Happy New Year!!

To all our Friends, We wish a Happy and Prosperous New Year!! And our prayer for you is:No evil shall befall You, nor shall any plague come near Your dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep You in all Your ways. Psalm 91:10,11. Do you know that 2014 New Year day is a Full Moon Day and it signifies a NEW BEGINNING. It is very rare that New Year day falls on a Full moon day! God bless you!!

YOU DO YOUR PART!!

" Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me". 2 Kings 2:9. Many people pray like Elisha, "Lord, give me a double portion of Your anointing". Especially most of us are praying like this during the New Year's service. But we do not realize the preparation that is involved for such a miraculous thing to occur. Elijah and Elisha traveled together and finally they journeyed to the banks of the RIVER JORDAN WHERE THE LORD TESTED ELISHA'S VISION. Was it of man, or of God? The prophet said to the servant, "..ask what shall I do for thee, before I be taken away from thee". Elisha said, "I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me". 2 Kings 2:9. Elijah responded, "Thou hast asked me a hard thing: nevertheless, If thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee". 2 Kings 2:10. In other words, If your vision is clear, and your eyes are on things above, you'll receive it". Habakkuk 2:2 declares "..WRITE THE VISION AND MAKE IT PLAIN". My friend, let me explain to you: There are three keys to seeing a vision fulfilled in the year 2014 for you. 1) It must be plain, meaning a vision cannot be cloudy or full of questions or indecisiveness. 2) You must run to receive it, meaning your prayer life must intensify. Walking is prayer... running is intensified prayer. 3) The vision is for "an appointed time". Wait for it. Never give up. YOUR FAITH IS VITAL FOR THE VISION'S FULFILLMENT. Suddenly, the prophet was raptured- caught up into the heavens! A chariot of fire appeared- yet Elisha could see clearly enough to pick up the mantle that was left behind. Bro: look at him: He walked to the same river where he had seen the prophet Elijah use the mantle to separate the waters. He said,.."where is the Lord God of Elijah"? - and the waters of Jordan were again miraculously parted. Hey, hey, IF YOU HAVE A VISION FOR 2014, DO YOUR PART FOR IT COME TO PASS. I have a news for you "NO MATTER HOW ANOINTED YOU ARE- GOD WILL NOT BRUSH YOUR TEETH! OUCH!

HE WILL DO IT AGAIN!

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM" ..Exodus 3:14. When Moses was talking with God, he asked, "What is your name? Who shall I say sent me? God responded, "Tell them, I AM". My friend, as you are going to step in to a New Year 2014, I hear a tone of concern and uncertainties in your voice. I just want you to know that, as a child of God , WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO ADD WHATEVER ELSE AFTER THE I AM. HE IS LIGHT, GLORY, REVELATION, BLESSINGS, HEALING, PEACE, ABUNDANCE- ALL THAT WE NEED. He is ever-present, ever-living, no-beginning-with-no-end God. He is the God of the now. Hey, God does not live in eternity- ETERNITY LIVES IN HIM, God does not exist- HE IS EXISTENCE, God does not live- HE IS LIFE. When the angel of God appeared to Mary and said, "Thou shalt call His name Jesus", (Matthew 1:21) the Greek used here implies something most revealing. It implies that He already had a name- JEHOVAH- but that we are to call Him Jesus. Jesus said " ..and lo, I am with you alway, EVEN unto the end of the world" Matthew: 28:20. JESUS IS JEHOVAH. Every time you say that name, you are bringing Jehovah on the scene. Every time you say the name of Jesus, you bring the fulness of Jehovah down to earth. EVERY TIME YOU SAY JESUS, YOU MOVE OUT OF TIME INTO ETERNITY. And every time you worship him with "HALLELUJAH", you are singing in Hebrew, "Praise Jehovah". So let us enter into the NEW YEAR with Hallelujah, our God is with us. Bro: let me ask you something? Who took care of the things worried you "a year ago, a month ago, a week ago, and yesterday? HE WILL DO IT AGAIN!!!!!!

Arise and Shine!!

"..but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:13-14. I have been asked many times by those who are hurting, "Do you think God has given up on me?" Or, " Is it too late to make something of my life?" My friend, I know that you fear that you have failed too miserably and have forfeited your God appointed destiny. I have found this fear prevalent across socioeconomic, ethnic, gender and political lines. Oh yeah, You've made bad decisions and you're trying to overcome a series of mistakes, sins, failures, and disappointments. But, YOU MUST REMEMBER, the final whistle has not yet been blown on your life. Hey, if you are still here, then God still has a plan for you. And it's a good plan, filled with both a future and hope. The good news is that when you walk with God, your past doesn't have to define your future. Our God has always used "broken vessels" to accomplish His purpose on the earth. You remember, how it wasn't too late for Moses, a murderer whom God used to deliver the Hebrew children..how it wasn't too late for Jacob, a liar and a trickster whom God used to fulfill His promise to Abraham..how it wasn't too late for Rahab, a harlot whom God used in the messianic family tree. Well, how about David, Jeremiah, Peter, Paul etc. Bro: one of the greatest ways that Satan keeps the body of Christ (that's YOU) from moving forward is by keeping each of us looking back at our mistakes or failures. Or having a pity party about our current situations. But I don't want you to fall prey to this schemes of the enemy any longer! We need you, church needs you, God wants you, your children need you. Rise up!! Arise and shine, your light has come! You'll hear me!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

WILD HORSE ON THE LOOSE!!

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want" . Galatians 5:16-17. My friend, the human body is not sinful; it's neutral. If the Holy Spirit controls the body, then we walk in the Spirit; but if the flesh (sinful old nature) control the body, then we walk in the lust of the flesh. Plato in his book (my college reading assignment) said like this. There is a tamed horse with great discipline who is ready to pull his share of the load, and that horse will respond immediately to the driver. But that horse is yoked with a wild horse, and that wild horse wants to go the other way. He will kick the other horse or bolt or buck or he will be just outright stubborn. This is the problem of humans. This is exactly the conflict between spirit and flesh. How do we solve this problem, you may ask? The answer is simple but not always easy to do. Paul says "Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Flesh). Easier to say than done. Walking in the Spirit means a daily surrender to the will of God. It means disciplining ourselves to respond instantly to the driver. This Sunday morning, brother, let me ask you a question? Are you a wild horse on the loose? Then your so called worship is a drama, drama, drama. Dancing, falling out, running around, and all expression of worship and emotion is a DRAMA. Ouch, sorry!!!!

SATAN'S GREAT SALE!

"Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged". Deuteronomy 1:21. My friend, stop saying "I don't know what to do, I can't get anywhere and nothing is working out for me and I doubt it ever will". See, the devil wants us to become discouraged because discouragement determines our failure or success. No battle is ever won WITH IT, and no battle is ever LOST WITHOUT IT. Have you heard about a "GREAT SALE" held by Satan where he offered his tools of his trade? There were malice, hatred, envy, sickness etc..- all the weapons people know well. But off to one side lay a harmless looking instrument marked "DISCOURAGEMENT". It was old and worn out yet priced far above the rest. When asked why it is so valued to him, the devil said, "See this is the easiest one to use, for no one knows that it belongs to me. With discouragements I can open a heart's door that is tight and bolted against my other tools. Discouragements makes a person give up and give in to me". But my friend, God has given us the power to conquer discouragements. That power is faith in God's word. When devil says, "You can't do it and you are a failure and you may as well quit trying, we reply "No, Philippians 4:13 says' 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me". In God's strength, I believe I can do it. Brother, when we guard the door of our heart with God's word and our attitude, the devil eventually will get DISCOURAGED AND LEAVE. Proverbs 24:10 says " If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small". You can easily determine the caliber of a person by the amount of opposition it takes to discourage him or her. Did this help you buddy? Really!

GET RID OF THE SAND!

"Catch for us the foxes,the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom". Song of Songs 2:15. Little Foxes- Humm. My friend it is not often that some large evil overcomes us; rather it is the little things that throw us off balance and rob us of the tender love and presence of Christ in our hearts each day. Isn't it? I still remember in the early eighties a man walked all the way from west coast to east coast, a distance more than three thousand miles for raising funds for the charity he represented. Upon arrival, news reporters asked him "What was the hardest part of his trip". Was it climbing rocky mountain or walking through the hot desert of death valley or crossing swollen rivers or avoiding heavy traffic in the big cities or lack of sufficient cold water or food? He answered "no" to all these questions. What was it? They asked. Finally he replied "it was the sand in my shoes". Brother, do you have sand in your shoes? The greatest weakness in our life is the tendency to become discouraged over trifles. In the Bible, many of God's mightiest men have wrestled with a similar weaknesses but have overcome it through the constant use of their faith in the Lord and their honest worship. Jesus said " If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there and it will move". Nothing will be impossible for you" .Matthew 17:20. If faith as a grain of mustard seed can move mountains, it certainly can move a few grain of sand out of our shoes- won't it? Don't say it's not a big deal. Get rid of the sands- get get get rid of the sands, Y'all hear me? Yeah, Yeah.

BIRD IN MY PATIO!

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths". Proverbs 3:5-6. God has His way to teach a lesson to me. Recently a small bird accidentally flew into our covered patio which has many glass windows and only one door. Attempting to find a way out, it bumped into many closed windows. Once it stopped to rest, I tried to help it escape, but the frightened bird again and again flew at the windows insisting upon finding it's own solution for the problem. Finally it became so exhausted that it gave up the struggle. Only then would it allow me to pick up and let it fly away from my hand. My friend, when we find ourselves in perplexing situations how often we, like the bird, try to find our own solutions to our problems. We make one attempts after another until finally we give up and let God shows us the way out. How much better it is when we allow the Lord to help us with the problems when they first arise rather than after we have wasted so much time and effort. It reminds me of another passage "Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee". Psalms 143:8. Brother, Didn't God tell Moses "STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD". This is for you my friend!!!

DIAL 9

"I will praise you, Lord, with my whole heart". Well my friend, are you complacent and feeling detached from God and the fervency you had is gone. It's true that you are singing, praying, reading the scripture on the screen along with your pastor and nothing happening inside and just going along with the motions? Bible says " The word became flesh and dwelt among us". John 1:14. I want you know that he was touchable, approachable, reachable, and he was ordinary. If he were here today you probably wouldn't notice him as he walked through a shopping mall and nobody would turn their heads by the designer cloths he was wearing or the jewelry he flashed. Recently I was in my doctor's office and I forgot my cell phone. I really wanted to call home and I dialed the number three times and the call was not going through. The office clerk said "sir, you have to dial nine first to call out". Brother, if you really want to call heaven and reach God about your spiritual condition, you have to dial 9 too- Psalm 9 that is. David here expresses his heart felt praise to the Lord. 1) Open your hearts and let praise roll forth and then review all the things He has done for you. Rejoice, be glad and sing. Count his blessings and name them one by one. V:(1-2) 2) Acknowledge that He is your refuge and He defends you.(V 3-9). 3) Talk yourself what He has done for you and receive His mercy and rejoice in His salvation. (V 11-14). Then you will reconnect with God and you can joyfully sing and praise Him. Come on.. sing "I am a friend of God // and He calls me friend". ////

CAN YOU STAND TO BE BLESSED!!

"Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? Matthew 13:55. Humm. Trying to belittle you bringing the past! My friend, don't worry if they try to resurrect the past in your life. When God gives an assignment, he also gives the skill. Your uncanny ease with numbers tells you that you are a mathematician. Your quenchless curiosity about chemistry tells you that you are a chemical engineer. When I stare at blueprints and yawn; you read them and drool. God gives assignments to people according to their ability. The question is "can you stand to be blessed"? Many people can't and don't survive their own success. Many people lose their own identities in the excitement, and it ebbs, as it always does, they have lost sight of the more important issue of self, home, and family. Once you become accustomed to to your new success and life style, it is very hard to go back to what you once thought was sufficient. Be careful what you ask the Lord, may be you will get it. Brother, don't change your values as you progress. I am hoping that your morality does not change but your sense of what is and what is not acceptable should. To add complexity of this issue, when you are blessed and is in a different place in your life, you are still surrounded by people in the other stage. Learn to deal with envy and criticism. They are the people who called Jesus "the carpenter's son". CAN YOU STAND TO BE BLESSED? YEAH, YEAH, Good!

GOD OF SECOND CHANCE!

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works". Revelation 2:17. Years ago, a NFL player announced his retirement saying "All of a sudden that passion isn't there anymore. He said, I could still do it physically, but it's not like it used to be". My friend, something that once energized you has become a burden? A career can be changed, but the deepest matters of heart , especially our relationship with Christ? The risen Lord praised the church in Ephesus for their FAITHFUL SERVICE and PERSEVERANCE, but added, "NEVERTHELESS I have this against you, that you have left your FIRST LOVE". In another words, THEY HAVE HEART TROUBLE. The prescription the Lord gave was "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works". Three things, 1) REMEMBER. 2) REPENT. 3) RETURN. Brother, our God is a God of second chance. But not in the world. "It's now or never". "Around here we don't tolerate incompetence". "Gotta get tough to get along". "Not much room at the top". "Three strikes you are out". "It's a dog-eat-dog world". If Jesus is here now, He would say "Then don't live with the dogs". Right? If your spiritual passion has grown cold, remember again the great sacrifice of Christ for our sin (Hebrews 12:3), turn away from grudging service and allow the wonder of His cross to rekindle our love for Him. Hey, hey, It's not everyday that you find someone who will give a second chance- much less someone who will give you a second chance everyday. YOUR JESUS WILL GIVE YOU BOTH MAN. He is a God of second chance. Did you hear?

YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE!!!

"Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome". Genesis 32:28. Humm. Identity Crisis! "My friend, "YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE"! The literal meaning of the name Jacob is: Supplanter, trickster, "con man" etc. Jacob was mother's darling, "a momma's boy" probably baked cookies, tried new recipes, took out the trash, yes- even dried out dishes and put it away. But he grew up to be cunning, dangerous, manipulative, and tricky. But the story tells us that his trickery brought him to a dead end and began to struggle with God for an answer when he was left alone with God. There , in the isolation of his internal strife, God began the process of transforming disgrace into grace. During the encounter with God, he could not "outslick" Him, that caused him to have a limp on his leg and his fist of trickery to a hand clasped in prayer. Jacob cried "I won't let you go till you bless me". Then God told him what he really needed to know "you are not what you think you are". Jacob "You are not a Supplanter, a trickster, a con-man, but your name is Israel- a PRINCE. My friend, you are not a looser, a failure, not an "accident", incompetent, burden for your parents- society- good for nothing, can't keep a job kind. Satan will whisper in your ears "Let's blow it on drug and alcohol. Let's finish it! Brother, when we, like Jacob, seek to know God, He will inevitably show us our real identity, He will tell our name - YOU ARE A PRINCE! Hey, God has a plan and blue print of your life with him. He never makes a junk. He will take you from this pit you are in to your destiny- THE PALACE. Rise up, shrug your shoulders, walk like a prince- you are a child of a KING OF KINGS!

FIGHT MAN FIGHT!!

"Satan walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour". 1 Peter 5:7-8. My friend, Satan has found that discouragements is the most effective of all tools he employs against God's people. No saints in the Old Testament or in the New Testament could escape this. Prophet Elijah a champion on Mount Carmel becoming a coward of the worst sort next day under a Juniper tree. Apostle Paul enjoyed abundance of divine revelations. But he was bothered by a thorn in the body. He calls it "a messenger of Satan". He pleaded with God that this pricking arrow of Satan would be removed from him. But God strengthened him to live with it. Diseases unknown to our forefathers have become common today. Satan uses all these to discourage God's people and depress them. But through it all we know that "HE cares for us". You know what I found? Satan is not only busy discouraging us , but he also works against all our encouragers. Apostle Paul highlights this strategy of Satan in his letter to the saints in Thessalonica while they were going through trials and tribulations. He wrote "We wanted to come to you- even I, Paul, time and again- But Satan hindered us.. Brother, don't be a lukewarm Christian. Understand that there is a strategy employed by Satan to discourage us. Our warfare is not carnal, but against principalities and powers fighting against us. You are on his "HIT LIST" you like it or not. We must depend on God and the Holy Spirit to defeat this enemy. The OMNISCIENT GOD, being wiser than Satan, has supplied us suitable weapons to counter- attack him. When he challenges you, when he accuses you, when he discourages you, USE THOSE WEAPONS. Bible says "SUBMIT TO GOD, RESIST THE DEVIL, HE WILL FLEE AWAY FROM YOU". Did you hear buddy? yeah yeah. fight man fight.

LET'S WORSHIP THE LOVING GOD TODAY!

"For God so loved the world , that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". John 3:16. This morning we are going to church to worship a LOVING God. Many of us know ABOUT God, but how many of us really know God as a Person. How many of us expect to carry on meaningful relationship with God we don't know? Once you know Him , you will realize how worthy the Lord is of our worship. My friend, If you have not experienced the love of God, you are living at a level of life far beneath what God wants you to know. GOD LOVES YOU. God is love and He has loved you with an everlasting love. He came in person of His Son to prove once and for all that He loves you. How much does Jesus love you? He said, "THIS MUCH" and He stretched out His arms and He died for you. If we realize that how much He loves us in spite of our sinful and horrible past, we should also love each other. Don't you ache for the change we'd see in the world. Like less honking, more hugging, passing fewer judgments, more compliments, and forgiveness will skyrocket, right? Bible says " Those who live in love live in God" 1 John 4:16. LET'S WORSHIP THE LOVING GOD TODAY AND LOVE OTHERS TOO. YEAH YEAH GOOD!!

BE A LEADER!

"How long are you going to waver between two opinions?" 1King 18:21(NLT). Here Elijah is frustrated about the double mindedness of people of Israel. Sound like modern churches and committees. My friend, are you a leader? This what happens when you try to hold two conflicting ideas in your mind at the same time. This is the litmus test to your leadership. Make a choice or be frustrated with indecision. Strong leaders will resolve the conflict but poor leaders will continually be frustrated with mental picture of how things are and how they should be. Hey, hey, "A leader goes through a problem; a follower goes around it and never gets past it". "A leader says, There ought to be a better way to do this, a follower says "That's the way it's always been done here". Bro: As you become dissatisfied with the old, you will be energized and motivated to move beyond the old and resolve this conflict by bringing in the new. The Rhinos of tradition like pharisees will object it. In leadership this cycle becomes a way of life. Be a leader man, did God called you? Well, JUST DO IT!!!

REMEMBER WHAT GOD CALLS YOU!!

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said...Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace...But if not, O King, we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image..Daniel: 3:16-18. My friend, have you ever had to really stand up for what you believe at great personal cost? Nebuchadnezar gave them these name which expressed worship heathen gods. The real names, however, were Hananiah (Jehovah is gracious), Mishael (who is like God), and Azariah (Jehovah has helped). When pagan king threw them into fiery furnace, the names God called them prevailed, isn't it? Nebuchadnezar tried to change the name on the package, but he could not change the contents of their heart. I would imagine those boys were having a praise and worship jumping up and down and shouting "who is like our God (clap clap)- Jehovah is gracious (clap clap)- smelling each others hair and cloths - Jehovah helped (clap clap). This tells me "when you are going through trials, agonizing, the answer doesn't line up with your circumstances, your body is affected by pain and terrible diseases, accidents, rebellious children, mistreated, talked about, insulted, ignored, family crisis, cursed, abused, and said "good for nothing",persecuted etc. then, CALL IT WHAT CALLS IT. Hey hey, the Word of the Lord stands alone with merit, doesn't need mediator, advocate, or witnesses- HE WILL DO IT AGAIN. Look the enemy in the eye and say " I am anointed, I am covered in His blood, comforted by His presence, kept in His marvelous grace, fearless: Satan you the father of lies- I hear you knocking but no chance- I know my identity in Christ- get your weapons and flee in the name of Jesus.. My Jesus calls me blessed and His beloved. OK OK . Thank you Jesus... Hallelujah /////. Am I preaching today or what!

ARE YOU BLESSED?

"BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly". Psalms 1:1. Recently I saw an young man wearing a TShirt and on it's front says "Blessed" and on it's back says Psalm 1:1. My friend do you know the whole Psalm offers itself to be drawn into these two opposite propositions: a Godly man is blessed, and a wicked man is miserable. But where the Word "blessed" is printed out on a TShirt and you are wearing it, make sure that people will find a Godly man inside. Blessed man doesn't just grow, he is also planted. It's not "just happen". He is not a weed. He is planted at a specific time in a specific place to accomplish a divine purpose. If you are moving from place to place you will not grow very well. If you are planted, you grow down before you grow up. In another words God isn't concerned about how high your trunks grows but how deep your roots go. He wants you to produce quality not quantity. Brother, God has taken every struggle and test, every disappointment and neglect to cultivate in you the soil needed to make you productive and reproductive. Contrary winds were sent to blow away the cliques, the nay-sayings, wrong friendships and relationships, the job-loss and layoffs, and trials etc. If you are BLESSED, you will realize that Christianity is Christ. Not money in the bank, luxury car in the garage, healthy body like Mr. Universe, famous with millions of fans, BUT, fellowship with Him, walking with Him, pondering Him, exploring Him. Understanding and realizing that in Him you are part of something ancient, endless, unstoppable and unfathomable. Buddy, if you know CHRIST and you are WALKING with HIM, YOU ARE BLESSED...BLESSED...BLESSED.. Are you? You? you?

