Give and Take

Psalm 34:8 "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

Joy never comes to those who don’t appreciate what they have.  That's why God wants us to learn how to be thankful every day. God never promised your life would be perfect, just blessed beyond measure if you served Him.

So remember that your life is filled with give and take and try and follow these steps:

-Give thanks and take nothing for granted. 

-Realize being happy means you appreciate it all, not that you have it all.

-Life is too short. So stop worrying all the time and give God praise for the good and even in the bad. 

-Instead of focusing on how stressed you are, remember how blessed you are.

-If you have the promise of eternal life you have what many hope for.

-Don't take the people you love for granted today because they may be gone tomorrow. 

-Never be too busy to make time for that which matters most. 

Oh yes, one last thing-

Remember the good times, be strong during the rough times, love always, laugh often, live honestly, and be thankful for each new day that the Lord brings into your life. 

Pain

Sometimes God allows doors to close because it’s time to move forward.  And that’s a good thing because we often won’t move unless circumstances force us to.  When times are tough, remind yourself that no pain comes without a purpose. 

-Move on from what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you. 

-Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. 

-Every great success requires some type of worthy struggle to get there. 

-Good things take time. 

-Stay patient and stay positive. 

-Everything is going to come together; maybe not immediately, but eventually.

Remember that there are two kinds of pain: pain that hurts and pain that changes you.  When you roll with life, instead of resisting it, both kinds help you grow.

Soberly

Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

Self-control is not an easy thing to accomplish. It's much easier to go overboard than it is to stay inside the safety of the ship. Paul is simply saying we need to exercise self-control and not put ourselves in a position where we think more of ourselves than we should.

-We should have confidence, but not arrogance.

-We should have our own opinions, but not flaunt them over others.

-We should hold ourselves accountable, but not judge others with a better-than-thou-attitude.

-We should let that measure of faith given to us be our marker, but not become our scapegoat.

If we who believe would be the Christians that we should be then sinners would not have any excuse to stay away from us or the church. The only difference between us and them is the blood of Jesus and regardless of the time, if they accept Him it will change them as well.

So understand who you are in Jesus and think soberly-it can make a difference in your world and in the world of others as well.

Choose wisely

Regardless of whether or not you’re satisfied with your daily routine, you always have the choice to adjust it.  Sometimes it’s almost impossible to decipher the right choice from the wrong one.  Good could be cloaked behind bad, or bad behind good.  Once the decision has been made, the moment is gone.  That decision will alter your path in one way or another.  The repercussions to some choices may ripple throughout the remainder of your life, while others may be easily altered.  The level of severity you’re dealing with is not always obvious.  

While not foolproof, peering deeper into the hazy fog of tomorrow is probably your best path. Ask yourself: “Where does this path lead?”  There really is a certain degree of irony in one’s liberty to choose.  Having “the choice” is freedom, but you can easily become a slave to the decisions you make.

That's why God wants you to make the right choice. It's not always easy to do, but sometimes you just have to go with your heart and listen to the voice of God. He can and will help you choose wisely.

Live

Life is often like walking up a flight of stairs with a distracted mind, and misjudging the final step.  You expected there to be one more stair than there is, and so you find yourself off balance for a moment when it's not where you expect it to be.

Sadly, there are far too many people who live their entire lives missing the final step, never reaching what God has in store for them.  Don’t be one of them!  You have to live your own life guided by the hand of God.  That’s all there is to it.  He has placed within us an unique fire in our hearts for something that makes us feel alive.  It’s our duty to find it and keep it lit.

So live the life He has given you today!  Don’t ignore death, but don’t be afraid of it either.  Be afraid of a life you never lived because you were too afraid to be obedient to God.  Death is not the greatest loss in life.  The greatest loss is what dies inside you while you’re still alive when you refuse to listen to God.  Be bold, be courageous, be scared to death, and then take the next step in the direction of what God wants for you anyway.

So find your love, your talents, your passions, and embrace them.  Don’t hide behind other people’s decisions.  Don’t let others tell you what you want.  Trust God's designed plan and experience your life!  The life He created from doing something that moves you is far better than the life you get from sitting around wishing you were doing it.  So do something today, and every day, that moves you.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Nobody is happy all of the time.  It’s perfectly normal to experience considerable fluctuations in your level of happiness from day to day, month to month, and even year to year.

According to a scientific survey overall levels of happiness decline from one’s teens until one’s 40s and then pick up again until they peak in one’s early 70s.  So the chances are that your happiest days are yet to come.  Hopefully that gives you something to smile about.

So...

-Don't dwell on things that happened in the past.

-Don't obsess yourself with all the things that might happen in the future.

