BROKEN VESSELS!

"And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, ARISE AND EAT; because the journey is too great for thee". 1 Kings 19:7. My friend, FALLING DOWN DOESN'T MAKE YOU A FAILURE, BUT STAYING DOWN DOES. The life of Elijah is an example for us. There will be occasions in our life where we will be disappointed, tired, and threatened. You know the "under the Juniper tree" and "inside the cave" experiences. Hey, how can you see your future when you are starting at your past. Even though we call the past the past, but the truth is, it is very much the present in many of our lives. Past issues so rule our thoughts and actions that we decide our future is over before it's begun. We are giving up on ourselves to believe that our God has given up on us too. Bro: God always used "broken and disappointed" vessels like you and me to accomplish His purpose on the earth. Bible is full of them. If you have ever questioned whether a failure, or even multiple failures, have disqualified you from God's use, I have a good news for you dear: IT'S NOT TOO LATE. So look ahead, GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU. IT'S A GOOD PLAN, FILLED WITH BOTH FUTURE AND HOPE!!! The good news is that when you walk with God, your past doesn't have to define your future. Remember, DON'T HIDE IN A CAVE WHEN YOU CAN STAND ON THE MOUNTAIN". My friend, GOD IS READY IF YOU ARE.

BE CONSISTENT!!

"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses". Hebrews 12:9. My friend, this passage shows me a group of consistent people like you and me. No matter what they encounter in their life, they overcame it by faith in God. Stop being a YOYO Christian. One day UP and next day DOWN! Do you know that Consistency is a mark of maturity. Fads and emotions may come and go, but people who can be consistent will be successful in putting their knowledge into practice. Man: it isn't all about how you start the race, though that is very important, or how you finish is more important. God is interested in our running faithfully all the way. Christian living is not like our "Diet Plan" or"Exercise Plan". Don't stop your Christian running when you crave something or hurt somewhere. The opposite of the "consistent" person is the "convenience" person. What do you mean, you may ask? OK, here we go: 1) Convenience people are emotion based; consistent people are character based. 2) Convenience people do what is easiest; consistent people do what is right. 3) Convenience people have a selfish mind-set; consistent people have a servant mindset. 4) convenience people quit during tough times; consistent people continue in tough times. God wants us to walk in obedience, minute by minute and day by day. Does that describe you buddy? Stop being up and down and in and out. Our God will enable you and you can demonstrate the power of a consistent life like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, Paul, and YES OUR LORD HIMSELF WHEN HE LIVED IN THIS WORLD. Now remember, Failure in people is caused more by lack of determination than lack in talent. TADA!!!!

I MAY KNOW HIM!!!

"That I may KNOW HIM, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death". Philippians 3:10. Here the word "know" means to know by experience. It is possible to know a person casually and not know him personally. Many Christians have a knowledge of Christ that is not "experiential" but intellectual. Our problem is we allow ourselves to believe that we know Him. My friend, that is why other people have to lead us into His presence. Preachers cannot edify us, correct us, reprove us, instruct us- rather ENTERTAIN US. Right? We can explain how to worship, but can't do it. We sit there as spectators to a concert evaluating who is the best performer. Sitting in His presence feeling important forgetting if He doesn't give us our next breath we won't survive ten minutes. We schedule Him like gymnasium trip or little league Base Ball, right? We decide whether to come to church today or tonight or next week when there is no game on Television. Ouch. The problem is "We are used to God". Our problem is we allow ourselves to believe that we know Him. That's why we don't seek Him. WHY DO YOU SEEK WHICH YOU ALREADY KNOW? Sad that "We are not impressed with our own Savior". I believe the reason we are not getting deliverance, healing, prosperity, joy and answer to our prayers is that WE ARE DISOBEYING GOD BY NOT WORSHIPING AND KNOWING HIM. Bro: Let us commit our life this year of 2014 to KNOW HIM and WORSHIP HIM. HE IS ALPHA AND OMEGA, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT, ALMIGHTY GOD!!! HE INHABITS UPON THE PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE. COME ON..LET'S BE SERIOUS!!!! Y'ALL HEAR ME? Let's JUST DO IT!!!

