Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Moving On Up!

Moving On Up!

Joshua was prepared for the promised land by God's Presence for the best institution for learning is Mount. Sinai University, and the greatest qualifier for God's promises is the degree of His presence we consume. It is what we do while we are waiting for the fulfillment of what He promises that will determine if it ever comes to pass.

As a waiter in a restaurant your responsibility is to serve the people in your designated area, assuring that they receive what they are asking for in a timely manner. As God's waiters we are called to serve Him, meeting the needs of those who are in the designated area He has assigned us, if we serve them well, we will be promoted to a place of greater service.

Our service increases because of those who we serve. What God has promised is connected to the spiritual growth of His people. It is not that God is holding back what He has promised, no, He is waiting for us to do our part in preparing those who He has chosen. We must learn to become community oriented rather than individualistic. What God has for us we cannot maintain ourselves, as we grow the team, our inheritance increases.

As kingdom leaders it is not about who can serve us but who we can serve. In helping others we help ourselves, for we all have the same designation. We can't think that we are the "all wise one" that has the complete puzzle figured out. Each person has a piece to offer and together it all begins to fall in place. 

Our job is to trust in God, gaining our strength and courage from Him. He will then use us to lead others but we must assure we obey every command so we don't get off course, as Shepherds we will be held accountable for every lost sheep. 

The key to obedience is meditation. Placing the word of God before us night and day so that we can learn and make sure we put into practice everything that is in it. Every instruction we need is in the word, we must have a proper balance of the Word in it's entirety if we are going to remain upward living above the fall. 

Our faithful service to others will result in faithful service from others to us in return. As long as God is with us people will follow us in what we lead them to do. As long as our strength comes from God we can walk in courage that we will accomplish what He has said we will do.
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Monday, February 17, 2014

Preparation, Promotion, Power Demonstration

Preparation, Promotion, Power Demonstration

ARE YOU PREPARED
Most people don't like school, especially when it's test time, because doing well, entails working hard. Yet we don't really have a better choice, for our future work is limited to the education level and accomplishments we've acquired. That is why many of us are continuing education way into our adult years because we desire a more promising future?

We are never meant to plateau, the mountain top is Heaven, so until we get there, we have more climbing to endure. God will reveal just enough to us so while we take care of what lies before us, we can also prepare for what lies ahead.

It is nice that school doesn't last all day, and there are weekends, holidays, and snow days, (time off for kids but more work for us parents). Well in the school of life as a child of God we have been assigned a teacher and counselor, the Holy Spirit, and with Him class never ends. Just like our education system, the Holy Spirit tests us on what we have learned giving opportunity for promotion to take place.

2 TIMOTHY 2:5
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

TEST TIME
We will be tested whether we are ready or not. God knows our state of being, He tests us so that we know the state of our being.
In Matthew 4:1, Jesus is led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. The devil is the guinea pig the Holy Spirit uses to test us by trial. It is during temptation that we discover if we really believe, taking to heart the truth we have received.

DEFENSE LEADS TO OFFENSE
I love great defensive teams, so being from the Northwest is not the only reason I love the Seattle Seahawks. In the Super Bowl they were playing against the top ranked offense of all time. Yet whatever Denver tried to run on offense it went nowhere. Seattle dominated them throughout, forcing four turnovers leading to many of their offensive points, in which the game ended 43-8.

Jesus already established the Victory, and therefore we should be dominating the enemy, but it all depends on the ability we have to defend ourselves. We should run a defensive minded offense. Meaning we aren't out there demon hunting, but when he shows up, we our armed and ready, so when he attacks we counter, driving him back, for "Matthew 11:12 states "the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."

THREE CATEGORIES OF TEMPTATION
Jesus our example and source of strength, responded in Matthew 4:4-10 with each temptation by a specific scripture that silenced the enemy. Jesus was tested on the three categories of temptation, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

THE LUST OF THE FLESH
The devil will go after our weakness, the place of need. Our Master's desire is that we have no more want as it says in Psalms 23. That Jesus, the living word, the bread of life, meets our every need. So until this becomes reality we can expect to struggle with temptation.

