Month: June 2023

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

“And when He had entered into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great tempest on the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves; but He was asleep. And His disciples came to. Him and wake Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We perish!” And He said unto them, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:23-26 NKJV

Leading up to Jesus and is disciples leaving from Capernaum, a great many things happened. In Matthew Chapter eight, we see Jesus in supernatural mode with the miracles of healing. He starts things off by healing a man with Leprosy. The man came and knelt before Jesus, which is a clear indication that he had heard about what he can do. He said to Jesus, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man saying, “I am willing, be clean.”

Next, we have the faith of the Centurion. His servant was at home paralyzed and suffering terribly. Wasn’t this thoughtful of him? To think of the servant, who perhaps may have been more of a friend to him, than his own kinfolks. Jesus did ask him if he needed him to come to his home, but thoughtfully he knew his house wasn’t in any shape for the King of Kings. Knowing we are only filthy rags before his majesty and glory. He said to Jesus, “just say the word.”  Here we see a clear view of faith in action as the Centurion recognized the power of God’s Word. Jesus said to him, “Go, let it be done just as you believed it would.”

A busy Jesus continued healing many. Coming to the rescue, He cured those who had fever, possession, infirmities, and disease. It was finally to leave the area. And after a long day it was time to get some rest. Can you see him friends, as he finds himself a quiet corner on the deck of the boat. With his own soft animal skin blanket, he neatly folds it up to make a pillow for his head. He lay’s back listening to his disciples talk about all of the amazing things they witnessed Jesus do, how many people were helped, and that the word will travel far and wide about our Jesus. Still in my own thoughts, I see him casting his eyes upward to the heavenly skies, tuning out their conversation. As the boat rocked, a sleepy Jesus yawns, until He drifted off to sleep. What a peaceful sight.

As Jesus was getting some much-needed ZZ’s, there came a sudden furious storm on the water, so the waves swept over the boat. All in an uproar and afraid the disciples woke up a sleeping Jesus saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown! Now here they are on board with the Son of the Living God, and they are worried about a storm. It was apparent they already forgot all of the healing and miracles he performed just today! Can you see them all in a panic, talking and shaking Jesus awake all at once? Jesus woke up to commotion on the ocean and I am not talking about the storm.

Naturally Jesus’ first step was to get everyone to calm down, for they were gripped with fear. Jesus then said, “you of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and waves, and it was completely calm. Can you imagine in those moments what the disciples must have felt, as they realized what message they sent to Jesus by their actions. Can you hear them friends talking as Jesus tries to go back to sleep. I can hear them saying, “ya’ll we gotta do better. Here we are on board with the Captain of the sea, we know there is nothing ordinary about Him, he is God among us, He has all power and he wasn’t going to let anything happen to us on this journey. And how do we repay him?” When they arrived on the other side of the region, Jesus restored two demon possessed men.

I am reminded that Jesus is my bridge over troubled waters. And when the waters seek to take me under, he comes to my rescue pulling me from depths unknown. In this life there are many kinds of storms. The winds are strong, the rains can be quiet heavy, and the disruption can leave plenty of debris in our path. But there is something about knowing that Jesus is my bridge over troubled waters, and even when I fail friends, I know that because of He lives I can face today, tomorrow, and the next day!! He has the power to bring us through the storms. Hang your anchor into His Word.  Amen!

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Don’t Mess with God’s People

Don’t Mess with God’s People

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

Don’t Mess with God’s People

“But the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.” Exodus 6:1 ESV

This is a story about justice and how God uses his people to bring about change. Exodus begins with the birth of Moses, his upbringing in Egypt, and the command from God to Pharaoh, delivered by Moses and Aaron: “let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.” The Lord gave Moses and Aaron stern words for Pharaoh regarding what happens when you mistreat his covenant people.

Of course, Pharoah was not trying to hear anything Moses or Aaron had to say when he is told plagues are coming to Egypt.  Over the next several chapters of Exodus God continue to send horrifying plagues in Egypt. Even with everything Pharaoh was able to see going on around him, he still would not obey Gods order to let His people go. Not only did pharaoh harden his heart, but the bible says that God also hardened his heart too.