RETRACTING MODE!

"Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate" Psalms:127:5. Humm. What? Quiver? Here is the powerful analogy the psalmist uses to associate the potential with power. Quiver is the place where arrows wait to be used, isn't it? It is the place of possibility where patience comes to play and potential is galvanized. My friend after talking to you last night I want to tell you this. Like an arrow caught in a bow, most people go backward before they shoot forward. Realize that you are in a RETRACTING MODE. You are seeing the goal but feel like you are loosing the ground. How do you manage the frustrations now. God is beginning to bless you and you are seeing signs of it, yet circumstances are thwarting the aspirations you hope to realize. You feel like the whole hell is loosed against you. Family, friends, and people whom you were counting on is throwing mud at you. Hey Hey PRACTICE PATIENCE WHEN GOD HAS YOU WAITING! New Bible Dictionary defines patience as "GOD GIVEN RESTRAINT IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION OR OPPRESSION". WAITING- for a Christian is a common experience. Bro: THERE IS A PURPOSE IN THIS PROCESS. Waiting for God forces us to look to Him. It casts our eyes rightly to Christ as the source of our faith and assurance of our salvation. Truly, Patience is an act of the will to claim ground for the Kingdom of God. So, hang in there. This is not a set back- this is a set up. All out war you facing is the sign you are on the verge of victory and miracle. PRAY PRAY PRAY. "IF GOD IS FOR US- WHO CAN BE AGAINST US!!!".

ARISE!!

"....Now ARISE, go over this Jordan, thou, all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even the children of Israel". Joshua 1:2. During my preparation for Bible Study, the Lord showed me something from this portion. My friend, can I share? The story of Joshua and God's call on his life provides us with a PATTERN for VICTORIOUS living even TODAY! God is calling His church to "arise" ..to do battle..to march toward in victory. The day of "maintaining" the status -quo in the Kingdom of God is finished. It's time for the Pew Warmers to become Pew Fillers! Do you know who was this Joshua generation? They were the sons and daughters of the Israelites who lived in slavery in Egypt. These were the children that did not remember Egypt and the hard times. Their relationship with God began at their deliverance at the Red Sea. Moses led a people who had to SEE miracles to obey. But Joshua led a people who OBEYED and SAW miracles. The first thing God said to Moses was "GO DOWN TO EGYPT". But the first word to Joshua was , "ARISE". We are not a people who are going down. WE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE RISING UP to do exploits for our God. Hey Hey, Don't go back to slavery of Pharoah. I mean your sinful life style. Don't call it a weakness. Don't white wash it, Huhh sugar coat it. You have been delivered by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus). You passed through the Red Sea- didn't you? Put your past behind you and say Good Bye once for all to Egypt, to bondage, and to the enemy. Bro: ARISE ARISE: This is the day and the hour to believe for the miraculous - not to wait for the miraculous before believing!!! You know I am talking to you Buddy!! Be a Joshua Generation Person, OK!!!

NEVER GIVE UP!!

Forty five years ago I was opening a wooden Box with a collection of old books in my house. There I found my Grandma's Old Bible. I turned few pages, and noticed that the word "Proved" was written in the margin beside many scriptures. Like: "The Lord...will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee.".(Deuteronomy: 31:8)- PROVED, " The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want".(Psalm 23:1)-PROVED, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble".( Psalms 46:1)-PROVED, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee". (Psalms 55:22)- PROVED, "When thou passes through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you, when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall flame kindle upon you". (Isaiah 43:2)- PROVED. That experience of her gave me confidence that my God shall never fail and never give up on me in my life's circumstances. Hey, I will prove it to you. When Joseph was thrown in the pit by his own brothers- God didn't give up on him, Did he? When Moses said " Here I am, but send Aaron- God didn't give up on him, Did he? When Israelites wanted Egyptian slavery instead of milk and honey- God didn't give up on them, Did he? When Peter worshiped Him at the supper and cursed Him at the fire, God didn't give up him, Did he? My friend, I know you are going through some rough time in your personal life and ministry. These are potholes on the road to your destiny. You are watching everybody is speeding by and you had a flat tire? Well, put the spare, fix the flat and go, God is with you to take you from the pit to palace. NEVER GIVE UP MAN BECAUSE GOD DIDN'T!! On your mark, get set, and GOOOOOOO!