THE LUST OF THE EYES
This deals with what we want. We have dreams and desires that we want to see fulfilled. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, so we must submit our dreams and desires to Him. When we choose to take our life in our own hands yet desire God to bless us we are testing Him. It is like our kids when they suddenly think they can do what they want, yet still want our care and provision, we feel tested, and then have to teach them a lesson. We are the student, God is the Teacher, if we turn things around God will say okay have it your way and see how long you last.

THE PRIDE OF LIFE
This deals with our ambitions. Our God given talent, accomplishments, abilities can take us far. We can become great and adored by the masses like an idol. Yet all Glory is meant for God. He knows the heart, we can verbally give God glory as we see in award shows but He knows who is really in control. Many famous people have sold out to Satan and are just mere puppets for his lies to spread. We will continue to be fooled under the control of the enemy until we"worship The Lord our God and serve only him."

HOW WE PASS THE TEST
So the way we overcome temptation and pass the test is through applying the appropriate scripture. We will know we are promoted for we will have temporary relief from the enemy. As the bible says "resist the enemy, and he will flee from thee."

PROMOTION COMES FROM THE LORD
Doors just suddenly open. Opportunities arise, prophecy falls into place, promises come to pass but only after we have learned to overcome whatever we have been facing. If we feel stuck, no longer hearing God's voice we need to ask ourselves did we follow through with what He last said. God does not allow us to skip ahead, to be promoted when we are not yet ready. If we have to remain in the same grade year after year we will.

THE KEY IS REPENTANCE
We cannot preach what we have not lived. Repentance means to turn away from. Being sorrowful is not the same. We must out of our will choose to change before God can supernaturally transform us. God has called us to be change agents, but He won't anoint us to preach what we have not yet done.

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION
As we truly change others recognize it. People are looking for those who they can follow. If we are true followers of Christ others will redirect their lives, commit themselves, and follow us, as we follow the Lord. People are drawn to the image of Christ, but yet don't even know it. Evangelism should not be difficult, few people can resist the bait of God's presence in our lives.

POWER DEMONSTRATION
Our call as leaders is to become greater servants, having more to offer others, for the kingdom of God to expand. As we are promoted we have more to give. Our knowledge has increased so more opportunities will arise to teach others. God will empower us with what is needed depending on who we serve, so if sickness is present, healing comes, if demon possession, deliverance comes. The proof of God's promotion lies in the change of character and power demonstrated from one's life.

APPLICATION
God wants to promote us, for "the fields are ripe but the laborers are few." But, first we must become better students of His word, and start passing the tests, overcoming temptation. He is not going to graduate us until we are ready. The earth is groaning and moaning for the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God. It is time we prioritize defense.
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Breakthrough, Breakout!

Breakthrough, Breakout

Do you know anyone that is a clean freak? Well, I wasn't born that way, but have become that way in certain aspects. See, one does not become a leader in the kingdom of God without first becoming a servant. As a young minister one of my responsibilities was to assure the floor was always clean. My Pastor at that time was very serious regarding the sanctuary being perfect, so I had to become intense about it since it was my responsibility. So because of this experience dirty rugs kind of bother me.

Have you ever tried to clean a rug and the vacuum was plugged up? It can be so difficult and time consuming to unplug the stuff stuck in the hose. I bought a more expensive vacuum hoping to avoid this and it's been even more difficult, especially unplugging Christmas tree pine needles. 

"God has called us to be holy as He is holy, for we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus." He is serious about us having pure hearts and clean hands. When we have un confessed sin or un forgiveness in our hearts we are plugged up and Heaven can't flow through us. God is creating a new earth and we are His cleaning agents. But we must be cleaned out first. You can't clean a surface with a dirty rag. For the bible says, "Our righteousness is as dirty rags." 

