle as one of exhortation for those persecuted believers to continue in the grace of Jesus Christ. If truth were told, throughout our respective Christian journeys, whether they have been long or short, we have all been persecuted because we believe in the Almighty God. I thank Him on today knowing that through my faith and belief in God, He has my back! He will never leave me, nor forsake me! He will be with me, even until the end of the world! I pray that I am not the only one glad about this on today. I pray you are too! Within this sixth chapter, the author makes us aware of God’s long-term memory when it comes to His children, along with providing discussion on the certainty of God’s promise (verses 13 – 20).

One of the first things the author points out to us about God is that “God is not unjust”. Isn’t it a blessing to know that God has spared us of the things we actually and honestly deserved? Doesn’t it minister to your soul when you think about how God through His Son Jesus Christ, pleaded your case on Calvary and because of His blood, has made you not guilty? Doesn’t it bless you to know that God is not like man where man will judge you wrong? Thank God that He is a just God and not an unjust one!

Inclusive with His justness, we now see how God has a long-term memory. The author continues on and says, “He will not forget your work”. Now that statement right there ought to make someone give Him praise! Throughout this walk, we have ALL been a part of something where we have given our 110% and by haps and circumstances, we were, in our minds, not recognized properly, not appreciated properly, not thanked properly, but today, God wants you to know, my brother and my sister, that though man may not pay homage or respect you for your work, God has not forgot your work! When God does not forget your work, there are blessings with your name on it!

The author completes the message here as he also says that God will remember “the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them”. As we walk this Earth every day, God is watching everything that you and I do! He’s watching how we minister on Sunday morning at 7am and then talk about someone at 9 am. He’s watching how we received a Rhema Word on Sunday morning at 11 am and in turn, speak negative at 2 pm. God is watching how you and I interact with our brothers on a daily basis. He possesses a long-term memory for when you don’t love your brother and when you do love your brother! Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that when you have done things unto the least of these brothers, you have done it unto me! God remembers when you fed the hungry! God remembers when you visited someone in the hospital! God remembers when you went to an elderly member’s home and cleaned up their house! God remembers when you spoke encouragement into the life of one of His children! He is going to steadily remember when you continue to serve His people! He is going to remember how you love His people! If you don’t remember anything else, God has a long-term memory and He is going to remember everything you do!

In closing, it’s a beautiful to reminisce about what happened back in the days. It’s even more beautiful when you have someone who remembers the event and its details. Just like that, God is documenting the love you show His people daily! He is documenting the work you have done! He is also wanting you to remember that He is a just God! Aren’t you glad that someone recognizes your work though man does not all the time? If you do, continue to serve God and His people in excellence and leave the recognition behind!

"I’m Feeling You!"

Scripture: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” –Romans 12:15, NIV

Throughout my adult life, God has allowed me to feel the pain of my brothers and sisters in Christ. There have been seasons where I could be at my workplace and step into a mode of prayer. When I was in that mode, I found out it was because one of my sisters in Christ was going through. There have been seasons where I have felt the stress and hurting of the hearts of pastors. When I felt that pain, I would encourage them through prayer and let them know that God has your battles fought for you. There have been seasons where I even felt the pain of my family and friends. As a child of the King, I would intercede on their behalf for God to step in and rectify the situation. As I think about how God allows me to feel the pain of others and even feel happiness for others, He wants you to do the same! He wants you to tell your family member, your co-worker, and/or your friend, that “Hey, I am feeling you”. Today’s text provides how one should feel for the other.

Today’s message brings us to an epistle written by Paul to the church at Rome. Romans and 1 Corinthians are the longest Pauline Epistles (or letters written by Paul to the churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey and Italy)) with 16 chapters. Romans, according to scholars, is a book that talks about God, who He is, and what He has done. As Paul was penning this twelfth chapter, he dealt with two critical areas: living sacrifices (verses 1-8) and love (verses 9 – 21). Within the discussion of love is where we find Paul’s thought on how we should feel or be there for one another.

