"Just One Word" (Messages From The Pulpit)

2 Timothy 1: 6-8(a)

"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you that you have through the

imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love

and self control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,"

God has given each of us a message to share with the world.

For Christians it's the message of the good news of the saving, healing power that God brings through His word and inspiration of The Holy Spirit.

But like me maybe you've been fearful to share the power of God that resides in your heart.

Maybe you're afraid that what God has put in your heart will fall on deaf ears or that you'll be laughed

at. 

Those are legit fears. But as the scripture tells us that God hasn't given us the spirit of fear but that of

power and love and self control. 

All of these things go well together.

Without fear you will have power to share God's love. Having self control we have what we need to

share His healing words without putting our personal twist on His truth. That you won't taint what the

spirit is speaking through you without prejudice about that person or group of people. 

After all life and death is in the power of the tongue. With the love and zeal of the spirit you can open

prison doors. You can reach the unreachable. You can touch the untouchable. You can share love with

people who believe that their unlovable. After all when God is in us love is in us and God is love.

"All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

   Sometimes all it takes is for us to start with "Hello." It starts with small talk. How's the weather..How about such and such a team..Did you hear about...? It can begin just that simply.

Sometimes strangers feel more comfortable opening up their hearts to strangers than opening up to friends and family. All that may be needed is for you to lend a sympathetic ear if only for a few moments. God may then open the door for you to witness to that stranger. Maybe not the "full blown" word of God but maybe a word that comes from the Spirit. Maybe a word of prayer. Or perhaps leading that person to the forgiveness and eternal life that God offers all those who are open to God's plan of salvation.

Maybe speaking one on one with someone just doesn't seem possible no matter how much you have prayed for courage.

When you see a person in need you can pray for them. It may be silent but God hears all our prayers. He will never push you beyond your limits. God will send the right person to that person He always has a plan.

  Maybe you have witnessed to people about the saving grace of God but they haven't responded. Maybe

they have. You cannot see the work God is doing in a person. Don't be discouraged. 

   Even with this very blog, I don't know who may be reading it. But I have hope that all who do read it will walk away with at the spark they need to contemplate what God may be saying to them through the words He has given me to share in a way that can reach many more people than I thought possible.

 

Together we can save the world. One soul at a time.

"Your Servant Is Listening" (Messages From The Pulpit)

1 Samuel 3: 1-10

"The Lord came and stood there, calling out as before: 'Samuel, Samuel !' Samuel answered,

"Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

Do you hear The Lord calling you? Or are you like Samuel in verse 7 of the text?

Verse 7 says, "Samuel did not recognize the Lord, since the word of the Lord had not yet been

revealed to him."

  So maybe the Lord is speaking to you and you do not yet know His voice.

Samuel had been speaking to the prophet Eli. Eli knew the Lord. He guided Samuel.

Jeremiah 23: 4

" I will raise up shepherds for them who will shepherd them ( the lost and scattered sheep) so they need

no longer fear or be terrified; none shall be missing."

  Maybe you came from a church that wasn't a place of nurturing. Maybe you're parents made you go to

church but never felt at home. In the long run you made a decision that church wasn't for you.

I can identify with that situation. Lucky enough for me I had come to know the voice of the Lord. He kept calling me. He never gave up on me. 

He hasn't given up on you. He is speaking but maybe you're not sure it's God that is speaking to you.

I recommend sitting alone and just listening. 

  Revelation 3:20

" Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his

house and dine with him, and he with me."

God wants to spend time with you. He wants to teach His ways and His will. The resources available to guide us to know what God is saying are virtually endless. For Christians the most obvious is The Bible. There are even books which contain just The Psalms and The Gospel of John. The Gospel of John is one of the most effective tools used to help people know the Lord better.

You may also want to read The Book of Romans. At least to begin with.

After all in the first chapter of The Gospel of John we learn that we learn that Jesus The Living Word of God came into the world. And that through Him all things were made. Including every man woman and child that ever was, is, and is to come. That means you!

Jeremiah 1: 4-5

"The word of the Lord came to me. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you."

  He knows and loves you. God didn't drop you on the earth just to leave you to wander aimlessly. He is speaking to you. But what will you do with what He tells you? Will you be like Samuel looking for guidance? Eli, who was filled with many gifts as a prophet knew the Lord. By knowing the Lord he was able to direct Samuel to hear from God. 

So maybe you are to be like Eli. Maybe the more time you spend with God the more you'll know His word and thus get to know His will and maybe you can help someone answer the call of the Lord in their lives.

  Maybe we'll be like Moses who was afraid to speak to Pharaoh to demand he set God's people out of slavery. Moses was afraid. He was afraid because in a sense he couldn't speak with grace and authority. So guess what? God provided Moses with a companion and spokesperson. That man's name was Aaron. God will provide every tool we need to accomplish the work he set before us. 

Perhaps through us we can be people sent to set people free from slavery. From the sin that so easily ensnares us.

