Tag Archives: Church

Church, Discipleship, God, grace, Gratitude, personal growth, self improvement, spiritual enlightenment

Be Anxious For Nothing!

When I was planning our worship service at Eureka Baptist Church for this first Sunday in June, I certainly did not think that I would be spending it laid up in the hospital ICU. Proverbs 16:9 says: “A man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” I believe this to be true and I am certain of it from personal experience. Last week as I was planning the service, the Spirit of God drew me to Philippians 4:6-8 which says “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

My plans were for us to read this verse together as a Pastor and Congregation and to follow up it’s reading with a celebration of worship with that good ole classic hymn: Peace Like A River! The song says: “I’ve got peace like a river.” ‘I’ve got love like an ocean.” ‘I’ve got joy like a fountain.” Followed by all three together: “I’ve got peace love and joy like a river!’ I was not able to be there to lead us in this sweet time of remembering God’s faithfulness, but I believe it more than ever and look forward to getting back with my spiritual family as soon as possible, so we can celebrate God’s goodness to let us plan, but still have Him taking care of our steps.

One of my favorite songs and an always great reminder of my dependence upon God is: “I Can’t Even Walk!” https://youtu.be/Z4JFCHcbqEE

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 the great Apostle Paul talked about his thorn in the flesh. I have often thought of my flesh as one great big thorn! 😉 But it takes Flesh and Spirit to serve God and I am grateful that God has taken care of both of mine. I am not quiet out of the woods yet, but I feel like I am at least through the woods and believe that God is going to use even this for our blessing and His glory.

I love all of my family and friends, more than words can say. I truly look forward to every time we are together and even more so, after this little challenge. And you know that this just fires me up for all that God has in store for us that much more… 🙏🏻

Advertisement
Blogroll, Church, Enlightenment, Expectation, Gratitude, Growing, Jesus, vision

What’s The Big Deal?

I grew up in Church. In fact, before I was born, I was in church. My family did not believe in going every now and then, they believed in being there every time the doors were open. They sang in the choir, my Mom led teen missions and my Dad drove the bus to pick folks up on Sunday mornings. Church was a part of our life and living and our lives would not be the same without it.

We are so faithful to church, because of our faith. We believe in God and that God is love. We believe that because God loves us, He gave His most precious gift, His Son Jesus, which is God in the flesh making a way for us, where there was no way. It’s really not complicated, it’s very simple and I think that is where a lot of folks get messed up. I think some folks are looking for complicated.

God created us and because He loves us, He gives us the ability to choose the life we are going to live. Our choices have consequences and as we live our life, those consequences usually teach us what we do and do not want, which is why God offers us: Mercy and Grace. Mercy is not getting what we deserve, which is eternal separation from God and whatever punishment our sins bring into our lives, while Grace is getting what we don’t deserve, which is a relationship with God that allows our Spirit (the real us) to grow on with God through all Eternity.

When you read through the the life of Jesus in the Gospels, you do not find Him going on and on about rules, regulations or religion. You find Jesus, over and over again, inviting people into a relationship and it is because of the loving relationship that people want to get it right with rules, regulations and religion.

“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” -John 1:10-13

The important thing to remember and never forget is that it is all about RELATIONSHIP with the ONE, who brought us to the dance. When we are really connected to God, the our Spirit can see, feel, hear and experience His presence, power, protection and direction. The most important thing we can ever do, is get into a relationship with our Creator. The second most important thing we can do, is grow in that relationships. The Bible, Church and Prayer are the keys that unlock the doors to help make that happen.

I want to encourage you today, if you don’t know God in a personal way, start looking for Him, because He will allow Himself to be found by you. Get into a church that encourages and teaches you how to get into and grow through this personal relationship. And above all, enjoy the amazing journey, because it’s what you were created for…

Blogroll, Church, Evangelism, Growing, Jesus

The Church “Ain’t” Dead!

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with a group of retired Pastors and even though they are not serving in a position, everyone of them is still serving Jesus through preaching, teaching, writing and encouraging. Since then I have been thinking a lot about the church and it’s modern day condition and I just feel led to proclaim: The Church Ain’t Dead! (And I said “ain’t” on purpose to get your attention!)

I think that a lot of church folks have become convinced that the church has seen it’s best days and the majority have become content reminiscing about the good ole days, way back when… Most of the people in our communities seem to have the attitude that I can live with it or without it. I think they like having us on the corner, just in case, because you never know???

As our world becomes more and more secular and less and less Christian, one might be tempted to think that it’s all over for the church, but that would be a mistake, because Jesus said: “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it!” (Matthew 16:18)

The real issue at hand is: Whose church is it? Some buildings are occupied by folks who think that the church is theirs, because they have been there all their lives and their Momma, Daddy and Grandparents too. Some folks think the church belongs to them, because of the community it’s located in. It’s a place to celebrate the births and a spot to be buried when death knocks on our door. There is another group of folks that think the church is a place we go every now and then to be entertained, a show to go to on Sunday to prove just how spiritual I really am.

These buildings, locations, congregations, tribes, communities, stages, and productions are not the church, although it is possible for the church to be found at some of these places. The CHURCH is the body of Christ and is made up of men, women, boys and girls that have a real life changing relationship with God through Jesus. Jesus is the head and people are the body and this is the church that is promised a beautiful, blessed and magnificient future.

I think we sometimes forget that the ONE who made the promise died, but is not dead. Jesus is ALIVE and his promise is more alive today, than it has ever been. Those retired fellows that I sat down to have lunch with, believed it back in the younger days when they were just getting started and they still believe it today as their life and ministry here on this earth is coming to an end.

And we need to believe it too! We need to believe it, claim it and live it, everyday and in every way we can, because God is worthy, His Word is faithful and His promises are true. The CHURCh is not dead, it just needs to wake up to it’s RESURRECTION power and reclaim God’s ground…