As the church we must create a culture of transparency, where confession is a normal practice. For in James 5:16 it says "confess your sins among one another and you will be healed." It starts with leadership first setting the example and the people will then feel the freedom to do the same. The degree of God's manifest presence is determined by the degree of transparency in the lives of the people present at hand. 

See God works through His body which is a multi unit channel, one channel is only capable of so much, for we have all been given a measure of faith. So depending upon how open earth's channels are will determine the amount of Heaven's release. So before God can breakout into our communities we must first allow Him access to breakthrough within.

"This work is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit, says The Lord." The Word is the tool the Spirit uses to work. So I am going to use two passages of scripture that I believe the Holy Spirit will use to breakthrough and breakout. The first is in 2 Samuel.

David had finally become king of Israel. His biggest enemy was the Philistines, they personally knew what a mighty warrior he is, so before he could become strong and established they tried to strike against him, David's response was to inquire of The Lord?"

Which is something we must always learn to do before facing challenges.

2 Samuel 5:20-21
"The Lord said go up for I will give the Philistines into your hand." David defeated them and he said "The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters. Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim. They abandoned their idols there, so David and his men carried them away."

David's natural rule is a shadow of our supernatural rule in Christ. Just as David wiped out the enemies of Israel so are we to wipe out the enemies of God. "Now our battle is not with flesh and blood but principalities, powers, rulers of spiritual darkness in high places...." "Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual for the pulling down of strongholds." 

Now that the Philistines witnessed the power of God they abandoned their idols for they recognized that God is above all. 

God wants to breakthrough our lives so He can breakout into our communities. Proving that He is Lord of all as people begin to cast down their idols. Before we can prove God is above all to non believers He must be Lord of all in our personal lives. 

Can we say today that Jesus is Lord? Have we surrendered all? 

God moves through His body, what we can experience individually depends somewhat on our spiritual condition corporately. God's gifts are without repentance so He can still heal and deliver, but what impacts a community the most is transformed lives, we the church being formed into the image of Jesus Christ, and each of us doing our part in the advancement of His kingdom.

Have you ever started watching a movie and thought this is not appropriate I shouldn't be watching it, but being intrigued you watched it anyway?

Well, the bible is full of stories that would not be appropriate if made into a movie. Well I'm going to share the rated "r" version of Genesis 38, the story of Judah and Tamar. 

Judah in rebellion left his family to live elsewhere so he can do his own thing. He married a Canaanite which in their family would be forbidden. Judah got a wife for his son Er named Tamar. Er, offended God, so God took his life. A widow in those times without a son was destitute for a woman's worth was in their offspring. So to be childless was disgraceful. So Judah had his son Onan sleep with Tamar, but since the child would not be his he made sure she did not get pregnant. Judah's next plan was for Tamar to live with him until his youngest child Shelah grew up. Judah felt this would end in tragedy as well so she moved in with her father. Tamar was told her father-in-law was nearby to shear his sheep. Knowing how he operates, she dressed up as a prostitute, he slept with her, and she became pregnant. It was told later to Judah that Tamar had become pregnant while being a prostitute. Judah said "bring her out here, and have her burnt up." She having Judah's possession told her Father in law I am pregnant by the person owning these things, which of course was him. Judah now said she is in the right I am in the wrong. Tamar while giving birth to twins had one child put his hand out first, but the other then popped himself out first, which Tamar called the son Perez which means "Breakout." Followed by the other son Zerah meaning Bright.

So what is the moral of the story.
Well we see in Matthew 1 the name Perez listed in the lineage of Jesus. Judah upon being exposed and found guilty gave room for Tamar to no longer live in shame and enjoy the delivery of her two sons.

God desires to birth Perez, He wants to breakout. What is prolonging delivery is unconfessed sin. Until we repent by openly confessing our sins in all humility, what God has spoken prophetically will continue to be delayed. 