-Don't complain about problems instead of taking the necessary steps to resolve them.

-Don't fear change and resist it.

-Don't work hard, do your best and then condemn yourself for not achieving perfection.

-Don't belittle yourself.

-Don't hang out with other people who belittle you.

-Don't try to control everything and then worry about the things you can’t control.

-Don't lie to yourself and those around you.

-Don't keep doing the same thing over and over again.

So smile. Today might just be a good day.

Keep Climbing

Every person who is at the top of their mountain did not fall there from the sky.  Good things always come to those who work hard for them.  You gain confidence and grow stronger by every experience in which you truly push yourself to do something you didn’t think you could do and that includes the climb to get there.

If you are standing in that place of in-between, unable or unwilling to go backwards, but too afraid to move forward, remember that you can’t enjoy the view without being willing to climb.
It is the climb that tests your intestinal fortitude. It is the climb the culminates in a burst of courage. It is the climb that makes you appreciate every small victory that you achieve in life. You will never reach the top or your mountain unless you are willing to make the climb.

Maybe you are not as good as you want to be, or as great as you one day will be; but thanks to all the lessons you’ve learned along the way, you are so much better than you used to be. Just keep climbing! Don't stop until you reach the top of your mountain. There you will find your new horizon and a place of rest and comfort.

2 Timothy 2:3 "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

The Right Path

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

What seems like the end of your present path may just be a cul de sac.  It may feel like rejection and failure, but it isn’t. You simply ran out of path on that route and God has a different direction for you to pursue at this time.

God is probably saying it's time to back up, turn around, and look for a different path to get to where He wants you to go.  As long as you keep trusting in Him and moving forward, the path ahead is going to be far better than you can imagine because eventually, through all its twists and turns, it leads to the place He wants you to be.

So if you’re currently struggling to find the right path just hang in there.  Remember, sometimes the best thing that could possibly happen is not getting what you want right now and to experience the journey. Acknowledge the Lord with all of your heart and He will put you on the right path that will lead you to the right place at the right time. 

Just be.....

Psalm 139:14 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

Why would you ever want to compromise your life which is precious to God to create something unpleasant and fake for this world? Make your being count. Lose track of the negativity and dishonesty that can inundate you daily.  Live positively and authentically understanding how wonderful and productive you can be thru Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here are two things I hope that you will remember:

-When you wake up to a new day, be grateful for another chance.

-When others take the easy road, be the one who takes the right road.

-When something must be done, be proactive.

-When several possibilities present themselves, be decisive with your priorities.

-When achieving something is important to you, be open about it and go for it.

-When the work seems overwhelming, be concerned only with the next small step.

-When worries cross your mind, be sure to focus on what you can control.

-When real problems arise, be ready to address them upfront.

-When mistakes are made, be okay with them and learn from them.

-When you have something to say, be willing to speak up.

-When what has been done in the past still isn’t working, be the needed change.

-When doubt is lingering in your mind, be confident in your abilities.

Hebrews 1:9 "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."

The Blame Game

Is there anything you’re blaming others for in your life? 

-Are you blaming the economy for not getting the job you wanted? 

-Your parents for giving you “bad” genes? 

-Your boss for your workload? 

-Your Pastor for the problems God hasn't fixed?

-The world for lack of opportunities around you? 

-God for not giving you the life of your dreams?

The extent to which you live your life depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  When you blame someone/something for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility and give others power over that part of your life. 

For example, if you blame others for your problem or addiction, you’ll continue to remain in that place because in your mind they are the reason why you’re there.  You’ll never have the power to change the situation until you take responsibility for it.  When you take 100% responsibility for your life, be it your career status, your health, your relationship status, your finances, your friendships, or whatever that’s when you’re set to achieve the life you were expecting and have the faith that you can accomplish it.

Playing the blame game will never relieve you of your responsibility to God, to others, and especially to yourself. I have said it many times on this blog and in my messages-life isn't fair. Things happen that we can't prevent. We lose loved ones, friends, pets, jobs, positions, and other things that are important to us. It wasn't by luck or chance and blaming God, others, or yourself doesn't change that fact. Stuff just happens!

So instead of playing the blame game, read this passage from the Word and take hold of your responsibility and do what you should do to live the life that you expect to live.

Philippians 2:13-16 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: hat ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain."

Words are all we have

Matthew 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

Sometimes words are all we have when there's nothing else we can do. You are what you say and how you say it. Actions do speak louder than words, but people often tend to say things without really thinking. So think before you speak because:

-Words build up or tear down.

-Words inspire or insult.

-Words spoken with encouragement have made friends out of strangers.

-Words whispered with kindness may ease a broken heart's pain.

