OUR MERCIFUL GOD!

""Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it EBEN-EZER, saying hitherto hath the LORD HELPED US. On this final day of the year, 2012, we look back on 364 days of precious spiritual opportunity. We are not proud of many things that we have thought, said, and done. Too often we have been long on promise and short on performance, but for the love of a merciful God, we are still in His arm enjoying the unending love. We approach the final hours of this year secure in the knowledge of a Savior's grace, and we are reassured of His love and deep interest in us by the promise "I love you with an unending love". My Face Book friends, "May "THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL" today and in the New Year 2013.

GOD NEVER GIVES UP ON YOU!!

"But those who wait for the Lord (who expect, look for, and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power...they shall lift their wings..mount up..run not weary..not faint or become tired" Isaiah 40:31 AMP. My friend why you are telling me that you cannot wait any longer, you messed up your life and looks like God gave up on you! "For heaven's sake! what on earth happening to me?". Well, Jesus never gives up on people. Many examples we can see in the Bible. Lazarus was dead. Even his sisters said, "Lord, by now he stinketh". Jesus didn't give up. When Moses said, "Here I am, send Aaron", He didn't give up. When Peter worshiped him at the supper and cursed him at the fire, Jesus didn't give up. When Joseph was put into a pit by his own brothers, God didn't give up. When Israelites wanted Egyptian slavery instead of milk and honey, God didn't give up on them. Did He? Brother, when God speaks a word into our lives, as far He is concerned, it has already accomplished. If we continue to walk by faith, believing in the word that God has spoken over our lives, things that may seem impossible to realize in the natural shall come to pass. For you my friend God is "calling those things that be not as though they were".. You'll hear me? YEAH. Good!

THIS IS A TEMPORARY CRISES

"Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation". Isaiah 12:2 AMP. My friend, It is perhaps an understatement to say that families are undergoing major changes and experiencing great stresses during this time of financial, social, and relational uncertainties and crises. My suggestion to you is handle feelings constructively. Family crises often make our feelings seems exaggerated or difficult to handle. Some people find that they become quite anxious and afraid of what is happening. My sister, learning to face our fears and NOT LET THEM become consuming is vital during this time of crises. Others get extremely angry at family members they feel have caused or causing the problem. But, again, anger is a feeling that needs to be channeled constructively so that so that it does not become harmful to others or to ourselves. Please do not compound the problem by directing the anger towards you or others. Remember, God is our salvation and our strength, trust Him. "When angry, do not sin; do not let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no room or foothold for the devil (give no opportunity to him) Ephesians 4:26-27. It's temporary, a ditch in your journey, a flat tire, OK. Fix the flat and gooOOOOO.

THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!!

"Wherefore, my beloved bretheren, let everyman be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath". James: 1:19. My friend, when God created man He gave two ears and only one mouth. That means you don't have to respond to fifty percent of what you are hearing. Did you get it? A word can cut more than a sword or heal more than an ointment. Words, words, words! Sometimes they come in gallon while the thoughts come by the spoonful, right? Think before you speak; and if you do, sometimes you may not speak at all. And if your mouth misfire, be careful about reloading! TAKE TIME OUT, CALL TIME OUT! STOP, THINK, THINK. Huhh...

MERRY CHRISTMAS, GOD'S ETERNAL GIFT!!!

"Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. TODAY IN THE TOWN OF DAVID A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN TO YOU; HE IS CHRIST THE LORD." Luke 2:10-11. To all our Face Book friends, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! GOD'S ETERNAL GIFT FOR ALL MANKIND!!! GOD'S GIFT REMAINS FOR EVER!!!! All the gifts have been opened, all the cards have been read, the dinner has been devoured, all the children have gone to bed, the Mistletoe has withered, the pudding has been put away, what remains of the Christmas, the season, this glorious Holyday?It is more than the beautiful Christmas Tree, and the fragrance of the new pine. It is more than the Christmas lights, It is about JESUS. He is the gift ever remains. Now it is true that we acknowledge Him in the thick of things, but He is much more than Holidays. He is the gift that remains in January, February, March, Spring, Summer, and Fall. He is God of endless time. He is ALPHA and OMEGA, the beginning and end. Friends come and friends go, loved ones come and loved ones go, BUT HE REMAINS! So go ahead with your life, wheel to hustle and bustle, here and there, and to and fro. But acknowledge that all things begin and end with Him. Deal with it as long as you have the GIFT THAT REMAINS. He is sweeter than honey, whiter than snow and He says "LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD". HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! THIS GIFT REMAINS, JESUS, JESUS, JESUS..THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD..FOREVER, FOR EVER, FOREVER..HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLLLLLEEELUJAH!

WHERE IS HE?

"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?" Matthew 2:1-2. The cry of the Wise Men, "Where is he?" expresses the basic need of the human family. Humanity was created with one grand basic thirst for righteousness. The sinful cravings of perverted nature are a mutation of righteous desire. The pursuit of worldly pleasure and the use of alcoholic beverages are pathetic expression of man's deep need of God. It is his feeble cry, "Where is he that is born King?" To all who sincerely seek Him, there is abundant assurance in the Bible that Christ may be found and how to find him. As the Jingle Bells ring out, the sobering strains of "Silent night, holy night" are heard, and "It's the most wonderful time of the year" is being sung, may our footsteps turn once again in search of the REDEEMER, and there be no slackening of the pace till He be found. My friend, that is my prayer. Where is he? Where IS HE?

FIGHTING SPIRIT!

"Submit yourself, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" James 4:7 NIV. You see my friend, accept the fact that the devil is your adversary and he doesn't give up one inch of territory without a fight. You see the principle in the Word? SUBMIT TO GOD, THEN RESIST, THEN HE WILL FLEE. Submission involves: 1) We must implement the armor of God! (Ephesians 6:10-18). 2) We must saturate ourselves with God's Word! (Matthew 4:4). 3) And we must pray! (John:15:7& Ephesians 6:18). Now you are ready for the battle. Brother, you don't have to be a doormat for the devil. The devil was defeated on a hill called Golgotha by our Lord Jesus 2000 years ago. If devil was defeated, why I have to keep fighting him now- you may ask? You know what? When a battle is fought and won, the conquering army doesn't walk away and go home and rest, NO, they must enforce the conditions of the victory to keep enemy from coming back and infiltrating that has been secured. Did you understand that buddy. Now DON'T BE COMPLACENT! DEVELOP A FIGHTING SPIRIT MAN. you can do it., can't you?

BE AN ENCOURAGER!

"May the Lord grant His mercy to the family of Onesiphorous, for he often showed me KINDNESS AND MINISTERED TO MY NEEDS COMFORTING AND REVIVING AND BRACING ME LIKE FRESH AIR". 2 Timothy 1:16 Amp. My friend, during this Christmas time and thereafter, lets make a decision that we will be an ENCOURAGER. Everyone needs encouragement at one time or another. God's Word addresses this universal need for encouragement. In the lives of Paul and Barnabas we see encouragement. From the Book of Job, we see the right ways and the wrong ways to respond to someone in trouble. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus received greatest encouragement from Christ himself. More than ever, our children, our spouses, our friends, and the people around us need consistent and honest encouragement. What can you do to promote peace in the world? Brother, go home and love and encourage your family. Let us take care of the children, for they have a long way to go. Let us take care of the elders, for they have come a long way. Let us take care, encourage, and love those in between, for they are doing the work. God the Father encourages, God the Son encourages, and God the Holy Spirit encourages. Buddy, WE NEED TO BE ENCOURAGERS. RIGHT???

WHETHERING THE STORM

"...A wise man who built his house on the rock. THE RAIN CAME DOWN, THE STREAM ROSE, THE WINDS BLEW AND BEAT AGAINST THAT HOUSE, YET IT DID NOT FALL, BECAUSE IT HAD ITS FOUNDATION ON THE ROCK... a foolish man.. sand. The rain..it FELL WITH A GREAT CRASH. Matthew:7:24-29. Well, CAN YOU FACE THE STORM THAT COME AGAINST YOUR HOME? Hey, Jesus here removes the myth of having no storm after you becoming a Christian. Both the wise man and the foolish man faces storm. Both houses look same from outside. Materials and structure is the same. Same rain, same floods, same wind. Let me tell you friend, You can be a college student or a professor, widow or widower, newly wed or celebrating 50 year anniversary, recently came to this country or a born citizen, living in a one room apartment or a mansion, house in a 3 cent land or a 1000 acre estate, riding a bicycle or driving a Bentley, physically small or Mr. Universe, while you dance, Hip-hop, cat walk, wander with friends, partying.. Well, THE STORM IS COMING!! Does not matter WHO built the house and WHERE it is built, YOUR HOUSE WILL FACE STORM. Are you ready? ARE YOU REA...DDY? You see the wise man built his house on a ROCK. Another words, IT'S THE LOCATION. HAVE YOU BUILT YOUR LIFE ON THE ROCK OF SALVATION, JESUS? WELL ARE YOU? IT'S TIME BUDDY. Well, sorry, the preacher came out this morning.

