Called to be God’s Hand!

Have you ever felt GOD directing you to do something that seemed absolutely impossible? Has He ever prompted you to take a step of faith wherein you had no idea where your next foot would land? What did you do? Did you trust Him and step out or did doubt overwhelm you and you simply sat back down?  

One night, the disciples were out on the sea in their little boat. The winds were blowing hard and the waves were buffeting their little craft. Fear had settled in on them all. Then, all of a sudden, through the fog, they see an image of a man approaching. Fearing it to be a ghost, their level of anxiety increased greatly.

But Peter recognized something different about the image. He spoke out to the image: “Lord, if it’s You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28-29 HCSB). Faith began to kick in and Peter uttered words of the impossible.

Peter could’ve said, “Lord, if that’s really You, please hurry over here and rescue us.” But he wanted more. He knew there was so much more to the Christian life than he had yet to discover. He was not content to just sit back and wait for the Lord to intervene in his life. He desired to step out and discover for himself all that GOD had for him.

Today, our churches are filled with people who are content to just sit back and see what happens next. The church is hurting because so many parts of the body have ceased to function. It has become crippled and lacks the ability to make a difference in its world as it should.

Christian, you need to step to the side of the boat and by faith step out into new horizons, new worlds, new experiences. The only way your church can make a difference in its world is for you to take that step. Discover GOD has so much more for you than simply sitting on a pew for an hour.

GOD is calling you to be His hand today—His hand reaching out to help someone in need—His hand touching a life like it has never been touched before—His hand bringing peace to someone’s personal storm. GOD is calling you to be His hand extended today.  

Jesus could’ve told Peter “Just stay right there or you’ll drown. I’m on my way, just wait for Me.” But, He didn’t! He told Peter: “COME!” “Peter, step out of your comfort zone and discover what it really means to live by faith. Step out and realize I have so much more in store for you; if you will only learn to trust Me and to believe in the impossible!”

Church member, step out of your comfort zone today! Step over the side into the storms of this world and discover that GOD can use you to calm the storms that are buffeting people all around you. Pray for sensitivity to the hurts and needs of those around you. Pray that GOD will lead you to people that you can personally touch and watch GOD do great and mighty miracles in the lives of people all around. You have been called to be His hand—are you willing to step into the unknown today and make it happen?

Scripture Reading: “Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession” (Psalm 2:8 HCSB).

Prayer: Father in heaven, I know You have so much more for me than I have yet to discover. I have sat by and waited for something to happen in my church. I have gotten really comfortable but at the same time I am beginning to realize that comfort is not what the Christian life is all about. I want more. I want to step out into the unknown and see Your hand work miracles, change lives, help those in need around about me. I want to get involved. I want to be what You have called me to be—Your hand extended! Help me to do just that, Lord! I desire to be used greatly by You for the sake of the Kingdom of GOD!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Life Can Be Tough!

Life can be tough, even on a good day! The path of life you find yourself walking, does it seem overbearing at times? Do you stop and question why you have been dealt such a difficult trail to follow?  Do you find yourself so overwhelmed by life you just wish you could trade it in on a new one?

A young lady recently came to an altar call overwhelmed by her life. Everything that could go wrong had gone wrong for her from an early age. The pain flowing out from her heart in gushes of tears revealed the deep pain that she was experiencing. As she and I talked, I could see her pain intensifying. She simply could not understand why she had been forced to endure all the trauma life had thrown at her.

She needed answers. I assured her of God’s love and presence. I was able to show her that in the midst of her pain, she knew right where to run. Her response to the altar call revealed she was following the right path. After a time of prayer and counseling, the Spirit began to bring peace to her shattered life. Waves of peace began to flow over her as she began to release all the pent-up hurt.

The Psalmist said: “Our hearts have not deserted you. We have not strayed from your path” (Psalm 44:18 NLT). In the midst of the hard times, you can easily choose to run the other way. When life’s problems overwhelm you, you can turn away from God and His path and run the way of the world. But, true peace and comfort will only be found by staying the path of the Lord; allowing His Spirit to initiate peace and comfort.

When your problems seem to have you defeated, you must learn to “keep your eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2 HCSB). He is your Champion! He is the One who will guide you through to victory. Walk the path that leads to Him. Follow the trail that His Spirit continues to guide you down and you will discover His peace.

Oswald Chambers wrote: “Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside, so enticed my spirit’s vision, gazing on the Crucified!” Don’t lose focus today. In the midst of all your life’s problems, you will discover Jesus is right there with you.

Scripture Reading: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27 NIV).