-Words spoken in anger are often forgiven, but rarely forgotten.

When someone says, "Just what I needed to hear!", it means God has spoken through you. Your testimony may change some person's life for eternity.

Please remember these words: 

-Decisions are based on words.

-Destinies are determined by words.

-Dynasties are built by words.

-Destruction can be found in words.

Words are all we have when there's nothing else to do. Speak blessing or cursing-it is up to you!

 

What you focus on changes everything

What you focus on changes everything. 

-Don’t look back when you know you shouldn’t because in spite of your best efforts you couldn't do what you set out to do. 

-Don’t worry about what you can’t control or let it weigh you down to the point of giving up. 

-Don’t stress over unimportant things because they don't really matter. 

-Be positive about today and about the future. The past is in the past. 

The most underrated trait of all successful people I’ve ever met is positivity.  Your attitude directly determines how well you live your life.  You simply can’t live a positive life with a negative attitude.  Don’t let mental blocks control you.  Set yourself free. Confront your negativity and turn the mental blocks into building blocks. The right attitude is the one thing you need right now so grab hold of it and don't let it go.

You are a seed

1 Corinthians 15:38 "But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."

You are a seed in God's plan for the world. You may appear to yourself and others as pitted, dried up,and useless, but God is the great sower of seeds.

He holds you in His hand today and sees all of your tomorrows. You may be the largest of the garden plants or the smallest of the flowers.

You don't make that decision, God does; but He relies on you to water, fertilize and care for what He has created.

Right now God is holding you in His hand just like you hold a seed. He closes his eyes and sees a vision of hope, success, happiness and as He fast forwards He can see the impact you will make on all the tomorrows you hold inside your heart.

The difference here is that God has given you the gift of choice. You are His seed and also the gardener. How you grow depends on the choices you make, the care you give, and your faith in His plan for you.

God won't make those decisions, you will. So let Him grow you as you and He make those decisions together.

God loves you now and forever

Easter was always warm growing up in Conway, SC. This Easter Sunday was no exception.
I was looking down at my dress shoes while a young man from the Lee College Pioneers For Christ ministry was preaching that night from my dad's pulpit. Suddenly, his voice rose and got very loud as he begin to finish his sermon. "Remember this!," he said as I raised my head. "If you don’t remember anything else I have said. Remember this. You are loved! You are loved unconditionally by a greater love than you can ever imagine! God loves you, now and forever! That's why He sent His Son to die in your place"
Those words of wisdom did find a place deep inside of me. That night changed my life forever. I often find myself remembering them over and over again in my life. As I have learned, aged, struggled, and stumbled those words have stayed in my heart. They've helped me to rise up and try again every time I stumbled and fell. They've helped me to find my own love for God, for myself, and for others as well. They've became a central part of who I am and what I believe. The one gift I hope to give all of you is this truth. I pray that you always remember then that "You are loved!" May you always know that "God loves you, now and forever!"

Your Heavenly Father

Most father's and mother's love their children very much and show their love for their children in many ways. For children that have been unappreciated or mistreated, these thoughts are a reminder that your Heavenly father loves all of His children, and wants to give you His very best.

-If your earthly father says, "You are nothing", your Heavenly Father says, "You are my beloved child." 

-If your earthly father says, "I'll give you the piano, if you learn how to play it", your Heavenly Father says, "Use your talents wisely." 

-If your earthly mother says, "Just wait until your father gets home", your Heavenly Father says, "Just wait until my Son takes you home." 

-If your earthly father says, "You will never amount to anything", your Heavenly Father says, "You will always be something special to me." 

-If your earthly father says, "Go stand in the corner", your Heavenly Father says, "Go into every corner of the world and tell about my Son." 

-If your earthly father says, "Clean up this mess", your Heavenly Father says, "If your life is a mess, I will clean it up for you." 

-If your earthly father says, "You will never do anything right", your Heavenly Father says, "I will make all things right." 

-If your earthly father says, "I am going to write you out of my will", your Heavenly Father says, "I will give you the kingdom." 

-If your earthly father says, "Go to bed without your supper", your Heavenly Father says, "My storehouses are full. Come and dine." 

-If your earthly father says, "Go away. Can't you see I'm busy?", your Heavenly Father says, "I'm available twenty-four hours a day." 

-If your earthly father says, "Why don't you grow up?", your Heavenly Father says, "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

-If your earthly father says, "I hate you", your Heavenly Father says, "I love you so much. I gave my Son for you." 

-If your earthly father says, "I don't have time for you. I'm in a hurry", your Heavenly Father says, "Time means nothing to me. I have all the time you need." 

