Welcome to Freedom Month!

As we embark upon Independence Day, let us be reminded that someone paid the price for us to afford this freedom we live in.

As Christians, Jesus paid the price for all of humanity, especially for us Christians and now we have our eternal freedom from Satan. 

Then, woman and men paved the way in fighting for our earthly freedoms; freedom to live; freedom to vote; freedom to work; and now freedom to marry.  What a concept...freedom. 

These freedoms should not be taken lightly or for granted; and most definitely exercised with much responsibility.  These freedoms are not ours to force upon anyone but to embrace our differences and move forward in love. 

Love IS the ultimate commandment or have we forgotten that...Matthew 22:36-40

So during our freedom month, let us be reminded that freedom costs, so spend it wisely and value it with love...

Be blessed and have a safe and Happy 4th!

- Pastor D

Are You A Fan or Follower of Christ?

John 6:58-67

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.  On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them. From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

 

• A fan walks around with their Bible in their hand but a follower actually reads it and does what it says.
• A fan quotes scripture from Genesis to Revelation but a follower actually tries to live the scripture from beginning to end. 
• A fan sounds like a Christian but a follower acts like a Christian.

 

Yes we all fall short of God's expectation but don’t just talk like Jesus, walk like Him too.  Anyone can pretend. Anyone can play church. But when you fall short of resources and the bills are due, will you then follow Him?  When sickness tries to attack your body, will you then call on Him or just when you're feeling well?

 

Hebrews 4:12 says: For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

 

When the Word of God cuts you like a double-edged sword, will you then give up on God?  When the preacher say something that you don't like, will you leave the church or stay or try another church until you run out of choices...not options...choices? Jesus was not about a popularity contest; He was all about the Word of God; He wasn't about fan-fare.

Today, I want you to define your relationship with Christ. Does He really know YOU??? 

Ask yourself if you are a fan or a true follower.  Today I want you to really examine your relationship with Jesus.  Ask yourself if you've been a fan all this time and didn’t even realize it. 

 

Starting today, I want you to fully commit to following Christ! Not just when times are easy but during hard times too. If you are not sure, get on your knees and pray.  Get off the fence of uncertainty and KNOW who you are following.  Don’t take a chance on being denied by Jesus before His Father.  Come and follow Him!  

 

Blessings,

Pastor D

Status or Standard?

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19 (KJV)

In today's world, there are some who value and follow a status but fail to examine the standard. No, I'm not pointing fingers because no one is perfect..."we're perfectly flawed"...

So many people want to know your status: do you own this or have you published that?  do you drive a certain car? in what area of town do you live? do you earn 4, 5, 6, or 7 figures?  what does your retirement portfolio look like? are you a Dem, Rep or other? 

Does Status really matter if your Standards are low? 

Sometimes what one values is not always good and can ultimately destroy them. Look at the standard before you assume that a high status equals good character. Before you follow a status, make sure the standard is above reproach. Anybody can lie on paper, social media, or on their resume but look deeper into their display of reality.  Some say a picture is worth a thousand words but is it really??? "Look at the full picture before you purchase the painting"

Just my two cents -- so spend it wisely.

-Pastor D

NOTHING is Impossible!

For with God NOTHING IS impossible! LUKE 1:37

God is going to make something good happen for me today!  He is with me and He is for me!

He is always on my side! God will give me grace to fulfill my destiny because I am blessed and HIGHLY FAVORED!  

I am a successful person! I am in the way of victory.

Everything works out for my good!

I Declare it. I Decree it.  I Receive it today, in Jesus' name!

 

Wisdom vs. Knowledge

Knowledge is gathered from learning and education, while most say that Wisdom is gathered from day-to-day experiences and is a state of being wise.

 

Knowledge is merely having clarity of facts and truths, while wisdom is the practical ability to make consistently good decisions in life.

"Knowledge doesn't make you wise" - dgd

If your gut says NO!...then pay attention.  The thing about knowledge is, it changes as time progresses; but wisdom grows.  Facts and human truths change.  Now Pluto is no longer "considered" a planet?

 

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. Luke 2:52 (NLT)  Even Jesus had a "normal" childhood and adolescence and "grew" in wisdom....He went through the same progression we do today, in terms of developmental processes. 

 

Jesus "grew" physically and mentally.  He related to other people and was loved by God.  A full human life had to be balanced like ours.  So if God did not ignore the process of Jesus developing (in human form), then we should not ignore this process either.

 

As humans (both young and old) - we too should allow ourselves to fully develop as we remain harmoniously in touch with each of these key areas: physical, mental, social, and spiritual. The other developmental areas in our lives, such as love and finances, will evolve with wisdom, based on experience AND knowledge.

 

Experience is a good teacher (BUT) The ear that listens to the reproof [that leads to or gives] life will remain among the wise. He who refuses and ignores instruction and correction despises himself, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding....Proverbs 15:31-32 (AMP)
 

So as we grow, let us be reminded that everyone in the world has to go through a developmental process.  No one figures out life in first gear.  As we grow, we will come to learn that life is a process and God hath made every thing beautiful in HIS time...Ecc 3:11 (KJV) so don't rush it - enjoy the journey.

