Where would we be without Black People?

As Black History month comes to an end, Black Americans across these United States have endeavored to celebrate the important contributions of Black people.  But, as important as their contributions have been to the world, unfortunately many of these creative men and women have not been chronicled in school history books.  Therefore, it is my intention to enlighten readers with this story (Author unknown) which incorporates several of the unsung inventors of the Black race.


There was a little boy whose name was Theo.  He awakened one morning and asked his mother, "Mom, what if there were no black people in the world?"  His mother thought for a moment and said, "Go get dressed and follow me around today; let's see what it would be like if there were no black people in this world".  Theo ran to his room to get dressed.  When he came back, his mother said that his clothes were wrinkled and needed to be ironed.  But when she reached for the ironing board it wasn't there.  You see Sarah Boone (A Black woman) invented the ironing board.  Theo had no shoes on because Jan E. Matzelinger (A Black man) invented the shoe lasting machine.


Mom then told Theo to go comb his hair, but he couldn't find a comb.  You see Walter Sammons (A Black man) invented the comb. So Theo decided to brush his hair instead but the brush was also gone.  That's because Lydia O. Newman (A Black woman) invented the brush.  You can just about guess that Theo looked a sight (no shoes, wrinkled clothes and his hair was a mess!).


Oh, well said mom, "Let's do our chores around the house before we go to the grocery store".       Theo had to sweep the floor but when he reached for the dustpan, it wasn't there because             Lloyd P. Ray (A Black man) invented the dustpan.  So Theo swept the dirt in a pile over in a corner and left it there.  He then decided to mop the floor but there was no mop.  You see, Thomas W. Stewart (A Black man) invented the mop.  While Theo struggled to complete his chores, mom was doing the laundry.  When she attempted to place the damp clothes from the washer to the dryer, it wasn't there because George T. Samon (A Black man) invented the clothes dryer.


Frustrated, mom asked Theo to get paper/pencil so she could write a grocery list before heading to the market.  Theo found a pencil but the lead was broken and there was no pencil sharpener on the desk because John Love (A Black man) invented the pencil sharpener.  Mom decided to grab a pen but it wasn't in the drawer because William Purvis (A Black man) invented the fountain pen.  As a matter of fact, Lee Burridge (A Black man) invented the type writing machine, and W. A. Lovette (A Black man) invented the advanced printing press.  Visibly upset, mom said, "don't worry about it Theo, let's go!"  They stepped out of the front door and she noticed that the grass was as tall as her son.  That's because the lawn mower was invented by John Burr (A Black man).


They got into the car but couldn't go anywhere because Richard Spikes (A Black man) invented the automatic gearshift and Joseph Gammel invented the supercharge system for internal combustion engines.  Since it was getting late, they decided to walk to the neighborhood store.  Upon returning home they began to put away the milk, eggs & butter but the refrigerator had disappeared.  You see, John Standard (A Black man) invented the refrigerator.  So they left the food on the kitchen counter.


By now, the temperature started to drop; it was getting cold.  Mom went to turn on the heat but couldn't because Alice Parker (A Black woman) invented the heating furnace.  Even in the summer time they would have been out of luck because Frederick Jones (A Black man) invented the air conditioner.


It was almost time for Theo's father to come home from work.  On the way out of his 20th floor office he usually takes the elevator, but it was missing because Alexander Miles (A Black man) invented the elevator.  And routinely he drops off the office mail at a nearby mailbox but it was no longer there because Philip Downing (A Black man) invented the letter drop mailbox and       William Barry (A Black man) invented the postmarking and canceling machine.


Upon arriving home, Theo's dad found him and his mother sitting at the kitchen table with their heads in their hand and he asked, "Why are you sitting in the dark?"  Oh, that's because Lewis Howard Latimer (A Black man) invented the filament within the light bulb.


So, if you ever wonder, like Theo, where we would be without Black people....it's pretty plain to see...
                                                      We would still be in the dark!!!

"We've got to be more Humble!"

Humility begins in the heart.  The Bible says, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth doth speak".  Now if your heart is filled with good, your mouth reflects that... and if it's filled with bad, your mouth reflects that, also.  Therefore:
If you're a liar, you need to re-examine whether or not you really love Jesus because He wasn't a liar!
If you enjoy spreading rumors, you need to re-examine whether or not you're really following Jesus because Jesus didn't spread rumors!
If you talk about others behind their back, you need to re-examine your life in Christ because Jesus wasn't a back-biter!
And, if you use profanity, you need to check yourself because Jesus Christ didn't have a foul mouth!


I hope there are some "old soldiers" reading this blog who have been on their salvation path for 30, 40 years or more.  Hopefully, you haven't become what I call "spiritually arrogant" because you feel you're in deeper communion with God than some others.  Just because you're further along in your spiritual walk and stronger in your faith, it's easy to walk and talk with spiritual arrogance, thus you need to be careful!  God's gifts are irrevocable, but the presence of God becomes distant when we act superior to others.  Remember when God's people are humble, He's drawn to them.  Conversely, when pride is present, God resists them. 


