Pastor's Thoughts---Feb 18, 2015

                                                   Are you frustrated?
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                           There are many Christians who are frustrated and feeling down. Why? Because they find that living the Christian life is impossible. They want to serve God and grow but they find, themselves, stumbling over some weakness. Let's face it, we have strengths and we have weaknesses. While I am not trying to downplay sin as weakness but the fact of the matter is that we have those areas in our lives to deal with. How many times have you determined not to fall and wind up doing it not once but 2 or 3 times in a row. That can be frustrating, 

                           When I talk about weakness, it does not have to be one of those great big sins (Adultery, murders, etc.) It can be small like overeating, gossiping or just plain being lazy to mention a few. The word says it is the small foxes that spoil the vine and small things like that can amount to big things in the future. The Apostle Paul faced a situation in which he was dealing with a weakness. It was eating at his insides. He wanted to please God but was frustrated. You can see it in his writings. (Rom 7:19-20) 

                              In chapter 8, we see the Apostle singing a different tune. He uncovers an important revelation. (Rom 8:1-6) My friends, in order to be victorious , we need to define our battles and identify the enemy. In Verse 6, he gives us the key----to be spiritually minded is life and peace. I remember years ago, a famous comedian by the name of Flip Wilson, who used to be famous for his line---The devil made me do it. He would dress up as a country preacher and bring laughter to many, but friends, sin is no laughing matter. It has consequences and will hurt us in the long run.

                      In dealing with sin and weakness, Paul does not mention the devil at all. He mentions the carnal mind. While I do not want to downplay the devil and his devices, we need to have a discerning spirit. Many things that are attributed to the devil is really just the flesh. Paul went to the source and addressed it. Rom 12:2 commands us to renew our minds. Why? Because that is the battleground for either victory or defeat. Let us learn from Paul and decide to renew our minds today. Live a life of victory and see your life change for the better. God bless...

Prayer--Father, I come to you recognizing that I am weak in certain areas. I ask you to forgive me if I have been discouraged and given up. I know that your mercies are new every day. In this day, I command my thoughts, will and emotions to line up to the word. I command my soulish area to obey God. I have the mind of Christ. I draw upon his wisdom, revelation and knowledge to live a life of victory. I am seated with Christ in the heavenlies and I reign over sin, the flesh, sickness and financial oppression. Victory is mine in Jesus Name---Amen!     

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God bless.

Going the extra mile!

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 "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." (Phil 1:23-24)

                        Are you willing to go the extra mile for the Lord? We go the extra mile for friends, family and even in our jobs, but are you willing to go the extra mile for Jesus? The Apostle Paul had to make a decision. While he was in prison suffering for Jesus, he was faced with a choice. A choice that had major implications and would impact future generations. 
                       The Apostle Paul wanted to go home and be with the Lord. He, probably, spent his days daydreaming about heaven. Imagine being chained in a dungeon and having rats as his companions. Imagine spending cold or hot nights in that dungeon. You could understand why he had a desire to depart. 
             In the midst of his circumstances, he decided to sacrifice his own desire to be in heaven and remain on earth for a while longer. Why? Not because of himself, but because of the love he had for his fellow brethren. Thank God, he chose the latter because we would not have had the rest of the epistles. Did you know that you can extend your life by faith? You don't have to settle for que sera, sera.
             Imagine the power to tell death---Not now, I have a job to fulfill. Yes, the Apostle Paul could have rested on his laurels. He could have said--I did what I needed to do, but no, he chose to go the extra mile! Why? The love of God constrained him to do it. Friends, that is why it is important that you understand the importance of fulfilling your calling. Each one of us has a calling. In fact, some of you may be willing to go the extra mile when you find out what you are called for. 
      Take the ministry of helps. The ministry of helps is one in which you clean the church, mop the floors and, at times, work in the kitchen serving food. It is not a job in which you are noticed, but God sees what you are doing. I have, personally, seen the brethren spend long hours into the night, making sure the church needs are met. These people are special. They are the ones who, after a church concert, are cleaning up and making sure things are in order.
        If you are faithful in the little things, the Lord will promote you. Philip was a deacon who was later promoted to evangelist. (1) The Lord used Philip in a great way and he'll do the same with you, if you are willing to go the extra mile. Are you willing to go the extra mile and spend more time in prayer for your Pastor? Are you willing to put a muzzle in your mouth and stop criticizing the Pastor? Pastors are human and make mistakes. It is so easy to criticize the Pastor, but try doing his/her job for a week or so and you will see that its hard work!
            So, friend, ask God to show you how you can go the extra mile. Let the love of Christ build up in you so that going the extra mile won't be a burden but be a joy. Remember as you give of yourself and your time, your labor of love won't be in vain. Who knows? Your actions could impact history and future generations to come. God bless. 

