I'm sure everyone is familiar or has heard about the prodigal son story: the second son requested his inheritance from his father before time only to waste his money on "careless" or "wild living" in a foreign land until he had nothing else, which coincided with a famine; and the young man found himself as a hired worker among the swines. Fortunately, the son "came to his senses" while desiring the food that the swine enjoyed and he realized what type of lifestyle he had before leaving home with his Father to pursue his own will. I think everyone can relate or draw some type of comparison to this story in some kind of way. Personally speaking, I grew up in a family with christian values: supportive parents and loving siblings. However, when I went away to UNC-Charlotte I did not totally "wild out", but I was living contrary to the beliefs in which were instilled while I was a youth. I traveled down the road of disobedience for some time, but eventually I was enlightened by the Truth aka the Word of God, the Bible and "came to my senses" and realized what I needed to do in order to get back and stay on track with a lifestyle that was both pleasing and worthy in the sight of the Heavenly Father. Pastor Michael A. Stevens left us with "3 Major actions/responsibilities from the son" which included: he came to himself, he arose and went back home, he confessed "I have sinned!". Then, Pastor Stevens gave four comparisons of how the father's response (actions/responsibilities) looked in the prodigal son story. The first, the father saw the son afar off; secondly, he had compassion on the son; thirdly, he fell on him and kissed him affirmation; and finally he reassured the disgruntled older brother. The message was very empowering. I would also like to note that the father provided four important items to the "lost son" that included the fattest calf, a ring, a robe, and sandals. All of the items represent something of importance, for example, the fattest calf was not a small rotisserie chicken from Blooms that the father asked the servants to prepare; to celebrate his son's return home. It was the father demonstrating his love towards his son that no matter what he had done in his life. The father always stands, watches, and will provide him with the best...Why? because of LOVE. The ring had great significance it represents sonship with the father, a covenant between the two and it was the seal of approval from the father; that no matter what the son had done as long as the son could come to his senses and "confess" his sin, the father would take him back as a son. I believe Jesus Christ has done this with ALL of believers at some point and continues to do so with those who have gone astray. Now as believers, it is our duty as sons and daughters of the Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father to TRUST and BELIEVE, HE knows what is best for us in the long run and if we have gone away it is never to late to decide to come back home.....Amen.
LaDonte' K. Lee
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Be Obedient to the Will of God
This morning during worship service at THE CHAPEL (Hollands Chapel A.M.E Zion Church), I was a witness and participant in an experience outside of the normal Sunday morning. The Holy Ghost spirit was so high in the church that the Pastor did not preach a sermon. The service was turned over to will and leading of the Holy Spirit, and we were obedient to his calling. During this period of time, the different church-goers mentioned in my earlier post were easily discerned due to their actions or lack thereof. Those in the congregation who were touched and in tune with the Holy Spirit were taken to a new level of praise and thanks giving to God for his presence with us. The Pastor received a revelation after being laid out by the Holy Spirit that God was building walls of "Fire" around certain worshipers in the congregation in order to purge the unclean people and spirits around them, and to keep them set apart from any others that may try to attack them. The service concluded with Pastor stirring up the "Fire" within these members of the congregation by laying hands on us. This took the worshipping to another level. Time seemed to stop as I was praising God, and simply saying, "Thank you Lord!!!".
The Pastor gave his benediction, in order to allow others to leave. This did not cut short the praise and worship according to the move of God which was occurring in the church. All this served to do was remove those who were not in tune with the Holy Spirit. Some people stayed just to watch, and others did their normal talking to friends within the Sanctuary. After a couple of minutes, the Pastor had the ushers close the doors, in order to respect the sanctity and power of the continued worship which was occurring. This removed about 85% of the people who were in the congregation during the earlier portion of the service. This was the real service for the morning devoid of the on-lookers, backbiters, clockwatchers, texters, flirters, and imposters.
What I was able to take away from this morning was simply this:
God just wants you to say "Yes" to His will and "Yes" to His way. When you come into the House of the Lord, even more than while outside of those doors, YOU MUST SUBMIT AND SURRENDER ALL TO THE WILL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!!! Anything less is not considered being faithful to God.
