USE WHAT YOU HAVE!

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them". Romans 12:6. My friend STOP telling me you have no talents and you don't know how to serve in His kingdom. God gives each one of us a "gift", "calling", or "ability" to fulfill a purpose that serves Him, His church, mankind, and us as individuals. The best way to discover your own "gift" is to ask yourselves, "what gives you joy and excites you?". Whatever talent or gift dominates your thoughts and stimulates your energy to pursue is a good indication of what your "gift" is. By the way, don't copycat other people instead of being who He made you to be. Bro: Have you ever seen a cow or a horse stretching its neck through the fence to eat the grass on the other side when there is a huge green pasture inside the fence under its feet? Yearning for someone else is like that. GOD CAN USE WHAT YOU HAVE BUDDY. You don't believe that? Well, ) Look at Moses: Moses had was nothing until he used it for God. Was Moses' rod a lucky charm? NO. But God was able to use what Moses had to reveal His power. 2) Boy and his lunch: Boy had nothing until he gave to Jesus. Samson: What Samson had was nothing until he used it- Donkey's jaw bone turned into a powerful weapon. If God made you teacher- be a teacher. Study diligently and do your best. If he has given you gift of mercy, serve cheerfully and don't expect others to do what you do. Accept your spiritual gifts. Cultivate your capabilities. Stop comparing and enjoy being you. My ethnic friends, you don't have to have a "Pastor or Rev. in front of your name either to serve and use your talent. Y'ALL HEAR ME...YEAH..YEAH good.

AGAPE LOVE OF GOD FOR YOU!!

"And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. GOD IS LOVE...1 John 4:16. (Ampv). My friend this Sunday morning do you know the God whom you are worshiping? Only three things in the Bible are said to be the nature of God. It says, GOD IS LIGHT. GOD IS SPIRIT. AND GOD IS LOVE. He's not just loving. HE IS LOVE! Those saturated in God's love don't sell out to win the love of others. We fear rejection, so we follow the crowd. We fear not fitting in, so we take the drugs. For fear of standing out, we wear what everyone else wears. Hey, hey, do you think we need to? If we cuss less, pray more, drink less, study more...if I try harder, perhaps God will love me more? NO! OF COURSE, WE ALL NEED IMPROVEMENT AND LIVE A HOLY LIFE NOT CONFORMING TO THE WORLD, BUT WE DON'T NEED TO WOO GOD'S LOVE. I heard a story of a little boy whose sister needed a transfusion. The boy had recovered from same disease in the past and was perfect rare blood match and he was the ideal donor. The doctors asked him if he would give his blood to his sister. He hesitated and looked scary for a moment. Then He smiled and said "Sure for my sister I'd do that". When the transfusion was nearly over, he asked the Doctor "Doctor, when Do I die"? He thought by giving blood he would die. Then again, he loved her so much he would do it anyway. Isn't that what God did on the cross for us. God's love doesn't expect any return from us. AGAPE LOVE!!! How much does Jesus love you? HE SAID, "THIS MUCH" AND HE STRETCHED OUT HIS ARMS AND HE DIED. For YOU AND ME....Let's worship Him this morning, not lip service, but from the heart..OK.

TYPHOONS OF LIFE!!

