A dense fog, covering a small city is composed of less than 1 full
glass of water but has the ability to cripple an entire city. This
fog that is made of less than one full glass of water spreads itself
throughout a city impairing the vision of those who can normally see
clearly. Fog has been known to bring traffic to a stand still and
even cause fatal accidents. Fog which is composed of very little
true substance disorients and confuses every individual it comes in
contact with. The fog that we encounter physically in life has a
first cousin named "worry." Worry can affect every aspect of a
person's life when in actuality its only one issue we are really
worried about. This one issue disorients and confuses every other
aspect of your life and before you know it you will become stressed
out to the
max! You spend time at work worrying about your relationship, so
your job performance goes down. You spend time at school worried
about finding a job so your grades slip. You spend time at church
worrying about paying your bills so you miss the word God has for
you. Worry will put a mental traffic jam in your mind that will
become a fatal accident if you don't stop worrying.
Philippians 4:6 "Never worry about anything. Instead, in every
situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers
and requests, with thanksgiving. "
Stop allowing worry to mentally strangle the life out of you and
take it to the Lord in prayer. Know that he is faithful and your
worrying isn't doing anything to make the situation better its only
spreading, causing a stress to your entire life.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
The VEIL of Suffering
Yesterday at EBC was an amazing time in the preaching of God's Word
(as if it's not like that every Sunday, lol). Jason Caine, Terrence
Albritton and I preached the 3 service at the main location. Of all
the great analogies used the one that blew my mind most was given by
Rev. Albritton. He explained how suffering becomes a veil in the
life of the believer. He preached these verses in Psalm 13:
1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You
hide Your face from me?…5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart
shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, Because
He has dealt bountifully with me.
David asks God why He has hidden or removed His face (presence) from
him during his time of pain. But the reality is that God's presence
was there the whole time, it was just veiled, or disguised behind
the suffering David faced. When a woman becomes a bride on the day
of her wedding, she wears a veil over her face to hide her ravishing
beauty from her groom. She only wears this veil during the process
of the ceremony. Once they are declared Husband & Wife, she removes
the veil so he can behold her beauty unrestrained. Such is the same
when we experience suffering. During that process, God's face is
hidden behind the pains we go through. We cannot see Him, perceive
Him, or feel Him. But that doesn't mean He's not there.
If you could train your spiritual eyes to peer beyond your pain,
frustration, and confusion … you'll begin to see the blessed
countenance of God forming in the distance. His eyes, nose, and
mouth will take form even through your suffering season, and you'll
know He's still watching over you.
Rev. Terrence Delon Albritton - author (RevDH – plagiarizer)
PS To hear it explained in its original glory, procure a copy of
Albritton's sermon from EBC.
(as if it's not like that every Sunday, lol). Jason Caine, Terrence
Albritton and I preached the 3 service at the main location. Of all
the great analogies used the one that blew my mind most was given by
Rev. Albritton. He explained how suffering becomes a veil in the
life of the believer. He preached these verses in Psalm 13:
1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You
hide Your face from me?…5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart
shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, Because
He has dealt bountifully with me.
David asks God why He has hidden or removed His face (presence) from
him during his time of pain. But the reality is that God's presence
was there the whole time, it was just veiled, or disguised behind
the suffering David faced. When a woman becomes a bride on the day
of her wedding, she wears a veil over her face to hide her ravishing
beauty from her groom. She only wears this veil during the process
of the ceremony. Once they are declared Husband & Wife, she removes
the veil so he can behold her beauty unrestrained. Such is the same
when we experience suffering. During that process, God's face is
hidden behind the pains we go through. We cannot see Him, perceive
Him, or feel Him. But that doesn't mean He's not there.
If you could train your spiritual eyes to peer beyond your pain,
frustration, and confusion … you'll begin to see the blessed
countenance of God forming in the distance. His eyes, nose, and
mouth will take form even through your suffering season, and you'll
know He's still watching over you.
