Stand Up and Be Counted

Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.

2 Corinthians 6:17a, NKJV

A young man called me the other day just to pour out his heart regarding his future.  You see, over the past month and a half or so, it has been revealed to many in his Church that he has a specific call on his life.  Of course he is overjoyed at the thought of being used by God, but at the same time afraid to answer the call. 

As I continued my conversation with this young man, it became evident that the predominant emotion exuberating from his life was fear (I know, because when I was his age, I exuberated the same emotion…and still do when I face new challenges or seasons of change in my life).   So what did he have to be afraid of?  The call of God that is on his life (he’s called to be a full time worship leader).  The problem?  He doesn't want to be a lead, or as he put it “I don’t have what it takes to stand up and be the leader”.  What does he mean ‘he doesn't want to be a leader’?  Is it because he doesn't want the eyes of all upon him or is he afraid of being criticized and/or judged?  Hhmmm…we all have that same concern in one way or another and we don’t have to be in the public eye or classified as a leader.

So in an effort to ease his concerns, I thought it best to tell him a story, which I will share with you in a nutshell.  A young girl had a fear of people--which became evident on a day that she was to pose for a picture with her Brownie troupe.  On the designated day, she met with her troupe and posed for the picture; however once the photos were developed and presented to her parents, they became indignant because they could not locate their child in the photograph.  When they confronted her, she sheepishly showed them her location via her feet for she was hiding behind another member of her troupe in order not to be seen!

Now I know what you’re thinking:  what does this have to do with answering the call of God that is on your life…and here’s my answer:  this is how we as Christians operate.  We petition God to use us to do BIG things for the kingdom; however, when He issues the call and tells us to stand up and be counted, we tend to go and hide or we come up with every kind of excuse in the book not to take the lead or be responsible to carry out the assignment that He has given!

Bottom line is God is not calling us to hide.  He’s calling us to “come out from among them and be separate.”   He’s setting us aside so that we can be used to fulfill a specific task.  And that makes us different; however many who are chosen don’t want to be different for it requires that we stand up and be counted while others around us remain seated in what seems to be a comfortable life position.  But what I see is this:  the call of God on our life is a privilege...it’s a gift (and a unique blessing for the one who is called).  It is an opportunity to showcase our God in a favorable light and carries the potential to draw others into the kingdom…and that’s a cool responsibility.

So…if God has given you a word, revealed Himself to you in any kind of way, or called to walk in a certain direction, don’t be afraid to stand up and be counted.  Your willingness to stand in the face of the unknown will not only boost your confidence in who God has called you to be, but will place you in a position to advance the kingdom of God!

Blessings,

Lalanda

Glad I Got Jesus Down in My Heart

(A tribute to Jr....my friend and partner in ministry)

The last 96 hours in the life of our Church family has been altered forever…and I do mean forever.  What has happened you ask?  Well...late Saturday afternoon, a prominent member of our congregation passed away in his sleep at the age of 25…25 mind you.

Now I know that many of you have never darkened the doors of our Church Worship Center nor have you personally had the pleasure of meeting the young man that I’m talking about.  To you this may seem like something that is just a “natural” part of life (you know, the whole life and death thing). However, I don't believe there is anything "natural" about a young person heading into eternity at the beginning of his or her adult life.

Right now, I'm emotionally overwhelmed, a little confused, and very sad.  For whatever reason, I feel as though I am a spectator in this quarter of the game called life...just watching horrible scenes unfold before me.  It's been somewhat difficult to function or focus on even the little non-thinking things like watching TV or carrying on a conversation without crying.  My attention span varies from sharp and on point to sporadic and non conclusive. I'm mentally exhausted. However, I have an inner peace that comes from deep within. I'm not a mindless zombie or a restless wanderer.  I'm secure in my faith, and solid in my belief system.  For I know that one day, I will see my friend again for both of us were members of the family of God!