But if this day we do not harden our hearts but obey the word of The Lord, a mighty breakthrough will transpire, and Jesus will breakout of our lives and His glory will shine bright, bringing forth a new day in South Jersey. No longer will this place be full of shame but God will use us to spread revival and transformation to the world. This region will no longer be a place people come to sin but rather it will fit it's destiny as a spiritual retreat center to help believers overcome sin and live victorious lives.
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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Do I Recognize You?


Do I Recognize You?

I have a hard time recognizing people, which can be highly offensive. It is so embarrassing when someone approaches me and they can tell I don't know who they are. If I don't personally engage someone, like face to face, beyond casual conversation, I don't remember them well. If I see someone that I may have known somewhat but did not expect to see them I may not recognize them either.

Celebrities have to go to extremes like putting on a disguise to hide who they are in public. The more you are in a place the more people you usually get to know. It seems like I can no longer go out without seeing someone I know. Sometimes I don't feel like talking, I just want to do what I got to do and be out. Or I may have a bad past with someone who I want to avoid. Wouldn't it be nice to be unrecognized sometimes. Sometimes I wonder what people I know are saying about me when they don't think I am around. This is what is happening to two of Jesus followers on their way to Emmaus. Jesus, unrecognized, approaches and asks them what they are discussing. They explain that they were discussing what they thought everyone knows, Jesus "a man from Nazareth, a prophet who did miracles, and mighty teacher, was crucified, who we hoped was the Messiah."

So we see that Jesus followers did not understand His purpose, to suffer, die, and be resurrected so that the entire world could be forgiven of their sins and have eternal life. Their nationalistic pride blinded them to the truth, so they could only imagine Jesus leading a rebellion and conquering Rome and establishing His throne in Jerusalem. As the bible says Natural minded people cannot understand spiritual things.

Jesus now told them "you foolish people, don't you know the scriptures, that what you witnessed had to happen." We can be so blinded to the truth because of our own ignorance. We often only see what we want to see that goes along with what we think makes sense. Jesus, still unrecognized, broke down the biblical prophecies of what occurred so they could come out of ignorance. Hearing His wisdom and the hope He gave them they begged whom they thought as a stranger to stay the night with him. How quick we warm up to somebody when we like what they have to say. Finally after enough time with Jesus as they saw Him break bread just as He did in the upper room, they recognized who He was. It usually takes me the same, as I spend enough time with someone who I think I recognize but don't know for sure eventually the light turns on and I remember who they are, which can be quite embarrassing. 

If you are like me you probably cannot wait until the work God has begun in your life is completed and you are perfected. I dislike my flaws and I know they just irritate and even offend others greatly. I dislike that I often don't recognize Jesus at work in my life, I ignore His promptings, I pay no attention to His work, He is always there, but I don't have eyes to always see Him, therefore I miss opportunities to experience Him in new and glorious ways. Thank God for His long suffering and mercy.

Have you ever told something to someone and they thought it was too good to be true? You try to convince them but they are like, yeah right! It is frustrating especially with people close to us, for don't they trust us, haven't we proven to be credible. Two of the women had witnessed angels declare that Jesus had risen, two of the disciples encountered Jesus on the road, and talked rather lengthy, and now that they brought it to the others, they still couldn't believe. So Jesus Himself had to just show up, it was like "how much more do I have to do for you to believe me?" And when He did, they were all frightened thinking there room is haunted and they are seeing ghosts. Jesus was like, look at me, my hands, my feet, touch me, it is me, not a ghost. He now begins to eat with them, which is probably unlikely if he was a ghost, and teach them the scriptures so they can finally get it, He had to die and be resurrected for sin and death to be defeated.

Parents are often misunderstood by their children who don't always understand why they do what they do, that it is for their best interest, even if it don't make sense. It is usually after disobedience and the results thereof that they figure out what their parents were trying to help them avoid. Life isn't figured out overnight, the older we get hopefully the wiser we become it feels good when those whom we are trying to guide actually understand that and trust us at our word. It gives the confidence that we can take those that follow us to higher ground. 