Paul begins ministering this portion of the text by saying, “Rejoice with those who rejoice”. One of the things that grieves me about people, in this particular season, is that they are only concerned about one person and that’s themselves. Doesn’t it grieve you as well? Doesn’t it strike a nerve with you when God has elevated within your workplace and all of a sudden, others are saying how they cannot wait to get theirs? Doesn’t it grieve you when God blesses you with the vehicle your heart desires and others do not participate in the celebration? Well, Paul is encouraging us to feel our brothers and sisters when their seasons of celebration are in effect! When a sister/brother is getting married to the “right one”, rejoice with them! When a brother/sister receives that promotion, you ought to rejoice with them! When a brother/sister joins the body of Christ, you ought to rejoice with them! When God blesses someone to watch their child graduate from high school, an university, a community college, or any kind of college, you ought to rejoice with them! We ought to feel happiness and rejoice with our brother/sister and not have the crab syndrome of bringing down to our levels of misery!

The text concludes by Paul ministering this thought, “Mourn with those who mourn”. During the seasons of death and bereavement, we often learn who our true friends are. We learn about those who genuinely care. We learn about those who say the Word of prayer on our behalf and legitimately means it. One lesson that our pastor engrains within our minds is to pay respects to those within your church body that has lost a loved one because you never know when death will come knocking on your family’s door. Also, there are times and seasons where the people of God need to know that you are sensitive to their needs. I recall a couple of years ago when my aunt passed, it was truly a hurting time for my father and in turn, a hurting time for myself as well. One thing I kept in the back of my mind is that I needed to be strong for my family during this time and yet, show my side of mourning. If we can allow people to see that we are feeling them through their times of pain, hurt, disappointment, despair, and any other hurt, then they would see that we are following God’s Word and want to strive to be more Christ-like!

In closing, my encouragement to you on today is that God will open up your heart, even the more. I pray that He opens your heart in such a way where you can feel the pains/happiness of your brothers and sisters in Christ. When those feelings kick in, then you are doing what Paul was ministering about here: being able to rejoice with the rejoicers and being able to mourn with the mourners. He needs that versatility from you and so does your brothers and sisters!

"Our Knight in Shining Armor"

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” –Colossians 1:13, NIV

As I write today’s message, my thoughts shift towards the ladies. I make this statement because if you hung around a woman long enough, you would hear that they are looking for their “knight in shining armor”. If I was to perform a poll on what their “knight in shining armor” had to have, they would probably say the following set of things: strong, caring, protective, a good listener, one that could cater to my needs and wants, one who has a good job, one whose credit isn’t too bad, and one who loves his mother to name a few things. If truth were told, there’s nothing wrong with the characteristics that a woman desires in their “knights in shining armor”. If we hit the switch on this thing spiritually, we find out that there’s someone who meets these characteristics for a woman. We find someone who will go to battle on your behalf with the quickness! We find someone who will minister to you in your aching moments. This person, this entity, this Anointed One I am making reference to, is our Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This message is conveyed through the Apostle Paul in today’s text.

Today’s message brings us to an epistle written by Paul to the church at Colosse. Scholars refer to the book of Colossians as a mini ethics course where it addresses every area of Christian life. The theme of this book is that the sufficiency of Jesus Christ can meet every need within our respective lives. Within its introductory chapter, Paul gives opening remarks to the church, talks about thanksgiving and prayer, the supremacy of Jesus Christ, and the labor Paul has given to the church. Our main scripture for today comes from Paul’s discussion about thanksgiving and prayer. There, we learn about how God is our knight in shining armor.

The text begins with this thought, “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness”. If you have watched any medieval-themed movies, you find out that the ladies were captured by the enemy and in turn, placed in jail, placed on a guillotine ready to kill her if the hero does not surrender, and other potential situations. When you think of stuff like that, you really look at those as “dark” situations. Usually, the hero or the knight in shining armor comes through, saves the damsel in distress, and defeats the enemy with his sword and other weaponry. In this same light, God has rescued us from the darkness of financial struggles! He has rescued us from the darkness of emotional hurts! He has rescued us from the darkness of spiritual hurts! He used His Sword (His Word) to defeat the enemy on our behalf! You remember when Jesus faced off against the enemy in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights and as the enemy tried to tempt Him, Christ defeated him with the Word! As He used the Sword, God wants you to use the Sword and cut off the head of the enemy! Aren’t you glad that He is your knight in shining armor that has taken you away from your respective places of darkness?

As our knight in shining armor, God has done this according to Paul, “brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves”. In other words, He has brought you from your pit into your palace! He has brought you from your valley to the peak of the mountain! He has brought you from rainy days to sunshiny days! Aren’t you glad to know that God came and rescued you? Aren’t you glad that He has brought you out of darkness and into His marvelous light? Aren’t you glad He has given you an opportunity to leave the past alone and focus on your future? Aren’t you glad that He has given you a second chance to make your life worthwhile? Aren’t you glad that it was God that was knight in shining armor and not man? Aren’t you glad He brought you from a place of hate to a place of love? I don’t know about you, but I bless God that He is the knight in shining armor!

