LAST NIGHT - Monday, March 10, 2008
In one of the most powerful experiences of recent memory in Saint Paul, and that is saying a lot, we witnessed as a congregation an incredible move of God. The presence of the Lord was so amazing and so obvious that none of us could deny it. We witnessed miracle after miracle. We all felt the astonishing spirit of God which allowed us access to the Holy of Holies; a place in time where God chooses to encounter humanity. As a Pastor, I found myself speechless as I saw God show himself mighty among us. Lowly Saint Paul, the least among the tribes, experiencing God in such a way! Wow what a God of no respecter of persons.
Upon leaving I begin to ask the Lord to accomplish one thing for each of you who felt the need to attend. I ask the Lord to make it permanent. “Lord grant us the privilege of the encounter being with us for the rest of our lives.” This simple request comes forth out of Luke 11:24-26 where Jesus tells a story about a man who experiences reformation without transformation. My desire as your pastor is not that you have simply encounters that are great stories to tell, but that you have encounters that become life changing.
So as we move into our week, lets pray together that the experience of last night will become so permanent that we will never be the same again.
I love you Saint Paul and remember this is our season as according to Hosea 14:4-8, choose to walk in it.
TODAY I CHOOSE TO BE HEALTHY - Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Coming out of Sunday, I made a personal declaration that I would work like never before at being a healthier disciple. I decided that Colossians 3:12-15 would be more than verses in a book but the guide and goal for the rest of my life. I find it so important to choose to be healthy. To choose to live with the dignity of relationships that please God and that satisfies the longing in all of us for more. Kindness, gentleness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, peace, and love are such amazing qualities. Yes this seems like utopia, but I believe that if we submit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ that this is possible.
Why not today join me in the simple prayer of “Lord make me healthy”. You will be awed that a simple prayer can lead to a lifetime of incredible revelation and wonderful, fulfilling relationships.
Saint Paul chose to be healthy! I love you!
STAY FOCUSED - Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The week moves quickly and now we all are back to the grind of life. Pressing everyday to do what must be done to insure that we can all have a high quality of life. What is so powerful is that though we find ourselves in this place, God is yet showing the wonderful mysteries of faith. Even in the grind we are able to witness his hand daily as he gives us strength. Each day he restores us and empowers us to live full and complete lives. So my encouragement today for you is stay focused. Let nothing draw you away from divine purpose and divine will. Though you are in the middle of the grinding week, continue to speak life to yourself. Enjoy the fact that each day is a blessing and let nothing bring you to discouragement. Read Psalms 23 and allow it to speak freshly to you as you live this day and the rest of the week. Stay focused.
I love you Saint Paul.
WHAT A NIGHT - Thursday, March 13, 2008
Last night I experienced an extraordinary move of God. As you know I have been away this week preaching at Valley Brook Baptist Church in Greenville, SC. A wonderful church that has been through some challenges over the last year enduring the scrutiny that we all know too well. As I preached I saw the Lord break through in such a way until no one could deny it. What an amazing thing.
You know what was so exciting for me? I could preach with the confidence of a pastor out of his season of struggle into his season of promotion and prosperity. Man what a great feeling! Even better, I know that I am tied to a mighty congregation that deeply loves my family and I, and is committed to vision. Thank you Saint Paul for choosing to be a dynamic people who are not afraid of embracing excellence.
Even in your own life, choose to enjoy the journey by choosing to be excellent in all things. Know that life can change at any moment so savor the moments God gives that are restful and peaceful. I am walking in this wonderful season and each of you is tied to it. Love you all and know my heart is wedded to you.
WHAT A WEEK - Friday, March 14, 2008
Well it is Friday and I must say this has been quite a week. From Sunday, where we saw the miraculous power of God, to witnessing the unveiling of fresh passion and energy for a local church by Thursday, while at home the seniors are having an awesome week, truly God is good. I must acknowledge it has been quite a week. As I look back over it one thing stands out to me. That is if you as a believer are willing to trust God and to allow him to use you, he will. The key to being a believer is believing that all things are possible. God will in turn create the conditions for a miracle and you will witness how incredible God really is.
My encouragement for this weekend is come to church expecting God to do awesome things. In fact wake up everyday expecting God to do awesome things. Refuse to accept limits and know that your God can do incredible things. Talk to you Monday. Love you.
By the way read Psalms 23.
SEEK OUT REST IN GOD - Monday, March 17, 2008
Yesterday after an incredible experience at church, I decided to stay home and rest. I felt the need to gather myself with such a busy week coming for me. Well, while sitting in the comfort of my home, I noticed how noisy it was. The fish tank, the television, the icemaker, Angel our dog, and the passing cars. What was so funny was each time I attempted to turn something down or remove the distraction of it, the more obvious the noise became. Piercing through the silence was the simple distraction of noises I could not control. Then came the question, how does one manage rest in a world filled with noises? Now I am referring to more than sleep. Rest is about the soul. It is about finding solace and solitude in a world that never seems to stop. Rest is about God and our ability to find ourselves in him.