Jesus trusting the disciples finally believe He is resurrected and somewhat understand why He was crucified, now begins to give them instruction what to do when He is gone. They would wait until He is ascended and as we see in the books of Acts then the Holy Spirit would descend upon them to empower them to continue what Jesus begun.

Peter and many of the disciples tried to go unrecognized, they were afraid of persecution, but after Jesus affirmed them, prepared them, and filled them with the Holy Spirit they went forward unafraid as bold witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ working in and through them. He is our disguise we don't have to be ashamed of who we were but confident in who we now are in Him. Let us never run from people but use every opportunity to display the glory of our Lord.
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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Funeral Procession


The Funeral Procession

Funeral's are not something I enjoy, I have only been to a few and often feel very uncomfortable especially when I don't know the individual or family that well. Trying to say the right thing and respond the right way in a situation like this does not come easy. There have been a few funerals I enjoyed because they were conducted as a celebration. The family celebrated the life of the departed, knowing their life had not ended but passed from one world to the next.

How someone dies greatly determines the atmosphere of the funeral. When who one is not assured of another's salvation or where death comes tragically a very sorrowful experience follows. Now when one dies obviously knowing the Lord in a gracious manner, it is more likely that the funeral will have a joyous atmosphere. Of course, the outlook of individuals plays a big part, whether one has a eternal or temporary perspective.

Jesus while dying in a tragic and gruesome manner, shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" He died knowing He accomplished His Father's will. Pain is still pain but when one is dying without regret there is a big difference. During funeral viewing's I have observed a major difference. Those without regret have a peace on their face, like they are glowing, while those who have regret and a fear of dying don't.

Jesus death was dramatic, their was darkness until 3pm, the earth quaked, causing the curtain of the temple to be torn down the middle, signifying that Christ death has brought forgiveness of our sins and direct access to the Father, for those who accept His sacrifice. Many of those at hand believed and were now greatly sorrowful. Greatness is often seen after someone's death more than even before, they leave a lasting impact. Jesus death brought transforming power that He could never give in His earthly frame.

Have you ever not appreciated someone until they were gone? We recently had an amazing matriarch at our church pass away and hearing her grandchildren speak at the funeral I was so touched by the words they shared. I would have loved to know her more closely while she was alive. 

Upon Jesus dying, the crowd and even some of the Roman soldiers left in deep remorse for they realized they witnessed the crucifixion of the Son of God. Not knowing the purpose of Him dying they must have felt like dying themselves. Many of them probably gave their life to Jesus after the Resurrection when the Gospel was preached.

We need to appreciate Jesus, He is alive, so let's be in fellowship with Him daily and follow His every command. 

Though Jesus had been rejected by His disciples, an unlikely person, Joseph a member of the Jewish high counsel who disagreed with Jesus being put to death, chose to assure that Jesus have a proper burial.

People make a big deal about funeral arrangements which are very expensive, as I recently experienced dealing with my Mother's death. I for one see life on earth as a temporary moment compared to eternity, one does not die, but just moves on to a different place. Just like car's need to be replaced after awhile so do the bodies that we live in. So why invest so greatly in something that can only be enjoyed for so long before it is gone? I don't want to invest in my death and I don't want to leave a great expense for my family. I want my funeral to be simple, inexpensive and just a celebration of my life on earth and of Heaven where I will reside. 

In Luke 24:1-12, Jesus tomb was found rolled aside, His body missing, and as the Angels declared, He had resurrected from the dead, just as He promised. 

Death was swallowed up defeated by the perfect sacrifice. Believer should no longer look at death with fear but with hope of a better place, where we are made perfect, and can fully enjoy our Lord and Savior forevermore. So when a believer dies, yes sadness will follow, and we will miss our loved one, but it only is for a short moment, for we will be united together again, so the funeral procession should be with celebration because of the hope we have through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Not Keeping Silent When Suffering


Not Keeping Silent When Suffering

I am one who deals with pain or trouble through silent reflection. This can be good, but there often is a message to be spread in the midst of our darkest hour. It is a great witness of the love we have for God and others when we put them before ourselves even while suffering. Words have the most impact when they are heart felt so speaking during crisis can bring out our conviction in a way that others can truly feel.

