This is not a Rehearsal!

Rehearsal: a practice exercise

This is not a rehearsal! This is the only practice we get; when God says enough - it's over, there is no second chance. We have all seen performers (actors, singers, dancers, etc.) perform. One of the great things about their jobs is that if they make a mistake, they can typically go back and practice until they perfect whatever it is that they are doing. It's not so with life; on this journey if we fail to make Jesus the Lord of our life, and choose to do our own will instead of living a life that’s pleasing to the Lord... once life is over, there is no returning to this earth to fix things or change things. This is not a rehearsal; we must make every day count.

I can't stress enough the fact that God should be first in our life. It's imperative that we know who the boss is - and just in case you were wondering - it's not us! We owe everything to the Lord, right down to the very air that we breathe; therefore we will have to give an account for how we have lived our lives. We can't be people tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine; we must live and breathe totally within the will of God.

The Lord wants us to enjoy life, He said in John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." He wants us to enjoy His beautiful creation and all of the wonderful things He has blessed us with. Of course, we are living in perilous times, but we don't have to become a part of those things, our responsibility is to stand firm on the word of God. If we do fail (and every now and then, we probably will), there is blood to cover every sin - we just need to use it quickly to get back in agreement with God and continue to go forward.

My friends, I say again - this is not a Rehearsal! Revelation 22:12 informs us that His reward is with Him, therefore, once we're gone, we cannot return to this world and fix all the things we should have done years before. All along the way let's encourage ourselves, as well as others, and learn to love others as Jesus loves us.

With all that said, let the Church say Amen… and AMEN!                     

Remembering the Good!

Remember: to recall, retain, recollect

Good: morally excellent, cheerful

God commanded His people to have certain feasts and certain celebrations. One of the reasons for this was for them to remember all that He had done for them. At different times of the year, they would come together and celebrate how God had brought them out of the land of Egypt (slavery), how He had defeated their enemies, how He feed them in the wilderness, and how He protected them. God required them to remember. He is the same today as He was yesterday, so if he required them to remember, how much more is He requiring the same of us.

In the book of Joshua, God commanded them to leave stones as a memorial, these stones reminded them and their children of specific victories, so every time they would look at those stones, they would remember what God had done for them (Joshua 4:4-6). Like them, we should have something to remind us of what God has done for us. It doesn't have to be stones, of course. It could be something as simple as a journal that we maintain to keep all the many victories that He has done for us fresh in our memories.

God doesn't want us dwelling on the negative things in our past. That mean we can't stay focused on that one time our boss or coworker did us wrong and we can't keep harping on the bad times between us and our spouses. It also means that we can't linger on the occasions when our friends whip or insult us with their tongues. Those are the types of things that we are suppose to forget. Of course, those things are going to come to the surface from time to time, but it's our responsibility to quickly change our thoughts. The reason for this is because whatever we dwell on is what we inevitably bring more of into our lives. So let's remember the good things that happen in our lives - like when God has turned situations around; the days our children were born; and the strength and peace He gave us throughout the difficult times and how He gave us beauty for ashes.

Let's remember our successes, our victories, and all the times we weathered the storms in our life because when we remember the good things we are constantly drawing more good things to us! Keep believing and keep remembering what God has done for us -  He's done it before, He's well able to do it again! God loves you, my friends!!

With all that said, let the Church say Amen... and AMEN!

                                                                                                           

We Must Become Servants!

Servant: one who serves others

Ministry: a person or thing through which something is accomplished

We all have a ministry we have been placed here to do / complete / achieve. In case you haven't yet heard, our ministries won't likely to be all about glamour and glory. If the only thing we are looking for is someone telling us how wonderful we are or people commenting on the fabulous things we've done to help others - well then our ministry is already in trouble! A real servant doesn't try to use God for their own purposes; instead they allow God to use them for His purpose. When we are a blessing to others, we don't have to sound a trumpet - God sees all and God knows all. Self gratification is not being a real servant. It's so easy to stay behind our closed doors or live in our own little world but -- when God called us to be His servants; He called us to serve others -- so we must respond to the needs of others as opportunities arise.

At some point in time many of us have said, "I want to be more like Jesus, I want to be a follower of Christ." Well, my friends, being followers of Jesus Christ involves being a servant and what does a servant do? They serve. They are worshipers of God. They are messengers of God. When Jesus was on earth, He didn’t come in His royalty - He came as a servant. So - if we want to be like Jesus, we will have to come as a servant. We should visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction as the bible tells us in James 1:27. Sometimes (dare I say, more often than not), we should go out of our way to be kind to others - give someone a ride on a rainy day; help out at a shelter; help feed strangers. We can't just talk love, we must show love.

Paul said to forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Being a servant also involves going to visit and pray for the sick; staying up late laboring in the word; asking the Lord every morning, "show me Lord who can I be a blessing to today." In order to do these things, we must change our attitude by having a sincere mindset to serve. Things can't be about what a person can do for us, but rather what we can do for someone else.

Let's remember to stay humble and respond to the needs of others as often as we can and to stay faithful, because serving God pays off in the biggest dividends you could ever imagine!

With all that said, let the Church say Amen and... AMEN!

A Mother Will Always Pray!

I heard my Grandmother say many times; "Give me my flowers while I yet live, so that I may see the beauty of them." You know, once our moms are no longer with us, flowers (and anything else we might do for them) are really of no avail to them. So it's important that we be mindful to show the Moms in our lives how much we love and appreciate them everyday - not just this Sunday on Mother's Day!

Today, your showing of appreciation could be a simple phone call that goes like that famous song, "I just called to say I love you!" It could be some kind words like, "Mother, I appreciate you and all the sacrifices you made for me," that are said exactly when she needs them. Or maybe it's a nice surprise she receives in the mail like her favorite perfume or a bouquet of flowers that brings a smile to her face. Of course, you can never go wrong with green backs! Whatever you decide to do, never miss out on the chance to tell your Mom just how special she is - because she truly is. Without her, there would be no you!

With that, I would like to share this poem, written by our resident poet, Ms. Shonta Alexander. Be blessed, my friends and Happy Mother's Day to you all!

MOTHER PRAYED 

When I think of my mom on this Mother’s day

I think of all the things that I would lovingly say

Like thanks for your concerns and all your prayers

Not just for me but for all your heirs

You went without food so that we all could eat

You made sure we came first and you took the backseat

You dealt with so much pain just to get us up and grown

Then by the grace of God you moved out on your own

Everything you did, you did it for us

You never complained; you never caused a fuss

How grateful I am when I look back today

On how you sacrificed and how you made a way

For us to grow strong, Independent and smart

To not just be good but to have a good heart

Late one night thru the crack of your door

I saw you bowed onto the floor

         Down on your knees in a special way             

Thanking the Lord for another day

Another day your children survived

By the grace of God, is still alive

And from then on, I would always say

My mother prayed for me both night and day.