Spirit of Complaining

"For I have learned by experience"...Genesis 30:27. Yes, YES, I have learned a lot in my life as a leader and minister for the last 38 years. My friend, you want me to share some of them? Okay! Some people are against everything- This keeps them from having to assume the responsibility of launching out. There are others who are against any improvement unless they get the honor of thinking first. Their pride demands that they be first- or NOT AT ALL. Some have too much pride to ever change. They say two plus two is five, for them it will always be five. Some complaints will come from those who are often unhappy and simply have a complaining spirit. THEY EVEN SAY THERE IS NO SALT IN THIS BANANA WHILE THEY EATING IT. Others will present complaints regarding matters about which they have little or no information. In any case, my brother, NEVER SHOULD THEY LEAVE US DEPRESSED. A church is simply a group of called-out people who feel some form of ownership. Christians are sinners but forgiven, right? A friend of mine who is a Bible College graduate told me "I want to be a pastor of a big church, but I don't like people". Don't quit man, use this occasion as an opportunity to either grow ourselves or to help the complainer grow in Christlikeness. Ohh, by the way, I am not talking about your church or people you know, I am talking about people in Iceland, Ha Ha Ha .

HE CARES FOR YOU!!!

"Therefore take no thought saying, WHAT SHALL WE EAT? or, WHAT SHALL WE DRINK? or, WHERE WITHAL SHALL WE BE CLOTHED?...Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things" Matthew 6:31-32. My friend, Satan has a double barrel weapon which he uses to destroy you. He uses WORRY AND FEAR. Do you know what is Panic attack? The stress of life, the worries and concerns, the things carried around in a person's heart and mind, will reach a point where they actually cause the body to go into physical distresses, the heart rate and body temperature go crazy, even causing heart attack. Brother, I think I diagnosed the problem. Now my suggestions for you to make changes in your life are: 1) Don't add more things when you have full schedule. 2) Don't subtract God's presence from your crisis. 3) Don't multiply your problem by inserting your solutions 4) Don't divide your life into secular and sacred. NOW OUR GOD IS IN CHARGE MAN, YES HE IS. RELAAAAAAAX. HE CARES FOR YOU!!!

BE REAL MAN...REAL

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD ALSO". James 2:26. Isn't it what going on in congregations across the world now a days? In James' day also there were people who spoke the language of Christianity without reality of its truth in their lives. My friend, understand this: VERBAL FAITH does not SAVE, verbal faith does not SERVE, verbal faith does not SURVIVE. Look like your mentality is like: "Today it might be McDonald's for a Big Mac: tomorrow it's Wendy's salad bar; or perhaps the wonderful chicken sandwiches at Chick- Fil-A; or Super Buffet where you can pick and choose what you like? Now a days spiritual consumers are not in what the church stands for but in the fulfillment it can deliver -mix'em match'em, salad bar spirituality. STOP it buddy. Be a real disciple of Jesus. If you say you have faith , there needs to be some evidence in your life to back up your claim. Be REAL MAN REAL! Are you listening?

DON'T SIT THERE!

"...the Lord has sought out a man after HIS OWN HEART and appointed him leader of his people". 1Samuel 13:14. In my character studies of heroes in the Bible, I found NO Bible character more fully illustrates the moral range of human nature than David! Then, why God is saying he is a man after his own heart? I learned that he didn't focus on the "should have, would have, or what if's of life. He didn't blame others for what happened to him or for the circumstances in which he found himself. He forgave those who hurt him and was not vengeful. David was a dreamer not a daydreamer. He learned from adversity and built positive relationships. He preserved his reputation in the face of lies.He inquired of the Lord and had patience to wait on God for next steps. My friend, STOP telling me "not me", "I'm not worthy", "God left me". Brother, making a living is only part of life. So what we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don't sit there. If we screw it up, START OVER. Try something else. If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be TOO LATE man!!! Get up, you are custom made by God to accomplish and complete your assignment He has given to you. Did you hear? Yeah? Really?

DIE TO SELF

"I DIE EVERY DAY- I mean that, brothers- just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord". 1 Corinthians 15:31. Paul died physically every day? Of course not. Then, what you talking about Paul? You mean, you learned that to grow and mature and become more like Jesus? Die to self? My friend, let me tell you how do you know that you are dying to self? Can I? 1) When you don't seek praise or compliments or approval, and when you can live without frequent recognition and applause, that is denying yourself. 2) When you are content to let God settle the score and content to wait for your reward in heaven, that's denying yourself. 3) When you submit to an authority over you in deference to God even though you don't agree or understand, that's denying self. STOP grumbling and fault finding. Don't act like you are a "fruit fly inspector". Don't create an issue where there is NO issue. Jude calls them "These men are grumblers and faultfinders". Jude 16. You don't want to be one, do you? I mean DO YOU?

IMMATURITY

"He answered, " I MERELY DID TO THEM WHAT THEY DID TO ME'. Judges 15:11. One of the most notable examples of immaturity in the Bible is Samson. Was he gifted? YES. Anointed? YES. We see in him PERILS OF LIVING A LESS-than-COMMITTED lifestyle. In spite of God's power, he lost it all. A life of impulse, immaturity, resentment, and anger. My friend, do you know some of the signs of immaturity? Well, you want me to say it? People leave churches, friendships, and relationships over the smallest thing like "didn't get the position, pastor didn't call me while I was sick, refuse to see or talk to the sibling because they said the wrong thing over the dinner table, she didn't give me a gift for Christmas, they didn't visit me while they were in town, my name is not in the flier etc..."SILLY SILLY. And they can memorize 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 too. Like Samson, IMMATURE PEOPLE NURSE THEIR RESENTMENTS UNTIL THEY BECOME GRUDGES. THEY FEED THEIR GRUDGES UNTIL THEY BECOME OFFENSES. THEY CARRY THEIR OFFENSES UNTIL THEY DICTATE BEHAVIOR. THIS PRODUCES UNNECESSARY PAIN AND BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS. It starts with small steps in that direction. Hey, hey, are you going in that direction? RED FLAG- STOOOPP IT BUDDY.

GOSSIP

"I am more deadly than the screaming shell from the howitzer. I win without killing. I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives. I travel on the wings of the wind. No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless. My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea, and often as innocent. I never forget and seldom forgive. MY NAME IS GOSSIP". (Writer Morgan). Hey, church folks sometime call it- ummm, Oh yeah "sharing prayer request". RIGHT? STOP IT.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIORITY?

In my 38 years of experience in the ministry in various levels, I had opportunities to be in the presence of number of people on their death bed or in anticipation of soon being in the presence of God. Also, with unbelievers who are in desperation facing imminent death. But there has never been a single case of which I heard statements like "I wish I had a larger church and ministry", "I wish I had built a better business", " I wish I had become a better athlete or traveled more or had a bigger home, had a better car, or I wish spent more time hunting, fishing, playing golf, own more gold, multiple investments etc..I heard from husbands who wish they had spent more time with their wives, fathers wishing they had spent more time with their children, believers wishing they had done something for the Lord. Hey what is your asset? Our family is our responsibility. You get your happiness and joy in the Lord when you love your family, your spouse, your children, and decide that "For me and my house, we will serve the Lord". Buddy, STOP TEXT MESSAGING your orders and expressing your love. Give a kiss, a hug, turn off that TV, communicate, then at the end of your lives there will be NO REGRETS. Billy Graham once said "I have never seen a casket going to the graveyard with a U-Haul attached to it". Y'all hear me??

WINNERS ATTITUDE

" I can do everything through Him who gives me strength". Philippians 4:13. My friend "Don't let your 'fed up' convince you not to 'get up' and say it's time to 'give up'". Jesus didn't walk around saying, "I am poor", "I am weak", "I'm nervous", "I am afraid", and "I am broke". Jesus spoke what God said to speak. Winners have an attitude. They believe in their God-given potential, have a clear focused vision, act by faith in God's grace, and are persistent enough to accomplish it. God has a new definition for you man. Stop measuring yourself by who you used to be with old mistakes and failures. You are a diamond in the rough right now, but your GOD sees a brilliant sparkle inside you just waiting to burst forth into the light. Now REMEMBER, it's not where you start but where you finish that determines success. GOD HAS A BLUE PRINT OF YOUR LIFE IN HIS HAND AND HE IS WORKING ON IT. ReeeeeLAX.

HAVE YOU QUIZZED YOUR CHILDREN?

On my long flight from India (16 hours non-stop) I was reading a very good Christian book. In that book I read: In one of the better public schools in the nation, a high school teacher gave a quiz from the Bible to the college bound seniors prior to a "Bible as Literature" class. Some of the unusual answers were "Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers, Jezebel was Ahab's donkey, the Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John, Eve was created from Apple, Jesus was baptized by Moses, and Golgotha was the name of the giant who killed Apostle David. Oh my my my. Well have you quizzed your children from the Bible? Will you get different answers than this? Do you know there are instructions in the Bible how to teach our children about God and His law. " These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. IMPRESS them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and your gates". Deuteronomy 6:6-9. Hey follow the manual for life, THE BIBLE, then we won't regret. This is my take on it.

SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU!!

I still remember the opening theme song of Rev: Oral Roberts Television program- "Something good is going to happen to you".. I have a word for you my friend this morning. Through years of tears and adapting to the trials and difficulties of life, you must come to the point where you make up your mind if He does not change the circumstances in your life, you are still going to praise Him. To your surprise what you will find is then He will move in your life because you have matured enough to realize that God is worthy regardless of all the things He does for you. HE LOVES YOU IN ALL YOUR SITUATION AND HAS NEVER FORSAKEN YOU. YOU ARE PRECIOUS TO HIM. The heart stopping realization that in Him you are part of something ancient, endless, unstoppable, unfathomable. Hey, hey, He who can dig the Grand Canyon with His pinkie, pile up the dust to form Himalayas in one stroke with His thumb, thinks you're worth His death on a Roman timber. He loves you man- HE LOVES YOU!!!