YOUR HAIRS ARE NUMBERED!!

"But the very hairs of your head are all NUMBERED". Matthew 10:30. My friend, God is concerned about all the details of our lives and even to the individual hairs of us. Have you noticed that God's records about you are so complete that the hairs on your head are NUMBERED not COUNTED. Counted would mean He simply knows how many. No, they are NUMBERED, meaning he knows which hair is in your comb! He knows the chronological records of your hair strands. God knows what you have in your barn. God told Gideon,"Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old and throw down the altar of Baal"..Judges 6:25. See, God knows how many bullocks his father had in his barn. Second one, seven years old etc..Then you should know He has your family, the age, your health, how much wealth you have, your annual earnings, your sickness, your debt, your faithfulness, your priorities, even how much you tithe and give to His kingdom. Even in those moments of absolute stagnation, desperation, disappointments, "don't know what to do" moments of your life, He is working an expected end for your good. Brother, God wants you to fly free from yesterday's guilt, today's fear, and even fear of death. He already moved those mountains. He is the prayer answering God. He longs to give you the fruit you are expecting from Him. Hey, hey, You have been cleared for landing!!!"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end". Jeremiah: 29:11

ENERGIZER MARRIAGE?

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to KNOWLEDGE"..1 Peter 3:7. Hum..live with them according to knowledge! My friend, thank you for inviting me to your wedding to share the message. The first and fundamental key is the art of KNOWING your spouse. Don't put them in a box, and label them for the rest of your life. Knowing one is a progressive art, not a science with immutable data. Hey, allow room for both you to EVOLVE, REVOLVE, AND RESOLVE. Don't look for MARITAL PERFECTION EITHER. Marriage is a human institution and it is temporal. It is not perfect. It is not even an eternal relationship. You may think marriages are made in heaven, but according to the Bible, they don't end up in heaven. Well, that may hurt some of you. Some may take great hope in that also. Buddy, growth in the marriage doesn't happen unless you work at it. That's why all the Bible passages about marriage are not encouragements, they are commands. They are not optional, they are not suggestions. You want a "ENERGIZER" marriage... keep going..going.. going.. Remember What I said at your wedding!! Brother, I want you to hear my heart because I care about you and our Christian Families. God bless!!!

IMPULSIVE SPENDING? STOP IT!

"If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches" Luke 16:11. KJV. "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches" NIV. Recently I was in a counseling session with a young couple (whom I love dearly) who was in big trouble with finances. They accumulated a huge debt in six months in to their married life. They want to keep up with the standard of living just like their parents forgetting parents worked thirty years more than them and were holding well paid jobs. They absolutely forgot my premarital counseling with them titled "Sky high expectation and Ground level reality". My friends, that is the result of impulsive and compulsive spending. Are you one of them? Impulsive buyers buy on a whim, make unplanned purchases, usually lack self- control in buying situations, and lack clear priorities in spending, which results in overspending, unnecessary additional debt, unused articles, luxury cars, boat, which results in family arguments and peace-less life. Hey, you are not federal government to run your life in deficit. YOU CAN'T PRINT MONEY EITHER! TADA! Every thirty days you have to pay your bills buddy. Your problem is you have "I WANT IT NOW SYNDROME". Spending beyond your means will lead to persistent fear, unremitting debt and depression and feeds into a downward cycle of worry and low esteem... the instant gratification of impulsive spending...deepening debts.. more worry..more spending.... And you will get your credit card bills saying " Pay the Minimum payment" $ 29.00. Looks like they are your great uncle. But they are charging you outrageous interest rate for the principle balance buddy. My friend, you must learn to handle the smallest things God has placed under your authority- your money- before He can trust you with anything great in your life. Solution "DO A PLASTIC SURGERY". CUT THE CREDIT CARDS.. Pay off your debts man, live on tuna sandwich for a while man. Be serious man. I love you guys. Take it or leave it.

COUNTING THE COST!

"No man builds without counting the cost". Luke 14:30. Counting the cost! My friend, can you stand to be blessed in all aspects of your life? In this passage believers are represented by a man building a tower or even better, Jesus is the builder and He is the who must "count the cost" to see whether we are the kind of material He can use to build the church and battle the enemy. TADA! The more you have or own, the more you are responsible for, right? If you have no car you don't have to buy gas. Everyone wants all kinds of blessings! How many times have you prayed for it? Everything and every position God gives you required maintenance. God gave man the Garden, guess what? The man has to work in it and dress it. There are pastors who spends INSUFFICIENT time in his study, yet try to fill the pulpit. They are unprepared to bring out the fulness of the Word of God in a practical manner. That's why people are not maturing spiritually. Don't be surprised if they are sleeping and yawning! An ignorant minister is none of God's making, for God gives gifts where he gives a calling. There is a cost man! There are women who say they want a husband and children but don't want to cook, care or clean. There are men who say want a wife but don't want to love, provide, nourish, and lead. People wants the image of success but they haven't contemplated the COST of possessing a blessing and success. You know why God is not giving everything we ask? We are not ready for those things and it would probably kill us to receive what we are not prepared to maintain.Looking good on someone else's life is not to be coveted for, because they are paying the price for it. Well, the preacher came out this morning! Sorry!

BEAT THE ODDS!

"But Lord, Gideon asked, how can I save Israel? My clan is weakest in Manaseh, and I am the least in the family". Judges 6:15. My friend, don't go through your life believing what Satan inscribed in your mind, the words like: humiliation, failure, rejection,stupid, ugly, clumsy, unworthy, inadequate, unlovable, good for nothing etc. In Texas we say "GOD DON'T MAKE NO JUNK"! Hey, Joseph was bound by his circumstances but he overcame them by using his gifts. He transcended from the mundane to the miraculous. Brother, do not be engrossed in one circumstance and lose sight of the limitless power that lies with in you. It is through understanding the power of your gifts that you can escape the prison of despair. That will take you from pit to palace. Mr.Penney was an orphan and he did not sit around and say: I have no body, everybody treat me bad, no one cares for me, and I guess I ought to go on drugs and just blow it. While he was packing bags at his first job he dreamed "one of these days they are going to pack these for me". Penney believed that he had the ability to make something in his life. And now what we do: we go and spend our credit card money at his J.C Penney Stores, right? Be a Gideon, be a Penney man! Miracles happens when we give our potential responsibility. God has given you a skill or ability the world needs. BEAT THE ODDS MAN...BEAT IT! Y'all hear me!

GOD'S LOVE!

"Then God said, "Let US make man in our image, in Our likeness..So He created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them (Genesis 1:26-27). Hey, thank you for the wonderful time of discussion with you college students. Hey my friends, never use the creation to find who you are and your purpose in this world, because only the creator knows it. That's why God hates idol worship. How can you identify your ability by worshiping a snake or how much you worth by believing that you will come back as a rat or a roach? Or your purpose of existence can be discovered in a relationship with a wooden or stone or metal statue? The key to understanding life is in the source of life, YOUR CREATOR, not in the life itself. Islam sees God who sends others, like angels, prophets, books, but God is too holy to come to us himself. For God to touch earth is "shirk" for God's holiness. Christianity celebrates God's coming to earth because of His love for us. His nature or holiness does not trap or deter him in heaven but leads Him to earth as Emmanuel for us. He loves us so much "He gave His only begotten Son, whomsoever believes in Him shall have not perish but to have eternal life". John 3:16. The good news my friends, he not only sends, he becomes; he not only looks down, he lives among; he not only talks to us, he lives with us as one of us. Jesus said " I came to give life, life in all its fullness. John 10:10. I am praying for you guys. God bless!!

FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS!

"By no means do I count myself an expert in all this. But I HAVE GOT MY EYE ON THE GOAL, where God is beckoning us onward- to Jesus. I am off and running and I am not turning back. SO LET'S KEEP FOCUSED ON THAT GOAL, those of us who want everything God has for us". Philippians 3:12-19 Paraphrased. How you think determines what you become! Successful people have dedication and love for their work, they discipline their time, energy and go to any length to complete their assignment until they reach their goal. But unsuccessful people regard their work as lengthy, grueling,monotonous and work is done only to get by. Lou Holtz said "ABILITY is what you are capable of doing, MOTIVATION determines what you do, ATTITUDE determines how well you do it". In a grave yard, a tomb stone read like this, Johnny died at 21, buried at 65". In other words he stopped dreaming, focusing, accomplishing anything in his life at the age of 21, but he lived till the age of 65. But He accepted the mediocrity, status-coe 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! My brother, 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. BROTHER, NEVER GIVE UP. FOCUS, FOCUS, and FOCUS. Develop an attitude "IF HE OR SHE CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT". Hey, hey, ONLY IN THE DICTIONARY WE SEE SUCCESS BEFORE WORK BUDDY! JUST DO IT..OKAY!

GO GO GO!!!

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...". Matthew 28:18. Jesus said "GO". My friend, but what we do? We, Christians must take serious issues seriously. Enjoying the blissful experience of God's presence in worship services inside air-conditioned and comfortable seats is certainly covetous for a believer, but if he or she would linger around the compassionate Christ, the Commander-in-Chief who ordered the Great Commission to the church would certainly REBUKE, saying "GO, GO, GO". Mary Magdalene who was a devoted follower of Jesus and was immersed in the excitement of meeting her risen Master by the tomb and certainly wants to linger in his presence forgetting her primary responsibility, What did Jesus say? "GO AND TELL OTHERS THAT SHE SAW THE RISEN SAVIOR"! In the Old Testament Lot delayed to escape God's impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, because he liked position, property, and pleasure, oh yes- fun and parties, while the lepers who plundered goods of Aramean camp took a wise and unselfish decision not to wait until daylight to share the good news of the plunder with their fellow brothers. Which group are you my brother? The kingdom of God is plagued with labor trouble. Unless the Christians and churches are fulfilling these purposes, we have no claim for existence, no matter how lovely our buildings, how busy the schedule, or how smooth the organization, how beautifully we dress, and how wonderful our worship team may be. OUCH! Well, my missionary mind woke up this morning! We are gratefully redeemed but are commanded to obey His Commission! GO GO GO GO...GIVE GIVE GIVE. Y'ALL HEAR ME?

