Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wiped Out

Wednesday is commonly known as hump day. Although, I made it over, i am mentally and physically wiped out. Don't get me wrong, i'm thankful to God for this day and give God the glory for all that was accomplished on today. However, after two Bible study classes, hospital visitations, prayer service, admin duties and one on one instruction, I'm drained. Today, i continued our Bible Study, How To Be A Christian Without Being Religious by Fritz Ridenour. It's based on Paul's letter to the church at Rome. It has been a challenging, but rewarding study. We are in chapter two of the book, entitled Does God Grade On A Curve? The answer is of course a resounding no. Many seek to reach up to God through religious activities in hope that their religious activities will make them right with God. However, Christianity simply responds to what God has done in Jesus Christ by faith. Many members of our congregation have expressed their profound appreciation for this particular study. I thank God for this study, I'm witnessing many of our people being delivered from their religious treadmills. God be praised!!!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Devil Wears Prada

There are misconceptions concerning the identity of the devil. Most people think the devil wears red, has a long pointed tail and carries a pitch fork in his hand. However, I would not have you ignorant concearning the devil's true identity. The devil does not necessarily wear red, have a long pointed tail or carry a pitch fork in his hand. But the devil wears prada. Satan wears everyday clothes and looks like everyday people. The devil blends with the crowd and if you aren't aware of this truth, he will catch you off guard. So don't be surprised, if you run into him at school, work or church. Yes, the devil puts on sunday clothes and goes to church. What do you do when you run into the devil? 

Well, Jesus had a run in with the devil in Matthew 4 and defeated him. So lets observe what Jesus did to defeat the devil. First of all, Jesus was led by the Spirit of God. To defeat, resist or stand against the devil, one must be led by the Spirit of God and be filled with the Spirit of God. Secondly, Jesus denied himself and surrendered his will to God's will by resisting the devil's temptation to satisfy his hunger. To defeat, resist or stand against the devil, one must deny himself or herself and surrender his or her will to God's will. Thirdly, Jesus was armed with the word of God and stood on the word (Deuteronomy) of God. To defeat, resist or stand against the devil, one must know truth, convey truth and stand on truth. Because Jesus was led by the Spirit of God, surrendered his will to God's will and used the word of God to resist the devil, the devil fled from him for a season and the angels of the Lord ministered to him. When you run into the devil wearin prada, do what Jesus did.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Saturday and No Sunday Sermon

Usually, pastor's spend Saturday making final preparations for their Sunday sermon. Ok, occasionally, we start and finish our preparation for Sunday's sermon on Saturday night. In the preaching world, this kind of sermon is called a "Saturday night special." Although, I've had my fair share of Saturday night specials, this Saturday was different. Today, i started my Saturday with a 10:00 am deacon's meeting, followed by an hour long minister's session. While waiting thirty minutes or more for my children to finish choir rehearsal, my wife showed up to pick them up, so i headed home. Once i arrived at home, i ate leftover spaghetti and started watching college football. As i watched college football, it dawned on me that it was saturday and i had no sunday sermon. Before you pass judgment, for the next three sunday's, i'm enjoying a sermon sabattical in celebration of my 5th pastoral love day. As i moved throughout the day, it felt weird spending saturday not preparing a sermon for sunday. Admittedly, at times, i felt guilty, but as the evening progressed, i felt relieved. What is a preacher-pastor to do, when he has no sunday sermon? Well, let me make one suggestion, take advantage of it!!!

Friday, September 19, 2008

T.G.I.F.-Thank God It's Friday

People around the world look forward to friday's with great anticipation. Some people gather at local eateries, bars and theaters on friday's to enjoy the company of friends and love ones. Others look forward to friday's, so they can enjoy high school football games and pizza with their peers. While others look forward to friday's to enjoy quiet time with their significant others. Admittedly, i vividly remember some of those days, when i too looked forward to friday night football, pizza and partying with my peers. And to this day, i still look forward to friday's. For me friday night is family night. I thank God for friday's, because i look forward to spending time with my wife and kids. Each friday one of us is tasked with planning how we spend friday and what/where, we will dine. Although, i foot the bill 98% of the time, we give the planner the right to choose. Today was my turn and so i decided to catch the new movie, LakeView Terrace, starring Samuel L. Jackson. Afterwards, we went to Luby's, a cafeteria style restaurant. Later on we plan to gather in the living room to watch 88 Minutes, starring Al Pacino. Friday nights are also designed to share any concerns and needs that we might have and to do so freely. The biblical concept of family is under attack and family night is one of the ways, i seek to safe-guard my family from satan's attack. Again, I Thank God for Friday.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

A Novice and Nervous Blogger

Grace, peace and mercy be multiplied unto you my fellow bloggers. I have been contemplating starting this blogging ministry for several months now, but this was the first time that i actually followed through with it. It is my prayer that this blog will serve as an extension of my preaching and pastoral ministry. Also, it's my prayer that this blog will serve as a medium for me to glorify God, extend the Kingdom and encourage readers by being transparent and real. As i prepare to launch this blog, i approach it nervously and as a novice.