Hey Saints,
Missed you all last week. Did I mention that Rev. D and I are back in school again in another Master's program? I know, crazy huh? It's challenging, but good so far, and lots and lots of work. TBN has invited TMI-ATL back again like last time. We will be there this coming Tuesday, Feb. 2nd on the "Praise the Lord" program at 10:00pm and Wed. at 5:00pm. I recently shot a 30 second spot for Haiti also on TBN to be aired at random. I cannot urge you strongly enough to both pray and give to Haitian relief. What has happened is unimaginable. So many have lost their lives, the living have lost loved ones, and then there is the horror of being trapped alive and no one knows your there. Yet, I believe that this island nation, that so many have ignored for so long, will experience God's grace which far exceeds the tragedy. Can God get glory even out of such sorrow? Certainly He can and He will. We've all heard stories of rescues that were nothing less than miracles, and I'm sure there are thousands of others which have not made the news. But even in years to come we will see God moving mightily in Haiti. Like many of you, my heart goes out to them. TMI is pulling the community together in a project to raise much needed funds. I encourage you wherever you are to be creative and do the same. We can show the love of Christ in our sacrificial giving to those who need it the most. The bad economy has affected many of us. It has certainly affected our home. But no matter how hard the struggle, so many are suffering in ways we can't even imagine. So won't you please give, and I know God will indeed bless you.
I'll share some other things with you next week, but for now I ask that you will consider what you can do for Haiti. ".....when I was hungry you fed me, when I was naked you clothed me......as much as you have done this unto the least of these, you have done it unto me." God bless you all!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD
Saints of God,
I pray that this new year has been blessed for you thus far. This young year is filled with potential and possibilities that await us. While it is indeed a new year, new beginning for us, it is not new to God. He knows our end before the beginning. He has a plan ordered for us in this year. In our seeking Him, He will step by step, reveal that plan to us. Its in the seeking Him that His plan finds us. To acquire and achieve what is available to us, we must reach out in faith, and even faith must be rooted and grounded in what God has spoken in His word. I recently shared with the TMI congregation that often our faith, though sincere, is often fragile, if we were honest. Even the strongest believer may find themselves doubting or at least wondering if we are on the right track or whether we should move at all. So how can our faith find the strength to cause us to move in spite of the uncertainty? Paul's letters to the Galatians and Ephesians encourages us not just to have faith in Jesus but to have the faith of Jesus. We must remember that when Jesus came as a human like us, He had to operate by faith in the Father just like us. The book of Hebrews tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God." It was not just Jesus's unwavering obedience that pleased the Father, it was His faith in what the Father said He would do. As a result Jesus spoke faith, then acted on faith. "No on takes my life but I freely lay it down, and if I lay it down I will take it up again." "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again." These are just two quotes of Jesus declaring the faith statements I will. His faith worked! He did die but He did rise again, evidence His faith worked. When we accept Christ, He by His Spirit lives within us. Therefore, so His faith lives in us. When our faith grows weak we call on His faith within us. His faith never fails! Paul wrote "when I'm weak that's when I'm strong." The strength of His faith dwells within. In Christ all things are possible!
___
Well the TBN experience was great! Thank you TBN for the invitation and for future occasions. I'm praying for you all. Keep checking out this blog, great things are yet to come. Our Christ be with you.
I pray that this new year has been blessed for you thus far. This young year is filled with potential and possibilities that await us. While it is indeed a new year, new beginning for us, it is not new to God. He knows our end before the beginning. He has a plan ordered for us in this year. In our seeking Him, He will step by step, reveal that plan to us. Its in the seeking Him that His plan finds us. To acquire and achieve what is available to us, we must reach out in faith, and even faith must be rooted and grounded in what God has spoken in His word. I recently shared with the TMI congregation that often our faith, though sincere, is often fragile, if we were honest. Even the strongest believer may find themselves doubting or at least wondering if we are on the right track or whether we should move at all. So how can our faith find the strength to cause us to move in spite of the uncertainty? Paul's letters to the Galatians and Ephesians encourages us not just to have faith in Jesus but to have the faith of Jesus. We must remember that when Jesus came as a human like us, He had to operate by faith in the Father just like us. The book of Hebrews tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God." It was not just Jesus's unwavering obedience that pleased the Father, it was His faith in what the Father said He would do. As a result Jesus spoke faith, then acted on faith. "No on takes my life but I freely lay it down, and if I lay it down I will take it up again." "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again." These are just two quotes of Jesus declaring the faith statements I will. His faith worked! He did die but He did rise again, evidence His faith worked. When we accept Christ, He by His Spirit lives within us. Therefore, so His faith lives in us. When our faith grows weak we call on His faith within us. His faith never fails! Paul wrote "when I'm weak that's when I'm strong." The strength of His faith dwells within. In Christ all things are possible!
