FOLLOW YOUR DREAM - Monday, November 3, 2008
This weekend I saw one of my dreams as a minister come to pass. This weekend Pastor Thomas, Pastor Diamond, and myself hosted the first Preaching Weekend in Jacksonville, FL. To be honest, all day Friday I was nervous, wanting it to go well. Of course, 'well' has to do with excellent attendance, being financially successful, and each attendee walking away saying, “man that was excellent”. Well I must say all things went well. There was an excellent spirit among us as leaders and each church carried its weight.
I share this because I want to strongly encourage you to never give up on your dreams. This weekend was the culmination of 4 years of desire, discussion, and planning. There were times I did not think it would happen but God brought it to pass. Never give up on your dreams. If God said it to you, stay with it because no matter how long it takes, you will still feel freshened and excited. I am an example of dreams delayed but still manifested. You must know that God brings all things to pass. Trust the process and stay with it for God is a faithful God. Have an awesome week. Read Genesis 37, Genesis 50:19-20\
PARTNERS NEEDED - Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I am still basking in the glow of this weekend past. I learned a great deal about God and his will for my life during the weekend. The great lesson reinforced for me was that vision is not done in isolation but with partners. Partners are persons who sense your passion for something or share the same passion and willingly commit to walking with you through it. Partners are:
- God ordained
- Spirit released
- Relationally empowering
Partners, when God gives them to you, become invaluable. I want to challenge you however, to work on you so your partners are released to you. So what do you need to do to be ready for your partners?
- Sell out to your dream and trust God for it.
- Improve your interpersonal skills.
- Stay open to God in terms of personal growth
I write this today because each of you has a chance to accomplish your dreams, but you must understand that it cannot be done alone. Get excited because he is going to send you a Pastor Thomas and Pastor Diamond to walk with you. You are created to walk with others. Have an awesome day!!
Read Exodus 17:8-16
PARTNERS NEEDED - Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Read Matthew 25:19-21
There is an incredible revelation found in this text. Many times God gives us an open door or a relationship that potentially can take us to new and exciting places. In that, we learn to use it to its fullness. Please understand that God wants you to take advantage of life’s doors and relationships. Do yourself well and learn that God has so much more for you, and each moment is redemptive and revelatory. Take advantage of the life God gives you!!
DEVELOP A LOVE FOR YOUR LIFE - Thursday, November 6, 2008
This really hit me recently. In a time of intense prayer, God declared that this season of my life is when I need to love my life. Loving life has to do with waking up each day, enjoying the life God has given you. Life then is a gift and you are the steward of it. You then cannot make any more excuses.
LESSONS FROM A WISE MAN - Friday, November 7, 2008
I am one blessed man. All of my life I have been privy to the example of true Godly manhood in and through my father, Frank Guns, Sr. As a child my father pastored the Abyssinia Baptist Church and worked at the United States Post Office. I watched him as he juggled two very fulltime positions while maintaining his family. As I matured I saw my father transition into fulltime ministry, and again he showed strength and commitment by providing excellent leadership. Upon retirement, his assignment changed as my mother’s health took a turn and she became a double amputee. I have watched him in his latter years continue to exemplify strength and commitment by caring for his wife of over 60 years. My father has been for me an example of great strength and loyalty.
The lesson I have learned from my father is that of profound and unwavering commitment. Throughout his 81 years on this earth he has overcome many obstacles to become an enduring and endeared leader among ministers throughout the state of Virginia. I have watched him love my mother while faithfully serving the people of God. Man how blessed am I. I want to encourage all of you to understand that in the end, a life is more than what you possess or purchase. Life is about your commitments and your willingness to follow them through. The lesson of my father is that when one says yes, you prove your worth by standing strong in your commitment and not allowing anything to distract you. Learn from a wise man and enjoy the journey! Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
YOU CAN MAKE IT - Monday, November 10, 2008
On Sunday, God spoke a very powerful word to Saint Paul. We were told that no matter what we face, we can manage it because of the spirit of endurance. Endurance is the ability to face any and every thing, maintaining a high level of commitment and excellence. God, through Jesus Christ, empowers and energizes us to go through constraints by our convictions and guided by our sense of call. God allows us to face a myriad of conditions and still come out victorious because in him we have all we need to face all we must face.
