Encouraged by God's Word

Archive for the ‘Chosen by God’ Category

Hello Family,

Less than a week ago I had the honor of celebrating the life of a dear friend of mine. Although it was his funeral that I attended, I still consider it an honor to have known him and to have had the privilege of calling him my friend.

Evan was a mathematical genius. Now when I say he was a mathematical genius, I’m not exaggerating or just throwing the term “genius” out there loosely. He was a college professor who taught math and he used to tutor a lot of folks in college. It didn’t matter if they were the same classification, younger than he was or older. He had the knowledge and gift of explaining math so EVERYONE could understand it and do well in it.

E was living and walking in his gift as a college professor. He wasn’t just a professor at a community college, he was also someone who ministered to and taught others at his church. He loved to share his knowledge.

When E passed, one of my questions I asked God was why was he taken so soon. I felt as though he was too young and he had his whole life ahead of him. But when I read all of the great things his students, colleagues and church members had to say about him, I realized that he had lived a full life. In his 43 years on this earth he had done more than most people twice his age.

Because E was so proficient in math, the pastor used two mathematical equations during his eulogy to explain E’s life.

The first equation was:

Jesus + 0 = Eternal Life

Essentially if you want to make it to heaven, all you need is Jesus. There is no special task or assignment or anything you must do.

Just accept Jesus and you will be saved.

But the equation that got me thinking the most was the second one:

1 + Jesus = Eternal Impact

This is why E lived a full life. Because of the way he lived his life through Jesus, his impact on so many lives will last for all eternity. He was someone who touched everyone he came into contact with in a lasting and loving way.

My question to you is Are You the One?

Are you the “1″ who will fit into the equation 1 + Jesus = Eternal Impact? Are you living your life in line with Jesus so you can minister to others? Will your actions leave an eternal impact on this world?

Psalm 100:5 says For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

With Jesus in our lives we can have this same impact. Our love can endure forever and our faithfulness can continue through all generations.

Just remember: 1 (You) + Jesus = Eternal Impact

Be Encouraged and Have an Impactful Life!

Hello Family,

In my community it is not rare to see a sign up for a yard sale for the upcoming weekend. Usually it’s the homeowners who want to get rid of some old items they don’t use or want anymore. They know it’s time to clean house. They pull all of their unwanted items out of the house and place it in the front yard and the driveway and they sit in their lawn chairs waiting for bargain shoppers to come by.

Or sometimes there may be a yard sale at one of the local churches or community organizations whose members have collaborated to have this event together as opposed to smaller, separate ones.

I’ve never been to a yard sale but I can imagine that every now and then, there is a bargain item to be found. It could be clothes that have never been worn and still have the tag on it. Or it could be a household appliance that is still in the box and has never been used. You know those Christmas gifts you get that you don’t need or want.

When people find these items it’s just like the saying goes, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” One man didn’t want it so he threw it out and another man found it, valued it, purchased it and put it use.

Life in a way can be like a yard sale. All humans are born into sin. We are damaged goods and not perfect. We are blemished, hurt and broken. We’re not faultless and we should be thrown out.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

God came and looked at you in your “yard sale” situation, purchased you with the blood of Jesus, took you in and made you new. And because of that you can be born again.

Your body was bought and now he owns you and He has filled you with His spirit. Your body is a temple and should be used for God’s glory. You are special, holy and now set aside for a purpose.

Now you can know that even in a state of turmoil, you are here for a purpose. Even when destruction is all around you, you are here for a purpose. Even when your life seems as though it is worthless, you are here for a purpose.

So when you feel like junk and you think you don’t have any value, know that the God of all creation has thought enough of you to purchase you with His son’s blood and although the world may see you as junk, God sees you as His treasure.

Be Encouraged and Have a Spirit-Filled Day!

P.S. Please share this with someone who you know who has been feeling like junk lately and with your Facebook and Twitter friends. Also leave me a comment if this spoke directly to you.

Hello Friends,

Do you remember a song that Grace Jones used to sing in 1985 called “Slave to the Rhythm”? It was good! When that song started people would feel the beat and the rhythm and it would make you hit the dance floor. You truly were a slave to that song’s rhythm.

But what else are we slaves to?

Could it be our jobs? Are you working 8+++ hours a day only to go home and start working on the computer? How about going into the office on the weekend just for “a couple of hours”? Do you have a company phone so your supervisor can have access to you 24 hours a day/7 days a week?

What about your children’s activities? Are you slaves to them? Let’s see, there are basketball, soccer, volleyball, football and softball practices and games. There are Drama Club and Drama Ministry rehearsals and plays. There are choir rehearsals and performances. There are Dance Ministry practices, performances and community service activities. There are Star Ministry meetings and community service activities. There’ s Friday Night Flip and BAM JAM.

Then there are Rose Court meetings, pageants and a cotillion. Oh, that’s just in my household.

What about the TELEVISION? C’mon now. How many of us break our necks to get home to see our favorite show(s)? How many times have you rearranged your schedule to see that latest reality show or game show? Did my boy get voted off this week? Is someone going to win one million dollars? Or, how about that drama that you are totally engrossed with? You always think you know who did it but you’re wrong every week.

This is the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of being a slave. But there is one time when it is ALWAYS good to be a slave.

Romans 6:18 says And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

WOW! Now that’s GOOD slavery!

Think about it. The Lord Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we would be set free from sin. We don’t have to live in bondage, we don’t have to be depressed, we don’t have to live in fear and we don’t have to live defeated, beat down, busted, or empty.

Through Jesus we are victorious! We are slaves of righteousness; we are free from guilt; we are justifiable; we are morally right. We are EXCELLENT.

So when you think about slavery from now on, think about being slaves of righteousness.

So I ask you again; Are You a Slave?

Be Encouraged and Have a Great Day!

Hello Friends,

Let’s go back in time when kids spent their summers outdoors. No, I’m not talking about on some camp ground in the wilderness. I’m talking about outside riding bikes, playing Double Dutch, roller skating, tossing around the football or building go-carts.

How about those basketball games when two guys would pick who would play on their team. Fortunately for me I was a good basketball player and if I wasn’t picking the team, I was always picked early. But what about those kids who couldn’t play? You know the ones who were always picked last and I do mean ALWAYS picked last.

You know at some point, those guys didn’t mind because they were happy just to be playing with the other fellas. They were glad someone chose them to be on their team.

Who’s team are you playing for right now? Who picked you?

John 15:16 says You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Jesus said that He chose YOU and appointed YOU. That’s an awesome feeling to know that the One who conquered death and has an undefeated record chose you to be on His team.

Not only were you chosen, but you should bear fruit. You’re not on the team to sit on the bench or to carry the towels or to cheer on the other players. You should bear fruit and your fruit should remain which means you have something of value to offer. You are playing with everyone else and you’re a contributor to the team and what you have to offer is exceptional.

So I asked you, have you accepted the invitation to be on Jesus’ team? If not, there is only one other solution and that’s to be on the losing team and that lose will cost you your life.

There is only one championship team. Will you be in the team picture?

Be Encouraged and Have a Great Day!