-If your earthly father says, "I am not going to hold you. You need to do something by yourself", your Heavenly Father says, "I will wrap my loving arms around you." 

-If your earthly father says, "Why don't you pick up your feet?", your Heavenly Father says, "I will walk with you and help you up when you fall." 

-If your earthly father says, "I don't love you anymore", your Heavenly Father says, "I love you with an everlasting love that will last throughout all eternity." 

-If your earthly father says, "You are no longer welcome in our home", your Heavenly Father says, "Heaven is your home. I have a mansion prepared for you."                                                                         

Think about it. It's great to have a Heavenly Father who loves us and cares about us.

Thank God It's Thursday...

Thank God it's Thursday...

Thursday means several things to me personally and hopefully to you as well.

-I have survived almost another week. I give God praise for everyday I get to be with the love of my life, Becky, and also get to serve the Lord everyday.

-I have one more day to praise God for my wonderful son, daughter-in-law, and my four grandbabies. Not only do I love them more than life itself, I have once more day to enjoy that love here on earth.

-I have one more day to do the best I can for my Lord and Master, and though feeble it may seem, hopefully will please and honor him.

-I have one more day to pray for my friends in the hospital and home that are in need of a touch of God in their lives for physical healing and to believe with them for a miracle.

-I have one more day to rejoice that I am alive and God has given me an opportunity to shine even in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us at this time in our nation.

Thursday seems to get here quicker that it used to. People tell me that the older you get time seems to fly and I believe they are right. It seems like only yesterday Becky and I walked the aisle at the Hamer COG as man and wife. Time has flown by and is flying by for all of us. That's why Thursday is important-just as much so as every day of the week.

If God has blessed you with life then rejoice. If God has brought you though stuff then rejoice.
If God has helped you in the past, He will help you again. This is the day the Lord has made  and I will rejoice in it! How about you?

Happy Thursday!

Defeating rejection

"And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight." Joshua 10:25 

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  Nothing could be closer to the truth.  This is especially true as it relates to self-fulfilling prophecies.

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a belief in error about a situation that motivates that person with the belief to take actions that cause the belief to come true.  This kind of thinking often kills opportunities and tears lives apart.  For instance, you might wrongly believe that a group of people will reject you, so you become defensive, anxious, and perhaps even hostile toward them.  Eventually, your behavior brings about the feared rejection, which wasn’t there to begin with and then you feel that you were right from the very beginning.

That's why we should look carefully at our own tendencies.  How do our fears and beliefs about possible rejection influence your behavior toward others?  Take a stand.  Instead of letting fear show you what might be wrong in your situations, start looking for signs of what might be right.

As you look back on your life, you will often realize that many of the times you thought you were being rejected from something good, you were in fact being redirected to something better.  You can’t control everything especially the opinions of others.  Sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that God will work things out for your good.  Let go of your fears and just let life happen the way it’s supposed to.  Because sometimes the outcomes you can’t change, end up changing you and helping you grow into your strongest, smartest self.

Don't be dismayed-God has a plan-Just let Him work it out.

Do you live?

John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Speak the truth even if your voice shakes.  Be cordial and reasonable, of course, but don’t tread carefully on every word you say.  Push your concerns of what others might think aside.  Let the consequences of doing so unravel naturally.  What you’ll find is that most of the time no one will be offended or irritated at all.  And if they do get upset, it’s likely only because you’ve started behaving in a way that makes them feel they have less power over you.

Think about it.  Why be fake?

In the end, the truth usually comes out one way or the other, and when that happens, you’re standing alone if you’ve been living a lie.  So live your whole truth starting now.  If someone gives you a hard time and says, “You’ve changed,” it’s not a bad thing.  It just means you stopped living life their way. Don’t apologize for it.  Instead, be open and sincere, explain how you feel, and keep doing what you know in your heart is right.

A life spent ceaselessly trying to please people who, perhaps, are incapable of ever being pleased, or trying too hard to always be seen as doing “the right thing,” is a sure road to a regretful existence.

Do more than just exist.  We all exist.  The question is:  Do you live?

Stand

What do you do when you don’t know what to do?  

Ephesians 6:12 says, …”Having done all….stand.”  

There are times when that’s all you can do.  When you’re in the middle of a difficult physical, relational, financial or spiritual challenge today and you’ve exhausted your own resources to solve your problem, the only thing you can do is give it to God.  He is not wringing His hands about your situation because it took Him by surprise.  He is fully aware of what you’re going through and fully capable of giving you the answer to your problem somehow and someway.

James 1:25 "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

In spite of the negative circumstances you face today, if you continue to look into the perfect law of liberty, which is the Word of God, you have the ability to respond to each circumstance and situation with faith in God armed with what you need to stand.