"But soon afterward a violent wind [of the character of a Typhoon] called Northeaster, came bursting ..and when ship was caught and was unable to head against the wind, we gave up..letting her drift ...". Acts 27:14-15. Humm.."Facing the storm that come against your home"! Storms- they come to us all, they come suddenly and unexpectedly, come from different and often unsuspecting directions, isn't it? If you are a college student or a CEO, widow or widower, Newly wed or 50 years into marriage, one room apartment or living in a mansion, house on a 3 cent land or a 1000 acre Ranch, riding a cycle or driving a Mercedes, physically small or Mr. universe, weak and dull looking like Leah or beautiful and attractive like Rachel, unexpected storm will come. Not if but when, do you know that? My friend what do you do? Well, I am glad you asked! In Chapter 27 of Acts we get some ideas how to handle the storm. 1) Accept the wind as a part of the Lord's plan. 2) Throwout everything except those things that are precious. 3) Get alone with God. 4) Recognize your Lord's presence in all circumstances. 5) Remember and be assured of God's promises to you. Bro: YOU WILL NOT PERISH UNTIL GOD FULFILLS HIS PROMISES TO YOU. Stop blaming your spouse, children, parents, pastors, churches, your job situation, and whatever you can put blame on. God is giving you timeout man- SELAH MOMENT. You thought you and your ability, qualifications, experience, education for your success, right? GOD WILL NOT GIVE HIS GLORY TO ANYONE. PERIOD! Am I still your friend??

YOU CAN BREAK THE MOLD MAN!!

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad: for a tree is known by its fruit". Matthew 12:33. My friend, what Jesus is saying here? Jesus is saying as a tree you are in control of your fruit. You can produce the kind of fruit you want to produce, either good or bad. Until now your fruits has been bad, today you can make a decision to change it for good. Stop thinking you are a victim rather a victor in Christ Jesus. You are not stuck and is not under the control of some mysterious force that is holding you back. YOU CAN BREAK OUT AND BRING FORTH WHATEVER KIND OF LIFE YOU WANT BROTHER. Paul wrote " But He [God] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul was so confident in God's faithfulness and love, in His promises, that he was willing to go forward. Do not be afraid to venture into the unknown with a new vision. A clear vision and a set of operating values is really just a picture of what things would look like if everything was running as planned and the vision was being fulfilled in your life. Olympic athletes visualize themselves breaking a world record or pitchers dream about a perfect game or soccer player scoring a hattric. They know that power comes from having a clear mental picture of their best performance potential. My friend, understand these things: a) God has a future and a hope for you. b) Without a vision you will perish. c) Your vision is your future. d) It is up to you to change any negative vision. Now get up- On your mark, get set.....Goooooooo.

GROW MAN GROW!!

"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,....desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may GROW by:". 1 Peter 2:1-2. My friend, do you know that "when God measures a man, He puts the tape around the heart instead of the head? There are a number of things which keep us in the barnyard of infant Christianity, when God's highest purpose for us is to grow to flying maturity. It's important to grow and grow up. Most of us are concerned about growing up, aren't we? I heard a story about a young mother who is a medical doctor was taking her four year old daughter to preschool in their car. She left her stethoscope on the seat where her daughter can reach it. She noticed her child was quite interested in the stethoscope and was playing with it. Mother thought "could it be that my daughter will grow up to follow my footsteps"? Just then her thoughts were interrupted as her daughter spoke into the stethoscope and said "Welcome to McDonalds, may I take your order please". Well, I wonder whether our God is disappointed at us like this! TADA. Putting aside denotes the image of taking off a garment in order to put another on. Lay aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking! My friend this may help you which helped me in my spiritual life. Let's look at the word GROWTH in this acrostic: G- Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7). R- Read God's Word daily (Acts 17:11). O- Obey God moment by moment (John 14:1). W- Witness for Christ by your life and your words (Matthew 4:19). T- Trust God for every details of your life (1 Peter 5:7). H- Holy Spirit- Allow God to control and empower your daily life (Galatians: 16-17, Acts 1:8). Well, try this next 90 days, if it doesn't work, I need to prescribe you strong medicine to change your heart; that is "How to be born again"! You get it?

YOU ARE UNIQUE!!!