In closing, my hope and my prayer is that the ladies who will read this message will get a man that fits your attributes, but more importantly, be the man that you need! I pray that God will send you your earthly knight in shining armor! On the spiritual side, it’s already handled because God is our knight in shining armor! He has saved us from the dominion of darkness and He has brought us into His Kingdom where Jesus Christ, His Beloved Son, loves us and cares for us! The next time you watch a movie with a medieval theme, remember that you have a knight in shining armor!

"The Christian’s Gas Station"

Scripture: “ … strength and glory are in his sanctuary.” –Psalms 96:6b, NIV

My brothers and my sisters, we have ALL reached a point during our driving where a sound or detector goes off in our car to say you need gas. There are times where we misjudge a distance and think we have enough gas to make it. When the sound/light/detector goes off, we are looking for the next available gas station. If we are fortunate, a gas station is not too far from where we are driving. On the other hand, there are times where we drive and drive and drive until we are blessed to find one and just made it in the nick of time. Once we reach the gas station and put gas in our cars, we are ready to roll. In the spiritual sense, there are times and seasons within our lives where we need a “gas station”. There are times where you will get tapped out from the cares of this world. There are times where you will get emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained from the workplace, the home, marriage, relationships, and other things. I am encouraged today because God has a place where we can go and fill up on His gas! Let’s take a look at today’s text to find out the location of our gas station.

Today’s message brings us to the longest book in the Bible, Psalms. Within its 96^th chapter or division of Psalms, we find the author discussing two big things. The first thing he discusses is a call to all people to praise the Lord (verses 1 – 9). The other thing the author discusses is God’s government and judgment (verses 10 – 13). Within the author’s discussion of the call to all people to praise the Lord is where we find out the location of our “gas station”.

As we journey into our main scripture, we find the kind of “gas” we can get from our “gas station”. The author mentions that at our “gas station” is strength. How many times do we as men and women of God get tired? How many times have we lost our zeal and energy because of this world and the people the enemy uses to deflate us? Aren’t you glad to know that God is there to provide you strength! Aren’t you glad to know that the joy of the Lord is your strength! Aren’t you glad to know that through Christ that strengthens you, you can do all things! As He strengthens you, He provides emotional strength! He provides financial strength! He provides spiritual strength! You’ll never know what kind of strength He can provide unless you make it to your “gas station”! The text reveals also that at this “gas station”, you will find His glory!! When you have the Glory of God going on, His blessings rain all over the place! His love rains all over the place! His mercy rains all over the place! His anointing rains all over the place! Don’t you want to be where the Glory of God is? Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, freedom, happiness, joy, and all of those other things! Don’t you want to feel it?

The author concludes this scripture by letting us know where our “gas station” is located. He tells us that the strength of God and the glory of God are in “His sanctuary”. Brothers and sisters, we often find people who have accepted Christ in the free pardon of their sins and said that they do not need to be a part of the church. However, I am convinced today that just as sure as we need to be in God’s sanctuary, so do they! When you are in God’s sanctuary, you find unity amongst your brothers and sisters (Psalms 133)! When you are in God’s sanctuary, you find solace for your soul! When you are in God’s sanctuary, you find clarity to the matters of this life! When you are in God’s sanctuary, you receive revelation through the preached Word of God! When you are in God’s sanctuary, you receive healing from your soul’s diseases! When you are in God’s sanctuary, you can come there and re-fuel in order to make it through the weeks and the days! When you are in God’s sanctuary, you can get the “unleaded”, “mid-grade”, or “premium” gas and these gases depend on how much praise you give God! If you just want the norm, then give God a normal praise! If you want the mid-grade level, then give God a mid-grade praise! However, if you want the premium level, you ought to give God a “premium” praise! When you are in God’s sanctuary, your mind ought to sing this: When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for me, my soul cries out Hallelujah, I thank God for saving me! Aren’t you glad that He saved you? Aren’t you glad that He has provided a place where you can receive gas for the cars known as your spiritual beings? If you glad, give Him a praise!

In closing, I am thankful for gas stations. They are pretty much everywhere and anywhere you go and yet, they provide you with the gas to sustain your vehicles. In the same light, I am truly thankful for God’s sanctuary, God’s house, God’s church, where I can receive strength (gas) and share in His Glory! If you have not made a trip to the “gas station”, I suggest you make time to go and get fueled up because if not, you are going to run on E!

"This Is How You Can Help One Another Out"

Scripture: “Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” –Ephesians 6:18, The Message

Throughout my five years and almost eight months of marriage, there have been times where I received this one question from my wife: How can I help you? She may ask this question because I was struggling with putting something together, trying to remedy an issue, thinking about what I am wearing for work, etc. More times than naught, I usually say that I am okay and I will figure out. On the other hand, there have been times where I have inquired her opinion and received the help I needed to accomplish a task. If truth were told, we have all either said I don’t need help when it comes to something or can you help me with something. Then, there are times like the death of a loved one, overcoming a financial obligation where your money cannot be of help and other instances where you cannot help a person in the way you desire. However, God through His Apostle Paul, has provided us all with a way we can help one another out. Let’s journey to today’s scriptural text.

Within today’s focal book, the book of Ephesians, we find Paul just ministering to the church at Ephesus about putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10 – 17). After laying down this foundation, he goes on and ministers to them and us on today on how we can help one another out. He tells us through the Message Bible this: “Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters”. Oftentimes, ladies and gentlemen, we may not have the financial solution for someone’s financial issues. We may not have the emotional solution for someone’s emotional issues. We may not have the mental solution for someone’s mental issues. However, God provides us with a way where we can help them indirectly, but directly and that’s through prayer. Paul tells us to pray hard and pray long. There are times where “breath prayers” are good to get your morning right or when you are driving to work or riding the Metro, but then there are times where you need to tarry on behalf of your brother/sister or towards a situation you are dealing with. With that being said, you have to pray hard and pray long! He lets us know that as we pray hard and long, we ought to pray for our brothers and sisters! One thing I do know is that there is strength in numbers! There is strength when you have believers coming together, touching and agreeing that things will occur (Matthew 18)! There’s power when you link up with your brother and link up with your sister! There’s power when you intercede for one another! When you intercede for others, God will open up Heaven’s doors for them and eventually, for you (Job 42)!

Paul did not just stop there as far as us helping one another out. He finishes the text by saying, “Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out”. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in life through my college advisor is to “not lose sight”. My colleagues and I use to laugh when he said that, but the point he made was relevant. There are times where we get frustrated with life’s issues and because of that, we tend to lose focus or do something else. What Paul is ministering to you and to me on today is to maintain our alertness. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us “to be sober and vigilant because the Devil is out seeking whom he may devour”. If you lose sight for a split second, he’s ready to pounce on you. Jesus reminds us to “watch as well as pray”. It’s on us to maintain focus and not lose our grip! How can we make sure that we do not lose our grip?

The text concludes with Paul saying, “Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out”. After reading this scripture on today, I have a newfound respect for people who are more times than naught the “Jokey Smurfs” of the world. Eight times out of ten, you see these types at your workplace, your place of worship, and even at home, and you wonder why they always jovial and making light of stuff. When you have a jovial spirit or a loving spirit, the intent is to keep people laughing and thinking about good things, not negative things. Paul encourages us in helping one another out to keep our brother’s spirits up and our sister’s spirits up because when we do that, we stay in line together and we do not lose anyone. I want to let each of you know whose reading how much I appreciate your sentiments, encouragement, laughs, and anything else you have provided me because it has kept my spirits up and has encouraged me to keep writing. In closing, encourage someone you care about and/or love and let them know how much you appreciate them for their laughs or love because they are helping you out! They are keeping your spirits up so you will not fall! Let’s keep one another up in prayer and thank God for the friendships/relationships we have with our family and friends!

"How Do I Become Successful?"

Scripture: “Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.” –Proverbs 22:4, NIV

One of the things we desire most in this life is to be successful. If you play sports, then success is usually defined as winning a championship, being recognized as the best in your conference, league, etc., or being revered as a good player. In the realm of broadcasting and news, success is usually defined by winning an Emmy or by being revered by your peers. As normal people, we consider success as having a nice paying job, a nice home, a beautiful family, a nice car/set of cars, etc. As each of us are striving towards being “successful”, many books have been written to teach us how to become successful. If truth were told, we have a book that guides us on how to become successful! We have a book that’s been out for over 2,000 years and it’s the all-time best seller with its various versions! We have a book that is 1188 chapters long and it contains messages that talks about people becoming successful! This book, my brothers, and my sisters, is the Bible, the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Within the Holy Word, God ministered to the wisest king of all-time, Solomon, on how to become successful. Let’s examine, through Solomon’s eyes, how do you become successful.

