TIME TO BE WHOLE - Monday, September 1, 2008
This weekend was very powerful for me.  During the course of it, God allowed me to experience healing both in a service of homegoing for a dear member, and while ministering in Baltimore.  It was a time of great release and I knew that God’s hand was upon it.  As I now sit on a plane anticipating returning home, I can’t help but thank God for the privilege of being an agent of wholeness, but at the same time a recipient of healing and wholeness.

In this season of your life, I believe God desires to bring you into wholeness.  Wholeness is about the removal of gaps and voids in your life.  It is about existing in a place where you lack nothing because God has orchestrated a season of fullness.  It is a powerful place to be because it is devoid of jealousy, envy, and unnecessary conflict.  It is where God trusts you with more, and you experience a deep sense of peace and contentment.  It is what Paul refers to in Philippians 4:11-13.  I know God desires for you to walk in it, so I encourage you to do the following:

1.  Remove all unnecessary barriers to your peace of mind.  Courageously identify that within you that works against your sense of healthy well-being.

2.  Commit to working for peace.  Choose the path of healthy existence by being a peacemaker.  Refusal of unhealthy conflict and knowing the difference.

3.  Deepen your personal worship by expanding the time you spend with God.  Find peace and wholeness in him.

God desires you to be whole, so accept the challenge and go after it.  Have an awesome holiday and an incredible week. Read Philippians 4:11-13; Colossians 3:15

FOCUS - Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Read Isaiah 26:3 and Colossians 3:1-4 now and return to read the rest of the thought for today.

You're finished?  What came out of it for you?  Let me tell you what I heard, FOCUS!  Focus on what? It's clear, focus first on God and second on those things that are obvious expressions of his nature and character, namely Jesus Christ.  I am discovering that far too many of us mismanage our day because we allow ourselves to be sucked into places with people who distract us, and thus, we lose our focus on what is most important.  As someone who is a kingdom resident, it is important that you learn to discipline yourself so you can FOCUS!

Today write down how many times you see distractions attempting to form and disrupt your day.  Notice the appearance they come in and the method employed to distract you.  God has given you another day; get the most out of it by not being distracted.  Know that God has you, so FOCUS!!  Have an awesome day!

SURVIVING THE STORM - Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Well Gustav has come and gone.  The threat of severe damage never fully materialized.  Yet in the midst of it, there were lessons I learned watching the process.  Let me share.
To survive a storm of major possibilities you must:

1. Follow the instructions of the authorities.
2. Seek shelter.
3. Remove all valuables to higher ground.
4. Do not return until the authorities tell you to.

Now these seem simple but in the end when facing storms whether of nature or life variety, it is best to follow this advice.  I want to suggest that all storms are capable of being survived, but you must:

1. Follow the instructions found in the Word of God.
2. Maintain such a relationship with God that He can protect you.
3. Maintain an elevated mindset, trusting God for all things.
4. Stay where God tells you to and do exactly what God tells you to do.

Saints will survive storms, so trust God and never allow yourself to be intimidated into negative thinking or defeated behavior.  Love you, have an awesome day!! Read Psalms 46; John 15:1-11, 16:33

THE LORD WILL MAKE A WAY THIS WAY - Thursday, September 4, 2008
While lying in bed this morning I began to hear the traditional hymn, “The Lord will make a way somehow”, reworded in my head.  It was a strange moment because what I heard was, “The Lord Will Make a Way this Way”.  Of course I asked what does this mean?  The Spirit of the Lord said look at your life,  “Every time you face financial challenges I address it not with some miraculous infusion of cash, but through your calling which is merged with your gift”.  I laid there for a moment and I allowed my mind to replay this truth.  As always, God was right!!  Every time I need, God uses the merger of my calling and my gift to create the flow of income into my space.

