Pastor's Thoughts- Feb 14, 2015

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and  in an hour that he is not aware of,  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt 24:44-51)


                      These scriptures have, always, been associated with the rapture. While I would like to teach about this, I was impressed to go with matters of the heart. King David said to the Lord to examine me! (Ps 26:2) Prove me-Try my reins and my heart. When was the last time you went in for a heart checkup? Jesus is the great physician and wants to reveal to us our "Medical" report.
                Our hearts can be our emotions,desires and mind. It is a sad state of affairs that ministers are being snared by pornography. Friends, Satan is after your mind. Why? Because that is where the battle is fought! Jesus knows what we are thinking day by day! If you study the life of Judas, he started on the right foot. God is, not, going to give his power to someone who isn't living right. (Matt 10:1) It is a dangerous thing when you try to cast out a devil and you aren't living right.
                  Judas saw miracles and cast out devils, but something happened along the way. Judas had issues like many of us do. He had a weakness and that was money. The failure to deal with this issue got him into the hands of the enemy and his heart was hardened. (John 13:26-28) All during this time, Jesus was loving Judas. He did not expose nor confront him for his dishonest ways of handling the offerings. He gave him a chance to repent, but he hardened his heart.
                On the other hand, Peter had issues too! Jesus told him that he was going to deny him, but Peter got indignant. When the pressure came, what was in his heart came out. As you read Matt 24:44-51, the unfaithful servant, also, had issues. He was doing everything right but when he noticed that the Lord tarried, he turned to the world. What was in his mind came out and got manifested. Noticed that the Lord called him an evil servant even before he committed those acts of sins. He knows our hearts.
                The word says-YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT! Ask God to reveal the issues of your heart. Friends, we, all, have issues we need to deal with. Spend time before the presence of the Lord and deal with the issues. Get to the root of it. Dealing with it will help you avoid heartaches in the future.

Pastor's thoughts---Feb 10, 2015

                             WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

While thinking on what to share on my post, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and asked--What's on your mind? As I read my face book posts from many well-meaning ministries, I hear the topic of repentance and holiness. Many times, I hear that we need to get back to preaching the cross. Many would say that all you see on TV is prosperity teachings and no preaching of the cross. With all due respect to my minister friends, Yes, I would agree that we have to repent. In some ways, we may have gotten off track but not completely.

Case in point, you will, always find ministries on TV that do preach the cross, among them, the 700 club. I work as a prayer counselor at the 700 club. I have seen the phones light up as soon as Pat or Gordon invite people to say the sinner's prayer. Also, Pat is not afraid to speak out against sin and the dangers that we are facing as a country. Many would agree to that but would question the endless telethons in raising money for TV stations.

Beloved, I, personally know that it takes money to air the gospel. I had a radio spot for 15 minutes more than twenty years ago. I, very rarely, spoke about money believing that it would come. Yes, a few funds came in but that was not enough to maintain my program. Within about 6 months, I was off the air. Why? Because I did not want to speak about money.

The Apostle Paul spoke about money (II Cor 9) as well as Jesus. Imagine if the Apostle Paul was raising funds for a TV station, would he been mocked? I, personally, get excited when I have an opportunity to give. Dr. Murdock, whose face we all see at late night, challenges people to give a $58.00 seed. I took his challenge and got blessed financially beyond my wildest dreams. I am not saying you ought to give $58 just to try it. You make sure you hear from God before you do.

The important thing is to partner with a ministry and support it. Do we need repentance as a body and walk in the fear of God? Yes, to some degree but let us not overlook what God is doing in our nation. Human nature is so used to bad news. I believe that as the body of Christ adjusts itself and seeks God's face, we will see a revival unparalleled in history with signs and wonders following. Many prophets predicts the year of 2015 as the year of push back. Let's pray for one another and be open to doing our part in pushing back in 2015! God bless.

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Pastor's thoughts....Feb 9, 2015

                                               HELP!

Believe it or not, there was a song with that title back in the 60's. The song help was from the Beatles which was made into a hit movie. The lyrics--"Help, I need somebody. Help, Not just anybody.... " In life, we, all, run into problems and obstacles that would challenge us. Sometimes, that person who has, always, been there for you will let you down. Friends, I am here to tell you --Jesus will never let you down. He is there to comfort you and take care of you.

How many times have you had the experience of asking something from God and it does not manifest? Many are turning away from God. There is a hunger in man to find God. God is unknown to the natural man, so he fills that void with earthly and carnal pleasures. Many think that God is like the genie in the lamb---Your wish is my command. Stop and think about this for a minute, Why on earth would God give us a bible to use?

