DON'T GO TO THE PHONE, GO TO THE THRONE!

"Is anyone among you afflicted? LET HIM PRAY". James 5:13. Years ago when I was in college my watch quit running. My watch repairer told me that "It's main spring was broken". It was the source of energy that kept it ticking. Sometimes incidents in our life such as lay offs, sicknesses, marital problems etc. (you name it) will test our faith. You've shared them with your friends, your neighbors, your relatives, your cell groups and your pastors. But have you taken that to your God. Your main spring is your faith and his promises. You may think that God is very busy running the Universe and you don't want to bother Him and your need is very insignificant to Him. Well, He provided wine to the wedding, He cared enough about Peter's tax payment to give him a coin and He stopped and comforted crying Mary by the tomb on the way to heaven. Hey, with your faith strong, your main spring wound up, go to Him. "Casting all your care upon Him; He careth for you". 1 Peter: 5:7. Hey, DON'T GO TO THE PHONE, GO TO THE THRONE!

MOVE!

"I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, behold, I will heal thee..I will add unto thy days fifteen years and I will deliver thee.." 2 King 20: 5-6. Here king Hezekiah fell sick and was about to die. He prayed, cried, and praised his way into 15 more years added to his life. He extended his reign for 29 years. The only problem is in fifteen years of his extended life he destroyed everything good he did in previous 14 years. What you trying to tell me from this? I am glad you asked. Some times it is not good to stay in some places when it is time to go. You allow yourself to get STUCK in a stagnant place. It is not good to stay where God was and not to go where God is. You are stuck in a rout too long. You need shifting and moving. The problem with this is "we always think about moving geographically- one part of the country to the other or one job to the other or one church to the other. Or even getting divorce and getting a new spouse. Huhh. But God want us to move the most is our heart, our spirit, our attitude, our mindset etc. Moving with your "Junk Luggage" doesn't work. Doesn't matter which church you go to or enter into a new relationship, if you don't get rid off your "Junk in the Trunk", or getting right with God, you are moving into your MESSSELF. AND when they find who you are, you fall out from the church, from new spouse....Hey, stop it. Get right with God seek his will. Don't destroy your life like Hezekiah. That's my two cents worth this morning.

LET'S WORSHIP OUR UNCHANGING GOD!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and came down from the father of lights, with whom is no VARIABLENESS, neither shadow of turning". James 1:17. Things are changing rapidly around us. People and society are changing. We are changing everyday. You admit or not we are getting old. But our God is UNCHANGING and He is everlasting God. We change because we need to get better. God never has to change to get better because He is already perfect. You know why I am worshiping Him today? My God's promises are unchangeable, His purposes are unchangeable, His provisions are unchangeable, His personality is unchangeable, His prophesies are unchangeable, etc...Hey, There is no room for change in God's plan of eternal life either. The way you come to God is through Jesus Christ His Son- there is no other way. My friend, God is not going to change, so may be we should! LET'S WORSHIP OUR UNCHANGING, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT GOD. Let's sing "WHOM AM I SO MINDFUL OF ME"....I AM A FRIEND OF GOD....

RELATIONSHIPS!!

"Can the Leopard change his spots?" Jeremiah 13:23. Humm. TAKING A CHANCE! My friend, are you taking a chance in your life? Whether in your in relationships or business endeavors, many people enter these situations by taking a gamble and hoping the best. In my ministry I cannot tell you how many instances I have seen where one spouse complains about the other and the other replies that they are the same person they were before they married. Many times people enter in relationships with hopes that the spouse will change. Do not take a gamble with your life and your time. Your life is a commodity too precious to waste. You don't have to be a savior of a person who is intentionally and willfully living the way they live. DON'T FALL A VICTIM OF A SYMPATHY ROUTE. You don't have to sacrifice your time, happiness, and spiritual life for another who doesn't want to change. Wrong decision is not the answer for your loneliness. You are a PRINCE OR PRINCESS of the Lord Almighty. He does everything beautiful in His time. If you are about to enter in a business relationship, your time is a commodity too precious to waste. If you continue to invest time into a relationship and you see very little return, it is time to reconsider another undertaking that has the best return for you. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT MY DEAR. YOU MAKE THE BED AND YOU SLEEP ON IT!! TADA!!!

STOP THAT BOXING MENTALITY!!