Prayer: Father in heaven, my troubles and problems often overwhelm me. The hardships of life that roll over me with are often more than I can bear. I find myself struggling to stay afloat. I need Your help right now! You have a path for me to follow. You have charted out the course for my life. I must simply learn to trust You even when trust is so hard to find. May I understand that faith in You will guide me to the place You have called me to be. The road to that place may not always be a great one but as long as I stay by Your side, I will find victory! Help me today, Lord. Build my faith and trust. I give my life wholly over to You!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

GOD Has Left the Building?

In 1956, the phrase, “Elvis has left the building!” was coined as a signal to the crowd that Elvis’ concert had come to an end; it was time to clear the building. The crowds would leave; the lights would soon go down and out; leaving the building quiet, dark and lifeless—similar to many churches across America today.

Certainly, there are people gathering there. The pastor is serving up a little sermonette. The entertainment isn’t bad; in fact, some of it is really good. The light shows can be phenomenal. The band and singers know just the right songs to sing to keep you coming back for more. They have great fellowships, good food and drink. But, something is seriously missing!

King Solomon had just completed what was, perhaps, the most beautiful building ever created by the hand of man. The gold and jewels that had gone into the structure were magnificent. The attire of the priests and musicians were fabulous; the musical instruments were the greatest the artisans of the time could create. It was a sight to behold that drew dignitaries from around the globe to come and behold its magnificence.

But, there was something missing! In all its own glory, it still remained lifeless! It needed something more—something man is incapable of providing in and of himself. The Bible says: “When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple” (2 Chronicles 7:1 NLT). GOD showed up! The fire of GOD flashed down from heaven and the presence of GOD filled the house!

The condition of many churches today seems to reveal that GOD has left the building! Something is desperately missing. The presence and power of GOD have been replaced by loud music, bright lights, and great entertainers! There is no power coming from the pulpit. There is no power coming from the leadership. The power of GOD has been shunned by the spirit of man that desires to be served rather than to serve.

CHURCH, we must wake-up to the reality of the situation. Little hope exists for America today because the church has dried up and become only a memorial to what once was. It is time for men of GOD with a message from the throne of GOD to step up to the plate and proclaim “This is what the LORD says…” while there is still an opportunity. It is time for GOD to show up in a flash of lightening in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, but that church must be pure, holy and separated unto the LORD!

Scripture Reading: “Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God-the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God-and My new name” (Revelation 3:10-12 HCSB).

Prayer: Father in heaven, cleanse my heart, cleanse my mind, cleanse my motives that I may be found pure and holy in Your sight. I pray that the power of Your Spirit would be turned loose upon me, upon my church, upon my pastor. May Your Spirit empower us for Your service in order that many others may come to know You and Your free gift of salvation. I praise You because of Who You are and all that You have done and continue to do…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

An Idol Unto Yourself!

I look around at America today and I find myself overwhelmed by sadness at her condition. It wasn’t that long ago that GOD and the church were central figures in the lives of most Americans. But, today, we find the majority of people have absolutely no concern about either. The church is in its steepest decline ever and most Christians are oblivious to this as long as the church keeps meeting their personal needs. Americans became self-worshippers; they became an idol unto themselves.

America’s move to remove GOD and anything associated with GOD from society has sickened and weakened our nation. We see our streets ravaged by savages intent upon destroying human lives through violent actions. Pedophiles are wreaking havoc on our children’s lives. Unborn babies are being ripped from their place of security and offered up to Satan on the altar of convenience. There is no safety or security left; our nation has commanded GOD to get out and leave us alone and the consequences we are now left with are atrocious.

I’ve always wondered how Israel could go from being abundantly blessed by GOD to overtly rejecting GOD in a very short time, but as I look at America, I see we have taken the same detour. The Israelites had settled in and gotten comfortable in the Promised Land when Judges 3:7 suddenly rings out: “The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; they forgot the Lord their God and worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs” (HCSB).

Americans have become comfortable with life, with church, with all they have accumulated and in the process turned away from GOD. Certainly, most didn’t acquire idols as the Israelites did but in a way, they did. They began to put their own desires and actions ahead of GOD and today we have a nation filled with people who know no other GOD but themselves! America’s is sick today because we have turned our backs on GOD.

Paul warned of this happening. He said: “in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT).

As you read those verses, you see Americans today. The consequences are being witnessed by the drastic changes in lifestyles and the acceptance of all that is bad as being okay. Church, Jesus is coming back! The only hope for America today is for the church to rise up, stand up, and to proclaim the unadulterated truth of the Gospel.

Scripture Reading: “if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT).

Prayer: Father in heaven, our nation is sick today. This sickness is critical and will soon destroy our nation. I pray, LORD, that You will cleanse my heart and mind that I might draw closer to You. I pray for our churches and church leaders that they will turn from anything that displeases You and begin to rise up and speak out against the evil that has overcome us. I pray for our government and leaders that Your Spirit would soften their hearts and open their eyes to the damage that has already been done and seek to reverse it by turning back to You. I love You and thank You for loving me and loving America even when we fail You as we have…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Struggling through Betrayal?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone you had trusted, someone who had been a close friend and confidant suddenly betrays you? They say something about you to another person? They share some personal information you had entrusted them with? The pain cuts deep!

