Navigating the Waters of What Really Matters, 3

The "Navigating" Series is a lesson series that I have put together for our church. Therefore, it is in outline form with some repetition in the body of the message. That is the reason it does not read like my normal articles.

Part 3

Matt 6:22-24

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luciano Pavarotti:

When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song, tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, "Shall I be a teacher or a singer?" "Luciano," my father replied, "if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair." I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book--whatever we choose--we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that's the key. Choose one chair.

We Must Choose this Day Who We Will Serve

We can not be of two minds…A Double Minded Man is Unstable in All His Ways…

Finding Our Way

In the old days a sailor would find his way be using the things that he knew did not change…

He would gauge his position on the ocean by the Sun the Moon and the Stars. Using a sextant he could determine his latitude and therefore find his way through the vast uncharted ocean.

We today must navigate the waters of this world by the things that we know do not change…

1. We know that that God does not change…

Heb 13:8
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

James 1:17
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2. We know that the Word of God will not pass away…

Mark 13:31
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Psalms 119:89
89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Using the two immutable facts we can navigate the perilous waters of life and discern what really matters…WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

Who God is Really Does Matter…

1. God is One

2. Jesus is God

3. God is Holy

The Plan of Salvation Really Does Matter…

1. Faith

2. Repentance

3. Baptism

4. Holy Ghost

Church Attendance Really Does Matter…

Heb 10:25
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Preaching Really Does Matter…

Rom 10:14
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

1 Cor 1:20-21
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Daily Devotion Really Does Matter…

Pray

Fasting

Bible Study

Reading Inspirational Material

1Thes 5:17
17 Pray without ceasing.

2 Tim 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

It Really Does Matter!

HopeBuilder

Hope is a powerful concept.

Many times it is the difference in life and death; victory or defeat; perseverance or surrender.

Hope shines the light in the darkest hour.

However, there are times that hope seems to be a stranger. We have a hard time wrapping our heads around the concept. The things that we view with our five senses seem to overpower our faith. The thunder of the storm, drowns out hope's voice. Our fear disorients us so that we can not find a point of reference.

Jer 14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

We ask in desperation, where is my Hope?

Just hold on! Do not stray from what has always brought you through. You cannot give up in disgust and say that there is no hope.

Know that tribulation is the incubator of hope.

I know; I know; that does not make sense. Tribulation kills hope right? No…for the righteous tribulation just proves what you had always known.

As you see the grace of God working in the midst of your tribulation it will open your eyes to His power, authority and compassion.

It will listen the feeling of desperation. Does it remove the pain? Not always.

But, it does give us the patience to endure.

Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:…

Tribulation; Patience; Experience; It has been said that experience is the greatest teacher.

When we truly experience the sustaining power of our God there is nothing that can dissuade us, nothing that can move us from what God desires.

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Tribulation; Patience; Experience; HOPE! Hope stands on the foundation experience and looks past the storm for the light of a new day. For our experience tells us that the sun will rise again.

Psalm 30:5 …weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

If you hope in God you will never be ashamed. He can not fail.

Purpose in the Storm

Crash! Boom! Bang! Waves! Wind! Turmoil!

Storms happen....even when you are doing what you are called to do...even when you are praying, fasting, and doing the right thing...

The storm brings fear, doubt and uncertainty. The storm makes you reassess your actions. Did I cause this? Did I choose the wrong direction?

Jesus told his disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side. They did exactly as they were told. The disciples got in the boat and started for the other side. They were in God's perfect will and purpose, yet, the storm arose and tossed them in the sea.

Then came Jesus walking on the waves. Speaking "peace be still," the winds and the waves ceased their roaring and rolling.

After that night they saw Jesus differently. They had seen Him as the healer, the teacher, the prophet but now they saw Him as God. They saw the ruler of nature; the ruler of the elements. It took the storm for them to see the power and majesty of their God.

Though your little boat is being tossed and torn by the winds and waves of life, You are in the perfect and absolute will of God. Look carefully through the haze and you will see the glow of the Master's face crossing the waves and you will hear His voice speaking peace to your situation.