Rev. Terrence Delon Albritton - author (RevDH – plagiarizer)
PS To hear it explained in its original glory, procure a copy of
Albritton's sermon from EBC.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
One Night w/ Jakes cont'd
It goes without saying that America is in one of the biggest financial crunches of the nation's history. And I know that your personal life has been affected in one way or another by our weakened economy. Its common knowledge now that the root cause of this financial crises is the overwhelming amount of bad loans that were sold to irresponsible people (this sweeping statement excludes those who were responsible but just fell on hard times, lol). These unpaid loans that multiplied with exploitive interest rates have left huge companies without revenue and in over their heads. Thus, companies who had too much stake in the sub-prime market began to sink and go under. All of the above can be summed up in one word – DEBT! Read the verses below in light of our nation's problem and tell me if it makes sense, lol.
2Kings 41 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves." … 3Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few.
If the woman just told Elisha she was in so much debt that even though she'd sold everything in her house to pay it down the creditor was still coming to take her sons as collateral; why would Elisha tell her to go borrow more? (Da nanana Da nana Da nanana dananananana …. This is the `Jeopardy Show' music, lol) "Alex, what is `I don't know?"
TD Jakes explained this point perfectly in this story:"I own a record label and we were trying to get a project off of the ground. Nowadays it takes at least $200k to get a project of this size moving. So I set out to find some investors who would put up the cash we needed. There was one man that I was trying hard to sell on the idea. I assured him that he would make a hefty return on his money and that the investment was worth it. I thought I was really selling him until I noticed the expression on his face. He stopped me in the middle of my sentence and asked, "How much money do you need?" I replied, "Only a few hundred grand." He then apologetically declined my offer and said, "Mr. Jakes my firm's base investment amount begins at $5,000,000. Your need is not big enough for us." The reason Elisha led her to borrow more is because she wasn't in enough trouble yet for God to step in and really show off. God wants to do more for you than just pay your rent every 30 days, He wants to perform miracles in your life.
"TDJakes & RevDH
PS This text is a description not a prescription. Don't amass unnecessary debts
2Kings 41 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves." … 3Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few.
If the woman just told Elisha she was in so much debt that even though she'd sold everything in her house to pay it down the creditor was still coming to take her sons as collateral; why would Elisha tell her to go borrow more? (Da nanana Da nana Da nanana dananananana …. This is the `Jeopardy Show' music, lol) "Alex, what is `I don't know?"
TD Jakes explained this point perfectly in this story:"I own a record label and we were trying to get a project off of the ground. Nowadays it takes at least $200k to get a project of this size moving. So I set out to find some investors who would put up the cash we needed. There was one man that I was trying hard to sell on the idea. I assured him that he would make a hefty return on his money and that the investment was worth it. I thought I was really selling him until I noticed the expression on his face. He stopped me in the middle of my sentence and asked, "How much money do you need?" I replied, "Only a few hundred grand." He then apologetically declined my offer and said, "Mr. Jakes my firm's base investment amount begins at $5,000,000. Your need is not big enough for us." The reason Elisha led her to borrow more is because she wasn't in enough trouble yet for God to step in and really show off. God wants to do more for you than just pay your rent every 30 days, He wants to perform miracles in your life.
"TDJakes & RevDH
PS This text is a description not a prescription. Don't amass unnecessary debts
Monday, September 29, 2008
One Night w/ Jakes
What's up everybody? This morning has been one of the best
I've had in a while. I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of
purpose, peace, and the presence of God. My mind is different, my
outlook is clearer, and I feel like the weight of the world has been
lifted off of my shoulders. These things have manifested because of
the powerful message I heard last night. I, along with Jason, went
to hear Bishop T. D. Jakes preach last night at Word of Faith
Cathedral. The aura and anointing on Jakes is unparalleled and
mighty in the Lord. If you've never heard him preach or read any of
his material, then you've robed yourself of the depth of riches God
has placed in this man. Last night was so amazing that we'll just be
regurgitating some of his main points this week. He preached from 2
Kings 4:1-17 … but this is the part we'll look at today:
1Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried
out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that
your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my
two children to be his slaves." 2Elisha said to her, "What shall I
do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she
said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of
oil."
