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Only say what God says 5781 have Patience.

11/30/2020

Lamentations 3:25-26
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

According to Scripture, patience is a virtue and a fruit of the Spirit, a sign of someone who trusts in God. According to 1 Samuel "lack of patience can cause you to miss blessings." Being patient is a vital part of trusting in God as our life circumstances are not always what we'd prefer.

So what exactly is the meaning of patience?

Well, patience is most commonly defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. In other words, patience is essentially "waiting with grace." Part of being Christian is the ability to accept unfortunate circumstances gracefully while having faith that we will ultimately find resolution in God.

What is virtue and why is it important?Virtue is synonymous with having a noble character. It simply means the quality or practice of moral excellence and is one of the central tenants of Christianity. Being virtuous is essential to enjoying a wholesome life and building healthy relationships!

In Galatians 5:22, patience is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit. If patience is a virtue, then waiting is the best (and often most unpleasant) means by which the Holy Spirit grows patience in us.

But our culture does not value patience in the same way that God does. Why be patient? Instant gratification is much more fun! Our increasing ability to instantly satisfy our wants may be taking away the blessing of learning how to wait well.

If you don't see the video below click here https://youtu.be/SaB8H2T8gGA Or you can view in your Browser. I pray you enjoy this as much as I did. Don't forget to see the ACTION STEP below. I will be praying for all of us today.

ACTION STEP: What does it mean to wait quietly? Without complaint? I’m embarrassed to admit that my kids have heard me groan with impatience when the red traffic light doesn’t turn green as soon as I’d like. What else do I groan and grumble about when I don’t want to wait? The long lines at the McDonald’s drive-thru? The slow teller at the bank? Am I setting an example of waiting quietly, or do I make sure everybody knows I’m not happy?"

So, today I challenge you to put a watch guard on your mouth and refuse to complain, grumble, and even voice anything that resembles impatience. This is the Hebrew year 5781 which means we are in the decade of the mouth. The one means God, Lion of Judah, Aleph which is silent. God is telling us this year in the decade of Pey-(which means say) plus Aleph-(which means silent/God) to only say or let come out of our mouth what God would want us to say or to allow out of our mouth.

Take the challenge! Together we can do this. We are meant to conquer our enemies.

When things look different some things never change.

11/27/2020

2 Corinthians 4:16
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

It was the longest year in as the song below so wonderfully shares with the world. (Click here if it doesn't show up or view in your Browser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwaxNPY5nIY We feed more people than ever before among all our churches and outreaches. My daughter shared with me how many families were fed in our community and how lives were changed; if only for a day. It's been a very hard year. But, we God's people are resilient. We love and we make it work; in our house and the homes of others, the best we can.

ACTION STEP: Fill your plate and fill your dreams! Life is short. Thank God for this holiday weekend and whatever comes your way--make it not just work but, make it worthy. Worship with your life. Worship by loving whatever God has given you and be Thank-Full!

Happy Thanksgiving

11/26/2020

Psalm 9:1
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."

I find it interesting the number 9 means harvest and the first verse of Psalm 9 tells us to give for all God has done for us. We as people of God have enjoyed a harvest of God's love. If He never did another thing for us, He has loved us and given us His Son to die for us. Thanks be to God for His amazing love.

ACTION STEP: Today, no matter if you are alone or with a houseful of people, remember to give thanks. The definition of gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. We can all show gratitude for the goodness of God. Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your weekend. If you do not have a local church or it is not having services please join us on You Tube at RCIMedian this Sunday at 9AM. You can visit us in person at 9AM or 10:45 just wear a mask. We clean between services and seat you six feet from other families. Your safety is our priority. God Bless you and yours.

The day before Thanksgiving, how will you be preparing?

11/25/2020

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"

The event that Americans commonly call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. This feast lasted three days, and--as recounted by attendee Edward Winslow— was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims.

I often think as a woman there is so much work to do to prepare for the Thanksgiving meal that's gone in an hour or less. Then, I think of all of the preparations I don't have to do and I am so thankful. I do not have to pluck the feathers from my turkey or gather my fruits and nuts all year long.

While no records exist of the exact bill of fare, the Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow noted in his journal that the colony’s governor, William Bradford, sent four men on a “fowling” mission in preparation for the three-day event: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week.”

In “On Plymouth Planation,” Bradford’s famous account of the founding of Plymouth Colony, he remarked of the fall harvest that year that: “there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc.” Wild—but not domestic—turkey was indeed plentiful in the region and a common food source for both English settlers and Native Americans. But it is just as likely that the fowling party returned with other birds we know the colonists regularly consumed, such as ducks, geese and swans. Instead of bread-based stuffing, herbs, onions or nuts might have been added to the birds for extra flavor.