It's not uncommon for me as a minister of the Gospel to develop deep solid relationships with those to whom I minister or to whom I minister alongside of.  Jr. (that's what I called him) held the position of junior trustee and pastoral armor bearer in our Church.  He was a solid rock who did what needed to be done within the confines of a worship setting…no questions asked.  You know, I remember one Sunday  morning, I walked into the foyer – OK...I wasn't walking, 'cuz I was running late – with the specific purpose of attempting to quickly set up for my time of ministry.  Jr. was already there: mopping the floor (and this was after he had cleaned the bathrooms, taken out the trash, and washed the facility double glass entrance doors - WTW). Jr. and I were responsible for counting the service offering; which required us to do so in the back office.  This is the place where our relationship developed...our very special unique bonding place.  You know...you can learn a lot about a person while counting money:  their like's, dislikes, dreams, fears, and private thoughts.  But you know what I think I'll miss the most about Jr.?  His uncanny ability to testify of the goodness of God in his life and family.  Service after service he would stand up and give glory to God for protecting his family and taking care of them throughout the night…then, at the end of his testimony, he would close out with a song:  "I’m glad I got Jesus down in my heart…"

Jr. knew God.  Jr. knew Jesus, Christ the Son…and Jr. knew how to live by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  That’s what he instilled in each one of the members of our congregation, time after time…Sunday after Sunday.  He wasn't a radical preacher or a master musician.  He was a man of God...one who unashamedly lifted his voice and told others of the security and peace he had found in the Savior.  In simple terms, he simply reminded us, the members of his spiritual family, to remain in the presence of God and to make sure that we have taken care of our eternal business with Jesus by asking Him to dwell within.

Our Church family is gonna miss Jr.  We’ll miss his laugh, his smile, and his presence. However, the one thing I hope we all remember is his servant heart and testimony of faith; for it will serve as a constant reminder for us to keep Jesus in our heart!

_____

To learn more about the message of salvation and or how to ask Jesus into your heart, double click on the following link: The SALVATION Message

Faithful Stewards

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2, NKJV

While looking through one of my personal journals, I came across some interesting notes regarding stewardship; and if you will indulge me, I would like to share my thoughts on the subject with you. Before we get started, let me define the word 'steward':

 stew-ard (noun)

1. A person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.
2. A person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.

As a Christian, I sometimes have a hard time understanding the concept of being a steward; and because of my confusion, I mislabel that which has been entrusted to me. So what should be done in order to alleviate my misunderstanding?  I have to change the way I think.

You see, the first principle of stewardship is this: we do not make ourselves stewards; it is a position that is placed upon us by another--in our case God.  As our "Employer", He endows us with gifts and talents, and expects us to use that which He has given us in such a way that He is glorified.  His expectation is that we turn a significant profit for the kingdom and make Him look good.  As we busy our hands doing that which is required of us, God reviews our work and labels us as either as a faithful or an unfaithful steward. The faithful steward receives additional responsibilities and is able to remain in the presence of the Master; while the one who has proven himself to be unfaithful receives a reprimand (see the Parable of the Talents as found in Matthew 25:14-30).

My actions both in private and public settings is a testament to others of how much I truly love Christ,  As my everyday ordinary life is reviewed, others should  be able to determine whether or not I am a trust-worthy diligent individual.  When I open my mouth, the words of my testimony should proclaim that I am full of the wisdom and knowledge of God, that faithful instruction is on my tongue, and forgiveness in my heart. My work ethics and deeds should be governed by the wise decisions that I make as I strive demonstrate my diligence to complete a given task without short-changing my Employer.

My success as a steward is found in my relationship with Christ, for if I seek to be one who can be entrusted with the secret things and/or the mysteries of God, then my gaze should always be on doing that which I have been called to do.  I will prove myself faithful if I work hard with my own hands and see that the assignment that I have been given is completed in such a way that the outcome glorifies God.  My heart's focus should always be centered around serving both God and man; for as I do, not only will my heart be changed, but those within my circle of influence will be encouraged to keep moving forward in their faith.

As Unto the LORD

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.  Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their  favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:21-24, NIV '84

Ever wondered how others perceive you or how your character is viewed by another?  Do the words that you profess to believe on Sunday (or whatever day you worship) line up with the actions that others see portrayed your life during the week or while you're on your job?  These are hard hitting questions that deserve an answer from each individual who names the name of Christ; for whether you know it or not, because of your profession of faith, others tend to watch your life closely and/or scrutinize everything that you say and do. And because of this, as believers, we need to do everything in our power to ensure that every fiber of our being glorifies the LORD!

As an act of my will, I have purposed in my heart that I am going to do whatever it takes to turn a profit for the kingdom of God; meaning I am going to do whatever I need to do in order to allow my testimony to shine for the glory of God so that others will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  That is the ultimate goal that I have set for my life and what I strive to achieve each day.

It is my belief, that the enemy of our soul consistently attacks two major areas in the life of every believer ~  our immediate family, and our place(s) of employment; and I've come to this conclusion based on this:

(1) The members of our family often receive the butt end of the stress of our lives via our attitude...which can be very sour if the circumstances of our day have not gone the way that we want it to.