EVALUATE AND ELIMINATE!

"But thou , O man of God, flee this these things; and follow after righteousness , godliness, faith, love patience, meekness. Fight a good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,...1 Timothy 6:11-12. My friend, when being a child of God, one should add actions to words and serve God willingly. Christianity comes with joyful moments as well as difficult ones. Learning to prioritize as a Christian is essential in our life. EVALUATE AND ELIMINATE WHAT MUST NOT DOMINATE IN OUR LIFE! How many opportunities passed us by because our time was consumed with BUSYNESS rather than the business of the day? Hey, to move from where we are to where we need to be- living out our God-given vision- WE MUST EVALUATE AND ELIMINATE what must not DOMINATE! TADA! We all have priorities! Whether we think about it or not, we all live according to priorities. A "PRIORITY" is something that has first importance in our life. Bro: It is wise to examine where we are in our life. Do you know where is our life headed? Is there any difference between God's plan for our life, and our own life-goals? Will the road we are on is according to God's purpose and plan in our life? Will it lead us to heaven ..or else where? I heard a story recently. A pilot came on the intercom of his plane: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that we are lost. But, the good news is that we are making excellent time!". Buddy, Is that you? Some people don't stop and ask directions when they are lost, they JUST SPEED UP... Hey, hey: EVALUATE AND ELIMINATE WHAT MUST NOT DOMINATE!!! Did you hear?? GOOD!

HE WANTS TO SPEAK TO YOU!!

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of Silver". Proverbs 25:11. Christians are notorious for hearing things and also for not hearing what they hear. That sounds like a contradiction- you may say. But it is not. We are notorious for not hearing what we hear because we are hearing with the outer ear, so we don't hear what God is saying. "But be ye doers of the word, and hearers only, deceiving your own selves". James 1:22. This morning Christians are assembling in the churches to worship, to hear the Word, and to fellowship. I have a question for you? Are you evaluating the preacher and his sermons? Are you correcting your life from what you heard on previous Sundays? Are you texting each other in the middle of the message where will you go for lunch after church? God will answer any question we ask and speak into our lives about important issues if we will listen with our "ear gates". He wants to comfort you, encourage you, correct you, and wants to tell you "HE IS THERE" with you in your struggles. He wants to tell you "HE IS SHAMMAH", already there in your situation. He wants to tell you "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH HIM!" Paramedics have to come, Families have to come, friends have to come, BUT HE IS ALREADY THERE AND NEVER LEAVES YOU!! Are you listening and hearing!!! So, if you want to hear from God, keep your ears and heart open. He wants to talk to you today. Y'all hear me?

IMPACT THE WORLD!