Within the Old Testament, God allowed Solomon to pen three Poetic books: Song of Solomon (Solomon’s love songs to God using metaphors to connect with the human mind), Ecclesiastes, and today’s focal book, Proverbs. Within Proverbs and today’s main scripture, Solomon gives us the two keys within his mindset that will make you and me successful. He starts the text by making mention of the first key: humility. God has blessed us to be smart or blessed within certain aspects of life. Some of us, He has blessed to be good negotiators. Some of us, He has blessed to be bookworms. Some of us, He has blessed to be good cooks. Some of us, He has blessed to be good hairstylists. Understand that it is fine and good to possess these skills, but you have to keep a level head and don’t think of yourself as something higher than what you are! God allows us to know that if we humble ourselves before Him, He will exalt us! If you maintain a humble heart, your name has exaltation written all over it! If you are reading today and God has not opened up the door of the ideal job, then stay humble! If He hasn’t opened the door for the right man/woman to come into your life, stay humble! If He hasn’t opened the door where you can establish your business, stay humble, because in due time, He will open the door you desire!

The other key to becoming successful in Solomon’s eyes is to possess “the fear of the LORD”. As we often hear the term “fear of the Lord”, some think this means fear God like you fear a gun being shot at you or fear a tornado or something hitting your home. In all actuality, this type of fear is meant for you and for me to revere our Heavenly Father and adore Him for who He is. When you revere someone, you do not disrespect them! When you revere someone, you take into account their feelings and their thoughts! When you revere someone, you often listen to them for guidance! If we love God like we say we do, then our actions in our everyday lives should not disrespect him. Our actions should consider God and what He would think! Our actions should make us take a moment and receive guidance from the Lord. Solomon told us in Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge! In becoming successful, as you fear God, He will provide you the necessary knowledge and the necessary life’s experiences (wisdom) to make it!

When you use two keys to crank up the engine of God, then the “car of success” can get moving! When the “car of success” is moving, you have brought into existence wealth, honor, and life. In closing on today, the books on success are wonderful. We receive real-life examples from real people who have worked to become successful. Just remember that you have a book in the Word of God that provides us examples of men/women who were successful as well. Today, God allowed us to see from Solomon’s eyes that if we humble ourselves to Him and fear/reverence/adore Him, then we can become successful! Aren’t you glad that you can be successful in the name of Jesus Christ? If you are ready to be successful and/or desire continued success, go out there and get it!

"It Was His Mercy That Set Us Free!"

Scripture: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. …”-Titus 3:3-5, NIV

Within this day and age, one of the busiest places on a daily basis is the courtroom. Judges, throughout this land, deal with various cases from killings to moving violations. They have the undaunting task of deciding the fates of these people. They decide whether a person gets life in prison, “the chair”, jail time period, probation, fines, and other things. In some cases, the one who done wrong receives the harshest of penalties. Then, there are some cases where the one who has done wrong receives a “slap on the wrist”. When the person receives the slap on the wrist, it lets us know that the judge had mercy on the person to set them free or serve a shorter sentence than the norm. If we switch this thing spiritually, there’s been someone whose mercy has pleaded not just my case, but your case as well! It’s our Heavenly Father whose mercy has set us free! Just in case you never experienced this, today’s text will illuminate why we can make such a statement.

Today’s main scripture is located in the book of Titus. This book, along with 1 and 2 Timothy, are considered Paul’s Pastoral Epistles. Titus was written around 66 A.D. This epistle served as an epistle of encouragement to Titus as he is receiving advice on how to select the leaders for the church at Crete (modern-day Greece). Paul also provided Titus warnings about the reputations of the people who reside in Crete. Within Chapter 3 of Titus, Paul concludes his letter with Titus and he provides a discussion on doing what is good. Within the discussion on doing what is good is where we find out that it was God’s mercy that set us free.

Paul begins the text with this thought, “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another”. If we cut the grass short enough, this has been you or at a certain point, still you. Paul told the church at Rome that we all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23). He also told the church at Galatia that when a man think of himself is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself (Galatians 6:3). No matter who you are, you have done some foolish things! We have been disobedient to the will of God! We have been deceived by what is shown on TV! We have been deceived by what is written in the news! We have been deceived by what is shown on movie screens throughout the country! We have been enslaved because of the color of our skin! We have been enslaved because of our financial demographics! We have been enslaved by having the biggest homes! We have been enslaved by having the nicest cars! We have been enslaved by having the nicest suits! We have envied someone, we have hated someone, we have had people hate us! At one point or another, we have all been trapped by the enemy’s vises!

