~Happy Birthday To ME~

Don't worry I am not going to dedicated a ridiculously long post to my birthday. It doesn't really need a lot of attention. I am one year older and I still feel the same. One of the biggest questions I always get is "How old are you?" Well I took a online age test and I came out to be "43", Oh Joy! Well I guess I do feel about that age just with less gas and heart burn. Okay well time to keep this post short and enjoy some rest. Happy Birthday to me and Thank you Lord for making me new!

Always In His Grip,
-Pastor J

The Anointing of Jehu!

In 2 Kings 9 we find that the country of Israel in in the middle of a spiritual, economic, and moral crisis. King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel have led the country in to one of the most idolatry times of it’s history. The people are now worship Baal and calling him god. In this mist of this God begins to anoint new men to lead the people. He begins by anointing a new prophet by the name of Elisha and then commands him to send a servant to anoint Jehu to be the king and to wipe out the house of Ahab.

In the beginning of chapter 9 the servant walks into the house where Jehu is sitting around with all of the captains of the nations military. They are just sitting. If ever there was a time when Israel needed it leadership to take a stand and do something it was now, and yet they all just set in idleness. The servant called out Jehu and there were a few things that happen to Jehu that we need to happen to us if we are going to walk in the anointing of God. Before I communicate what transpired in the Life of Jehu let be share with you what the anointing is. The Anointing is the power of God that comes into an individuals life so that they can accomplish the task, the purpose, and the call that God has on their life. The anointing only comes to those that have a relationship with God and is vital to success of a believer in ministry. The Holy Spirit anoints us so that we can lift up Jesus to a world that need Him. Here is what happen to Jehu and what needs to happen to us in the church.

1) Jehu was set apart. when the service came in he pulled Jehu into the inner chamber, representing a place of separation before he gave Jehu the two things that he came with, A Word and an Anointing. It is amazing how that God never calls us to do anything that He does not give us the anointing to accomplish. If we are going to walk in the anointing of God then we are going to have to have a time when we separate and spend time alone with God. In the still quiet times of prayer we find that God gives us the strength and the power to accomplish the purpose that He has given to us in life.

2) Jehu was covered in the Anointing. We think of anointing someone with a touch but Jehu was anointed with over 5 gallons of oil. The Psalmist told about those anointed when he described it as running from ones head to their feet. Jehu was covered in the anointing of God, and if we are going to be successful in what God has called us to do then we too must be covered in the anointing power of God. It is not enough to be touched but we must be complete filled with the anointing power of God.

3) Jehu was a different man. When he comes out of the room all those sitting down leaders are now standing looking at him. They knew that something was different about Jehu and they were ready to follow him and fight. When the anointing comes on you it not only effects you but it effects all those around you. The anointing draws people to come along side of you and fight shoulder to shoulder with you.

4) Jehu was Determined. After being anointed Jehu goes and destroy the house of Ahab. He kills Jezebel in the streets of Jezreel by empower powerfulness men to cast her down. The anoint has the power to empower those that are helpless and lift them up to do the will of God. The anointing made the watcher say “He rides like Jehu, in a fury”. The anointing makes the difference and it gives us all the power to do what ever God has called us to do and to defeat the enemy.

In His Grip,

-Pastor J

~There is Freedom~

At the end of Luke 5 we see Jesus having a discussion with the religious leaders of His day. Jesus gives them a parable about putting new cloth in an old garment and then a parable about putting new wine in an old wineskin. There is no doubt that they new exactly what he was talking about. One of the things that made Jesus such a profound teacher, was His applied to use simple things that people could understand to explain complicated things that they could not understand. Here in this setting Jesus was trying to show them that the old, inflexible religious system that they had could not hold Jesus. Jesus was challenging them to come up to the level in which He was teaching.