"...for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works..". Psalms 139:14. My friend, God never makes Junks! I know the devil is playing a trick on you now a days. "Good for nothing", "I am a total failure", "Nothing good will happen to me ever"- Is he whispering this to you daily? You are unique. There is nobody else in the world like you. There never will be. Do you know that? When God made you He broke the mold. You won't find two people in the whole world who have same footprint or fingerprint or voice print. Why did God make you different from every person who's ever lived. Because He wants you to know how special you are, how much you matter to God. It is destructive to compare with others. Why? Because we are all unique creatures of God with our own personality, strengths and weaknesses. It is extremely healthy to emulate positive characteristics that others may possess and it is actually Godly to learn from others and listen to them. Family members may share some of your personality traits or habits but they are still not you honey! Isn't that so beautiful thing! Just like every snow flake is unique so are we. Do you know that every single baby is a brand-new idea from the mind of God. No one can duplicate your life, scan history of your replica; you won't find it. No box of "backup yous" sit in God's workshop. You are not one of many bricks in Mason pile or the bolt in mechanics tool box. YOU ARE IT! And if you aren't you, we don't get you. THE WORLD MISSES YOU. The Bible clearly says that you are purposefully, personally and orderly planned and designed by God. His loving hand made you exactly the way you are. You are you because God wanted you to be. Your uniqueness is what God wants you to offer to the world child of God. Now get up and rise like an eagle and fly. Sing friend sing: "I am a friend of God /// He made me His friend".

MATURITY!!

"I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts". Psalms 119:100. My friend, people automatically assume that the gray-headed senior citizen is mature and the energetic adolescent is immature. In the Christian life, there is no such thing as quickie quality or microwave maturity. God is not in a hurry and He does not rush the development of our Christian life. Maturation is described as "the emergence of personal and behavior characteristics through growth process". The Psalmist indicates (119:100) that a youth is able to have a greater degree of understanding than the elders by meditating on the Word of God and following its instruction. This is why in some ethnic churches while the adults are fighting, arguing, and drumming up for positions, the young people walks away shaking their head saying "When this people will grow up"? A mature person is too big to act little- a child acts little because he is immature. A mature person doesn't enjoy feeling that he has been mistreated. A child does. A mature person doesn't have to have his way about everything. But a child says- " If you don't play my way, I'll pick up my toys and go home or to the other neighbors house" (or leave the church). A mature person doesn't have to head the list and be first in every thing. But a child that doesn't get to be first will often pout. A mature person is flexible and adaptable. But a child finds it difficult to change his plans. Well, did I describe you? The best place to find help in maturing is the Bible. It talks about growing. It makes responsible people and gives them a whole new concept of living. GROW UP MAN GROW UP, DID YOU HEAR?

IF I PERISH, I PERISH!

"..and will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and IF I PERISH, I PERISH". Esther 4:16b. My friend, are you in a "ROCK AND HARD PLACE situation? Doesn't know what to do? Hit a brick wall? I've been there and felt it!! At that time, the Holy Spirit reminded me this phrase I learned in my Sunday School years! The decree of the king went forth and the result was same- mourning, weeping, and fasting. One particular day all Jews will die. Interestingly, initially Queen Esther didn't know how bad the problem was. We see at the start of the chapter Mordecai (type of Holy Spirit) grieved. He wore sack cloths and ashes for Haman (the fleshly nature) was controlling and influencing the decrees in the kingdom for his own wicked schemes. When Haman controls the kingdom the result is hatred, jealousy, and death. When Esther won't act to carry out Mordecai's instruction then his ability to help in this situation is quenched. Don't quench the Holy Spirit! Esther finally took a huge step of faith but one she is resolved to do. She said "IF I PERISH, I PERISH" against all odds. THE DECISION OF A LIFE TIME! Perhaps this wasn't a spiritual decision so much as a sorting out her option. She was going to die in eleven months anyway. Her words came down to me in a powerful way in my situation. I realized that "If we cooperate with God Almighty and that we be available to Him, He can use us wherever He has placed us in any situation we face in His SOVEREIGN POWER- HE WILL COME THROUGH. In Esther's situations and our situations whatever may be: 1) God's sovereignty explains what we alone cannot fathoms. 2) God's sovereignty encircles even those who don't know Him. 3) God's sovereignty encourages us in difficult situations 4) God's sovereignty exempts no one from personal decisions. Bro: if you want to get out of your Jam (rock and hard place situation), MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS LISTENING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT! Y'ALL HEAR ME!!

