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What will be said?

February 21, 2012 in Featured, Life with 0 Comments

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I know you probably do not want to think about this, but someday you and I will die.  When we die, someone is going to stand up at our funeral and tell all about our life.  I wonder often: what will be said?  When you die what do you want people to remember?  What do you want people to say about how you lived your life?

Maybe someone will tell about how funny you were during your life?  They will tell about all the crazy things you did and people will laugh.  While people are laughing at your funeral about how funny you were; what will be said about you in eternity?

Maybe someone will stand up at your funeral and talk about how good you were at your job.  They will tell how you solved problems, made money, and how professional you were.  People will leave your funeral filled with respect for you.  Maybe they will even buckle down and work harder.  You will be viewed successful here, but in eternity, what will be said about you?

Maybe someone will stand up at your funeral and talk about what a great mom or dad you were.  They will tell how you took care of them and provided for them.  They will shed some tears and people at your funeral will vow to be better parents.  Yet you will be in eternity; what will be said about you there?

Maybe someone will stand up and talk about how much money and time you gave to people and causes.  And at your funeral, you will be respected for the contribution you made to many.  But, you will be in eternity, what will be said of you there?

I could go on and on about things that might be said at your funeral, but the question is; will they really matter?

You see, each of us can do many great things here on earth and be admired by people, but we can still miss the mark in heaven.  In heaven, things will be judge differently.  They will not be judge by the surface or the look of things, instead in heaven; we will be judge by our motive.  The reason we did what we did.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 and hopefully all my words will make sense.

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Today, all that matters is how you love.  Go out and love God and love others.

Forget it…

February 8, 2012 in Featured, Life with 0 Comments

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Forget about your circumstances for a moment.  Most of the time you have very little control over what is happening around you.
Forget about your self imagine and weight for a moment.  We all struggle on this, but neither will give you what you really desire.
Forget about your finances for a moment.  Money is nice, but it will not buy you a fulfilled heart.
Forget about all the petty pursuits that make you feel good on the outside.  Hobbies only bring momentary happiness.
Forget your sin issues.  This is too big for you; only Jesus can help you here.

Forget it all…

Today allow God to change you on the inside.

When God changes your heart, he changes your life.
God always does an inside work before He cleans up the outside.

Forget your agenda, Remember Him, and you just might GET everything you desire today.

Matthew 16:25 “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

More than a feeling…

January 19, 2012 in Devotionals, Featured with 1 Comment

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James 2:15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well” – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?   17 So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all – it is dead and useless. 

Right now, at this very moment, there are so many people who are hurting in this world.  I could show you places in the world that have no clean water and in your heart, you would feel compassion.  I could show you places where children are eating out of the dump and you would be broken inside.  I could introduce you to homeless men who are strung out on addictions and your emotions would be tugged at.  I could take you into a single mothers home without furniture to sit on and you would feel shocked.  And I could even introduce you to teenagers who are hungry everyday when they go to school and you would be angered at their parents.

All of these opportunities, all of these chances for men and women who pursue faith to make a difference.  Listen, feeling compassion, brokenness, or anger will not change the world.  At some point, your pursuit of real faith in Jesus Christ must minister to the needs of those God brings into your life.  It is not enough to see the hungry, the homelessness, the poor and do nothing.  As James says in this passage, “what good does that do?”

We must become men and women not only of faith, but of action.  We have to dream big dreams that will change the lives of other, but then we must take action.  We must give love, give money, and give our time to help those in need.

Jesus said it this way when he was speaking of our responsibility to help others in Matthew 25…

37 “…‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “…‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Real Faith is more than a feeling!

The Poor

January 18, 2012 in Convictions, Featured with 0 Comments

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  • Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. (Proverbs 21:13 NLT)
  • Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! (Proverbs 21:26 NLT)
  • The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. (Proverbs 22:2 NLT)
  • Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. (Proverbs 22:9 NLT)
  • A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. (Proverbs 22: 16 NLT)
  • Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.  For the Lord is their defender.  He will ruin anyone who ruins them. (Proverbs 22:22, 23 NLT)
  • A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. (Proverbs 28:3 NLT)
  • The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. (Proverbs 29:7 NLT)

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What are you thinking?

Dr. King I want to see your dream!

January 16, 2012 in Featured, Ministry with 2 Comments

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In 1963 Dr. King spoke many words that have transformed our world.  Words that were powerful and words that are still being put into place today almost 50 years later.  Each week as I pastor a small church here in NW OKC I pray to see the fulfillment of the dream Dr. King spoke of.