I write this today because to be honest, God is not a God that empowers the economy to control his children.  In fact God is a God that gives us our greatest moments within the reality of famine.  Just read the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 and you will see God turning the situation in the favor of his people, because of the merger of gift and calling.  I believe that God will move you beyond the control of the economy by:

1. Providing you with clarity of call
2. Creating relationships that assist in the development of gift and skill
3. Positioning you in a season of preparation where confidence, passion, and integrity are mixed with the merger of calling and gift.
4. Opening obvious doors where #3 has an opportunity to operate.
5. Continuously providing doors that address whatever the need is

Catch the revelation today!  Your financial freedom is not tied to your job, but to the merging of calling with gift.  God is going to release such clarity to you about what you are called to do, allow someone to aid you in developing it, and release it with a reputation that makes you attractive and marketable.  Doors are opening tied to your calling and gift.  New relationships are forming that promote you, and income and resources are flowing from what you love to do!!  This means making money will be both Godly and fun.  You will love doing what you do and it will be magnified because you will make money doing it!!  No limits in what you can make because your gift and calling will grant you freedom.  So let God push you into freedom and abundance through gift and calling!!  I agree with you, this is that season for you!
Read Deut. 30:9; Psalms 1:3; Isaiah 58:11, Isaiah 65:21-25

I DONT' NEED YOUR HELP - Friday, September 5, 2008
Now I know this sounds kind of funky and arrogant but follow where I am going with this.  I believe God has granted all of us with special gifts and abilities.  I believe that each of us according to I Corinthians 12:6-7 are given by the Holy Spirit to make a difference.  The challenge however is not whether there is a gift within you but rather are there the passion and the motivation to be all you can be.  By” I don’t need your help” I mean, I am motivated within me to go after what is required and to accomplish all God has for me.  “I don’t need your help” is about me not needing you to inspire me, grant me permission to be great, or encourage me to start the process.  Now understand I may need you to encourage or affirm me going through but I am passionate and confident enough to start. 

Starting is about hearing God’s voice for you and then actively pursuing the will of God.  It is about moving forward despite challenges and obstacle because you understand that to not start throws off your life timing.  Everything is in season and is according to divine time so you move because the time is now.  God has called each of us to move in time and this means to take advantage of all God has for us.  God is calling us to more and all he desires is that we start.  Begin but this time without cheerleaders.  Begin but this time without people pushing you.  Begin and enjoy the journey!!!  Have a great weekend.
Read Genesis 12:1-6; Mark 1:9-12

TIME TO PRODUCE - Monday, September 8, 2008
First congrats to our own Executive Pastor J. Scott Cotton and Lady Paula Cotton on your installation.  It was truly God and I am so excited about your future.

As well on yesterday, God spoke in such a powerful way to the Saint Paul family.  He has called us to become a high producing congregation.  What does that mean?  Simple, it means to operate at such a level until God can and will trust us with more.  I am so excited because I know that by doing this I will experience the harvest ordained for me.  You must understand that today marks a new beginning for some.  For those of you who have struggled to get the most out of life, today begins the process of raising your level.  God desires that you wake up every morning with a renewed passion to live at your highest level. So this week decide to be a high performing, high producing believer.

This week do the little things better and the big things well.  God has so much more for you so decide to do it at the highest level.  Finally enjoy doing what you do and watch God provide. Read Psalms 1:3

HE IS WORTHY - Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Jesus Christ is our Lord and he is worthy.  This is one of the most important declarations within the Christian Church.  The fact that He is Lord, and that we are subject to him through obedience, also means that He is worthy of our deepest affection.  Jesus Christ, who has clearly proven his love for us through his sacrificial death, also proves daily the power and strength within his name by energizing us to live victoriously. 

Because of his love and strength we should feel a profound obligation to worship him daily.  Worshipping him means that we express through our words and our works, our appreciation and unbinding commitment to him.  Jesus Christ deserves our worship, and because we know we cannot live without him, we do all we can to declare our love for him. 