God hasn’t forgotten you or forsaken you.  He knows exactly what you’re going through today and He has an answer for your situation.  Your strength and your resources may be gone, but God’s strength and resources are unlimited.  Put a song of praise in your heart today, and stand and see the salvation of the Lord.

Let this be your prayer today:

"Dear Lord, I do not know what else to do. I have done everything that I know is possible. I literally don't know what else to do. So it's in your courts and I come there with praise and expectation. If you don't do what is needed then perfect your will in my situation. I do trust in you. Amen"
 

 

 

 

 

Instead...

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Psalms 34:1 

-Instead of thanking the heavens for two strong legs and a body that’s capable of running and jumping and dancing, lots of people complain about their weight and appearance.

-Instead of appreciating that they live in a country that protects their basic human rights and civil liberties, lots of people complain about laws, taxes, and politicians.

-Instead of being grateful for the roof they have over their heads, lots of people wish they had a larger house and a fancier car.

Don’t be one of these people.

To witness miracles unfold in your daily life, count your blessings and be thankful for what you do have.  Lots of people aren’t so fortunate.

The Open Door

Just because an opportunity presents itself, and it looks appealing, doesn't necessarily mean it is from God. And likewise, just because an open door looks a little uncertain, doesn't mean you shouldn't walk through it. The key is knowing how to discern if an opportunity is really an open door from God. I don't want to miss those open doors because I was afraid to walk through them. But I also don't want to take every opportunity that comes along, assuming it is from God's hand and has his blessings attached. So how can you tell if God is the one opening the door?
 
-God will not lead you toward an opportunity that contradicts what he clearly says in his Word. Nor will he open a door that would require personal compromise or disobedience in order for you to enter. As humans prone to sin, we have an excellent way of turning a clear mandate of God's completely around and justifying it by our circumstances, but that is not how God works. If there is a compromise in any way, or we have to bend Scripture to justify our "open door" then it is likely not a door that God is opening for us. I would call anything that contradicts his Word a temptation, rather than an open door from God. And God's Word clearly says that God does not tempt us in James 1:13-14.

 
-In Matthew 18:15-16, Jesus laid out instructions for confronting sin among believers saying "But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses'." I believe the same applies when it comes to God confirming something in his Word. He will often confirm or establish a matter by "two or three witnesses" whether they be verses from the Word of God, advice from a pastor or well-respected person who is grounded in Scripture, or a non-compromising circumstance that continues to present itself. Through prayer, discernment and seeking godly counsel, you should be able to tell if that "open door" and its confirmations are truly coming from God.

-God is not going to give us something that will alienate us from him or make us believe we no longer need him. He is a God of relationship, and a God who insists upon being first in our lives Matthew 6:33. Therefore, if you find yourself saying "I can't do this unless God goes before me," or "I can do this, but only with God's help and leading" I would say, in my personal experience, it's likely something God is calling you to do. Hebrews 11:6 says: "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him." Many times an "open door" from God is one that allows our faith to be stretched and strengthened. That, after all, is God's objective for us: to grow in faith and Christ-likeness.
 
Take your opportunity or "open door" to God and ask for his confirmation through his Word and godly counsel from others and you can have the assurance that you aren't just choosing a door at random, but you're carefully walking through the ones he wants you to enter.

Uncaring People

"And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."

Matthew 24:10 KJV

It's amazing the sacrifices we make in life because we care about people. In every walk of life believers constantly put the needs of others before theirs. The sad part about that is more often than not the Golden Rule doesn't mean that much to people as it once did. So when people we care about don't care back we often get offended or just plain mad.

Here is the reality of the world we live in today. No matter how much you care some people just won’t care back.  It’s not the end of the world.  At some point you have to realize that truth and not let it get the best of you. If you don't bitterness will turn into hatred and then hatred into hurts that won't heal. Old wounds and grudges will always bring you down.

Peace cannot be found until you let go of the hatred or hurt that lives in your heart because of uncaring people. It’s about accepting the past, letting it go, and pushing your spirit forward with a new perspective. Nothing empowers your ability to heal and grow as much as love and forgiveness.  

You know real freedom when you stop overwhelming your mind with caring about what everyone else thinks, and start doing what you feel in your heart is right. In fact, you can end half your troubles immediately by no longer permitting uncaring people to dictate doing what God wants you to do. You have to put your life in God's hands and trust Him to help you know He's in control even when it seems like He's not.

Uncaring people may be able stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently if you let that spirit take over your heart. So don't!

