“You had better ‘lawyer up’ because I will see you in court!” These are not the kind of words that anyone would welcome! The thought of securing representation and standing before a judge can take discomfort to another level. However, did you know that when your heart is not submissive to the spirit of God it will turn into a pernicious prosecutor that purposes to place you in a jail of guilt? Too often when we fail God, compromise our convictions or break promises, our heart immediately leaps to accuse us and wrap us in chains of defeat. By dwelling on our failures, we baptize ourselves in an unbiblical beat-down.
Read MoreHave you ever been told to wait? By nature we are usually inclined to despise the directive to wait! To be told to wait is often interpreted as unjust and insensitive. The prevailing attitude is that waiting is an impediment to my immediate indulgence! Too many of us are cemented in this culture of immediate gratification.
Read MoreIn the arena of athletic competition having a good grip is essential for success. To illustrate, I just picked up the game of golf. Like a large number of other novices, I have discovered that it is a difficult game to play. It is not as easy as it looks. However, with good instruction, a functional knowledge of the equipment, practice, discipline and thousands of pounds of patience and prayer, you will place yourself in a position to enjoy the game
Read MoreHave you ever been in a place where you believed that you had not seen God move in your life recently? Is it possible the reason you believed that to be true is due to your preoccupation with the problems you experienced including relational, financial, professional, social and physical issues? Sometimes the experience of failure and unfulfilled expectations causes us to cry out: “God, where are you?”
Read MoreThe Word of God encourages us to be good stewards of our attitudes. A steward is one who is responsible for managing and maintaining something. The word attitude is defined in the dictionary as: manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind.
Read MoreIn this week’s blog, I invite you to have a considerate conscience in order to be captivated by our compassionate and gracious God. This will allow you to have a biblical perspective that will change your heart and mind during a season of correction from the Lord. As we examine the passage in Hosea there are a number of points to consider including the people group to whom this passage is addressed, a warning of impending judgment, God’s attitude toward His people and their judgment as well as His great mercy and forgiveness towards His people.
Read MoreIn the mid-1980’s I would purpose to prioritize listening to the Gospel Hour with evangelist and Pastor Oliver B. Greene. Not only was he an excellent expository teacher, he never minced his words. He pulled no punches in order to knock out carnality. I remember that he would often close his program with a prayer that always asked God to save the lost and reclaim the backslider.
Read MoreAs we consider today’s passage of Scripture, let’s continue to consider some proactive measures that would inoculate us from the infection of ingratitude. Paul already has promoted the practice of rejoicing in the Lord in all circumstances. When this practice is an authentic and consistent course of action, especially in times of adversity, it advertises the Almighty and gracious God in our lives. So when we say “God is good all the time and all the time, God is good” it will not be just a cliché.
Read MoreThe year was 1968. The place: Anne Shockley Elementary School located in Griffin Georgia. The event: Vaccination Day! Every student was elated and eager to embrace this entertaining event. The thrill of being shot by a needle that came from a gun-shaped device shaped extended from the top of our heads to the soles of our feet and gave us something to shout about! Clearly, that is far from an accurate account!
Read MoreMaybe you have heard or even contributed to the debate: Who was more committed to your breakfast plate, the chicken or the pig? The chicken committed the eggs and the pig, the bacon and ham. My preference is eggs over-easy with a thick slice of ham and some good old fashion Georgia ice cream aka grits! My objective was not to make you hungry so let’s proceed to move from our bellies to our hearts.
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