Stand strong in the purpose of God. When the storm passes you will have a fresh glimpse of His power and majesty. He will reveal Himself in a whole new way.

Take courage... Stay the course... Hold to the things that will never fail...

Peace! Understanding! Revelation! Joy! Purpose!

I am BLESSED!

This is Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for...

My Family...
...My lovely wife, Dawn...My Smart, Handsome, Sensitive Boy, Simeon...My Beautiful, Smart, Spunky Girl, Anna...My Parents that have always provided support, love and care for me and my family

My Home...
...My sanctuary...a home full of peace and comfort is so valuable to me...

My Church...
...A faithful people...Revival and Harvest Minded...Praise the Lord! www.oakparkch.org

The Lost Art of Loyalty

loy‧al‧ty  /ˈlɔɪəlti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciati - noun, plural -ties.

1.	the state or quality of being loyal; faithfulness to commitments or obligations.

2.	faithful adherence to a sovereign, government, leader, cause, etc.

3.	an example or instance of faithfulness, adherence, or the like: a man with fierce loyalties.

Prov 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Prov 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend...

Our culture has become a "dog eat dog" race for supremacy. Loyalty to ones country; to ones friends; to ones principles seem to have little value in our world today.

However, in reality, LOYALTY, and the trust that follows hand in hand with it, are some of the most valuable resources a person can possess.

Jonathan, Saul's son, should have been king. He was in line for the throne of Israel. Most men would have possessed it at all cost. They would not have let anyone get in their way. Yet, when the Lord removes the throne from the lineage of Saul, Jonathan accepts it and stays loyal to the freshly anointed David.

David understood the value of that loyalty. He repaid Jonathan's faithfulness by giving Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, a place at his table for life.

We must install the principle of loyalty into our lives. We must be loyal to God, our church, our family, our principles, and our friends.

I hope that it would be said of me..."Kevin was a loyal friend"..."You can count on him"..."His word is his bond."

Let us keep confidences; let us believe the best; let us stand by our principles; let us be faithful men; loyal to the last…

Let us rediscover the lost art of loyalty...

Navigating the Waters of What Really Matters, 2

The "Navigating" Series is a lesson series that I have put together for our church. Therefore, it is in outline form with some repetition in the body of the message. That is the reason it does not read like my normal articles.

Part 2

Matt 23:23-24

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes: Worth 2.5 billion dollars at his death, he was the richest man in the United States. He owned a private fleet of jets, hotels and casinos. When asked to claim his body, his nearest relative, a distant cousin, exclaimed, “Is this Mr. Hughes?” He had spent the last 15 years of his life a drug addict, too weak in the end to even administer the shots to himself. His 6’4” frame had shrunk to 6’1” and he weighed only 90 lbs.

Not a single acquaintance or relative mourned his death. The only honor he received was a moment of silence in his Las Vegas casinos. Time magazine put it this way: “Howard Hughes’ death was commemorated in Las Vegas by a minute of silence. Casinos fell silent. Housewives stood uncomfortable clutching their paper cups full of coins at the slot machines, the blackjack games paused, and at the crap tables the stickmen cradled the dice in the crook of their wooden wands. Then a pit boss looked at his watch, leaned forward and whispered, “O.K., roll the dice. He’s had his minute.”

Time, December 13, 1976

What Really Matters?

Finding Our Way

In the old days a sailor would find his way be using the things that he knew did not change…

He would gauge his position on the ocean by the Sun the Moon and the Stars. Using a sextant he could determine his latitude and therefore find his way through the vast uncharted ocean.

We today must navigate the waters of this world by the things that we know do not change…

1. We know that that God does not change…

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2. We know that the Word of God will not pass away

Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Psalms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Using the two immutable facts we can navigate the perilous waters of life and discern what really matters…

WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

Who God is Really Does Matter…

1. God is One

2. Jesus is God

3. God is Holy

The Plan of Salvation Really Does Matter…

1. Faith

Heb 11:6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2. Repentance

3. Baptism

4. Holy Ghost

John 3:1-7

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Acts 2:38

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:44-48

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:2-6

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The Plan of Salvation Really Does Matter!