What is so deep is that rest may require that you unclutter your life of those things and those people whom only intensify the noise. It may require that you look deep into your life and honestly ask yourself what causes you to think too much and to host these internal conversations. My encouragement is that you seek out rest in God. That while the world you live in is never going to stop, you can by simply disconnecting or establishing space that allows you to experience God’s rest. Through his word, prayer, and reflection find God and you will find rest. Love you, have an awesome day.
Read Psalms 23:2-3; Philippians 4:6-8; I Peter 5:7.
DOING YOUR BEST WHEN ONLY GOD SEES YOU - Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Upon returning home from COCA (Circles Of Covenant Accountability - Ministers Group) at the church, I continued looking at a two-part documentary entitled, “Black Magic”, which aired on ESPN. Black Magic chronicled the influence of African-Americans on the game of basketball. While watching, I could not help but struggle with the obvious lack of appreciation shown to black coaches and players in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. It was clear that the successes of black coaches and players did not engender applause or appreciation from their white counterparts. Because there was no real appreciation for their talent and brilliance, what drove them was simply the love of the game.
I thought about this in the context of ministry and wondered if there were no applause or acts of obvious affection, would my passion for ministry still be high? Would it be simply for the love of Christ? I believe that in order for us to fulfill the will of God, we must serve him out of love and not a need to be appreciated or applauded. Loving God is about doing your best when only God sees you. It is about giving your all with the only promise being offered is heaven. Wow, I find myself seriously asking the question, do I serve for him or the benefits? I know my answer, but what is yours?
Saint Paul lets choose to do our best for him and him only. Anything that comes does so out of grace and mercy. Make today the day you show your love for him, simply for the love of Christ.
See you tonight in the Refreshing Hour. Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-7; Romans 8:31-39
THE IMPORTANCE OF EASTER - Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Well it is Wednesday, hump day as they say. This is the day persons begin looking toward the weekend. Of course anticipating the time away from work and an opportunity to rest, or do whatever was not done around the house during the week. But this weekend is different. This weekend is the center of our faith as Christians. Starting tomorrow through Sunday we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is during this time that we look back at the awesome sacrifice of Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the wonderful reward of eternal life. As a man of faith, I live confidently in the experience of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. For it is truly the most important experience for us as believers. I look toward it with great joy, knowing that if it were not for him, I would be eternally lost. Wow what a weekend!!!
I encourage you to make time this weekend to be in attendance as we celebrate our Lord!! Lets make him center this weekend for he truly is worth all of our commitment. Will talk with you tomorrow.
Read Romans 5:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
GRATITUDE FOR THE CHIRST - Thursday, March 20, 2008
Last evening I went to pick up Alexis from Hemming Plaza. She along with others were preparing for the Friday night presentation called Restoration Night. As I sat and observed, it was so powerful as I witnessed the reenactment of the passion of our Savior. What most intrigued me were the screams and piercing sounds that cut through the darkness of the night. For a brief moment I wondered how could Jesus Christ endure such pain and such suffering for us? My mind moved from Hemming Plaza to a place of immeasurable pain and agony. In that moment I whispered a thank you to him for loving me beyond anything I could imagine.
My sons and daughters this weekend is about so much more than clothes and religious symbols. It is the crux of our faith, and I must admit as I sit here writing in the darkness of another day, I find myself deeply moved and very overwhelmed. For truly Jesus Christ is history’s most compelling character. We are blessed to have enough sense to embrace him and to claim him as our Lord.
Take time this Easter season to celebrate the Crucified Savior and the Resurrected Lord. Take time to express your gratitude for his sacrifice for you. Remember your life is better because he was battered and bruised.
Wow, I want so much to show greater appreciation to him. That for me is so important right now and I would encourage you to do the same.
Love you so. See you this weekend.
Read Luke 22
GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTION - Friday, March 21, 2008
When I was a youngster growing up in the Abyssinia Church, Norfolk, Virginia, I remember the saints singing “Old Rugged Cross”. I can fondly recall how the church would sway as they sung from their hearts their faith. Tonight as I sit here remembering as well the many Good Fridays when I would go to church for the “seven sayings of Jesus on the Cross”, and as I hear the songs and sermons of the Church, I find it is a joy to be a Christian.
Our faith is so affirming. For our God has shown his love for us by giving as a sacrifice for our misgivings, our missteps, and our mismanagement, his sinless son. Wow and today is that day. Our faith speaks of great love and great sacrifice. Our faith celebrates the eternality of grace and the elasticity of mercy. Wow what an awesome God!!!