(2) Many employers often do not receive a good return on their investment of casual labor (their employees) often times due to individual grievances, unjust demands/requests placed upon a sect of employees, or day to day economic stress.

According to the Word of God, we are supposed to live our lives in such a way that others see our good deeds and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). God is not glorified when you're fighting with the members of your family over minute issues that they have no control over.  God is not glorified when you dishonor your employer by working only when their eye is upon you or when you're expecting a sizeable pay increase.  God is glorified when we perform the duties that we have been assigned with every fiber of our being to the best of our ability.

So let me encourage you to take time to search your heart...review the testimony of your life and see if the profession of your faith backs up the actions that you showcase to those closest to you...

Get Your Mind Right!

     You might not believe it, but the Word of God is filled with encouraging words and principles in which we as humans can hold on to during times of dramatic stress and chaos.  Repeatedly, in one way or another, we are admonished to get our mind right and focus our attention on that which really matters.  Let me share with you a couple of scriptural examples:

He will keep you in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him.

Isaiah 26:3

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee...wherever thou goest.

Joshua 1:8-9

And my God shall supply all thy needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Philippians 4:8-9

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:32-33

     Now I know what you're probably thinking: "those are great scripture references; but that is not going to help me in my situation" or "how are words written on a page going to help in my situation?" or "I need more than just an encouraging word...I need [you fill in the blank].

     You know this time last year, I asked God those same questions, and maybe even more.  At that time, my life was in shambles and I was not generating enough income to sustain my livelihood.  For the first time in my adulthood, my bank account was severely suffering; in fact I was financially hemorrhaging   I had recently forfeited my home filled with priceless treasures and irreplaceable trinkets and was on the verge of loosing my source of transportation and all forms of income...I was devastated!  So what did I do?  I turned to God for help.
    Here's the story:  one summer day, I realized that I was in trouble and that the winds of confusion were clouding my mind, eyes, and heart so that I could not see or gaze my focus.  I was in a severe sandstorm; one in which I could not control. Knowing that I had a limited amount of cash reserves on hand (not to mention, I need the limited amount of gas to remain in the tank so that I could travel to my place of employment to generate income to provide for the huge deficit I was creating); I grabbed my Bible, purse, and car keys and drove down to a place where I knew I could meet with God...my Church.
    Since it was a weekday, the facility was empty and I had the whole place to myself.  Before entering the building, I pulled out a CD that contained a worship song one of my friends had recently recorded and I headed for the sanctuary.
    For the first 30 minutes or so, I walked the perimeter of the sanctuary, crying and screaming out for God to save me from my current situation.  And to my surprise, the voice of God was silent...I heard no comforting words, saw no angels, and received no miracle.  Frustrated with the lack of spiritual communication I had received, I continued to walk the around the room; when suddenly it occurred to me that I had yet to tell the Lord my issue.  I had just come in the building crying and screaming...no way to approach the King of the universe.

     As quickly as the previous thought had run through my mind, another one did the same.  I removed the CD from my purse and uploaded it into the player, selected my friends worship song and cranked the volume.  Then I placed my checkbook, debit/credit cards, and wallet on the altar, lifted my hands up to the LORD, and once again began to walk the perimeter of the room.  For the next hour or so, I worshiped and cried to the following chorus:

I'll just worship You

I'll just worship You

I'll just worship You

That's what these tears were made for

I'll just worship You

I'll just worship You

I'll just lift my hands

And worship...

     It wasn't long before I clearly heard the Voice of the Spirit speak directly in my most inner being (NOTE:  you know its God when what you hear can be backed up with scripture; for me, my confirmation came in the form of the scripture verses above).  Time stood still for the next few moments as I frantically took note of all that I heard in the midst of voicing my deepest concerns to the One who has the power to change my circumstances.  That afternoon, I returned to my place of residency knowing that I was loved for who I am and that nothing in this world could ever snatch me from the merciful hand of the living God. However, that hard lesson did not come without me doing that which I knew to do...getting my mind right  by altering my focus from that which is temporal to that which is eternal!