Navigating the Waters of What Really Matters, 1

The "Navigating" Series is a lesson series that I have put together for our church. Therefore, it is in outline form with some repetition in the body of the message. That is the reason it does not read like my normal articles.

Part 1

Ecclesiastes 1:13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Two Directions

Solomon sought out the wisdom of this world. He sought satisfaction in worldly and sensual pleasure. It left him empty and seemingly bitter…

Eccl 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

David sought the things of God…

Ps 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Psalms 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Siren Song

In Greek mythology, the Sirens were nymphs that lived on an island call Sirenum Scopuli. They would sing their spellbinding song and lure the passing sailors into the rocks where their ships would be destroyed and they would be devoured.

Odysseus escaped the Sirens by having all his sailors plug their ears with beeswax and tie him to the mast. He was curious as to what the Sirens sounded like. When he heard their beautiful song, he ordered the sailors to untie him but they ignored him. When they had passed out of earshot, Odysseus stopped thrashing about and calmed down, and was released (Odyssey XII, 39).

This Worlds Song

This worlds siren song is calling to men and women, young and old…the sounds of it are beautiful…yet the end of it are destruction and ship wreck.

It lures the unsuspecting soul into its rocks of heart ache, addiction and destruction.

It also calls us to except alternative thought processes… It is calling us to be tolerant of sin and false doctrine….

The Remedy

We must turn a deaf ear toward the things of this world and turn an open heart toward the things of God.

Toward the things THAT REALLY MATTER…

There are absolutes in this life…Truth is Truth no matter what the world says or even when it is ignored or not believed...it is still truth!

Finding Our Way

In the old days a sailor would find his way by using the things that he knew did not change…

He would gauge his position on the ocean by the Sun the Moon and the Stars. Using a sextant and a chart he could determine his latitude and therefore find his way through the vast oceans.

We today must navigate the waters of this world by the things that we know do not change…

1. We know that that God does not change…

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2. We know that the Word of God will not pass away

Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Psalms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Using the two immutable facts we can navigate the perilous waters of life and discern what really matters…

WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

Who God is Really Does Matter…

1. God is One

Deut 6:4

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Isa 44:6

6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Isa 45:6

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

Hosea 13:4

4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

2. Jesus is God

Isa 9:6-7

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Col 2:9-10

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

3. God is Holy

Ps 99:9

9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Exod 15:11

11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Ps 30:4

4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Who God is Really Does Matters!

Dis-Encouraged

A friend of mine was listening to a radio preacher several years ago and they were speaking on the subject of “dis-encouragement,” all through their lesson they continued to use this incorrect word. We have had many laughs over this person’s simple mistake. We will look at each other and say, “don’t be dis-encouraged.”

However, there may be some wisdom in this misuse of terminology. We as human beings go through cycles of encouragement that take us high into the stratosphere of hope only to be met with some new challenge that sends us crashing into the basement of discouragement. This could be called the cycle of “dis-encouragement.”

We as Pastors, Ministers and leaders face this on a daily basis. We receive a call from one soul that is making progress and we can see Jesus using our ministry to build stability in their lives and we are bolstered by their achievements. Then the phone rings and the bad news hits! Brother So-and-so has fallen; or has cancer; has lost his job; has lost a loved one and our emotions plummet to the ground.

We preach on Sunday and everything flows so easily. The worship soars and the wind of the Holy Ghost blows through the service and lives are changed forever. Then mid-week rolls around and the crowd is down and those that do show up are tired from the daily grind. The music skips a beat and the message seems to fall from your lips to the floor in front of the pulpit.

Up and down we’ll go; where we’ll stop no one knows!

David experienced this in his life many times. The thrill of defeating the lion and the bear empowered his soul. UP! The loneliness of the field and the solitude of shepherding would grip his heart. DOWN! The profound experience of the anointing oil flowing over his head and the prayer of ordination burned in his heart and in his ears. UP! Spears thrown! Songs sung! Fleeing death! Giants killed! The Cave! The Throne! Defeat! Victory! Sin! Forgiveness!