Today in church (meaning the body of Christ) there are so many people that are bound not with chains of trouble but they are bound within their own mind because of the way in which they think. The system in which we think and operate has us bound up so that we can not see the things that God is doing in our life. So many people miss out on opportunity because they think that they have to wait for the perfect and right moment to come alone. The truth is the most important moment of you life is happening right now. This could be the last moment you have and the perfect moment you are waiting for will never come. Because of the way in which we think we miss great opportunities that come our way. So many are bound in to thinking that they can have what God has for them if this does not happen this way or that, but the truth is that God is bound by circumstance of people. We waste so much of our life on things that make no difference, on things that have no importance to the purpose that God has for us. An example is trying to reconcile with someone that does not want to reconcile with you, and rather than just moving on, people waste years worried about something they have no control over. Working a dead end job for years and missing opportunities to have something better.

We waste so many moments on things that are not important because we get into a mind set. The Bible says we must “Redeem the Time”. We do not have time to waste on things that do not bring us closer to the purpose that God has for our lives. We talked about God's Will for your life last week. We have to maximize the moments that we are given and that means we have to stop worrying about those things that we can not control. We have to stop living in fear of what people think and we have to work to do what God has called us to do!! We have to free our mind, body and souls. David said in Psalms 91 “I will rejoice and be glad”, I will means that he made up his mind that he would do these things. Paul says that we have to be “Transformed by the renewing of our mind”. We have to free our mind and make a change in order to go to the level that Jesus is calling us to. Only when we free our mind can we achieve what God has for us.

In His Grip,
-Pastor J

~Beat Distractions~

One of the greatest stories of leadership is in the Bible, the book of Nehemiah. I talked a little about it last week and wanted to come back to it. The story chronicles Nehemiah’s vision and mission of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Deluged with enemy attacks and coercion, Nehemiah had to trust his gut and his God and keep focused on the task at hand.

One distraction came when some of Nehemiah’s enemies found out how well he was doing and tried to get him to leave his mission to meet with them. Nehemiah told them something that all of us who call ourselves leaders should repeat daily. He said, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”

How many times a day do we get distracted and unfocused from that which we are called to do? How many times do opportunities present themselves but they do not fit with your own personal or organizational mission? Stay focused on that which you feel call to do and you’ll complete that for which you are wired. When you feel distracted, remind yourself like Nehemiah did, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”

Happy Monday!

In His grip,

Pastor J

~My Love~

Today is our 6 year wedding anniversary! WOW 6 years! That's only 4 years away from our big 10. What an adventure! We have had beautiful highs and powerful lows but we have got through them...together with the help of Christ! I love my wife more today then ever before and thankful to Christ for the gift He has given me and for the time He has allowed me to share with my bride. I am still in love and glad I can be with my best friend each day. I am thankful for our kids and for the breath God has given them to live in this world. I can't wait for the next 6 years and pray we are closer then ever to Christ and that we always keep our marriage and family Christ centered. I give thanks for your Father!!!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." -1 Cor 13:4-8

In His Grip,

-Pastor J

Do You Live on an Island or Bridge? (Heart Check)

I’ve met many people during my years of ministry. Wonderfully flawed, beautifully imperfect souls whose journeys have been dotted with ups and downs, victories and losses.

One thing I have noticed that has proven to be true more times than not is shaped by the question, “Do they live on an Island or a Bridge?” Here’s how this goes:

The island is what one would define as a normal life. Daily schedules, common frustrations and everyday tasks all contribute to their steady rhythms of life. Stress levels ebb and flow just like everyone elses. Those who live mostly on islands are what you’d call normal.

The bridge is defined as the more-than-normal struggles in their life. A failed class, job, business or relationship. A tragic loss, a major health issue, a sudden drama. The bridge is a place of transition.

Island dwellers are uncomfortable with being on the bridge but see it as a connection to another island; an island where they can set up home again and settle into normalcy.

Bridge dwellers are uncomfortable with islands. When life seems to be going well, IE they are on an Island, they become fidgety. As a result, they consciously create drama so they can live on the uncertain, swaying of the bridge. Their normalcy is chaos and think that something is wrong unless they or someone around them is crazy or drama!

Examine your life’s attitude. Are you an Island dweler or a Bridge dweler? Can you identify people who live mainly on the Islands or Bridges?