Fellow Believers, we must be broken, modest & humble, not proud and arrogant.  James 4:6 says that, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble".  Do you want God's grace upon your life?  I'll end with this statement, when God asks us to do something, He always gives us the ability to do it; then He just waits for us to have the courage to do it!    Bros & Sis...Just Do It!!!

Go & Tell Somebody!

If you're a believer, understand that God has made us His watchmen in our world today. And as believers we have a message from Him that people everywhere need to hear and if we won't tell it, who will? Now your message as a watchman is not just, "Come to my church, we have lots of nice people there". True as that may be, your message should be, "Come to Jesus; He'll meet your needs for forgiveness and eternal life & He'll give you a chance to carry His truth to those you love as well".

If you're hesitant, remember you're just a messenger so when people object to hearing God's truth, take comfort that you've done your job by simply reiterating what the Bible teaches. You have no control over the other person's response to the truth!

And to make sure that you don't come across as "Holier than Thou" (arrogant), admit to them that we've all sinned and fallen short of God's expectations but the good news is that because Jesus loves us, He died to pay the penalty for all of our sins so that we who believe in Him and walk in His ways will be saved from eternal hell! And please don't forget to remind them that Romans 14:12 says, "...Each of us will give an account of himself to God" and that only by receiving Christ as our Savior for the forgiveness of sin can we be saved from the wrath that is to come. Then leave them meditating on this statement, "God never sends anyone to Hell; people go because they fail to accept the TRUTH"!

So, all of you watchmen out there, tell other others of the Love of Jesus Christ; tell them about His saving grace and that our sins have been washed away by His shed blood. What are you waiting for?.........

Go And Tell SOMEBODY!

"God Will Give You Your Heart's Desire"

Do you believe that the Lord will give you the desires of your heart? Well, it's in the Bible, but just like so many other scriptures, many people only read and apply partial scriptures, ignoring the rest of it. But the sobering truth is this, if God isn't ruler over your heart and you don't delight in His ways, you won't receive the desires of your heart!

Several scriptures attest to this fact: Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and He WILL give you the desire of your heart"; Proverbs 3:6 says, "In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He WILL direct your paths!"; and Psalm 119:105 says, "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". These scriptures help us to realize that if we're living a life pleasing to the Lord, if we are following His Word, and if we are walking in the Spirit, then we ARE WALKING IN HIS WILL! And if we allow God to become the ruler of our lives, then our life is His domain and there's no room for the devil on God's property!

Yet because of the things we've done and allowed to happen in the past, the devil has taken our joy, our peace, our happiness, and our strength. And he's hoping that we'll just give up, have a pity party, wither up and die! But as long as I have breath in my body I'm going to stand on God's Word, continue to call on the name of Jesus, reminding him whose I am. If you're in agreement with me and haven't already begun to do so, it's time for you to ask God to give you back your peace, happiness, joy & your strength.

Lord for all of us who believe...please take back all that ole devil stole from us! We know it's our fault but we need you to help us get it back! And I'm giving you all the
PRAISE, IN ADVANCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are You an On-Again/Off-Again Christian?

Well Lord, this month I'm going to do all I can to show others the Christ that dwells in me. I'm going to give of my time, talent and money to my church. But then the next month, I only show up to Sunday service once, I give no money nor do I devote any time helping others or doing things for my church.

If the above statements describe you, then you're an "on-again/off-again" Christian; your devotion to Jesus is moderate at best. Your mindset is of such that you're going to serve & honor Jesus but you're not going to be crazy and overdo it (spending too much of your time & giving too much of your money). Wait a minute...whose time...whose money?

The church has far too many Christians who respond to Jesus with moderate devotion, and when they see true devotion being displayed by other Bros & Sis. in Christ, they don't understand it. Therefore, they'll say things like, "Hey, I love Jesus, too, but come on now let's not get crazy and fanatical about it. I can't let the church take up too much of my life; I'll go to Sunday morning worship service but I'm not getting up early to attend Sunday School, after all that's my day off from work! And I'm definitely not going to mid-week Bible study or any other church meeting for that matter...I gotta get up early during the week so that I can be on my J-O-B on time! Anyway, it don't take all that! And I'm certainly not going to give 10% of my hard-earned money to the church! They ought to be glad I put money in the offering because I've got bills to pay!"

To those Christians I say, who continues to give you life each day? And who gave you that job from which you earn money in order to pay bills and buy the things you desire? GOD...that's who, and all He requires of us is that we give Him 10% of what He's blessed us with, yet most of us won't even do that, however, we never hesitate to ask Him to bless us!

I admonish you to read in the book of Revelation 3:15-16. Jesus is speaking to the church at Laodicea and this is what He says: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth!" He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to you...His Church! Amen.

How do I get to where I want to Go?

