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7 steps to a better life

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Everyone is looking for a better life, but just how to get that life can prove a little elusive, especially if we go about seeking it the wrong way, or pursuing the wrong things. Let me propose 7 steps to a better life. The list is not exhaustive, but I am sure you’ll find these steps very useful:

1. Make curiosity your best friend

Curiosity is the desire to learn or know more about something or someone. Plutarch once said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” Curiosity is the very thing that fuels that fire and makes for a better life.

2. Put Christ at the center of everything you do

I know a man who ran after the pleasures of this world. But at the end of his life he realized that it was all vanity – a chasing after the wind. So remember God, fear Him and keep his command, in everything you do do it all the his glory.

3. Let simplicity be your cornerstone

Life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possessions. It really doesn’t matter what you drive or who you wear. I know people who don’t have much but live a far better life than those who do. Tune it down and seek simplicity over extravagance.

4. Learn contentment in the good times and the bad times

We say things like: “if I had that car, that pair of legs, that career, Mr./Mrs perfect”, than I will be happy or content. But if we wait for perfect conditions to be happy, we never will be. Instead we must Learn the secret of contentment in all situations.

5. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

If every person in or going into a relationship would respect this, there will be no need for heart aches and heart breaks. This simple but golden rule is the back bone for emotional, psychological and spiritually stability – an important ingredient for a better life.

6. Work hard but make time for play

It is said that “all work without play makes Jack a dumb boy.” Therefore it’s important to take time to enjoy life. Make the following statement a guiding principle: divert daily, withdraw weekly, abandon annually and discover a better life.

7. Invest in the next generation through mentorship

At every stage of your life you should have a mentor. But there must come a time in your life when you become a mentor. At some point you must step up and answer the call to impact others just like you’ve been by other.

A Playlist for Mother’s 75th Birthday

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My mother turns 75 years old today and her 7 children (five girls, two boys) and countless grand-children are all coming together to celebrate her life.

We are coming from all over the United States for this event. She has no clue this going down. I share the news here because she doesn’t read my blog so don’t go telling. 🙂

For our trip to the East Coast, my daughters decided to put together a playlist. My mother’s name is Mozel, so they named the playlist – Mozel 75 – sounds like a cheap motel, but this lady is a class act. 

So, here are the 10 songs we chose to help us celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman.. I especially dig “Mama”and “Seasons.”

image Ready or not – Britt Nicole Have your way – Deitrick Haddon I feel so Alive – Capital Kings #LITO – Press Play Mama – Jaeson Ma Papa San – Get Right Seasons – Benjiman Step up – Papa San Jamaica Praise Medley – NewWorldSon – Dangerous – Group 1 Crew. 

I can’t wait to see the surprise on her face. I also look forward to seeing all my siblings and their kids. We usually just sit around tell jokes and laugh.

I pray that these few days will be very special for my mom. Thanks to all of you and I covet your prayers.

10 more Bible Characters of great faith

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10 more Bible Characters of great faith

I wrote 10 Bible Characters of great faith on January 8, 2013, and it soon became the number one all-time post on my blog. Trust me, I didn’t plan that. I don’t know why, but it has been reblogged, downloaded, emailed, and shared on Facebook and Twitter more than any other post I have ever written, drawing incredible traffic and referrers from Google Search Engine.

I have also been slammed for choosing the characters I decided above other great heroes of faith. So, on this one year anniversary of the most popular post on my blog, one year non-stop, I would like to propose “10 More Bible Characters of great faith.” A cloud of witnesses I would love to hang out with any day any time.

Here is #1 of 10 More
Enoch walked with God
Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
I’ve always been mystified by this guy. But from Genesis through Revelation, from the garden to the city, we see glimpses of how Enoch walked with God. He walked by faith, he walked in the light, he walked in agreement with The Lord. He also walked consistently, sincerely in obedience, union, and fellowship with The Lord.

#2 of 10 More
Moses was a man of great humility. His humility caused God to take notice of him. When others attacked him, he didn’t try to justify himself, he stepped back and allow God to speak for him. When a load of leadership was too heavy, Moses took the guidance of his father-in-law. When God would have nothing to do with a stiff-neck people and threaten to destroy them for their evil ways, Moses offered his own life as he interceded for Israel.
Numbers 12:3
Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.

#3 of 10 More
Abraham did nothing, yet got everything. He did not work for what he got. Abraham received it by faith. The bible says he believed God. The world is yet to see what God can do to and through a man who would trust. He trusted God for a son even at 100 years old. He believed for a lamb when tested to sacrifice his own son. He embraced the promises though he did not see them clearly
Romans 4:3
Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.