The Survival of the Church

Every pastor has to deal with taking up tithes and offerings in just about every service. For some it is a joy because there is abundance and the majority of church properties are well-maintained and/or paid for and the funds can be used for ministries or other evangelical efforts to reach the lost. Yet, for others it is a constant struggle just to keep the mortgage paid, the lights on, and some kind of minimum ministry going. That kind of pressure has put many a pastor in an early grave and has caused the downfall or closing of many a church.

Many of the financial issues churches face today are because people struggle with the issue of tithing. I know in some churches giving is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord. Tithing/giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today and because of that many churches struggle just to get by.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple. In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes (one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land) which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.

The New Testament does not necessarily command that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system, or even designate a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says gifts should be “in keeping with income". Most in the Christian churches have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a recommended minimum or standard for Christians in their giving, especially in most evangelical congregations. It is my opinion that you can't just take a part of the Bible and throw away the other. We in the Church of God believe in the whole Bible rightly divided, which means we accept the Old and New Testament as God's standard of living for His people. Other denominations do this as well.

The New Testament does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent and sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give. Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ.

As a pastor I have learned two important things that pertain to tithing and giving:

First, no congregation should ever put themselves so far in debt that they cannot maintain their facilities or ministries even if their income is cut in half. They should construct a maintenance program that should provide for upkeep on their properties and realize that if they can't afford to do that, then don't build. Some would say I have no faith, but I disagree with that. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. I have heard the Word of God and have found that most of us have bigger desires than we have the funds to match and jump on impulse rather than a directive of God. I don't believe God wants us to put ourselves in a position where it seems we have to always tax the people to keep our financial heads above water. That would never happen if we planned things out as we should and tried to maintain them as a business, which we as the body of Christ are doing in the world today.

Secondly, even though tithing and giving is God's Biblical way of opening the door for blessing, it is not always the amount you give that makes the difference, but the consistency with which you give it. A widow's mite can accomplish a lot if it's given regularly and with consistency. If every church member or attender would just give regularly there would never have to be another hot dog supper, bake sale, or special fund raising drive unless you just wanted to do one. I have even told my wife who heads are Women's ministry that if the ladies would just put in the same amount of money it cost to buy the ingredients for the baked goods they cook they would come out ahead and sure save a lot of time and energy.

So how do I end this blog today? I believe in tithing and giving. I believe in doing the best I can and I encourage you readers to do the same. If you want your church to exist and to grow whether you like it or not it needs your support. Without it your church will not survive.

Heritage

Proverbs 22:28 "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."

My beautiful wife had 2 brothers and a sister die several years before she was born. She is the last member of her family to survive. Both her parents and 4 siblings have all entered into eternity. Her oldest brother and sister only lived a few hours here on this earth. They never got to experience life as we know it because that time was not extended to them. Growing up on a mill village in the rural south did not always provide the best medical care 60 years ago and because of that many precious people perished before they ever got to start living.

We took flowers down to her families main cemetery plot yesterday in Dillon, SC. That's about 200 miles from where we are living now, and we do try to do this at least a couple of times a year to honor their memory. We both know that their spirit is with the Lord, but this is a tradition that many of us still do because of the love we have for our heritage and history.

Heritage in the south is still important. I hope it is important to everyone everywhere that reads this blog because if it isn't your family history will fade away.

Why is heritage some important?

-It reminds us of where we've come from and how far we have advanced in our lifetime.

-It prepares the generations that follow us with information that may help them avert a crisis or defeat a challenge because someone else in the family did.

-It helps us encourage and enlighten those we love about times of trouble, times of joy, and basic memories that uplift us or make us cry on certain occasions.

-It endues us with determination, a sense of destiny, and a promise of hope that each generation can plot their own course in life with some boundary-stones that point in the right direction.

Heritage is important to you, your family, your siblings, and to whatever generations God allows to follow you here on earth. So I encourage you. Set some boundary stones-some markers-for those generation to follow. You may never know how they complete their journey, but they will have fond memories of you because they know their heritage and that you finished well.

Monday's Stink

I don't usually use this kind of language, but I will make an exception today. I saw a sign the other day that said simply, "Monday's Stink!"

Have you ever wondered why Tuesday always seems so much better than Monday?

I'm sure there are several reasons for many of you, but I can only speak from the heart of a pastor. I was lying in bed early this morning and this thought came to me because to be honest with you I totally dislike Mondays just like many other pastors.

For a pastor of a any size church Monday seems like the longest day of the week. Let me explain why I think that is so:

-It's the day you complete an examination of your performance on Sunday and hope and pray that you did things superior enough to please the Lord and hopefully touch someone in your congregation.

