Recently, I was interested in going to the local grocery store to pick up some produce. Speaking of grocery store, as a kid I never referenced the nomenclature. Supermarket, convenient store, grocery store were all basically called “the store”. As I was saying, the purpose of my recent trip to the grocery store was to look for some fruit. Upon entering the produce department, I did not casually select a few items and leave. The fruit I was looking for had to be examined in order for me to entertain the idea of taking it home for my enjoyment. Just as God designed various trees with the ability to produce fruit, He also gave us the capacity to produce spiritual fruit for the purpose to being shared by the body of Christ to enjoy. Just as I subjected the fruit in the store to an examination, God also wants us to examine our spiritual fruit.
Read MoreIn last week’s blog, we declared that if we define a biblical believer in the Lord Jesus Christ as an individual who has been regenerated and redeemed from his or her resolute rebellion, he or she was instantly made a worshiper of God. Consequently, it is critical for believers to be clear in comprehending what constitutes biblical worship.
When was the last time that you wonderfully wrestled in your heart and mind with what I refer to as worthy worship? The term worthy worship refers to worship that is absolutely due to our holy God.
Are you grateful to our God that He rescued you from religion? I am referring to the religion that runs over you with manmade rules and regulations. The religion that teaches that if you trespass against their traditions it would be considered spiritual treason. The religion that Jesus Christ discusses in the Gospel of Matthew:
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. – Matthew 15:9 (KJV)
Read MoreGreat old-school gospel songs still grip me. Faith-filled and far-reaching gospel greats stirred our souls, inspired our intimacy, and tied our trust to God, songs such as James Cleveland’s “Peace be Still,” Albertina Walker’s “God is Able to Carry you Through,” and The Edwin Hawkins Singers’ “Oh Happy Day.” Now that the Passion season has commenced, my head and my heart is again captured by another Gospel song that is apropos to the Passion of our Lord and Lamb of God, Jesus: “The Blood Will Never Lose its Power” by Andrae Crouch. In the opening lyrics, Pastor and producer Andrae Crouch perspicuously points us to when, where and whose blood will never lose its power.
If you came into my office, you would notice that I have a number of pictures of my family. One of my favorite pictures is one of my three sons and me. Right away, the family resemblance is so apparent so that even Ray Charles would say “You got the right one, baby! Uh-huh!” I offer you this question: Can a world blinded by the enemy see that you look like Jesus? Now it is important to note that I am not referring to our Lord’s physical appearance. I am referencing His Spirit and character as well as His heart and mind. So, consider with me how people can see the Lord in your life.
Have you ever considered the weather condition, “fog”? What is it? Fog creates a cloud-like covering over surface areas - be it land, water or sea at any time. According to meteorologists, fog can develop immediately when warm surface temperatures confront and collide with cool air. Subsequently visibility is reduced to zero.
In last week’s blog, we were emphatically encouraged to not be in the habit of forgetting God’s Word. As we continue this thought, consider with me this sobering admonition and the colossal consequences when a people forget or abandon God and His Word.
Read MoreAll our lives we have been charged to not forget something. When we were school-aged children we were told not to forget books, school supplies, homework and to behave. I was raised in an era that if one’s behavior in school was not becoming to the scholastic setting, school principals partnered with parents to transform the misbehaving to behaving with a biblical method that masterfully mitigated challenges from the insubordinate. Mr. R.O.D., the Reminder of Discipline, was always present to encourage education for the head, heart and the part of the anatomy that was often attached to the chair. Mr. R.O.D. was phenomenal at placing us in a position to remember expectations regarding our behavior in the educational environment. We must not forget that corporal chastening comes from God’s Word.
Question: When was the last time that you heard someone enthusiastically endorse attending prayer meeting? In my B.C. (before Christ) days, my position on prayer meeting was fixed in foolishness and imbued with ignorance. With the mental prowess of a young man void of knowledge and discretion, I declared that prayer meetings are attended by those with gray hair, mostly women and those collecting social security. Such a statement screams that I had been struck with the stupid stick several times.