I traveled out of town this Thanksgiving for the first time in 32 yrs. My destination was a city that I use to know like the back of my hand, but it has undergone lots of changes over the years. Reluctantly, I had to stop and ask for directions to my destination. It's frustrating to ask for directions from people who either don't know or who give directions which are hard to follow.

This caused me to thinking...there are many people who are trying to find a better way of life...a Godly life! They try following the world's path to a better life but in really have no idea which way to go. Thus, many have decided to simply travel through life, hoping to somehow stumble upon the Godly life. Some have asked direction but have been given such bad advice that they've been going around in circles & got so confused that they stopped looking! I found myself rejoicing in the fact that as a Christian I've found the directions to heaven because I've found Jesus and He has shown me the way. With Him as my guide I now know exactly how to get to heaven once my life is over here on earth!

This message is for those of you who've already taken that first step towards heaven by professing Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior but are not quite sure you're headed down the salvation path. The way isn't complicated because you can get there (heaven) from where you are right now by following these directions:

1) Go to the nearest stop sign - simply stop doing wrong. Luke 13:5 says unless you repent, you will perish. Repentance means a change of heart/mind. When this happens you will want to stop doing anything that you know is displeasing to God (sex outside of marriage, steqling, lying, self-destruction, etc). I repeat, the first step is to go to the nearest stop sign & repent!

2) Turn right - After you stop the obvious sinful activity, you must turn from your evil ways. Zechariah 1:4 tells us, "...Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings", but I saythis way...stop throwing rocks & hiding your hand. Others might not know what you do or say but God knows. As a pastor, I klnow that this is where most Christians seem to "Mark time" in their salvation walk. Thjey front for other christians, appearing to be holy but on the inside they have evil black hearts. My word for them...REPENT!

3) Go Straight - If you're on your salvation path, you must walk straight. That's why if it's not right, I suggest you don't take part in it. Even though Jesus encourages every believer to walk the narrow path of righteousness because, as He said, "...Strait is the gate & narrow is the way which leads to life", but sadly only a few will stick/stay because for them the straight path means being free from the addictions that they enjoy in life (alcohol, drugs, nicotine, or anything else that appeals to our sinful nature). The Lord already knows this is the weakness of the flesh, but all you have to do is pray for His help in relieving yourself of these addictions...and He Will Help You!

Now there is one thing about good directions, they will include landmarks to let you know you're headed the right way. So, if you want to make it into heaven, go to the nearest stop sign, turn right, and walk straight until you see the cross on the hill! Don't worry when your journey gets weary & depressing for when you look up & see the cross on the hill, it will give you courage enough to keep on going! That's why David said, :I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills fro whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord who made heaven & earth!" There's power in the cross, slavation is in the cross, and there is redemption in the cross. That's because it was on the cross that Jesus died for our sins and it was on the cross that He paid the price of our salvation. Therefore, if you want to know how to get to heaven, you must be willing to follow the trail of the cross. My final thoughts on this blog wraps it all up from a song I taught my choir years ago...Follow Jesus, take no chance getting lost; follow Jesus there'll be deserts you have to cross; follow Jesus, He's got a safe mountain plan; and if AJesus can't take you to the top, there's nobody else who can. God bless the readers of this blog!

Make the Right Choices

Today, I had the opportunity to minister to close family members who are experiencing tough times. And for those of you who may be "going through" as well, let me take this opportunity to share my thoughts with you at this time.

When I think about it, today's woman has no easy task; she's expected to help bring home the bacon as well as cook it. And even though she may have a full time job, she's still responsible for the upkeep of the house and taking care of the children (her major responsibilities as a wife & mother). And let's not leave out today's man, who works hard on his job to provide a good home in which to raise his family and build towards a future that he and his wife may enjoy in their retirement years. But just how many of you, in your zeal to provide material things for the family, fail to think about and adequately address the spiritual needs of your children as well as yourselves? John 6:27 says, "Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you..." i.e., don't put all your energy into that which is only temporary!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have personally known parents who've worked hard all their lives to leave their children something (an inheritance) and shortly after they died, their unappreciative children squandered it all! But not once have I ever heard a child say they didn't appreciate the faith their parents passed on to them. Therefore, parents, always be cognizant of the fact that your children are constantly watching you and they rely upon you to show them the correct way to live. Thus, why not show them how to live a life that is God-centered?

Let us not profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ and then allow other things to consume us and draw our attention away from Him. For if we're not careful, we'll be like the ground that received the seed with joy, yet because we don't take the time to fellowship with Him, the rocks & stones in our lives won't allow the seed to grow because we become overwhelmed with troubles & cares and die spiritually! Hebrews 2:11 says, "therefore, we must pay greater attention to what we've heard, so that we don't drift away from it".

The currents, cares & life's temptations will naturally cause you to drift away but if you don't want to drift away, if you want your life to mean something, if you want your children to see what it means to be a Christian, anchor deep in your fellowship with Christ. And, when they leave home to make their mark in this world, encourage them to continue their education so that they will find it easier to move up the ladder of success in their chosen career. But even more important, encourage them to develop and continually strengthen their relationship with God so that they won't miss out on life eternal with Him.

Good Parenting is "Making the right choices"!

"Let Others See Your Good Works!"

Attention BELIEVERS...........................

Each of us is on a voyage through life and we're sure to face storms and the temptations of sin along the way. We've got to carry our own cargo but for some the burdens may become a weight too heavy to bear, therefore, they may become like sinking ships sending an SOS in desperation. I admonish you not to pass them by... help them. Why? Because we are called of God to be RESTORERS!

Galatians 6:1-2 tells us that if someone is caught in a sin, we who are spiritual should gently restore him, but in this process guard yourself from being tempted. Further, we are to carry one another's burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ which is to "Love one another" (we must give of ourselves to help others just as Jesus gave Himself to help us).

We must also be careful not to become self-righteous, judgmental and short on mercy. As Bros/Sis in Christ, we're a family and like all good family members, we must show concern and take good care of each other as the need arises. And in doing so, be sure to treat them as you would want to be treated in any given situation. In fact, you ought to take it a step further by doing good to all people, but especially to those who belong to our family of believers. And, just maybe... you'll give a little hope to someone, possibly leading them to Christ because of your good works!

"Live by the 'Golden Rule'...Even when it Hurts!"

True Disciples of Christ are to love their enemies. In ministry, I find this command to be more difficult for me with each passing year. That's because it's not enough for me to put up with or ignore my enemies; it's not enough for me to refuse to retaliate; additionally, God expects me to demonstrate love towards my enemies. Have you ever tried to love the "unlovable"? Believe me, IT AIN'T EASY!

But because I've confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, I know that I must follow the principles found in Romans 12..."Repay no one evil for evil"; "if possible live peaceably with all men"; "don't avenge yourself, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine' says the Lord". So if my enemy is hungry, God expects me to feed him; if he's thirsty, God wants me to give him a drink. And as I strive to live by these words, I'm more determined than ever not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good! If you feel me, say AMEN!

As a pastor I have the responsibility of being a living example for the congregation with whom I dwell. Therefore, I must show them outward love by doing good to those who hate me, blessing those who curse me and praying for those who mistreat me.

To all of my Bros/Sis in Christ, let me say that I really believe we are more like the Lord when we do good to somebody who doesn't deserve it! And I want to encourage you, as well as myself, with this last thought... Jesus said, "Treat all men, especially your enemies, the way yould like to be treated". Let's not forget to live by the Golden Rule. Be Blessed!!!!

Who do you depend upon?

Hello followers. I haven't posted in several weeks because during that time I've celebrated my church's 6th anniversary, my 35th wedding anniversary, my birthday and have gone on vacation all in the month of August (exhausting just listing it)! But now that I've had a chance to refresh my mind, I want to share these thoughts with you.

We all depend on something or someone in life. So, who do you ultimately rely on...yourself, your family, your church, the government, your bank account, your friends? Or do you rely on God? Well in the secular world, we depend upon ourselves, our friends, family or someone else to meet our needs or help us out when we get into trouble. But in the Christian world we learn to depend solely on God to meet our needs and to deliver us from trouble, but in doing so we still face trials and tribulations for the devil's main job is to keep us from putting all of our trust in God. He'll use anybody or anything to tempt and persuade us to turn away from God. He'll ridicule you, he'll challenge everything you believe in and if that doesn't work, he'll overwhelm you with fear.

We must all realize that the devil doesn't play fair for he'll attack you in your most vulnerable areas, threatening to destroy you! Now make no mistake about it, when you're in a fight with the devil and his demons, there's no way you're going to win the battle by relying on your strength alone...you need God on your side!

For some of you readers, the devil is already telling you not to believe what you're reading and he's giving you all kinds of reasons not to continue. Well that's just what he's supposed to do and he's a master at playing tricks with your mind: he will entice us with empty promises but this what he's really proposing, "come be my slave and I'll treat you real good". He'll promise you the world but you'll end up miserable (a slave to debt, work, sin and compulsive behaviors). And you'll end up being unhappy, unfufilled, and unproductive with nothing to show for your life. Do I have any witnesses out there?

My advice to you is, DEPEND ON GOD! But understand that even when you turn to God, the devil will still try to shake your faith and cause you to turn away from God (by any means necessary). So the next encounter you have with the devil, just pray and ask God to help you. I am a witness that.................................

He listens and responds to the prayers of a righteous man!!!!!!!!

The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached

As my wife and I were out for a drive this afternoon, I listened to a gospel song entitled "God is Great & Greatly to be Praised" and I began thinking that there's just something about the word "great" or "greatness" that we all aspire to. It's something most of us care about because we want greatness to describe our performance, our work, our family, our schools, and for us pastors, even our church. As Christians, we are called to greatness but we won't find it along the roads that many of our Brothers and Sisters have traveled. So, believers, how can we aspire to greatness on a spiritual level?