Prayer---Father, Thank you for speaking to me. Forgive me if I have been selfish. Help me to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge. Help me to grow in grace and perfect my love walk. Show me what is my calling and place in the body, so I can better serve you. In doing so, help me to go the extra mile and glorify you. In Jesus Name---AMEN! 

Scriptures: (1) Acts 6:5, Acts 8
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Get a hold on God's rest!

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That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth." (Deut 11:21) 

                        Happiness in life! Who doesn't want it? Well, friends, I have good news----God wants you to be happy and enjoy good things. We have a religion of gloom and doom. It is a sad state of affairs when we hear that we have to have it tough and be unhappy until we get to heaven. Nothing could be further than the truth! Please do not misunderstand me--We are going to go through tough times and tribulations in our lives. On that same token, we need to bear in mind that there will be moments in which God will give us a piece of heaven and have us enjoy life here on earth!
                   The apostle Paul was a happy man even though he was in jail. (Acts 26:2) Why? Because he considered himself a prisoner of the Lord. His mind was not focused on his circumstances. The word of God tells us that we have the MIND OF CHRIST. In other words, when we allow our thoughts to be captured and conformed to the word of God, that is when we will see results. Circumstances should not dictate our level of joy. 
                     Yes, Paul suffered. He was, no doubt, whipped and put in a dungeon. He was, also, chained to two soldiers and probably had rats as his companions. Paul did not allow this to deter him from the joy of the Lord. As he focused his mind on Christ, his circumstances changed. Soon, he was given favor with the soldiers as he won them to Christ. 
                       Afterwards, he gained some freedom to fellowship and even went to church. Eventually, he was put under house arrest and enjoyed life to the fullest. God can make your prison "Heaven", if you let him. Lately, we are hearing news that we may be thrown in jail for our beliefs in America. Fret not. If such a thing happens, be happy as Paul was. As we follow Paul's example and win our captors for Christ, our prison can become heaven. 
                 Another funny example is a Christian preacher who had the nickname Pinguin. He was mean as a rattle snake and was a menace to society. Soon, his ways caught up with him and was arrested. The judge threw the book at him and he was to spend many years in jail.
             To make a long story short, somehow he got saved. Soon, he started a ministry in prison and won souls, but something strange happened. His superiors and parole board noticed that he had changed and gave him an early release. But, it gets funnier! He refused to get out of jail. 
                  He was so involved in saving souls and ministry that he wanted to stay. The authorities had to "arrest" him. In doing so, they got him out of jail and into the civilian world. Maybe you are in a prison. Maybe you are in torment and see no way out. I've come to tell you that your misery can be your ministry! Take Paul's example and be a happy person. Refuse to let life's circumstances dictate your joy! 

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Dealing with Frustration!

 "  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."    (Rom 7:19)

                        In this morning, I want to share some thoughts with you from God's word. If you read Rom 7:15-25, you'll find that the Apostle Paul had some struggles in the flesh. What kind of struggle did he have? It is not clear, but he had some issues. We see his frustration in verse 24 when he called himself a wretched man and longed for his deliverance. How many of us have felt this way? How many of us have wrestled with a habit for years and have been frustrated doing that which is contrary to God's ways? 
                       We, all, fall into that category, but look at what Paul says in verse 25. He gives us the key. The mind!  He serves the law of God in his mind. Brethren, the battle is in the mind and if we can win in that arena, victory will soon come. The word in Phil 2:5 says to let this mind be in you.
                 What mind? The mind of Christ. You have the mind of Christ!(I Cor 2:16) Christ is not Jesus last name. Christ means anointing. When Peter preached to the multitude, he mentioned the word Christ. (Acts 4:26) He was quoting from Psalms 2:2 which mentions his anointed instead of Christ. What is the anointing? It is the power of God to break yokes and lifts burdens. (Isa 10:27) Brethren, you have a powerful tool and that is the MIND OF CHRIST!
                 That is why mind renewal is so important. It is a tragedy that Pastors are attacked in the area of pornography. It is, also, a sad state of affairs seeing Christians in mental institutions. Worry and fear is another element that attacks our mind.How many are having health problems due to stress? Our imaginations are powerful and that is the area in which hope is birthed. When hope is birthed in our minds and reaches  its full potential, it gives birth to faith in our hearts. Faith will make the impossible happen.
         That is why the soul (Mind, will and emotions) are so important to us. If we allow a negative image to fester in, it will destroy the potential to do good and cripple us. (Prov 6:32) In this day, make it a point to guard your mind. Your Spiritual future depends on it!