"When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate...instead, He entrusted himself to him who judges justly". 1 Peter 2:23. Jesus said "The words that I speak unto you , they are spirit, and they are life". My friend, why you have the mentality "With my last punch of words, I will knock you down"? She or he is your life partner, isn't it? Do you know someone you love or respect slams you to the floor with a slur or slip of the tongue- IT HURTS REAL BAD! Perhaps the words were intended to hurt or not. There they lie wounded and bleeding- ARE YOU HAPPY NOW? The wounds are deep, injuries are internal, broken heart, wounded pride, bruised feeling caused by someone you love! Do you know the words are sometimes the most visible evidence of what is in a man's heart, and a way we are able to see his or her character even without being close to them. Any communication implies both the sender and the receiver. Now STOP that. To the wounded- if you have suffered or are suffering because of someone else's words, there is a BALM for this laceration. Look what Jesus did. He did not take the task of revenge, didn't demand apology, did not retaliate, but he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. And He prayed " Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing"! Sing "Jesus loves me yes I know, for the Bible tells me so"... Yes Jesus love me..

WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS!

Well, life in general is tough, isn't it? When it rains it pours! Couple of years ago, my neighbor told me the things happened to them in three days. His washing machine failed to drain. Garbage disposal leaked profusely, the vacuum cleaner threw dust and trash all over the floor, his son accidentally knocked off a table lamp and broke it, one of his cars didn't start, the one running had a flat tire, the paper boy continued to throw the paper in his flower bed early in the morning while driving his truck, his neighbor's dog regularly got in his yard and did his thing, found a dead wild animal in his pool, and his dry cleaner lost his two shirts. Irritations which will try our serenity. Sounds familiar? Sometimes we feel like King Solomon "Therefore I hated life" Ecclesiastes 2:17. But, but, it is not the end of the world. You will overcome it. Keep calm, unvexed, and PRAY- victories are won in prayer. Our GOD IS IN CONTROL. God willing, our full life is in front of us. WE WILL OVERCOME!

BLESSED IN A MESS!!

"After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them NOT". Acts 16:7. Apparently "it's not a setback, it's a set up". Here Paul and his friends wanted to go to Bithynia, but God had bigger plans for them. Are they disappointed? Yes! But APPOINTED! It's very hard to bear the disappointments in our life. It comes in every form: broken love, broken home, job stalemates, lay offs, betrayal, sicknesses, defeats, ministry failures, cancelled trips, rebellious children, yes- even our family member's unexpectedly depart from us. But, sometimes we have to suffer and endure disappointments in order to reach higher levels. Life's experiences will teach you that "no pains- no gains, no thorns- no thrones, no cross- no crown. BLESSED IN A MESS!! Like Paul and his friends, God has a better plan for you!! YES YOU!

LEADERSHIP!

"And Elijah said unto Ahab, get thee up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of abundance of rain". 1 King 18:41. My friend, what do you do when life is handing you famine and drought in your ministry, family, and personal life? Your famine may not be a drop of rain- it might be financial, lack of love, peace, health, family issues, children's rebellion, foreclosures, resources, rejection, neglect and failures. Such was the time when Elijah was dealing with the context above. A DROUGHT IN THE LAND. You know what? I am fascinated with the circumstances of drought and the courage and leadership ability of Elijah. In the midst of lack of rain and drought, he still was hearing from the Lord.You don't need leadership ability when everything is going on smooth. Strong leadership is when you are able to drive you out of desert and drought to promises you had. Strong leadership and anointing denies obvious evidence in sight. You may ask me Pastor- what this have to do with my life. Glad you asked. There are lot of wives and children who are held up behind trifling husbands who do not show any leadership in their drought situations. How can you be a helpmate who is not going anywhere? A taxi- no driver. Be careful whom you are hooked with. Are you sitting in the back seat while he is drinking coffee and eating donuts and your life is passing by. How can you be a new believer and the leaders are not guiding,teaching, and discipling you to be mature Christians instead fighting for positions and titles? I am fascinated at Elijah's fresh anointing to see which is not there. Are you a leader? Then do something. You heard me right!!

PRAYER LIFE

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel PRAYING and making SUPPLICATION before his God". Daniel 6:11. My friend, are you busy with business? Whether you are a Bishop, Pastor, leader parent or a regular church attending Christian, you cannot be be a MATURE Christian without a regular quiet time with the Lord. Great heroes in the Bible in the midst of their "busy with business" life modeled the habit of a daily QUIET TIME. Men like Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, and Paul had an intimate relationship with God in prayer. Daniel continued his devotion when he was fourteen, when he was thirty, when he hit mid-life, when he got to be sixty, when he reached eighty, and when he was in his nineties. Danie continued. In fact Daniel's personal relationship with God and daily habit of prayer was well known even to his enemies. His political position, and his spiritual uncompromising life's discipline and leadership (busy with business) was never a hindrance to his time with the Lord. Prayerless life is powerless life. Maan, now you know why people are sleeping, yawning, and looking at the time while you are preaching. Either you better catch on fire in the presence of the Lord or put your sermons in the fire! You get it? Don't tell your members of your family to pray and you don't! Take it or leave it man!!!

LIVING WITH PRESSURE!!