-It's the day that you try to tie up all the loose ends from the week before, put out any wildfires before they rage out of hand, the day you wonder how you will explain someone's absence to the dozens of people that ask you why so-and-so wasn't in church, and the day you start planning for the week ahead hoping it will be better than last week.

-It's the day you question what could you have done any differently to steady someone who seems to be floating thru the congregation rather than getting grounded in the congregation.

-It's the day you try to stretch the tithe and offering dollars to meet the needs of the church that most of the time were there when you assumed the position of pastor.

-It's the day to make sure the media gets done, the day to update the websites, and the day to figure out the promotions you want to stress the next weekend.

-It's also the day you try to figure out why people leave your church because of problems with others in the congregation, but you know you will get the blame for them leaving regardless.

Sadly, according to most statistics, Monday is the day that most pastors literally resign because of the stress and expectations they feel are placed upon them by the ones they serve. Every pastor worth his or her salt feels the heaviness of the burdens upon the congregation both spiritually and financially. He or she knows their limitations in giving, their expectations through prayer, their anticipation of what they want from their pastor, and also their disappointment when it doesn't come through. That strain alone causes many a servant of God to question their calling, their commitment, and why they're doing what they are trying to do each Sunday in their respective congregations.

On Monday the pastor is:
-most vulnerable to attacks of discouragement and depression from the enemy.
-most unsure of his placement and calling because of a lack of numbers or finance.
-most disappointed because despite his best efforts he still has people leave from his congregation for unknown reasons.
-most aware that he/she has put more burdens on themselves because they feel they have come up short in what they expected of themselves.

As I was pondering this question today in my mind the devil was bringing to me every failure I had ever experienced in ministry. Man, I didn't realize I had failed in so many areas, but I discovered Lucifer is a good bookkeeper. It's been awhile since he has used this tactic on me. But as he tried to remind me of my failures, God begin to put this Word in my heart from 2 Timothy 4:1-5:

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

Now I remember why I like Tuesday so much better than Monday.

God always reminds me on Tuesday:
-All you can do is preach the Word.
-All you can do is teach the Word.
-All you can do is be an example of the Word.
-All you can do is live the Word.

BUT......

It's up to me to do the rest!

So pastor friend, you may be like me and dislike Monday, but remember Tuesday is on the way! Be refreshed in the Lord today and be the best you can be to please Him. He will take care of the rest.

Frustration

Most of the time we call frustration depression. It could turn into that at some point, if we're not careful, but today it’s frustration. Severe frustration. The kind that keeps you up at night. These problems are often more internal than external. Usually they are work-related, but they impact every other aspect of your life. They always do.

It may be a poor work environment, people mistreating you, or those you love forsaking or abandoning you. You are frustrated because you have given everything you know how to give, but nothing seems to matter or get better. You feel under-appreciated, under-utilized and unfulfilled and wonder if it will ever change.

Nothing you do or say makes things better. It’s a miserable life, and so far nothing has made a difference. And you're more miserable every day, ready to quit, but so far you have sensed no release from God from this position and have even wondered how long will this go on. So what do you do before the frustration becomes depression?

Personally, I don’t think God wants us to stay in situations like this. These times always serve a purpose in our life, but most of the time God releases us to pursue a healthier environment. Don’t confuse loyalty to a place with obedience to God. They aren’t always the same and it requires walking close enough to God to discern His will.

The truth is, we can’t control our environment. We can’t control other people and their reactions to us. We can only control how we respond to life. So how should we respond when we are frustrated?

-Pray. Two simple questions: "Have you prayed for God to change the circumstances or for Him to change you?" There’s a big difference in those two prayers.

-Remember the good times. Your life has been filled with seasons. Some good and some bad. Remember the good times when you're experiencing the bad and be encouraged looking back that better days are ahead again.

-Share your burdens. Don’t share with a motive to stir trouble, and don’t gossip, but be honest. The goal is to get the support of a listening ear you need.

-Renew your heart. Remind yourself of the vision to which you were called.  You were called to a Person, Jesus, who loves you and has invested everything in you. He has a plan for your life. Lean on Him again, and allow Him to restore your passion for Him that is bigger than the place where He has you now.

-Do the best work you can where ever you are called to be. You may not be able to impact every person you meet, but you can impact your life, even if it’s only by impacting the people within your sphere. You’ll need to find your fulfilment in smaller wins right now, but allow those moments in life to fuel you and keep you going.

-We learn most on the hardest days. Those aren’t necessarily helpful words to hear in times like this, but they are so incredibly true. If you learn things that make you better later, this won’t be a wasted period of your life, but may even prove to be a valuable period.

Pray for strength

When times are tough, you must be tougher.  Don’t pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a tough one that leads to greatness.