I recall a situation in my own life back a number of years ago. I was involved in ministry work. I had several partners who were heavily engaged with me. We worked very close in the endeavor the Lord had given us to do.

We had become so close; we were sharing very intimate details of our lives with each other—struggles, thoughts, feelings. We often prayed for each other and prayed for God’s Spirit to empower us as the enemy was constantly attacking us. To the amazement and detriment of the rest of the team, one of our own became a betrayer.

We were shaking up the kingdom of the enemy through our endeavors and he was not happy. He found one person willing to step up to the plate and begin betraying our team members by twisting and perverting life situations and struggles. The gossip and lies grew more intense. Before long, we were not only struggling in the ministry work but struggling daily defending ourselves from the ever-growing lies and deception of the betrayer.

We began to pray for the individual and the chaotic situation this person had created for our ministry work. God’s Spirit intervened and the individual was pricked in his heart by what he had done and he eventually asked for our forgiveness and set out to correct all the lies he had started. We certainly learned from the situation. We learned quickly that one of your closest can quickly become an enemy of betrayal!

When I think back on that situation, my mind drifts over to the greatest betrayal ever perpetrated. Judas, a disciple of Jesus, betrayed the Son of God to the angry mob that was out to kill Him. The Scripture tells us: “His betrayer had given them a signal. ‘The One I kiss,’ he said, ‘He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard’” (Mark 14:44 HCSB). A simple kiss and the fate of the Son of God was sealed

There is no greater pain than that felt when you find yourself betrayed by someone you trusted so dearly. The only means of releasing the pain is to give it over to God. Pray for your betrayer. Forgive the betrayer, even in the midst of their on-going acts of betrayal. Do not allow the enemy to gain the victory by allowing the hurt and pain to overwhelm your life. Take ahold of the victory by turning it all over to God and walking away from it.

Scripture Reading: “Lord, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. Many say about me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side. Rise up, Lord! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; may Your blessing be on Your people” (Psalm 2 HCSB).

Prayer: Father, in my greatest times of troubles, You are always there! When the enemy is attacking from all sides, You are always there! I thank You and praise You for protecting me with Your strong arm of protection. I thank You that when others say things against me, betray me, speak out in lies and deception against me; You are always there with the truth. Father, help me to forgive those who say and do things against me. Help me to stand strong in the face of evil. You are my victory, my strength and the lifter of my head! Thank you, Father!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

GOD Has Something More for You!

Have you ever stopped to consider GOD’s plan for you? Have you ever contemplated the idea that just maybe GOD has something more for you than you have discovered? So many people are sitting in pews across America convinced that this is it. They’ve gotten saved, baptized, name on the membership roll and now—somehow they’ve become another number. GOD has something more for you!

Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel like the church may have let you down? In your heart, you know there should be so much more to this Christian life. Yet, you get the feeling from those around you that now we just sit back and wait for the rapture to happen. Show up on Sunday morning. Go through the ritual. Head back home and wait to do it all over again next week. GOD has something more for you!

The church in America is in a rapid demise because so many have gotten “off-mission.” Too many churches have cast aside the marching orders handed down from Jesus. He said: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19 HCSB). The command was to “everyone in the church” not just the paid staff.

The command is for every believer to be involved in winning the lost and making disciples. However, many churches have chosen to add paid staff to fill gaps and voids which effectively robs its people of the fulfillment and joy found in ministry work.

Too many churches have become a place where people sit around and listen to entertainers sing to them about the gold streets and the big mansions, while people all around are lost and headed to a burning hell. Jesus told the church to go but they’ve become places where people sit around in comfort waiting for the next show.

You have a choice to make. You can choose the church of entertainment with all its superstars, light shows and loud music or you can choose the church of Jesus Christ that is reaching out and impacting the lives of others. GOD has something more for you!

GOD has a mission for you. He has a purpose for you. Sitting around being entertained is not it. Being comfortable in a padded pew while millions are slipping off into hell is not it. Listening to a half-hearted, ill-prepared message by a man whose heart isn’t really in being a preacher is not it.

Serving GOD by sharing Jesus is what it’s all about. It’s time for the people of GOD to get on fire for the mission of GOD. Jesus told His Church: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 HCSB). It’s time to get the fire back in the church and get the church on-mission!

Change will come to the church as the people as the people of GOD within the church determine to carry out the mission of the church! Discover GOD has something more for you!

Scripture Reading: “But you, dear friends, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Have mercy on some who doubt; save others by snatching [them] from the fire; on others have mercy in fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now, and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:20-25 HCSB).