HE KNOWS YOUR WAY!!!!

My God is OMNIPOTENT, OMNIPRESENT AND OMNISCIENT. My dear, do you believe that? You see, Job's wife told Job, "why do you not curse God and die". Job 2:9. In another words she was suggesting "Go ahead and end your life because you do not like the process". But do you know what was his answer to that? He said, "I am going to stay right here and praise the Lord because ".. he knows the way that I take, when He has tested me, I will come forth as GOLD". Job 23:10. My friend, God knows where you are. The same God that knew where Job was knows where you are. STOP THAT PITY PARTY. You have a God that hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. If you have Jesus as the shepherd of your life, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. Yes, Yes, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED. Get up, did you hear? GET UP, GETTTT UPPP. Now, GOOOOO.....

GOD CAN USE YOU TOO!

What do you mean I am not worthy and will God forgive me for the things I did? My friend it's time to let God's love cover all things in your life. I mean ALL SECRETS, ALL HURTS, ALL HOURS OF EVIL, MINUTES OF WORRY, AND ALL SECONDS YOU YIELDED TO DEVIL. This morning let's do a verbal exercise, can we? When I say something, You say "HIS LOVE WILL COVER ME". Here we go: The morning you awoke in the bed of a stranger- His love will cover me, the years you peddled prejudice and pride- His love will cover me, every promise broken- His love..., drug taken, money stolen,cuss word ,harsh word, idle word- His love ..... Twice Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." I mean twice he traded in his integrity for security. Can you build a nation with a man who had forked tongue? Yes, yes, GOD CAN! God took what was good and forgave what was bad to build a nation. Maan, God can USE YOU TOO. Cheer up! You are drafted to God's BOOT CAMP to make you a GENERAL IN HIS ARMY.

YOUR VISION WILL COME TO PASS

Eye hath not seen, nor ears heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But GOD HATH REVEALED THEM UNTO US BY SPIRIT.." 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. My friends, (hello Pastor), you have to look beyond the difficulties in your current situation to see the coming harvest. THE BEST IS YET TO COME. Let me put it this way- God will show you something that is way far away and you will catch a glimpse of it. And if you are truly a VISIONARY, a vision will not make any sense to your current situation or understanding. If your situation looks like your vision, then you are not there yet. Let me tell you, be assured that once you have been tested, you too shall come forth as pure gold! Be patient, believe, hang in there, this is just a ditch in your journey to your destiny. Y'all hear me?

YOU MAKE THE FIRST MOVE

Yesterday our neighbor's four year daughter ran up the sidewalk into a waiting SUV and I asked her, where are you going? "I'm going to my Grandma's house in Lufkin, Texas after a long time". I asked her "why it took a long time". She said, "I don't know- ask my Mom". The right angle to approach a difficult problem is the "try-angle"- isn't it? Let's take victory over the situations what the enemy has introduced in our relationships. Let's make the first move! We love to be with the ones we love. May I remind you so does God. He loves to be with the ones He loves. How else do you explain what He did? Between Him and us there was a big gap. And He couldn't bear it. He couldn't stand it. So He did something about it. He made the first move. "He gave up his place with God and made Himself nothing". Philippians 2:7. My friend, let this be a "Thanksgiving day" to remember His love and please make a move to mender relationships. Can we? Yeah, Yeah, GOOD.

LEADERSHIP

".....They sad unto Him, grant unto us that we may sit, one on the right hand, and the other on the left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask; can you drink of the cup that I drink of?.....Mark 10:35-37. The danger of misguided, unchecked ambitions manifested itself in a classic case over two thousand years ago during an exchange between Jesus and His disciples is a lesson for our church culture in India during this election year. Here James and John requested, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory". Apparently they coveted a position of leadership (Titles) and power for themselves, NOT TO SERVE OTHERS. At this irresponsible, ambitious, and insensitive request, the GREAT LEADER Himself used this occasion to teach one of the greatest lessons in motivation and attitude of leadership. He said, "Can you drink the cup I drink". Here He was establishing the principle that true LEADERSHIP demands personal sacrifice for the sake of others. Hey, the fundamental principle of true leadership must begin here, in the heart not on the CHAIR. One is not qualified to give orders until he can receive them. Are these panels, canvassing, giving away money, hotel accommodations, groupisms, election commissioners, ballot boxes etc.. BIBLICAL? STOP IT. Let the Holy Spirit select and separate Leaders to lead HIS CHURCH. Well, just a thought.

WHO TO DOMINATE

"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let THEM rule over fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the life stocks, over all the earth...., male and female he created them... God blessed them and said to them, RULE OVER EVERY LIVING CREATURE". Gene: 1:26-28. Let me see: God created man to have dominion over the earth, God gave dominion over the earth to both MALE and FEMALE, He NEVER gave man the the authority to dominate ONE another- The male is not to dominate the female, and vise versa. He specified what they were to dominate, that is "the earth and creation". My friend understand this and correct your life. Did you get it? GOOD!

MISSION MIND

"Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations". Matthew 28:19. This is the great commission Jesus has given to us. We urgently need Christians to become missions-minded- "to think like missionaries". The strategy of an effective foreign missionary is to figure out the culture, learn the language, and relate the gospel so that the target audience can receive it. Members of a mission-minded church make the people outside the church more important than those inside. Their camaraderie is that of battlefield soldiers, united for a greater purpose; that of rescuing the lost souls beyond the church walls. We have to change the mindset to: GO instead of COME to us and GIVE instead of GIVE ME!!

LEADERSHIP

"Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough..they all LOOK THEIR OWN WAY, EVERYONE FOR HIS GAIN, FROM HIS QUARTER". Isaiah 56:11. OMG! How true of today! We are living in a time and season where compromise is the rule of the day. As a result, we suffer from the recompense of having leaders with great personal charisma who are devoid of UPRIGHT CHARACTER. There are many instances where individuals who are designated and placed in position as leaders fail to function and provide leadership. A title and position do not guaranty performance and productivity. In my view, LEADERSHIP IS THE FUNCTION OF THE DESIGNATED POSITION AND EXERCISE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES INVOLVED IN THE POSITION IS EXPECTED. Huhh, I think I am right! OK. Thank you! PRAY FOR GOOD LEADERS!!

HELP!!!

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials". James 1:2. During my study I found out that "falling into" might be better translated "encountering". It is obvious that the suffering believers were not overtaken by some sinful activity or temptation, rather they were being exploited and slandered and litigated by the society or men. For us: may be the loss of a job, a divorce, trouble with children, severe financial strain, illness or death in the family, or relational problems over which we have no control. Modern day notion that when you become a Christian, life will be easier, all problems will disappear and will live happily ever after is not true. I know my friend "life is tough" and is not a bed of roses. My suggestion to you is "Call upon God's resources in your trials". I have a poster with me which I bought from a Christian Store and it reads " A prayer to be said when the world has gotten you down, and you feel rotten and you're too doggone tired to pray, and you're in a big hurry, and besides, you're mad at everybody..."HELP!". Maaan, you don't have to pray a long "Old King James Version Prayer", Just tell Him "HELP"! Y'all hear me?

PRICE PAID IN FULL

"...when he had by himself PURGED our sins, SAT DOWN on the right hand of the Majesty on high"... Hebrews 1:3. Sat down being our High Priest? My friend, did you know in the temple there were no benches or chairs for the priests to sit on, because their work of making atonement for the people was never complete. There was always more sin to make oblation for. This is why it is significant that Christ, after "He had by Himself purged our sins, SAT DOWN at the right hand of the Majesty on high". Jesus finished His assignment His Father has given to Him. You remember Jesus said "IT IS FINISHED" while hanging on the cross. John 19:30. It is finished, IT IS FINISHED, the price for our redemption is paid. we are free, free, Thank you Jesus.

WORSHIP

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will MAGNIFY Him with THANKSGIVING.This also shall please the Lord" Psalms 69:30-31. Did you know out of the Bibles' 66 books, 44 contain reference to music and more than 600 references to people singing praises. We say much about ourselves by our singing. I would say "music is the barometer of the church's spiritual life. When Israel abandoned God, their songs became sad. When they remained faithful to Him their worship was full of joy. Worship is vibrant in our life and in our churches when the joy of the Lord inhabits our hearts. Music reflects our walk with the Lord. Let's worship our Lord and Savior this morning. He is worthy to be praised!! Yes He is...

MATURITY

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I UNDERSTOOD as a child, I THOUGHT as a child: but when I became a man, I put away CHILDISH things". 1 Corinthians 13:11. If public prayer, Bible reading, few dollars in the offering plates, committee membership or any elected positions are the marks of maturity in the lives of believers, what are the characteristics of immaturity? Well, let me see: A mature person stays with a task until it's finished- a child who is immature doesn't, a mature person doesn't enjoy feeling that he or she has been mistreated- a child does, a mature person doesn't have to have his or her way about everything- if a child doesn't have his or her way, he or she will pick up their toys and goes to their corner or home, a mature person doesn't have to head the list and be first in everything including programs and flyers- but a child that doesn't get to be first will often pout and complain. Now, are you a mature or immature believer? Well, are you??? It's time to truthfully answer my friend!!