The ending of today’s text provides me joy on the inside and in turn, it should do the same. The text concludes with Paul writing, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Though we were bound by the chains of being rich, God had mercy on us! Though we were bound by the vises of the TV, God had mercy on us! Through the hating of your brothers and sisters, God had mercy on us! Through people hating on us, God had mercy on us! Through every dangerous toils and snares, God had mercy on us! Through our foolish decisions, God had mercy on us! Through our disobedient acts, God had mercy on us! No matter what you have been big and bad enough to do, God’s love, God’s kindness, and most importantly, His mercy pleaded your case, my case, and has allowed us to be set free! When the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!

In closing, being a judge in today’s judicial system is tough. Nevertheless, if judges do not decide on people’s cases, then they would not have a paycheck. One thing about judges, they are people and some are kindhearted and some are not kindhearted. Aren’t you glad about the God who was loving, kind, and merciful to plead your case through our life’s foolishness and craziness? If so, you ought to give Him a praise wherever you are and thank Him for being your lawyer that’s NEVER lost a case!

"I Talked to God about You!"

Scripture: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” –Ephesians 1:17, NIV

In May of 2005, I accepted my calling into the Ministry at the New Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC. After I made the proclamation known to my church family, family, and friends, my Mama and I engaged in a conversation. Within this conversation, she shared with me how she use to talk to God about yours truly preaching His Word. As I heard this conversation, it allowed me to understand another level of depth to my Mama’s relationship with God. It allowed me to understand how she had conversations with the Father on my behalf. If truth were told, most of the mothers who are readers can attest to the same thing, when it comes down to talking to God about their children. Some have talked to God because the daughter has lost her mind and done crazy things. Some have talked to God because the son is strung out on drugs. Some have talked to God because their child is headed to court and they do not want the worst for them. Aren’t you glad that mothers talk to God about you? Aren’t you glad that fathers talk to God about you? Aren’t you glad that your children talk to God about you? Aren’t you glad that loved ones, family, and friends talk to God about you? Within today’s text, we find that the Apostle Paul talked to God about the church at Ephesus. Let’s see what Paul was saying here.

The Apostle Paul begins the book of Ephesians with opening salutations, a discussion about the spiritual blessings in Christ, and a discussion on thanksgiving and prayer where our main scripture lies on today. As I sit and think about how good God has been to us all, thanksgiving and prayer should be at the forefront of our minds and thoughts. They ought to be the first set of things we do in the morning, it ought to be set of things we do during the day, and it ought to be the final set of things we do at night! As we move on here in the text, we find Paul praying or talking to God about the church at Ephesus.

What Paul is praying/asking about is this: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better”. Wow! What a prayer/conversation Paul had with God! If you digest this text for a moment, isn’t this something similar mothers ask God to do for their children? We are in the day and age where Big Mama’s religion cannot get you into Heaven! Heck, your Mama’s religion cannot get you into Heaven! Only the relationship you have with the Father can get you into Heaven! Paul understood that the church at Ephesus loved God, but needed to commune with Him on a more intimate level. That’s why he asked God to bless them with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. When you have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, you know when people you hang around are/are not of God. When you have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, you know what situations are/are not of God. When you have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, you hear God speaking to you about financial situations. When you have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, you hear God speaking to you about emotional trauma. When you have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, God is right there and all He desires is that you listen to Him! He wants to get to know you better, don’t you want to get to know Him better?

In closing on today, I am thankful to God that Mama spoke to Him about me, Ministry, and my life as a whole. Through her prayers, love, and support, I know God on a deeper level, which propels me to minister to each of you! If your mother or mother figure is still around on today, take time to tell her Thank You for talking to God about you! Paul wanted the Ephesians to obtain the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that they may know God better! God wants you to have this same wisdom and revelation because He desires a relationship with you! Will you make a date with God and become more intimate with Him? Whenever you do, just know that you will never be the same!

"What are the Keys to Get into God’s Presence?"