Personally, I think the best example of what greatness is in the eyes of God is found in the scripture that says, "...whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven". Obviously these profound words differ from the world's portrayal of greatness (being in power; exercising authority over subordinates at the workplace...you have an office with a view, secretaries who handle files/answer phones, and lots of people who cling to your every word, do what you say, while secretly wishing they were you!). And let's not forget that great people are supposed to own the biggest houses, the most luxurious cars, enroll their kids in the best schools and have every advantage that the world offers. Unfortunately, the world expects and has accepted the notion that those who desire greatness will do whatever to whomever in order to get to the top and maintain their status!!!!!!!!

The world thinks that greatness is found in being served, but Jesus said that whoever wants to be great must first be a servant! That's why as a pastor, I try to be an example for the congregation because I know my greatness shows when my own interests become subservient to God's will. And my constant message to the flock is that as part of the body of Christ our greatness is measured by our obedience, love, giving, sacrifice and service to God and others. And we all are to look to the cross for our perfect example because Jesus Christ came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for all who choose to believe in Him.

Now that you've read my thoughts on this subject, I ask that you seriously evaluate how you've defined greatness in your own life. You probably will have to admit to God that in a vain attempt to be great by the world's standards, you've failed to see what greatness is all about. And if you're not already doing so, start to emphasize giving over getting, and serving over being served instead of relishing your weak accomplishments, fancy titles, and worldly honors. The change in your life just might become the greatest sermon ever preached!

We're All Products of Change!

For most of June & July, in Northeast Florida & South Georgia, the weather was extremely hot and dry; there was very little rain. Lawns were brown, the blades of grass were withered/looked dead. My front yard looked like a dust bowl! But towards the end of the month God blessed us with a significant amount of rain. Upon arriving home this afternoon, I got soaked by torrential rainfall and as I ran to my front door from the driveway, I noticed how my lawn has come back to life and plants I once considered dead have sprung up from the ground with beautiful leaves attached to strong stems!

That's when it hit me...just as changes in the weather (from sunshine to rain/cold to warmth) is needed for trees to bear fruit and seeds to grow, God also uses change in our lives to purify/perfect us so that we will emerge better individuals than we were! So if you're going through changes in your life, understand and have faith that God knows what He's doing.

Look to the hills from whence cometh your help for your help comes from the Lord. And remember that your faith can turn your sighs into songs, adversity into assurance, despair into deliverance, pain into peace and grief into gladness! For the Lord is your strength and your shield. Believers must always trust in Him for help when you're going through. I know that I do and when I'm helped I emerge just a little stronger and a little wiser and I rejoice greatly, praising Him with my whole heart! Hallelujah!!!!!!!!

"Let's Lose Some Weight!"

Many people have been dieting and exercising for months so that they can don swim trunks or bathing suites that will showcase their improved looks when they go to the beach this summer. For some, summertime arrived to soon, while others delight in showing off their new figures due to exercise & weight loss. May I suggest that we, as Christians, need to rid ourselves of some weight that we carry around so that we can be victorious in our salavation walk.

1. Lose the weight of Blame. We've all been guilty of denying our wrongdoing, not accepting responsibility for our behavior (passing the buck), and putting up smokescreens in attempts to hide the truth. But if you must blame someone for your problems, look in the mirror for the reflection you see, more often than not, shows you the real source of your problems (Gotcha!). It's time to remove the weight of blaming others so that your vision of self & God is clearer. Remember, the buck stops with you!

2. Lose the weight of Jealousy. The ears of a jealous person will interpret the words they hear in an effort to gain control over a situation. Proverbs 6:34 tells us that jealousy enrages a man & he won't show mercy when he takes revenge. You see, jealousy is a poisonous venom that can smother the life out of love; in fact, jealousy is more self love than true love. Jealousy will also cause you to see others as the enemy just as Saul saw David as a threat to his kingdom and his family. And jealousy feeds on suspicion, which can quickly turn into fury towards others.

Lastly, jealousy will hurt relationships... stopping communication. Tell-tale signs are envy, coveting, manipulation, control & trying to force your ways upon others within your family, circle of friends or co-workers. To be jealous is dangerous because it's self-feeding and self-growing, therefore, we must remove this heavy weight in order to advance in our salvation walk!

3. Lose the weight of Laziness. This is a learned behavior picked up from daily choices and lifestyles which can hinder achieving God's promises for your life. The Bible particularly speaks of widows who learn to be idle, wandering from house to house being busybodies and speaking things they shouldn't. Today's technological advances makes it much easier for this type of behavior to occur, i.e., telephone, facebook, twitter, etc. Today's married woman usually has a home and a family to take care of in addition to maintaining outside employment. Any available time should be spent keeping herself looking good and pleasing her husband. Ladies, don't make the mistake of becoming too common that you stop fixing yourself up for your man. And by the same token men, your responsibility is to provide for the needs of your family, with special attention devoted towards pleasing your wife (notice how I've chosen not to target single ladies/men at this time, but you can use this for future reference)! And please remember that together, God holds you responsible for teaching your children good moral character, responsibility, obedience, respect, etc. And I admonish you to not allow them to grow up being lazy!