We can be a voice crying in the desert, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord."

After all we often go through times of dryness and famine. We all go through times we feel alone and thirsty as if wandering in the desert. And as a deer thirsts for water so our souls seeks after the living water which flows from the heart of God Himself. Unlike natural water when we partake of the refreshing water that God provides we are satisfied. 

The Bible if full of warnings about being careful what we say. Because power of life and death are in the tongue. Another well know saying tells us that what we speak or how we speak reveals what's in our hearts. 

One harsh word can lead to destruction. But if we speak healing and grace then healing and grace will abound in our lives. So if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all. Antone who speaks evil against his brother or sister is in darkness. You can't speak evil and be a servant of God because there is no darkness in God. 

So open your heart to God. Don't judge Him based on hurts of the past that may have come from the mouths of parents, siblings, teachers, friends, or even men and women "of the cloth." If a person who is meant to represent God as a minister, pastor, or priest remind yourself that people aren't perfect. However, God is perfect and He alone is Holy without blemish.

  We are to rejoice with each other when we go to The House of the Lord also known as Church. We aren't to follow a religion but we're to follow after the Lord. He will guide to a place of communion. Even if you're confined to your home there are great resources on TV and the Internet such as church services being televised or perhaps streaming on websites.

So open yourself to what God has to say about what you're called to do. Keep an open mind. God is everywhere and you may find him in a place that you least expect.

Even in church.

 

"Gaudy or godly?" (Messages From The Pulpit)

1 Chronicles 29: 1-14

This passage of scripture talks about elaborate price and plans for a new temple set up by King David.

When you read through the passage and read of the sacrifices people made to build such a place was

quite high in relation to the cost of materials. 

The tail end of verse one says, " the work however, is great, for this palace is not meant for human beings, but for God."

Look at verse 9. " The people rejoiced over these free-will offerings, for they had been contributed to The Lord wholeheartedly. King David also rejoiced greatly."

Maybe you attend a church that has great marble pillars. Great statues of saints. Dramatic wood carvings which may include elaborate depictions of the Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

  Maybe your go to a "Mega-Church" with seating for at least 1,000 people. Maybe you use PowerPoint

to put the words of the worship songs on towering screens. Some Mega-Churches even house coffee shops as well as gift shops.

Maybe your church takes place in a small former store front. You may be reminded not to despise small beginnings. 

Maybe you have church in your living room and you cram as many people as possible in the space just to be in the presence of God with other believers.

And in places like China where religion is banned a small space might not be the only issue. You may be risking your life to share your faith.

Here's the important question, what is the spirit of the place you go to worship?

What is the leadership dedicated to? Are you in a place that despite you're best intentions is a "den of thieves." The message is what can your money do for me instead of what does your attendance mean to the Kingdom of God?

Where do tithes and offerings go?

Do you give out of obligation or are you a cheerful giver who expects that your donation to go to the spreading of The Good News of The Gospel of Jesus Christ?

The most important question that goes along with this question is your reasons for going to church in the first place.

Are you someone who goes to church on Christmas and Easter which is a miracle in itself?

Maybe you make donations for tax refunds or to get your name on a pew. I hope not.

After all our bodies are to be the Temple of The Holy Spirit.

Is your outward appearance all for show? Or is your entire being a place that represents the one true and living God? 

Maybe you should look at your lease and see if your keeping your temporary residence clean and welcoming for our creator.

God made us from dust and brought to life with his breath.

Is this temple filthy and filled with false idols?

Is the foundation solid or is crumbling?

Is your temple being destroyed by drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, pornography, or decay from other addictions that eat away at your soul like termites? 

I challenge you to allow the ultimate health inspector to take a look at you body, soul, and mind. God can repair any damage done.

We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

You were be built to be beautiful in the eyes of The Lord.

The bill for bringing us up to code was paid for by the blood, sweat, and tears of Jesus Christ. The cornerstone the builders rejected.

"Good And Faithful Servant" (Messages From The Pulpit)