# 4 of 10 More
Elisha was a bald-headed miracle worker. You name it – he did it through the power of God. The healing of the waters at Jericho, God used him. The filling of the poor widow’s vessels with oil, God used him. The reviving of the Shunammite woman’s son, God used him. The feeding of a multitude on an insufficient quantity of food, God used him. The healing of Naaman, the Syrian captain, of leprosy, God used him. The raising of the iron ax which had fallen into the water, God used him. Even after his death, the very touch of his bones revived a man buried by accident in his sepulcher. It would have been a delight to hang with this guy.

#5 of 10 More
Abigail was not only stunning and drop dead gorgeous, but she also had the brains to back it. She was a woman married to a fool, a woman of uncommon wisdom. The one, who with character and strength builds up her house and doesn’t tear it down with her own hands.
1 Samuel 25:32
And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me!

#6 of 10 More
Samuel was a drama free scandal free prophet. A man of great integrity. A holy man of God. A man who refused to compromise. A man who said, “obedience is better than sacrifice.” A man who even thought it sinful to stop praying for the people God called him to serve.
1 Samuel 12:23
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

#7 of 10 More
Ezra was a scribe who knew how to attract the favor of The Lord upon everything he did. He made it his duty to study the word of God – not just read it. Ezra also spent much time in fasting and praying over the word. For these reasons everything, he touched literally turned to gold. The hand of God was upon him, and he succeeded in everything he did.
Ezra 7:9, 10; 8:23
For the good hand of his, God was on him… For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

#8 of 10 More
John the Baptist
John the Baptist seemed to have it all together. Jesus called him the greatest man who ever lived. I can still hear his words, “I must decrease – He must increase,” ring in my heart. It was a powerful testament to his humility. But the thing that speaks more to me about John is the fact that he was human, frail, and doubtful – just like me. Even though he had a miraculous birth, saw the Holy Spirit come down upon Jesus, and heard the voice of God from heaven – in his moment of weakness, behind bars questioned what he knew was true.
Luke 7:19
Calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

#9 of 10 More
Timothy was a young man with a tremendous gift and calling. The only thing that was slowing him down was himself. He was extremely timid and shy. Especially leading a congregation of older men and women. To succeed, he had to dig down deeper. He had to tap into something much more powerful. He had to fan into flames the gifts and calling of God on his life.
1 Tim 1:6, 7
For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

#10 of 10 More
Onesimus was a man who at one time in his life was a screwup. One day he decided to change that with one step of faith. His life went from useless to useful.
Philemon 1:11
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

Fulfill your Ministry

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And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’  Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”  Then I said, “How long, O Lord?” And he said: “Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is a desolate waste,

 Isaiah 6:8-11

It is a great feeling to receive the call of God to any given work or mission. The idea of hearing from God and knowing that He hand-picked for a purpose is very special. But it is extremely difficult to get up and fulfill that ministry everyday. Sooner or later, you will discover that the call is not a feeling but a commitment. This was the task of Isaiah the prophet. Even though his ministry was rejected, his task was to get up every morning and do it anyway.

It’s usually very easy to get up everyday and do what God called you to when there is great response, but it is very difficult when you’re booed and marginalized. There is a pastor somewhere today who is laboring under a cloud of un-fruitfulness. A pastor’s wife who just can’t bear the thought of showing up on Sunday morning because of the isolation and judgment that sometimes come from the fact that she is the pastor’s wife. There is a group of volunteers in a church somewhere in the world who continue to labor tirelessly to the point of exhaustion, but still feel like all there efforts are but a drop of water in a bucket. They often wonder if it’s worth it to get up every day and do what they do.

I Say Yes!

The lives of countless millions hang in the balance – what are you going to do about it? There is someone out there who needs a cup of water, a visit to the ER, the prison. There is someone out there who needs a shirt on their back, a pair of flip flap on their feet- what are you going to do about it? People need The Lord. There are broken, battered, abused and confused people out in your neighborhood, people who desperately need The Lord. What are you doing about it? Speaking to Tim, Paul said,

Fulfill Your Ministry

“As for you, Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Tim. 4:5

Paul said to Tim –  “as for you” – Tim – there is a call on your life. I understand that there is a lot of indifference, apathy, rejection, rebellion, and sin all around you. I understand that the going gets tough sometimes – but “as for you” – Tim

preach the word

be ready in season and out of season

be sober-minded

endure suffering

do the work of the evangelist

fulfill your ministry

Tune into the frequency where you can hear his voice. Step out by faith and find your voice and the way to express it. God sees you, and everything you do for the kingdom is never in vain. “As for you” – fulfill your ministry, whether it’s a call in the market place, as en executive – fulfill your ministry. as a writer, a musician, a politician or a pastor – fulfill your ministry.