Today is an awesome opportunity to express our love for the Lord Jesus Christ through worship.  So take time to declare his worthiness by doing the following:

1.  Praying to him
2.  Praising him
3.  Treating his creation with kindness and care
4.  Witness to someone about his mercy and grace

Today is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice, for He is Worthy!
Read Matthew 28:1-10; Philippians 2:5-11

RECHARGING YOUR FAITH - Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Many of you have a cell phone and an earpiece.  What is so interesting is that no matter how expensive or intricate or modern your phone is, there's one thing all of us have to do.  We all have to recharge our phones.  So if you are like me, each night you plug your cell phone into your charger.  The charger in turn recharges your phone so it can be used again and again.

Well the same goes for your faith.  Each day you use your faith to handle and manage life and its situations.  At some point you need to recharge your faith so you can continue to live a victorious life.  Recharging your faith is about developing a devotional life that refreshes you and empowers you.  It is through our devotional life that God through the Holy Spirit continues to invigorate you with wherewithal to stand. 

I want to suggest that each of us cannot survive without faith and faith needs the Word, and the Word needs God.  So this day commit to do the following:

1. Read your bible daily.
2. Stay open and humble.
3. Keep a pad and a pencil so you can record anything that falls from his life.
4. Open your mind to the voice of God.

Please remember, a strong faith coupled with mature faith process creates a very healthy disciple of Jesus Christ.  Strive for greatness and know that every time you recharge your faith, God is preparing to honor and bless you.  Have an awesome day!! Read Romans 10:10-17, 12:1-4

ONLY GOD - Thursday, September 11, 2008
Seven years ago our country experienced its most devastating homeland terrorist act.  Many of us watched in utter disbelief as the Twin Towers and the Pentagon were attacked.  To this day many of us still feel the strange affects of that day.  Truly our country will never be the same.

As I look back over it, the only thing I could think of that day was “Only God”.  For all of our technology, weaponry, and infrastructure, our government could not predict nor ward off the attack.

In the end, those of us of faith understood that if God does not protect you, nothing man made could.  In 5 minutes we discovered as a nation how vulnerable we were.  We discovered that if God does not guard your borders, you are vulnerable.  I believe that if there was any message that God wanted us to hear, it is simply that, “I and I alone am protector.”

We must look back on 9/11 not as a day of defeat, but a reminder that “only God” can keep you and preserve you.  Please note that this is not a political message, but a prophetic reminder that you need the protection of God.  So today, pray that God will keep you and that no weapon formed should advance.  I love you, and live under the protection of the God who called out of darkness into his incredible revelation of Jesus Christ. Read Psalms 91

OPEN YOUR HAND - Friday, September 12, 2008
On Tuesday, I taught a powerful lesson about generosity.  Well the last 2 days I've had time to sit and think through the themes lifted.  It dawned on me that God has created us to be just like him.  Not so much in appearance, but more importantly in trait exhibition.  As I think deeply, I become more convinced that in order to fully achieve God’s purpose I would have to deepen my commitment to generosity.  Generosity then becomes the testing ground for whether I want to fully achieve God’s nature in the earth. Here is a good question, “If God wanted to showcase himself to the world, could He employ you as an example?”.  It became clear to me that one of the traits God would require to showcase himself would be generosity.  God desires to bless the world through us, and generosity is a key trait.

My encouragement is for you to open your hand and trust God’s assignment for you.  That assignment is that the world be blessed and helped because of your presence.  We are stewards of God’s grace, and thus through our resources we give away so others can be blessed and God glorified and worshipped.