4. Lose the weight of Bitterness. Like jealousy, bitterness will destroy you for it is poisonous venom to the soul. A bitter person is full of anger, grief and carries a spirit of heaviness. The bitter person is discontent, has a cutting tongue with no control over their emotions, and because of this may have developed ulcers or high blood pressure. They are easily irritated and think nothing of throwing a temper tantrum. This behavior is contagious and can run rampant in a family which is why the Bible says, "Husbands love your wife and not be bitter against them". If we don't our homes will soon become freezers with "spite" fences in every room and cold emotion throughout. Bitterness is nothing more than unforgiveness and unforgiveness will bring spiritual death and many heartaches along the way. Matthew 6:14 says, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins".

Just writing this makes me feel bloated! God wants us to free ourselves from all the weights and pains of life. Only two things will accomplish that...the Word & Love! And after we've lost weight we can then help others with their heavy load!

Our Children Need to See the God in Us!

Parents, suppose your child came to you one day saying, "I know you're gonna drop dead one day, so whatever you have for me, give it to me now!"? I'd be furious & would make sure that child wouldn't get a dime...(an ungrateful...he/she got some nerve...as much as I've done for him/her!!!) Do you feel me? These thoughts crossed my mind while I was reading about the prodigal son (Luke 15). For those who haven't read it, in this story the father was hurt by his son's demands but he gave him what he wanted, and as soon as he got his share, his son took off; walking out of his father's life to experience the world! This gives us a perfect example of a rebellious, disrespectful child, and I'm sure his father was probably brokenhearted and shed many tears over his son's foolish behavior. Then it hit me slap in the face...I can see God's character in this story; God is a loving father who lets his children (Christians) walk away from fellowship with Him, and it breaks His heart when we do...yet He's still our Father!!!!!!!!

You see, God loves us so much that He'll never force us to be obedient and loyal to Him; He wants us to freely love & serve Him. Sometimes when we mess us real bad, we have the nerve to blame Him..."if what I did was so wrong, why didn't God stop me?" Well, God didn't stop Adam & Eve from eating the forbidden fruit, nor did He stop King David from having an adulterous affair with Bathsheba. The reason being...it's not in His nature! God loves us so much, He allows us to make our own choices, even though He knows the consequences of the bad choices. And, just as the prodigal son's father grieved when he left, God (our Father) grieves when one of us walks out of fellowship with Him.

I know some of you readers are prodigal parents who have children/grandchildren who've caused you the same kind of pain felt by the father in this story. You know first hand what it's like to have grown children alienate themselves from you...and it hurts! When they were little, you could discipline them, but now you only feel the pain. NEWS FLASH...God hurts even the more because the greater your capacity to love, the greater the capacity to be hurt; and God's love is stronger than ours therefore, His pain is greater!

Now here's the good news that I want to share with you. As the prodigal father accepted his son back showing no anger towards him, so does God the Father welcome back those who've gone astray and drifted out of fellowship with Him. And He'll treat you as if you never left because His love for you never changed. Reading this story for yourself will give you a clearer picture of our God---

He regrets our rebellion; He receives us with open arms

when we return, and He restores us when we repent!

A final word for all you prodigal parents & grandparents out there; your child may be distant from you because of rebellion, disagreements, a sinful lifestyle, a bad relationship, etc. But whatever the reason, they will realize their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. You just be ready to restore you relationship with them...show them the God in you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. You might have to do some repenting yourself (Selah)!

"A Call to Arms"

First, let me apologize to my followers for taking time off from my blogspot, but now that I'm back I hope to continue posting new blogs each week. Although I'm sure the contents of this blog will speak to a myriad of readers, I specifically posted it to address a situation that I and my colleagues have been dealing with for the past five months. It is my prayer that by reading this message, they will be refreshed in the Lord!

Christians all realize that there's a war going on and that we've been enlisted to serve on the front lines. I want to remind you that while you're on the battlefield for the Lord, trouble is going to come your way. And when it does, "consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing" (James 1:2-4).

The enemy may have an arsenal of weapons; he may have tried to keep you suppressed, depressed, compressed, & distressed, but be encouraged and know that "no weapon formed against you shall prosper". Sound off (Amen)! [real soldiers get my drift for the response]

If the enemy has you pinned down & it seems like there's trouble on every hand; you're in financial bondage; you're agonizing over your situation and feeling defeated, I'm reminding you today that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds". And that God (our Commander-in-Chief) out-ranks any foe you'll ever encounter on the battlefield, and He can destroy any yoke. It might seem like the devil is winning the fight right now, but you just Hold On! I've already received word from headquarters that our Commander-in-Chief is going to make your enemy your footstool. Sound off (Amen)!