MARRIAGE

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be UNITED to his wife, and THEY WILL BECOME one flesh". Genesis 2:24. After celebrating 38 years of married life to my wife (Cupcake) I have something to share with you my friend as you are getting married. A lasting and joyous marriage relationship doesn't just happen; you create and sustain it with continuous effort. Love fades in the environment of neglect, hostility, and resentment. Wouldn't it be nice if love were like a cafeteria line? What if you could look at the person with whom you live and select what you want and pass on what you don't? How about a bowl of good health and good moods. But job transfers, in-laws, sickness,laundry, dirty socks, smelly sweat, lay offs, teenage rebellious kids are not on my diet. It would be neater, painless, and peaceful: RIGHT? But you know what? It wouldn't be love, then. Love doesn't just accept few things but love will accept all things! Now, remember: Marriage is made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning!!

GRASP THE VISION!

"Where there is no vision, the people perish" Proverbs 29:18. I think "Vision is a mental picture of a future what God has for you". Where you are now is not all there is , and what you are now is not all God created you to be! Living supernaturally above and beyond the ordinary is knowing what you want, what you are willing to reach for, what price you are willing to pay to push yourself out of your existing comfort zone. It is about finding solutions to get you out of your rut. It is about progress, which cannot occur without change, because change is the price you must pay for progress. My friend, it is about grasping hold of the vision that is the treasure of your heart and running with it until it becomes reality. Hey, do you want to make a difference in your world and the world around you, GRASP THE VISION AND RUN WITH IT. Y'ALL HEAR ME??

WORSHIP HIM!!!

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh CRY OUT FOR THE LIVING GOD". Psalm 84:1-2. My friend, this is my favorite verse I quote soon after I get up every morning. Don't be shocked when I tell you that I don't go to church primarily to hear a sermon or have fellowship with God's people, although I enjoy both. As a pastor of a church, I fed the sheep with the Word and encouraged to have fellowship with other believers. But I want everyone to come to church on the Lord's day to bear witness that Jesus Christ is ALIVE and to WORSHIP HIM. In fact, I start each day, early in the morning, by WORSHIPING Him. If He has my heart, He can trust me with everything else He wants to give me. Brother, we are in love with ourselves, in love with our particular crowd, we are in love with our building, our protocol, programs, choir, worship team ,pastor, leadership, may be, but NOT IN LOVE WITH HIM. MY GOD, CHANGE US LORD!!!!

ZIP ZIP ZIP YOUR MOUTH!

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of Gold in pictures of silver" Proverbs 25:11. When God created us he gave us two ears and one mouth. That means we don't have to respond to half of what we hear. Hey, hey-: Never talk: If you have nothing to say, if your words come out heated, if it hurts another, if your words kindle strife, if it's a rumor, if it's untrue, if it does no good, and if you don't know what you're talking about. My friend, sometimes it shows more knowledge to say nothing. There is no wisdom like it. Even silence can have an eloquent tongue. Zip..zip..zip. ZIP your mouth. Yeah ..that's good.

MATURITY IS NOT DETERMINED BY EDUCATION!

"I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes". Psalm 119:99. Ouch! Is that true? Yes, YES! Can a believer with a sixth-grade education be more mature than a "PhD or a Bible college graduate?". Yes, by understanding the principles of the Word of God and APPLYING them to life. Many believers mistakenly assume that knowledge of the Scriptures, theology, eschatology, or Biblical history produces maturity. Being able to list the fruit of the Spirit and Ten Commandments is commendable; however information without application yields no fruit and does not ensure living by them. My friend, listen to me: Maturity occurs where INFORMATION and APPLICATION meet. I am all for education and degrees and I am proud of you. But a piece of paper doesn't cut it. Brother, come down to the ground level and LIVE. Excuse me..Excuse me.. I am sorry..

Make hay while the sun shines!

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:12. When I was growing up my father told me: "Son make hay while the Sun shines". In every success story, timing has had a vital part. There is a time to act; to delay means failure. People who get ahead are always on top of things at the right time. By procrastinating, one can lose the opportunity. Some people are too slow. Recently I told my son in the Lord " It takes you two and a half hours just to watch "60 minutes". Your hay will rot in the field. God's best gift to us is not things but opportunities and the time to seize them. My friend, let's make hay while the sun shines- OK. Delete that PROCRASTINATION file from your habit.

BE RELEVANT!

My friend, if you want to remain relevant, viable and effective to the 21st century challenges in the Kingdom work, may I suggest some keys to consider in your leadership role. 1) Scan the environment and your target. The essence of remaining RELEVANT is having a strategy that is effective and defining the implications of current trends. Those you LEAD LIVE in the real world. How does your leadership strategy HELP or HINDER them with their modern world challenges? Hey, hey, change your old mindset. Are you driving a car to get to places instead of camels or horse wagons? Are you using mobile phones to send Text messages? Adapt man adapt! Stop saying that I will do only things what is in the Bible. Make changes in the methods without changing principles in the Bible. Did you hear me? GOOD!

EVALUATE AND ELIMINATE!

"By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through IDLENESS of the hands the house droppeth through". Ecclesiastes 10:18. I told my children years ago this: "The train of failure usually runs on the track of LAZINESS. My friend, take time to sit down and examine your priorities and how you are spending your time. Your priorities should be directly linked to your vision and goals. The reason most major goals are not achieved is that we are lazy or spending too much of our time doing second things first. Let me help you with this. TAKE ACTION TODAY. 1) How do you fill up the 24 treasure chests (hours) of your day? 2) What values dominate your life? 3) What do you need to eliminate? 4) What daily habits you need to discipline? 5) How do you link your priorities with your goals? 6) What relationships do you need to eliminate or change and how will you accomplish this? Years ago my Theology professor gave a note together with the semester assignments and it read like this "IF A TASK IS ONCE BEGUN, NEVER LEAVE IT TILL IT IS DONE, BE THE LABOR GREAT OR SMALL, DO IT WELL OR NOT AT ALL". Man of God, does this help you??

YES, I CAN!!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Philippians 4:13. How can we experience a greater level of freedom and success in our daily walk with Him? Using our time wisely, eliminating habits and relationships that hinder our growth and progress, and focusing our priorities are major steps in fulfilling our destiny and living our life on purpose. It takes courage to face such changes. Quoting scriptures are not enough. Hey, you cannot drive a parked car. Remember- success comes in CANS; failure comes in CAN'TS. Now, tell me what is your plan and action?? Come on!!!

YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO THE PALACE

"And when they saw him far off, even before he came near to them, they CONSPIRED to kill him...here comes the dreamer.. so come on now, let us kill him..." Genesis 37:18-20. Can you see here? See Joseph had the support of His father, but the brothers hated him. Hey hey, sometimes you have a high calling in your life- conscientiously you did not do any thing wrong- still people hate you. One time I prayed, let somebody hate me who knows me. See- people make all kinds of assessment, judgments, pass remarks and those people never know you. SOMETIMES PEOPLE HATE YOU OVER YOUR POTENTIAL. YOU ARE NOT THERE YET- NOT STEPPED - STILL THEY HATE YOU OVER YOUR UNREALIZED POTENTIAL. My friend- GO THROUGH IT, YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO THE PALACE. OMG.. I am preaching.. Thank you Jesus.

LEAD NOT FOLLOW

In some ethnic churches almost every issue is put to a vote by the congregation, and the elected leaders merely carry out the will of the sheep. In some cases even though the leader may significantly disagree, he is bound to carry out the decisions of the congregation. That is following, not leading. That is sheep leading shepherd. No wonder why churches are stagnant and members are not growing spiritually. If that had occurred during Moses' day, the Israelites would still be in Egypt, under bondage, eating garlic, leeks, and onions. LORD, HELP US TO CHANGE THE MINDSET.

ARE YOU WORSHIPING?

Today is Sunday "the day of WORSHIP". But worship is the missing jewel of the modern church. Thank God I am part of a congregation which gives emphasis for passionate worship of GOD. We have churches gives emphasis on performance, churches that highlights body fellowships, testimonies and ritualistic routines. But we are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and we develop our love for Him in WORSHIP. Hey, worship is the PATTERN of the Old Testament- everywhere you look people are worshiping. Worship was the PRACTICE of the New Testament. The lives and letters of the first Christians are filled with principles of worshiping God. Are you worshiping, doing programs, and finishing the routines? Stop it. It's time to worship!!!!

DID YOU PRAY TODAY?

Frequently I remind Pastors and Leaders -"He that is more frequent in his pulpit to his people than he is in his prayer closet for his people is but a SORRY WATCHMAN". In our public life we are men and women of prayer, but..BUT what about our private life? You know why our prayer meetings are dead or dying? With our prayerlessness we are telling God that what was begun in the SPIRIT we can finish in the FLESH. My friend, can I talk to you! Prayer is acknowledging the authority of Christ, submitting to the will of God, taking dominion over matters in the realm of the Spirit, exercising faith in the Word of God and receiving counsel from God, subjugating the FLESH, subduing Satan, and causing the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth as it is Heaven. Hey, HEY, people and things will let you down, but our God never will. JUST DO IT MAN, JUST DO IT!

GO FOR IT!!

