The Mess In ATL

Most of us have heard about the allegations that have been levied against Bishop Eddie Long. When it comes to this issue I think about the danger of elevating people to a status that is too high. We tend to get shocked at situations like this because of the high level of exposure and respect that we give to human beings. People were never meant to be superstars in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the King. He is the One and Only superstar in the Christian Community. We cannot excuse the Bishop if he is guilty of these things he has been accused of. We cannot dismiss how serious the damage this brings upon the entire church if these boys are not being truthful. It is a very sad state of affairs for all concerned. The influence of every preacher, every christian and every church takes a hit when something like this happens. It smears the glorious name of the Lord we represent and makes it hard for non-believers to trust any of us. Perhaps it's time for us to remember that Jesus Christ is the only one that is to be lifted high. The rest of us are just fortunate to be connected to Him by the free extension of His grace. If these things are true we should be disappointed, but not shocked. Let's magnify Christ and recognize that men and women are nothing more than human beings, capable of gross human failures. Work it out!

What Drives You?

Some people are driven by a variety of fears. Some people allow their entire lives to revolve around material possessions. Others are not happy unless they feel like everyone they are connected to is pleased with them. Then there are those that want to have a reputation of success at just about any cost. None of these things is the main thing. The deepest level of authentic living comes from finding out what God wants and then doing it. We have a Creator that designed us for a purpose. A relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, that impacts our choices daily, is everything. When our lives are driven by pleasing the Lord then we are really on to something great. Work it out!

Thought inspired by THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE day 3 by Rick Warren

I'm Not An Accident

I was born an African American in the city of Pittsburgh. My ears stick out away from my head. My teeth are bigger than most other people I see. I am of a quieter sort than many people are comfortable with. I analyze in depth before I act on things. I am loyal to the point that it comes back at times to bite me. There are many other things about myself that I could list, but I'm impressed to be reminded of how none of it is there by accident. God designed me to be me. He has a purpose for the way that I was made. Physical characteristics, temperament, talent, limitations they are all woven into my being so that I can do what I was made to do. That is a comforting thing. I am 52 years old and there are still people that try to change me. I am so glad that I have learned how to be happy with who God has made me to be. I am comfortable in my own skin. I don't hide from my abilities or my flaws. How about you? It's good to know that you are who you are by design. Work it out!


Thought inspired by THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE day 2 by Rick Warren.

Do You Know Where You Are?

In the malls they have these maps to guide you to the store you wish to find. Before you begin to move you must find the dot that says "you are here." Amazing Grace is so much more than going from lost to found. God by grace, "...made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6) We are in an elevated position of victory right now. That is a fact. The work has already been accomplished. Our faith simply makes true for us personally what has already been done. We are above the things that trouble us. Many of us just have to learn to believe what the Lord has done. We have a far greater benefit than safety from hell. That is important, but we have been placed in the position to win over everything that attempts to hinder us. Yes, we do have to continue to fight battles. However, we are doing so from a position of strength. Knowing where you are means everything in the Christian life. We must expect to win over all the things we face. Work it out!

Look Back & Learn

Katrina revealed some glaring weaknesses in our systems of relief. We have been supportive in providing help all over the world when disaster strikes. The people of New Orleans suffered for five days without any type of relief. The people were basically abandoned without food, water, medical care or any of the basic things that are necessary to survive. There is no doubt that the devastating combination of events made this catastrophe somewhat unique. The failing levees after the severity of the storm itself complicated things exponentially, but surely a way to drop water and food to the people that were trapped in the city could have, SHOULD HAVE, occurred. Maybe this type of systemic failure will never happen again, but we know that if we do not learn from our mistakes they can be repeated. Perhaps there is a catastrophic event that has occurred in your life that revealed mistakes that you must not repeat. Whenever we look back at a thing if we do not learn we waste our time. Don't let your painful experiences be wasted. Learn the lessons well. Work it out!

The Lost Practice

"When I feel myself growing dry spiritually, when I don't sense that cutting-edge anointing, or when I need a fresh encounter with God, fasting is the secret key that unlocks heaven's door and slams shut the gates of hell. The discipline of fasting releases the anointing, the favor, and the blessing of God in the life of a Christian."(Jentezen Franklin)
Pastor Franklin has hit on something here that we should re-familiarize ourselves with. Many Bible characters benefited greatly from denying themselves food for a short season to see some spiritual goal realized. Esther, Daniel, Elijah, Moses and even Jesus Christ practiced the discipline of fasting. Our spiritual lives will be enhanced and stubborn problems will be moved when we fast. Work it out!

Meeting Problems With Prayer

"Jesus Christ is the healer of all diseases, the Conqueror of all enemies, the Deliverer from all sin. If our failures teach us to turn afresh to Him, and to find in Him the grace He gives to pray as we should, this humiliation becomes our greatest blessing." (Andrew Murray)