Year: 2014

Reconciliation: Two Worlds Collide

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The last few months have been a moving apart of many nations, cities, and Peoples. From the Middle East, to Eastern Europe, Parts of Africa, to Ferguson, conflict, strife and dissension seem to be pulling people and communities further apart. There is no telling of how this falling apart, affects families, Churches and relationships. I am however hopeful, that just as a people fall apart, there will come a time of healing and reconciliation. This is the will of God; and Quite frankly, our world needs this desperately. There is an account in Genesis chapters 24-33 that tell the story of two brothers. It is a story of love and hate; friendship and hostility. It is a story of a falling out. 20 years of grudge and separation. It is a very strong desire to revenge, as well as arrogance and un-repentance. For the most part, it was 20 years of deception, mistrust, deceit, anger, bitterness and the misery of resisting God  Everything was great between them until one betrayed the other. As difficult and impossible as it …

Unstoppable

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There is so much power available for you in Christ than the enemy can withstand. It would be a travesty for you to go down without a fight. — Walter Bright (@WaltBright) September 10, 2014 The weeks gone by have been unbelievably dark and discouraging. There were times I felt like the sky was literally falling. It brought memories of me driving through the fog heavily resting over San Francisco. The days, however are becoming  a little less gloomy. I can almost see Jesus clearing the dark clouds, one giant sweep at a time. I can also hear Him say, “you’ve come too far to give up now.” Do you know how that makes me feel? I feel like the sky is the limit. I feel like I can do any thing. I feel unstoppable. In the words of Smokey Norful, I feel like: “There is nothing that I can’t do, as long I have you. I can sail on the clouds, make a mountain lay down. I can breathe in the deep blue sea. …

7 Wins for your Community

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Dear Church Family, It is good to come to you today through the love and grace of Jesus our Lord. Allow me to share a few words about what I believe God is doing and wants to do at TAG this fall. The Lord has shown me at least 5 Areas in wish He wants to prosper us this fall I am calling this the 5 Wins of Fall. The church that prays together wins The church that suffers together wins The Church the forgives one another wins The Church that serves together wins The Church that Dreams together wins The church the unites wins The Church loves God and His people believer and unbelievers wins. As your pastor, it is my duty to not only call the Church to action, but to lead the way, through example. So I want to Repent and ask your forgiveness in areas I have failed to show good example and leadership. I want to personally ask for your forgiveness if I have hurt or grieve you in any …

Places

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“It reaches to the highest mountain; it flows to the lowest valley – the  blood that gives me strength from to day it will never lose its power.” -Andrae Crouch Have you ever thought you were out of God’s reach? Have you ever felt like you are too far gone and God cannot reach you? Have you ever felt like you have drifted so far and there is no hope. Well, I am here to tell you today, that you are never beyond God’s reach. The blood of our Savior Jesus Christ reaches to the highest mountain and it flows to the lowest valley. He is able to save to the uttermost. Check this out: Psalms 139:8-12 NLT If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light …

Playing with fire

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But God came to Abimelek in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is another man’s wife. Genesis 20:3 Diabolical Disturbing Trend If this verse from Genesis chapter 20 does not put the fear of God in you, I don’t know what else would. There is something diabolically disturbing in desiring and wanting someone else’s spouse. Maybe it is the diabolical deception or the lustful pleasure, or the two joined that takes away any kind of common sense or the fear of God, to prevent one from committing such a selfish and wicked sin. We see it play out every day in the lives of the rich and famous, and the not so rich and famous. It’s portrayed in our favorite movies and TV Shows. Sadly, most of us have accepted it as a culture. And a lot of people don’t know, but by giving in to such sins, they expose themselves or give themselves over to death. …

Is Anything too hard for God

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Is anything too hard for God? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son. Genesis 18:14 Abraham and his wife, as we know, had no children for a long time. They had longed to have children, But Sarah was barren. In this chapter, they are old,  hopeless, a little bitter toward God. They had waited for a long time in prayer, but nothing yet had moved in their favor. Doubt and disappointment had set in! And instead of focusing on the greatness of God, they made their childless situation greater than God, by focusing on it. It is in this context that the question God asked Abraham is truly understood. “Is anything too hard for the Lord? The announcement of a somewhat miraculous conception for a woman in her old age was ridiculously laughable. So Sarah laughed. I think, a follow-up question would have put things – a little more in perspective for them: Is anything too hard for God? Haven’t you heard …

One Word Wednesday: Worship

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God is not impressed with a ‘song service.’ God is not pleased with lip service either. Singing lips but far away hearts. God is terribly appalled by worshipers who love worship more than they love the only one who is worthy. God does not want praises from mouths hearts of perversity and mouths of profanity. God hates platitudes and our Pharisaical Posturing  void of reverence and crazy love for Him. God is not interested in how you look when you worship but that praise looks good on you. The English language, in reality falls short to adequately describe what God really intended to teach when it comes to the word. For lack of a better word, the translators of our bible could not really find an accurate word to express the heart of God when John wrote the following in his gospel: But 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. John 4:23 …

7 Promises I can use right now

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When I was 5 years old my dad made a promise to me. A promise he was going to fulfill in 24 hours.  I was very passionate about soccer. I found myself skipping classes, at that early age, to go play soccer out in the fields. I guess, it was that rubber ball that we kicked around everyday that prompted ,my dad to get me a brand new and real soccer ball. I’ll never forget that morning when he whispered in my ear. That at the end of the day, I would have my own soccer ball. I was gripped with expectation. I couldn’t wait for him to come back home from work. I had it on my mind for the entire day. I always wanted one, but the likelihood of getting it that day, made my desire for it even more compelling. I waited for the car to turn into the drive way. And before he could get out of the car I was right there with arms outstretched. He didn’t fail me either. …

10 Mistakes Leaders Must Avoid At All Cost

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If you are a pastor, a husband, a business executive, a small group leader or a project manager – you are a leader. Whatever your title is – if you lead, it is imperative that you lead in the right spirit. We are all affected, one way or the other, by the culture we live in. And to make matters worse, we all have a fallen nature that affects our different leadership styles. But no matter what our culture dictates or what our fallen nature tries to impose on our leadership style, there is always a better way to lead. That way is the way is in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit and through the wisdom that comes from His word. Here is a list of pitfalls to avoid at all cost as a leader. They don’t only hinder your ability to lead well, they hinder your team, family or organization from functioning or performing at the highest levels. Jealous Spirit 1 Samuel 18:8-9 ESV And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased …