OBEY GOD NOT MAN!!

"We ought to obey God rather than men". Acts 5:27. Deciding what is right or wrong is usually not too difficult. Finding the courage to act on such a decision is often extremely difficult. Fear of disapproval or scorn sometimes cause one to hesitate to act positively. Often time the temptation is to go along with "everybody is doing it, I don't want to be a square, it's legal, time has changed, it's simply matter of business, nobody is perfect, or what would people think? My friend, do you have the courage to stand for God and do things in the right way? The Jewish Sanhedrin had arrested Jesus' apostles again and put them in prison and asked them "Did we not strictly commanded you not to teach in His name?". For that Peter and apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men". In the Old Testament Prophet Samuel commanded King Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites as God commanded. Saul did not! Saul admitted that he "feared the people and obey their voice". He lost his position as the first king of Israel. But King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ordered all inhabitants of his empire to bow down and worship a golden image. The three Hebrew young men refused and did not bow down. They did not submit to the decree of the king. But God spared their lives from the hot furnace of the earthly king. Hey, God blesses those who boldly choose to do His will, despite the unpleasantries that they might have to endure. Bro: Stand for the truth, and God! He will honor you in the midst of your enemies. Praying for you my friend!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

"And He said, A certain man (Father) had two sons:". Luke 15:11. My friend, notice the verse didn't say "Two son had a father". It's a story of a loving father, not prodigal son! Too often we forget the price the father paid while enjoying the fruits of his labors or the sweat of his sacrifices. The daily conflicts of earning a living and heading a household is tough. I say to all the fathers- living or dead- yours deeds, your unselfish deeds, your glorious deeds and unselfish and unreserved love, shall never die. They shall be hallowed in the cherished memory of your grateful children, grandchildren and generation to come. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! God bless you!!!

ARE YOU IN A HOLDING PATTERN!

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint". Isaiah 40:31. My friend, I know It's hard for us to WAIT! Three years ago I was flying back from my mission trip extremely tired and was eager to get back to my family and my own bed. As we were approaching Dallas, the Captain spoke into the PA system and said " The traffic Controller from the tower instructed that we should WAIT and we are going to assume a HOLDING PATTERN until further instruction come from the tower". What a strange place to have to wait- IN THE AIR? All passengers were very much concerned until the stewardess quickly eased our fears by saying that the planes always carry enough fuel to withstand these kind of delays. As I was praying, I began to wonder "Isn't that the way in our life when God speaks from heaven "Assume a holding pattern until further notice". The question is "Do you have enough fuel (FAITH) to assume holding pattern and wait for the promise"? TADA! Bro; waiting upon God can be one of the most trying of all trials. Trouble with all of us who prays is that we say "Amen" and run away before God has a chance to talk to us. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him your ideas and shopping lists. I have a suggestion for you. While you are in your "holding pattern", keep praying, keep believing, and keep knocking! Your Plane will land safely in HIS time and everything will be alright buddy!! Y'all hear me???

WHAT IS SUCCESS!

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth;....for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success". Joshua 1:8. The word "success" appears only once in the Bible and that is in Joshua 1:8. My friend, what is success for you? We spend so much time trying to prove to the world that we are successful. From the cloth we wear, the cars we drive, and the discussion of the stuff we have. The death of the king of the pop begs the question what does it really mean to succeed? The riches, fame, and influence brought him no peace at all. He died by the trapping of his so called success. How about this man: arrested many times, in and out of prison, often run out of town, never built a building, never spoke on television, never had a website, never had a Face Book, twitter or instagram, never owed his own home, had to work on the side to support himself, not a skilled speaker, unimpressive looks, and seems to be involved in public controversies (Paul). Is he a success buddy? In 2 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul says about his success like this "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody, You show that you are a letter from Christ, the RESULT of our ministry. As far as Paul is concerned, the proof and success of his ministry was the changed lives of his hearers. It's all about lives changed by the HOLY SPIRIT. And success according to the Bible: 1) A GOOD NAME rather to be chosen than great riches, and LOVING FAVOR rather than silver and Gold. Proverbs 22.1, 2) A wise son maketh a glad father (Generation). Proverbs 10:1, 3) Because I delivered the poor that cried, and fatherless, and him that had none to help (Charity). Job:29:12, 4) I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness (Victorious Christian life). 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Lord was speaking to me while I was studying this. Hope this is helping you my friend.

DO GOOD!!

"But Jesus answered them, My Father has worked [even] until now, [He has never ceased working; He is still working] and I too, must be at work". John 5:17. Well, my friend God wants us to work in our all stages of life. No retirement in His Kingdom!! Your work matters to society. Cities need plumbers, carpenters, engineers, cooks, doctors, Nurses etc. When stoplights break we need repairers. When bones break we need doctors to set it. I heard a guest in a Christian radio program saying like this: Some has to raise kids, raise cane, and manage the kids who raise Cain. Bro: Never stop doing good! In Acts 10:38, we read about Jesus like this "Who went about doing good". We should aim and strive to do good. What are some of the main elements that go to make up such a fruitful life, You may ask? 1) Sympathy is the start. Get out of the mindset of "me myself, and I". We must have a heart that goes out to others. If there is no feeling of sympathy in you, it can be cultivated. 2) Open your eyes and see the needs. Needs are everywhere in one form or another. Lift up your eyes and look and get your eyes off ourselves. Get up and work in the vineyard- DO GOOD! Not sit their and eat grapes. Hey hey, we are made better by just being in the company of good people, aren't we? People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care! NOW, GET UP AND DO SOMETHING GOOD, Y'ALL HEAR ME? YEAH... GOOD!!