Up and down! Over and over!

The cycles of our lives can be disconcerting at the least and devastating at the most. However, you are not alone. I understand as a Pastor you have to be the pillar of strength for your family, your spouse, and your church. I understand the feelings of inadequacy so well. They haunt my mind on a daily basis. I also know that on this roller-coaster called leadership we must keep in mind that we are not alone.

Remember, God is with us! Emmanuel! There is no shadow of turning in Him. He does not get “dis-encouraged.” Lean. Fall. Run. Kneel at His feet. He will strengthen you. Just as David encouraged himself in the Lord and called for the ephod so that he could inquire of the Lord. We must allow Him to be God in our lives too. Just because we are called to lead does not mean that we do not need Him to minister to us.

He will strengthen you! He will lead you! He will stabilize your roller-coaster!

It is time to… re-encourage…re-pray…re-hope…re-worship…REJOICE!

What Do You Love?

Our passions are revealed by what we talk about, what we make time for, and what we get excited about. It is amazing that when we are enthusiastic about something we have no trouble finding the time in our otherwise busy schedules for that activity. Yet when we do not have a passion for something we can not seem to fit it in anywhere into our life.

For many it is impossible to find the time to pray, witness, read the word, and even come to church faithfully. Yet, they have no trouble finding time to golf, fish, hunt, play games, and spend time with the things they love to do or the people they love to be around. Our trouble seems to be a love problem.

What do we love? We need to cultivate a passion, a love and an enthusiasm for God and the things of God. When we are in love with someone we want to talk to them and be with them at all cost…time, distance or money can not stop us. When we are passionate about something it bleeds into every conversation. This love becomes priority.

Let's make our relationship with God our priority! Nothing can keep us away from His house, prayer will be something we want to do, giving will be something that we treasure and witnessing will overflow from our heart of love for him.

The old song says "I keep falling in love with Him over and over again." Let's do!

The Green House Effect, A Spiritual Climate Change

In our, generally accepted, church dialect we have many words, phrases and ideas that have been incorrectly defined and misused. One of the most misused terms is the word revival. We have placed many definitions on or around this word such as…

1. a scheduled set of services usually with an evangelist or special speaker
2. an abstract happening that will spur growth and spark our churches to a higher spiritual growth and culminate in numerical growth

These are fine definitions, however so many times we have looked at revival as such an abstract thing that we are waiting on. We use phrases such as revival is coming. We are praying for revival. We place it out in the future like it is in a delivery truck headed our way. We are waiting for the stars to align and for God to get ready to pour it on us or to deliver it on the back of His Holy Fedex truck.

However, I do not believe that we have to wait on God. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He is not sitting by in your city letting people die and go to hell just so he can deliver revival on a particular day. He is ready now! He does not want anyone to go to hell.

We are not waiting on him, but he is waiting on us! We must instigate a spiritual climate change in our churches.

If you desire to have growth in some agricultural way, what would you do? You would build a green house that had the perfect environment for whatever plant you wanted to grow. You would make sure the temperature was right, you would put the right nutrients into the soil and you would have the precise watering and pruning regiment. You would plant the seed and then things would begin to happen. This is natural law. Nothing could stop its progress as long as the climate or atmosphere was correct.

This is very similar to having growth in our churches. Growth is not something abstract that is waiting until a specific time. It is a law that will submit to “The Green House Effect.”

When we change or set the climate of our church to one that is conducive to growth we will automatically see growth and nothing will be able to stop it.

We must change the climate of our churches to one of biblical holiness, love, acceptance, spontaneous worship and the powerful demonstration of the Spirit. We will then have “revival” and growth in our cities.

We as leaders must be the thermostat. We have the ability to change the climate. God will honor His word and the laws which it contains. Set, cast, and preach the vision and God will open the eyes of the congregation. He will raise their expectation level. When their expectation level rises the excitement will be contagious. There is no stopping a church that is hot with “revival,” because the people will sound the alarm and the whole city will come and watch it burn!