"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him". Proverbs 20:7. King Solomon is generally credited with the authorship of a large portion of the proverbs. The story of Solomon, his success and failures, is remarkably appropriate for our day. We live in a culture that parades success, possessions, and sex appeal as its principle values, and those are the very things that marked Solomon's life. But Solomon's life is "One journey away from God. My friend, do you know your life, lived with powerful presence of the Lord, big in it, will IMPACT those who come behind us. Your life lived in the belief that you don't matter much, will not have much an impact. MAN..., What is the legacy you want to leave to your children, families, next generation, to the Kingdom of God? History reveals that individuals who impacted their generations and affected the world most dramatically were those who, because of circumstances, pressure, or adversity: Challenged the tide of convention, Stretched the boundaries of traditions, violated the expectations of "STATUS QUO", Upset the mind of "average", Broke through the "accepted" in order to accomplish unexpected. Stop saying "It has been like this, and always it will be". Bro: Each of us has the ability to impact our generation in just such a dramatic fashion because we have the strength, self-sufficiency, and anointing of the Lord dwelling in us. My friend, you are custom made by your God to accomplish His purpose in this world". There is nobody like you in this world. You don't agree? Look at your FINGER PRINTS man. Impact the world around you in a GODLY MANNER. LEAVE A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE. OK?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also". James 2:26. My friend, do you know half of us Christians haven't been to a church service last three months. One third of us haven't been to a religious service for more than a year. Well, sad to say, only ten percent of us believe in all of the ten commandments and forty percent of us believe in five of fewer commandments. Do you know most people do not even know their church's position on the important issues..much less what are the fundamental doctrines in the Bible. This shallow faith are reflecting in our churches today! Years ago, Charles Colson said over the radio "People flit about in search of what suits their taste at the moments. It's what some have called the "McChurch" mentality. Today it might be a Big Mac, tomorrow Wendy's Salad Bar or Chicken Sandwich from Chic-Fil-A or Whopper at the Burger King- Have it your way Whopper" Spiritual consumers are interested not in what the church stands for but in the fulfillment it can deliver at the moment. Kind of mix'em match'em salad bar or buffet spirituality". Ethnic pastors in our churches are satisfied with their duty of "Hatch,Match and dispatch". Man, where is the real vibrant, Bible based, Christ centered, "great commission doing- winning souls" church? Huhh. FAITH WITHOUT WORK IS DEAD! James is simply saying that if one has been truly born anew, his life will be changed, not mere a assent to a creed but a vital faith displays itself in action". Hey, hey, do what Jesus did! none of his apostles washed his feet- but He did, soldiers at the cross did not beg for mercy- but he extended mercy, his disciples and followers fled like scared rabbits on Thursday- but He came searching for them Sunday, He interrupted his plan on the way to heaven and stopped for crying Mary at the tomb, He left heavenly splendor and came to earth for sinful people like you and me. What are you doing my friend? What what are you doing..... ?

RESPOND WITH HUMILITY!!

"Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the King of Assyria....for there be more with us than with him". 11Chronicles 32:7. My friend, here is the story of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria attacking Hezekiah and the Jerusalem. Can you see this? The Devil doesn't like it when God's people start acting like God's people and getting right with God. He doesn't like when you begin to act in faith. Hey, if you are not running into flak, you are not doing what you supposed to do in the kingdom of God. Who was stoned to death in the New Testament? Stephen- the vocal witness for Christ. Who were beaten and imprisoned- Paul and Silas who were doing God's Job. In the Old Testament? Do you remember Shadrack, Meshack, Abednigo, Daniel, Jeremiah, Moses, and Noah? How about the dreamer and visionary Joseph? Hey, hey, Just because you are facing hard times, that doesn't mean you are out of God's will. It means you are doing exactly what God has called you to do. Remember, Jesus words: "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" John 15:20. Bro: when people don't listen- remember Jesus, when tears and disappointments are your bed partner- remember Jesus, When you are sick- remember He will heal with his callused hands, when you are crying- remember He wept human tears. Take the steps of Hezekiah when he faced trouble: 1) He responded with HUMILITY. 2) He approached leaders. 3) He sought council. 4) Found friends with same goals and missions who will fight with him. Look: He didn't handle all his difficulties by himself, he humbled himself. WHEN THINGS HAPPEN THAT YOU DIDN'T EXPECT, YOU RESPOND WITH HUMILITY. FRIEND: THE BATTLE BELONGS TO GOD!! Did you hear me? Yeah, GOOOOD.

What is the cause?

"Behold I am he whom ye seek: WHAT IS THE CAUSE wherefore ye are come". Acts 10:21. My friend, during my devotion this phrase "WHAT IS THE CAUSE?" began to talk to me. If you are going to your doctor, the need of correct diagnosis is absolutely necessary to solve the problem, isn't it? If there is an effect, we should know the cause of it. If there is a "dog- eat-dog spirit in us, much crime in the land, sexual perversion in the society, cheating of the spouse in the families, rebellious children, restlessness and nervousness among the people, and yes- absenteeism at the church- Hey, WHAT IS THE CAUSE? We all fail the Lord from time to time, and sometimes we fail in SPECTACULAR fashion. Sometimes, we are all CLARK KENT entering into the telephone booth coming out as Superman- at the church. OUCH. We see this in the lives of all the heroes of faith mentioned in the "THE HALL OF FAITHFUL" in Hebrews 11. It could also be labeled as "THE HALL OF FAILURES". Right? Because all the members of this illustrious list failed God, and they failed Him BIG. Like: Abraham went down to Egypt where he lied about his wife Lack of faith), Sarah laughed at God and mocked His promises, Isaac lied about his wife (Father-like son), Moses committed murder and tried to cover it up, Rahab was a prostitute etc.. Well Bro: the successful Christian is not the person who never fails, but it is the person who when they fail, gets back up and goes to God and goes on for the Lord. The successful Christian is the person who accepts God's remedy for sin and reaches up to God for cleansing and forgiveness when he or she does fail.WE HAVE HOPE, RIGHT? Now you know the cause and REMEDY. Now don't be a King Saul but be a King David with contrite and confessing heart! Did you hear?

