Encouraged by God's Word

Archive for the ‘Being Used by God’ Category

Hello Family,

On Sunday, May 1, 2011 it was announced that the United States of America had killed and recovered the body of international terrorist Osama bin Laden. When I heard the news I updated my Facebook status to read ‘“Mission Accomplished!” For real this time.’. I made the declaration In reference to the statement Bush made some years ago when he declared that the U.S. had accomplished a major goal in fighting terrorism, which turned out to be false.

Don’t worry. This has nothing to do with politics.

Although the declaration “Mission Accomplished” was made, it didn’ t necessarily mean i

t was true. Now I know God wants us to be able to speak things into existence but c’mon now. There has to be some productive action and faith behind what we speak.

It had been almost ten years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks when the United States had declared bin Laden America’s Most Wanted criminal and it seemed as if he would never be captured. Throughout the years there had been reports of his whereabouts but it seemed as if he was too elusive for us. But through years and years of hard work by our men and women in the military, the mission of capturing bin Laden, dead or alive, was finally accomplished.

A mission is a specific task with which a person or a group is charged. It is also described as a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian work.

Are you ready to carry out your personal Mission? If God called you, would you confirm?

Isaiah 6:8 says Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

We should always be in a position where God can use us. When He asks, we should be standing up proud and strong and shouting, “Here am I! Send me.”

Since we’re all trying to be like Christ we must remember He had a mission and He fulfilled it so what excuse do we have?

When you die and leave God’s green earth, what will you be remembered for? Will we be able to write “Mission Accomplished” on your tombstone because you fulfilled your destiny? Or will it be a fake out?

Remember what Elwood Blues (Blues Brothers) said, “They’re not going to catch us. We’re on a mission from God.” Don’t let the distracters and haters crush your Mission. Go out and fulfill it.

Be Encouraged and Have a Mission Filled Weekend!

P.S. Please pass it on to others by sharing with all of your Facebook and Twitter friends. Also leave me a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts. THANKS!

Hello Family,

This Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection or our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Churches all over the world will have resurrection services to honor the true and living God.

I know at my church we make it a big deal. It is truly a celebration for all to see.

I like to think of it as our annual Holy Extravaganza! Our combined choir will be in full force. The dance ministry will dance to the praises of our king.  The banner ministry will be waving their banners jubilantly. And most importantly, the gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached to the masses.

Resurrection Sunday (or Easter) is probably to most significant time of celebration in the Christian faith. It signifies our Lord doing something that no other could do. He rose from the dead. Many were born and did some great things but there was NO ONE who died, was buried and rose from the grave with all power in His hand.

That’s what separates Christ from the imitators.

His resurrection symbolizes the fact that while we were born into sin, we could be born again from our dead lifestyle. We can bury the past mistakes and failures and have our own personal resurrection into a new life.

But to be more specific, what dreams or desires or talents have your buried that need to be raised from the dead in your life?

Romans 6:9 says knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

Just as Christ was raised from the dead, we have some dead dreams in us that need to be brought back to life. They were dreams we had years ago that over time we continued to push deeper and deeper into the grave of no hope. Our dreams could be the key to a more fulfilling life if we raise them from the dead.

Some of us need to resurrect a new attitude on life. Although things may be rough, it’s not as bad as the next man so we need to look at things more optimistically. Being cynical is not a healthy way to live. We have to raise up a better way of looking at life.

Whatever your gifts, talents, skills or dreams are that are living in you that need to be resurrected, do it now! Raise them up to die no more and live a triumphant life!

Be Encouraged and Have a Blessed Resurrection Sunday!

P.S. Please pass this on to your friends by sharing with everyone on Facebook and Twitter. Also leave me a comment. I would love to hear what you plan on resurrecting!

Hello Family,

What are you good at? What is that one thing that you really enjoy doing? Is it singing? Is it drawing? What about photography? Do you communicate well with others? Do you have a passion to serve people? Are you a great organizer?

I love young people. My wife and I have three children and I can hang out with them all day. Sometimes we watch a little television or a movie together. We talk about school, their friends, or some of their extracurricular activities. Sometimes we just joke and laugh at each other. I just really enjoy hanging with my kids.

In my career I work with youth and have been doing it for the past 16 years. I love sharing information with youth based on my experiences or the knowledge I have. I enjoy it when a young person asks for my advice and they apply what I’ve shared with them.

At church I was a part of our mentoring program for three years and I have also had the privilege of mentoring my friend’s nephew.

I like working with youth because they are so alive and so real. You know exactly what you get when you work with them. They’re not fake and they usually don’t try to be more than what they are. What you see is what you get.

Regardless of what I do in life, I will always be involved in working with youth in some capacity because that is my calling. I know it and that is what others have told me many times before. That is what concerns me the most.

That is what I’m passionate about.

What is your calling? What are you passionate about?

Ephesians 4:1 says I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.

Are you walking in the divine influence for your life or are you just sliding along? Did you line up your educational path based on your calling? Did you pick your career based on your calling or was it something else?

Beloved, I asked you are you walking worthy of the calling with which you were called? Are you following God’s plan for your life? Are you using the gifts and talents God has given you to build His kingdom?