In verse 2 Elisha asked what he could do for the woman.
Jakes, in his expositional study of the book of Romans, found that
the grace mentioned in that book is one of promiscuity. Promiscuity?
Yep – lasciviousness, flaunting, and flirtatious. In essence God is
flaunting in the Red Light District like a lady of the night
asking "Do you want some of this good stuff I got?" lol. God has
power He's yet to use on anybody and is searching for somebody who
He can pour it out on. In this text Elisha asks her in that same
tone, almost daring her to ask him to do something on her behalf.
God is daring you to ask His help so He can show out for you.
Then Elisha asks her what she has in the house. This suggests that
what we're asking God to give us has already been provided. It's
funny that the main thing God intends to use to bless us is the very
thing we value the least. The fact that her house was empty implies
that she sold everything of apparent value in order to pay her debt.
So why didn't she sale the jar of oil? She probably thought it
insignificant and too small for anybody to desire. She could not
have been any more wrong! It's time out for you admiring the gifts
of others and in light of those assuming that God hasn't given you
anything special. Many a times we devalue our gifts because people
don't perceive us to be who God made us to be. In other words, you
cannot perform to the best of your ability when in a room where
people belittle your greatness. Speakers speak best in an auditorium
filled with people who know they can speak. So is the same with
Jesus in the life of a people. That's why Jesus couldn't work in
some people's lives. The word for you today is: Stop assessing your
gifting by other people's perception. If you let them define you
then they confine you. The problem is not with your ability to
perform but with their ability to perceive.
TDJakes (The Blessing) & RevDH (The Blessed)
I've had in a while. I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of
purpose, peace, and the presence of God. My mind is different, my
outlook is clearer, and I feel like the weight of the world has been
lifted off of my shoulders. These things have manifested because of
the powerful message I heard last night. I, along with Jason, went
to hear Bishop T. D. Jakes preach last night at Word of Faith
Cathedral. The aura and anointing on Jakes is unparalleled and
mighty in the Lord. If you've never heard him preach or read any of
his material, then you've robed yourself of the depth of riches God
has placed in this man. Last night was so amazing that we'll just be
regurgitating some of his main points this week. He preached from 2
Kings 4:1-17 … but this is the part we'll look at today:
1Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried
out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that
your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my
two children to be his slaves." 2Elisha said to her, "What shall I
do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she
said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of
oil."
In verse 2 Elisha asked what he could do for the woman.
Jakes, in his expositional study of the book of Romans, found that
the grace mentioned in that book is one of promiscuity. Promiscuity?
Yep – lasciviousness, flaunting, and flirtatious. In essence God is
flaunting in the Red Light District like a lady of the night
asking "Do you want some of this good stuff I got?" lol. God has
power He's yet to use on anybody and is searching for somebody who
He can pour it out on. In this text Elisha asks her in that same
tone, almost daring her to ask him to do something on her behalf.
God is daring you to ask His help so He can show out for you.
Then Elisha asks her what she has in the house. This suggests that
what we're asking God to give us has already been provided. It's
funny that the main thing God intends to use to bless us is the very
thing we value the least. The fact that her house was empty implies
that she sold everything of apparent value in order to pay her debt.
So why didn't she sale the jar of oil? She probably thought it
insignificant and too small for anybody to desire. She could not
have been any more wrong! It's time out for you admiring the gifts
of others and in light of those assuming that God hasn't given you
anything special. Many a times we devalue our gifts because people
don't perceive us to be who God made us to be. In other words, you
cannot perform to the best of your ability when in a room where
people belittle your greatness. Speakers speak best in an auditorium
filled with people who know they can speak. So is the same with
Jesus in the life of a people. That's why Jesus couldn't work in
some people's lives. The word for you today is: Stop assessing your
gifting by other people's perception. If you let them define you
then they confine you. The problem is not with your ability to
perform but with their ability to perceive.