Well, things have gotten a lot easier and things have gotten a lot harder. In all my years of living, I have decided that each generation has their challenges. Each generation has their battles, and things that are difficult. There is a give and take to life. We may go to the grocery store and buy an already prepared turkey dinner, but we loose the love and preparation that is our gift to our family--the memories of the summer berries we picked knowing this day would come. We loose the connection between work and eat, prepare and save for another day. We have the mentality that things will just always be at our disposal, and that is no longer true.

ACTION STEP: This year more than any year I can recall, I am thankful yet contemplative. How many more years will Americans even celebrate Thanksgiving? Are we truly a thankful people? Will we even be able to purchase the "Turkey" as we know it? I certainly don't want to be the "Downer" here, but rather to encourage us all to be truly grateful for what we have, and how far we have come in food acquisition and preservation. Think how much easier it is for to obtain our meal. But, at the same time let's take a minute, and think about what we've lost? What do we need to bring back to the American table, and what do we need to pass on to our children so it is not lost forever? I for one, want to teach my grandsons that it takes hard work to prepare for a family. I want to teach gratitude. I want to model saving today for tomorrow. I want them to know they matter, and sitting around my table is one of my greatest gifts from God, just having them there. What do you want to pass on to your family members?

New believers, new terminology and just plain ole' zeal for God.

11/24/2020

1 Kings 21:25
"But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up."

2 Kings 9:30
"Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window.

Yesterday, I shared with you about an outing I had with some young women. I love being with young people. They are so precious and powerful, innocent and intense. They are passionate about everything they do and all that they believe. As they speak, I am totally captivated by their stories. The freshness in which they see everything inspires me to preach the Gospel, and empower these young people with the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

While listening to this young believer, I picked up how passionate she was about getting right with God, and knowing truth. So, when she began to learn about spiritual warfare and demonic spirits, she searched herself. She repented, and was embracing whatever truth she could grasp. In her zeal to repent, and her love for Jesus, she confessed her sins aloud to those she felt were more mature than her. Only problem was, she didn't have the whole truth. I love that, as she learned she repented, even if she didn't know the entire story.

That's where I pick up this message today, I am sharing with you in this Blog. This young innocent girl confessed to her Methodist church ladies that she had a Jezebel Spirit. Then, she went home and continued to read about this spirit, when she got home. To her total surprise, she realized Jezebel was also a seducing spirit. She was shocked. Seducing spirit she thought, "That's not me! I just told all the ladies at church I thought I had a Jezebel Spirit and I'm happily married." She was devastated. She told her husband what she'd done and wanted desperately to take it back.

As she shared her story, I wailed laughing, (with her not at her). This beautiful young believer in her zeal to be right with God, threw herself on the slaughtering table. Oh, for the Mothers of Zion to arise and pick up these young women and brush them off and tell them they don't have to be ashamed, or misunderstood. Though, it was funny at that moment, because she is now part of our (Framily meaning Friends and Family), she is not ashamed. She could laugh at her own immaturity. I believe she is going to be a little powerhouse for God. I learned so much. I saw my young self. I too, once loved Jesus with a reckless abandon of all that people thought of me. All that mattered and still matters today, is that I am right with God. What about you? What matters to you?

ACTION STEP: Get right with God. So what, if you don't know all the "Christianeze" (Christians talk.) When we start out with God we don't know all the do's and don'ts of the Kingdom? We may not know our Bibles fully? But, if our hearts are pierced, then, let them be pierced with the love and word of God! Let's get right with God. Let's just be upfront and in your face with embracing truth. We can figure it all out later. For now, let's just love God recklessly and passionately!

We are a Framily.

11/23/2020

Psalm 8:2 KV
"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger."

Time flies by quickly. The way we remember things differs with each individual. This weekend I had the greatest time. I spent the day with younger ladies from my church. Some have been with me since they were nine years old. Others have been with me for various amounts of time, but our hearts are knitted, and as their pastor I consider them all my spiritual daughters.

The manager at the restaurant we ate at came over, and ask us if were we all related? Everyone hesitated. We are family, some were biologically related, but we are also friends, but still they are my flock, so I consider myself their spiritual mother. So, we all stumbled with our words. The manager just laughed with us and said she wanted to bring us a desert to share. She came back with this (pictured below.) Framily. Yeah, we liked that--the dessert wasn't bad either. We laughed and enjoyed our meal and our time together. We were "Framily." But, boy did I learn a lot.