I found this to be a great heart check for myself this week. With living so near the sea and islands I had to bring it up.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~People of Nehemiah~

I was reading the Leadership book called “Nehemiah.” (You can find it in the collection of writings called The Bible, HELLO!!). In it, Nehemiah is grabbed by a vision of rebuilding the walls that surrounded the then trashed city of Jerusalem. In chapter 3, he describes what portions of the wall were being built and by whom. Normally, I breeze through lists of people, but the other day, I chose to actually ready this boring list of names. In it, I learned about the people who are usually represented on every team that you lead.

On your team, there will be …

People you don’t expect. Several times, the priests are mentioned as putting their hands to work. Normally, they didn’t do this.
People who unexpectedly, work side by side. The priests worked shoulder to shoulder with people from other cities. This rarely was the case in everyday life.
People who simply won’t work with others. Verse 5 describes a group that refused to work with another group. You’ll get those attitudes as a leader and you’ll have to work around that objection.
People who ask others to help who normally wouldn’t be asked. One man repaired a section of the wall and enlisted the help of his daughters! In that culture, women weren’t thought of as manual or skilled laborers. But, in light of vision, all hands on deck!
People who are jealous for the work. That is how Baruch is mention in vs. 20. Nehemiah dare not stop this young man. He is described as repairing an additional portion of the wall.
People who will only do the minimum. Throughout the chapter, there are men who simply repaired the wall in front of their own house.
Lead these people well and who knows, you may build something that lasts thousands of years!

A Main lesson – when people get a picture of a compelling vision, they are willing to do whatever it takes to see it to reality.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~God's Will~

We tend to put God in a box. We expect Him to do things our way. We share our plans with Him, thinking that He will be there to help; but we never ask Him what He wants for us. We need to remember that God works in His own way, and His own time. And if you want give Him a good laugh, tell him your plans. “As for God, his way is perfect…” (2 Samuel 22:31, NIV).

I heard it again from someone struggling in their work. Hey I have been there myself! Frustration walking the line with Bitterness, this person asked, “What is God’s will for my life?!” The cry of millions wanting to do more but feeling lost and unfulfilled in thepersonal and work life.

I’ve processed that question many times. I’ve poured over scripture looking for the verse that tells me what I’m supposed to do. But guess what – the specifics aren’t there! The question “What is God’s will for my life?” should be shortened to “What is God’s will?” That’s an easier question to answer.

God’s will is that people come to know Him and be saved. God’s will is that people would come to know that there is forgiveness, peace and love offered through Jesus and that that message is carried and delivered by us. God’s will for your life is, if you’re a Christ-follower, that whatever you do with the hours you’ve been given, you ask and act on the question, “How can I best spread the message of Jesus today?” That’s it. From there, God doesn’t care what you do for a career. It is no more holy being a pastor that it is a plumber. It is no more holy being a worship leader than being a window washer. God has people in every arena of life to be lights to the world.

Once we understand that, the adventure begins. The journey of discovering how God made you (your gifts and talents), developing your passions and dreams and then deploying them through your work, family and community.

What is God’s will for your life? It’s to love Him and to use your gifts for your fulfillment and others – all the while waking up everyday and asking “How can I best be a light to people around me?”

In His Grip,
Pastor J

~Working Hands~

Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Beth Moore tells the story of her great-grand father and Jessie James. As Jessie James was from my family years ago I am always finding and shocked at the stories I am told. Beth's great-grand father was on a train one day that Jessie James and his brother was robbing. Jessie went trough the train and made all the men in the train turn their hands up word to the sky. And as Jessie went hand, to hand, to hand he was looking for those whose hand were ruff and tuff. If he could tell they were hard working men who made a hard living he did not take there stuff from them and didn't rob them. If they had soft hands he took there stuff. To the James brothers the men's hands were showing them what their actions were like. If you put that in a holy sense it's like showing clean hands and a pure heart of a men. It also make me wonder and ponder on our attitudes of our hearts. I am also reminded to ask myself are we the hands and feet of Christ.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~RELAX~