The 'if" test

"If you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross". Matthew 27:40. Humm, "THE IF TEST"! My friend, you are confronting the "If test" of Satan in your life. Satan spares no Christian of this temptation. He challenges every child of God about God's fatherhood towards him and his sonship. I know Satan is using this weapon against you. This temptation will be intense during your days of spiritual infancy as well as times of infirmity due to adversities. He will whisper "how can a sinner like you suddenly become a child of God?" Can this happen to you if you are a child of God? Such questions will bombard you day and night to discredit your position and identity in Christ Jesus. You see, even he tried this temptation on Jesus. The first two of the three typical temptations Jesus faced in the desert were a challenge on His Sonship. The tempter came to Him and said, "IF" You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread..."IF" you are the Son of God, Jump down..(Matthew 4:3,6). It was not only a challenge to Jesus but also on what God the father had said just before Jesus went into the desert: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased". Matthew 3:17. Even when Jesus was on the Cross, Satan put the same words to challenge the Sonship of Jesus. To over power Satan against this challenges, we have to have the same assurance like Jesus. "It is written..It is written.. It is written. As we read that Jesus was led into the desert "by the Holy Spirit" and returned "in the power of the Holy Spirit", realize that we have the companionship of God's Spirit in our Spiritual Journey too. So, It's not "IF" Satan- YES, I AM SON AND DAUGHTER OF ALMIGHTY! Satan, GET YOUR WEAPON AND FLEE!!! Did you get it? "Beloved, NOW are we sons of God, and it doth not yet appear that we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see him as He is." 1 John 3:2.

THIS TOO WILL PASS!

"Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him....thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But now put forth Thine hands now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face". Job 1:9-11. My friend, now a days you are going through this claim by Satan- The question is "You like His PRESENCE more than His PRESENTS'? Satan cannot dispute our serving God, but he challenges our reason for serving Him. Satan says, it is for the prominence and protection God provides and if everything goes well we will praise Him. Our pride, self esteem, and self-confidence will deplete, and longevity of the trials will create fear in us whether it is going to end. But brother, there is a glory in the agonizing times like this which people didn't have to struggle seems not to possess. There is a strange sense of competence that comes from being born in the flames of struggle. Like the exuberance of a child who takes first steps who earlier was mobile only through crawling on his or her hands and knees. Last Sunday during praise and worship, we were singing "THROUGH THE STORMS" He is LORD! My friend, "Immanuel" is with us. Immanu means "with us". El refers to "Elohim or God". Remember, not an "above us God" or a "somewhere in the neighborhood" God. He came as the "with us God". Not God with the "RICH or RELIGIOUS" or "Americans" or "Indians" or "Europians" or "Africans" or "Russians" or "White" or "Black" or "Brown" or "yellow" or any career- but GOD WITH US..US..US..US, that means YOU AND I. So, cheer up my friend, THIS TOO WILL PASS. Hallelujah/////.

OUR MONEY AND OUR MOTIVE!

"But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly". Matthew 6:1-4. NKJV- Read). My friend, why you asked me "in Greek what that verse says about tithing". Don't bother learning Greek brother to tithe and giving to the Lord! If you don't want to do it, don't do it. You will loose out the blessings, that's all. It was Martin Luther who said, "There are three conversion a person needs to experience. The conversion of the head, the conversion of the heart, and conversion of the pocket book". Sounds like you were holding your purse out of water when you were baptized, did you? Do you know the main subject of nearly half of the parables Jesus told were dealing with money? More than 2000 verses are talking and dealing with money and only 500 verses each about prayer and faith? In fact 15% of everything Jesus ever taught was on money and possessions even more than heaven and hell. There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual life and how we think about and handle money. You can practically tell the relationship you have with your God by looking at your debit references from your bank account. Over and over again, our Lord comes back to our motive, and he addresses when ever He speaks of giving. Every believer should give a portion of the finances to the Lord regularly. Brother, don't do it in an ostentatious way to draw attention, if you do so that is hypocrisy. God is looking at our hearts, motive is everything. Now let me put it this way: IF WE REMEMBER, GOD WILL FORGET. IF WE FORGET, GOD WILL REMEMBER. HEY, HEY, LEAVE THE BOOKKEEPING TO GOD". DID YOU HEAR BUDDY?

STOP THAT PITY PARTY!

"David encouraged himself in the Lord his God". 1 Samuel 30: 6. When David and his men came back to their camp in Ziklag they found a sad and disheartening scene. The Amalekites had invaded the camp, taken the women and children captives, taken all their belongings and burned the camp with fire. My friend, it looks like everything lost and utter failure, right? But David encouraged himself. Many people are trying to tiptoe to the grave without ever having a failure. That isn't realistic. Statistics says unsuccessful people fail approximately 3 out of 5 times. Conversely, successful people fail 2 out of 5 times. That's not a lot of difference, isn't it? Hey, the talent God has for you must be discovered, developed and used by you. It could be something you already do or have or something never done and discovered. Your talent is what gives you joy and excitement. The gift that dominates your thoughts and which stimulates your energy. When you discover that and with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, BROTHER, YOU WILL BE ON CRUISE CONTROL. Don't fall into the dangerous trap of looking at anyone else's talent. GOD CREATED YOU TO BE ORIGINAL NOT A CARBON COPY OR DUPLICATE. Brother, Encourage yourself man! If you are grieving: God said "Never will I leave you or forsake you". Hebrews 13:5. If you are guilty: "Now, there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". Roman 8:1. Out of work: "In all things God works for the good of those who loved Him". Roman 8:26. Feel hopeless and no way of return: "Who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life". John 3:16. Now: GET UP AND STOP THAT PITY PARTY, You are a champion in making and the LORD OF THE HOST IS WITH YOU! HE NEVER FAILS YOU!!!

STOP BLAMING GAME!!

"The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me". John. 5:7. BLAMING OTHERS WHY HE DIDN'T GET HEALED. Thirty eight years he was there by the pool of Bethesda. He was there when the angel came down and stir up the water. If he moved one inch per day, he could have reached by the water, right? My friend, stop blaming others why you are not getting blessed. Blaming others for what's not going right is often more common than looking in the mirror and taking responsibility for what we have done to contribute or not contribute to our circumstances. Hey, this started from Garden of Eden. Faced with foul odor of a poor decision, Adam tries to deodorize the obnoxious smell of SIN by blaming his wife, who then blames the serpent. Brother- TAKE A TIME-OUT ON BLAMING OTHERS! Did you hear? Stop diving in the dumpster of past mistakes. Stop looking in to the rear view mirror of your past and FOCUS where you are going. Stop bickering over who did it or what was done. We all contributed to the slime where we are now. Some did it and others watched it silently. Delegate who will do what and the goals must be deliverable and attainable. I have discovered that there are ways to getting almost anywhere I want to go, if I really want to go there. To make a difference is not a matter of accident or a matter of casual occurrence of the tides. PEOPLE CHOOSE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Remember "YOU CAN...IF YOU WILL!! TADA!

HEY, DROP THE CASE!!

"I merely did to them what they did to me". Judges 15:1-11. My friend this is the revengeful attitude of Samson in the Book of Judges. My friend, as long as you hate your enemy or anyone, a jail door is closed and a prisoner is taken. And...the prisoner is YOU! In his chapter three times Samson said "I AM GOING TO GET EVEN". The question is: will harboring the anger and resentment against anyone solve the problem? Will getting even remove the hurts? Does this hatred do any good? Brother, I am not minimizing your hurt or justifying that person's action. May be justice won't come this side of heaven in our life. Immature people react with resentment, anger, and violent outbursts of temper. "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a WISE man keeps himself under control". Proverbs 29:11. I will tell you the domino affect of immaturity. Immature people nurse their resentment until they become grudges which will lead to offenses and that will dictate their behavior. Hey, demanding that the other person get his or her share of pain will, in the process, be most painful to you. AND YOU ARE EXPERIENCING IT NOW, RIGHT?. HEY HEY DROP THE CASE, DID YOU HEAR? OUR GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, HE WILL HANDLE YOUR CASE! OK!!!!!!

STRAIGHT TALK!

"People's own foolishness ruins their lives, but in their minds they blame the LORD". Proverbs 19:3. " The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and fret against the LORD". AMPV. My friend, here is the RECIPE why you are failing. TADA. Many Christians know the right thing to do. They have been properly taught the habits and attitudes of maturity and growth. Why and what keeps these people from growing? Well, they are not doing what they know to do. They are armed with correct information but either lazy or resists life changes. Hey, most people who fail in their dreams and assignments is not because of lack of ability but from lack of commitment. It is one thing to know WHAT TO DO, but another thing entirely to DO WHAT YOU KNOW. Brother, it is easier to blame God, the devil, or others for your failures than to accept the fact that your situations are most often the direct result of your own decisions or lack of it. The good news is "STILL" OUR CHOICES can determine whether we will succeed. DON'T FAIL TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES. Did you hear? This what you call "STRAIGHT TALK"! Sorry!!

WHY WE KEEP DADDY AROUND?

"He must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful". 1 Timothy 3:4. My brother, as Christians and especially those who are leadership we are to set the tone for our families by making sure that Christ is put first in our plans, our finances, our time, and things we talk and profess about. Our wives as a counselor and constructive critic, stands in a unique role. She knows us, loves us, she can talk openly to us, she has our best interests at heart, and she knows when and how to approach us. Spend quality time with your wife and children. I know our families have been decentralized by work, school, church, entertainment, and many other influences. Recently I read a statistic that an average time an American father and son had time alone together for an entire week is 8 minutes. Hey Christians, especially the "deeply committed" variety, DON'T NEGLECT YOUR FAMILIES. The insidious thing about overabundance of righteous activities is that you can neglect your family and feel extremely pious all the time you are doing it. After all, it's GOD WORK, RIGHT? Oh yeah.. I heard a pastor quote a scripture to support this argument. "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me". Matthew 10:37. Many workaholic fathers have convinced themselves that they are sacrificing for the future of their families. But the plain truth is "WORKAHOLISM IS THE EPITOME OF SELFISHNESS". One precocious child asked her mother "Mommy, if the stork is supposed to bring babies, if the Santa Claus brings presents, if the Lord gives us our daily bread, and Jesus is with us all the time, WHY DO WE KEEP DADDY AROUND?" OUCH! MY CASE IS RESTED!!!

FORGIVE MAN, FORGIVE!!

"Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, BUT SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN! John 18:21-22. Recently in a young beautiful couple's (married 2yrs) counseling session wife told me "I'll forgive him..but never forget", then she added "Uncle it's only natural" - right? "That's the problem"- I replied. When I was in college, one of my extended family couple who were in the middle fifties of age, because of an unresolved disagreement over an insignificant issue, they stopped speaking each other. The culture, society, church, and prestige issue stopped either one of them from moving out. They continued to stay in the same house, eat at the same table, sleep in the same house..all separately. The means of communication was a clip board hanging on the refrigerator. Husband will write "going to the market". Few minutes later the wife will respond with the list of groceries. Very sad situation. Both of them passed away before they made it to age sixty. NEVER SPOKE TILL DEATH. Both were unwilling to take the first step toward FORGIVING and RELEASING whatever was the offense, they coexisted for years in GRINDING SILENCE. Hey, how many Indian churches split often over nitpicky issues, then spin off into another direction, fractured, splintered, and bitterly opinionated? Oh yes, there are ring leaders adding the fuel to divide the church to fulfill their agenda. Recently I saw a sign of a church by the side of the highway "The Original Church of God, Number two". Brother, why can't we release people from guilt and no longer hold the offense over their heads. CANCEL THE DEBT AND UNSHACKLE, and stop saying NEVER! Aren't you big enough to remember the right, and big enough to forgive the wrong? Statistics says, People hold the grudges against each other for the 20 percent they did wrong and absolutely forgetting 80 percent they did right. STOP IT, FORGIVE..FORGET.. and LIVE HAPPILY. LIFE IS SHORT MAN...SHORT.

PROBLEM WITH PRAYER?

"And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness, freedom of speech to tell Him our needs)..that we ask anything according to HIS WILL (in agreement with His own plan) He listen to and hear us". 1John 5:14 AMPV. My friend, as you notice "the name it and claim it" prayer theology is not what John is talking here. First, we need to understand that the purpose of prayer is NOT for God to please us, but for God to CHANGE us. If a father gives into a little child's whiny demands, we know that he is a lousy parent, right? Our God is wise and powerful enough to answer rightly- and on right time. I have a news for you- God won't jump at every loose-lipped confession of yours. Please understand that the PROCESS of prayer is not as important as the ATTITUDE of prayer. Our prayers are a simple act of faith by which we are tuning over our worries to God's care. Buddy, don't worry about not saying the right words or haven't prayed hard enough or often enough or haven't believed deeply enough. When God doesn't answer our prayers according to our will, we get frustrated, and seems like our prayers are floating around the galaxies and it is too insignificant to catch the attention of GOD. My friend, it's time to finally accept the fact that THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER IS NOT GOD, BUT US!!! You agree! Yeah! GOOOOOD!

AMEN!

My friend, this Sunday morning we are going to church to worship the Lord Almighty. And.. we are going to say "AMEN" several times. Do you know what does it mean? The word "Amen" is a most remarkable word and it has been called the BEST-KNOWN word in human speech. In my study I found that it was transliterated from Hebrew into Koine Greek of New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. Even in secular television broad casts, I have heard the anchor persons say "amen to that". But to us as Christians- "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us". 2 Corinthians 1:20. When one believes God, he indicates his or her faith by an AMEN. When God makes a promise, the believer's response always should be "AMEN"..in other words "SO IT WILL BE". Our glorified Lord Jesus in His salutation to Church of Laodicea begins with this remarkable statement "These things saith the AMEN, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God". Revelation 3:14. AMEN IS A TITLE OF CHRIST. Hey, Hey, It is profoundly meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an "AMEN", assuring everyone of us who reads that the whole BOOK (BIBLE) is ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND TRUSTWORTHY. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN! Revelation 22:21.

THANK YOU LORD FOR WHAT I HAVE!

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income". Ecclesiastes 5:10. Humm. KEEPING UP WITH THE JOHNS! My friend, "you are looking over the fence and admiring the lovely boat parked on your neighbors yard and wish you could own one." Right? CONTENTMENT ISN'T GETTING WHAT WE WANT BUT BEING SATISFIED WITH WHAT WE HAVE. Why then are we so eager to have next, the latest, the largest and luxurious, and the one you saw your neighbor enjoying across the street? Hey the only way to protect yourself from getting trapped in a perpetual cycle of never enough is to always be mindful of what the good Lord already gave you. Don't measure your quality of life conditional upon this fact and to view yourself as totally without choices or resources if we don't have as much money as we'd like or as your neighbors had. THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT IS THE REALIZATION THAT LIFE IS A GIFT NOT A RIGHT. Buddy, wear a 3D sun glass of thank you to the Lord and look elsewhere. Then you will get a clear picture of what your LORD already gave you. Just a thought. Take it or leave it!!

IT'S NOT YOUR POSITION- IT'S YOUR DISPOSITION!

"All the days ordained for me were written in your Book before one of them came to be". Psalm 139:16. God, you mean to tell me that "When I was formed in my mother's womb you knew me and you had a plan (Blue Print) for me". Then, why I worry? My friend, "It isn't your position that makes you happy or unhappy, it's your disposition". TADA! God looked at your "unformed body and declared, "This child is good". Before you took one breath, he wrote out the order of your days in this world and He wrote a book about you. Do you know that? Some of us playing around the index and spending long years in the table of contents. Buddy, you are 30 years old looking at the table of contents and still don't know the plan of God in your life. Some of you are impatient and jumped over to chapter 20 worrying, when God wants you to go through chapters 2 through 19. Don't move ahead of God's schedule when He wants you to go through the experiences and discoveries of Chapter 2 through 19. Don't miss the opportunity to experience all the chapters while you are getting ahead of God. If you do that you will miss the greater plan of God in your life. Listen to me -You dream about becoming a teacher but God wants you to open a Private School, You want to become a famous Chef, but God want you to open a Restaurant, You want to become a Youth Pastor, but God's plan is to make you a Faithful World Wide evangelist to win millions to His Kingdom. David wants to settle his life to be a doorman when God wants him to own the house. Hey, you want to be a world-class Christian or a worldly Christian? Buddy, God has a plan for you. Be patient, HE WILL TAKE YOU THERE!!

YOU ARE IN RETRACTING MODE!

"We worked hard all night and caught nothing". Luke 5:5. Did you ever had this Peter's feeling! I read somewhere that Albert Einstein flunked out of school. My friend, we cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are! Do you know millionaires are born out of Bankruptcies? Moses was called to speak but couldn't talk. Hey, Antidotes for Cobra bites is made from the same venom! Our misery should be a catalyst to fulfill our ambition. Our mindset to think that there are crowns without crosses is a direct contradiction to Scripture. The question is "are you willing to give up something you like to do, in order to move on to those things you must do". Brother, I have diagnosed your problem! You have Peter's syndrome- worn out, wet, empty nets? Sleepless fishless night! And you have been casting your net for "Solvency, while your debt is hanging around your neck". Healing?- but I am sick for long! Peace and happiness in the marriage?- Huhh, when my life will slow down to enjoy life! You must be kidding Jesus! Fishing again when I want to get away from the mess I am in called LIFE. Jesus, you mean "It's not too late to try again? well- I will do as you say and let down the nets one more time". My friend, one thing I want to tell you is "WITHOUT GOD, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE. HE IS WITHHOLDING THE BLESSINGS TO TEACH YOU A LESSON! IT'S A TEST MAN, A TEST. YOU ARE IN A RETRACTING STAGE BEFORE YOUR POWERFUL RELEASE! GOD IS WORKING ON YOU MAN!!

DON'T WORK YOURSELF OUT OF WORK!

"Jesus got into one of the boats,..that belong to [Peter], and asked him to push off a little from the land". Luke 5:3. My friend the secret of achievement is to NOT Let what you are doing get to you before you get to it. Some people are good at "WORKING OUT OF WORK" with excuses after excuses. In this context, Christ didn't fill out an application or asked permission; He simply boarded and began to preach. Hey hey, your boat is where you spend your day, your office, your taxi, your clinic, your ministry assignments. Jesus says to us "Your work is my work". He is watching you drinking coffee, sleeping, surfing the internet whole day where you suppose to do His work. God doesn't offer or owe you an explanation or reason for everything he asks you to do. Understanding can wait, but .. but obedience CAN'T. Instant obedience and the motivation to perform what is your present assignment will teach you more about God and His purpose in your life. God demands "integrity of faith" in our life, the kind of faith that perseveres in persecution, resists temptation, responds obediently to God's Word, overcomes prejudice, produces good works, controls the tongue, avoid impulsive talk, considers God and His presence in all its plans, depends on God rather than wealth and prayer is your spiritual resource. Brother, I know it's a mouthful. But it's true! DON'T WORK OUT OF YOUR WORK! GOD CAN REPLACE YOU AND ME!! TADA!

LEADERSHIP NOT A NOUN, IT'S A VERB!

"I will not leave you nor forsake you". Joshua 1:5. My friend, this Sunday morning I want to encourage you to lead consistently and constantly in the area God has put you to lead. May be in a church or a ministry or or a business or at your home, learning to lead is important, but it may not be what you think it is. Hey, LEADERSHIP IS NOT A NOUN; IT IS A VERB. IT'S NOT AN IDENTITY OR TITLE DEMANDING RESPECT; IT'S AN ACTION. Don't try to become a leader, JUST DO IT. In the Book of Joshua we see the Holy Spirit will work in different ways to help us to lead. We see there that His work is CONTINUAL, He is COMMITTED, His work is MUTUAL, and It's SUPERNATURAL. "Without Him, we cannot; without us, He will not". BRO: NO LEADERSHIP IN THE WORK OF GOD, WHETHER DELIVERANCE FROM BONDAGE OR POSSESSION OF BLESSINGS OR UTTER DESTRUCTION OF THE ENEMY AND HIS TACTICS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT THE SPIRIT'S HELP. "Have your own way Lord..have your own way, thou art a potter, I am the clay, mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting yielded and still". Can you sing it and submit..yeah..GOOOOD!

CONTENTMENT!

"..for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be CONTENT". Philippians 4:11. Contentment isn't getting what we want but being satisfied with what we have! My friend, may I remind you that Paul was not writing this from a Penthhouse or a cruise ship, but from JAIL. If there is one word summarizes the world's obsession that is MORE. More money, more luxury, more success, live for our next raise, next luxury house, and the things how wonderful we have now is PALE in comparison with what we might get, right? People are like leaches, sucking blood through both ends, never satisfied. Recently on a public television program I watched an expert economist explaining our system. "Consumption kept the workers working, which kept the paycheck coming, which kept the people spending, which kept the inventors inventing and investors investing, which meant there was more to consume". But the system is independent of values, and creates more stress, worry, and want more and more. Yes, it is a perfect circle pundit, but EMPTY IN THE MIDDLE. But Paul: He says "he had known abundant labors, frequent imprisonment, close encounter with death, three times beaten with rods, stoned, three times shipwrecked, face death from robbers, from Jews, from Gentiles, and from own brothers. Experienced sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness. YET my friend, he says, I LEARNED TO BE CONTENT. During my recent Mission Trip to North Indian villages I found the poor Christian villagers have nothing: no car, no mansion, no air condition, no boat, living in small huts battling the whether. But they are CONTENT and is a thing to see how they are worshiping the Lord. Literally we feel the anointing in the place of worship. Bible says "But Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out".1 Timothy 6. Buddy, why this "GOLD RUSH"? Why?