Hey, hey, listen to me my friend! Insulate yourself from negative people. Stay clear from average negative- thinking believers (experts) who say things like, "I know someone who tried that and failed". Or, "You can't do that. It's never been done before". Share your vision with people of "like" faith who can pray in covenant agreement and nurture it in a positive way. It is absolutely important to discuss your vision with your spouse and come into agreement in prayer. "Bible says "Two can accomplish more than TWICE as much as one, for the results can be much better. ...but two can stand back to back and conquer:three is even better, for a triple- braided cord is not easily broken". Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12. Remember " Vision from God is people oriented and focuses on "what can I give not what can I get". GO FOR IT!!!

SHARPEN YOU AXE

"Whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success." Ecclesiastes 10:9,10. Apparently King Solomon was watching a Lumber Jack working and splitting wood. How many times do we waste time and energy because we don't use a tool in a proper way without taking care of it and using it effectively. My friend God gives each one of us an "AX" - A GIFT - calling or ability- to fulfill a purpose that serves Him, mankind, and us as an individuals. Are you sharpening your ax? Listening to the Holy Spirit? Praying and believing to accomplish what God desires to be done even if it means moving in a different direction than we planned? Hey, move away from the old dull old tradition. You cannot use Samson's Jaw bone of the donkey to confront 21st century enemies with tanks, rifles, missiles and bombs - can you???

STATUS QUO

"I PRESS toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". Philippians 3:14. Thousands of Christians have buried their talents, gifts, and abilities in the cemetery of their last accomplishment. You know why? They are stuck in the "status quo"or mediocrity level. They are holding on to their Sunday School and Little League Soccer Trophies and never stop talking about it. It's alright you did it but never anchor on it. Don't be like Israel going around the mountain for 40 years and never get to the promised land. Paul is warning us here not to make mediocrity the milestone of our accomplishments. Be aware of what you are measuring because heroes in the Bible, history makers, and Kingdom Shakers have never been status quo, mediocre, or average people. They are people who think big and lived outside the box called "average". Hey, tell the RHINOS in your life and church "excuse me, move over, I HAVE AN ASSIGNMENT FROM GOD TO FINISH".

GOD IS A SPIRIT!!

During my devotion and meditation time I read from Psalm 139:7 "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? In John 4:24 Jesus said: "God is spirit". Humm.. let me see: the weather determines what we wear, gravity dictates our speed, the road tells us how to travel, and our health determines our strength. We may challenge these forces and alter them slightly, but never remove them. But my God, OMG.. He doesn't check the weather- He makes it, He doesn't defy gravity- He created it, and He is not affected by health- He has no body: equally active in India and in Indiana, in Africa and in America. You may me at work yet He is at your home watching over your stuffs. He is everywhere- My OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT GOD. I LOVE YOU JESUS!!!

ARE YOU FED UP?

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then, YOU WILL BE PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL". Joshua 1:8. I hear you brother: You are fed up! But I have a word for you man: Don't let your "fed up" convince you not to "get up" and say it's time to "give up". Fight your fed ups. Develop the ways of a winner- living like Jesus lived. Be a "doer" of the Word. Doers have an attitude. They believe in their God-given potential, have a clear focused vision, act by faith in God's grace, and are persistent enough to accomplish it. Train yourself to speak the Word. Stop listening and reacting to the unfocussed crowd who do not have a vision. Hey HEY, DON'T GO TO THE PHONE, GO TO THE THRONE! Y'all hear me? Good!

THERE IS A PURPOSE

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose". Romans 8:28. You must be kidding my Lord! REALLY!! Then, why is there so much strain, so much struggle, so much conflict, so much hell? Lord, I am frustrated and overwhelmed by these things I can't pray away, rebuke away, cast away, fast away, confess away, or speak away. Why? Huh, what did you say Lord? "There is a purpose?" - you are building a foundation of character in my life, which will enable me to obtain the success and blessing that is to be poured in to my life. What? You are teaching me how to trust you in my desert days so that when I enter into my promised land, I won't feel funny and threatened by the foes when they question my anointing? NOW I GET IT! There is a reason to my riddle: Clarity to my confusion, and calmness in my chaos. In another words "You are preheating my oven to bake a cake". OMG I can smell it now. I am getting ready!!!Bring it on!!

LOVE

"Husbands, LOVE your wives, just as Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for her". Ephesians 5:25. Hey, hey, listen to me my brother: when a woman takes a man's name in marriage, it is her visible expression of SUBMISSION and trust in relationship. Then, if she is willing to assume the man's name, then his responsibility is to give her an identity in his character and worth with which she is pleased to identify. Love focuses on the one loved, with thought of self SECONDARY. But LUST, which is perverted love, focuses on self at the expense of the other person. The provisions of love are IDENTITY, SECURITY, AND STABILITY. These are what Christ provides for the CHURCH and what (your name) has to provide to (her name). Don't just read the Bible, understand it Buddy!

DON'T SACRIFICE YOUR FAMILY!

"Thy WIFE shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy CHILDREN like olive plants round about thy TABLE". Psalms 128:3. Yes, it's dinner time at the house. Parents and children are communicating. Sometimes Dad and Mom, you can be in the house, but ABSENT. Hello? Christians, especially the "deeply committed" variety, DON'T NEGLECT your family. The insidious thing about overabundance of righteous activities is that you can neglect your family and feel extremely pious all the time you're doing it. After all, it's God's work. On the other hand, many workaholic parents have convinced themselves that they are sacrificing for the future of their families, but the plain truth is: that is SELFISHNESS. O yeah? yes, yes. The workaholic labors because his or her work meets their own needs; whether he or she knows it or not, he or she is meeting those needs at the EXPENSE of their family. Ouch..OUCH! STOOOP it.

DUMP THE JUNK

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord". Isaiah 55:8. Hum, let me see: This means RIGHT THINKING thinks spiritually- the way God thinks. It is founded on truth. My friend, have you heard it said that God don't make no junk? It's true, but many Christians don't believe it. They go through life carrying pieces of junk on their backs inscribed with words such as HUMILIATION, FAILURE, REJECTION, STUPID, UGLY, CLUMSY, UNWORTHY, INADEQUATE, UNLOVABLE. Hey, such words are not found in God's vocabulary, but they are favorites of your enemy, the father of lies, Satan himself. So, why... why, do we allow ourselves to be beaten down by such lies? DUMP THE JUNK. You are custom made by God, you are His darling with a purpose and destiny. RISE UP AND SHINE, YOU ARE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF THE KING OF KINGS. Y'all hear me??

SETBACKS ARE SETUPS!

"For a just man falleth seven times, and RISETH AGAIN: but the wicked shall fall into mischief". Proverbs 24:16. My friend, if we intend to accomplish anything, we must react to adversity like YEAST. I found out that once yeast is thoroughly stirred into the dough, it cannot be detected. Although it is invisible, it is highly effective. when the HEAT is on, it will rise- the warmer the circumstance, the GREATER the reaction. You know what? The trophy is never given to someone who does not complete the task. Remember, SETBACKS ARE JUST SETUPS FOR GOD TO SHOW WHAT HE IS ABLE TO DO. Now rise up, shrug your shoulder, walk like a general, confront, compete and conquer. STOP THAT PITY PARTY!! Y'all hear me? Yeah.. good.

Take Heart!!

My friend, Did God give you a vision? Then, why are you a people pleaser? Do you ever wonder if everything will turn out right as long as you do everything right? Take heart- when you do what is right, GOD REMEMBERS. The majority is not always right. If the majority had ruled, the children of Israel never would have left Egypt. They would have voted to stay in bondage, David never would have fought Goliath, his brothers would have voted for him to stay with the sheep, and Noah would have never built an ark. "But Peter and John replied, "judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God". Acts 4:19. You all hear me???

GO TO CHURCH!!

My friend don't tell me you don't like to go to church and you have no time for it. God designed the church and Jesus said " I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". You need to be in the house of the Lord where there is a move of God and become a part of a move of God. Hey, if you are around seasoned Christians who loved the Lord, who manage their emotions, who do not have temper tantrums, who aren't flipping out and cursing people out, who aren't living double lives, some seed will fall on you and you will catch it. That is the place for your breakthrough. MAN, sometimes you have to go to church even when nothing is going on because you have to build up EQUITY. JUST DO IT MAN - DO IT.

BUT GOD REMEMBERED NOAH!!

"But God remembered Noah" (Genesis 8:1). My friend, I will never forget the time I went through a tremendous struggle. I thought it was an emergency and I want the answer right then. But the four words "But God remembered Noah" brought streams into my desert. Before Noah ran out of resources and provisions, God REMEMBERED him! God knows where you are and how much left in the reserve. Hey, there is a gusty wind from the Lord and it will blow back your Red Sea, your Jordan River, and will blow dry the wet, marshy, flooded lands as in the days of Noah. Brother, God's wind is ultra-effective against every current in your life. It's blowing..can you hear? MY GOD DID IT FOR ME, YES, HE DID!!

