All posts filed under: Leadership

Doors: How to recognize them

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Crossroads Have you ever been at a Crossroad in life? We all have. In fact right now in our world, after the #parisattacks, nations are at crossroads. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! The French President told his fellow countrymen a few days ago, “We are at war!” And rightly so! Other nations are adjusting their approach to the growing threat of ISIS. And just a day or two ago, 20 or more governors have decided against bringing Syrian refugees into their state. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! In fact right now, Congress wants to halt the process of bringing Syrian refugees into the United States. This is not a debate about whether they are right or wrong; I’m just trying to point out – that life is sometimes filled with hard choices and difficult circumstances to navigate. The valley of decisions – You may be facing one today: Should I go back to school? Should I change careers? Should I confront that person in love or seek reconciliation? Who should I marry? Is he/she the right person? Where should …

He daily bears my burdens

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There is a phrase I love to use every moment I get the chance. It is not just a slogan or a catchy phrase for me – it’s a deeply theological truth that I believe with all my heart. ‘God is Good’ The bible says, “You are good and do good.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119:68‬ ‭ESV‬‬ I believe this with every bone within me. God is Good! It is from this vintage point that I try to convince people who struggle with pain and suffering in this life. Too often we blame God for our misfortune, and accuse him of cruel indifference. But scripture is clear: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ I am so glad that God suffers with me in my confusion of pain and suffering. I am so glad that God suffers with me in my struggle against sin. I am so glad that God suffers with me …

12 Common Practices of whole and healed people

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What does it mean to be whole and healed? To the best of my knowledge, I think the concept can be summarized in one word: “Full.” The Greek word for “full” – perissos, “has a mathematical meaning and generally denotes a surplus.” This is the kind of life God intended for us: A surplus of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. This “full life” is a cup overflowing, a good measure, pressed down, running over. Spurgeon called the “Full Life” – “a matter of degrees.” He said, “Some have life, but it flickers like a dying candle, and is indistinct as the fire in the smoking flax; others are full of life, and are bright and vehement.” Those who have it, know the secret to it. Allow me to share a few secrets: 1. Whole and healed people make it a common practice: To pursue purpose. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” ‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬. First and foremost the secret …

Prayer Covering for the traveling Minister

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So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭ESV I prayer for the traveling Evangelist, the Key Note Speaker, the Motivational Speaker, the christian business man! and the missionary on furlough. Every man and woman of God, either on a plane, driving the highway, resting at a hotel or a motel. For those on the frontlines advancing the kingdom, Lord I pray for a divine covering over their lives. If they are married, Lord keep their families safe. Father, I prayer for your favor and provision to rest upon their lives. Lord, destroy every plot and plan of the evil one over their live. Help each one of them to resist the devil, and fight every temptation. Draw each one of them to yourself. Help each one of them to be vigilant, prayerful, watchful. Bless the work of their hands and may your Kingdom come and your will be done in and through their lives – In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

10 Reasons we fail to come into our true Greatness

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Time Magazine got it wrong when they put T.D. Jakes’ picture on the cover of their September 17th 2001 magazine with the question – “Is this the next Billy Graham?” Our culture is always on the hunt for the next big thing. But that idea falls short of the glory of God. Why can’t both preachers be great in and of and by themselves? In this third part of their ‘America’s Best Series’, the magazine failed to rise above the age long temptation to define greatness in terms of position, power, prominence and possession. Even Jesus’ disciples stumbled over this same temptation when they “argued with one another about who was the greatest.” The desire to be better than or above everyone else is born in a sinful, broken and bankrupt place of an arrogant heart. A lot of people tend to think that this is an American problem. But this is not an American problem, it is a sin problem. Pride is a disease. And the gospel, in all its simplicity and power, is …

No shuffling or shilly-shallying

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Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive —only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”  (‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭22-25‬ MSG)

Are you a Visionary or a Dreamer?

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Imagine coming to the end of your life and you are presented with an unchecked list all the promptings, prophetic promises, divine direction, dreams and visions, things you wanted to do in your lifetime but failed to see any of them realized. How would you feel? Unfortunately, this is the legacy of many – wasted opportunities, wasted dreams, wasted potentials. There are two kinds of people, in this world – visionaries and dreamers. Which one are you? A very good friend of mine went home to be with the Lord a few months ago. After I heard about His untimely death, I felt the urge to record a short video of myself singing a song that my friend and most of our friends at one time sang together. The idea was to encourage his family and all our mutual friends. I really felt that it was the Lord impressing this vision upon me. But weeks went by, and still the song had not been recorded. When I finally thought about it, it dawned on me …

10 Reasons I would never forgive

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I hope to capture in a few phrases, the power of forgiveness, the absolute necessity of it and the reasons why forgiving others should be a lifestyle of the believer. If forgiving others were not a righteous requirement for receiving God’s forgiveness – I would never forgive others. If forgiveness others were not the soil in which I could grow in holiness and become a bit more like Jesus – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others were not the right attitude for maintaining my sanity (mental and emotional) – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others were not the springboard from which a life of momentum, zeal and endurance ensue – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others were not a testimony, a declaration and a demonstration to the world of how much I’ve been forgiven – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others didn’t have a positive effect on my physical health – I would never forgive others. If forgiving others didn’t allow God to bring justice and avenge …

Are you an Altar Junkie?

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In most churches there is a time for congregants to gather at the altar for a time of prayer. Usually in response to a message people will voluntarily come forward to receive a blessing, a touch from God or simply to consecrate themselves either for the first time as a new believer or for some a deeper walk with the Lord. An altar junkie would be a person who ceases every opportunity to spend time with the Lord at the altar. They are like the Sparrow who finds a home; the Swallow who builds a nest at the altar of the Lord and raises its young right there. Like those who dwell in His house ever singing his praise. They are like doorkeepers/gatekeepers in the house of the Lord. They understand that “better is one day at the altar than a thousand elsewhere.” Unfortunately, there is a misconception among many believers about spending time at the alter. In some places, altar time in is widely and only seen as a place for sinners to come …

7 Days without Prayer makes 1 weak

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Just a thought Fasting and praying is not for the faint hearted. It takes a tenacious person, one who is willing to go the distance, deeper, farther than necessary. That’s when you find God in all His glory. The edge of the desert Moses was taking care of the flock for his father-in-law Jethro, Midian’s priest. He led his flock out to the edge of the desert, and he came to God’s mountain called Horeb. The Lord’s messenger appeared to him in a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was in flames, but it didn’t burn up. Then Moses said to himself, Let me check out this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn’t burning up. When the Lord saw that he was coming to look, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” Moses said, “I’m here.” Then the Lord said, “Don’t come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground.” He continued, “I am the God …