Last week, I shared an essential element in the life of believer: connecting with Christ-Centered company. When we connect with Christ-centered company, we will capitalize on blessings as opposed to curses or calamity. When we fellowship with the faithful, we will visit and establish a vault of godly values as opposed to investing and withdrawing from a bank of moral bankruptcy. Christ-centered connections will cause us to glean in the fields of favor as opposed to languishing in the lots of the lost.
Read MoreWe know from Scripture that God has created us for relationship.
“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18 (KJV)
It’s a little over a week into this new year but one would be challenged to remove oneself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from the unprecedented events that we had to endure and embrace in 2021. Let me call your attention to a few issues that have incited many: incessant tyranny, constitutional violations and encroachments, division and identity politics, racial tension and conflict, hostility, apathy, politicization, polarization, confusion, and tribalism. Marxist, socialist, and communist ideologies are not just establishing a foothold but have embedded and entrenched itself in our federal, state, and local officials’ offices. In addition, our institutions of medicine, science, arts and entertainment, education, media, and justice system have incurred this insidious infection.
Read MoreThe Christmas season is a time when all should be wrapped in wonder. It is the time when we celebrate the miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ, the God-Child. As the prophet declared, the God-Child is called Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6). Not only was the conception of the God-Child a miracle (Luke 1:30-35) but His arrival was accompanied by other miracles as well including the conception of John the Baptist (Luke 1:36) and the mysterious Magi from the East (Matthew 2:1-2).
Read MoreThis passage of Scripture (Isaiah 9:6) is believed to be one of the most well-known Old Testament prophecies about our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. So, since we are in the Christmas season (which will lead to many of us wrapping and unwrapping presents), let’s unwrap this passage which points us to a paramount present from God.
Read MoreA few years ago around Christmas I was blessed by a wonderful testimony that turned my attention to a tremendous truth taught in the word: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. At the close of our weekly Wednesday night prayer meeting and bible study one of our precious seniors shared with me how she noticed something special in the word Christmas while participating in our Finishing Strong Seniors ministry. One of the seniors was adorned in seasonal, sweet-looking sweater with the words Merry Christmas in huge letters! The individual that shared the story said “She shouted ‘Oh my goodness! I have never seen that before! I love Christmas even more because of what I see in the word Christmas! It is a personal message for me!’” Her rich revelation rested in the last three letters in the word Christmas (mas). She is not of Latin descent but she declared that the last three letters in the word Christmas (mas) means “more” in Spanish. Therefore we should want more Christ in Christmas. Personally, I am proclaiming: “That will preach!”
Read MoreIt’s that time of year again! The arduous chore of checking Christmas light connections has commenced. In addition, there will be cooperation and, Lord-willing, minimal to zero frustration from every Christmas lightbulb that served and shined brilliantly the previous year. Finally, the call for indoor and outdoor service will be summoned. Now I invite you to entertain the following incandescent insights on Christmas lights.
Read MoreWhen considering the title of this week’s blog, one may conclude that I am a week late. According to the 2021 calendar, Thanksgiving was last Thursday, November 25th. And by now many of us are still recovering from all the love we lavished on the turkey and superlative side dishes. And if the food was fabulous, we all super-sized our dishes and went for seconds.
Read MoreLast week I shared that even though we announce our affinity and assurance about the Word of God (the Scriptures), there will be occasions when we wrestle with questions regarding God’s purposes and plans for our lives as well as the world in which we live. Questions of why, when, what and how are sourced from our souls that are searching for answers. So, are questions acceptable to the Almighty? The answer is yes, absolutely. But what is most important is not whether we should question God, but in what way and what is the motive behind our inquiry.
Read MoreI begin this blog with a question, and I have also cited a Scripture that is shaped in questions. Let’s give some consideration to what is at the heart of the psalmist’s inquiry.
I submit to you that because the psalmist is being pummeled by persecution he petitions for justice. As children and followers of the Most High God we are not exempt from persecution.