Many years ago when I was in middle school I was shopping in a small gift shop back in my home town of Lexington, South Carolina. I came across this little card. At first I could not stop laughing at the sight of the fish on the penguins head and then it came to me.... May times I life I felt like the fish headed penguin. A few days ago a came across the same little card and once again I have a good laugh. This has been a big reminder to me how much God IS really in control of my life. at times is seems easy to always be the one who that tells others that God is there and life will be okay but when the tables are turned and I am the one who has become fish headed it's not so easy to always trust in Christ. I think the biggest think this little card always reminds me is that no matter what side I am GOD IS there.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." -Matthew 10:29-31

In His Grip,

Pastor J

"Pray"

"Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people)." -Ephesians 6:18 (AMP)

Pray – All of the ideas associated with prayer in the Old Testament are captured in the New Testament with a single word. That word is proseuchomai. It covers thanksgiving, confession, adoration, intercession and supplication. Notice that it is not the same as the word for “worship.” Worship involves a mental and often physical attitude before a sovereign ruler. Prayer is the result of worship. Prayers without the right attitude are fairly useless. Jesus commented on such prayers when He pointed out the hypocrisy of the proud Pharisee’s prayer. Worship brings humility, and in the New Testament, humility is the foundation of prayer.

Proseuchomai is not the only word used for asking in the New Testament, but it is the word that is used when the author wants to emphasize the fact that the request is made to God. Fundamentally, this Greek word means, “calling on God” no matter what the content of the prayer happens to be. You might think of it is the summary of all our conversation with God. If you talk with the Father, you would use the Greek word proseuchomai.

Notice that Paul exhorts us to converse with the Father at all times. You might be easily discouraged by such a command. After all, there are plenty of times in human experience when God is not uppermost in our minds. Of course, if we begin to practice His presence, we will discover that He is available for conversation in every moment. But we are so easily distracted. The day brings many circumstances when we lose focus on the Father’s presence. Are we to be castigated because we don’t spend every moment in divine conversation? No, we aren’t. If we only knew that Paul uses the word kairos instead of chronos for “time” in this verse, we would realize that what he is saying is this:

“Every opportunity to experience the intervention of the divine into your ordinary, counting time is an opportunity to connect with the Father. Take it!”

Be on the look-out for kairos invasions. They can occur in any chronos moment. When they occur, call out to God. Prayer is God’s triumphal entry into any and every human experience. Once you realize what is really happening, you are invited into a conversation with Him.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~Think on This~

The primary reason we do too much is that we have never taken the time to discover that portion of what we do that makes the biggest difference.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~What a Word~

"The Church doesn't need better methods it needs better men"

Are you living to your fullness and to who Christ has empowered you to be.

In His Grip,

-Pastor J

It begins again...

So after a year and a half I started back biking again and wow... I am shocked at how well I did. I went about 3 1/2 miles and I could have gone longer however after taking time off I made myself stop. I feel okay and am not hurting so bad right now.. I guess we will see how the morning works out. I am in day 3 of my juicing and I have to say I have not had the best day so far... I went off of the juice for today and I am sure I will be paying for it in the next few days. I need to get back in the wing of things get back to my goals at hand. I am hoping it didn't do go much today and I didn't fall that far behind with adding biking to everything today. I guess we will see.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~Juice Fast~

Thanks to a co-worker and Pastor friend of mine I watched this movie and boy don't watch it if you want to feel bad at the end. I have been on just about every diet out there and done very good. I have lost a lot over the year but it seems I always find it again. I think mainly do to stress , moving all the time and job changes every few years. Welcome to Ministry. Well anyway I am going to start the one thing I have not not yet so why not give it a try and see where it leads. Juicing!! I know in the movie they do a long month Juice Fast however I am going to do a half juice fast and do it for lunches. We will be cooking a Mediterranean style diet. One I can't wait to do. Well we will see how day one goes and I will try to keep everyone updated over the next few days on how things are going and if I am dead after all this. LOL I think I will write a more day to day blog about how things go in the next few days but I will let you know when and where I will do that.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

He is Jehovah..

SING ALLELUIA, SING ALLELUIA

SING ALLELUIA, SING ALLELUIA

HE IS JEHOVAH, THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

HE IS JEHOVAH, THE GOD THAT HEALETH THEE

~Happy Mothers Day~

When I was young my mother always read me this story and after thinking about it I had to share it. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, moms, mommy's and even the mother to bees out there. This is a picture of my mom and I at one of the churches I preached in years ago. From day one she has always been a support to me and my call to full-time Ministry.