My family and I also attended an Anniversary service at a local church, where Pastor Cox was scheduled to preach the sermon. The scriptural text for the sermon came from I Timothy 5:17-18 ::
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
The focus of the Pastor's message was concerning the tough road for Pastors, and how we as devoted members or sheep of the shepherd must honor our shepherd. If we love our Pastor who is standing in the gap for our salvation and who has to answer for everyone he is given charge over, then we must show him and care for him as if we do. Taking the time to do something good for the Pastor doesn't mean that you make a big show of what you do, it simply means that you "do" something.
Today's lesson learned was simply this:
Worship the Lord at all times regardless of what others around you might or might not be doing, and give thanks for those who are sent by God to war on your behalf.
The Pastor gave his benediction, in order to allow others to leave. This did not cut short the praise and worship according to the move of God which was occurring in the church. All this served to do was remove those who were not in tune with the Holy Spirit. Some people stayed just to watch, and others did their normal talking to friends within the Sanctuary. After a couple of minutes, the Pastor had the ushers close the doors, in order to respect the sanctity and power of the continued worship which was occurring. This removed about 85% of the people who were in the congregation during the earlier portion of the service. This was the real service for the morning devoid of the on-lookers, backbiters, clockwatchers, texters, flirters, and imposters.
What I was able to take away from this morning was simply this:
God just wants you to say "Yes" to His will and "Yes" to His way. When you come into the House of the Lord, even more than while outside of those doors, YOU MUST SUBMIT AND SURRENDER ALL TO THE WILL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!!! Anything less is not considered being faithful to God.
My family and I also attended an Anniversary service at a local church, where Pastor Cox was scheduled to preach the sermon. The scriptural text for the sermon came from I Timothy 5:17-18 ::
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
The focus of the Pastor's message was concerning the tough road for Pastors, and how we as devoted members or sheep of the shepherd must honor our shepherd. If we love our Pastor who is standing in the gap for our salvation and who has to answer for everyone he is given charge over, then we must show him and care for him as if we do. Taking the time to do something good for the Pastor doesn't mean that you make a big show of what you do, it simply means that you "do" something.
Today's lesson learned was simply this:
Worship the Lord at all times regardless of what others around you might or might not be doing, and give thanks for those who are sent by God to war on your behalf.
Write Down Your Goals
"1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Habakkuk 2:1-3 (KJV)
At the start of this year, I had a bunch of ideas, dreams, thoughts, etc., come to mind in regards to things I would like to accomplish by the end of 2009. I have had the same dreams in previous years, but they never came to reality. Why didn't they come to pass? I believe it was because I failed to write them down.
In January of this year I wrote down a list of goals I would like to accomplish by December. I wrote the list in a notebook and referred to it daily. I also asked God to give me the necessary knowledge, strategies, and life situations to get my goals accomplished.
God started moving in my life and I was able to accomplish most of my goals within the first quarter of the year. With God on my side, I was able to to accomplish my goals so quickly that I had to create a new list of goals for the remainder of 2009 and a list for 2010.
You should try this too. If it worked for me, it will also work for you, because you are also one of God's children.
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Habakkuk 2:1-3 (KJV)
At the start of this year, I had a bunch of ideas, dreams, thoughts, etc., come to mind in regards to things I would like to accomplish by the end of 2009. I have had the same dreams in previous years, but they never came to reality. Why didn't they come to pass? I believe it was because I failed to write them down.
In January of this year I wrote down a list of goals I would like to accomplish by December. I wrote the list in a notebook and referred to it daily. I also asked God to give me the necessary knowledge, strategies, and life situations to get my goals accomplished.
God started moving in my life and I was able to accomplish most of my goals within the first quarter of the year. With God on my side, I was able to to accomplish my goals so quickly that I had to create a new list of goals for the remainder of 2009 and a list for 2010.
You should try this too. If it worked for me, it will also work for you, because you are also one of God's children.
Friday, June 26, 2009
RIP -- Michael Joseph Jackson
The creators of this blog site would like to extend their prayers and condolences to the friends and family of one of the greatest entertainers of all time, the late Mr. Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 -- June 25, 2009).
"And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21 (KJV)
"And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21 (KJV)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
A Good Place to Start
To begin this blog, I thought I would just discuss a couple of general things I have learned in church, and not refer to any particular sermon.