Scripture: “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” –Ephesians 3:12, NLT

Many of the games we watch on TV, whether it be football, basketball, baseball, hockey, or soccer, usually has commentary done by at least one to two people. As this commentary is done, they usually provide keys to victory before the game and after the game. For example, if you are watching a football game with the Dallas Cowboys, the keys to beating the Cowboys would include stopping the run, attack the secondary with long bombs, and consistently blitz Tony Romo. Within the Playoffs this year, the Minnesota Vikings executed this plan and beat the Boys pretty bad! On the spiritual side, we also have keys to victory over the enemy and over our life’s circumstances. Today’s message deals with the keys to get into God’s presence. Paul ministered to us these keys within our main scripture.

Within this chapter, Chapter 3, the New Living Translation indicates from verses 1 – 13 that Paul was revealing God’s mysterious plans to the church at Ephesus. As previously stated in the introduction, he mentions to them and in turn, us, the keys necessary to enter into God’s presence. He begins the text with the answers. He lets us know that “Because of Christ and our faith in Him”, we have entrance into God’s presence. Doesn’t having Christ sacrifice His life and shedding His blood for your sins and mine much better than you or me going out hunting in order to receive forgiveness for sins? Doesn’t feel good to know that through Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection that the veil in the Temple rent in two that we may have access to God for ourselves? If these things feel good to you, you ought to give God a praise for Jesus! Not only because of Christ we have entrance into God’s presence, we also must exercise faith in Him! Brothers and sisters, it’s one thing to get into the face of God about stuff, but it’s another thing to get into His face and not be certain that He is going to answer your prayer! I was sharing with a brother of mine in Ministry how God would work on his behalf if he stopped focusing on his fatigue. If you do not get weary in well doing, God has a blessing with your name on it (Galatians 6:9)! You have to put your faith into action, in concert with works! You cannot be faithful and not do works and in turn, you cannot be full of works and not have faith! You must work your work and exercise your faith!

Once you recognize that Christ and your faith in Christ are the keys, then Paul finishes the text by saying, “we can now come boldly and confidently in God’s presence”. Isn’t it a blessing to know that not only you get into God’s presence, but you can come BOLDLY and CONFIDENTLY! In other words, God wants you to dialogue with Him like He was one of your friends. He wants you to make your requests known unto Him (Philippians 4). He wants you to stop being shy and run your mouth with confidence to Him! Many of us get afraid when it comes to talking to God, but if you have faith in Jesus and know that Jesus stepped up for you, you are free to talk to God, you are free to allow your feelings to be felt to God, and you are free to be in His presence! When you are in the presence of God, oh my Father! There’s liberty! There’s power! There’s anointing! There’s restoration! There’s overflow! There’s love! There’s everything you desire and everything you need in the presence of God!

In closing on today, we all have keys that will ignite our success(es) in life! We all have seen games where we say if a team does x or y, then they can win the game! If you want to get into God’s presence, the keys are simple: 1) Jesus (already done, already lived, still lives today) and 2) Your faith in Him! With those keys, you have free reign to feast on God and get ready for the days of your lives!

"What Does God Want to Impart in You?"

Scripture: “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being” –Ephesians 3:16, NIV

As children, either our mother or our father did what they could to take care of the house and the bills. They did what they could to provide you the toys and things that were heart’s desires. They also did what they could to instill you what is right and what is wrong when it comes to living on this pretty but crazy place known as Earth. Most importantly, if you hung around your parents or grandparents or anyone of age long enough, they have a way of imparting wisdom and knowledge into you. If you think about it on today, many of the decisions we make are based on the things that were imparted into us by our mothers, our fathers, our grandparents, and others of age and wisdom. As they imparted wisdom into your life, someone else wants to impart into you as well. This someone is our Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ and the blessed Holy Spirit. Within today’s text, Paul explains what God wants to impart into you.

Within this third chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul does two things: 1) He introduces himself as the preacher to the Gentiles (people that are not Jews) and 2) a prayer he has for the church at Ephesus. Within the second thing of his prayer for the church at Ephesus, we find what God would like to impart into you. Paul begins the text by saying, “I pray that out of His glorious riches”. In other words, what God wants to impart into you comes from His soul and it comes with potency! Isn’t it a blessing to know that as God blesses you, He wants to bless you in a potent way? He just does not want to give you a shallow blessing, He wants to give you an awesome blessing!