TDJakes (The Blessing) & RevDH (The Blessed)
He's Waiting On You!!!
All of us can agree that there are some things in our life that we
desperately need God to show up and put in order. The question that
I have to ask is "What's the hold up?" What is it that is keeping us
from experiencing the presence of God coming in our lives and putting
things in order. Newsflash….its not God!!! Wow what a statement to
come face to face with. Like you and I, the children of Israel were
in desperate need of God bringing their lives into order.
Psalm 81:10-14 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of
Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. But my people would
not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over
to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If my people
would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly
would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!"
The unfortunate reality is we like the children of Israel don't
listen and submit to God and as a result we delay the blessing of God
putting our lives in order. God desires to put our lives order and
bless us but our stubborn hearts delay the process. Today I
encourage to submit to God fully and experience His power.
desperately need God to show up and put in order. The question that
I have to ask is "What's the hold up?" What is it that is keeping us
from experiencing the presence of God coming in our lives and putting
things in order. Newsflash….its not God!!! Wow what a statement to
come face to face with. Like you and I, the children of Israel were
in desperate need of God bringing their lives into order.
Psalm 81:10-14 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of
Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. But my people would
not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over
to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If my people
would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly
would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!"
The unfortunate reality is we like the children of Israel don't
listen and submit to God and as a result we delay the blessing of God
putting our lives in order. God desires to put our lives order and
bless us but our stubborn hearts delay the process. Today I
encourage to submit to God fully and experience His power.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
God's Will
If you are anything like me you have frequently gone to God and
asked, "What is your will for my life?" We ask this question with
the hope that God will make clearly what it is we should be doing in
our lives. Last week, while spending time in a devotional by Henry
Blackaby, my entire paradigm was shifted as it relates to what God's
will is for my life. Dr. Blackaby said `What is God's will for my
life?' is not the right question. I think the proper question
is `What is God's will?' Once I know God's will, then I can adjust
my life to Him. In other words, what is it God is purposing to
accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I know
what I need to do. The focus needs to be on God, not on my life!"
Wow! There is nothing like coming face to face with a truth that
will forever change the way you pray. Dr. Blackaby plainly states
that in order to know what God's will is for our individual lives we
must simply know what God's will is – period!
But `what is God's will?' I hear someone asking. God's will is what
God does. In other words what I see God doing is God's will. John
5:17,19tells us clearly that God will show us His will. Jesus
states in these verses "My Father (God) is always at his work to
this very day, and I (Jesus), too, am working. I tell you the
truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he
sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also
does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does."
Jesus speaks of how he only does what He sees the Father (God)
doing. Everywhere around us God is already working to accomplish
His will. As the example from this scripture shows, it is our
responsibility to open our eyes, see what God is doing, then
participate in His will. God's will is not hidden - but obvious.
This week I challenge each of you to ask God to show you where He is
working around you and join Him in His work.
Rev JP
asked, "What is your will for my life?" We ask this question with
the hope that God will make clearly what it is we should be doing in
our lives. Last week, while spending time in a devotional by Henry
Blackaby, my entire paradigm was shifted as it relates to what God's
will is for my life. Dr. Blackaby said `What is God's will for my
life?' is not the right question. I think the proper question
is `What is God's will?' Once I know God's will, then I can adjust
my life to Him. In other words, what is it God is purposing to
accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I know
what I need to do. The focus needs to be on God, not on my life!"
Wow! There is nothing like coming face to face with a truth that
will forever change the way you pray. Dr. Blackaby plainly states
that in order to know what God's will is for our individual lives we
must simply know what God's will is – period!
But `what is God's will?' I hear someone asking. God's will is what
God does. In other words what I see God doing is God's will. John
5:17,19tells us clearly that God will show us His will. Jesus
states in these verses "My Father (God) is always at his work to
this very day, and I (Jesus), too, am working. I tell you the
truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he
sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also
does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does."