Open your hand! Let God glorify himself through your acts of kindness!  Open your hand!! Let God call the world back to him through the ministry of stewardship that is within you.  Open your hand!!!
Read Proverbs 22:9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

YOU CAN DO IT - Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Yesterday was an awesome day of revelation for me.  After walking out of worship and preparing to go home, I heard the Lord say, “You can do it”.  That blessed me because it wasn’t just for me but for all of you reading this today.  Whatever you are called to face, know that God has ordained you to not only face it but to as well be victorious.  Go forth this week with the confidence that God, through Jesus Christ, has called you to face all things with a daring spirit of faith in the word of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

So, be courageous and confident, knowing that “You can do it”.  Watch God do it and enjoy the journey!!  I promise you nothing will be able to stop you and no one will be able to stand before you.  You can do it whatever it is!  Yield yourself to the promises of God through faith and obedience, being faithful and accountable.  You will be amazed at where God takes you!!  You can do it!

Read: Philippians 4:11-13

LOVING ON GOD - Wednesday, September 17, 2008
What does it mean to love on God?  I am sure many of us have heard this phrase before.  Well, I want to suggest that in order to have a healthy spiritual life, you must learn to love on God.  This means…becoming an affectionate, open, and passionate worshipper who consistently complements God.  This is about living faithfully through your worship life and allowing your personal time with God to be empowering.  I believe that the person who understands the value of worship will create opportunities throughout the day to connect to God.  Then, loving on God is about “lavishing” God with worship.  It is about celebrating the fact that God loves you uncompromisingly. 

Work on loving on God by taking time throughout the day to say thank you for all of the little things.  Place emphasis on his mercy and his grace shown throughout the day!  Open your eyes to God’s acts of kindness expressed through people and thank him because of Jesus Christ, your life is so much better.  So, take time to love on God today! Read Psalms 150

HE'S WAITING - Thursday, September 18, 2008
One morning I was lying in bed challenged to get up and begin the day.  I felt someone waiting for me.  It was a strange moment because I looked up and First Lady and Angel were still sleep.  I wondered who was it and then it dawned on me, God was waiting on me to come spend some time with him.  Now, I know that sounds strange! You may ask, “What does that mean?”  It is really simple.  Each day God gives us, I truly believe that he waits patiently for us to come be with him.  Being with God is really about our personal devotional time, which begins with prayer and meditation on his Word. 

His son and our Lord Jesus Christ show us the importance of being with God.  In every important decision moment of his life, Jesus finds a place to be with God.  He carves out meaningful time with God and in those times, God reassures and reaffirms him as his own.  I believe that many of us would do better during the day if we decided to be with God.  Man, how incredible each day would begin if we would satisfy the God, who all night watched over us and waited patiently for us to open our eyes to begin a new day filled with blessings and revelation. 

Today, pause and spend a little time with him.  I got a feeling…He’s waiting. Read Luke 4:42, 9:28-36

GET OUT AND ENJOY - Friday, September 19, 2008
God and his son, Jesus Christ did an awesome job of creating this world.  They created nature and all its amenities.  They created family and friends who bring us great joy with their companionship.  They created places of amusement where we can go and for a moment out of our busy lives, simply be a child again.  They have created us to take walks, shop, eat, and laugh.  So this weekend, instead of being burdened down with the cares of a busy and hectic schedule, take a moment and enjoy the world God has created.  Look around and decide that this day will be spent doing what makes me laugh.  Talk to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.  You and your favorite person go out and hang out.  Root for your favorite team!!  Sit and listen to your favorite artist! God would enjoy watching you enjoy what he has created. 

Life can be tough and sometimes you have to decide that today is a “no stress day.”  No arguing, no negative thinking, no cynic conversations and no defeated behavior.  This is a weekend that will refresh you because you are a dreamer with great possibilities.  Know that God is secure enough to watch you enjoy life.  Remember that God should get first dibs at your time but after that, go and do life.  Love you and have a great weekend! Read Philippians 4:4-9

REST - Monday, September 22, 2008
Last week was pretty challenging for me.  I found myself wrestling, and admittedly, a little too much.  But because God is so awesome and he loves us so much, through the Holy Spirit He will minister to us.  While sitting on a plane headed to Buffalo, NY to preach for a friend, I continued reading our SOD (School Of Discipleship) book.  As I read the chapter about “Mediation” I found myself drawn closer to God through one word, rest.  It was amazing because that is exactly what I needed to hear from God.  Simply rest. 