The shadow of the Cross hovers over us today, as we look both backwards and forwards. This is the day we remember what it cost him and we thank him that it did not cost us. For we could not pay the price of salvation and still live. I find this day to be so liberating and so life giving.
Thank you God for your son Jesus Christ and for his obedience. Thank you Jesus, for willingly doing for me what I could and probably would not have done. Thank you both for Agape and for everlasting mercy. Boy we are truly blessed this day. See you at the Park, Dapaul. Read Luke 23
WHAT A RESURRECTION SUNDAY - Monday, March 24, 2008
For me Easter 2008 will go down as my most memorable experience. From the 6:00am worship experience, where Pastor Eugene Diamond preached an awesome word, to the final experience where God allowed us to walk away from the tomb with chapters closed, I must personally admit I am changed. I believe that yesterday God challenged us to fully embrace the relevance and authority of the resurrection, choosing to walk in the completed work of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the final stage in God’s elaborate plan to redeem and restore his creation. In Jesus Christ, God completed and because of that we can finish. The great thing is we can finish in strength and with dignity. Through Jesus Christ we can go through the process of suffering and not become stuck in it. We can endure each step of spiritual perfection and continue beyond each with the assurance that all is well. Be encouraged because completion is one of the ultimate outcomes of the Resurrection.
Coming out of Sunday I feel so empowered because I know that each stage and each step along my journey has only enriched me for the next dimension of life. Through Jesus Christ I can go forward and so can you. No more looking back and feeling unfulfilled. No more feeling that life owns me. In Jesus Christ we are complete and we are capable of completing. Embrace the resurrection and know that you will:
1. Close all chapters that are meant to be closed
2. Proactively live your lives, embracing all new challenges as the will of God.
This is going to be an awesome week. Enjoy it. Love you Saint Paul!!!
Reach Romans 6:1-14; 2 Timothy 4:1-9
THE JOY OF BEING A CHRISTIAN - Tuesday, March 25, 2008
At 5:30am I greeted another day with the thought of how faithful is my God. I sat up in the bed and began to quietly celebrate the fact that God, despite my own inconsistencies, is yet trustworthy. Throughout the course of my life, no matter how great the disappointments, how mighty the mistakes, and how imperfect the decision, God has been faithful. He has proven the depth of his love by patiently walking with me through life. As a youngster he empowered me to deal with a stammering tongue. As a young adult he strengthened me to pastor an older church while still very inexperience. As a man, he has granted me the grace to love a beautiful wife and daughter and lead a wonderful church.
The joy of being a Christian is that we serve a faithful God. What does that mean to me? It means that when I pray I can genuinely believe that he will answer. It means that when I obey his word, the promise attached to it will be mine to live out and claim. It means that when I face life and all of its challenges, he has promised to be with me. Wow, what an awesome revelation to awaken to. God is faithful and today is a great day to walk all day in the awesome revelation of "God is faithful". Enjoy your day, I promise it is going to be amazing. Read Proverbs 3:5-6; Luke 17:5-6
NEW LIFE - Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Do you desire a healthy, cleaner, purer life? Do you want to wake up every morning and really like where you are? Do you want your past to truly be your past? Well first thing I would encourage is that you pick up last night’s CD or DVD! Last night was an absolutely amazing time of ministry revelation. As I taught I saw tears of conviction, expressions of repentance, and responses of “wow”.
Over the last two days God has confronted me about something in my life that has to end. The Lord showed me old pain and unresolved emotions that were packaged in victim’s clothing. At the end of it all, God allowed a moment to occur that exposed what I still harbored. It was so amazing after the response that God would say to me, “John I only allowed you to know what I did so I could close that chapter in your life and you can firmly and finally move on to a new place in me”. See for most of us, we protect our past like it is a friend when in reality it is a foe. It is our enemy because its passions and its pain only cause us to behave in a manner that is inconsistent with what God is presently and futuristically calling us to. We allow what is outdated in terms of emotions, relationships, and habits to draw us back and forth. Finally, the new thing God is doing is simply destroyed by the old things we allow and nurture. Read Judges 6:1-15.
The revelation for me from last night was choose Romans 6:4. Choose to walk in the new life. Choose to embrace the unknown region of forgiveness and peace. For many of us, forgiveness is the unknown region. Most have not been there so it is frightening!!
I write this today because coming out of Sunday night where the final word spoken was simply “close chapters”, I find myself in the personal place of doing it. I also find myself in that place as a Pastor. Our church is ready for so much more and because so much has been resolved we are all free.
I know I have written a lot this morning but please embrace the new life. Resolve the old so it does not continue to reveal itself in your life. You deserve to be happy so be happy.