I chose to share this Blog right before Thanksgiving, because we will all have the opportunity to sit around the table and listen to one another. We will laugh at days gone by, and prayerfully, we will learn something about one another.

As a pastor, I listened as the ones I've had since they were nine years old talked about their early experiences at our church. I laughed so hard when she explained how she had come from a very small church, where she was one of the older children, and how they were the ones who helped watch the younger ones. When she came to our church, we put her in youth. She was scared to death. She said, "They had hair on their face. I didn't want to be in there with men!" I laughed so hard because to me they were still little boys too. In fact, I had them in my church since they were 6 years old. The contrast of what I thought, and saw, as opposed to what a little nine year old girl saw, was massive. That little nine year old girl will graduate from college next month. Time has flown by. My heart is full. We are "Framily."

I could have sat there all evening and just listened to them. We had newbies who finally felt like they found their "Framily." We laughed till we cried. We listened to one another with heart felt anticipation, as each shared a piece of their heart, and experiences. I am so thankful for that moment in time, where we just sat around the table and were "Framily."

Psalm 68:6
"God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;"

ACTION STEP: Loving someone is listening to someone. Love large. Love this holiday season by giving others the gift of listening. You will learn so much about yourself, others and the memories, they have about your relationship with them. Thanksgiving is easier when you have others in your life you have given to--for then, you can be truly thankful--full of thanks! And, after all we are "Framily."

Happy Friday!

11/20/2020

Psalm 188:24
"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."

ACTIONS STEP: Anybody else have a hard week? Well, you got company. I am rejoicing that today is today. Find something to rejoice in today. Give praise for whatever you can find. We will have better days ahead! Thanking God today that 2020 is almost over. I am practicing the Hebrew Year (5781) "Keep your mouth silent and only say what God says, nothing more and nothing less."

Learning what you don't know.

11/19/2020

So, yesterday I spent the day in the court house finding out when, and if I am the jury for Jury Duty. This was my second full day of learning what I never had a desire to learn. But focusing on myself will never solve someone else's problem or meet someone else's need. If I were needing a fair trial, I would want someone who cared enough to be there and make the best decision. Having a successful life is a life of sowing seeds that benefits other people's lives.

I was exhausted before the jurors were selected. I realized how much we the American people have changed, or have we? Are we just more open to say what's on our mind? Are we no longer able to tell the truth or are we more truthful? I ask myself these questions because so many said, they were not able to make an unbiased decision because they knew so, and so, they are related to so, and so, or they have already made a judgement before hearing anything. I thought to myself, "Lord can we not just all tell the truth, tell the truth from a lie regardless of who or what we know about the circumstance." This is a challenge in life. God calls it a choice. Choices we make, make us or break us--and others.

ACTION STEP: When challenged to tell a lie--just don't. Always tell the truth. Model truth. Step up to the plate and be a role model for others to tell the truth. How do you make America great? Be a great American.

Jury Duty

11/18/2020

I have Jury Duty this morning. Please check in tomorrow!

Getting ready

11/17/2020

There is so much expectation when we have an event to look forward to. This year due to the pandemic so much of life has been put on hold. Weddings, parties, celebrations, vacations and visits with family have been put on hold. No hope of a reschedule, at least of the magnitude once hoped for. The Bible tells us, hope deferred maketh the heart sick. When we get ready for something, we expect it to happen; when it doesn't there is a real sadness. Let's admit it. This has been a very sad year. With all the troubles, trials, and tragedies many have quit getting ready for anything. I want to encourage you, there is still something to look forward to. Jesus is coming back. We don't know how much time we have to get ready. We do however, have something wonderful to look forward to! Let's continue to get ready.

Matthew 24:36
"“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."

We don't know the hour, or the day, but He is coming back, and we need to be ready. If we're ready, then let's spend our time getting others ready. I am sure there is someone in your life that is still unsure, not ready, not even knowing that there is something to get ready for? That's where you and I come in. When we wakeup in the morning, we must get ready for the opportunity to be used of God; to make all of His children ready. We are the bride of Christ and everyone knows it takes a lot of people to prepare for, and help the Bride get ready. No one can do it alone.

ACTION STEP: Think about the people in your life that have maybe put everything on hold--including their salvation. Perhaps, they don't know what preparations are necessary; or maybe they just don't know how to get ready, they need your help. Today, may very well be the day that someone you know and love gets called home. Today, may be the day that Jesus comes back for His bride. Today, I want to be ready. I want you to be ready. God wants us all to be ready. Let's go help His Bride get ready because He is coming, maybe today.