Resting is about finding peace and contentment in God and God alone.  It is about choosing God above all other things and celebrating him as your source.  In the end, when one rests, you simply dwell in his presence until all the stress and anxiety associated with life fades in the light of his love.  Resting in God leads us to clearer revelation, a deeper sense of peace, and a wonderful feeling of being loved.  God through Jesus Christ calls us to himself and invites us to rest.  So this week, join me as we embark on a wonderful journey to enjoy the presence of the Lord Jesus who points us towards the God of our rest.  God loves you and he wants you to rest.  So Rest!! Read Psalms 131

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF - Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ever had a day that seemed so overwhelming until you just wanted it to end and start over?  In the course of it, you hoped someone would say or do something that would remind you of God’s love for you.  Yet it just seems to get more and more challenging.  What do you do in that case?  Follow the example of David in I Samuel 30:6.  David, placed in overwhelming conditions, finds courage and strength in God so much so that he encouraged himself.  What a powerful portrait?  But how did he do this?

1. He centered on God by removing the distractions around him.
2. He redirected his energy through worship.  He called for the Ephod, which is the garment of worship.
3. He decided to obey God and follow the Word of God.
4. Finally, he saw God give him victory, and that places all things in perspective.

Learn to encourage yourself.  Learn, through your prayer and mediation time, to remind yourself who you are in God and how incredible your God is.  Remember when no one else encourages you, find strength in God and encourage yourself. Read I Samuel 30; Acts 16:25-26

MAKE YOUR MOUTH MINISTRY - Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I have been guilty of using my words as weapons to hurt and damage people, especially those I love.  Not always sure why, I believe they call it sin.  In the end my words have worked as an enemy and not an ally to God’s will. Lately I have placed greater emphasis on my words serving as ministry, especially within my personal space.  See in our public lives, many of us are careful of what we say.  We temper our words, as my mother says.  We carefully select our words so as to present the best us.  Oh but when we are away from the spotlight of the public and we are with our “loved ones”, we say things that seem to contradict what we call them, “our loved ones”.  In the end, they are wounded and though we have wonderful public lives, our private space is filled with tension and anxiety.  It is tied to the fact our mouths are not ministry but weapons.  Thus, our words become bullets and not a balm.

I do not have a magic format for successfully managing your words.  I believe it comes with three things though:

1. Discipline in how you say what you say
2. A willingness to work at humility.  Humility is so important because it’s the one trait that makes us care what others feel.
3. Spending enough time with God until you live sensitive to the Holy Spirit in each moment.

Join me in getting better in the area of our mouths, words, and body language.  Believe me, the people who love you will be eternally grateful. Read Ephesians 4:29; James 3:1-13

FEAR: AN UNWELCOME GUEST - Thursday, September 25, 2008
For those who strive to be great, one of the most disabling traits is that of fear.  Fear works against everything that is good in you.  It magnifies the negative and energizes the worst thought possible, bringing you to a place of emotional enslavement.  The goal in life is to fulfill God’s will and to live each day productively.  God has created us with the ability to produce and reproduce so that we lack nothing and that in all things he gets glory.  Yet fear comes and drains us of our confidence in God.  It is the Goliath who stands in all places, “the valley”, and demands that we come down to fight instead of staying up to trust. 

I write this today because there are those of you who feel a great sense of call.  Yet the present economic and political climate encourages fear.  One political commentator even went so far as to state that America tends to respond only to crisis and fear.  I believe that as a disciple of Jesus Christ this goes against who we are.  Fear is not our motivator but love and grace are. 