THE JOSHUA GENERATION - A "DIVINE IMPACT" ON SOCIETY

It is interesting to discover that Joshua is the only man in the Bible who was honored with same name as Christ. Numbers 13:16 states that God placed His name within the name of Joshua. Joshua's name was originally OSHEA, but Moses changed it to Joshua, a name that reflected his character. He was a warrior (Exodus 17:9 and 14) and a worshiper (Exodus 33). The name Oshea combined with the name of God-Yah-is Joshua. Joshua's generation was the shadow of the future substance of our wonderful Lord Jesus, whom we follow. Just as Joshua was a man with God's name upon him, we are a people with God's name upon us. Joshua's generation was the generation that fought and conquered the enemies of God. They carried out a "divine attack" on society. WE TOO, ARE CALLED TO FULFILL GOD'S purposes - penetrating the spiritual darkness that pervades this world. HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE Everything in the Old Testament is simply a shadow to what is substance in the New Testament. They had the shadow, and we have the substance. Joshua gave the people four important instructions that we, too, must follow in order to be prepared for spiritual battle: 1. FEED ON THE WORD. Joshua told the people, "... Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which is the Lord your God giveth you to possess it". (Joshua 1:11) Joshua said this because the people needed to take food with them to keep up their physical strength in the natural realm. But Jesus, our Great Commander, tells us, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”. (Matthew 4:4). The first thing you and I must do as we prepare to move into spiritual battle is to feed on the Word of God and get it in our spirit. 2. REMEMBER THE WORD. Joshua told the people: “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, the LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you the land.” (Joshua 1:13) The second thing we must do is remember the promises of God to us. God gave the Israelites the Promised Land, but we have an even greater promise from God: “ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be parttakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4) 3. CATCH A VISION. In Joshua 2:1 we find the third key to successful invasion. Joshua instructed two men to spy out the land. He knew there could be no possession with out vision. The spies caught the vision and declared, “Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land, for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.” (Joshua 2:24) Jesus commands his people to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19) This is the vision of our generation- winning souls for His Kingdom. 4. SANCTIFY YOURSELF. In Joshua 3:5, Joshua instructed the people to sanctify themselves so they would be ready for what God was going to do. The fourth key to impacting society is to sanctify yourself – reject sin and begin to live a holy life. Scripture declares: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into marvellous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) GOD’S COMMANDS TO THE JOSHUA GENERATION After the death of Moses, God spoke to Joshua and commanded: “…now therefore ARISE, GO OVER THIS JORDAN, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your feet shall TREAD UPON, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. (Joshua 1:2-3) God told Joshua three things: 1) ARISE 2) GO OVER 3) TREAD. This is the message of the hour as God raises up a new generation to impact society. As the book of Joshua opens, we find Israel encamped at Shittim – a place that is symbolic of the flesh. They had been there before (Numbers 25), and because of sin, had returned to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. But in Joshua 2, Joshua led Israel OUT OF Shittim and across Jordan. Shittim speaks of the flesh. Jordan speaks of the spirit. It was at Jordan that Elijah was caught up into Heaven. At Jordan, Elisha received a double portion. At Jordan, Jesus was baptized and the Spirit of God descended upon Him. And it was at Jordan that the people passed over from the flesh into Spirit realm. Once God’s people had arisen and gone over, they were commanded to “tread” . Once you arise and move out in the Spirit, the Bible declares you can tread on scorpions and serpents because you have the power “over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). They entered the Promised Land with the presence of God represented by the ark. WE go forth with the presence of God in our earthen vessel, a body of clay filled with the divine power of the Holy Ghost (2 Corinthians 4:7). Inside the Ark of Covenant were the tables of stone and the rod that budded, symbolic of the Word and resurrection power of God. The enemies of God were destroyed because of God’s presence symbolized by the ark and its contents (Numbers 10:35). As you go forth with the Word of God and with His resurrection power abiding in you, you too, will have a divine impact upon society. God told Joshua, “If you will RISE, If you will GO OVER, If you will TREAD – no one will able to stand before you!” Are you ready to invade the enemy’s territory? Are you ready to have a divine impact upon your community..and in your home….and on your Job? PASSING OVER JORDAN When the Joshua generation passed over Jordan to possess the land, It was HARVEST TIME and the Jordan River was at flood levels. As soon as the priest’s feet touched the water, the way opened for Israel to cross on dry ground. When the leaders stepped into the current, the waters rolled back 30 miles north to the city of Adam. There is a tremendous spiritual truth in what happened to Israel at the Jordan. When you leave the flesh behind and cross over into the realm of the Spirit, God vipes away your past right back to Adam! The Joshua generation’s crossing is a shadow of the substance to come. The real time harvest began when Jesus was baptised in the Jordan and began His public ministry. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest”. (Luke 10:2) When Israel crossed over to Jordan, they erected two memorials. Twelve stones were taken from the WILDERNESS SIDE and erected in the middle of Jordan where the priests stood with the Ark while Israel crossed. Twelve NEW STONES were taken from the River and erected in a memorial on the other side of Jordan (Joshua 4). These two memorials symbolize what we leave and what we press on to in our walk of faith. Our new life in Christ and new covenant is taken out of the waters and established in the promised Land. We are part of new covenant – THE JOSHUA GENERATION. The Joshua generation was a generation that fought and conquered the enemies in the Promised Land. We are commanded by our wonderful Lord Jesus to fight and conquer spiritual darkness. Just as Joshua led the nation of Israel across the Jordan by the light of the day, we should show our faith in the light of the day. Jesus aid, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14) We can learn to do what Joshua did in order to see the glory of God revealed in our life and in the lives of those who we touch. We can learn how to have a Joshua spirit and go on to conquer in the power of the Holy Spirit.

FAVOR!

God's favor will get you through the door but you have to work hard to fulfill your vision and God ordained destiny. Nothing will drop in your lap. Get up and work hard for it. Remember, only in the dictionary we see Success before WORK.

LEADERSHIP

A LEADER must allow himself no INDULGENCES in secrets that would undermine his CHARACTER or mar his public witness. The character of a leader should be one that commands respect from all, even his ENEMIES. Hey HEY, you can fool few people all the time and all people few times and a season, BUT YOU CANNOT FOOL ALL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME!!

LEARN TO LAUGH!

" A MERRY HEART maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken". Proverbs 15:13. Hey, do you know that when a violin string is not tight enough, the music will be flat and dull? And the string is too tight, the music will be shrill and high-pitched. But if it is tightened even more, that string will SNAP! It's the same way with tension in the home. STRESS AND STRIF...E raise tension in our homes. The strings can get mighty tight, and sometimes, IT CAN SNAP. Hey, have you ever noticed you don't have to teach children to laugh: perhaps you have to teach them not to laugh? You see, laughter comes innately. And if you have the joy of the Lord in your heart, it's going to show on your face! Jesus tells us to laugh (Luke 6:21). My friend, Laughter is God's way to break the tension when the string get TOO TIGHT. Ha Ha Ha HA HA HA, JUST DO IT!

THE WINNABLE WAR

"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your MINDS may be corrupted from the simplicity that is CHRIST". 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV). My friend, do you know that an idle mind is the devil's workshop? The devil knows that if he can get us to think about something, we are only a STEP away from actually doing it. He knows that our minds are COMMAND CENTRAL. It is h...ere that we REASON. It is here that we remember. It is here that we DREAM. Our minds are the HARD DRIVE, the place where everything originates. Satan knows it is only a SHORT STEP from a thought to act. So realize that in Jesus Christ, you have been positionally placed into the family of God. DON'T let the devil cheat you out of that truth. Live and THINK as a child of God and a child of the KING, and walk in close fellowship with GOD. Purposely DELETE the thought devil brings to your mind. We may lose a skirmish here and a battle there. But NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, WE WILL WIN THE WAR!!See More

PRAYER

MOSES prayed, "Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in your sight, show me now Your way" Exodus 33:13. ELIJAH prayed: "O Lord my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him". 1 Kings 17:21. AND GOD ANSWERED THESE PRAYERS! Let me see. This means that my prayers do not have to be long for God to answer. The biggest lie Satan tells you and me about prayer is that it needs to take a lo...ng time. It is not the length of prayer that makes it effective, but the sincerity and faith behind it. Our prayers must be Spirit-led, heartfelt and accompanied by true faith. Don't tell me you don't have time to pray. What is your excuse. If the Lord leads you to sit down and pray or intercede long time, go ahead and do it. If not you can pray like Moses, Elijah, David, Jabez.......JUST DO IT BUDDY!

Are you a servant LEADER!

True greatness and true leadership are not achieved by reducing men to one's service , but in giving oneself in service to them. Are you a servant LEADER?

ALLEVIATE ANGER!!!

"A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife". Proverbs 15:18. If I say AA, what is coming to your mind? American Airlines or Alcohol Anonymous? My friend, I would say it stands for ALLEVIATE ANGER also. The scripture here shows us that anger brings stress and strife. We need to be peacemakers in our homes. Proverbs 15:1 says " A soft answer turneth away wrath...: but grievous words stir up anger". The way to control your anger is to control your WORDS- your SPEECH. Perhaps you might say, " I just can't control it". Really? Oh yes you can! Sometimes in a home the husband and wife are just snarling, fighting, snapping, down one another's throat, and their voices are full of hostility. Then right in the middle, the phone rings. They go to the phone and say, "Hello", so SWEET and NICE. Don't tell me you CAN'T CONTROL IT! And you'd BETTER LEARN to control in the midst of INTENSE NEGOTIATION (I know Christians never argue), if you don't, you'll be out of control- and THE STRING WILL SNAP. You don't want that, do you???

LORD, YOU HAVE TO DO IT! REALLY?