Finally, get the CD; it will bless your life. Enjoy the season of newness of life. Jesus paid for it!!!!
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17; Exodus 14:13
JUST TRY IT - Thursday, March 27, 2008
I am so excited!! Yesterday I received news that the first registration for the Healing Center was approved. For those who do not know, the Healing Center is an idea the Lord gave me three years ago when I was personally going through some challenges. He instructed me to host a weekend for Pastors seeking rest, restoration, and refreshment. He called me to create an environment where Pastors could come to hear God afresh. And he called me to do it when I was still being challenged. Well the urgency of it pushed me way out there.
Planning began and the marketing went out all over the country (thanks to the JEG Ministry team). Yesterday the first registration, a Pastor from Chicago went through. Man I am excited! Yes I know it is only one person but the real accomplishment is that I do not know this Pastor. He embraced the concept through our marketing efforts. The joy is that the vision of the concept was presented in such a way that it touched him and motivated him to want to come and experience it. My joy is that the Healing Center is now a reality and no matter what, I am committed to seeing it through. Failure for me now is being intimidated by the lack of numbers and thus aborting the idea.
I write this to you today because I believe that there are some of you, my sons and daughters with great ideas, with passion to do great things, and with the ability to accomplish great feats yet you are afraid to move. Your greatness is being held in the holding pattern called your mind. You know, you are capable but for some reason you never move to the stage of execution. You never obligate yourself by going very public with your idea. You protect yourself from failure but in the end you only fail. You fail because God has placed in you the ability to perform and you choose not to.
Here is the goal. Start and trust that God will do everything he promised. Read Philippians 4:19.
The key to this is the following:
1. Redefine failure not as the size, numbers, or success of it but the failure to even try. Failure is the unwillingness to step forward.
2. Feed your passion with the Word and with positive relationships. Let the strength of the Word of God and people of great faith partner with you.
3. Finally, work the plan. Develop it and work it. Talk it through and work it out.
Today is a great day to start. You never know, someone may believe enough in you to commit to what you are committed to. Just look at me!
Read Genesis 12:1-10; Luke 2:40-52
MORNING COFFEE - Friday, March 28, 2008
How do you begin each morning? What is your morning routine? I thought about this when this morning literally pulling myself out of bed I asked myself what is my morning routine. I found it interesting that my morning routine really helps to determine the rest of my day. One, it helps to shape your attitude for the day and two, it develops discipline. I write this because a part of growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ is creating standards and practices that causes growth. You will be amazed what disciplined and consistent behavior produces.
You want to be a better person, develop a morning routine that allows you to hear God consistently. This involves reading, reflecting, journaling, and praying. This four-step process centers you so you do the right things during the day with the right attitude. God has so much he wants to do with you, and your day is the only means by which he accomplishes it.
Jesus developed a routine for his life and he followed it until his death. Daniel was so predictable until even his enemies knew when and where he would pray. Paul in the Philippi prison maintained his devotional life despite being in great pain and under great duress. Sons and daughters trust the process of your morning. Give yourself the advantage and feed your mind and your body in the morning.
A good attitude will be the result of a great morning routine. I promise you!!
Enjoy your weekend and get some sunshine.
Read Psalms 19, 42:1-2; Luke 4:16-22, 42
GO BACK AND FINISH - Monday, March 31, 2008
Yesterday I was in Houston, Texas preaching at a church that is for me very interesting. Bishop Leroy Woodard pastors it and it has three (3) locations. Each location is at least 30 minutes apart. My day began at 8:30am CST at the Woodlands location preaching to about 150 persons and concluded around 3:00pm at their new location in Sugarland. Boy what a day. Yet the lesson for me yesterday was very powerful. A few years ago I planted a second location and I remember preaching three morning services. Despite what has happened the desire to plant and facilitate worship sites around the city is still there. As I sat in the car moving from location to location I could sense God’s presence sending me back to vision.
See for me and for some of you, there are ideas and callings that you tried but did not complete. Yet God will not allow you to rest until you accomplish it. God is calling you to go back and finish it. Wow, I kept hearing that even last night lying in bed, “John go finish”. There comes a point that no matter who you are and where you are, when God calls you to be something or do something you must go back and finish.
Finishing is about fighting through the temptation to make excuses about why you did not finish. What is so incredible is that God hears the excuse but still requires you to follow through. Excuses may even be legitimate but still God says finish. You cannot fully live as a complete person without finishing.
Vision is tied to tenacity and passion. God has given you a vision and for some of you, you have walked away from the demand of it. God is ready for you to finish. Take your pastor’s advice and go back and finish. Love you and see you soon. Read Luke 5:1-11; Philippians 3:10-14
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