___
Well the TBN experience was great! Thank you TBN for the invitation and for future occasions. I'm praying for you all. Keep checking out this blog, great things are yet to come. Our Christ be with you.
Friday, January 1, 2010
TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Whew! We made it. Our great God has brought us through what for many was a very tough year...but we made it. We are grateful to God for the provision and lessons learned in '09. But now we step into 2010. I believe this is a pivotal year. Scripture reminds us of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments), the tenth that belongs to God of our increase (the tithe) and other examples of the number ten representing God's covenant with humanity. 2010 is a covenant year. A time to renew our commitment to God. God requires of us to be more than simple church goers. He desires us to live as covenant people in relationship with Him and determined to serve Him and advance His Kingdom. Unfortunately, many in the Body of Christ do not make living for our Lord their life's top priority. But God will not play second fiddle to anything or anyone else in our lives. He gave too much for this covenant. He gave His Son. His blood is too costly for us to place Him in a low place on our list of life priorities and pursuits. There is likely to be a further distancing of the "real church" from the culture driven church. Much of what is presented as "church" has little to do with an all out, sold out commitment to God. Where do you stand? Most seek the favor of God but fail to make a living covenant with Him our number one priority. This year is decision making time. Favor will come to those who diligently seek Him. Why then do so many seek their own glory, even while using His name? Seek Him first AND His righteousness and all other necessities and blessings will follow. Perhaps its time to stop trying to prove spiritual depth and simply fall in deep love with our King. Is this your year? I pray it is but perhaps it hinges on your investment of self in this great covenant with our King. He's waiting for you!
Don't forget to pray for TMI as we go to TBN Tuesday, Jan 5th. We are indeed grateful for their invitation and God's favor in this moment. The broasdcast is at 10pm that evening and 5pm the next day (Wed.) Remember, Pastor "D" and I are praying for you that this will be your best year yet. God bless each of you!
Whew! We made it. Our great God has brought us through what for many was a very tough year...but we made it. We are grateful to God for the provision and lessons learned in '09. But now we step into 2010. I believe this is a pivotal year. Scripture reminds us of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments), the tenth that belongs to God of our increase (the tithe) and other examples of the number ten representing God's covenant with humanity. 2010 is a covenant year. A time to renew our commitment to God. God requires of us to be more than simple church goers. He desires us to live as covenant people in relationship with Him and determined to serve Him and advance His Kingdom. Unfortunately, many in the Body of Christ do not make living for our Lord their life's top priority. But God will not play second fiddle to anything or anyone else in our lives. He gave too much for this covenant. He gave His Son. His blood is too costly for us to place Him in a low place on our list of life priorities and pursuits. There is likely to be a further distancing of the "real church" from the culture driven church. Much of what is presented as "church" has little to do with an all out, sold out commitment to God. Where do you stand? Most seek the favor of God but fail to make a living covenant with Him our number one priority. This year is decision making time. Favor will come to those who diligently seek Him. Why then do so many seek their own glory, even while using His name? Seek Him first AND His righteousness and all other necessities and blessings will follow. Perhaps its time to stop trying to prove spiritual depth and simply fall in deep love with our King. Is this your year? I pray it is but perhaps it hinges on your investment of self in this great covenant with our King. He's waiting for you!
Don't forget to pray for TMI as we go to TBN Tuesday, Jan 5th. We are indeed grateful for their invitation and God's favor in this moment. The broasdcast is at 10pm that evening and 5pm the next day (Wed.) Remember, Pastor "D" and I are praying for you that this will be your best year yet. God bless each of you!
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