Just Do It

Who do you lean on for Counsel?

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Who do you first turn to for advice? The operating word is “First.” Who do you heavily lean on for support and counsel when all hell breaks loose in your life? There are three ways people err when it comes to getting help during the most difficult times of there lives:

1. They lean to heavily on their own understanding. These guys have it all figure out. They do not acknowledge God or others in all their ways – especially in difficult times. It’s not that they are too proud to go to God or seek advice – they simply believe in their own ability to handle every situation that comes their way.

2. They lean too heavily on mentors. These guys don’t necessarily think about it. They have a problem and they must speak to someone to fix the problem. They are wired in such a way that picking up the phone to confide in someone is a natural instinct.

3. They lean solely on Jesus. These guys strongly believe only Jesus can help them – and they are right. The only problem here is – Jesus told them to not only seek the will of God in everything, and in all their ways to acknowledge Him, he also told them to seek safety in the multitude of counselors and prayers from the elders.

Lean toward the Perfect Middle

What we need is the perfect middle. A strategy that will help us draw strength, power and wisdom from Jesus, the mentors he put in our lives, and the wisdom we’ve learned from past experiences. Here they are:

1. Seek Him First. Talk to Jesus first and don’t stop talking to him until you get the break through you need. Lean heavily on him.

2. Find safety in the multitude of counselors. Talk to mentors, trusted friends and confidants while you continue talking to Jesus. Heavily lean on him, but seek advice.

3. Apply the wisdom you’ve gained from past experiences. Especially if you’ve learned from them. But, don’t stop there, take steps #1 and 2 into serious consideration. Do not lean on you own understand – lean on Him.

Bible App for kids

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YouVersion and OneHope released a free Bible App for kids last year, and it would be a great resource to get your kids into the word of God this year. iOS and Android users can get the app on their devices.

image

Download the Bible App for Kids
Checkout the behind the scenes making of the app
Start a Bible reading plan for you and your family

The bible commands us to “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” What an incredible promise!

If we would do the hard work of educating our children in the ways of God, we can rest assured that God will do the rest. Isaiah 54:13 says, “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

I pray that you would take these promises to heart and begin your year by investing everything you got in your kids.

So long Selfie…

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The word “Selfie” first popped up in an Australian chat room on September 13, 2002, to describe an undignified scene.  For years after its birth, “selfie” crept through the web largely unnoticed. But in 2012, the word of the year began its ascent to digital fame. By August 2013, Oxford proclaimed it a real English-language word and gave it a place in the dictionary — but that was merely a stepping stone to lingual infamy. “Selfie” beat out seven competitors, including “twerk,” “schmeat” (synthetically produced meat) and “bitcoin” for the Word of the Year crown.

What is the meaning of “Selfie?” Selfie is:

“A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smart phone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.”

I often thought it was something that kids did until I saw Presidents and Heads of state do it at a funeral. Sorry, I did not mean to sound too self-righteous. I have taken selfies of myself – innocent snapshots hanging with my family, celebrating and creating digital memories to enjoy when I am old. Comically, I have also taken snapshots of my food. Don’t ask me why!

But sometimes, sometimes, my selfies are just for show. Sometimes, they are just to show off what I’m doing, who I’m with or where I am – and that is the problem. That is where I need discernment. That’s where I need to keep my heart in check. Am I being narcissistic? Do I crave constant attention and admiration from others? Am I self-absorbed and have a sense of entitlement and grandiosity?

It doesn’t matter if I am shaking hands with the Pope or the President, how I  intend use my selfie matters. It doesn’t matter if I am dinning with the King of Swaziland or having a humble dinner at my local Burger King, how I intend of my selfie matters. It doesn’t matter how expensive, fancy or trendy the clothes I’m wearing are, it matters I am wearing something suitable for a selfie. Am I simply trying to tell a story, make others smile, or am I just too self-absorbed?