 

Be blessed and have a wonderful Saturday!

- Pastor D

This Is ONLY a Test!

It's Sunday morning and I'm feeling blessed and thankful to be in the land of the living. Regardless of the many challenges I've faced this week, I am still blessed to be able to tell somebody about it. The challenges are called tests, which creates testimonies. 

Trials and tribulations can engulf us all but I serve a true and living God; so despite all these things, overwhelming, victory is mine through Christ, who loved me. Romans 8:37

I serve a true and living God whom gives me the strength and power to conquer over all things.  God has given me the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the powers of the enemy; nothing will harm me. Luke 10:19

I don't serve idol gods because they have no power.  Only my Creator God has dunamis power therefore I will serve and trust completely in Him!

Remember, this is ONLY a test - so be encouraged today God's people.  For the things we face today are temporal and not meant to last forever so focus on things eternal. Keep thanking God for what He's done and for what the Spirit keeps on doing until Christ returns. I know I do, and will until He returns!

Blessings to you all, God's people!

- Pastor D

Thankful For A New Start

 

Just finished talking with a good friend and feeling thankful.  We laughed until we cried.  We covered almost everything under the sun yet kept it real and clean.  Now it's time for me to retire for the night -- BUT not before I thank God for another day and a new start!  Thank You God for both!!

In thinking back over my life, I've come to discover many things: friends are few and life is short so you'd better enjoy it while you have breath.  It's good to have people in your life who make you laugh.  It's great to have genuine support, especially when you're down.  BUT--what's most important is KNOWING that God has your back!  

 

When the chips are down and there's no one around - God has your back

When friends are few and you feel your cause is through - God has your back 

When you wished that people would stay yet they walk away - STILL God has your back 

Just when you think it's O-V-A (over that is...) - God will let you know "I GOT YOU" and it ain't over unless I say it's over!  This is ONLY the beginning of a NEW chapter --and for that -- I am SO very thankful!

Thank You Lord God, for a new beginning, a new start, and for turning the page into a new chapter instead of ending the book.  Thank You God for another opportunity!  I ask your blessing, protection, and covering over this next chapter, in Jesus' name, Amen!  Turning the page...

 

Pastor D

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for many things.  Thankful for life (above ground) on this side of heaven.  Thankful for the activities of my limbs.  Thankful for the love that I'm shown [daily] by my spouse, my son, my Deacon and family, my brother Shell and my sisters-in-Christ at work.  I'm thankful for my church and church family.  Though small as it may be - it's significant and genuine; we don't have to fake it, Amen!

I'm thankful to God because He is SO awesome.  He's my sustainer and comforter; my deliverer and source; my strength and my redeemer in Christ; and my all in all.  Yes life can be challenging but anything worth having, generally is; but overall, when God is in it, you can win it!

I'm thankful because I am convinced that all things will work for my good. (Romans 8:28)  And even though I can't see the fullness of my purpose now, I know God will lead and guide me every step of the way.   Be blessed on this Thankful Thursday and enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Pastor D

Today's Prayer

Dear God, help me forgive those who judge me. May I remember that they do so only because they do not really know me, and they are not aware of the beauty that each soul possesses by your Grace.
Amen.

What Do You Do When...

What do you do when your love and faith are put to the test?  You kneel down and look up; raise your hands and lift your heart to the LORD.  In this New Year of 2015, I pray that when your love and faith are tested, you kneel down. look up, and raise your hands as you lift your heart to the LORD; He is the only One who really understands. 

Be blessed everybody and trust the LORD with everything you have, with all of who you are, and for all that you need. 

- Pastor D

Today's Prayer

My God, teach me that every trial has a lesson and a gift in disguise, waiting only to be revealed in due time.  Help me to have the patience to wait on the revelation, in Jesus' name, Amen.

It's Christmas Time!

Christmas is a time to celebrate giving.  The reason that we can celebrate Christ-mas is because of Jesus' birth. 

 

Remember God gave the ultimate gift to the world (John 3:16) so don't overspend, go into deep debt, max out your credit cards, or be sad if you can't buy the most expensive gift because it's already been purchase and is still relevant today.   God gave us Jesus!

 

Every tangible gift will eventually fade away, grow old, be forgotten, or perhaps reduce in it's sentimental value but Jesus will always be the same today, tomorrow, and forever more.  He won't fade or grow old or reduce in value.  He shows mercy to us and extends His grace--- even when we don't deserve it.  But because He loves us so much, we get a 2nd chance every day. 

 

God gives us new mercies every day; perhaps we could do that too! Micah 6:8

 

I pray that this will be your season to give love (charity) as you share Jesus with the lost.

 

The Apostle Paul reminds us about this (agape) love in 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV):

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have (Christ) love, I am only  a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

 

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have (Christ) love, I am nothing. 

 

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast but do not have (Christ) love, I gain nothing.

 

1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and (Christ) love. But the greatest of these is love (Christ).