~Love You Forever~

A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The baby grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was two years old, and he ran all around the house. He pulled all the books off the shelves. He pulled all the food out of the refrigerator and he took his mother's watch and flushed it down the toilet. Sometimes his mother would say, "this kid is driving me CRAZY!"

But at night time, when that two-year-old was quiet, she opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor, looked up over the side of his bed; and if he was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The little boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was nine years old. And he never wanted to come in for dinner, he never wanted to take a bath, and when grandma visited he always said bad words. Sometimes his mother wanted to sell him to the zoo!

But at night time, when he was asleep, the mother quietly opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep, she picked up that nine-year-old boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a teenager. He had strange friends and he wore strange clothes and he listened to strange music. Sometimes the mother felt like she was in a zoo!

But at night time, when that teenager was asleep, the mother opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep she picked up that great big boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

That teenager grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a grown-up man. He left home and got a house across town. But sometimes on dark nights the mother got into her car and drove across town. If all the lights in her son's house were out, she opened his bedroom window, crawled across the floor, and looked up over the side of his bed. If that great big man was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Well, that mother, she got older. She got older and older and older. One day she called up her son and said, "You'd better come see me because I'm very old and sick." So her son came to see her. When he came in the door she tried to sing the song. She sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always...

But she couldn't finish because she was too old and sick. The son went to his mother. He picked her up and rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And he sang this song:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be.

When the son came home that night, he stood for a long time at the top of the stairs. Then he went into the room where his very new baby daughter was sleeping. He picked her up in his arms and very slowly rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while he rocked her he sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

In His Grip,
Pastor J

~Walk By Faith~

~Pure Heart~

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

When the scripture speaks of purity of heart, it is dealing with our motivations. The subject of the heart is a large topic in God’s Word. Here are some samplings. God searches the heart (Jeremiah 17:10). Unbelief comes from a hardened heart (Mark 8:17). Jesus knew what they were thinking in their hearts (Luke 9:47). The heart is where one’s treasure is (Luke 12:34). The heart is where secrets are kept (1 Corinthians 14:25). Paul prayed for the eyes of the heart to be enlightened, so that we may know what is the hope of His calling (Ephesians 1:18). Consider Paul’s admonition in Colossians 3:12-13 “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also you forgive.” The pure in heart have received forgiveness and have forgiven all those who have sinned against them.

The heart is what I call “the seed-bed of our emotions”. It is the deepest area in a person’s being. Some connect the heart to our human spirit. The pure in heart are those who have opened every secret they hold to God. The pure in heart have repented of unbelief. Although they do not understand everything yet, they trust completely in God. The pure in heart are becoming a treasure house of godliness. This new heart of purity must be received by one. Paul said to “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). These qualities are not the fruits of a good idea, but of a pure heart!

Today, why not join in Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus “that the eyes of your heart maybe enlightened to know the hope of His calling”. It is in that seeking of God’s will and purpose that our hearts are changed and purity begins to form. Ask the Holy Spirit for a pure heart. Allow Him to identify areas in your life in need of His cleansing power.

~Salt~

2 Chronicles 13:5 Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?

Salt, in the scriptures speaks of covenant. All the offerings in the Old Testament were made with salt. As 2 Chronicles 13:5 states, God made a covenant of salt with David, “that his sons would rule over Israel forever”. God fulfilled His word to David when David’s greater son was seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High. The Lord Jesus Christ is the one who is now reigning as “the King of kings and Lord of lord’s”.

In the mountain, Jesus is teaching His disciples, and now us that we are to demonstrate the quality of salt. If we lose that divine attribute, we will be like sand, trodden under foot. Sand looks like salt, but is not cohesive like salt. Because the nation of Israel lost it’s quality it was trodden under. The church in like manner, has lost it’s ability to influence society as it once did. All is not lost though, because God desires to revive His people. He revived the nation of Israel throughout the Old Testament. His purpose was fully completed in Christ, the son of David. Jesus Himself had in mind the restoration of the House of Judah and Israel who became divided after the reign of Solomon. His message of repentance was to the nation of Israel, to repent and receive the New Covenant sealed in His blood. The majority refused and thus was trodden under foot in 70 AD, when Jerusalem along with their Temple was destroyed.