The Bible is instructions from God on how to live for him, to live a victorious life and see life's circumstances change for the better. Yes, it is a battle out there but God has given us a manual to overcome life's toughest problems. The world is looking for answers and that wisdom lies within the church! God has created us to be problem-solvers in life.

When you are in Christ, you have a genius that lives on the inside of you. Christ has been made unto us WISDOM. Do you know what that means? It means that you and I have the answers to, not only, all our problems but the problems that this world is facing. The church needs to get away from mediocre thinking of just getting by, of just staying within the four walls of a building.

There is a world out there that is waiting for God's wisdom to operate and solve problems. In this day, let me challenge you to be used of God to be a problem-solver. Allow his wisdom to flow in you to help solve your problems and others. Remember these words for today---Wisdom is the principal thing. (Prov 4:7) God bless.

Pastor's thoughts---Feb 8, 2015

                            Being kingdom-minded

Pastor's thoughts---In my last post, we were talking about being kingdom-minded. I want to elaborate more on this. When we renew our minds, we will think before we talk. It is amazing how we use words and do not think on the consequences they have. One case in the Bible involved words that affected a nation! The Jews in their zeal to crucify Jesus said something that has plagued them forever. When they were debating with Pilate on his Crucifixion, they said...Let his blood be upon us and our children.( Matt 27:20-25) Since then, the blood which was meant to save and redeem them has served as a curse for the Jews. Throughout the ages, they have been persecuted and killed in Europe and many parts of the world.

But that is not the end of the story. God always has plan B. What was his plan B? He had his prophet Ezekiel travel through time and prophesy to the valley of dry bones. He saw that the Jews were going to speak destruction upon themselves through the blood of Jesus, so he undid their words by releasing life-saving words by the mouth of Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 37:1-14) In 1948, the Jews had their homeland and were a nation, fulfilling prophesy. So, my friends, words have consequences but the good news is that you can undo your destruction by speaking words of life. In this day, take inventory on what you say, bind those words and start declaring the word of God upon yourself and your own. God bless.

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Pastor's Thoughts

                            The laws of faith----Feb 7,2015

 In understanding the laws of faith, we need to understand a simple fact--Everything is governed by laws. The laws of aviation was in effect since the world began but man discovered it in the early 1900's. The same is true when God. God's word says that he hath given us all things that pertains unto life. (I Peter 1:3) We do not have to beg, grovel or persuade God. Truth of the matter is that if you are, truly, born again, you have it already. All you need to do is ask and receive it in the spirit.

The point to address is how to become kingdom minded? We are children of the king. God is our father and we are his children. In a king's court, there is a proper way to conduct business. A proper protocol, if you will, is necessary. First, we need to renew our minds. Our minds are like computers and has data. Some is good and some is bad. In order to understand God and how he works, we need to learn how he thinks.

Renewing the mind takes work. It is like building a house. Many beloved brethren do not even take time to spend in the word and when troubles and challenges come their way, they fall apart. We need to learn how to build our house and be prepared for the day of trouble...because it is coming and you better be prepared! As good soldiers in Christ, we need to learn how to take back what is,rightfully, ours and enjoy the spoils of battle. Always remember this---The greater the battle, the greater the spoils.

So, spend some time with the Lord. Spend some time praising him and enjoying his presence. Above all, spend some time meditating in the word. Take some scriptures that will build up your faith. Remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. As you hear God's promises, you are building your faith for the day of battle. Don't have time to look up scriptures? Here are a couple of links that I use to help me. I trust that they will do the same for you. God bless.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM6rZ6cZOr0

https://www.youtube.com/watch…

Come!

                                   

  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (Matt 14:28-29)

                         While meditating and studying scriptures, the Lord had me focused on the word "Come". A simple word, easy to spell. A word that became powerful when Peter acted on that command. Peter acted upon the word but then focused on the weather and circumstances. So, the more he focused on those events, the less faith he had. The word says that he began to sink. It just did not happened all of a sudden. 

                          Then, the Lord spoke to my heart. "I am telling my people to come. To come out from their comfort zone. To put on Christ and learn to be identified with me. To give more of their finances and substance. To get out of debt and financial oppression. To appropriate healing for their bodies To learn to trust in me. So, my people, I tell you---Come! Come and experience the blessing of walking in an open heaven!"  

