Win, Build, Send

If I were going to join a church either as a member or staff minister, I would ask two critical questions: What is the reason for that church's existence; what is the purpose for that church being located where it is and why? The second question: What does that church intend do? If that church know it's purpose, I would like to know what the leadership intend to do about its purpose for existing. The answer to those two questions will determine whether or not that church is a spiritaul fit for me. Every Church needs a mission; every church needs to know its purpose and be busy doing what it was intended to do! What's the big deal about those two questions? The big deal is that you were also created for purpose; the big deal is that you were created to be a solution to a problem. And when you find a group of believers interested in solving the same problems you are, you have found a spiritual fit. You have successfully found a group of believers who know there purpose. The big deal is that you have found a spiritual fit and your destiny is settled! I want to be a spiritual solution for lost people to God! I want to win lost people to God; I want to build them up in there faith, and I want to equip them and send them out to be a light in a dark world.

Intimate Moments with God

Intimacy is a most desirable emotional feeling; we all want it! Intimacy with a soul mate is the reason why we pledge our loyality and life to one person in marriage. The bi-product of intimacy is new birth; intimate moments with the one we love often results with new birth (kids). In the same manner, intimacy with God should be a most desirable emotional feeling. In his presence, we change: we talk differently; we act differently. Only in His presence will the best part of you emerge! When you are in that place, you will hear what you have never heard before; you will discover what you have never known, and you will become what you always wanted to become. Therefore, make intmate moments with God your daily agenda. You may only have a few precious moments a day-use them wisely. You will never regret it. Infact, the fruit of those moments will make you crave for more time with Him. Why? Because you will discover that the change taking place in your life is what you really want-new birth!

Tried, Tested, & Triumphant!

Job was an extraordinary person; the bible describes him as a man who was blameless before God. This was a man in whom God found no fault-from a human perspective. Yet, God allowed this righteous man to experience enormous human suffering: He was striped financially, all of his children were killed, and his health failed! A lesser believer would have given up the ghost; would have thrown in the towel, but not Job-this man fell on his face and worshipped God. He declared these words: "If he (God) slay me, yet will I serve Him!" Say what you want about Job, but he's the MAN! The lesson we should learn from this man's suffering is that God will allow suffering to invade what we might call, our normal lives. But, know what Job knew. It is only a test! Just like every other test we will take; we will either past or fail. Job past the test and God restored everything-even gave him double for his trouble. Therefore, when you are tried and tested, determine that you will be triumphant. Job did it, and all he had in his arsenal was faith that God can and will turn his captivity.

The Second Baptism

Forty days after Jesus risen from the grave, he gave his followers a simple but imperative command: "Wait in the City of Jerusalem until you have received power from on high!" He further said, "John baptized you with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days." From those instructions, it is easy to conclude that what he said was vital to the success of his followers. John's baptism, the first baptism, was important; water baptism is a statement on the outside about what has happened on the inside. But the second Baptism was vital; that is, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This baptism is the evidence on the outside about what has happened on the inside. The statement on the outside is important; every believer should be baptized in water. The disciples did it; Jesus did it, and we should do it! But the second baptism is vital; the baptism in the Holy Spirit provides the enduring evidence on the outside about what has happened on the inside. Let's be real, the evidence trumps a statement any day!

Covenant Believers

A covenant is an agreement that establishes 3 important things: Boundaries of accountability, a circle of trust, and qualifies people for relationships. As a Christian, God is in covenant with you! Jesus Christ gave us tremendous access to God through His blood. His death on the cross paid the price and ramson for our sins. Now, we are reconciled as believers to God in Christ. Jesus gave us a "New Covenant" that qualifies us for relationship with God. This new covenant establishes a circle of trust with God that has no end date, and as long as we remain accountable to him for our actions, we can live in an atmosphere of favor! Therefore, exercise your divine authority to obtain the promise God made to you!

Feeling Guilty?

Guilt is a feeling that can follow us around like our shadow. Think about it? Guilt is emotional baggage that we can't simply wish away, cover up, or hide. It must be remedied, resolved, or reconciled. When our actions bring about damage or injury to others-guilt is the consequence. Jesus taught that there are different degrees of guilt. He taught his followers that the true measure of guilt is found in the heart. In other words, our motives determine the degree of guilt God assigns to our actions. Occasionally, we are guilty of something or for something, but our motives are pure, that is admirable with God. The next step is simple: may it right with the people who are victims of what we have done. And if you are the victim and the guilty party won't make amends, decide how important it is to you for the guilty party to make amends. If it's not that important, forgive it! Otherwise, determine your options-you do have rights you know.

Become The Biggest Loser

Have you ever watched that reality show called the Biggest Loser? Wow! The motivation of the contestants must be incredible; being willing to allow millions of viewers watch, judge, criticize their motives and actions is inspiring. Bottom line, they wanted to lose weight-a lot of weight. The pain and frustration of being overweight out weights the pain and frustration of judgemental people watching by television. They want to become the biggest loser of weight. We can learn a lot from those contestants. There could be things in your life that you need to lose quick! You have endured the pain and frustration long enough. You're no longer a spiritual rookie-it's time to move on! Become the biggest loser of the things in your life that are so horrific that it's embarrassing to even think about. God's on your side-go for it!