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I’ve Got Something To Say

So many people believe they can enact change by railing against something. As a preacher, I know this temptation all too well. Now believe me, there is balance to this idea. Preaching inspired by the Holy Ghost can and will inspire a preacher to say things that will push the envelope. However, the last part of what I said is everything, inspired by the Holy Ghost.

Is your speech inspired? In 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 Paul declared, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” When men have knowledge of a situation, naturally, their first inclination is to talk about it. Yes, let’s get as many people on our side as we can, then we know we will win our cause. We need to be careful of these things. James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” Talking about how bad something is does not change things. You may be able to get someone to side with you out of their emotion but as the Word says in Luke 6:39, “…Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” Decisions based on emotions are never good ones. Even good things like giving can be done from the wrong heart or in bondage, thus producing the wrong outcome.

So what hope do we have then? The best advice I was ever given by my pastor is two simple words, “Be led.” It is the duty of every Christian to learn how to follow the Spirit as He leads our spirit. Then and only then can we be sure of the decisions we make. It is our job, to learn how the Holy Ghost leads us. It is the most important decision we can make. Following the Lord is not just fruitful, it is enjoyable. God has given us such a surety if we will listen closely to Him. He always leads us right!

In closing, I want to share one more set of scriptures. 1 John 2:16-17 says, “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” The pride of life is nothing more than self-confidence. We need to learn to put down our ways because they are a ruse, waiting to deceive us. Give in to God, His Spirit, and His way. It’s a better way of living, both for you and all those around you.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

It’s All In Perception: What’s Your Emphasis?

We were blessed with the opportunity to get away for a few days to a place I’d never been. Our daughter likewise had never been to this place so there were all kinds of things she was seeing that sparked excitement in her. When we passed a restaurant named “Del Taco”, my daughter yelled in excitement, “Free Shavacadoo!!!” Now, if you’re not up on pop culture, memes, vines, gifs, and the like, let me explain; this was referring to a very popular video clip of a woman who chose to emphasize the wrong syllable. Fresh Avocado became Free Shavacadoo. Why am I talking about this?! Because this brings up a very important element of faith, that is, perception. 

Look at Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Perception is a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something, or a mental impression. Colossians 3:2 tells us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” We need to perceive things the way Heaven perceived them, not the way the world does. What does all this mean? What am I getting at with this strange Faith Fix? This Free Shavacadoo woman simply perceived the words to say something else. She took, (albeit she was joking, I think), the words plainly visible and perceived them to mean something different. 

What about when the doctor gives you a bad report? What about when the writing says you have 6 months to live? Can you perceive that the way Heaven would? Romans 4:17 reminds us of this, “…God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…” I don’t care what the doctor report says, I shall live and not die. I’m the healed of the Lord by the stripes of Jesus! What about when the bank account says you can’t pay your bills? There’s no remaining balance but you can perceive that balance being replenished! My God supplies all my needs! 

Look at Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” God framed this world with that which had never existed before. He created all things and He did this by faith. Heaven sees possibility. Heaven sees ability. 

Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Set your mind on things above! Who doesn’t want to live with Free Shavacadoo? 

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée 

A Prodigal Returned

Luke 15:20 

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Recently, in a place I frequent, I was blessed to witness a beautiful moment. A man, who had been without his son for a while due to various circumstances, was reunited with him. The son, a full grown man, came in to where I was sitting and approached his father. The light on this father’s face was precious as he welcomed his troubled boy with a smile and an embrace.

I love how the Lord reveals truth to me in everyday life. My spirit leaped as the Lord began to remind me of His mercy. In a world of distraction and opposition, something I often see is well-meaning and good-hearted Christians falling into condemnation because of mistakes they have made. These are people who truly love God, but miss the mark on occasion or even often. Have you ever missed the mark?

God is good and just but most of all He is a loving Father. In fact, He is the best of them. Scripture tells us in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This means more to us than we can even realize. The reason we sometimes fail to understand God’s forgiveness is because we have not yet learned to forgive on our own. The one that we, as good-hearted Christians, fail to forgive most often is ourselves. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” God is not condemning you and you shouldn’t either.

What I always suggest to people, is to do a little test. If I find myself upset with me, I ask a few questions. Am I in blatant sin that I am convicted about? Am I in God’s will for my life? Am I seeking Him the best I know how? The first can be the most deceiving but is fairly easy to deal with. Don’t go nitpicking and digging trying to drum up some hidden failure. God doesn’t, so don’t you either! If you are in God’s will the best you know how (which includes faithful church attendance with prayer and Word time), and following His plan for your life the best you know how, then you can be assured God’s Spirit will let you know of adjustments that need to be made.

In simplicity, follow Psalm 37:3, “trust God and do good”. This walk is not hard but we do need help. We cannot do it alone. We need God, we need a church, and we need a pastor. Find out about God’s grace and live for Him. True freedom in life is always found right there. You will live blessed, exhibiting God’s fruit and you will even be able to help someone else along the way. 

Luke 15:32 

It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff 

Psalms 73:2-3 

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalms 73:16-17 

When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.