I have learned alot in my life while attending a range of churches. Some things have stayed with me, while I have had to purge some others which turned out to be impediments to my spiritual growth. Here is a synopsis of what I have learned over the years while attending church:
1. You must go to church with worship on your mind, and leave the cares of the world outside the church doors. By bringing the cares of the world into the House of the Lord, you allow the devil to distract you during what is supposed to be your time to praise God along with fellow believers.
2. You need to listen to every sermon because the message will eventually pertain to something you will face in your life. When that time comes, you need to be able to lean on The Word to guide you through that particular situation. Remember, Proverbs 3:5-6.
3. It is important to be obedient to the will of God at all times. When you are led to clap, sing, dance, run, or any other expression of praise, you must allow the Holy Ghost to take hold of you. Forget about who is watching you, or what they might say about you. You were created to praise God at all times, not just when everyone else is doing the same thing. Remember, 1 Chronicles 16:25.
4. The church is made up of all types of people. I will list a few types:
-Those who simply come out of tradition.
-Those who come to watch everyone else.
-Those who come because it is a requirement to remain on one of the Boards.
-Those who come (late or every now and then), sit there seemingly unaffected, and then quickly leave after the service.
-Those who come dressed to the nines, and only do so to be seen. These people often come late, in order to "make an entrance".
-Those who come early just to sit in "their spot" every Sunday.
-Those who come to see specific people in the congregation because they may have a crush on them. These people are usually seen looking for that particular person after church, and usually time their expressions of "praise" to coincide with their particular object of affection.
-Those who are true to God, and are in church simply to praise God. These people allow the Holy Ghost to take over completely, and surrender completely to it.
These are just a few of the categories I have noticed during my church life. I have been in a couple of these categories from the Spectator to the Surrenderer. Which category do you fall into? Is this category giving God the praise He deserves? Remember, Psalms 34:1.
I have learned alot in my life while attending a range of churches. Some things have stayed with me, while I have had to purge some others which turned out to be impediments to my spiritual growth. Here is a synopsis of what I have learned over the years while attending church:
1. You must go to church with worship on your mind, and leave the cares of the world outside the church doors. By bringing the cares of the world into the House of the Lord, you allow the devil to distract you during what is supposed to be your time to praise God along with fellow believers.
2. You need to listen to every sermon because the message will eventually pertain to something you will face in your life. When that time comes, you need to be able to lean on The Word to guide you through that particular situation. Remember, Proverbs 3:5-6.
3. It is important to be obedient to the will of God at all times. When you are led to clap, sing, dance, run, or any other expression of praise, you must allow the Holy Ghost to take hold of you. Forget about who is watching you, or what they might say about you. You were created to praise God at all times, not just when everyone else is doing the same thing. Remember, 1 Chronicles 16:25.
4. The church is made up of all types of people. I will list a few types:
-Those who simply come out of tradition.
-Those who come to watch everyone else.
-Those who come because it is a requirement to remain on one of the Boards.
-Those who come (late or every now and then), sit there seemingly unaffected, and then quickly leave after the service.
-Those who come dressed to the nines, and only do so to be seen. These people often come late, in order to "make an entrance".
-Those who come early just to sit in "their spot" every Sunday.
-Those who come to see specific people in the congregation because they may have a crush on them. These people are usually seen looking for that particular person after church, and usually time their expressions of "praise" to coincide with their particular object of affection.
-Those who are true to God, and are in church simply to praise God. These people allow the Holy Ghost to take over completely, and surrender completely to it.
These are just a few of the categories I have noticed during my church life. I have been in a couple of these categories from the Spectator to the Surrenderer. Which category do you fall into? Is this category giving God the praise He deserves? Remember, Psalms 34:1.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Let Go and Let God
On Sunday, June 7, 2009, two scriptures stood out to me. They were Ephesians 6:11-12.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
In life, people will do us wrong. For example, people will deny us of jobs that we deserve, promotions, loans, etc. -- you name it. However, it is not the actual person that is doing us wrong--it is the devil speaking and acting through them in the supernatural. The only way to combat a supernatural being that we can not see in the natural is through the supernatural powers of God's word.
Remember there is much power in prayer and prayer changes things. So, the next time you encounter a person that brings negativity into your life, don't stress yourself out by trying to deal with that person by yourself. Instead, pray about the situation, put it in God's hands and watch what happens.
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