We just returned from a mission trip to Cuba. It has been 6 years since we were last there due to COVID – lockdowns – sickness. Since I first visited there 20 years ago, the church is still the same. Though the conditions are the worst I have ever seen it, the people of God have not lost their excitement and praise. The devil has not defeated them. They still praise with so much enthusiasm and worship with purity and hunger. They are a happy people with hope and expectation. They are the modern-day children of Israel held in captivity. The conditions are so bad – no food, no basic items, no gas, daily power blackouts. Health care may be free but if you need a surgery you must provide the supplies like gloves, needles, syringes, etc. Many items cannot be purchased no matter how much money you have because it is just not available on the island. Yet the people love you and will give you the shirt off there back when they barely have anything. They love you because of your sacrifice of coming. They are special – really special. Please pray for your brothers and sisters. They are in desperate need of a breakthrough.
A Place Called There
In I Kings 17, The prophet Elijah predicted a drought and is told to go to the brook Cherith (V4).
The Lord said ‘there’ he would provide for him. In every one’s life, there is a place where God has called you to. It is a place designed for the blessings of God to freely flow. It is a place not about only money but food, healing, life – anything you need to sustain life will freely flow! It is in that place called there. There is a place that you need to be. A place designed especially for you. I have heard many preachers preach this chapter and how God would provide for you just as the ravens provided for Elijah. Yet when you study it out, a raven is actually what we would call a buzzard. Yes, that’s right – A Buzzard. God had to change the creative order and structure of this bird so that Elijah would be provided for. I have never seen a buzzard share – not even with others of his kind. Yet every morning and night, the buzzard provided the necessary items to sustain Elijah. Too many people want to go everywhere else but there. If you are called to a certain place (There), your blessings are flowing like a waterfall. But if you are somewhere’s else, then you aren’t under the waterfall. You are a point A and There is at point B. I encourage you to find There – get there – and watch God move greatly in your life.
Stay Focused
Every Mother’s Day my children cook dinner for me. They make me sit on the couch (I’m not allowed in the kitchen) with my feet up and TV remote in hand. Of course, there is no football and usually it’s the Kentucky Derby I’m stuck watching. It’s fine but I am always amazed at the horses. These are very expensive, highly trained, machines running next to each other. Some of these horses cost between $500K and $2.5M just to purchase them. What keeps them in that race with the ability to move forward? It’s that blinder. If you look it up on Google, they can cost anywhere between $20 and $1K. When I began to research it, I realized the importance of blinders and thought we need ‘spiritual blinders’ on in our own lives. These blinders fit four main purposes. They are 1. Reduce of the horse’s field of vision 2. Allows the horse to focus on the track ahead 3. Helps the horse remain calm in stressful or over whelming situations. 4. Helps the horse to not be distracted. The bible instructs us in Hebrews 12:1-2 ‘to keep your eyes on Jesus.’ In this coming year, we need to place spiritual blinders on our eye so we can keep our focus on Jesus. Thus, we will not be easily distracted. We are easily distracted in everyday life therefore, we will easily be distracted in our walk with God. Don’t be distracted by things that don’t matter! We won’t wander and lose sight of the prize. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can stay calm during the calamity that is coming. When you keep your eyes on Jesus, He keeps us calm – He carries us when life is overwhelming – He removes stress and carries our burdens. When you keep these blinders on, it will keep you from looking at others – comparing yourself. My friends, I encourage you this year to stay focused – stay calm – stay running the race keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Stay Focused
Every Mother’s Day my children cook dinner for me. They make me sit on the couch (I’m not allowed in the kitchen) with my feet up and TV remote in hand. Of course, there is no football and usually it’s the Kentucky Derby I’m stuck watching. It’s fine but I am always amazed at the horses. These are very expensive, highly trained, machines running next to each other. Some of these horses cost between $500K and $2.5M just to purchase them. What keeps them in that race with the ability to move forward? It’s that blinder. If you look it up on Google, they can cost anywhere between $20 and $1K. When I began to research it, I realized the importance of blinders and thought we need ‘spiritual blinders’ on in our own lives. These blinders fit four main purposes. They are 1. Reduce of the horse’s field of vision 2. Allows the horse to focus on the track ahead 3. Helps the horse remain calm in stressful or over whelming situations. 4. Helps the horse to not be distracted. The bible instructs us in Hebrews 12:1-2 ‘to keep your eyes on Jesus.’ In this coming year, we need to place spiritual blinders on our eye so we can keep our focus on Jesus. Thus, we will not be easily distracted. We are easily distracted in everyday life therefore, we will easily be distracted in our walk with God. Don’t be distracted by things that don’t matter! We won’t wander and lose sight of the prize. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can stay calm during the calamity that is coming. When you keep your eyes on Jesus, He keeps us calm – He carries us when life is overwhelming – He removes stress and carries our burdens. When you keep these blinders on, it will keep you from looking at others – comparing yourself. My friends, I encourage you this year to stay focused – stay calm – stay running the race keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Wrong Assignment!
Recently I heard a story from a man of God whom Pastor and I have known thru the years. He has gone on to his Heavenly reward but was a true man of God. He told a story that still shakes me to my core just thinking of the possibility. You see, he was in College a few decades ago and had to take a Science class of which he chose Oceanography. The class had about 700 students and the professor he wasn’t taking attendance but there were three test and a project. So as along as you passed the test and did the project, this man of God thought he would be good to go. For the project, he picked his topic doing extensive research and designed a lecture. When he presented his lecture, it was preached rather than taught and the entire class gave him a standing ovation. He received his project back and the professor put = Great research – incredible presentation – Final Grade F – WRONG ASSIGNMENT. When you think about this in the spiritual realm, I don’t want to get to Heaven and stand before our Heavenly Father – only for Him to say, “You did many great things. You worked with all your heart. However, that isn’t what I called you to do.” Finding out what God has called us to do is so important for our success here on earth but more importantly for our rewards in Heaven. Think about it – you don’t get to Heaven and say “Can I get a redo?” You get one shot at this. Find out your calling – find your God given assignment – Find the reason and purpose for which you were placed on this earth.
One Day at a time!
never their wives. But this week long revival under the tent was going to be different. Yes, we were there every night. They asked Benjamin to assist them during the altar ministry which was really cool. There was one special night that I shall never forget -and neither will Benjamin. There was a long line of people wanting to be prayed for. Benjamin was there at the altar and I was watching Mrs. Schambach sitting over on the side all by herself. There was no security – no guards – no assistant – just her sitting at her seat on the back side of the stage. After graduating, getting married and going into full time ministry, I had Read more…
Refocus – Revisit – Renew
Recently, I was riding the exercise bike watching my children play games and these simple words spoke to my spirit – Refocus, Revisit and Renew. Afterwards, I begin to think about how this past year there were so many unknowns – ups and downs, stop-go and everything in between. To some, it appeared as if life came to a halt. To others, lock down and quarantine created a culture of self while exposing the darkness hidden within all the while the church sat by on the sidelines waiting for their redemption. A year has gone by and life is starting to come back to some type of regular. Though we will never go back to the good ole days, we must walk through the new restrictions of life.
In so doing, we as believers must refocus. Refocus our goals.
We must revisit our dreams. Revisit is to consider again from a different perspective. (A different perspective AKA after COVID!)