Year: 2013

The Great Exchange: Burdens for Rest

Published by

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 The word labor here can be illustrated by the story of a man who has a great load laid upon him, which he must carry to a certain place: every step he takes reduces his strength, and renders his load the more oppressive. However, the load must be carried using his utmost exertions to reach the place where it is to be laid down. It is only logical for a kind person, seeing his distress, to offer him help to ease his load, that he may enjoy rest. This is exactly what Jesus offers. Back in the day, when training a new animal (such as an ox) to plow, farmers would often yoke it to an older, stronger, more experienced animal who would bear …

God’s in Charge, Not You – the less you speak, the better

Published by

Watch your step when you enter God’s house. Enter to learn. That’s far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice, Doing more harm than good. God’s in Charge, not you – the less you speak, the better Don’t shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don’t be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. Don’t even presume anything God’s in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better . Over work makes for restless sleep. Over talk shows you up as a fool. Over-asking is a little immature God is in charge, not you – the less you speak, the better When you tell God you’ll do something, do it—now. God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it. Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up. God is in charge, not you – the less you speak, the better Don’t let your mouth make a total sinner of you. When called to account, you won’t get by …

When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.

Published by

I am starting a five-part new teaching series this Sunday at church. And just for curiosity sake,  well, I should say, just to find some fun way to introduce the series, I decided to find out what people are saying about priorities on twitter using the #priorities. I don’t know if I will use these, but reading them just re-enforces the fact that many of us have misplaced priorities.  I am reminded of a powerful C. S. Lewis quote – When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased. Defining what the most important things are in life – through God’s word, is the single most important thing we can ever do. One, it helps us not only to focus on those things, but also pursue them as if our lives depended on them. Moses’ prayer is a great example of that kind of life – Psalm 90:12 – Lord teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Pray for me. That I will be able to communicate …

Infinite Redeemer

Published by

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him… Verse 23 Message By: Rev. E. W. Moore. There is a story told of Alexander the Great that, when the fancy took him, he would order a burning lamp to be set down without the walls of the city he was besieging. Then he would offer mercy to the besieged if they surrendered before the lamp went out. Was this the origin of the familiar lines— While the lamp holds out to burn The vilest sinner may return? I know not, but I know that a greater King than Alexander pledges His mercy to the last dying gleam of our life’s flickering flame.’ His Name is Jesus! Whom is Jesus Christ able to save? Probably we have all thought of this text as applying to the unconverted. That is true—it is most true; but it is …

Dude you need to Listen to your wife

Published by

I am sure you have heard or seen couples fight about the lack of quality time together. My wife’s idea about quality time is walking around the mall for hours or shopping until you drop. Well, yesterday after Church, we had lunch then we went to the mall. As we drove to the mall, I decided to convince my wife to go somewhere else with me. So I invoked a recent Article I read to convince her not to throw away our afternoon. In the article, the author shares some very practical tips to avoid the mall. Needless to say, I was unsuccessful. Few hours later, I am sitting near the women fitting room; directly in front of some very beautiful paintings. A young couple stood by, already with a cart full of paintings. Apparently, they were paintings wife liked. She seemed happy pushing the cart. Anyways, the guy wanted to buy two more paintings, but his wife didn’t like them. She told him that she didn’t like the paintings and didn’t want them anywhere in …

Name above every name

Published by

Three years after my native land (Liberia) was engulfed in a brutal civil war, I found myself in a foreign land trying to pick up the pieces of tragic loss. My father was dead, rebel soldiers were living in our home and the rest of the family lived in La Côte d’Ivoire among a people of strange tongue. Fortunately for me and my family, Jesus Christ had become not only a Savior but also a very close friend and we were enjoying a time of revival through the ministry of my spiritual father (Forrest Beiser) who was an American missionary to La Côte d’Ivoire. One evening as I walk home from church, I lived about a mile from church in the Riviera, residential area, I noticed a man walking toward me. The stench of liquor and rotten flesh went before him. I was kind of afraid at first, but when I realized he was limping I grew confident that I could him on if attacked. Just as he passed me by, he stopped and said …

Having a Bad Day? Check out what you need to do

Published by

Let me be a prophet of doom for a moment. If you’ve never had a bad day, brace yourself; it is coming soon. It is not a matter of if; it’s only a matter of when. We all have bad days, the Bishops do; the giants of faith do, the Apostles do; the Prophets do, Pastors do and most certainly – you will too. The question here is how do you handle those very bad days? This is important because the way you handle a bad day could make or break you. You need to change your attitude and make some spiritual and practical adjustments. Only than can you grow your faith and bring yourself out victoriously. Here are a few things to consider: Take it to the Lord in Prayer Go easy on yourself and don’t be nasty toward others Count your blessings Be grateful for things that are going great Give God some sacrifice of praise, you may not feel like it, but do it anyway Remember to lean on the promises of …

Saturday Morning Praise and Prayer

Published by

Welcome to Saturday Morning Worship and Prayer Psalm 80:3, 7, 19 Let your face shine, that we may be saved! I really urge you to take 4:00 minutes of your precious time this morning to worship and pray the words to this song. It will lift you, inspire you and draw you closer to the Lord. Make the words to this song your very words not only in praise to the Lord, but also a prayer. In the name of Jesus – I bless you this today May the Lord make His face shine upon you. Amen!

The Prayer of Impartation

Published by

The book of Numbers has a very short but powerful prayer that was used to bestow blessings upon the people of God. Moses and Aaron were commanded by God to bestow blessings upon His people, but they were to do it according to the formula detailed in the verses below. Unless the Lord gives me a different way to close my Sunday morning worship service, I always close with that prayer. I call it A Prayer of Impartation. It is important to note here that it was God himself who put the words in the mouth of the priest. What that means is that there should be room for the movement of God’s Spirit in that moment of impartation. You don’t necessarily have to read the verse word for word, but you will need to tap into the spirit of the words. Another thing worth mentioning is that they were to put the name of the Lord upon the people. Nothing else could bring about the blessing from the Lord. To be blessed by God is to …