Church guide

"Bowed Down But Lifted Up" The Message version reads, "Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries?" In other words, incline thine ear to the moanings and groaning in my soul as my meditations lift that which is so troubling that words fail to communicate. That is to suggest that every now and then, one may be confronted with the inability to put into words the perplexity of the heart. Beloved, in this season filled with looming threats of civil unrest, unending eruptions of community violence - not to mention the barrage of assaults by those who appear inconsiderate of others - coupled with the day to day challenges of life, always remember that we serve a God who is willing and able to lift us up. The psalmist helps us to recognize that there is a God who rises early to hear our petitions and that our assignment is to wait expectantly on the Lord’s reply. Though bowed down by uncertainty - sometimes at the hands of the wicked - early in the morning the Lord is there to lift us up. "Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest. But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple." Psalm 5:1-7

"Walk Right" The Bible is clear in noting that the ways of the Lord are right. The righteous, Hosea reminds us, walk in the ways of the Lord. One who is careful to consider the message in Hosea will find that some had and have strayed from walking right. To those who are wise, the prophet stressed, open thine eyes and walk circumspectly in the ways of the Lord. To those who possess a discerning spirit, hear what the Lord says. The Lord’s ways are not that filled with deception. As Hosea further noted, the rebellious set their course in opposition to that which is right. Beloved, beware lest you find yourself walking with the rebellious in ways that are contrary. Walk in the ways of righteousness. Walk with the Lord. Walk right. "Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them." Hosea 14:9

"In the Meantime Choose Better" This Bible tells of a day when all things will be made new. It tells of a day where righteousness will be the norm and not an after thought. Yes, it tells of a day when those persons whose names are written in the Lambs book of life will enter the gates reserved solely for the righteous. Peter, accordingly, helps us to further recognize the importance of choosing to do better. "You ought o live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming," he warns. In other words, in the meantime choose the better part. Beloved, the enticements of the day are so subtle or difficult to perceive that, by the time we recognize how far we have, we find ourselves steeped in the stench of sin. But the good news is in the Lord’s determination to provide away of escape. Yet and still, the choice is on us. Be clear, there is a day coming when there will be no more time to make up. Truth is, that day could be today. No one know for certain. All that to say, in the meantime simply choose to do better. "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells." II Peter 3:8-13

"God Has the Final Say" We awaken yet again to the report of global unrest. The tragedy is in the fact that the exploitation of God’s people is not limited to worldly influences but also witnessed in those who have infiltrated the church for individualistic pursuits. Peter warns that the devil prowls about seeking to devour those who dare to let him in. Interestingly enough, Peter wasn’t talking to just anyone but to the church. He alluded to the difficult times the faithful will encounter and reminds us still today that, though intense the struggles will be, God will have the final say. Beloved, it doesn’t take much to see the workings of the enemy. Be clear, there is a very real threat looming and the church becomes vulnerable when the church becomes apathetic or slack. "Keep a cool head and stay alert," Peter warns. God will have the final say. "Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does." I Peter 5:8-11 Message

"Give Thanks" As the song lifts, "give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His Son." Beloved, when the world feels like it’s crumbling down and the wicked appear to be running rampant, focus on the One who has given so much. Sing praises to a Holy God and rest in the assurance that the Lord, who is righteous, will provide. On this day, how powerful it would be if the righteous would shut out the voice of deception and focus on the Lord. I dare you to trust God. Give thanks!!! "I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High." Psalm 7:17

"Delight in God’s Testimony of Truth" The psalmist provides six names, descriptive and effects of God’s laws. It is, as has been noted, distinct, certain, reliable, right, pure, holy and true. Unlike that being touted as alternative facts, God’s truth restores those pressed down by doubt, strengthens the feeble and empowers those deemed unskilled. All this to say, it would behoove the faithful to hold tight to God’s testimony of truth. Beloved, be careful not to succumb to the social norm of twisting facts to suit your case. Through the eyes of the spirit of truth one will see that the Lord’s ways are perfect and effective in guiding the faithful heart. Delight in God’s testimony of truth and avoid worldly aspirations. "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb." Psalm 19:7-10

"In God We Trust" "In God We Trust" is printed on every dollar bill. Yet and still, it seems those in charge of governance in this nation has strayed well beyond any such understanding. While history reveals the opposite, it is readily apparent that military might and dominance is that which they heavily rely. The psalmist, however, demonstrates the strength revealed in trusting in God. While he acknowledges the oppressive impact of the enemy, his strength prevails in trusting in God. Like the psalmist, our ancestors accomplished so much by trusting the Lord to deliver. Beloved, troubles are more than enough and oppressors continue to rise but, by faith, we are more than conquerors. When difficulties become overbearing, let not our hearts be troubled. Our help is on the way because our trust is not in finite beings but in an all knowing God. In God we are to trust. "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6

"It’s A Costly Journey" There is this natural tendency to accept the easy way out of that assigned to us by the Lord. Yet, as the Bible reveals, it is far better to stay the course by paying one’s fair share. Beloved be clear, unlike that so easily espoused by many, the charge to stand for kingdom building is a costly journey. Sacrifice, for those who dare to take this journey, becomes the norm. King David could certainly have accepted the gift from his servant but he chose to pay a fair price. After building the altar for the Lord, he would sacrifice even more in offerings and fellowship. His sacrifice, the Bible tells us, would lead to healing and deliverance for God’s people. All that to say, the journey is costly but there is a greater good. Beloved, don’t do as the world does. Stay the course and pay your fair share. Though costly it may appear, there is better yet to come. "But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped. " II Samuel 24:24-26

"Redeemed" Isaiah gives the report of the consequences to those who continue to dwell in sin and participate in unrighteousness. But, for those who repent and make the choice to turn from the ways of deception, therein remains the promise of redemption. It is a promise, as the Bible reveals, that is from everlasting to everlasting. Beloved, it is without a doubt a blessing to be able to rest in the assurance of the Lord’s promise of redemption. "“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord." Isaiah 59:21

"Wake Up Everybody" There is a famine in the land and that famine is truth. Beloved, too many will find themselves caught short when the light reveals their dirt. The scripture is clear, that which is done in the guise of darkness will be exposed by the light. For those of us who have made the choice to follow the Lord, our assignment is to expose fruitless deeds and not be active participants in such. According to scripture, not only will that done in the dark be exposed but it will be illuminated for all to see. Wake up sleeper. Jesus is the truth and the light. He will return to replenish the land with truth. It’s time for those who slumber to wake up and for those who labor to stay wake. Wake up everybody! "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” " Ephesians 5:11-14

"Consistently True" In this particular chapter of Malachi, the Lord takes time to reinforce the importance of trusting Him in all things. The good news is witnessed in the reality that, though we often have found and find ourselves not faithful to the Lord, the Lord is always poised to forgive. Beloved, while many make false commitments or fail to adhere to their responsibilities, the Lord is always there. Yes, our God is true to God’s promises and true to His Word. God is consistently true. "I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6

"The Lord Will Rejoice Over You" At a glance it seems like darkness is running rampant and the enemy is in the drivers seat. Well, though intense the times may be, know that the Lord still has the final say. The Bible reminds us that every season of trial also comes with renewal. The stretching is merely a season of preparing. We are being equipped for better. Beloved, there is a season of renewal approaching and, like the Lord promised many years ago, the Lord will not only rejoice over the original recipients of the promise but the Lord will rejoice over you. The Bridegroom is coming. Keep your lanterns lit. "As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. " Isaiah 62:5