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and HE SHALL SUSTAIN THEE: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" Psalm 55:22. Humm. Most of us are living with pressures of life, Isn't it? Most of us experiencing ups and downs. We are running back and forth to keep the balance. If it is not the finance- it's the kids. If it is not the kids, it's the marriage. If it is not the marriage it's the job- it's the church- it's the ministry- it's the health- it's the car- it's the roof- it's the plumbing- it's the electricity- it's the friends- it's the brother- yes, it's the in-laws, right? And if everything is right- who ever joins the family is the problem. If you are attached to someone, you are adding their craziness to you too. Hey, I have a word of advice for you. Please understand that you are a boat floating in the ocean of life. YOU WILL NEVER SINK UNTIL YOU ALLOW WHAT IS OUTSIDE COME INSIDE YOUR BOAT. GET IT? ABOVE ALL OUR JESUS IS IN OUR BOAT. HE WILLGUIDE YOU THROUGH THE STORMS!!!!!

FORGETTING THE PAST!!

Samuel Isaac "Bretheren, I count not my self to have apprehended: but this the thing I do, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS BEHIND, AND REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEFORE".. Philippians 3:13. Wow! Can I share what the Lord spoke to me this morning? Being a track and field athlete in my younger age, I know a runner in a race cannot afford to look back. He will lose his speed, his direction, and ultimately lose the race- in another words DEVELOP A DISCIPLINE TO FORGET. Also, we must FORGET OUR SUCCESS. We may remember them if they make us grateful. We must forget them if they make us proud and arrogant. The most dangerous thing for people to do is allow their growth to be stunted by their own thoughts of regrets and failures. My friend, if you learn the values of your talents, the value of your time and the value of your love, you will understand what a disservice you do to yourself by trading them in for past unchangeable mistakes. Brother, I want to dare you to see yourself through the eyes of your heavenly father. What esteem He holds for each of us! Dare to see yourselves through clear vision. DO NOT shackle yourself to past pains or trauma, or a self-imposed life sentence for past mistakes. Hey can you accept the challenge and live with your eyes wide open? Can you? Well, can YOU??? Get up! Get get get UP!

COMMUNICATIONS!

Recently I was driving out of state and I saw a highway digital sign and it read like this "TEXTING AND TALKING ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING KILLS! STOP IT." Modern technology of texting kills the communication in relationships in our families also. Well, let me share some facts about communications. When we communicate, we express feelings and attitudes through verbal and visual skills. Verbal skills are the words we choose and the tone of voice we use. Visual skills are facial expressions, such as a smile, a frown, a furrowed brow, and body language such as eye contact. Gestures are the way we use our hands. Posture is the way we stand, walk, or sit: and appearance includes grooming, what we wear, and the way we carry ourselves. My college communication text book says "The way we gather information is 87% by sight, 7% by hearing, 3.5% by smell, 1.5 by touching, 1% by taste". In that case, by TEXTING "Honey I love you!" or What's for dinner? or Let's watch TV or signs of facial expressions won't cut it. PLEASE DON'T IGNORE REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS! Just a thought!!

IT'S IN THE JOURNEY!!

"And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him" . Genesis 37:18. Joseph's brothers hated him and they plotted to kill Joseph. Joseph had the support of his father. But his brothers hated him. My friend, sometimes you have a high calling in your life- conscientiously didn't do anything wrong- people hate you. You know what? One time I prayed like this "Lord let somebody hate me who knows me". Sometime people hate you because of your potential. People make all kinds of assessments, judgments, pass remarks and they never know you. You are not there yet and not stepped into it- yet, they hate you over your unrealized potential. Brother, you will suffer low esteem, go through some cracking, pain, rejection, didn't sleep all night experience. I want to remind you man, these are some ditches in your journey to your destiny. YOUR LORD IS WITH YOU AND YOU ARE GOING FROM YOUR PIT TO THE PALACE. HE IS FAITHFUL, YES HE IS. YES HE IS. YES HE IS!!!

GOD IS WITH YOU!!!

"In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer, I have over come the world". John 16:33. Humm, WEATHERING THE STORMS THAT COME AGAINST OUR HOME! My friend, you may not always understand why God allows certain things to happen, but you can be certain that God is not making any mistakes- HE IS IN CONTROL. I know life can hurt. And I know you may have been experienced pain at a level which most people can't understand or identify with. But rather than allow that hurt to lead you into a path of bitterness, receive the comfort Jesus offers. You may feel alone, but be assured He is always with you. And when you focus your gaze on the one who promises to cover you, you'll find supernatural shelter through any storm. So, fix your eyes on Jesus, He will meet you where you are. Keep walking and don't throw in the towel and don't say you can't make it. Jesus said, "BEHOLD I AM WITH YOU EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD". HE WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU!!!

PRAYER!

"But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathens do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him" Matthew: 6:7-8. My friend, Jesus is giving instructions concerning prayer. Recently I attended an ethnic Christian Conference. A pastor was asked to pray before the sermon. To my surprise he prayed from Genesis to Revelation taking as almost time as the sermon. Brother, it's not our logic or language of prayer that impress God. You may say I can't pray. Well, can you talk, you don't have to be a Shakespear or a poet to pray. You don't have to use OKJV language or describe the creator or creation in literature language either. Prayer is not informing God. Nothing occurs to you without ever occurs to God - God knows what you need before you say it. You may ask, then why do we pray? Prayer is to "invite God and enjoy God. God wants us to fellowship and partner with Him. Prayer is one of the greatest acts of love and kindness that ever given to us as human being. Do you understand? Almighty God, creator of the universe wants to talk to you? What a privilege buddy. FRIEND, SEEK HIS PRESENCE NOT PRESENTS!!

SOUL WINNING!!!

"Give me to drink". John 4:7. John's Gospel chapter 4, verses 1 through 42, we see Christ, the soul winner. As I was reading our Lord's interview with this woman, I noticed how her knowledge of Jesus increases until she acknowledges that HE IS CHRIST. He opened the conversation by speaking of something COMMON to the interest of them BOTH- WATER.Then He began to speak to her of SPIRITUAL THINGS- himself, the water of life. He soon captured her interest in spite of her initial hostility. Then He began to deal with her problem- SIN. Then she turned the conversation to an argumentative subject- satan will always do this when we share gospel with any one- NEVER GO THAT ROAD! She thought this would serve as a screen behind which she might hide from this man, from God, and from herself- sounds familiar? But Jesus, KINDLY but deft fashion, swept this all away until came to recognize who He was. Notice the gospel is changing her mindset- she addressed Him as a Jew (v9), Sir (v11 & 15), Prophet (v19) and finally Messiah (v25). Bible says, she left her intended task of obtaining water from the well, she hurried back to the townspeople saying "Come and see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the CHRIST?". In another words "She became the FIRST EVANGELIST". Now this is the pattern of soul winning! Don't tell it is very hard to win souls now a days. GOD HAS TIME AND READY, PEOPLE HAVE TIME AND READY, BUT YOU ARE THE ONE DON'T HAVE TIME. STOP THAT EXCUSE MY FRIEND, I AM NOT BUYING IT!!!

WHAT IS YOUR FRUIT?

"For all that is in the world, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, AND THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, is not of the Father, but is of the world". 1 John 2:16. My friend, these are the three bullets enemy uses to destroy you in your life. Let me prove it to you, can I? In Genesis 3:6 we read "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and it was pleasant for eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat". See, Eve experienced these three bullets (points). Bible says "1) the woman saw that the fruit on that tree was good for food- Lust of the flesh- satisfies her hunger. 2) It was pleasant to the eyes- Lust of the eyes. 3) Desires to make one wise- Pride of life". The Bible doesn't say what fruit it was- He doesn't care about details- your fruit may be banana or apple and mine pears. Look- she took the fruit- still she should have been OK but gave to her husband. SHE BROKE THE DIVINE ORDER. Because it was never in God's plan for the woman to give it to the man. Not in reverse order. Anytime man cease to be a leader, protector, woman takes up that role. then she fails and he fails. TADA!! Now, what is your fruit? Enticing you? Hey, your enemy knows what is your most vulnerable area of your life, he will hit you there again and gain and again and AGAIN!! Y'all hear me??

GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT!!

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O lord, my Rock and my redeemer". Psalm 19:14. Recently I was attending a youth conference and I overheard a conversation of a small crowd of young people using swearing words. Some of them are young people I know and I love them. I said to them "SAY WHAT? YOU NEED MOUTHWASH! My friends, the language we use reflects the attitudes of our hearts. As Christians our speech should be a testimony to our relationship with the Lord. I know the language of our surrounding culture is hard at times to screen out. Even the most guarded people can be influenced by the speech of those around us. Garbage in Garbage out, right? Perhaps the most helpful way of overcoming bad speech is to work from inside out. Bible says, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks". Swearing is the act of using bad words. This includes, profanity, blasphemy, obscenity, expletives, and curses or imprecations. We can be careful gatekeepers of the input we receive by refusing to listen to, read, or watch offensive material. Pick and choose your company, that's your decision! Right? If we cannot escape profanity and vulgarity in the modern society, the least you can do is openly object it, can't you? MAAAN, BEING COOL IS NOT PUNCTUATING EVERY SENTENCE WITH THE SWEARING WORD. YOU, YOU, GET OUT OF THAT SOCIAL GROUP! Well, you ask me for my advice, there it is!!!!