PREPARE FOR NEXT YEAR!

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpa and Shen, and he called the name of it EBENEZER [stone of help], saying, heretofore the Lord has helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12. My friend, do you know the history of the Ebenezer? The stone of Ebenezer is a monument of those revelations of the might and grace of a living God, occasioned by sin and penitence, wandering and return, which are impelling power in the history of the old covenant. It is of great consequence to cherish lasting and grateful memorials of God's goodness to us, and of our solemn engagements to Him. What God has done is too great to be forgotten , and too gracious to be overlooked in our life, isn't it? Let us be grateful for the many blessings of last year. We are not worthy of more, if we are ungrateful for what we have. Tada! This time what we do you may ask? 1) Look upward, and see God in your history. We should always trace our mercies direct to the hand of God. 2) Look backward, and remember the past help. Every Christian knows that our dependence on Him was constant. 3) Look forward, You shall see greater things in your life than these past years. Before embarking into the New Year, just prepare yourself for the journey. Consider the demands of journey and pack accordingly. Like, cold weather? take a jacket. Business meeting? Carry a laptop. Time with grandchildren? Better take some sneakers and pain medication. Ha Ha Ha. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? Prepare for your life journey next year! Y'all hear me? Good.

SOMEDAY SYNDROME!

"Go to now, ye that say TODAY or TOMORROW we will go into such a city. James 4:13. My friend I was going to post this tomorrow, but then I thought it better to do it today! Ha Ha Ha . Thomas Jefferson once said "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today". Do you have "SOMEDAY SYNDROME? One of the most tragic things about life is man's missing so much of it by being too much related to either the past or the future instead of the present. It robs us of the NOW LIVING. Are you trying to put off living? While you dream of a magical rose garden- free from all thorns- across the other side-, do you know you are neglecting to enjoy the fragrant roses that bloom today so close, just outside the window? SOMEDAY I can take her on the cruise. SOMEDAY I will call and chat. SOMEDAY my children will understand why I was busy. As children you ask your parents to do something they say "SOMEDAY". The trip to Disney world- "SOMEDAY". Dad, can I have a Bike- "SOMEDAY". I will tithe- SOMEDAY, I will volunteer to serve- SOMEDAY, I will have regular devotion and prayer time- SOMEDAY, I will lose weight- SOMEDAY. I will spend quality time with my spouse and children- SOMEDAY. Well, you fill the rest. Bro: Your some days will never come. Price of practicality is sometimes higher than extravagance. Before the New Year Day come, Today is your day to act. When tomorrow comes it will be today. Bury all excuses. Tomorrow is the fools paradise. Go to the effort. Invest time. Write the letter. Make the apology. Take a trip. Purchase a gift. Spend time with loved ones. WELL, "THE NEGLECTED BRINGS REGRET" YOU KNOW! Y'ALL HEAR ME? JUST DO IT!!

What can I do for chrstmas?

"...glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN". Luke 2:13,14. Oh my..my, the smell of Christmas: Cedar, pine cones, trees, new cloths, peppermint, Raisins, yams, cake, bread, ham and smell of wood smoke from neighbor's fireplace, excitement of opening gifts under the tree. GOOD. very good. But...but don't forget what the host of angels sang "Peace, good will towards men". What else I can do you may ask? 1) Be a friend to strangers by doing something for the poor, underprivileged and down and out. 2) Think of someone else other than me, I and mine. Be kind, gentle and gladden the life of others. Appreciate your friends and family and don't ration expression of gratitude. 3) If trouble has come between you and another, mend it. Overcome malice. Replace suspicion with trust, Dismiss grudge and flee envy. Give soft answers. Apologize if you are wrong. Thank the Lord for his mercy, compassion and love and for coming in to the world as a child. EMMANUEL, JESUS. Thank Him for dying on the cross for you and worship him. Very simple but it's influence is immeasurable. I know it is old but relevant. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!

TOMORROW GOD WILL DO WONDERS!!

“Sanctify yourself [separate yourselves for a special holy purpose], for TOMORROW THE LORD WILL DO WONDERS AMONG YOU”. Joshua 3:5. My friend, as I told you the other day, the real Christmas in your life is that CHRIST JESUS IS BORN IN YOUR HEART AND HE BECAME YOUR SAVIOR AND YOUR LORD THIS YEAR! Your yesterdays have made you what you are today, but your tomorrows can make you what God always intended you to become. Joshua was talking to a nation whose yesterdays were a long list of repeated failures and rebellion against God. They had been convicted, judged, punished and reinstated frequently by the God they’d flagrantly sinned against. At this context, they were about to enter and possess the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And just like you, God had more in store for them then they could even imagine. My friend, God has a new level for your life to go to. He’s got a bigger authority for you to realize, he is going to enlarge your vision, enlarge your purpose. But first, before this wonders will come, God say’s “SANCTIFY YOURSELF”. It is a process of becoming pure and holy, just as God is pure and holy. I know the devil is reminding you of your past and telling you are worth nothing. Don’t give up your tomorrows by building monuments to your past failures. Acknowledge, confess and release your yesterdays to the crucified Christ. BRO: DON’T DISCARD YOUR TOMORROWS! Y’ALL HEAR ME.

PRINCIPLE OF SOWING AND REAPING!