                     I want to challenge you to make 2015 the year in which you put on Christ. The year in which you get your mind renewed. To learn to think like he does. To love righteousness and hate iniquity. (Heb 1:9) Do you want God's best? Then read the fine print of your covenant with God. (II Peter 1:4) God is not a Santa Claus nor a Genie in which your wish is his command. God is a God with purpose. God wants to glorify himself on the earth.
                        Yes, he loves us and wants to give us all things to enjoy in this life but it comes with a catch. You have to be a partaker of his nature. The true of the matter is that he, already, has given us all things to that you will ever have in this life. (II Peter 1:4) In other words, when he died on the cross, he provided the answer to all your problems that you will ever have in life. Why? Because Christ is made unto us wisdom.                              Ask yourself, when have you ever been burdened for souls? I am, not just, talking about your neighbor. Yes, we need to be concerned for our neighborhood but for those who are wicked? God's word says that he has no delight in the death of the wicked. (Eze 33: 11) When was the last time you prayed for that murderer or terrorist that did that horrible thing? Sometimes, in our minds, we want to see them suffer but you know what? God wants to reach out to them too. He loves the wicked.
                         Friend, Hell is a terrible place and many are headed there. The tragic thing is that Christ has, already, paid the penalty. All a sinner has to do is to receive his precious gift. Let's learn to think like God does. Let's learn to put our priorities in place. Let's us learn of him because he says...Come!
When people see God work through signs and wonders, they, too, will come. Witnessing is good but when you go out to share Christ, don't do it with any power. Learn to release the gifts of the spirit.
                       Talk is good but when you learn to release the gifts of God, you will have them coming to your church. That will open a thirst and hunger for more of God. When you provide wisdom for people's problems, the world will beat a path to your door. Yes, persecution will come but if you learn to release God's power, they will, in the end, respect you. The word says that when a man(woman) pleases God, his enemies will be at peace with him.
                      Jesus ministered to a multitude of people. Why? He showed proof of God with signs and wonders following. The disciples had a church just about overnight in the book of Acts. Why? Signs and wonders! Beloved, this does not come instantly. There has to be a time of prayer and preparation. Jesus took some time to pray and fast 40 days. That is why he was so successful. Am I telling you to fast and
pray for 40 days? No, because maybe you may not be, medically, fit to do so but you can fast your time
for him. Let's prepare ourselves in this year.
                      Let's allow ourselves to let God change us. His word can change us but only when we use it in prayer and preparation for his purposes. Want to start a New Year on the right foot? Then.,..Come!

                      

                              

                                          

Picture courtesy  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:French_Fishing_Vessel_%27Alf%27_in_the_Irish_Sea_MOD_45155246.jpg

How will you write your page?

 
                                      2016 has arrived? Whether you are ready or not, it is here. Many of us make New Year's resolutions such as losing weight, exercising,etc. New beginnings are exciting and inspires us. Unfortunately,most of us do not carry out our resolutions to the end but there is good news on the horizon. If you are a believer, God has a plan and method for you to fulfill those resolutions.
                  The word of God says... My tongue is the pen of a ready writer (Ps 45:1). The tongue can be used for good or evil. It is a powerful weapon but the sad thing is that we do not know how to use it.Let's take the example of a fountain pen.There are many fountain pens for you to write. The fountain pen of who you are in Christ. Friend, you are not a sinner saved by grace, You are a new creation and God has a future for you. You have the mind of Christ (Yoke breaking, burden removing power of God) The word says that Christ is made unto you wisdom. What is wisdom? The ability to look for answers to problems in life. Think of it--The wisdom to come up with the answers to your problems in 2016!
                     Then, there is the fountain pen of financial prosperity. Friend, being rich is not a sin because the word says that money answereth all things. (Ecc 10:19) Yes, we need to guard our hearts and not let money be our God but in the hands of wise believers, it can be a powerful tool! I, personally, get excited when I am challenged to give and stretch my faith. It, not, only gives me a return on my money but allows me to live under an open heaven. (Mal 3:10) When you live under an open heaven, anything goes and you can experience a deeper dimension of the blessings of God.
                            Think about it, the body of Christ has made great inroads in the past. We own a couple of TV and radio stations, We are in the internet 24/7 and lately, we made some inroads in the movie industry. God has great plans for you and he is excited about your future. Finally, there is the pen of healing. If you are doing fine and have no health issues--God bless you but I want to caution you to be on the alert. Sooner or later, you will have a health challenge. Don't wait to build your house when it is storming, do it now while it is sunny and clear. I believe every believer should immerse themselves with healing scriptures and pray them over their body and family members on a daily basis.
                               There are other pens that are there for you and ready to be used, so start asking God to give you wisdom to use your tongue wisely. Remember, that in the long run, God will have you on his book shelf for his glory. God bless. (Mal 3:16)