All soldiers are given a Regulations Manual upon reporting for active duty. Bros/Sis our Army Regulations Manual (basic instructions) are found in the Bible. Information is there to help us survive when we go into battle. So when you find yourself trapped in your foxhole, trapped in guilt, trapped by complacency, trapped by fear...read your Manual! When you don't know what to do or how to do it...read your Manual.

Take comfort in knowing that Jesus (our Commander-in-Chief) was once an enlisted soldier, therefore He knows exactly what we're going through. He sacrificed His life, yet gained victory over the cross at Calvary so that we, His soldiers, would have hope as we live and continue to fight. So trust in Him and ask Him to give you peace of mind in the midst of your battle.

And when the final battle trumpets sound; cease fire has been announced, we'll be able to say as Paul did, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith".

Sound off with a shout of victory......AMEN!!!!!!!!

"The Value of Real Friendship"

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly..." (Prov. 18:24). During my life, I've come to realize that there are many people in this world who don't know what friendship is all about & that's why they don't have any! For you who may be Freindship Challenged, I'd like to share my thoughts about what real friendship is.

A real friend helps you when you're down. We all have acquaintances but few that we actually consider real friends. How can one tell the difference between the two? Just get into trouble & you'll soon find out who your real friends are...the ones who stick by you! You may even be saddened by the fact that those you considered real friends proved not to be when you needed them.

A real friend is someone who provides emotional or physical warmth. When faced with circumstances beyond our control, we need help. We need someone to encourage us by charging us up emotionally (encouragers), not someone who drains us emotionally. If you have friends who always criticize you and try to make you see things their way...drop them for they are discouragers and will drain you dry!

A real friend is someone who'll fight to protect you and your reputation. A real friend wil never stab you in the back; they guard your back & will not participate in gossip about you whether it's true or not!

A real friend is committed to helping you grow spiritually. The greatest gift you can give someone is an invitation to establish a personal relationship with God. If you are a Christian, these invitations should already be second nature to you. And as others in your circle of friends embark upon or continue their salvation walk, exhibit to them your desire for their continuous spiritual growth..."As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend" (Prov. 27:17). Begin to challenge & push your friends to be all that God wants them to be.

Now for those of you who desire a frend like that, I know a friend who sticks closer than a brother...His name is JESUS! And I invite you to let Jesus become your best friend. After all, He deserves to be your best friend because 1) He already knows you better than any one else, and he still likes you...LOL; 2) He's done more for you than anyone else; He gave His life for us, even though we don't deserve it; and 3) He will always be there when you need Him!

Now if you've been convicted by my words and want to invite Jesus into your life, please repeat this prayer:

Lord Jesus I want to be your firend and I'm thankful that you want to be mine. I realize that I've sinned & no longer want to be separat6ed from you because of it. I realize that friendship with you would be impossible if you hadn't already paid for my sins on the cross & I acknowledge, accept & thank you for what you've already done for me. Amen

"Don't be Trapped by Fear and Doubt"

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we can do great things. But do you have that kind of faith to step out on God's Word when it makes no sense to you? Well, until you do, you'll never see God do great things in your life! The problem with most of us is that sometimes we think too much & when we examine all of the obstacles to see if something is possible or not, we do God a disservice because nothing is too hard for God! Therefore, we must repent for doubting Him.

Now when you decide to step out on faith, make sure it's not misplaced because stepping out on misplaced faith is dangerous. If you trust in your own ability or someone else's ability you'll soon find yourself in trouble; but when you put your faith in God you can step out on His Word and stand on a sure foundation.

We all have doubts every now and then because we tend to focus on our circumstances rather than the Lord and if we're not careful we'll be overcome by these doubts & fears. I've learned to trust God to do the impossible for me. So when you find yourself in despair and full of doubt, just call on Jesus & He will save you. When the storms of life are raging all around you, just look to Jesus; sometimes He'll calm the storm, at other times He lets the storm rage while He calms you...He'll give you peace and fill you with the calming assurance that everything will be alright!

Remember

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" and it's by faith that we are free from being trapped by our fears!

"We Are God's Living Epistles"

Paul said to the church that we are living letters. Let me just add that we Christians are the only Bible that some people will ever see. Therefore, the only way that some folk will ever hear about somebody who is able to save anybody is that you tell them; the only way that some folk will ever know a Savior that's able to pick them up & turn them around is that we introduce them to HIM!

God uses His pastors, preachers, teachers & evangelists as instruments to write His letter upon the hearts of His people. His letter is written to be read, therefore every Christian must let his christianity be visible before the world. But in order to read something, it must be legible. When a Christian lives contrary to God's Word, his/her letter, to the world, becomes illegible! What I'm saying is this...folk can't hear what you're saying for looking at what you're doing! You live one way at church yet another way at home; you may sing/shout on Sunday but cuss like a sailor the rest of the week; and you act one way around your church family but act completely different around your so-called friends.