"Be not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth , that shall he also reap". Galatians 6:7. Oh my friend, complaints about your spouse and your church! Well, you can change what is happening to you. Can I tell you? There is a kingdom principle. If you want to change what you are reaping- you have to change what you are sowing! Tada. If you have trouble having friends- I can guaranty you that you have trouble being friendly. If you are sowing rejection, you will reap rejection. You are telling me that you are walking away from hard, cold, bitter people- chances are you are hard, cold, and bitter. You are not taking time with them, do you know that? You say I am raised different, well they are too! My friend, you cannot sow corn and expect to reap wheat. If you want change what is coming back at you, you have to change what you sow. Larger part of what is happening in your life is based upon this principle of SOWING AND REAPING. If your Family members are avoiding you, LOOK BACK AND SEE WHAT DID YOU DO TO CAUSE THAT. In every aspects of our life, this is the principle. Recently during a prison ministry radio program, I heard a prisoner's testimony. He said, "The reason I am in prison is because I thought I could take shortcuts, that somehow I could ignore the rules & regulations, and get away with it completely. But it didn't and will never do". Hey hey, You reap what you have sown and then some, You reap where you are sown and some, You reap more than you sown and some! My friend, "ARE YOU CHOKING IN THE SMOKE FROM THE FIRE YOU CREATED?. CHANGE YOUR WAYS MY FRIEND!! CHANGE..CHANGE.

DO YOU HAVE A VISION?

"..give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart". 1 Kings 3:9 (AMP). King Solomon prayed this prayer and was asking God to give him a clear vision and a strategy to bring it into reality. My friend you should have a clear "vision" not a "wish" or "dream". A "vision" is a description of what you will achieve in the future and it serves as a guide for your current and future courses of action. Vision brings your future into focus. Unless you try something beyond you've already mastered you will never grow. Too many potentials are in the graveyard only accomplished very minimum in their life time. Isn't that a shame! Hey hey, I heard a country song like this: "You've got to continue to grow, or you are just like last night's cornbread- stale and dry". During my Bible School dormitory life I ate a lot of Cornbread and believe me, there is nothing drier than a day-old Cornbread. A vision-less life is like an old cornbread when we settle for an ordinary, status-quo mediocre life. Bro: what is influencing or limiting you? Is it small thinking, small planning, or small vision? Let me be real here. Vision comes with two things - opportunities and challenges. Having a vision gives you focus, direction, creativity and resilience. People without vision are aimless and vulnerable to quit. Having a vision for the future, a solid plan of action, and "I won't quit spirit", trumps talent and ability every time. So, don't be a stale-day-old cornbread. Have a God given vision, capture your destiny, and leave a legacy! JUST DO IT FRIEND..Y'ALL HEAR ME? YEAH YEAH..

OVERCOMING LIFE'S CHALLENGES!

"I know the plans I have for you; plans for your welfare and not for evil". Jeremiah 29:11. Talking to a friend of mine the other day, He said " I am facing a life's challenge which is overwhelming me, I don't know what to do". I said " Whatever you are facing or need to face, whether that's facing financial problems, obstacles, issues, weaknesses, decisions, a wilderness experience, or a loss, know that through the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in you and with prayer- you can overcome it. You see, prayer is unnatural activity for many. From birth we have been learning the rules of self reliance as we strain and struggle to achieve self sufficiency. For human nature it is an assault of our autonomy, and indictment of independent living. Even more difficult for them that moves in the fast lane, determined to make it on their own, prayer is an embarrassing interruption. Bro: But both in periods of suffering and trouble, and in times of joy, prayer and praise alike acknowledge that He is sufficient. Prayer is acknowledging God of His sovereignty and He can handle whatever we are facing. We must trust that He is in control- especially when life seems to be out of control. Joseph faced temptation from a source he never expected. The dreamer went to prison not palace. But Bible says "THE LORD WAS WITH HIM". When you are facing challenges, expect three things: 1) The enemy will try to put fear in you. 2) Expect people to change on you. In another words "When you are laughing thousands will be there; but when you are crying only your shadow will be there. 3) Expect God to work for you. He will..He will. He cannot lie buddy. "I thank you Lord for my brother in Christ, I know you are not an unrighteous God to forget his love for you and what he has done for your kingdom. Give him the strength, grace, joy, and peace needed to get through storm. IN THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAME, JESUS I PRAY, AMEN"!!

GIMME GIMME GIMME?

"Do nothing out of SELFISH AMBITION Or VAIN CONCEIT, but in humility consider others better than yourselves". Philippians 2:3. My friend, do you have GIMME SYNDROME? Ouch! During my Bible College days our professor said the word Apostle used for "Selfishness" shares the root form with the words "strife and contentious" meaning self-occupation that hurts others. My further study revealed that the first century writers used the word to describe a politician who procured office by illegal manipulation or a brother covetously and maliciously obtaining inheritance of a sibling or a harlot seducing her client which is destructive for both. Bro: Do you have the "GIMME" mentality? Israelites told Samuel- Give us a king, that is Worldliness isn't it? Ahab told Naboth "give me your vineyard"- What is that? "Keeping up with Johns"- well you tell me! We live in a world consumed by selfishness- abortion, euthanasia, fornication, adultery, murder, theft, robbery etc. are proof to that. Commercials on TV promotes "GIMME" mentality- prettier skin, sexier body, attention of the world- lists goes on. But you and I know that seeking self makes us miserable and seeking others makes us happy- am I right? Seeking God makes us faithful. Tada! Hey hey We can have one GIMME. The woman at the well said "Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw". WHAT IS YOUR GIMME, PARTNER? I CAN'T HEAR YOU, SAY IT AGAIN!!!