As a pastor, it is crucial for me to motivate my congregation to dream big and expect great or greater things from God in the New Year. However, the temptation at this time of the year to hand out what I might call, “prophetic selfies” – for a lack of better words, is real. You know, the ones that sound like:

  • “this year is your year of financial increase
  • “this year is your year of significant achievement
  • “this year is your year of promotion, advancement and break-through
  • “this year is your year of victorious, self-actualization and wonderfulness

I am longing to hear “So long self.” Welcome Servant-hood

How about 2014 – a year of service to God and Humanity? A year to make his name famous. A year of a little less of me and more of him. A year where “others” are first. A year where I think of myself less and not think less of myself. A year where humility beats pride. A year where selflessness trumps selfishness. A year where it’s not about me but about him. A year to bring him glory. A year “He must increase and I decrease.” A year we can say, “you know, I’ve had fun with this “selfie” thing, but I have to move on – farewell, goodbye – so long self (ie).”

Happy Selfless New Year Everyone!

Can you feel it? It’s in the Air tonight

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O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees

O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!

[Choir:]
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.

And in His name, all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord!
Their name forever praise we

Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy night

Glimpses into Enoch’s Walk with God

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Enoch walked with God; and he was not: for God took him.
Genesis 5:24

I have always wondered what a walk with God entails, at least Enoch’s walk. What did it look like and what made it that attractive to God. Well, the scripture gives us glimpses into Enoch’s walk. Let me share a few:

  • Enoch walked by faith – Hebrews 11:5
  • Enoch walked in the light – 1 John 1:5-7
  • Enoch walked in agreement with God – Amos 3:3
  • Enoch walked consistently with The Lord – Genesis 5:22
  • Enough walked sincerely with The Lord – Genesis 17:1
  • Enoch walked in obedience to God – Deuteronomy 13:4
  • Enoch walked in union with God – Colossians 2:6
  • Enoch walked in fellowship with God – 1 John 1:3

God designed us to walk with him. It is his purpose and plan for us. Oneness and, completely union with him in his life, death and resurrection is our destiny. Enoch’s life is just an example of this great plan.

One day, just like Enoch, we will experience what this phrase means “and he was no more because God took him.” For now, our call is to walk with him just like Enoch did.

Christmas Confessions

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Christmas Confessions

One of the things I love about Christmas, whether others like it – celebrate it or not, is that, it presents us with a fresh opportunity to revisit the most important aspect of God’s relationship with man and his intension to reconcile man unto himself. It is not the only theme surrounding the holiday, but I will argue that it is the most important.

This is the Glad Tidings of Christmas – God became man to reconcile man to himself.

It is therefore important for us to meditate upon it, teach about it, talk about, sing about it and believe it, because it changes every about Christmas and helps us celebrate with a deeper meaning and purpose in mind.

At Christmas:

We confess that God did fulfill the promise which he made to the our fathers by the mouth of his holy prophets (Isa 11:1; Luke 1:55; Gen 26:4; 2 Sam 7:12; Ps 132:11; Acts 13:23) when he sent into the world, at the time appointed by him (Gal 4:4), his only-begotten and eternal Son.

We confess that he took upon himself the form of a servant, and became like unto men (1 Tim 2:5; 3:16; Phil 2:7)

We confess that he took upon himself the true human nature, with all its infirmities, except sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 2:14–15; 4:15; 7:26;1 Pet 2:22)

We confess that he was conceived in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Ghost, without the means of man (Matt 1:18, 20; Luke 1:31, 34–35)

We confess that he did not only assume human nature as to the body, but also a true human soul (Matt 26:38; John 12:27) that he might be a real man.

At Christmas:

We confess that Christ is a partaker of the flesh and blood of the children (Hebrews 2:14)

We confess that he is the fruit of the loins of David after the flesh (Acts 2:30)

We confess that he was made of the seed of David according to the flesh (Ps 132:11; Rom 1:3)

We confess that he is the fruit of the womb of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:42)

We confess that he was made of a woman (Gal 4:4);

We confess that he is of the branch of David (Jeremiah 33:15; 2 Tim 2:8)

We confess that he is the shoot of the root of Jesse (Isa 11:1; Rom 15:12)

We confess that he sprung from the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14)

We confess that he descended from the Jews according to the flesh (Romans 9:5)

We confess that he is of the seed of Abraham ( Genesis 22:18; 2 Sam 7:12; Matt 1:1; Gal 3:16)

We confess that he became like unto his brethren in all things, except sin (Hebrews 2:15–17; 4:15)

We confess that in truth he is our Immanuel – God with us (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23).

Do not let Christmas come and go this year without embracing the power of that truth – Immanuel, God is with us!