My Education

I am a graduate of Jackson College of Ministries. Some may say that Bible College has little value, however, I disagree emphatically. I would not trade the three years that I spent there.

The classes were great, the spiritual development exponential and the friendships invaluable. Yet the Bible College experience was not my greatest source of education.

I have furthered my education through seminars, community colleges, and universities.
These institutions have expanded my horizons and opened my eyes to many truths and also to many misconceptions, yet these have not given me the education needed to be successful in the work of God.

My greatest source of education has been at the feet of great men.

When Jehoshaphat was going into battle he understood the necessity of consulting with a prophet that could hear the voice of God. He asked the question in II Kings 3:11-12 “Is there not here a prophet of the Lord?” The answer that he received was this; “Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

Elisha did not have a long list of credentials. The only testimony of Elisha’s education was that he served a great man.

In my ministry some may ask “What are your credentials that you would be chosen to pastor or to lead anyone?” My answer is that I had the opportunity to pour water on the hands of great men.

The investment that has been made in my life can not be measured in degrees, or valued in monetary terms.

In my life I have had the opportunity to sit at the feet of many great men.

First of all, as I had mentioned, I attended Bible College. It was not the classes or the services that had the most profound effect on my life though they were valuable and life changing in many ways. Yet, it was Rev. J. Michael Seal, my Dean of Theology, which took the time to pour himself into me.

I was reminded of his valuable contribution to my life when I had the privilege of having him come to my church and preach. He blessed the church so much with his profound yet simple way of communicating. We sat hour upon hour talking about God and what He has done and what He can do. As we spoke, my mind went back to those days long ago when my friend and I would sit in Brother Seal’s living room asking questions and listening to his insight for hours on end. The treasure I found was beyond comprehension.

For six years of my ministry I spent at a home for abused and neglected children. I served a man of great compassion and great leadership. Rev. Stephen M. Drury taught me compassion for those who could not return your investment.

Through his example of love and compassion I learned that eternal investments were more profitable than those investments that can be measured immediately. Also, his leadership and administrative ability has few equals.

His greatest gift to me was trust. He put his trust in me as a very young man. He placed the care and administration of Tupelo Children’s Mansion into the hands of a twenty-four-year-old. His trust challenged me to rise to new heights and to stretch my potential beyond my abilities.

The next six years of my ministry I spent in a revival church. I had the opportunity to serve one of the greatest men that I know.

Rev. D. G. Hargrove taught me that if I will allow God to flow through my “open hand,” He will use me as a conduit for blessing and power. Through his example of love, compassion and wisdom I glimpsed a true pastor’s heart.

His generosity is unmatched. Through him I learned invaluable nuggets of wisdom such as “do not build buildings; build people and the building will come,” and “use money; love people…not love money; use people.” I saw his passion for winning souls, not gathering numbers. I learned that it is not about me and “my” ministry but it is about God and His glory. He pastors one of the largest churches in the Texas District, yet his humility keeps him from proclaiming it.

He taught me that learning how to flow in the Spirit is more important than sermonizing. The lessons learned at his feet are too numerous to tell.

Words cannot express my gratitude to these men for their investment in me. They would all say that I have blessed them more than they blessed me, yet I am the one who has been eternally blessed.

When someone asks for my credentials I want it to be said that “he is the one that poured water on the hands of great men of God.”

I would say to every young man, find a man of God and serve him. Your faithfulness will be rewarded in due season. Do not seek position but seek to serve. Be loyal, be faithful, be observant. Listen, and your life and ministry will be blessed.

To every minister of experience, I would say, find a hungry God called young man or woman and pour yourself into them. They want to be used of God. Your investment will bring eternal rewards.

I pray that your education will be as valuable as mine.

The POWER is YOURS

There are many things in this world that I can not change. I can not change the weather. I can not change the tragedies that seem to attack my life. Life’s trials and trouble will come my way.

However, I do have power. I have power to control my response. I can control my reaction to tragedy, trials and negative circumstances.