Walking with God does not always seem the easiest way but it is still the best way. We live in a very prosperous and full society. The problems that most people face in our country are relatively small when you compare them to other places in the world. The truth is, in America, the poor are still full. 

I traveled to Brazil a few years ago with my pastor. On this trip I got to experience poverty on levels that someone who is raised in our country could never understand. There was a time when I truly had nothing, a little electric space heater on 3 wheels, that I heated my entire apartment with.  I had to take my boys to my mom’s just to feed them. I was unemployed and depressed, but as bad as I had it at the time, it paled in comparison to what I saw there in Brazil. 

Following God has been an amazing journey and one that continually teaches me so much.  Just because I have jumped all in for God does not mean I am without struggles. In fact, sometimes it seems there are more. As I look at the world around me, people doing what they please, living for themselves, there is a kind of enticement in it, when you are one that lives to serve. Jesus teaches His disciples that we serve first and be served last.

What’s all that for? Why would anyone want to give up the pursuit of themselves and their own? After all, we are being constantly bombarded and enticed by the riches of the world. Perhaps one of the most difficult things that I have had to teach my kids is that the fleeting pleasures of the moment are not worth a lifetime of idolatry. Though there is an innate desire to be drawn to every little thing, it is more blessed to put their focus on God and let Him bring it to pass. There are things He brings us that will bless us here, but the best things He brings are eternal in nature and therefore worth our attention. God builds in you such wonderful character with which you can truly be in joy and peace and thus fully enjoy all He blesses you with. No man nor circumstance can ever take that from you. All that and you get to spend eternity with Him! 

Psalms 73:27-28

For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff 

Avoiding Responsibility

We live in a society where many people refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. It’s so commonplace to blame others for things you have caused yourself. We see it in children first, but then in people of all ages because they never learned how not to think like a child. Look at Proverbs 22:15, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.” Unchecked foolishness will have lasting effects. We are seeing this in the American society today, and even within the church. 

Proverbs 13:16 says, “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.” Foolishness can be defined as a lack of judgment, and really we could say, a lack of judging oneself. In other words, a foolish person is a person who won’t take responsibility for their own folly, their own lapse in judgment, or their own immaturity. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” It’s knowledge of the Word that helps us to mature and put away our childish nature. 

Sadly, too many Christians won’t actually take responsibility in their Christian walk. They may serve in the local church, tithe and give, and they may even put on a good facade for others, but in their hearts, they haven’t put away childish folly. Romans 12:2 reminds us to, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is our responsibility. We must actually spend time with God, or we will never mature. Immaturity is expected in babies, but it’s really ugly in adults. 

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us of the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We know this though, the fruit of a tree never grows unless the tree is nourished properly. When we avoid our responsibility to build spiritual maturity, faith, knowledge and understanding in us by the renewing of our minds, we’re avoiding the nourishment that produces these fruits. The result? 20 year old babies, 40 year old babies, 60 year old babies, and a society filled with folly, A.K.A. a bunch of ugly adult babies. 

Galatians 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Do you want good things? Do you want real fruit? Start taking responsibility for yourself. 

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée 

His Words Or Mine

1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV)

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies…

Public speaking is an interesting thing and one that I never cared to partake of. In fact, even the thought of speaking publicly would make me physically ill. It’s safe to say, I didn’t choose the job I am now in. 

I loved serving God and I loved serving my man of God, my pastor, in the local church, and in the ministry of helps.  It became an absolute passion of mine. I didn’t always do so perfectly but this I know, I did so with my whole heart. The Bible tells us, he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. When you serve God like that, He will promote you. Into what, isn’t determined by you, but He will reveal it to you. 

Now I don’t say all this to brag on me, not in the least. If there is anything that I have proved in my life, it’s that I am worthless without Jesus. Thank God, I’m not without Him anymore. The point I am making is that, though we don’t decide what God will have us to do, our faithfulness will open the door to what we will do for Him. And He is with us, using us and speaking through us.

The Bible instructs, as a matter of fact, that if we are ministering or speaking to make sure that it is as the mouth piece of God. How does one do that exactly? By following His Word and His Spirit.

People sometimes erroneously think that when a minister ministers, they do so from their own opinion and knowledge. I suppose for some, even many, this is truth. I will say however, I would never follow anyone who was preaching their own ideas. The Bible tells us that the noble will search the scriptures to know that what is being preached is Truth. 

I say all that to say this, God has set appointments for each one of us. Those appointments are with our pastors in the local church. These appointments are not for God but for man. They are meant to grow us, but won’t if you don’t accept the Word being preached as the Word of God. You must know for yourself where you are called to be because God determines for each one of us which soil we need. After that we must stay put and be fed by the Word of God, taking heed to what our pastor says knowing that this gift (five fold ministry office) is there to help you. Sometimes we won’t like what is said because correction often hurts in the moment. Though it hurts, it also saves us from coming destruction. Our job is to not be offended, but to receive the Word as if Jesus Himself was speaking it. The fact that it is His chosen method tells us He is doing just that. When you come to church that way, a whole new world will open to you and you will find a victory you have never known before. 

James 1:21 (NKJV)

…receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff