BEING PREPARED AT ALL TIMES

The Scriptures are not silent when it instructs believers to be sensitive to opportunites to share the Gospel with unbelievers . However, what about if someone were sticking a gun at you? This is what a lady in Dyersburg, TN did.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj3imy-FCPI

LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY......AGAIN!!!!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always believed that one of the most fundamental things about prayer was that it is designed to teach the believer to totally depend on God's power to move in situations. For instance, when Jesus gave the LORD's prayer, didn't He instruct us to ask God to bring His Kingdom to pass, His will to be done on earth, to give us our daily bread, to forgive us of our debts, to guide us away from temptation, and to deliver us from Satan? Obviously, if we could do all these things on our own, then why ask God to do them for us?

I bring this point up because I have noticed that lately that many people are praying prayers where they are telling God what they will do, instead of depending on Him to do what needs to be done. For instance, I was at a prayer meeting yesterday and I heard things mentioned like, "Satan, I bind you in Jesus name"! "I take authority over that situation"! and "Lord, I speak against (this or that)"!

Now, putting aside the simple truth that nowhere in Scripture is such power given to the Christian, I have to ask the question: Can statements that brag about some "power" we have in Christ be considered a true prayer in light of the Biblical record? The answer to that is, No!

Sadly, in this age of Christian anti-intellectualism, many Christians are not following the Biblical models of such things as prayer and worship. But rather, many are taking their understandings from traditions and/or other mislead people who are just as (or even more) lazier than some of them when it comes to researching Bible interpretation and commands. And until Christians start trusting in the sole sufficiency of Scripture, crazy misperceptions will not only stay in the church, but will make many people reject the authority of Scripture altogether (if it's not already happening)!!!!

A QUOTE FROM JOHN CALVIN

Recently, I have been listening to past African-American Pastor Conference CDs, both as I exercise in the morning and drive to and from work each day, and I was strongly convicted by Rev. Anthony Carter's message, entitled "The Faith once Delivered", which he delivered at the 2001 African-American Pastor's Conference in Miami, FL.

In this message, Rev. Carter instructed us to get familiar with "the Classics", those writings that have been a true blessing throughout all of Christian history. So, in following this command, I have started to re-read The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin. And in doing so, I ran across a very powerful statement by Calvin in regards to comparing our human righteousness to that of God's:

For if in broad daylight we either look down upon the ground or survey whatever meets our view round about, we seem to ourselves endowed with the strongest and keenest sight; yet when we look up to the sun and gaze straight at it the power of sight which was particularly strong on Earth is at once blunted and confused by a great brillance, and thus we are compelled to admit that our keenness in looking upon things earthly is sheer dullness when it comes to the sun. So it happens in estimating our spiritual goodness. As long as we do not look beyond the earth, being quite content with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue, we flatter ourselves most sweetly, and fancy ourselves as demigods. Supoose we but once begin to raise our thoughts to God and to ponder His nature and how completely perfect are His righteousness, wisdom, and power--the straightedge to which we must be shaped. Then, what masquerading earleir as righteousness was pleasing in us will soon grow filthy in it consummate wickedness. What wonderfully impressed us under the name wisdom will stink in its very foolishness. What wore the face of power will prove itself the most miserable weakness. That is, what in us seems perfection itself corresponds ill to the purity of God. (Book I , Chapter I, Section I)

THEOSTRATOS

My good friend Gus has started a new clothing line called "TheoStratos". The clothing line will consist of football jerseys that will have Christ-centered themes in its makeup. If you would like to order a jersey or check out how the jerseys will look. Please click here.

THE FAITHFUL MATE

I just read a beautiful letter, written by my former Seminary Professor Dr. Warren A. Gage, concerning the unfaithfulness of a mate and the overwhelming love of their spouse. In reading this, one automatically thinks on the believer's relationship with Christ and how He is always loving to us, even when we are unfaithful to Him. Take a moment and read this letter and, as you do, ponder on the unbelievable devotion and love that Christ shows us as His Bride, despite our unworthiness of such a calling.