In the midst of hard times, it’s easy to look around and see a group of people who seem to be doing just fine, but they’re not.  We’re all struggling in our own way.  If we could just be brave enough to open up about it, and talk to each other, we’d realize that we are not alone in feeling lost and alone.

Many of us are fighting the same exact battle alongside you.  We are all in this together.  So no matter how embarrassed you feel about your own situation, know that there are others out there experiencing the same emotions.  When you hear yourself say, “I am all alone,” it’s just your worried mind trying to sell you a lie.  There’s always someone who can relate to you.  Perhaps you can’t immediately talk to them, but they are out there.

If you’re feeling desperate right now, hear me:  I often feel, think, and struggle much like you do.  I care about many of the things you care about, just in my own way.  And although some people do not understand us, we understand each other. You are not alone in this battle so always try and remember that.

Somewhere Today...

Somewhere today.....
-A grandfather is holding his granddaughter’s hand and they’re both smiling from ear to ear.
-Someone just placed their spare change in the charity collection cup at the grocery store.
-A small group of friends are sitting around a table sharing funny stories and cheerfully reminiscing about the good old days.
-A breast cancer patient just found out her cancer is in complete remission.
-Someone out there is missing you and looking forward to your next visit.
-Honest people are working for various government entities to help protect your basic human rights and civil liberties.
-An emergency room surgeon is in the middle of saving his patient’s life.
-Someone is holding the door open for the person behind them.
-Someone is praying for you right now.
-God is listening for your heart's cry.

What you start doing now...

"That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past."

Ecclesiastes 3:15 

Holding on to what’s no longer there holds too many of us back.  We spend the majority of our lives recounting the past and letting it steer the course of the present.  Don’t waste your time trying to live in another time and place. You must accept the end of something in order to begin to build something new.  So close some old doors today.  Not because of pride, inability or egotism, but simply because you’ve entered each one of them in the past and realize that they lead to nowhere.

When we continue to repeat a story in our head we eventually believe that story and embrace it whether it empowers us or not. Don’t place your past mishaps on your mind, because their weight may crush your current potential.  Instead, place them under your feet and use them as a platform to view a new horizon.  Remember, all things are difficult before they are easy.  What matters the most is what you start doing now.

Moving Forward

Romans 8:37 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Moving forward in life requires that you first accept the reality of what life is.  This acceptance provides you with a starting point from which you can move in any direction you choose.  To deny this reality or to fight against your past will merely waste your time and energy.  To wish that things were different, or to pretend that they are, gets you nowhere.

However, when you visualize your possibilities and your path forward with a calm, collected mind, you can determine the next step that will take you in the direction of your vision and step forward toward it.  

Tap into the abundant resources around you. When you adopt an attitude that life owes you something you set yourself up for frustration and unhappiness.  Realize instead that life has already provided you with a world filled with abundance, and that creating meaningful value out of this abundance is up to you.

No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your economic status is, a life of fulfillment requires commitment and effort from you.  It is through positive, productive choices that you find life’s abundance in ways that uniquely express your personal dreams and values.

A conqueror never just expects it to happens, but he attacks whatever to get the job done. Attack life and love it. Let it pass you by and regret every minute of it. It's your choice.

Happy

Proverbs 16:20 "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."

You don’t need any more or any less to be happy.

Life would be different if you stopped allowing other people to weaken or poison your perception with their words and opinions.  Happiness is derived from the way you see your own life. It depends on your thoughts, not on what you have or what you do not have, or what other people think about what you have. You will never have enough to please some people.

 

Pease remember also no matter how good you are at something there will always be people who criticize your efforts.  Although it’s never a comfortable experience, the feelings of criticism and rejection can actually help you access your more creative self.   When you are free from the expectations of maintaining what everyone else is pleased with, you can push the limits of innovation and self expression.

This moment is your life.  Today is too valuable to waste thinking of another time and place. Your friends and family are too beautiful to ignore.  Take a moment to remember how fortunate you are to be breathing.  Take a look around, with your eyes earnestly open to the possibilities before you.  Much of what you fear does not exist.  Much of what you love is closer than you realize.  You are just one brief thought away from understanding the biggest blessing that is your life.

Big opportunities come to those who make the most of little opportunities.  Little opportunities are present in each moment and in every situation. Today is filled with little opportunities.  Everywhere you look, there are small ways for you to make a positive difference.  In little bits of time that might otherwise be wasted, there is a piece of something larger waiting to be created.  String enough of these pieces together, and absolutely anything is within your reach.  You just need to decide what it is you want to achieve. 

Again, you don’t need any more or any less to be happy. Just be glad for who you are and what God has given you through His ability and your faith.