You see, we have a president of color and we have color mixed in many areas of our society.  Our schools, our work place, our parks, and our sports!  Yet for some strange reason when it comes to Sunday morning, there is a great divide.  People of color tend to go with their color.  Yet in one part of the speech that Dr. King wrote he says some words that I think we need to pray for and seek.  He writes…

“With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

Dr. King I want to see your dream.  I want to see men and women of diverse color praying together and struggling together.  I want to see men and women of diverse color worshiping the God who made all the colors.  I want us to listen to one another’s struggles and work together to solve the issues that are still at hand.  I want to see the local church filled with all the colors God created.  Only by the power of God and the presence of God will we see true brothers and sisters of color worshiping together in one place.

Each week, one of my greatest joys as a pastor is the getting to worship in a place where the dream of Dr. King is a reality.   Yesterday, our church was full of color.  We had such diversity in skin color and in social status.  I am so proud of our people for loving and accepting each person regardless of their color or income level.  Yet, I want to see this all over this great country.  I want to see the dream of Dr. King come true in each and every church.

Our road to this place of diversity has not been easy.  I have seen the sickness of racism as people have left our church because of the fear of diversity.  I have heard the echoes of racism as people have voiced their concerns to me as a pastor.  I have seen fear in the eyes of people who love when their sporting team has a person of color or they go on a mission trip to help the poor, yet for some reason cannot handle when their church is filled with people of color and poor people.  This does not make sense.  My Bible still reads, “For God so loved the world…” I think this includes the rich and poor, as well as all those of skin color.

May it be that the men and women of God rise up together and break this Sunday morning barrier.  May our church be filled with diversity.  May we strive to worship the God of all colors together.  May it be that we repent of the sin of racism and become radical inclusive of all men and women regardless of color.  Dr. King I want to see your dream.

Grace and Truth

January 14, 2012 in Convictions, Featured with 0 Comments

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John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, (Jesus) full of grace and truth.“

Jesus was full of grace and truth. Each day we must strive to be full of grace and truth if we are to really follow after Christ.  Think about it, when one of the two are missing you get religion. One religion is a license to sin and the other is legalism.

I see religious people often in church, on the Internet, and as I talk with individuals.  They are usually upset because they feel judged by someone.  These people believe in a god of all grace.  The judgment they feel is sometimes legit, but most often it is because of the condemnation they feel inside because of a desire to live outside the boundaries of God’s word, His truth.  In the name of grace, they have willfully given their heart over to sin.  Sin that is paid for in eternity, yet still has consequences in the here and now.  This religion of God being only graceful is dangerous because it destroys the abundance Jesus promised in the here and now.

Other people (commonly know as the religious or those who judge; the legalistic) have so immersed themselves in truth that they have begun making up rules in fear of loosing their faith.  Because they only see truth and have no grace, eventually they become legalistic.  They have convictions and believe everyone else should follow such convictions or they are not right with God.  They get very upset when people do not live up to their expectations or do something they deem wrong.  Unfortunately, they do not always have the truth of scripture; instead they depend on the truth of their conviction from scripture.  This is very dangerous because you begin to live above others and in the name of fear (truth – to the legalist) you basically push others away from Christ and yourself.

This is why Jesus was full of grace and truth.  An authentic relationship with Christ happens by grace through faith but is lived when the truth sets you free. My deep love for Jesus comes from the grace He has shown to me and from the truth that He has revealed in me.  The combination of the two ultimately gives me the freedom to live.  Without his grace I am doomed for hell, yet without His truth I am a slave to sin.   I am so thankful for a Savior who is full of both grace and truth.


 

 

Have you heard God lately?

August 10, 2011 in Featured, Teaching with 0 Comments

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John 8:47 – “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

God wants to speak to people.  God wants to speak to you.

There are scores of people who attend church every week who have never heard God speak; they know lots of stories and information about God, but they do not know God.   Jesus made it clear, “He who belongs to God hears what God says.” God does not want to play around with our emotions.  God wants each of us to hear him and He wants to direct our life.  The most critical point to understanding and experiencing God is knowing when God is speaking.

If you have never heard God speak, you are in trouble at the heart of your faith.  It could be that you really do not know God today. Having a real relationship with God is the key to hearing God speak.  If you have never prayed and ask Jesus into your heart, you probably are not going to hear God speak often.  What God will do is introduce himself to you through circumstances and information.