WHAT GOD SEES!

"..for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart". 1 Samuel 16:7. My friend, stop looking for recognition and approval from people. In my years of ministry, God taught me some lessons. One of them is "God always SEES what men and women only LOOK AT". Let me prove it to you. In a manger, God saw a king..in a servant, a Savior in a sacrifice, salvation..in a crucifixion, a death..a resurrection, for the world a defeat..for God a victory. God saw a King in a shepherd boy- David, saw a wisest ruler and interpreter of dreams for four kingdoms in a 16 year old captive- Daniel. Hey, don't allow people to manipulate you for their advantage. How can any person know you well enough to discern whether you are talented or will be successful? Do they have any idea what the inventor had in mind when he made the machine-YOU? The question to ask is: are you accomplishing the purpose you were created to perform? It doesn't matter what else you did; if you didn't satisfy the the mandate your creator has in mind, YOU ARE UNSUCCESSFUL. Don't be caught up in the world standard of success. When people other than the creator define success, it becomes idolatry. Whoops! Stay on track with YOUR GOD. Oh yes, There are ditches on the way to your destiny... guess what? YOUR GOD WILL TAKE YOU THERE. HE SEES A SUCCESS IN YOU! CAN YOU SEE, YEAH, GOOD!

VISION WILL COME TO PASS!

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry". Habakkuk 2:3. My friend, we have promises of God that are eternal. But the promises are unseen and the physical evidence is seen. What we are doing is we are expert in cooking a POT OF PESSIMISM. Hey, you can dump your bad news in the vat of worry and pull out the spoon. Turn on fire. Stew on it. Stir it. Mope for a while. Brood for a time. Sweat and twitch your thumbs for a while. Hey, very soon you cooked up a POT OF PESSIMISM. Right? Brother, as a Christian we are enveloped in peace when we know that nothing the enemy does can abort the plan of God for our lives. Greater still is the peace that comes from knowing we cannot RUSH GOD'S TIMING either. When God speaks a Word into our lives, it's a seed. Allow time to sprout and germinate.Our confidence is in GOD'S seed. When the promise has grown in the fertile ground of faith-filled heart and reached the time of maturation, it will come to pass. Then you will shake your head and you will say "IT'S ALL GOD". BE patient man! GOD IS FAITHFUL! HE HASN'T FORGOTTEN YOU. IT WILL COME TO PASS. MY GOD CANNOT LIE. Y'ALL HEAR ME!! HEAR ME GOOD?

KNOWING THE OMNIPRESENT GOD YOU WORSHIP!

"..that his master's wife cast her eye upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me...because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and SIN AGAINST GOD?" Genesis 39: 7, 9. My friend, This Sunday morning do you know that we are worshiping an ever- present God? OMNIPRESENT GOD? Look at Joseph's conviction "How can I sin against my OMNIPRESENT GOD? Imagine being tempted to do a particular sin. If God were to walk into the room where you were going to take that action, would it change the way you think about it? Hey, if you understand the omnipresence of God, you understand there is nowhere you can hide. There is no secluded place where you can carry out anything in violation of His law that will be unchecked or unseen. My Bible college professor was pleased when I quoted a Dutch theologian's explanation of OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD. Quote "When you wish to do something evil, you retire from public into your house alone where no enemy can see you. And from those places in your house which are open and visible to the eyes of men, you retire yourself to your room. And even in your room you fear some witness from another quarter and you retire into your heart. And wherever, therefore, you shall end up, THERE HE IS ALREADY". "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. You ain't fooling him buddy!!

DARE TO DREAM!!

"Where there is no vision, the people perish.. Proverbs 29:18. Some one said " The poorest of all men is not the man without a cent but the man without a dream". My friend, I encourage you to dream BIG. Unless you try to do something beyond what you already are , you will never grow or live beyond where you are right now. A winner presses on to grow, change, and expand, always stretching beyond the ordinary. Hey, Bible is full of dreamers! Eight-year old shepherds don't usually play chicken with Pharaohs...but don't tell that to Moses. Teenage shepherds don't normally have showdowns with giants... but don't tell that to David. I DARE YOU TO DREAM BIG..BIG...BIG. "I HAVE A DREAM"! MARTIN LUTHER KING!

GET UP AND MOVE!!!

My friend, if you find yourself circling the wagons and going NOWHERE but in circles, no motivations, no hopes, no dreams, YOU ARE STUCK and not fulfilling the purpose God has for you. Maan, you don't have to stay where you are. A tombstone read like this " DIED at 21. Buried at 65". Another words that person gave up on his dreams and stop trying to move forwards. Even though he was still breathing, he STOPPED living at an early age. He just drifted and floated like a paper boat in the river. Hey, there are three reasons people don't move and progress from where they are in life: 1) They won't let go of what is holding them back. 2) They never press in to what lies ahead because they fear future. 3) They are lazy and and don't want to put the effort to be successful and productive. Even God told Joshua " Moses my servant is dead; now therefore ARISE, GO OVER THIS JORDAN, THOU, AND ALL THIS PEOPLE, UNTO LAND WHICH I DO GIVE TO THEM.." Joshua 1:2. Now my friend, GET UP...get get gET UP. Only in the dictionary you see the word "success" before "work". Y'all hear me???

DON'T PLAY WITH FIRE!!

"And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost...Then fell she down straightway at his feet , and yielded up the ghost" Acts: 5:5 and 10. Oh no!! My friend, look at the punishments for putting on a lovely "front" in order to conceal the shabby sin in their lives which was energized by satan himself. This sin cost them their lives buddy. YOU ARE PlAYING WITH FIRE WHEN YOU DEAL WITH GOD'S MONEY. Annanias means "God is gracious", and Sapphira means "Beautiful". In the Old Testament, God killed Nadab and Abihu for trying to present "false fire" to the Lord (Lev. 10), He killed Achan for disobeying orders after Israel had entered the promised land (Joshua 7). Achan told Joshua " When I SAW among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of Gold of fifty Shekels weight, then I COVETED them, and TOOK them, and, behold they are HID in the earth in the midst of my tent, and silver under it". Achan thought no body saw it. BUT GOD...Isn't that interesting and worth noticing that the same God judged sin severely at the beginning of a new period in the New Testament also. He killed Annanias and Sapphira also. GRACE AND BEAUTIFUL LOST THEIR LIVES. Satan is using the same method now a days also to drag you in to stealing God' money. "SAW- COVETED- TOOK- AND HID IT". BE CAREFUL MAN!!!!

SHARE THE GOSPEL!!

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? My friend, I know you are praying for your family members who are not Christian. I heard you praying "Lord, please provide an opportunity for them to hear the gospel so that they might escape an eternity of separation from YOU". I saw tears streaming down your face as you imagine your loved ones engulfed in the flames of hell. Beloved, I have a question for you? In spite of your sincere interest in your family member's eternal future, I understand that you have never mustered up the courage to share the gospel with them, do you? Instead, you've asked God to do the task that He has ALREADY ASSIGNED TO YOU. Hey, sure, God could shout the gospel from heaven or supernaturally switch the the television program your loved ones are watching from "YOUNG AND RESTLESS or MURDER SHE WROTE to an EVANGELISTIC CRUSADE OF BILLY GRAHAM. But BUT, God's preferred plan is for YOU to explain the way of salvation to your family member. You don't have to have a PhD to share your testimony and your experience of salvation. STOP THIS UPWARD DELEGATION OR ASSIGNMENT TO SOMEBODY ELSE. YOU GOT TO DO WHAT YOU GO TO DO FRIEND

FORGIVENESS!!

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive your trespasses". Matthew 6:14. My friend, everything we think about forgiveness is measured with our little yard sticks, isn't it? Jesus was not teaching that believers earned God's forgiveness by forgiving others, but He is saying if we have truly experienced God's forgiveness, then we should be ready to forgive others. Man, if we are not getting along with our own family members how can we claim to have right relationship with our Father? Here is how we measure forgiveness. 1) We think WHO. Who should we forgive? Are they worthy of our forgiveness? 2) WE think HOW MUCH? We measure the things on our list. We say "I can forgive that - NO PROBLEM to some and I could NEVER forgive that to others- RIGHT? 3) We think HOW OFTEN. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me". This sounds familiar to you? "Nobody's going to do that to me again"- Right? Aaanndd.. everyday you ask the Lord for forgiveness for everything you do and done. Brother, God's like, "Let's Compare. When people sin against you, your way of handling it is completely different than how I handle it when people sin against Me". Hey, It won't cost you a dime to be nice to somebody! Y'all hear me? GOOD!

ARE YOU IN THE SAME PLACE?

"He that walk with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed". Proverbs 13:20. My friend, can I have a straight talk this morning? Your companions are like the buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or they will take you down. Stop hanging around with people who forget God all day and ask Him to remember them at night. TADA. Hey, YOU must disassociate yourself from people who are unfocussed, who are not running the same race as you do. In your life if you are in the same place after all these years, you are on a Treadmill exercising, and not running for your destination and God given purpose in your life. WAKE UP MAN, WAKE UP.

IT'S YOUR INTERCESSION!!

"As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but when ever he lowered his hands, the Amalakites were winning". Exodus 17:11. Well, You want a supernatural deliverance, right? My friend, did you see the supernatural deliverance here. Supernatural deliverance is when deliverance make no sense. In human mind, absolutely no way it can happen! But it happens anyway. Bible says "As long as Moses held his hands Joshua got victory in the valley". This means it is not the warfare of Joshua but the intercession of Moses caused the victory for Israelites. That means- it is not what you do in public will get you the victory but what you do in secret brings you the victory. In fact Bible says " if you want victory, go to your secret closet and pray and God who hears you in secret will reward you openly". YOU WILL GET OPEN SUCCESS IN YOUR PRIVATE PRAYER. Brother, it's not your budget, not your ability, not your planning, not your degree, not your talent, not that your thinking that you are Holy will bring you success in your current situation, BUT GOD- because of your intercession in humility will bring you victory. May be you have degrees more than thermometer, doesn't cut it BRO. Result: God said " I WILL PUT OUT THE REMEMBRANCE OF AMALEKITES UNDER HEAVEN". Maaan, who would say would do it? HE- YOUR GOD- SUPERNATURALLY- so that HE will get glory. Did you get it BRO? GOOD!!! JUST DO IT!!