So today refuse to live in the cruel clutches of fear, and decide that you will walk in the power of faith, love, and grace.  Have an awesome day! Read Romans 8:12-17

BE AT YOUR BEST - Friday, September 26, 2008
When I was younger, my mother would say this to me:  “John”, she would say, “be at your best because you don’t know what God has for you”.  I am coming to learn that this is so true.  Being at your best is about living each day governed by the standard of God for you, and the discipline to govern and constraint your conduct and conversation by that standard.  God has entrusted you with much, and I believe that each day is an opportunity to exhibit his glory to the earth.  The key is knowing that in each day there is grace, and that grace empowers us to walk as creative conquerors that refuse to settle.

I am excited today because I sense that this is a day of the open door.  The world is aching for persons who can and will rise to the top as cream to show forth the awesome power and prowess of God.  So today be at your best.  Choose to do the following:

1. If you are working, give your best performance today.
2. Have the best attitude you can have today.
3. Discipline your conversations so you make a difference.
4. Be courteous, kind, and compassionate to both family and strangers.
5. Finally, look for a moment to worship and keep God before you.

I believe that God is waiting to open new and exciting doors, but he needs you at your best today.  So be at your best and enjoy the day!  As well, have a great weekend!  That is my plan!  Love you.
Read I Kings 10:1-13

LIVE UNTIL - Monday, September 29, 2008
I sat on a plane headed to Dallas and I found myself living in a powerful moment of fulfillment.  It is not just about the invitation from Bishop Jakes, but the reality of how faithful God is.  Years ago the Lord promised me some things and as I sit I hear God is saying to me, “I promised you”.  The amazing thing is that God's promises seem sometimes to take such a long time.  They seem to require some many challenges, and if you are not careful you will become so discouraged and time will rob you of the faith you need to believe in the season of planting and preparation.  You face so many challenges until you wonder if you really heard God accurately.  The key is to keep living until God proves he is faithful to his word.  I know, it sounds good but I want to encourage you to not give up, but keep living until.

What does this mean?  It means the following:

1.  Surround yourself with persons who speak life into you.  While you are waiting, know that God will come through.  You need persons who believe in you and in what the promises of God are for your life.

2.  Deepen your personal worship.  Know that worshipping keeps you focused on the God of the promises and not the promises.

3.  Learn to enjoy the season of preparation.  Know God is shaping you to handle it.

4.  Finally, fight through the depression and discouragement that comes from the delay.  Know that God is faithful and trust it no matter what.

So take it from me, keep living until.  Be bless!! Isaiah 55:10-11; Philippians 3:12-14

AN EXCELLENT LIFE - Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Here is a major revelation that came out of my weekend in Dallas at the Potter’s House.  You ready?  Here it is!!  AN EXCELLENT LIFE PRODUCES AN EXCELLENT LIFE!!  This was so evident to me as I experience the Potter’s House under the leadership of Bishop T D Jakes.  It was clear that the excellence of his life had produced an excellent ministry.  The outcome was an excellent life, period.  I sensed as I went about the weekend that God honors those who are deeply committed to an excellent life.

An excellent life is about doing the right things at the right time and allowing your decisions and behavior to be influenced by an innate desire for the best.  It has to do with a passion to excel using your Christian faith as the guide and the pathway.  As God allowed me to experience Bishop Jakes and the Potter’s House, I knew that this was not luck or happenstance.  Rather it was intentional. 

God challenged me from that moment to take seriously the standard that is within me and to strive to be excellent at another level, because in the end, an excellent life produces an excellent life.  Let me offer the follow to assist you:

1.  Embrace the innate standard that is God’s will for your life.
2.  Begin to expose yourself to what you desire as your standard.
3.  Read about it and let it become a way of thinking.
4.  Sanctify your life of inferior conversations, relationships, and things.
5.  Conquer the fear of pursuing it.

Today God says go after the excellent way because an excellent life produces an excellent life.  Have an excellent day. Read I Kings 10:1-16

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