YOKE IS EASY AND BURDEN IS LIGHT!

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light". Matthew 11:30. After many years of ministry, dealing with people and my experiences, I often asked the Lord- Really Lord, the YOKE is easy and the BURDEN is light? Oh right?? MY LORD gently spoke to me, can I share? I realized the Christian life is never effortless. We were never promised a painless or perfect or a free ride life. He told us the burden would be light. I am running as fast I can, only to stay in the same place. THE TREAD MILL SYNDROME! Anything we do on our own, by ourselves, is bound to be more difficult than if we rely on the energy of God. His strength is boundless, resources are limitless, and it is available to us for asking. When we are filled with Holy Spirit and allow the the Spirit to be the one in control, and the effort is fueled by the Almighty, I found that "MAN, I AM ON CRUISE CONTROL. In Exodus Moses felt that he was trapped, with the full weight of Israel on his shoulders alone, and he harbored and expressed the thought of dying. I've been there and done it. NO, OH YOU PIOUS ALL TOGETHER YOU! What we should do when things and people are overwhelming? Moses asked for help from God. My friend, contrary to my thinking Lord told me to develop "do good mentality". When people are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good any way. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed any way. Honest and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank any way. The good you do today will be gone tomorrow- Ha you tell me that- Do good anyway. The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with smallest mind. Hey Hey THINK BIG ANYWAY! We are just like Moses, he could not see beyond his own problems, the confines of the desert, and another day of existence. He saw only earthly misery until he looked up and God rained heavenly plan and food on him. Does this help you my friend this Sunday morning? Yes, yes, HE IS LORD // HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD AND HE IS LORD

Happy Valentine's day!!

"That ye love one another, as I have loved you". John 15:12. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! I hope none of you husbands or boyfriends forgot about it. A pastor friend of mine said, " I asked my wife what she wanted for valentine's day. She said, "NOTHING". I guess I will find out later today if she was telling the truth". George Bernard Shaw summed up these words " When two people are under the influence of most violent, most insane, most delusive and most transient of passions, they are required, in the presence of a preacher and a congregation, to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal and exhausting condition continuously until death do them part". Oh well!! When we study we realize there are 1300 different interpretations of the meaning of love by poets, philosophers, and authors. No wonder the world is confused. But the concept of love was changed by Christ. By dieing on the cross He revealed a love that flows from God, who is love. He offered a love for which we are completely unworthy. He turned the tables on love, showering unworthy and unloving people with pure, unending love. Limiting mutual love with a Bouquet of flower, Box of Chocolate, Chocolate covered Strawberries, a diamond jewelry, or a Dinner is not what really is all about. Go ahead and enjoy it. Don't fight if somebody forgets either. The question is how you develop and nurture a love worth giving on Valentine's and EVERY DAY! Tada. The answer is found in John's Gospel 15:9-17. 1) Receive His love: Receiving the love of Jesus and living in His love everyday, is the first and most essential step in having a love worth giving (Valentine love). 2) Reciprocate His love: It is one thing to say, "Jesus loves me". It's whole other thing to say, "I love Jesus". Can you say that? Is your love for Him reflected in how you live your life and love towards your love of your life? 3) Recycle your love: Jesus said, :My command is this: "Love each other as I have loved you". This commandment knocks the walls of any definition that would limit the scope and intensity of love. Have a happy valentine's day and everyday,

TRANSITIONS! TRANSITIONS!