JUST WAIT!

"When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO". "I will do whatever you say", Ruth answered". Ruth 3:4-5. My friend, can I tell you what the Lord showed me this morning from this incident "RUTH AND BOAZ AT THE THRESHING FLOOR. Sometimes "YOU HAVE TO SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND WAIT". Hey, don't try to make something happen by yourself. All God wants you to do is to get in the place and wait. Here Naomi says, Get by the bed and wait". Ruth is all dressed up and by the bed of Boaz. Notice "The one who would change her life and destiny seemed to be sleeping". You are the only one excited about the place, but not the crowd- God says, don't be impatient, JUST WAIT. I have a word for you my brother, Don't try to make it happen, force it to happen, not try to earn a reputation or popularity. Understand that "God is the one who is going to open the door for you". When YOU open the door YOU have to keep it open- TADA. But when God opens a door NOBODY CAN SHUT IT. Devil will whisper to you that it is not going to happen. The flesh will say that you got to do something about it. God is telling you my brother, "STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD". You don't have to tell anybody that I AM ANOINTED- by the way, if you have to say that- YOU ARE NOT ANOINTED. Hey, wait for God's timing. Something is about to happen in your life. Just wait for your Boaz (JESUS) for his move- by the bed side, in the prayer closet, while driving, at the church etc. It's your turn for your blessing!!! Y'all hear me!!

GO TO SLEEP AND REST!!!!

"He came to a Juniper tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. I have had enough Lord, take my life..Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep". 1 King 19:4-5. Humm, My friend look at Elijah: At Carmel a HERO..under the Juniper tree a ZERO- I mean within few hours. HE WAS TIRED MAN, TIRED! When you are tired, you don't see things correctly..everything seems to be overwhelming..he could not perceive his situation the right way..burned out..mind goes blind..sleepless night..tension and worry take over. Isn't it interesting "God never prescribe deeper spirituality to natural problem". When it is sleep- it is sleep. Speaking in tongues won't do it. GET SOME REST. Hey, "There is no vacation anointing". GO TO BED. Jezebel may be hiding behind the juniper tree- BUT YOU GO TO BED. You know why? God can handle Jezebel and what ever she is trying to do. YOU JUST TRUST GOD AND REST!! God who gave you the ministry, the position, the promotion, the Job, the family, will take care of it. Hey buddy, WORRY IS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR- YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO- BUT IT WILL NEVER GET YOU ANYWHERE! You may say, but..but you don't know what I am going through. Shut up and TRUST HIM. Bible says, "God who started a good work in you will perform it until that day"! My brother "You are in a holding pattern, and He is clearing some traffic below so that you will have a safe landing". TRUST HIM!!!!!!

It's a Jungle Out There!

"PEACE I leave with you; my peace I give you....Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". John 14:27. Good morning, this is God! I will be handling your problems today. And I will not need your help- so have a good day. But you? "All stressed up and nowhere to go". RIGHT? My friend, what is your lifestyle like? Do you know stress is a major contributor to heart problems, some forms of cancer, accidental injury, cirrhosis of the liver and yes, depression. People everywhere feel the effects of stress in anxiety, headaches, tension and burnout. And Christians are not immune to stress. People who strive for excellence often feel very stressed and are prime candidates for burnout. Hey, hey, maintain your temple. What affects your body will affect your soul. Eat right, exercise, rest and relax and reduce stress in your life. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Buddy, streamline your agenda. Say "NO" once in a while God alone should set the pace. Seek Him and plan your day and calendar. By the way "You are not running the Universe, are you?. Cultivate quiet times into your life. Ignoring God's commands commits you to self-induced stress. In his presence: 1) Your loneliness diminishes because you have fellowship. 2) Your despair decreases, because He clarifies your vision. 3) Your confusion begins to lift, because He will give you direction. I know it's a jungle out there. But YOU, YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD. Jesus said "Come unto me who labor and heavy laden, I will give you rest". Just go to HIM. JUST DO IT!!!

AGAINST ALL ODDS!!

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might". Ecclesiastes. 9:10. My friend, men and women who make changes in history are those who have come against the odds and odds didn't stop them. Did you ever imagine a person in a wheel chair can be president of United States: President Roosevelt did. Can you imagine an orphan could start a department store: Mr. Penney did it (J.C. Penney). They refused to be like few people I know who sit around and say: "Everybody treats me bad. No one cares for me. Born on the wrong side of society. I am handicapped. I am limited to what I can do. Wrong race. Bad parents. Came from a disfunctional family. I guess I ought to go on drugs and just blow it. Hey, Hey, listen to me: Regardless of where you are right 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. Too many Christians accept life as it comes to them and assume it is God's will. Don't make wrong assumptions about GOD and put a question mark where God put a period. NEVER GIVE UP, FOR THIS IS THE PLACE AND TIME THAT YOUR TIDE IS GOING TO TURN!! Y"ALL HEAR ME???

MOTIVATION!!

My friend, don't be like my dog: "waiting for somebody to challenge you to jump". Don't wait for people to challenge you, Challenge yourself. Don't wait for a demand is made on you and then produce. That is what you call "LACK OF MOTIVATION".Hey, make a demand on yourself. Say like this: "I am going to become the best in what I am doing, I am called and ordained by God to do this". Then go after it, you will accomplish it if you set your mind to do it. Let me help you with this. A WINNER LEARNS THREE KEYS TO STAYING MOTIVATED! 1) Evaluate where you are right now. If you don't know where you are, you will never know when you get to the next level. 2) Overcome your complacency. Complacency traps many people where they are. We are so caught up with our daily routine that it takes a crisis to break us out of our comfort zone and habits. 3) Do what you can do today to come closer to your potential tomorrow. The best way to stay motivated and to win your race is to just keep doing a little extra and challenge yourself to more each and every day. YOU CAN'T CHANGE EVERY THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE OVERNIGHT. Remember "ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY!!!NOW GET OFF FROM YOUR ......AND START DOING IT. JUST DO IT!!!

CONFRONT THE ISSUE

"And Nathan said to David, THOU ART THE MAN" 2 Samuel 12:7. My friend, it is hard to confront people directly. I'm sure Nathan's knees were shaking when he told king David this. But eventually great good came out of this and David himself informed us that "the joy of salvation returned" in the life of a repentant king. Psalms 51. Hey it is easier to gossip to others rather than going to the persons themselves. Scripture tells us to go to him privately and to forgive him if he repents. If not, we are next to take private witnesses. If there is no repentance, step 3 is to bring the matter to the church; and if there is still no repentance after the church addresses the issue, the church must formally disfellowship the member. Unfortunately, rarely this process is carried out. Instead, there is too much gossip, backbiting, taking sides, blaming one another and mean while the sinner indulging in more sins. My friend, patience must be exercised, allow the Spirit to work in the heart, love the sinner unconditionally and hate the sin, explain the abundance grace of God available for his return and pray. My brother, That's what you call tough love. It takes courage. More than that, it requires believing that God's Word and His principles work. Hope this helps you. Be a loving leader but you are called by God to take care of His sheep. Now remember "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. The kisses of an enemy may be profuse, but faithful are the wounds of a friend". Proverb 27:5-6. BE A FRIEND!! Will YOU?

Communication Storms!

My friend, too many things said in the wrong way, YEAH- STOP IT. This is what you call "COMMUNICATION STORM". Hey, words will assault, tongue is unruly, lethal- are you murdering your "love of your life" with your mouth, children are murdered- STOP IT. Humm ADULT FEELING BUT CHILDISH EXPRESSION! Why you have this "BOXING MENTALITY". You want to take down her or him with your last upper cut, right? Your words? There he or she is lying down bleeding! Are you happy now? Hey hey, you know that when God created you, he created you with two ears and one mouth. Do you know why? That means He is telling you that you don' have to respond to fifty percent of what you hear! THINK BEFORE YOU SAY SOMETHING, IT HURTS THOSE WHO YOU LOVE DEARLY. And and and, YOU PET AND RUB THE BACK OF YOUR DOG AFTER YOUR ASSAULT ON YOUR FAMILY- STRANGE- STRANGE- STRANGE. STOOOOOOOOOOPPPP IT. Hey I am talking to you.

SATAN'S "IF BOMBS".

"IF you are the son of God, come down from the cross". Matthew 27:40. Satan's "IF" bomb! Humm. Satan put a "IF BOMB" in the lips of the passerby who watched Jesus on the Cross. During two of the three temptations Jesus faced in the desert were challenge on His Sonship. It was not only a challenge to Jesus but also on what God the Father had said just before Jesus went into the desert: "This is my beloved Son n Whom I am well pleased". My friend, satan spares no saint of this temptation. Challenging the fatherhood towards us and the our Sonship in Him. No wonder this temptation are intense during our days of infancy as well as times of infirmity due to adversaries. Satan will whisper in our ears "How can a sinner like you suddenly become a child of God? Can this happen to you if you are a child of God? Do you see how Jesus combated this attack? He had the assurance of the word of God and companionship of the Holy Spirit. He said "IT IS WRITTEN and He was LED INTO THE DESERT "BY THE SPIRIT". No wonder Paul is saying " The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God". HEY, OVERPOWER SATAN'S 'IF BOMBS". "Bible says "Now beloved we are sons of living God......." Hallelujah. Thank you Jesus! GLORY GLORY!!!

IDENTITY IN CHRIST

My friend, everyone have potential. But having potential and performing at the level of potential is different. Hey, you must understand that there is a reason why I was raised like this, why I went through what I went through. I feel like I have all the ingredients but not coming together. Like the flour, egg, sugar, butter, and flavor to make the cake. LIFE IS FILLING IN THE BLANKS. ISSUES- but answer it before the bell rings! If not- you will fail, life will be over without answering the question. Man- WE SHOULD MAXIMIZE the moment. Understand the brevity of life. We are like a vapor. Tick, tick, time is ticking. skin is wrinkling. OUR INSTINCT IS NOT TO BE ELITE BUT ACCEPTED. That's why we change our hair styles with the change of styles, imprinting Tatoos, running with the wrong crowd you are mingling with, selling your body which really is a temple of living God, speaking in obscene and foul languages. But the truth of the matter is "you are who you are where you are". Understand that God has uniquely created you. Ultimately you have to come to God and ask Him who you are. HEY, GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER. REALIZE THE IDENTITY YOU HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS. You are not an accident. God has custom made you for a purpose. Y'all hear me???

NOW YOU GOT MARRIED?