Today, God is reviving His church, who like Israel of old, has lost her saltiness. Jesus’ words ring strong and true as they did when He spoke on the mountain. Today, He is calling His church to be revived and be the salt of the earth. His message is also going out to Jewish people. “Come to your Messiah, the son of David, and He will revive you and place you in the “household of God”. In the same way He spoke to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, He speaks today, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22).

God, I pray for your revival power to be manifested in my life. Thank you for the covenant of salt made with David. Thank you for the covenant’s fulfillment in Christ Jesus our Lord. Father, make me salty to my generation. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and use me to lead others to Your covenant promises.

In His Grip
Pastor J

~HE IS JEHOVAH~

HE IS JEHOVAH, GOD OF CREATION

HE IS JEHOVAH, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

THE BALM OF GILEAD, THE ROCK OF AGES

HE IS JEHOVAH, THE GOD THAT HEALETH THEE

SING ALLELUIA, SING ALLELUIA

SING ALLELUIA, SING ALLELUIA

HE IS JEHOVAH, THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

HE IS JEHOVAH, THE GOD THAT HEALETH THEE

2. HE IS THE GREAT I AN, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM

JEHOVAH SHALOM, THE GOD OF PEACE I AM

THE GOD OF ISRAEL, THE EVERLASTING ONE

HE IS JEHOVAH, THE GOD THAT HEALETH THEE,

3. HE'S YOUR PROVIDER, JEHOVAH JIREH

GOD OF SALVATION, GOD OF MESSIAH

HIS SON HE SENT TO YOU, AND TESTIFIED OF HIM

HE IS JEHOVAH, THE GOD THAT HEALETH THEE

I don't have a Good Testimony!

Don’t ever say this.

He’s got a crazy testimony. He was doing meth and punching babies and racing cops and kicking animals but then he hid in a church from the Feds and a pastor popped up from the floor and — I just grew up in church and got saved.

Yes, you got saved.

You were brought from death to life.

It’s not a competition!


I am equally moved by the testimony of a man who was saved out of a criminal record just as much as the guy who went to church every weekend with his parents. Jesus is just as thrilled.

Atheist-Muslim-Hindu-Buddhist-Wiccan-pagan, homosexuals, sex addicts, drug addicts, alcoholics, people-pleasers, sexually abused, the angry, fearful, timid, voiceless, the churched — we were all headed for certain death and destruction.

And then Jesus happened.


Before Jesus:

Every word you spoke was
to pretend you were someone you were not,
full of agenda and veneer,
every word to protect yourself,
at the cost of others,
self-orbiting, self-centered, self-absorbed, self-serving,
justifying, rationalizing, making excuses,
without destiny or a destination,
building on collapsible foundations,
a dollar amount or trophies in the case or body image or recovery group or religious attendance,
and inside pieces slowly died,
because you were already dead.


After Jesus:

You were set free.
You could serve without motives.
With joy, with patience, no recognition.
You got all the approval you needed.
You laid down weapons of manipulation and dominance.
Your voice stopped terrorizing.
You became qualified, accepted, affirmed, confirmed.
You were broken out of yourself.
Other people became more important.
You could love without expectation.
Idols were assassinated and fired.
You could lead, inspire, create life, confess, be a breath of fresh air.
You became real.
But none of this from you,
but because you were made alive
in Him.

Can we help but sing about this?

Can you believe: that no matter where you’ve been, even if you feel like it was nowhere, that you are now friends with the Most High?

A good testimony is simply: Before Jesus, after Jesus. That’s the Good News.

It’s good news for everyone.