FRESH START?

"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies". Psalms 119:59. My friend, do you know that "The mind is the seat of the soul. It is the place where flesh and spirit exchanges ideas and come to conclusions about the world around you. It can either be a conductor for the Spirit of God, or a breeding ground for the corruption of the flesh. As we stepped into a New year 2014, let us control our thoughts. The old one is behind us. We entered into New Year with high hopes. Are we ready to shake off our bad habits and and grt a new start, Can we? Let's give control of our thoughts to Holy Spirit. The trouble has been we have allowed some conflicting thoughts to grab us and change the direction of our life. What can we do? well, 1) Keep our thoughts working for us. Remember no person is better, bigger, or stronger than his or her thoughts. 2) Let's us be grateful for what our Lord has blessed us with. If you are ungrateful- you are not worthy of any more blessings. 3) Let's us be compassionate to the unfortunate people around. Stop being selfish, me , my wife, children, mine, mine. 4) Be thankful to others who helped us in our life to be where we are today. God used somebody in your life. I am sure God did not send, Gabriel, Michael, Uriel, ravens etc. in all your circumstances. Did He? "Even dogs wag their tails"!!! Bro: you know how the FLESH FIGHTING WITH YOU? I can give you some symptoms! 1) Feeling discontentment. 2) Pride and Self-preservation 3) Oppression (Sadness, guilt, depression) 4) Laziness and forgetfulness. My friend, CAN WE HAVE A FRESH START? YEAH YEAH, JUST DO IT!!

AND YOU WANT DOUBLE PORTION OF THE ANOINTING?

"Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the God's do to me, and more also, If I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time". 1 King 19:2. My friend, many people prayed like you on the New Year's day: "Lord, give me a double portion of your anointing". Yet do not realize the preparation that is involved for such a miraculous thing to occur. Elijah and Elisha confronted the same enemy- the spirit of Jezebel. Elijah faced a demonic spirit through this woman that once caused him to flee for his life (1 Kings 19). Well, what I have to do with that woman in the 21st century, you may ask? Who is Jezebel? Well, the Lord told the church at Thyatira, "I have a few things against thee, because thou SUFFEREST that woman Jezebel., which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to Idols". Revelation 2:20. It is clear from this portion of Scripture that Jezebel is the spirit of filth and fornication which we still fight even today. ONLY BY THE ANOINTING CAN THAT SPIRIT BE OVERCOME. With His penetrating eyes of fire, Christ revealed a CANCER that was present within this beautiful church (v 20). This cancer was immorality. Let me be clear now, can I? If the Devil cannot conquer the church by the application of political pressure or the propagation of intellectual heresy, he will try the insinuation of MORAL EVIL. Bro: Jezebel "swept men off their feet; all her wickedness was so attractive. They forgot the simplicities of David; they forsook the austerities of Moses. Their way of life was changed before they were aware, and they began to dance to her music and to fall down before her gods. In these days of tolerance, compromise, fairness doctrine flowing over the airways and society, are we falling victim to Jezebel's spirit? Thytira had EVERYTHING but HOLINESS. Her people had lost sight of the purpose for which Christ had chosen them...that they should be holy and blameless before Him (Ephesians 1:4). "AND YOU AND I WANT "DOUBLE PORTION OF ANOINTING"? Huhh. The preacher came out this morning. Sorry.