I want to encourage you to let nothing discourage you, until you adjust your passion for God and your love and loyalty to Jesus Christ. In this season willingly endure, trusting God for all things and walking in the power of faith. Believe that the best is yet to come. Speak it, live it, and walk it. For God is so faithful that he will insure your victory despite your challenges. Enjoy our week! Read Romans 5:1-12
SECOND CHANCES - Tuesday, November 11, 2008
On Sunday I was honored to be a part of the installation services of an awesome preacher and a rather sizeable congregation. While sitting there I could not help but feel a strong sense of appreciation. My appreciation rested in watching God do what God does best, which is give second chances. I saw a congregation being given a second chance, and at the same time I saw my own second chance as well. I saw God opening new doors and trusting me with greater weight. I knew that in that moment God was saying some things to me and I couldn’t help but worship. My worship was such an inadequate response to abundant grace and overwhelming mercy.
Look at God, loving us though we are flawed. Look at God, trusting us though we let him down and sometimes operate so selfishly. Look at God, opening doors though we mismanage the first open door. Look at God, sending his Son to redeem us though we do not deserve it. Lets go after our second chance. It is only in Jesus Christ. Enjoy your day! Happy Veterans' Day!
Read Mark 8:22-26
THINK YOUR BEST TODAY - Wednesday, November 12, 2008
It is true that a person is what you think all day. The power of your thoughts greatly influences your behavior. If you choose to think victoriously, you will be utterly amazed at the outcome of your life. Thinking your best today involves:
1. The materials you digest intellectually through reading and viewing
2. The conversations you allow to be held in your space
3. The places you frequent
4. The reflections you give time to
It is so important that we understand the power of what we believe and what we allow ourselves to think about each day. Your thinking then comes out in your decisions, in your conduct, and in the relationships you form. So today guard your mind and protect your intellectual space. Do so by knowing that your best today is connected to what you're thinking right now!! Have an awesome, thinking day.
Read Romans 1:18-32; Philippians 4:6-8
BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE - Thursday, November 13, 2008
God has created you to live a full and healthy life. Within this full and healthy life are opportunities that will propel and promote you to new and exciting places. Each opportunity causes you to grow and expand as a person. God who has a plan for us then desires one thing from that and us is to be the best we can be.
Being the best we can be means that with consistency we give God our absolute all. We strive each day to live above the negative and the nasty by focusing on our relationship with Jesus Christ. We yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit and fulfill the mandate of Jesus Christ to obey his word and follow his teachings. Being our best is about living a life that pleases God. Be your best then. Work at life and work at satisfying God’s heart. Give your all and watch God through your life do the most amazing things. Today be the best you can be! Read Colossians 3:17
DO YOUR BEST TODAY - Friday, November 13, 2008
One of the great themes couched within the Christian faith is that of faithfulness. It so encouraging, as one who believes in Jesus Christ, to know that my faithfulness or my consistent “lived” commitment to Jesus Christ is counted above all else. Many of us feel the pressure to be perfect everyday. In fact we go out of our way to win the approval of others and to validate ourselves as Christians. Yet God is far more patient than and far more willing to walk with us through the process. The partnering of the Holy Spirit with us is a clear sign that God does not desire us to go it alone.
Faithfulness then is the best you can do today. Waking up, spending time with God, and then living out the word of his son Jesus Christ is truly your best. So instead of trying to outperform others, try just being faithful to God today. Love him, live for him, and choose to touch others because of him. Jesus Christ has shown us that faithfulness is honorable and pleasing to God. So today be faithful, I promise you God will be pleased. Have an awesome weekend and get some much needed rest and relaxation.