As Paul continues this prayer, he finishes it out like this, “He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being”. What God wants to impart into you, my brother and my sister, is His power! He does not want to impart into you the world’s power, but His power! He wants to impart into you His power that it may reach your inner man! He wants to impart this power that will make you check yourself in life’s decisions! He wants to impart this power that will make you love even when hurt is inside of you! He wants to impart this power that will make love those who despitefully use you! He wants to import this power that will make you more financial savvy! He wants to impart this power into you that you may cast out demons in His name! He wants to impart this power that will make you be the best employee, the best employer, the best leader, the best lover, the best husband, the best wife, the best son, the best daughter, and the best of everything!

In closing, I am thankful for being surrounded and surrounding myself with elder people and parents. From them, they imparted into me a lot of wisdom and knowledge. Many of you probably have the same testimony on today. There’s one impartation that beats them all and that’s the impartation of God’s power into your inner being and my inner being! Aren’t you glad about God wanting to impart His power into you? As He does it, make the best use of it possible!

"What Do We Have In Him?"

Scripture: “In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,” –Ephesians 1:7, Amplified Bible

As we are deep into the NBA Playoffs and the Conference Semifinals, coaches often look to see what they have in their players. If you are the “run and gun” type like the Phoenix Suns, you are looking for high energy players who can run up and down the floor in less than seven seconds to score relentlessly. If you are the gritty veteran type like the San Antonio Spurs, you are looking for players who have a good basketball IQ and know how to draw fouls. If you are the championship contender type like the Lakers or the Cavaliers, you are looking for those players who can put you over the top in various crucial game situations. If these coaches can find these types of players within their teams, then look out! The Playoffs will be even greater than what they have been thus far. If we switch this thing spiritually, do we know what we have in Him? Do we know what we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Well today, the Apostle Paul wants you to know what kind of Savior you have in Jesus.

He begins today’s text by saying, “In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood”. It amazes me how we as human beings hold things over people from their past. We hold over people’s heads that they were whoremongers. We hold over their heads that they were backbiters. We hold over their heads that they were snitches. We hold over their heads that they hurt our feelings. Aren’t you glad that Jesus holds NOTHING against you? Aren’t you glad to know that in Jesus, you have redemption, deliverance, and salvation through His blood? Aren’t you glad that He picked you up, turn you around, and placed your feet on solid ground? Aren’t you glad that you are better than what you used to be because of Jesus? Aren’t you glad that He pulled you away from your desert and placed you in an oasis where His blessings flow? Aren’t you glad to know that because He lives, you and me can face tomorrow?

Not only do we have redemption through His blood, but we also have in Jesus “the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses)”. Now that right there ought to make you tell Him Thank You! In the Old Testament days, blood was used for the remission of sins. Through Jesus’ blood, we have forgiveness or remission for our offenses! 1 John discusses how Jesus was the propitiation for our sins. Because of this, we have forgiveness for our hang-ups! We have forgiveness for our disappointments! We have forgiveness for our past mistakes! Lamentations lets you know that we receive new mercies every day and it’s in Jesus that these mercies are given and it’s in Jesus that our slate is wipe clean of the sins of yesterday! Aren’t you glad that He has cleaned your slate? Aren’t you glad that He does not care about your past ways, but concerned about your present and future?

Paul concludes this text by saying that these things were “in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor”. Isn’t that a mouthful right there, ladies and gentlemen? Philippians 4:19 makes mention that He will supply all of your needs according to His riches in Glory. What this part of scripture says to me that in Him, we have redemption through His blood, remission of our sins because it was a part of the will of God and it was the need that had to be supplied. Not only did He supply a need, He extended to us His gracious (unmerited) favor! Brothers and sisters, as you live life and live it more abundantly, every day that you live, you ought to know what you have in Jesus! You ought to know that He has redeemed you! You ought to know that He has saved you through His blood! You ought to know that He has forgiven you for your offenses! These things occurred because it was in His will! Once Adam messed up in the Garden, God had to set the table for Jesus to come! He realized that many of the Old Testament saints could not get the job done! Because of this, Jesus, off His throne from Heaven, saw fit, and made it His business to show you and me what we do have in Him! He did it in accordance to the riches and His generosity of gracious favor! Aren’t you glad about God’s favor on today? If so, you ought to let Him know in your own special way!

In closing, I am thankful today for knowing what I have in Jesus. Because of that, it makes me want to do better and love the way He encourages me to love. I may not cross every t and dot every I, but I know that there’s redemption and remission and it was in accordance with His riches! Just meditate on what Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and let it minister to you. Let it let you know that no matter what goes on in life, Jesus has forgave you and redeemed you and there’s no devil in hell that can stop you!