When a Christian's life is inconsistent, he sends mixed messages to people in the world (who are already confused). The Bible calls Christians to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Still, many Christians have messages that can't be read because there are too many blots in their lives. And, they have become the greatest handicap to the growth of Christ's church becasue of the unsavory lives they live before the world.

Every born-again Christian is an advertisement for the Kingdom of God; we are to be messages of hope for people in hopeless situations, therefore, we must let them know that there is still hope in Jesus Christ. Selah (Think on these things) and realize that...

The world judges every church by the disciples it creates!

What kind of Disciple are you?

Are You Spiritually Healthy?

With the change of seasons, comes health issues for most of us. November begins that time of the year when colds/flu affect healthy bodies, and we find ourselves going to the doctor who, after thorough examination, determines the appropriate medication to prescribe for the pharmacist to issue. But how can you tell if your spiritual health is good? One way is to assess how you're living. Are you dissatisfied (always wanting more) or have you learned to be content with your situation knowing, that in God's time, things will get better? Warning...your answer will reveal the soundness of your faith!

Another indicator of your spiritual health is by the soundness of your speech. When you speak to others, is your conversation usually uplifting and posititve? A spiritually healthy person is careful not to let unwholesome talk come out of his/her mouth, but only that which is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). Negative talk is bad for your spiritual health; gossip, backbiting, mean/harsh/profane words do nothing to build anyone up so why use them?

Sometimes our spiritual health grows weak because we're pulled down by all the discouraging things around us, so we also need sound doctrine. When we read the Word, listen to & follow sound doctrine, we become spiritually healthy which is evidenced by sound faith, which in turn, determines how we live! Don't you think it's time for a check-up? Do this quick exam to see if your spiritual health is good:

• Do you listen to sound doctrine/more importantly, do you follow it?
• Do you have sound faith (is your life producing the right kind of works)?
• Do you exhibit soundness of speech?

If you're like most people, you might not be quite there yet, so here's what you can do. Go to God's Pharmacy (read your Bible; pray to Dr. Jesus) and The Bread of Life, The Lamb of God, The Living Word, will give you just the right dosage of the medicine you need for good spiritual health!

Let's Get Healthy!!!!!!!!!

Do you suffer from Heart Trouble?

Let me answer this question for you...YES, we all suffer from heart trouble! I'm not talking about the muscle that pumps blood throughout your body. I'm talking about the real heart, soul, mind & spirit that makes up who you really are. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things & is depesperately wicked...the Lord searches the heart & gives every man according to his ways & according to the fruit of his doings".

Some of you reading this have an enlarged heart. From a spiritual perspective, someone with a big heart is a giver, not a taker (the first to volunteer and the last to leave). God loves people with a big heart. But then there are others reading this who are more like the Grinch who stole Christmas...your heart is so small that you have no room inside of it to love anyone (you're self-centered, taking all you can get, yet giving nothing in return).

In life, many couples experience heart trouble because once the inital excitement of being in a relationship subsides, they often discover that their heart really isn't in it! A man marries a lady who is beautiful in his sight but then one morning he wakes up & can't stand the sight of her! Then there's the young lady who is swept off her feet by her "Knight in Shining Armor" because she senses fire & passion in his heart. But one morning she wakes up to realize that he's no knight...but he does stay out all night; his armor is rusted & that fire and passion she sensed was nothing more than the burnt oil on his car motor. Thus, in just a few short years a transformation takes place and if the couple's hearts aren't woven together in true love, then the eyes/mind/body will start to wander!

Still, in church there are plenty of diabetics (those who have too much or too little sugar in the blood) who have heart trouble! In the spiritual realm we can develop diabetes also. It's caused by Pastors not feeding you a balanced diet of the Truth of God's Word but choosing to preach to "itching ears" who only want to hear good things (too much sugar in the sermons!). God knows we all need to hear the meat/vegetables of the Word, even though sometimes hearing it is like swallowing bitter herbs. As a Pastor, let me remind you that everything that's good for you in the Bible doesn't always go down easily! And sometimes, in order for you to swallow/digest these things, you need the water of the Holy Spirit to help it go down so the Word can help you!

Bottom line is that everyone born into this world has heart trouble and we all need a spiritual rebirth to obtain the new heart that God promised to give us. Along with our new heart, God gives us the Holy Spirit who teaches us His ways, reminds us just how good He is, what Jesus has done for us, and most of all convicts us every time we fail to keep God's Word... all of which is necessary to strengthen our hearts.

So, let's get rid of our heart trouble (as the cheerleaders say, "Pump, pump, pump it up, let God's Spirit pump it up!") for HE WILL STRENGTHEN THINE HEART!!!