"Moses my servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan...unto the land Which I do give to them..Joshua 1:2. A good friend of mine is now in a transition stage in the ministry. As I was praying for this wonderful family, good Lord brought me in to this portion. Well, if we are honest with ourselves, many transitions in life are painful and fearful. Many faces of transitions are there like: The Mid-life Crisis, The empty Nest Syndrome, New job, New Boss, New House, resigning from pastorate and going as missionary, New Child, getting out of abusive relationships, and death. But some transitions are exciting, like:Graduations, getting married, and retirements. In the Old Testament, we see some awesome transitions like: From Elijah to Elisha, From Saul to David, From David to Solomon, and From Moses to Joshua. In the story of Moses to Joshua, we see how God prepared Joshua for the transition. Joshua was told to REVIEW what happened in the past. In Joshua Chapter 1, we see: Verse 3: "As I said unto Moses", Verse 5: "As I was with Moses, I will be with you". In another words, God was saying to him "You've been a first-hand witness to what I have done to Moses and you saw what I can do. My friend, most of us are in the threshold of transition in our life, REMEMBER HOW GOD HAS HELPED US IN THE PAST. I know there has been some experiences of heartache, hurt, tragedies and uncertainties. Remember we too have been at the red sea, enemy has been right on our heels, the walls were right in front of us, and we see only giants and mountains, even MANNA stopped. Right? I have a message for you Bro: "WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU IN THE PAST, HE WILL DO IT AGAIN"! No need to fear Buddy, GOD who has helped us in the past, He will help us in the future. PERIOD!!!

ARE YOU A GOSSIPER OR GOSSIPEE?

"And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not". 1 Timothy 5:13. Hello, good morning, "have you heard? Don't tell I told you," BUT'..I wreck churches, and separate Christians, make innocent people and pastors cry on their pillows, I spawn suspicion and generate grief. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing, I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cruel and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. I 'm nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it's never the same. I topple governments and ruin marriages. I destroy carriers and cause heartache and sleepless nights. Who am I you may ask? I am GOSSIP. Now a days I love to talk on cell phones and like to send emails. Years ago I was teaching in a Sunday School of intelligent teenagers. I asked them to define gossip. One said, "It's quietly going after a person behind his or her back". Another one said, "It's an effort to build one up by lowering another". A third replied, "it's a secretive pastime for some that others have to pay for". Fourth one said, " It's telling something bad on another that usually begins with, 'They say'. Smart kids, aren't they! There are two classes of people in the world: GOSSIPERS and GOSSIPEES. Hey hey, which one are you? The talebearers are large in numbers but short on respectability. Remember "If they gossip to you, they will gossip about you too". STOP IT!! Did you hear me, STOP IT, I MEAN STOP IT!!!!

ARE YOU LIKE WHITEWASHED TOMBS?

"For ye are like unto whited Sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness". Matthews: 23:27. Yes, yes, if we are not careful we can cover up what's there..wear a Christian tee shirt, carry our Bible, smile like everything great, and talk a good game about our walk with the Lord. But deep inside the ugly old us with its old habits are..waiting to be revealed the moment life gets messy..We can become a modern-day Pharisee who focuses on the white wash..and ignores the dirty stuffs underneath. In Matthew 23, we see Jesus hated the way the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees preached but did not practice. They performed "all their deeds to be seen by others", they delighted to have their spiritual eminence recognized and rewarded, they practiced legalism while allowing loopholes that rationalized cherished sin, they did everything appear righteous while doing nothing to be righteous, and they made a show of the Bible while doing virtually nothing to obey it. Sadly "it sounds like my church"! Isn't it? Then again if we are honest, we would lament "It sounds like my heart". We are living in an appearance-driven society focusing on looks and out ward portrayal instead of our spiritual condition. How can we stop it? Follow Jesus' example. 1) He specialized in ministering to the broken, the forgotten, the lost and lonely. 2) Never forget that while you are a Christian, you will struggle in certain area. 3) Ask God to reveal behavior patterns that are appearance oriented instead of heart-oriented. 4) Surround yourself with transparent people who lift you when you fall and encourage you to be real. I KNOW THIS IS HARD TO SWALLOW BUT GOD WANTS ME TO POST IT.