Jesus speaks of how he only does what He sees the Father (God)
doing. Everywhere around us God is already working to accomplish
His will. As the example from this scripture shows, it is our
responsibility to open our eyes, see what God is doing, then
participate in His will. God's will is not hidden - but obvious.
This week I challenge each of you to ask God to show you where He is
working around you and join Him in His work.
Rev JP
Monday, September 22, 2008
Pigs & Chickens - September 22, 2008
This past weekend we had a guest preacher from Haiti to speak at
EBC. Of all the powerful statements Pastor Jean Marc Desire' made,
the most amazing analogy he gave was in the form of this story:
There was a pig and a chicken walking down the road one day.
As they walked, they noticed a sign on the front door of a local
diner that read: "We're asking for donations of eggs and bacon for a
charity breakfast for orphans." The chicken considered that it might
be a noble deed to donate to the diner so he asked the pig. The pig
replied with scorn, "No!" The chicken couldn't understand why the
pig became so angry all of a sudden. The chicken asked the pig why
he was trippin'. The pig responded, "It's easy for you to donate
because you can lay an egg and then walk away. But in order for me
to donate, I'd have to give my life. You'll only be making a
contribution but I'll be making a sacrifice." Wow! Consider the
depth of words of the pig. Jesus gave a similar example:
Mark 12:41-44 says … 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and
began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury;
and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42A poor widow came
and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43Calling
His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this
poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her
poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
Much like the contrast between the chicken and pig, is this example
of the rich people and the poor widow. The depth of our giving is
not in the quantity but in the quality. Too many Christian have a
shallow mindset in that we think we merely contribute to the church
or to the kingdom of God. For some, the mindset of giving a
contribution implies that they're doing God's church a favor. Ha!
That's a joke. The truth is that true Christians who enjoy a deep
intimate relationship with Christ, are called and willing to make
sacrifices to the advancement of God's kingdom. When we give to God,
either through time, energy, service, money, etc., we must always
give God our best. The only gift that pleases God, is one that cost
you something. Ultimately God should have all you; so let that gift
began with a sacrifice today, and please don't go on contributing to
God like unto a tip for a waitress.
Jean Marc Desire' (50%) RevDH (50%)
P.S. Wouldn't you appreciate more the gift from a loved one that
cost them something?
EBC. Of all the powerful statements Pastor Jean Marc Desire' made,
the most amazing analogy he gave was in the form of this story:
There was a pig and a chicken walking down the road one day.
As they walked, they noticed a sign on the front door of a local
diner that read: "We're asking for donations of eggs and bacon for a
charity breakfast for orphans." The chicken considered that it might
be a noble deed to donate to the diner so he asked the pig. The pig
replied with scorn, "No!" The chicken couldn't understand why the
pig became so angry all of a sudden. The chicken asked the pig why
he was trippin'. The pig responded, "It's easy for you to donate
because you can lay an egg and then walk away. But in order for me
to donate, I'd have to give my life. You'll only be making a
contribution but I'll be making a sacrifice." Wow! Consider the
depth of words of the pig. Jesus gave a similar example:
Mark 12:41-44 says … 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and
began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury;
and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42A poor widow came
and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43Calling
His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this
poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her
poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
Much like the contrast between the chicken and pig, is this example
of the rich people and the poor widow. The depth of our giving is
not in the quantity but in the quality. Too many Christian have a
shallow mindset in that we think we merely contribute to the church
or to the kingdom of God. For some, the mindset of giving a
contribution implies that they're doing God's church a favor. Ha!
That's a joke. The truth is that true Christians who enjoy a deep
intimate relationship with Christ, are called and willing to make
sacrifices to the advancement of God's kingdom. When we give to God,
either through time, energy, service, money, etc., we must always
give God our best. The only gift that pleases God, is one that cost
you something. Ultimately God should have all you; so let that gift
began with a sacrifice today, and please don't go on contributing to
God like unto a tip for a waitress.
Jean Marc Desire' (50%) RevDH (50%)
P.S. Wouldn't you appreciate more the gift from a loved one that
cost them something?
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