John 1: 29-34
This passage of scripture has so much great content. But there is one thing that sticks out to me from my very own baptism.
I was about 15 years old at the time. I was on a summer "get away" with the church I called home at the time. I had fire in my soul and wanted to bring people to God's saving grace. I wanted to be used by God to bring people to forgiveness, healing, wisdom,and everything that God could pour into me to share with others including the message of Salvation and Eternal Life. (by the way I still desire all of these things)
Anyway, I had accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. And in baptism I was showing not just God but all who were witnesses on that day that I was declaring my identity as a follower of Christ.
Baptism in water is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Going into the water I declared to die to sin. To repent and turn from all sin. Not to be fearful of God when I sin. Just go to God with a humble heart and ask forgiveness but only if I am truly sorry for what I have done and promise that to the best of my ability to never enter into sin again.
While submerged in the water my old self dies. I put on the new self. That I not only read God's Word and go to church but to represent the Kingdom of God.
And then I arise from the water washed of my sins with the promise of The Holy Spirit to guide me through my entire life.
That happened. I came out of the water with my hands raised above my head in a gesture of victory.
Then as I grabbed my towel and spoke of my experience to friends and family one of the church elders came up to me with a message.
This elder is well known for his great use of the gift of prophecy. Mostly in the realm of personal prophecy as well as prophecy directed toward the church.
This wonderful man of God told me something profound and a bit shocking.
He told me that when I emerged from the water he saw a vision of The Holy Spirit descend upon me as a dove (As described in the scripture ) and that God had sealed me with an anointing. And that on the day I came face to face with God on the Day of Judgment He would say to me "Well done good and faithful servant."
That was a lot to take in. And today as I read the account of the Baptism of Our Lord I was filled with The Presence of God.
I began to wonder about what that elder said to me. For most of my life I sure didn't live anything that resembled a godly life. Quite the opposite. I'll spare you the details.
But as I grew older and wiser I realized that I wasn't living up to my potential. But God got a hold of me and put some sense into my head. Sure I've jumped from church to church but God never abandoned me and He never will.
So now I'm chasing my calling.
I'm in school to get my Associates Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling.
I have found my soul mate.
My heart has been re-kindled with the zeal of The Holy Spirit.
I have never been so peaceful in all my life.
I daily lift my hands in praise to God.
My prayer life has become richer and regular.
I read God's Word every day.
I go to church as often as possible, sometimes more than once a week.
And as I write these posts I hope that someone even just one person is blessed and encouraged by them.
Once again I sense the pain of those around me.
Whether it be at home.
In my neighborhood.
On the bus.
At school.
At church.
Or when God places someone in my heart including strangers and friends I've lost touch with.
I might not ever walk on water. I may never lay hands on the sick and see them healed before my very eyes. I'm not a prophet. I may never raise the dead but I do have something to offer.
I offer whatever God has given to me to share with the world.
The most important part is that I focus on my creator. The one who saved not only my life but the lives of all who call upon The Name of The Lord.
He will never leave me nor forsake me.
He'll guide me through the flood waters and fire.
I don't boast about anything I have done.
I boast in the one who breathes life into my lungs every morning.
For I can do nothing without Him.
But I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.
You can too. You are here for a reason. You may never see what that reason is. But I assure you if you live for the Kingdom of God one day no matter how many times you mess up, if you keep your eyes on God, sit quietly and listen to what He speaks in your heart then when it's you're turn to stand before God he will say,
"Well done good and faithful servant."

"The Art of Comparison" (Messages from the pulpit)

There is a great piece of advice that has been going around. 

In the midst of a bad or even horrible day imagine the everyday lives of those less fortunate than you.

  If you hate your job imagine what it's like not to have work at all.

If you feel frustrated about a leaky roof and a flooded basement image being homeless.

The co-pays of medicine are outrageous. Imagine not having any medicine. When a simple cut that goes untreated can cost you a finger or even a limb.

You have eating Raman Noodles every day. Imagine hunting rats in the garbage heap some people call home. Or a bowl of rice a day is a luxury.

You struggle to pay tuition. Some people will never have a chance at school, college or otherwise. A lack of education leads to a lack of ambition and no hope for a better life. to a lack of ambition and no hope for a better life. 

The list goes on and on. 

Great advice to be sure. But let me take this idea in an other direction.

You sit at home on SSI scraping whatever you can together to make ends meet. You hear a billionaire

complain about loosing a million dollars in the stock market.

You think to yourself how horrible it is for someone who has more than enough money to last a lifetime

worry about loosing what may seem like pocket change to a billionaire. That is a valid thought. But what might be going through the mind of that billionaire?

Lets say that billionaire only knows luxury. Lets say that he built his wealth from nothing. His business sense and hard work got him to where he is today.

His family may have lost everything in the great depression. Now in the current state of the economy this billionaire looses a million dollars and fears that he too could loose all that he has. He is afraid if such a thing were to occur he wouldn't know how to survive on business sense alone.

He might not posses the skills to go from rags to riches. His business acumen might not be enough this time. He lacks the street smarts to start at the bottom. He might have to learn a whole new set of skills just to get a job.

You work downtown. Everywhere you go you run into homeless people begging for change. It disgusts you. You tell them (sometimes out loud) to get a job.

You fail to get to know why this homeless person is in the state that he is. You may even have something in common. You are both alcoholics. The difference is that you can function with exceptional grace and skill on the job and this lowly man couldn't cut it as an alcoholic and a person with a good job. 

Maybe people see you as being rich. Even if you do live week to week check to check. They dream of living in a house. A place that has a roof. A place that has heating and electric. You complain that you don't have nice clothes to go see the opera. But to that person outside your world having clean clothes would be amazing.

Celebrities cry. The rich feel empty. People in power constantly worry. 

We're all in this together. Rich or poor. Hungry or full. Warm or cold.

Work together with all we have and maybe someday things will seem a bit more balanced. Maybe the world will be a better place.