Jesus while being crucified, the most painful suffering one can imagine, was more concerned with those around Him and what they needed to hear than His own affliction.

Women were following Jesus weeping, He described to them which was not comforting how things are going to get worse for Jerusalem. This was a warning to prepare their hearts for what was to come. Jesus spoke to the Father as people were mocking Him, "forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." One of the two criminals being crucified says to Jesus to remember Him in paradise and Jesus assures Him He will.

So looking at death Jesus was still bringing life, preparing others for what was to come, praying to the Father to forgive wrong doers and assuring salvation to a sinner who put His faith in Him.

Why doesn't God always heal, why does he allow bad things to happen to good people? Not every question can be answered or at least the way we want to be, but in all things if we acknowledge God He will respond, lessons will be learned, and we can comfort others as we have been comforted. We may not always handle difficulty well but if we are transparent by being open and honest we will be received well by others for they can relate and identify with us. Helping others does not mean we have all the answers, listening and sharing our own similar experiences is the best way to be supportive to someone in need.

Jesus Christ came to the world not for Himself but for others, He suffered beyond what anyone has ever felt, yet He never lost focus, He lived, suffered, and died for the sake of us all. The same Spirit within Him that allowed Him to overcome His emotions, stay obedient, even to the point of the cross, is in us, and therefore through Him we can do the same. So let us be bold like a lion even when facing the most challenging circumstances knowing that God uses all things for good to those that love Him.

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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Our Life On Trial (Luke 23:1-25)


Our Life On Trial

Have you ever felt that you were on trial? People questioning the motives behind you're every move. Do you feel that some people are just out to get you, always looking for evidence to prove that you have done something wrong, even falsely accusing you.

People don't like change, they don't like facing their wrongs, they like to keep things in the dark. Leaders who are change agents will be strongly opposed. If you are a leader and everybody seems to like you, you're not really leading but following. Yes we want to lead in a way as Plato suggested in the "Republic" for the good of all, but people often don't know what is best for them, so a godly leader isn't moved by popular opinion but by the will of God.

Jesus in Luke 23 is on Trial. Jesus did not respond to being questioned, Truth is Truth, enough said! Some people don't want to believe the truth so they will try to twist the truth into a lie, but bottom line the truth either sets you free or through denial binds you up. We should not have to prove our innocence, our life should speak for itself. We often say too much, trapping ourselves with a loose tongue, a wise person speaks little.

Spiritual discernment is given to see the intent of another, some people set judgment and their view cannot be swayed, so we might as well shut up, bear the insults and move on, for the bible says "not to cast our pearls upon swine." Most people are moved by the majority, so like Herod, they might not like what they are doing but do it anyway to please the popular demand. Living right is not popular and we can expect even those whom we think would support us to turn on us and like Herod leave us to be crucified by the world. Yet, this is our call, to take up the cross daily, and follow Him.

Just because we are innocent does not mean we will not suffer. The world has enmity against God, we must expect therefore to be treated unfairly and falsely accused. The Devil did not just roll over and die, He is trying to prolong the end, and therefore if we fight in the flesh, defeat will follow, but if we fight in the spirit, victory is ours no matter how things appear naturally. The devil thought he had the victory with the crucifixion but it was what had to be done for death could not hold an innocent man and therefore resurrection followed to bring the hope that all who call on the name of Jesus would be saved.

Suffering is opportunity for old things to die and new things to come alive!

Our life in Christ is on trial, people are watching, scrutinizing our every move, examining us with the hope that our life denies the existence of Jesus Christ, yet some will flip from unbelief to faith by the proof we present through the living testimony of what only God could do in and through our lives.

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