I remember before I accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, my uncle told me all kinds of Bible stories.  I was learning a ton of information about God and Jesus, but I had never really spoken with God.  I had never really developed my own relationship with God.  Then one night, as I watched TV, I stopped on a preacher and listened as he shared about how I could have a relationship with Jesus.  God spoke to me and I gave control of my life to Him.

Today, God could be speaking to you.  Have you surrendered control of your life and invited Jesus to be your Savior and Lord?  This is the beginning point to hearing God speak.

The Time is Now

July 7, 2011 in Featured, Life with 2 Comments

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Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Our days are numbered!  Everyday is like a clock ticking down toward your final day on earth.  You do not have forever.

I was reminded of this recently as I was watching the NBA Finals.  Did anybody watch the Finals?  I was somewhat cheering for Dallas because the OKC Thunder did not make it to the finals.

Anyways, as I watch this series, I was amazed when the game series went back to Dallas from Miami for Game 3.  As I watched the pre-game show, I noticed that on the chairs were the same shirts that had been placed there during the Lakers’ series.  They were blue and they had the same saying on them.  IN OKC, we change it up every game, but not in Big D.  These shirts were the same, but then it hit me as I read what was written on the front of these shirts: “THE TIME IS NOW.” What a statement.

Dallas has never won the whole thing.  Jason Kid and Dirk have been to the finals, but they had never won.  Those guys are getting older.  If they are to get a ring, “The time is NOW.”  It had to happen.  So the owner made a brilliant statement, “The time is now.”

For some of us today, this is God’s message; “The Time is NOW.”  Today, you got to choose, are you going to win or are you going to continue to lose?  God wants you to win.  He is calling you to make a choice to love Him, obey Him, and commit your life to him.  Yet it is your choice.

For some, your marriage is about to totally be a loss.  You need to make a choice.  For others, you are about to lose the dream God has given you.  You have to choose.  Then there are those reading this and your finances are falling apart.  You have to make a choice.  The most powerful thing you can do everyday is make a choice to love and obey God.

Remember what Moses said in his Final words: Deuteronomy 30:19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses…” You have to choose wisely.

God given treasure

July 6, 2011 in Devotionals, Family, Featured with 0 Comments

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Proverbs 18:22 – “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure and receives favor from the Lord.”  The Bible refers to our wives as treasure.

Today, I want to talk to men.  In Scripture, a wife is referred to as a treasure or a good thing.  So when a man finds a woman, the Bible says, that is a blessed moment by God.  Matter a fact; this verse reads, “God favors the man.”  So if you have a wife or if you one day find a wife, men you have found a God given treasure.

So here is the big question of the day; men how are you handling the treasure God has placed in your possession?  Are you valuing her, respecting her, and cherishing her?  I know for me I often need a reminder from God as to how I am to treat my wife.  Peter, a tough fisherman, gives us clear teaching on how we are to value the treasure God has given us known as a wife.

1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) “…You husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.”

What do you do to value the treasure know as your wife?

  • Honor your wife.
  • Treat your wife with understanding.
  • Make your wife an equal partner.

Men, God has shown you favor if you have a wife.  Go home and love her as Christ loved the church.

One decision makes a difference

July 5, 2011 in Featured, Leadership, Teaching with 0 Comments

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I wonder how many of us are missing out on winning in life because of one decision? Wow, one time when God speaks and you say no could be the difference between winning or loosing. Everyday we get the chance to say YES or NO to what God wants.  YES or NO to winning.  It is your decision.

The Israelites had a big faith decision to make and they said NO.  When it came to the promise land, 10 out of the 12 guys that went into spy out the land got scared and said NO. We can’t win. The enemy is too great.  That one vote, that one decision cost these Israelites 40 years of their life.  Then there was Moses, who made one bad decision in anger  He choose to hit the rock for water instead of speaking to the rock like God said.  That one decision cost Moses big time; it cost him a trip to the promise land.

Everyday decisions make huge impact in life.  You have to decide to walk in faith instead of feelings. Faith unlocks winning in your life.

Now, Moses learned from his mistake.  Look at what he said to Israel as he is about to die and pass leadership over to Joshua.

Deuteronomy 30, verse 19. This is Moses speaking for God.  God says, 19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! 20 Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life…”

In other words, God wants you to win, but you have to choose. God wants to bless your life, but you have to choose. God wants to move you from the land of loosing into the land of winning, but you have to choose.  Say Yes to God today.  Say Yes to winning.

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