An elderly couple lived in a small Louisiana town. One night their pastor, that lived just a few blocks away, heard loud sirens and a great commotion. He looked out his window to see the terrible glow of a fire. He quickly dressed and went to the fire. To his dismay it was the home of this precious couple. He was struck with panic as the thought shot through his mind, “did they get out?” He frantically searched the crowd for their faces. Then he found them shaken but safe. There they stood facing the blaze with 70 years of memories and everything they possessed going up in flames. Here was Sister Edna with her hands lifted, tears streaming and a praise coming from her lips, “Thank you Jesus,” she cried. In her eyes she was not loosing everything but the Lord had saved her and her husband.

She had the power. In an instant she changed a tragedy into a worship service; bitterness into thankfulness.

Just as Sister Edna, we have the power. Choose Jesus; Choose Joy; Choose Peace; Choose Happiness; Choose Love; Choose Life…

…the Power to Choose is Yours!

If It Ain't Broken It Can't Be Fixed

Isa 66:2
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

It is in our nature to stand our ground, to fight for what is ours, and as Americans we are taught that our rights are of supreme importance. However, as in many other ways, the Kingdom of God is in opposition to our nature. The Bible states that He chose the foolish things to confound the wise. In the Kingdom of God and in the war with our fleshly nature we must surrender to win.

Surrender? Yes, surrender.

You have heard the old saying “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Well, in God’s Kingdom “if it ain’t broke it can’t be fixed.” If we desire our life to be molded into the image of Jesus we must first allow our image to be destroyed.

Let me share with you three keys to being used of God.

First of all, we must surrender our goals, ambitions and desires. This does not mean that we should not have goals, ambitions and desires, but rather, we should surrender them to God’s perfect will. If His will differs from our plans we should be willing to surrender to Him.

Secondly, we must submit to authority. Notice, I did not limit this submission to God’s authority, for not only do we need to submit to God, but we must live submissively. Our spirit must be submissive to God, biblical authority and even to one another.

Lastly, we must allow our will to be broken. We must become poor in spirit. For blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. When we are broken we make our selves available to Him to be molded into His image.

When we are surrendered, submissive, and broken we will not exalt our selves, we will not be easily offended, we will not offend others, and we will be completely open to His will.

If we do not allow ourselves to be broken we will not be truly used by God. However, if we do allow ourselves to be broken we will be placed into His perfect will and we will be used of God.

Laws Have Loop Holes

The other day I saw a picture of the budget legislation for the fiscal year 2005. No doubt, a low level employee of the House of Representatives had been assigned to distribute this massive volume of legislation. One “folder” looked at least 18 inches thick and must have weighed 30 lbs.

It is staggering when I try to comprehend the legislative process and the veritable mountain of paper work that is involved. The tedious and overwhelming job of trying to form laws and close every loop hole that man can find or create is astounding.

As I pondered this subject I realized that it is impossible to create a law without a loop hole. Everyday new laws are being written to close loop holes in the laws that were written the day before.

Now, I do believe that laws are necessary and that they play an important role in our lives. However, in our walk with God we must go beyond the obedience of laws and install principles into our character.

For as I stated before, laws have loop holes. For example, if I tell my son that he can not cross my street when he is playing in the front yard, what will keep him from crossing the street when he is at my mother’s home? The principle is that there is danger in the street. This principle applies to every street. The original law works under specific circumstances but the principle works anywhere and anytime.

Laws have loop holes. They are tied to time, location or activity; where as, principles can be plugged into any circumstance.

Our life must be principle driven. We must live the way we live, not because it is legislated, but we live the way we live because it is who we are. We install principles into our lives, such as honesty, loyalty and modesty, which govern us under any situation. These have no loop holes.

We, as the children of God, must honor the laws of the land and of the Word of God. However, we must live and teach a higher level of life. That is the level of principles. This life style will keep us pure even when no one is watching. When there is no chance of being caught, principles will drive us to do the right thing.

Live principles…teach principles…

Laws have loop holes! Principles don’t!