"Come near to God and He will come near to you" James 4:8a. Frustrated with a mediocre spiritual life and hungry for something more in our relationship with God, we pray, "God, I am tired of living a life of continual defeat and disappointment. I need to experience Your power in my life. I'm tired of fighting myself. If anything supernatural is going to happen, You are going to have to do it. Lor...d, fill me with your Holy Spirit. Use me Lord. I pray in Jesus name, amen!!!". Have you ever prayed such a prayer? Sounds familiar? Aren't we handing back to God a responsibility He had given to us? It's time for self-evaluation. How many minutes a day, a week, have you spent time with Him? Are you satisfied with a 30 minutes Sandwich the pastor is giving every Sunday? Do you have a daily devotion? Tithe of your time with the Lord? STOP handing over the responsibility of your spiritual life to God. You know what is this called "UPWARD DELEGATION". Stop handing over the responsibility of your spiritual life to God, maaan, take charge, BE REAL!!!

CAN YOU ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE?

My friend, do not shackle yourself to past pains or trauma, or a self-imposed life sentence for past mistakes. CAN YOU ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE? Learn the values of your talents, the value of your time and the value of your love, you will understand what a DISSERVICE you do to yourself by trading them in for token just like we trade money for tokens in Chuck E. Cheese. I want to dare you to see yourse...lf through the eyes of your heavenly Father. What ESTEEM he holds for each of us! I DARE you to see yourself through clear vision. Life alone can be very difficult, and there can be a seemingly never-ending mountain of troubles, but do not make it more difficult by gambling your resources away. LIVE the life that God has predestined to you, live FEARLESSLY in the comfort that you have weighed all your options, made the best choices, and wait to reap the benefits. Ma..nnn, YOU ARE AN ORIGINAL CUSTOM MADE BY GOD, NOT A CARBON COPY. Can you live with your eyes wide open??? Well, can YOU???

NOTHING ELSE I CAN DO, BUT PRAY! REALLY?

"And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:7. As Christians, when we go through some trials, sickness, troubles, or other traumatic situations, we say like this " Now I can do nothing about it, but pray". The worrisome and anxious heart pays a high price for doing so. Finally, we say "now only God can do anything ab...out it", REALLY? My friend, anxiety and worry splits us right down the middle, creating a double-minded thinker. Perception is divided, distorting our vision. Strength is divided, wasting our energy. STOP!! Paul offers a two pronged answer. GOD'S PART AND OUR PART. Don't WORRY about anything; instead, PRAY about everything and TELL GOD what you need and THANK HIM for all He has done. Philippians 4:6. What is God's part? If you do this, we will experience GOD'S PEACE which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. It's time to change our mindset!!!

CONFRONT THE ISSUES!

"Then you will no the truth, and the truth will set you free". John 8:32. Usually we quote this verse to refer our spiritual status. What about our daily life? We want to live to the fullest, spiritually, financially, and even relationally. Yet we often settle for less than the best life we could live. Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Do you feel like you're stuck in a job while wish...ing you had a career? Hold your breath while credit cards clear? May be no one knows but you the extend to which your public success masks private failures! Hey, you can only correct what you are willing to confront. Stop living in a perpetual state of denial and do the hard work that is needed to confront issues, weaknesses, and inconsistencies in our lives. Things can turn out the way you want IF YOU ARE WILLING TO REALIZE THE TRUTH. It's time partner! Remember, you can't recycle the time.

WATCH IT, PEOPLE WANT TO FOLLOW YOU!!

Joshua 24:15-16: ...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. v:16.THEN the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve the other gods". My friends, quoting this verse is easy, but we are to manage our families well. We are also to lead our wives in a loving way. We are to set the tone for our families by making sure that Christ is put first in our plans, our fin...ances, our time, and the things we talk about. How about the area of hospitality? This simply not only mean to give people a place to stay and a meal but to draw people in and make them comfortable around us and they perceive that we genuinely care for them. Hey, are you a absent husband and a father even tough you are staying at home? Are you an unaccessable leader in your organization? Look, v 16, people are watching you and want to follow you!! YOU'LL HEAR ME!!!

PRAYER!

Matthew 6:5-7: "And when you pray, do not be like hypocrites..standing in the synagogues and on the street corner..v7..do not keep on babbling like pagans..for they think they will be heard because of their many words and to be seen". Let me see! In our public life we are men of prayer. We pray: to open a meeting and to close a meeting, before Psalm reading, pray for offering, before the sermon an...d after the sermon, at the hospital, at the secular and sports events, before the meal and some time we create a slot in our program to include some people to pray. Hey, what about prayer in our PRIVATE LIFE. Are we men of prayer? We can fake a spiritual life by public prayer- long prayer from Genesis to Revelation. But the one who knows us the best cannot be fooled. Do we want deep spiritual lifeblood and power? It starts with a personal relationship and constant communication with him through our private prayer.

STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH!

"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all". Isaiah 7:9. Wow! This verse is telling me that "spirituality is not a one-time event- IT'S A LIFESTYLE. Get to know the God of the Bible- you'll enjoy the Book, and you'll love the Author. Bible is the only book when you read it, the author is there with you. You can read a million books in the world, but the Bible is the only Book which reads you. Day by day LIVE your faith. Don't be wishy-washy. STAND! Be the person Monday through Saturday as you are on Sunday. Because "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all".

STOP HANGING WITH UNFOCUSSED FRIENDS!

Are you tired of the same old routine life and getting bored? Are you at the same place since last year? Last five five years? Last ten years? Spiritually? Careers?Life? "Same Ol- same ol?" Hey, doing what you should do gets old quickly. Doing what you were CREATED to do is exciting! Listen to me friend- To attain the result of total focus, you MUST disassociate yourself from people who are unfoc...ussed, who are not running the same race as you do. They always want to be on easy street, living ungodly, seekers of temporary pleasures, wasting time and life away and ultimately, they will never reach their full potential or find happiness without God. Hey, do you want to be in their car, when they find themselves in a dead-end street, and crash, and no point of return? Bail out man, STOP! Seek God, He wants to take you somewhere in your life.

IF YOU CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT!!!

In a graveyard, a tomb stone read like this, " Johnny died at 21, buried at 65". In another words he stopped dreaming, focusing, accomplishing anything in his life at the age of 21, he lived, till the age of 65. But accepted the mediocrity, status-quo life, lived to pay bills, struggled to raise a family, never even took time to express his love to his wife, and children. What a sad story. Unfortu...nately, a good number of people are living like this. My friend, let me encourage you to a challenging and excited life. Regardless of where you are now- at the top of the mountain of success or at the bottom of the deepest valley of despair, YOUR BEST IS YET TO COME. NEVER GIVE UP. FOCUS, FOCUS, and FOCUS. Develop an attitude "IF HE OR SHE CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT".

UPWARD DELEGATION!!!

Recently in a small group prayer a struggling young mother (laid off) had a specific prayer request during intercessory prayer time. She said, "my car is with a mechanic and the mechanic said it blew its transmission. I don't have the money necessary for the repairs. Without a car I can't go anywhere even for job hunting and interviews. Would you please pray that God would provide the money for t...he repair work? So the leader prayed out loud, " God, our heavenly father, we know that YOU own the cattle on a thousand hills, Nothing is too hard for you. Lord, answer our dear sister's request so that she can fix her car and be able to go and look for a job to provide for her special financial needs. IN JESUS NAME, WE PRAY! AMEN!! However, our small group of 20 who are employed, really doesn't need GOD'S help in this matter. Each person in the group has ability to contribute at least $50 dollars to the cause; together we could cover the entire bill. Instead we passed the bill to God. WE HAVE GIVEN HIM A JOB THAT HE HAS ALREADY GIVEN TO US!! Ouch! OUCH!! I have a word for this- Are you ready? UPWARD DELEGATION!! This is exactly what James wrote. James: 2:15-17.

OUR GOD IS OMNIPOTENT, OMNIPRESENT, AND OMNISCIENT!

Our God is OMNIPOTENT, what does that mean? He is all powerful, whatever He says will come to pass. Our God is OMNIPRESENT, what does that mean? He is never coming in or going out- He is there! All places at the same time. In your trouble- crisis- storm, home- car- church- work- YET He never left home- watching over your stuffs, in your business, with your child in college, dealing with your sons ...and daughters, Hey , you cannot be, but HE can! Our God is OMNISCIENT. What does that mean? ALL knows- He knows what you are trying to say before you say it! Nothing happens in our life without His knowledge. My friend, He knows your finger print- voice tone, You are an ORIGINAL not a carbon copy. What do you mean you are alone and nobody likes you. STOP THAT PITY PARTY. Are you hearing me?? Yeah, YEAH, GOOD!!!!

LET'S IMPACT OUR GENERATION!!!

I have been studying the great men and women in the Bible for last two years. Also I read couple of autobiographies of men who impacted their generation for the Lord. I realized that individuals who impacted their generations and affected world most dramatically were those who, because of circumstances, pressure, or adversity: CHALLENGED the tide of convention, STRETCHED the boundaries of tradit...ions, VIOLATED the expectations of "status-quo", UPSET the mind of the average, SHATTERED the mindset of "the norm" and BROKE through the "accepted" in order to accomplish the unexpected. My friend, God is calling you to realize your PURPOSE in life and march towards your DESTINY. We have the anointing of the ANOINTED ONE dwelling in us, DON'T WE????