To My Beloved,

I will never understand what you saw in me. I can’t imagine why you would ever have wanted me. All I ever knew, from the time I was born, was that no one wanted me. My father forsook me at birth. Even my mother rejected me and left me. I was abandoned and uncared for. I don’t recall ever being attractive to anyone. No one ever noticed me much less told me that I was pretty.

Then you found me. Without any reason I ever understood, you loved me. But I didn’t trust your love. I couldn’t really believe your tender words. I had given away my love to many men before I even knew you. All of my lovers took me, used me, and rejected me. No one loved me in return. Men delight in the purity of their bride. You knew I had no purity left to give. But you proposed your love to me anyway.

There were moments when I thought perhaps I could love you in return. You gave me your name and titles. You shared your home with me. You gave me new clothes. You were generous to me with gems and golden jewels. I began to think of myself as lovely somehow. Maybe that’s why I began to catch the eye of strangers. The unaccustomed attention was flattering to me. I enjoyed it at first. But soon it became irresistible. So I returned the flirtatious glance. I was certain you would never know. I imagined you wouldn’t care anyway. Then one night I met a handsome stranger. Stolen waters are sweet indeed. They washed away my regret at my own unfaithfulness. Then another night captured my heart. Then another. I knew you knew. But the thrill of a stolen moment became a secret adventure that continued for many long years of dark nights.

Was it my guilt, for I had forgotten how to grieve, or was it my shame that caused me to turn on you, to despise you? I began to hate you as much as I suppose I hated myself. I struck out at you, and secretly wanted you to strike me in return. Your constant kindness caused me to despise you even more. I thought you were naïve. I imagined you were weak. Even though I hated myself, I lashed out at you. I rejected your promises. I had contempt for your patience. I screamed at you. Then I refused to speak to you. I hated you. I hit you and scratched you. I used every weapon I could find to injure you. You forgave me. I slapped you. You looked at me with sorrow. I hissed and spat at you. You said you loved me. I said I hated you. I raged against you. You were the stronger, but nonetheless I struck you and clawed at you and scratched you. You bled and blessed me.

I threw away your wedding ring. I trashed all the clothes you gave me. I wanted to be completely free from you. I wanted to be loose from my shame that your sorrow made worse. I ran away from you. Far away. Fast away. Running from you and running from myself. No stranger looked at me anymore. Angry. Alone. Broken. Shattered.

It was the remembrance of your love that led me home. Now as I look at you, I see peace in your eyes. Your kindness covers me like a coat in winter. Your joy teaches my heart to sing again. Now I am held close by arms that bear the furrows where once I scratched and clawed you. Now I kiss the scars my own fingers carved into your brow.

I still do not know what you see in me. I can’t imagine why you would still want me.

But one thing I know: I am my beloved’s. And you are mine.

Your love is stronger than death. You have loved me with an everlasting love. You will never leave me or forsake me. At last you have taught me how to love you.

Your Beloved

THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP!!!

Lately, I have had a lot of truths confirmed that were somewhat hidden to many around me. For instance, before the guy I used to work with came right out and said he was not a Christian, I was very vocal over the fact that he truly was not saved months before his declaration.

And likewise, when it came to Oprah Winfrey, for years I have always been vocal over the fact that Christians should not be so "star struck" when it comes to her due to her rejection of the Christian faith. And, by way of my good friend and fellow minister Darrin, I now have the smoking gun.

In the video clip, Oprah outright denies that Jesus is the only way to God, while embracing various books that promote a multiple choice way of salvation. It is my prayer that God will use this video to help others see that Oprah Winfrey should not be praised due to her charity work or the fact that she is a successful black woman, and thus someone for black society to look up to for inspiration (a point, by the way, that I find extremely repulsive). Also, I hope this will help others become more discerning in who they stand by and what they support when it comes to advancing the Christian banner to believe in the LORD Jesus for salvation (Acts 2:38).

WHO IS "THEY"???

The picture on my left is the official logo of Barack Obama's church's affiliation. Given the ideas that his church promotes, I have to wonder how his pastor would define the "they" in the logo. And, probably more importantly, how would Obama define it???