All posts tagged: church

Living Life On Assignment

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A LIFE LIVED ON ASSIGNMENT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS THREAT TO THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS Our text is found in the book of Mark chapter 4:35ff “That same day, after it grew dark, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” Leaving the crowd behind, the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats sailed with them. Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious storm arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was nearly swamped. So they shook him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!” Fully awake, he rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Be still!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm.” Mark 4:35-37, 39 TPT Everything Jesus did while here on this earth He did on purpose and with intentionality. He live a life on Assignment. When Jesus said …

Day #1: I am created in the image of God

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What does it mean to be human? It means we are created in the image of God for the glorious reality of being in permanent fellowship with Him. Ravi Zacharias Genesis 1:27, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Welcome to day number 1 and thanks for joining me on this 21-day journey of discovering who we are in Christ. If you do not have an image problem or struggle with issues concerning your self-esteem or confidence, then you are one of the most fortunate people on planet earth. But the fact remains that every one of us struggles with some kind of complex. That is why it is important that we are reminded that we are created in the very image of God. What that means is – I am defined not by what my culture, others, or even myself think about me. I am defined by who God says I am. Psalm 139:14: I am fearfully and …

Little rules that keep churches little

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Rule #1: No Coffee in the Sanctuary There are different reasons why churches come up with this kind of rule. Maybe they are concern that the carpet or seats will get ruined by spilled coffee. Maybe it’s the false notion that eating or drinking in God’s house is irreverent. Maybe it’s the excuse that it is distracting to see others drink a cup of coffee in the house of God. Whatever the reason, in my opinion – it is completely ridiculous. Would you feel the same if I brought a bottle of water into the sanctuary? Would you really be distracted if I took a sip of water from my water battle? I don’t really think so. I am sure some of these folks mean well. They don’t want spills, distractions, irreverence etc…  Like the 89-year-old woman in my congregation who consistently asks visitors and church members to take their coffee out of the sanctuary. Unfortunately, well-meaning people always act out of a misinformed, zeal without knowledge, religious spirit with no basis in the gospel. Quite …

We Win in the End

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Since the rise of ISIS, the world has witnessed a diabolical, murderous persecution of Christian. The response of many to this great wickedness have been very encouraging. Many have began: Movements of prayer for victims Missionary outreach toward the broken Mercy ministries to the persecuted Interestingly, some Christians have picked up arms to fight this great evil. I personally don’t like that style. But it is happening. World leaders and religious leaders have all condemned the merciless killings and barbaric beheadings of our Christian brothers. Everybody wants this to stop. I certainly do. Unfortunately, too many Christians are acting like this is the end of the world, end of the Church. They’ve become so afraid of ISIS. But there is nothing ISIS does that can hinder the glory of God from manifesting in the face of Jesus. The thing about The Church that many cannot comprehend is this. Let me borrow from Labi Siffre: The higher you build barriers – the taller the Church becomes The farther you take our rights away – the faster …

My Beautiful Tension

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Every Sunday morning before I take the pulpit to speak, I wrestle with what I am about to deliver: Is this of God? Is this what the Spirit wants me to share today? Have I study enough, prepared enough? Many mornings I am led to preach something other than I prepared. Other times I walk to the pulpit, heart pounding, not knowing what I am going to say. I would love to say I am spot on every time, but that wouldn’t be true. I miss him sometimes – but when I do hear Him and obey Him, it’s glorious. Every afternoon I take sometime to reflect upon the message preached. I celebrate what God did during service. I praise him for the response of His people to His word. Sometimes I second guess what I shared, even though, I know He was in my preparation. Did I miss God? Was I obedient to His voice? I thank God for testimonies heard I weep sometimes – especially when I don’t see Him move Than again …

More than Conquerors

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I had the privilege of being a part of a missionary work in the West African nation of Ivory Coast, correctly know known as – La Cote D’Ivoire between 1990 and 1994. By the time I signed on, they had planted about 6 or more Churches around Abidjan – capital city. Those days were special: knocking on doors, walking the neighborhoods, holding All Night Prayer meetings and community gathering for fasting and praying. A revival was happening all around us – young and old coming to know Jesus and being filled with the Holy Ghost. These are some of the best days of my life and ministry. The people we ministered to were just like me. They were refugees, displaced, cut off from family, scattered in this foreign land and living among people with a strange tongue. They were often abused, and un-welcomed and mocked in the public square. You would think their pain and sorrow would define them, break them and leave them in despair. You would think their loneliness, loss, and inability to …

From Southwest with Love.

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I would like to first of all ask you to kindly take some time at end of this post, to share your pleasant or not so pleasant experiences – church hunting or just visiting for the first time. As a pastor, I don’t get the chance to visit other churches. Simply because I have to attend and lead mine every Sunday. But from time to time, when I’m away church traveling, I put it on the top of my list. It is at this time that I feel how uncomfortable it is for people looking for a new church or just visiting one. To say the least, my last two visits were really bad. I was in Nashville,  Tennessee visiting a church and almost felt invisible. It wasn’t that people weren’t talking among themselves,  it seemed like they were too focused on who they knew. I stood alone for about 15 minutes just next to the pastor who briefly looked at me, than turned away and continue talking with this group of five guys. After …

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 …