When Satan challenges you of your Sonship

During my devotion and meditation time this morning, I noticed two of the three typical temptations Jesus faced in the desert were a challenge on His Sonship. "If you are the Son of God.."command these stones become bread" and "jump down". Matthew: 4:3,6. Even Satan put the same words to challenge in the mouth of passersby who watched Jesus on the Cross: "If you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross". Matthew 27:40. My friend, understand that Satan spares no saints of this temptation during our days of our spiritual infancy and our times of infirmity due to adversaries. Now I hope you realize who is the source of your attack.

WE NEED PROPHETS LIKE ELIJAH!!!

1 Kings: 19:2-3. " S Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "..if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them"...Elijah was afraid and ran for his life...". In these days of faceless politicians and voiceless preachers diluting their messages to please the crowd, there is not a more urgent Kingdom need than that we cry to God for a PROPHET. As in the case of Elijah,... the degree of his effectiveness is determined by the measure of his unpopularity. Elijah was totally "otherworldly". He was unquestionably controversial and unpardonably hostile. He marched to another drummer. Thank God we have FEW ELIJAHS LEFT. Please recognize the BALAAMS invading our churches and it is time to reject them.

ARE YOU MISSION MINDED OR MAINTENANCE MINDED?

ARE YOU MAINTENANCE MINDED OR MISSION MINDED? If your church is one that revolves around itself and provides programs and services for its members, it's a MAINTENANCE church. This is the church where politics, positions, elections, titles and groupism is the dominant factor. Result: only biological growth and no spiritual growth and next generation leaves the church. In a mission minded church, th...ey are focused on how the programs and ministries will draw in the lost, and how they can personally bring new people to church and ultimately to CHRIST. The members and the leadership are willing to sacrifice their personal preferences to win the lost and the members make the people outside the church more important than those inside. Result: Members love and support one another- but their camaraderie is that of battlefield soldiers, united for a greater purpose: that of rescuing the lost souls beyond the church walls. This church will enjoy tremendous growth in membership, spiritual growth, and next generation will serve their God of their fathers and will have a purpose in life. OMG, STOPPPPP playing church!!!

ARE YOU READY TO FACE THE STORM COMING AGAINST YOUR HOME?

Matthew 7: 24-27. Holy Spirit brought to my attention this morning about the wise man building his house on a rock and the foolish man building the house on sand. I noticed the materials they used are same , but the LOCATION on where they built is different. Both houses were hit by the storm. Hey, it doesn't matter you are a college student or has a PhD in physics, widow or widower, newly wed or c...elebrating 50 year anniversary, lives in one bed room apartment or a multimillion mansion, riding a bicycle or driving a Bentley car, physically small or Mr. Universe, average beauty or Miss Universe: are you READY TO FACE THE STORM COMING AGAINST YOUR HOME? My friend, check your location... location...LOCATION! Is it on JESUS!!!!

A PROMISE IS NOT BETTER THAN WHO MAKES IT!

On this Memorial Day, the Lord spoke to me from these verse- "...be content with what you have, because GOD HAS SAID, NEVER WILL I LEAVE YOU; NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU". Hebrews 13: 5. A promise not better than the one who makes it. Who says here? The OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT GOD. In the coming days, when I say, "God, I just don't have the strength"- the OMNIPOTENT GOD will answer, " I w...ill NEVER LEAVE you nor FORSAKE you". When I say, "God, I'm afraid of what is going to happen"- the OMNIPRESENT God says, " I will NEVER LEAVE you nor FORSAKE you. And when I say, "God I don't know what to do - The OMNISCIENT God will respond, " I will NEVER LEAVE you nor FORSAKE you. Hey HEY "HE HIMSELF HAS SAID IT". That settles it.

HOW BAD YOU WANT IT?

Devotion nugget: Genesis 30:1. "When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, ....she said 'GIVE ME CHILDREN , OR I WILL DIE". This leads to a question- HOW BAD I WANT IT? Hey, Rachel misunderstood about the level of intensity required to ACHIEVE or CONCEIVE. Apparently, casually requiring it will never happen. Most of us do not have the intensity to fruition. Hoping if it is the will of God- it will not happen. Lithergic faith will not move mountains or circumstances. You and I want a easy way out, right? Stop complaining, murmuring, talking, judging, and blaming somebody else. HOW BAAAD YOU WANT IT???? HUH....

DITCHES ON THE WAY TO YOUR DESTINY

Genesis 45:5-8. " And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourself...that God sent me ahead of you... So then, it was not you who sent me here but God". WOW. Here Joseph makes himself known to his brothers who sold him to the slave merchants. My friend, understand that life is a test, NOTHING is insignificant in our life. Bible says, "the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lo...rd". In our life every incident is significant, every second is an opportunity to grow- opportunity to develop character- and to demonstrate love. Like Joseph, some tests are OVERWHELMING, but through it all our MASTER never leaves us and as always it has eternal implications. These tests are DITCHES ON THE WAY TO YOUR DESTINY. SOOOO ENCOURAGE YOURSELF, YOU ARE GOING SOMEWHERE!!!!

LEADERSHIP

1 Samuel 16: 11-12. " So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?..Jesse answered, "..youngest- but he is tending the sheep...Then the Lord said, "RISE AND ANOINT HIM; HE IS THE ONE". Hey, hey, hey- did you get it? Leadership that is ordained of God usually comes unsought. In another words, in God's kingdom, leadership doesn't come to one who is looking for it--Huhh..someone trying to be the BIG SHOT, or who is doing everything to be SEEN- No no no, it's the person who is faithful in little things is ushered into leadership. TRUE LEADERSHIP IS NOT SOMETHING YOU GRASP BUT SOMETHING YOU BECOME. Do you understand buddy???

DUCK IT..DUCK IT

1 Samuel 18: 7-8: "As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain hid thousands, and David his tens of thousands...And from that on Saul kept a jealous eye on David". Humm- David might be thinking "I didn't ask them to sing like that". The women are making a comparison- Not David. Now King Saul is Jealous and he wants me get killed. This is not right! Hey, some people despise you because you are effe...ctive. Extreme effectiveness will draw persecution and intimidation. Don't you assume that you are persecuted because you are doing something wrong. You are SUFFERING because you are RIGHT and EFFECTIVE. SAULS will throw spears at you. DON'T RETALIATE. Duck it...duck it.. duck it.. you are on the way to palace!! Y'all hear me!!!

MY FATHER

Hebrew 12:6-8. KJV. " For whom the Lord loveth he chaseneth, and scourgeth every son....But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then ye are BASTARDS, and not SONS". Humm, Lord- you mean to tell me you are chastening me because I am your son? That's why when you are teaching your disciples, the very first word you uttered is "OUR FATHER"- our provider, protector, guide- OUR FA......THER! Hey, how we relate to our Father determines our life. How we react to His discipline determines our direction.DISCIPLINE? You would think that if you discipline a child, the child would hate you. NO no no. A disciplined child loves you more than undisciplined child. If you love me enough to confront me, correct me, I don't want anymore proof that you love me. OMG. I am preaching to myself this morning. Thank you JESUS

Dear Partners and Friends!! I just came back from a 36 day mission trip to India. Because of your valuable prayers and generous contributions, the Lord’s work in India is experiencing explosive growth. “ And Jesus went about all the CITIES and VILLAGES, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then He said unto his disciples, “The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into His harvest”. Matthew 9:35-38. Christians urgently need to become missions minded- to think like missionaries to “Go to them” not to “come to us”. The strategy of an effective foreign mission is to figure out the culture, learn the language, and relate the gospel so that the target audience can receive it. India is a populous country having more than 1.2 billion people living there. Our Lord divinely guided World Mission 360 to go to the North Indian Villages, speak their languages, plant churches, establish Bible Training Centers to train native young people and equip them to spread the Gospel of good news. We are demonstrating the love of our Lord Jesus through compassion projects such as Children’s Home, Orphanages, feeding programs, Vocational Training Centers, Medical Clinics with free medicines, Educational Assistance to the needy, and we are taking care of destitute and abandoned. In the year 2011, we planted 25 churches, supporting 85 missionaries, built 4 church buildings, dug two bore wells, and established a children’s home with 25 children.

FAILURE IS AN EVENT NOT A PERSON!!!

"The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down". Psalms 145:14. My friend, let me tell you what I learned from life about failure and fall. Failure, you see it everywhere. It happens to everyone. That doesn't mean we are all failures! Accept that you failed this time or this area of your life. This can be extremely difficult because it's an admission of our imperfec...tion and that we aren't always the best. GET OVER IT. Remember failure happens to everyone- it's how we deal with it that defines who we are. FAILURE IS AN EVENT NOT A PERSON. Our God promises us that He will hold us up when we fall and He will raise us up again. He loves us and He knows our frame. Come on GET UP...

I MAY KNOW HIM!!!

"That I may KNOW HIM?, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death".. Philippians 3: 10. Hey, look at this! Saul who later became Paul, who had the experience of Damascus, who wrote most of the NT Epistles- Pastor of Pastors - Greatest Apostle- says "that I may know Him". The problem with church today is that we think we know God. ...Really we DON"T KNOW GOD. We know church- the protocol- Greek/ Hebrew- know each other inside the church and outside the church. We allow ourselves to believe that we know God. That's why we don't seek Him. That's why we have to hire other people to lead us in to His presence in worship. That is why we are sitting like spectators evaluating who is the best performer. WHY DO YOU SEEK WHICH YOU ALREADY KNOW? OOPS- SORRY- the preacher got out!