__________

I'll Just Worship You, from the ALIVE CD words and music written by Tony Sutherland (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/alive/id388016832?ign-mpt=uo%3D4)

For additional information regarding Tony Sutherland Ministries, logon to http://www.tonysutherland.com

A Challenge to Our Belief System

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge:  ²Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  ³For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  ⁴They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  ⁵But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5, NIV ‘84

      Earlier this afternoon, I received a phone call from a brother and sister concerned about the welfare of the Christian faith as portrayed during the times and seasons in which we live…and with great reason.  As I listened to them pour out their heart, I too became concerned with the state of affairs that the Body of Christ is currently facing.  You see, Christianity (and life as we know it for that matter) is about to change.  Now, do not let my last statement frighten you or catch you off guard.  I am not a doomsday preacher, one who panics or sees demons around every lamp post of every street corner, nor am I one who sounds unnecessary alarms …unless I have good reason to; and believe me, I think I have good reason to sound this alarm.

        So what caused this couple alarm?  A new teaching that merges the Christian faith with that of another belief system[1]; now you can call it what you want, but I’m going to call the very act of and thought process behind this new movement/teaching “spiritual adultery”(which is nothing new).  
        What I have seen portrayed during the times in which I live is similar to what was taught by the religious leaders of Christ’s day…you know, the ones who were were chastised for misinterpreting and distorting the Word of God and leading others to do the same (I believe Jesus called them blind guides[2]).  Religious leaders of the Bible were also condemned for not recognizing the hand and power of God which was being displayed right in front of them, and for teaching God’s people to “do as I say and not what I do”.  Their focus was on the minute, not the absolute truth; they imposed legalistic rules and regulations on a people who just wanted to know how to dwell in the presence of God.   For the most part, the religious leaders had traveled so far away from God, His teachings, and His presence, that their senses had become dull, their testimonies were weak, and their influence catastrophic.[3]
        The “social trend” of Christianity during the 21^st century has experienced a significant change from that which Jesus taught during His day.  For the most part, over the past 20-30 years it seems to me that the popular or favorable way to live life has been under the covering of being called a Christian.  And because of its heightened popularity, our congregations and influence around the world has grown exponentially; our facilities have become fancier (like huge arenas), our pastors have become mega-superstars, and our worship leaders have become entertainers.  We have gotten away from pointing others to Jesus and His way of life; instead we point others to a building, a social activity, or a musical presentation.  We have sought out the seeker sensitive individual and vowed to make him or her feel good as they come in to our fellowship; in lieu of sending missionaries out into the highways and byways and compelling the lost sheep of the kingdom to repent and turn back to God.  We have pushed the next generation out of our worship services because they make too much noise; however, we justify our actions by providing them with their own unique alternative gatherings where the Word of God is incorporated into their style of dance and play.
        So with all of that said, let me pose a few questions to you:  Have we closed our ears to the Voice of the Spirit?  Are we bowing down to the almighty dollar, sacrificing our belief system on its altar in order to bring individuals into the faith who are inundated with talent and charisma?  Are we more committed to preaching a feel good message to those whose faith differs from ours just so they won’t be offended by the message of the Gospel that we say we believe?  Is it right for us to teach a watered down message of salvation in order to keep peace with our neighbors?  I think not!
        My dear children…we have got to know what we believe and Whom we believe in.  We have got to know the Word of God for ourselves.  We have got to be able to proclaim the message of the Gospel to those who are looking for a hope and a future.  Our walk must be sure, straight, and steady; our confidence and faith must be placed in the One who does not change His mind or alter His course, not in a deceived messenger whose senses have been dulled by ill-gotten gain and greed.  People are looking for heroes and heroines of the faith who are not ashamed of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of salvation for those who believe.  They are looking for someone…just like them…who will walk in faith and proclaim the Gospel message in confidence.
         As a minister of the Gospel, I pray that I will remain faithful to the teaching that I say I believe and to communicate the unadulterated pure Word of God in such as way as to build up the faith of those who listen so that they will be prepared for good works of service in the kingdom of God[4].  I purpose in my heart not to sugar coat the Gospel message or alter it in any way; for the last thing that I want said of me and of the God to whom I serve is that my belief system is shaky at best and can be viewed as one which is tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.[5]  The truest desire of my heart is to encourage others to be built up in Christ and in their most holy faith, to teach and make disciples of all nations, admonishing  them to walk in love, and to do the work that they have been called to do.[6]  And because of my testimony and the commitment to righteous living that I have made to my God, I pray that you too will commit to a righteous way of living and believing.

Blessings…


 

 

---

[1] Chrislam – the merging of Christianity and Islam

[2] Matthew 15:14; Matthew 23:16, 24

    [3] Matthew 23; Mark 12:38-39; & Luke 20:45-47

    [4] Ephesians 4:11-12

    [5] Ephesians 4:13-14

    [6] Ephesians 4:15-16