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8
BOUNCE BACK - Monday, November 17, 2008
I was sitting at home last night watching the Cowboys/Redskins game (Cowboys won) and I was amazed at how after such a difficult stretch the Cowboys, particularly Tony Romo, rebounded. Now Dallas is not the only team to rebound but since they are my favorite team I will use them. What excited me was the fact that as bad as the last month has been, they were able to muster the strength to win a big game on the road. Well as believers we are also capable of rebounding. When we have a difficult season, we are able to get up and perform at a level that reflects our belief in Jesus Christ. No matter how strained the time is or how demanding it is, because of our faith in Jesus Christ we are capable of managing life’s mountainous challenges.
So here is my advice to you:
- Spend time speaking life to yourself. Refuse to embrace defeat though you are facing it.
- Look for the subtle moments when God is reminding you of your destiny. Refuse to ignore who you are in God.
- Go forth in confidence. Refuse to be stagnant but choose to be excellent even when you are hurting.
Know that God has you and fully embrace the open door to rebound. Get up and be all God has created you to be. Have an amazing week.
Read Hosea 14:4-8
DEMAND THE BEST OF YOURSELF - Tuesday, November 18, 2008
This summer I was privileged to attend the workout of two professional athletes. In awe I watched these men push their bodies to its limit and demand of themselves their highest level of performance and discipline. As I observed their intense workout I wondered to myself, what would the average person accomplish within their personal sphere of giftedness and vocation if they manifested the same level of discipline and exemplified the same level of passion. It was clear to me that the goal to be the best drove these men and not compensation. In a workout facility where no cameras existed they pushed themselves. They demanded the best of themselves. They decided that working hard would produce the desired reward. What an awesome picture for those of us who claim Jesus Christ. Imagine committing yourself at such a level that even your enemies would envy the effort.
Well I want to challenge you to commit to being the best person you can be. Understand that greatness comes with a price. It demands discipline, passion, and deep faith in God through Jesus Christ. God has created you to live a full and exciting life, so why not get the most out of it. Know that you are capable, so go for it. Have an awesome day.
Read Philippians 3:12-14
DEMAND THE BEST OF YOURSELF - Wednesday-Friday, November 19-21, 2008
On Sunday I offered a challenge to the worshippers in Saint Paul. I challenged them to commit to a lifestyle of praise despite the adversity. I am a firm believer, though not always a discipline practitioner, that if one chooses to praise through the season of adversity God will honor them. I am going to provide for you scriptures to read the next three days as it relates to praise. I want you to read them and then write in your words what each passage means. I promise you, your personal praise journey will be enhanced.
Wednesday-Read Psalm 113, Thursday-
Read Psalm 118, Friday- Read Psalm 136
THANKFUL ALL WEEK LONG - Monday, November 24, 2008
I want us to try something a little different this week. Each day I want you to write your own reflections based on a scripture that you choose. This reflection should speak of something you are thankful for. Then send them to me. I want to post your thoughts throughout the next couple of weeks. I find that it is important to share your personal thoughts, for your thoughts are an important part of your faith development. Please send them to multimedia1@dapaul.org (CC - adminasst@dapaul.org).
Your thoughts will be selected and posted. So let’s begin Wednesday. I will post the first one tomorrow.
Read Psalms 30 and answer the following question, “What is the most important reason as to why I refuse to be silent in praise when it comes to God?”
THANKFUL ALL WEEK LONG SERIES:
I CHOOSE TO BE THANKFUL - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The genius of God is that He has granted us the power of choice. Yes we are freewill agents and we determine what our thoughts and actions are. I acknowledge that conditions and the conduct of others can be an influence, but ultimately we are free to choose. With that before us I want to encourage you to choose to be thankful. Being thankful is about looking at your life and seeing the merciful and gracious hand of God in it and through it. To be thankful is to live with the daily recognition that God is good to us, and through his son Jesus Christ we have access to the inexhaustible supply of God’s grace.
In a season of thanksgiving, choose to be thankful. Wake up everyday and celebrate the fact that God is good to you. Look meticulously for his goodness and verbalize it to others. Know that you are blessed and that God is doing for you what no one else can do. Enjoy this life and immerse it in the spirit of thanksgiving. Love you and have an awesome week. Read Psalm 148
THANKFUL ALL WEEK LONG SERIES:
I REFUSE TO BE SILENT (Nathaniel Farley, Jax., FL) - Wednesday, November 26, 2008
There are many reasons for me refusing to be silent when it comes to "Praising God". I will just give this one. For 10 years of marriage, my wife & I didn't have any children. We wanted them, but God hadn't said "Yes" to our request. We made appointments to see our doctors to see if there were any problems with either of us. My doctor told me I was okay, but Vivian's doctor told her that a blockage was keeping her from becoming pregnant. We had a test done, and on her X-rays there showed a blockage. Dr. Motridety told us that it would take surgery to remove it for her to become pregnant. I asked, "What are the changes after this surgery?" He told us that she would have a 50/50% chance after the surgery. I told the doctor that she already had that chance without the surgery. I told him that he didn't have the answers to this, but I knew who did. I went home after that and prayed to God that if He would send me a "Son" first & a "Daughter" second in that order when they come I would give you "PRAISE" and let the world know the Miracles who have given to us. On June 4, 1982 our son was born 10 lbs 5 oz, then 14 months later August 18, 1983, our daughter was born 9 lbs 5 oz as of this day I have kept my promises to let people know how great God is if we only keep the faith & never stop Praising Him. "GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD", therefore, I refuse to be Silent when it comes to Praising God.
THANKFUL ALL WEEK LONG SERIES:
2007 (Alonzo Harley, Highland Park, NJ) - Thursday, November 27, 2008
Last year my family went through a traumatic experience. I lost my job, and health coverage. A month later my wife fell, and broke her ankle. Without any health coverage the hospital refused to operate on her. While all of this was going on, we were running back and forth to court to keep from losing our apartment. We went everywhere seeking help, but no one could help us. In December we lost our apartment, and were homeless for 2 months, and we have 3 children. We ran from place to place. We lived out of bags. As I look back on last year I must say that I thank God we are still here. We are in a new place. I'm working. If it had not been for the LORD I don't know where we would be.
THANKFUL ALL WEEK LONG SERIES:
GOD WORKS BEST IN WEAKNESS (Misty Griffin, Jacksonville, FL)
Friday, November 28, 2008
I’m thankful for God’s power in my weakness. First, I was “HONEST” with myself, I had to admit and own up to my imperfections. This is when I could feel the protection of Christ’s power come in my life. Next, I had to “TRUST & DEPEND” on God. God will use us if we allow him to. Last, I’m “PROUD” of my weakness. My gratitude causes my “FAITH” to grow in Christ. To Stand, Endure, Sacrifice, Prepare, Stretch, Be Patient, Grow, Trust, Be Bold, Persistent, Confidence, Build Relationships, Obedient, Loyalty, Courage, Strength, Respect, Correct, etc..
For when I am WEAK, then God is STRONG.
I want to encourage you to "TRUST GOD". God is with you, and that is all you need. His power shows up best in WEAK people. God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness. My weakness is to claim my Destiny & Purpose for my life (Business Owner to Advance the Kingdom of God & Bless Others) Through the Preaching & Teaching of my Spiritual Father,
Dr. John E. Guns, my dream is on the way. Within 4 to 6 months we shall CELEBRATE! To God Be The Glory.
"MDG Support Services, LLC". What an Awesome and Mighty GOD we serve. GOD BLESS. Please Read: Proverbs 3:5; Romans 8:26; 2Corinthians 12:9,13:4; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 11:1
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