"And they got married finally and they lived happily ever after". Sounds like a Bollywood movie's end. Friends, "Never deceive about marital perfection! Marriage is a human institution and is temporal. It is not perfect and it was not meant to be. It is not even an eternal relationship. You may think marriages are made in heaven but not according to the Bible, they don't end up in heaven. That may hurt some of you. Some may take great hope in that too. The moment you say "I DO", the gravitational pull starts in on your marriage. It happens on the Honey Moon. You get first look at the person you have committed to for the rest of your life. Tuxedo have to go, Sari, dress, wedding gown will be gone. cologne fades, sweat smells, dirty dishes, laundry, car break downs, diapers, ear infection etc will be staring at you. Payments, payments and more payments. Growth in the marriage does not happen unless you work at it. BUDGETING AND CONTROLLING YOUR EXPENSES ARE ABSOLUTE NECESSARY. That's why Bible passages about marriage are not encouragements or recommendations, THEY ARE COMMANDS. Hey, thanks for allowing me to share the Word at your wedding. This is just a reminder unless you didn't hear then. I know you both were thinking about something else then. I don't blame you buddy.

DON'T LIVE IN THE PAST!!

"The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat". Genesis 3:13. Humm, interesting!! THE BLAME GAME. As God questions Adam and Eve why they disobeyed him, they made a choice that continues to echo in our lives today. Blaming others for what's not going right in our lives is often very common. If things are not going right for you and you find yourself pointing the finger at others, turn that finger back at yourself, because that's where you need to begin to make changes in your life. YOU AND ONLY YOU CAN MAKE A DECISION TO GO FORWARD. Hey things happen in life. It comes in every form: broken homes, broken love, job stalemate, friends betrayal, surgery that fails to cure, loss of loved ones, loss of fortune, split church, rebellious kids, stagnant ministry, divorce, isolation, loneliness, cruel boss, no recognition or appreciation, cancelled trip and yes, graduate son coming back from college with unusual philosophies and different morals. Satan will whisper in your years you are a failure. HEY, WHO IS IN CONTROL? YOUR GOD HAS A BLUE PRINT OF YOUR LIFE AND YOU ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION BUDDY! DON"T TAKE THE PICTURE NOW AND FRAME IT IN YOUR MIND. You and you only you have the power to take charge of your circumstances and create a life you want. YOU HAVE TO DECIDE TO ASSUME YOUR RIGHT TO LIVE THE LIFE LIKE ANYBODY ELSE THAT GOD INTENDED FOR YOU!! STOP THAT PITY PARTY!! Y'ALL HEAR ME? YEAH?? GET UP!!!!

REFUSE TRASHY THOUGHTS!

"Casting down IMAGINATIONS, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into CAPTIVITY every THOUGHT to the obedience of CHRIST". 2 Corinthians 10:5. My friend "Idle mind is a devil's workshop". We need to realize that the devil will attack us primarily in the realm of imaginations. The devil knows that if he can get us to think about something, we are only step away from actually doing it. He knows that our mind is the command central where we reason and it is where we remember, and dream. In another words, our minds are the hard drive, the place where everything originates. Satan knows that it is only a SHORT STEP from a THOUGHT to an ACT. REFUSE THE TRASHY THOUGHTS MAN! Can you hear a battlefield SHOUT in the passage? "CAPTURE EVERY THOUGHT", "MAKE IT GIVE UP", "OBEY CHRIST"- Can you? Look like we are soldiers and the thoughts are our enemies- right? Then PROTECT YOUR LIFE BOAT AND REFUSE ENTRANCE TO TRASHY THOUGHTS. Shut the door, seal it and tell the devil "I can hear you knocking and you aren't allowed, and GET LOST!! Praise God! JUST DO IT BUDDY!!

WORSHIP GOD TODAY!!

"Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come...". Revelation 1:4. This Sunday morning we are worshiping an ETERNAL GOD. In our lives, there is a succession of events that happen. That's not the way it is with God. God exists in all of time, all at the same moment of time. Right now God exists at the same time He exists at the time of Abraham and He exists in future kingdom and through out eternity. For God, the end is the same as the beginning. Hey, for God, now is the same as then. Do I understand it? Not really with my brain. Do I believe it? ABSOLUTELY. God is great. God is eternal. That's why He deserves our worship. WORSHIP HIM TODAY! HE IS AWESOME. "Our God is an AWESOME GOD HE REIGNS FROM HEAVEN ABOVE ....WITH WISDOM ...Sing man Sing!! WORSHIP...

NOT ENOUGH TO MORE THAN ENOUGH!!

"And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and brake the loaves....And they did all eat, and were filled". Mark 6:41-42. HE TOOK IT AND HE BLESSED IT!!! Hey Hey I am getting very excited when I mediate on this. He is blessing something that is not enough!! You see my friend, until you can be thankful for something that is not enough- then what you have cannot be multiplied into what is more than enough. When you tell "Lord this is not the job what I wanted, the house that I wanted, this is not the marriage what I expected, this child is not living to my expectations, I STILL LIFT UP AND I THANK YOU FOR IT, - if you don't- you will never get the multiplication you wanted. If you are ungrateful you don't get it buddy!! When you are thankful for what He has done and is excited about what he is going to do- WELL YOU KNOW THE STORY! He took it and blessed it. They counted five loaves and two fishes- right? THE INVENTORY WAS RIGHT? YEAH? When he BLESSED IT AND BROKE IT- THEY LOSE THE COUNT. Yuppee...I got it.. I GOT IT. GLORY GLORY GLORY. Thank you Jesus!!

GET TO WORK!!

"Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it". Genesis 2:15. Humm! Do you see it? God ordained WORK DAYS!! Even before God gave Adam a wife or child, even before God gave britches, God gave Adam a JOB. God honors work! So honor God in your work. Don't be lazy and sitting in front of TV or browse on internet whole day sipping tea or go to sleep when your eyes get tired looking at the screen. God's children especially leaders forge onwards and refuse to enter a spiral of discouragement, depression, or diversion. They keep their goals in the bull's- eye and refuse to allow naysayers, critics, and detractors to poison their determination. Hey, our little time on this earth passes so quickly. Job said "I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death". Job 10:21. The day is passing- so grab the light and race with the sun to accomplish your purpose. Don't sit there expecting hand outs, but role your sleeves and get to work, the GOD'S WAY! Y"all hear me!! GOOD!!

BUDGET!!

"Moreover it is required in the stewards, that a man be found faithful". 1 Co 4:2. My friend I know that you are excited about your new married life. Hey, I want to talk about "Sky high expectation and ground level reality". All of us have "JUNK IN THE TRUNK" when we got married. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future. Don't run your life like Federal Government- you know in deficit. Hey, it is increasingly more difficult to identify unhealthy spending habits, because impulsive and compulsive spending appetites are legitimized by our popular culture "PLASTIC" culture, which not only encourages credit card debt but also presents it as "the normal and accepted American Way". Don't even try to start your young life to keep up with your parents standard of living. Hey, they were working for 30 years more than you do. You can buy your toys and expensive cars later buddy. Develop discipline in spending. That may include taking away all so-called security: DO A PLASTIC SURGERY, you know cutting up credit cards and not taking out any bank or family loans. Then, develop a BALANCED BUDGET that will control spending. Don't even think about driving a BMW and living on TUNA FISH. Do I hear a thank you man for free advise!! You are welcome!!

REJOICE!!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice". Philippians 4:4. How can I rejoice when two loved ones were promoted to glory and were buried last Thursday and Saturday? Or someone asks- How's life or How are you? Two weeks ago I preached in an African Church in Dallas area and my Text was Philippians 4:4. Was God preparing me for this? Well, when my every sin in my life has been cast to the sea and every mistakes I have made is nailed to to the tree AND I am a blood-bought and heaven made - A child of God for ever saved, How can I be not REJOICING? Voltaire said- "I wish I had never been born", Beaconfield who had both fame and possession said " Youth is a mistake, manhood a struggle, old age a regret, and Jay Gould who was a billionaire at his death bed he said "I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth". Many, can memorize Psalm 23, HEY HEY I KNOW THE SHEPHERD!!!! Rejoice in the Lord always I say REJOICE **Rejoice in the Lord...

HE IS IN CONTROL

" The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in WHOM I will trust". Psalms 18:2. Worrysome heart pays a high price for doing so. Instead of taking away tomorrows trouble, worry voids today's strength and wastes our energy. Through it all, I learned to put my trust in God, in good times and bad, fully confident that we are in the hollow of His hand. HE IS IN CONTROL!!!

UNFEIGNED FAITH

"When I call to remembrance the UNFEIGNED faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy GRANDMOTHER Lois, and thy MOTHER Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also". 2 Timothy 1:5. Humm, "THE DAY AFTER" the mothers day, can I talk about something? I have talked to many young people who have rejected the faith and the consistent note I hear is " My parents talked the faith, but they didn't live it". I'm not talking about after-dinner faith, daily devotion, or a chapter a day. You know: the religious display of tradition! Even the non- Christian can call themselves religious because of their daily practice. Hey, Are you walking the talk or just talk? In your household, are the members of your family walking on eggshells hoping that Mom and Dad would not explode, hoping nobody would get into trouble for this or that, or even something they didn't even know is wrong? Paul described the faith of Timothy, his mother and his grandmother as "unfeigned' faith. It means "sincere" or "genuine". Our faith must be sincere, genuine, absolute, authentic. abiding, and arousing. In Timothy's household, apparently their faith was CONTAGIOUS. How about you? Or is it a "day after pill"? OUCH!!!!

SUBMIT TO GOD FIRST!

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and flee away from you". James 4:7. My friend, one big problem in the church today is that many get so worried about the devil that they see demons behind every bush. That is a wrong perspective. We always emphasize RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU! Hey, how about the first part of the verse, "SUBMIT TO GOD". Our prayer requests are like this, , "Oh, I have a spirit of lust, of greed, of desire. I'm being attacked by this and attacked by that- please pray for me". While the war Satan has declared is very real, not everything wrong in your life can be blamed on Satan. I've heard a story like this: On one Sunday morning Satan was found standing outside a church crying. One of the elders came out and asked Satan "why he was crying. To that he replied, During the testimony time everyone blaming me for everything for which I have absolutely no part- I can't take it any longer". Too often as we find ourselves battling Satan, we simply fail to resist him. While he's always looking for the perfect opportunity to tempt you and me with something attractive, something seemingly irresistible, he only wins when we play his game. If you have problem of lust- don't watch pornographic material- if you want to have victory over your drinking problem, disassociate with your drinking buddies etc.. Use common sense man!! If you are feeling like you are constantly failing in the battle, here is my challenge to you buddy: SUBMIT TO GOD....AND RESIST THE DEVIL. MAKE THAT YOUR HABIT. JUST DO IT MAN, DO IT.