Month: July 2013

Hear my cry oh Lord

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Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. I imagine that some reading this prayer today could be in all manner of places (the end of the earth) and in all manner of circumstances (when my heart is faint). But no matter where you are and no matter the circumstance there are three places you can always run to: His presence: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, The rock that is higher than I is an image of safety. The safest place to run is to God when you are overwhelmed and stressed – “he will hide you in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal you under the cover of his tent; he will lift you high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5 His presence: Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings The shelter of your wings is an image of protection. Deuteronomy 32:11 says, “he encircles you, he cares for you, he keeps you as …

Pastor, Gimme some sugar

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For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 There are five things I would like to point out in this passage of scripture that should make all of us concern: 1. The time is coming. When one reads this verse it almost sounds like Paul is warning Timothy about something that was going to happen in a distant future. But Paul is not referring merely to sometime in the distant future but to a situation he expected Timothy to face or one he was already facing. It is not in some distant future – it is happening now, maybe in your church. 2. People will not endure sound teaching If you ever thought that preaching was supposed to make you comfortable and happy; and not challenge and provoke you, well think again. All scripture is useful for Reproving, rebuking, and …

A man with God is always in the majority

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The courage to stand for God before a hostile and indifferent culture comes to those who continually trusts in Him to take care of them and govern over the affairs of man. Too often, because we fear the rejection and wrath of the world, we water down truth, cave in to the overwhelming pressure of seemingly powerful people. But we must never forget that “a man with God is always in the majority.” Even though you may feel small and insignificant, continue to stand with and for God. Don’t give up now: Fight the good fight of faith, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Behind every great man

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I have often heard it said, “behind every great man is not just a woman, but a godly woman.” Well, how about 5 godly women? When God was about ready to deliver His children at of captivity and bondage into freedom and the land of promise, he did not just raised up a man for the task. The first thing God did was to raise up and prepare five (5) extraordinary women of exceptional courage. Women who would help shape the destiny of a male child called Moses. We often hear about the greatness of Moses but not much about the great women God strategically placed and used to make him great. They are all around us, mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, aunts. One or more women who’s been a solid rock, confidante and inspiration. Sent them flowers today and don’t wait till they are dead. Meet the fab five: Shiphrah and Puah the midwives who feared God enough to stand against the king’s command. The mother of Moses and his courageous big sister. And of-course, the …

Divine Appointments

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El Roi – The God of Seeing I have studied Genesis chapter 16 many times but didn’t realize there was a deeper truth hiding in this verse 13. The angel of the Lord comes to Hagar and begins to speak some very comforting words to her. We understand that Hagar is in this place because she we kicked out of Sarah’s and Abraham’s home after bearing a child for the couple. After the angel appeared to her and began to talk with her; she mentions something very profound – but you will miss it if you don’t pause for a second or two to dig a little deeper.  She said,  “you are the God who sees.” Hagar is impressed by the perceptiveness of God as revealed through his angel-messenger. This is seen in the name she gives to the Lord; she calls him ’El Ro’i – meaning – God of seeing. For she is saying – here I have seen him who looks after me. Divine Appointments A similar thing happens again in the New Testament where Jesus comforts a non-Hebrew woman …

It is Illegal!

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In Alabama it’s illegal to drive a vehicle while you’re blindfolded. In Alaska it’s illegal to push a live moose out of a moving airplane. In Connecticut it’s illegal to walk across a street on your hands. In Indiana it’s illegal to bathe during the winter. In Vermont you must take at least one bath a week—on Saturday night. In Kentucky it’s illegal to transport ice cream in your pocket. In Massachusetts mourners at a wake may not eat more than three sandwiches. In the State of Grace it is illegal to gather your friends and throw a pity party

With the Word and the Spirit together, you grow up.

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Too much Word and not enough Spirit you puff up. Too much Spirit and not enough Word you blow up. With the Word and the Spirit together, you grow up. – Anonymous How you seek this kind of balance in ministry is what this post is about. Just before I went to seminary for a four and a half of preparation for ministry, the Lord impressed on my heart a verse from Luke chapter 4. I started meditating upon it, but didn’t get it until the end of my first semester. I went to church at least five different times during the week. I lived on campus, so I attended our school chapel time, midweek bible study, Friday nigh prayer meetings, than both Sunday morning and Sunday evening services. I had wonderful, Spirit filled professors,  great prayer meetings and church services, but my personal prayer time, bible reading and meditation and my personal evangelism gradually came to a standstill. My passion, my fire was going out little by little. I thought to myself, I’m in the right place, …

Benefits of Genuine Worship/ Part 4

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Worship increases spiritual strength and endurance in the life of the worshiper Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” I don’t know about you, but from time to time I find myself in that place of exhaustion. Sometimes I lack the courage and strength to make progress.  But through worship life begins to make sense again. Speaking to a group of weary and fainting believers, the Hebrews writer encouraged them to “lift your drooping hands and strengthen weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so …

Benefits of Genuine Worship/ Part 3

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Freedom Reigns I want to thank the Lord because every opportunity we get to meet with him and worship him is an opportunity for him to release into our lives all of His goodness. I pray that on this independence day, we can all tap into the freedom that comes from pure and genuine worship. Worship brings freedom to the life of the worshiper John 4:23 says, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” For genuine worship to happen it must be done in Spirit and Truth. In fact, it is safe to say that the only kind of worship that pleases God is one done in Spirit and Truth. God is actively seeking a certain kind of worshipper. Only those who worship in Spirit and Truth qualify. Everything else is worthless. There must be a reason God chose worship in Spirit and Truth as the keys to having a genuine worship …