I’m an example of how God can bless others by doing what He has called me to do. You see on Friday, April 25, 2008 I started sending out emails to a group of folks on my email list and God has used those messages every Friday to minister to a lot of people. I would never imagine in a million years that the words I wrote would have the effect on folks that it has had and I can tell you based on feedback and comments I get from people, I know this thing is real. I know this is what I was called to do!

Put me in the pulpit and you’ll get a hot mess. Ask me to teach Sunday school and the kids will come out more confused than when they first walked in. But ask me to put it on paper and add some of my personality to it, I can do that no problem because that’s what I’m called to do.

What are you called to do? Find out what it is, get it done, and make it happen for the glory of God.

Be Encouraged and Have a Passion-Filled Weekend!

Hello Family,

How many times have you given so much of yourself that other people have taken advantage of you

? I mean they literally use and abuse you? Since you are a kind person, you extend an open hand to help someone or assist them and before you know it, they’ve used you without even giving you a thank you.

There are a lot of everyday people who always give to others and get nothing in return. Sometimes they give to family members or maybe its close friends but regardless of whom it is someone is always reaping the benefits of another persons kindness without giving anything in return.

I know of someone who has constantly done for her family for so long that her family expects her to do certain things all the time. They expect her to be there for them all the time, visit them instead of them visiting her and provide for them all because she is a thoughtful and unselfish person. But when you have someone like, over a period of time, it usually affects them in a negative way. Because they’re so concerned about everyone around them, they usually don’t take care of themselves and when they don’t take care of themselves it wears on them physically, mentally and spiritually and the people around them are so selfish they don’t even recognize what’s going on because all they’re concerned about is me, me, and me.

Many people are used up until they are tired, whipped, and just plain old worn out and have nothing left at all. And in return, they don’t get anything except stress, fatigue, and anger. But when God uses us it is the total opposite. Instead of us becoming less of a person, we are actually becoming more. God gives the increase so it is important to make sure we are giving ourselves to God.

Romans 12:1 says I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

When you give yourself to God it is to your benefit. He replenishes you, He pours into you and it’s a win-win situation. You give yourself to God and He gives you more back. You give to man and they will continue to take and stomp on you.

William McDowell has a song out now titled “I Give Myself Away” and I love it. The lyrics are very simple but profound.

Check out verses one and two.

Verse 1:
Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I’m longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away

Verse 2:
Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands

There is someone who is reading this right now thinking that all they ever do is give and get nothing in return. They cater to the needs of everyone around them and no one is looking out for them. Know that God will build you up, He will encourage you, He will strengthen you and He will make you better where people tear you down. Give yourself to the King of kings and He will take care of you.

So from now on instead of giving yourself to people to be abused, why don’t you give yourself to God to be used.

Be Encouraged and Have a Great Weekend!

Please share with your Twitter and Facebook friends and leave me a comment with your thoughts. I would love to hear from you.

Hello Family,

On Saturday, August 28, 2010 my church, The First Baptist Church of Glenarden, received The Hoodie Award. Now I have to admit that when I heard we were nominated for it a few months ago I was a little skeptical. I had never heard of The Hoodie Award but it sounded stupid. It sounded like it was something that was ghetto (from the hood) and I wasn’t feeling it.

After I checked it out I discovered that it wasn’t quite what I thought it was. And when I found out why we were nominated I was proud of my church.

The Hoodie Award is an award that is given by entertainer Steve Harvey and it honors schools, local leaders and businesses from all over the nation in a variety of categories to include Best High School Teacher, Best High School, Best Soul Food, Best Community Leader, Best Church and many more.

My church won the category of Best Church because of the work we do in our community and world wide.

This award definitely fits with our mission statement of Developing Dynamic Disciples. We don’t want to be a church where folks come in on Sunday mornings, get their weekly fix and then go about their business and not God’s business. We want to be a church that is living out the great commission to teach people to be great disciples (Matthew 28:16-20).

What about you? Are you doing what God has called you to do? Does the work you do make your community better or are you one who is bitter and complains all the time about what is going on?

If you’re not using your gifts and resources and working to improve someone else’s life, then what is your purpose?

1 John 3:17-19 says But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

Our church is blessed and if we don’t use what we have to bless others, we are not living according to the word. We are in direct violation of the scripture by not showing love for our fellow man.

I tell my kids all the time that I’m not too concerned about what you say you’re going to do. I’m more concerned about what you’re going to do. Your Actions Speak Louder Than Words.

Our members are charged to have a ‘vineyard’ mentality. We are called to work and give back and not sit back and be leeches and take, take, take.

Now our pastor has said on a number of occasions of how proud he is of our members and I’m sure he enjoyed the fact that our church has received this national recognition but if no one ever patted us on the back as a church and told us we were doing a great job, it wouldn’t matter. You know why? Because we don’t do what we do to get approval from man. We do what we do to minister to a hurting people. We do what we do to help the lost. We’re not in this thing to get all puffed up and boast of our good works. NO! We’re commissioned by God to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

What are you doing to make this world a better place? How are you impacting your hood?

If God was giving out awards, would your name be engraved on one for the work you’re doing? It should be. If not then maybe you need to do something about it.

Be Encouraged and Have an Award Winning Day!