Prayer: Father in heaven, I pray You would help me to recognize there is so much more to being a Christian than what I have discovered. Help me to recognize and follow through on Your command to share Jesus everywhere I go. I pray for my church; I pray for my pastor; I pray for my leaders—that they will lead us to become a church on-mission. Forgive me for my past failures and help me to fulfill the purpose and plan You have for me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

A Crucial Choice to Make

Life is filled with choices. Every day we are bombarded by choices we have to make. Some are made with little hesitation or consideration while others may require time to think. All choices result in consequences—some of which have serious implications.

I am reminded of the situation that took place as Jesus was hanging on the cross. The Scripture tells it like this: “Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: ‘Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other answered, rebuking him: ‘Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’” (Luke 23:39-42).

You have two men convicted of the same crime, receiving the same punishment, confronted with the same crucial choice to make—but two very different choices are made. Can you see yourself in what is taking place in this scene? Can you see yourself confronted by the fact of your own sin, the consequences for that sin and the choice you will make?

The one man’s heart was hard. He refused to recognize his impending death and coming judgment—choosing rather to rebuke the only means of his eternal salvation. How often have you done the same thing by your refusal to make the right choice concerning your eternity?

The other man displayed remorse; he understood his situation and how he got there. He understood he was condemned to everlasting punishment because of his past choices. But, he recognized that Jesus had something much better for him. He chose Jesus. He chose eternal life.

The hardened man slipped into eternity without a Savior choosing rather to face his judgment and to receive his just sentence of eternal separation from GOD in an eternal hell. Whereas, the other man recognized Jesus as his only means of eternal salvation and turned his heart and life over to Him at that very crucial moment in time. To this man, Jesus responded: “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise” (v. 43).

Today is a crucial day for you! The Scripture says: “Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT). You have a crucial choice to make today. Putting off such a crucial decision to another day that may never come, is a gamble with eternal consequences you don’t really want to face. Recognize Christ as your Savior. Choose life today through Jesus Christ by making Him the Lord and Savior of your life.

Scripture Reading: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved….For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Romans 10:9,10,13 NLT).

Prayer: Father in heaven, today I find myself faced with the most crucial decision I will ever have to make. I realize my situation, my sin and the eternal consequences for my sin. I recognize today I am lost and in desperate need of a Savior. Today, I choose Jesus. Jesus, I surrender my life to You. Come and take control of me by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Cleanse me with Your shed blood and bring me into a right relationship with the Father above. Thank you for dying for me and for saving me. I love you!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Reeling from a Difficult Situation

Have you ever been going along in life doing the right thing, living the right way and then all of a sudden, BAM!—someone close to you, someone you really trusted turns on you with a vengeance? They begin persecuting you through their lies, gossip, and deceit? You find yourself reeling from the difficult situation that you have fallen into, unaware of what has really taken place?

I recall a similar situation that happened to me a number of years back. Several area ministry leaders had joined with me to help the needy in the inner-city. We were feeding, clothing and housing a great number of people. With the help of several area churches, I started a ministry center and shelter to increase our capability of reaching the growing number of people. I also started a church focused upon these “street people.” The ministry grew tremendously and the church was running well over a hundred people three or four services a week.

Then, all of a sudden, BAM!—the brothers who were so close to me became upset by the progress and growth of the new ministry center. They began to accuse me of hurting their ministries with this new ministry. The talk began to circulate; a great deal of criticism and talk began going on behind the scenes from some of these so-called brothers. I began to feel so alone. The enemy’s attacks increased but GOD continued to prosper the work until their influence began to reach city hall which opened up a whole new set of issues.

As I consider all this, I think about how Joseph must have felt. His brothers turned against him and sold him out. His owner in Egypt, whom he had served so well, had him imprisoned on false charges. He had to have felt so alone imprisoned in a foreign land and yet we find he really wasn’t alone. The Scripture tells us: “the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden” (Genesis 39:21 HCSB). In his darkest hour, Jesus was there with him.

In your darkest hour, Jesus will always be there. When it seems everyone has turned against you, Jesus will be there. Use those moments to draw close to Him and to find your security within Him. Draw your strength from Him. The dark of the night will soon dawn a new day as Jesus brings you out in a victorious way.

Scripture Reading: “The Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. The warden put all the prisoners who were in the prison under Joseph’s authority, and he was responsible for everything that was done there. The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful” (Genesis 39:21-23 HCSB).

Prayer: Father in heaven, life can get so lonely at times. People can be so cruel at times. Understanding why can be more than I can know. Those who seem to be so close become so far. The gossip, the talk, the hurt and pain can be overwhelming at times. LORD, I pray that You give the me the ability to stand strong, to stand firm and to simply know that You are always there and You are working out the victory that is on its way for me. Thank You, LORD! I love You!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!