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Ephesians 2:1-10

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~Monday Morning Coffee~

Hebrews 11:1 is probably the most succinct definition of faith found in the Bible. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. The Amplified Bible expands. “Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

”The definition of trust is remarkably similar. Trust is the confident expectation of something, or confidence in the certainty of the future fulfillment of something. Trust is reliance on the integrity, strength and ability of a person or thing. Trust and faith go hand in hand. In difficult times, financial struggles,or health problems, it is not always easy to trust, but God has proven to be trustworthy over time on countless occasions. Once one realizes that God can be trusted, it becomes easier to trust Him again and again.

Proverbs 3:5-6 give God's guidance for life:

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 paths. These words challenge believers to put more confidence in God's ability than in their own, to not try to analyze and figure out every detail themselves, but to place their belief in God's wisdom, love and strength, to lean on God instead of relying on themselves or anyone else.

C. S. Lewis wrote, “To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way.”

God makes the distinction between the heart and the mind. There is nothing wrong with using one's mind, and this verse is not telling you to stop thinking. But some situations are complex and cannot be successfully understood and still make sense. Rather than making foolish and perhaps risky decisions and leaping off a precipice into a chasm of catastrophe, it's much better to trust God. God is the One with foreknowledge. Proverbs 3:7 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” Romans 12:16 rephrases this.“Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.” (Amplified Bible) God is all-knowing, all-powerful and everywhere-present. He is tried, true and trustworthy.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

Tall Ships Trip!

On Friday Debbie called me and stated that she won VIP tickets to the Tall Ships. So today we headed downtown and made a family day of it. It's rare we get time away from all the stress in life and get to spend time together and have some fun. It was a great time and the weather was on our side. We got to ride the ferry a few times and Emily loved that however not so much the loud sound from the motors. The tours on the boats where great and we even got to tour the bounty from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. It was great to see things in real life and to stand on the same boat they filmed the movie off of. They had a nice little area for kids and Emily and Ethan got to spend come time making a craft I think Emily got a bird house and then everyone got to watch a bit of the puppet show they had. It even made me want to get out Charlie and play along. We where able to use our VIP passes to get into a nice area with free drinks and snacks. It only cost us $5 for parking the whole day and I think it was something we might have to do again next year if they come to Savannah again. You can check out some more pictures I took on my Facebook page. The day was well needed and good to have time to relax.

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~Direct~

The Proposal

I know this is not the norm post for me but I came across this video today and had to share it... I met this guy in the video (Davin) a few years back when I was a summer camp pastor. His heart was SOLD to Jesus and here years later he is the same guy who is more passionate about Christ then ever. It's a little long and there are some really funny and dumb parts but I really found it to be good. The things that really got me in this video was the cross. as Davin states it all starts at the cross and from the start it's is wish Christ in the center in all they do. What a great reminder of truth I hope and pray Debbie and I never lose. That Christ is the center of everything. The next few things I noticed in this video was the guy at the start who walked Christina in the church. It her Father. How cool is that to have her father give her away even before the wedding. I think it made a great statement even before the wedding. The next thing I noticed was yes the 1st song was great however their was a lady in the shadows singing live song number 2. I found that just to be plain cool. One of the biggest things I noticed during this time was the prayers said... I am not saying there is that need or even that want of SO many prayers however I found it set the great focus of what Davin was setting out to do... Come to the feet of the cross together. I found the prayers sweet and a powerful statement to the heart of both Davin and Christina. The last part I noticed in this video was the family member hidden in the dark shadows of the church. I found this to be just a cool way to make everyone part of this great time for Davin and Christina. Over all I found this to be just great! May the Lord be the center and rain many blessings down on Davin and Christina. It might not the the way a lot of us would have done it or even did do it. But I take my hat off to Davin. I remember Debbie and I's proposal and it felt like just last week. I always call it under the plam tree however I have been told over and over again it's the OAK tree. LOL maybe one day coming up in May I will share the story again. If I can get it rightLOL

Just a little side note. Davin is from Inman, SC (bet you would have never guessed with his country accent) and is a student from North Greenville. Davin and Christina got married this past Dec 17th 2011. at First Baptist North Spartanburg, in South Carolina.

Anyway till next time,

In His Grip,

Pastor J

~Healing is Real~

NDOP 2012