God told Moses that there is one more plague to come, after which Pharaoh would relent and let his people go. Moses prophesied to Pharaoh that the next plague would be the death of all the firstborn of Egypt. Pharaoh continued in disobedience. Devastated at the death of his son, Pharaoh reluctantly let God’s people go. However not without one final attempt to display his anger and revenge. But pride goes before destruction, doesn’t it? He  and his army drowned in the Red Sea.

Even when we don’t know how, we must trust that God does. Friends, he will step down into our situation and work it out. I know for myself that it’s easier said than done. When we feel overwhelmed, stressed out, and with a cup overflowing, ask yourself two questions. First, is there anything too hard for God? And secondly, if He is for us, who can stand against us? His Word will never fail us. Do yourself a favor, and wait on him. Trust his timing.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Daddy’s Home

Daddy’s Home

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

Daddy’s Home

“There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” Deuteronomy 1:31 NIV

There is a completeness when daddy is home. There is nothing like having the whole family together. My dad came from a family of girls. He had all sisters, then all daughters, and now all granddaughters. When I was a kid, you could find my dad one of three places, the fishing whole, the dinner table, or the church house. With dad in the ministry, it took our whole family many places, Wednesday bible studies, Sunday school, vacation bible school, and visits to other churches across the state of Oklahoma. I can’t forget about all those fantastic musicals. Even mom and dad had their song, Sweet Home. When we hit the road as a family, the snackin, laughin, and some of the greatest gospel quartet Sangin you’d ever hear on tape would begin. In those days, it was almost like a concert when my daddy sung and sang he did. He was called into the ministry at 15 years old and was a gospel singer, with this gospel group called the Phoenix All-Stars however he did settle down to embrace his calling in the ministry, learning the church from the front door and everything in between. He founded Rock of Ages Baptist Church, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dads’ slogan has always been, the church where everybody is somebody. My dad is not just a hooper, and singer, he is a great teacher of God’s Word.  He preached a lot of sermons, one of my favorites was Dry Bones, from the book of Ezekiel. I am so blessed to have my dad in my life. He and my mom taught me a great many things, and they gave me one thing, that can never be taken away and that’s Jesus Christ. My daddy is always telling me how proud he is of me. There is nothing on this earth as sweet as a father’s love. I Love you dad and thank you for believing in me.

What does a Father Do?

  • In his daughter’s life, he shows her how to be secure in who she is, guiding her to see how a man should treat her, by the way he treats her mother.
  • For his son he is always teaching what it means to stand up with honor, respect for himself, others, and keeps his word.
  • To his wife, he is more than a protector, or financial provider, He is her best friend, he lifts her spirts when she is sad, he encourages her dreams, he reminds her she can do all things through Christ who is her strengthens, he is her biggest fan, he holds her up with his strong arms when she feels weak, and he does what no other can do when she is mad, makes her laugh.

Did you know that Father’s Day was created by a woman? Back in 1909, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd had a goal of establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She gathered support for her idea, and on June 19, 1901, the state of Washington celebrated the first-ever Father’s Day. Roses are the official flower, red if your dad is alive and white if he is deceased.

To those of you who have lost your father, God will be a father for you. We carry those memories of our loved ones in our hearts and minds. That love never dies, it’s apart of us for as long as we live. Amen.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

The Great Pretenders

The Great Pretenders

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

The Great Pretenders

“A certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ Feet.” Acts 5:1-2 NKJV

The New Testament Church was bustling with enthusiasm and excitement and was attracting a lot of attention. Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, God’s Holy Spirit was evidence by a display of power on the day of Pentecost, and three thousand converts were added to the Church that same day. New converts were excited about the opportunity to be involved in God’s work. Many had traveled long distances to be in Jerusalem and stayed longer than expected, and others needed support. Those in a position to help, and willing to do so, sold property and gave it to the apostles to distribute to others as needed.

Ananias and Sapphire were captivated by the growth and interest in the church.  They saw it as an opportunity. Coveting power and prestige they played politics and conspired to tempt the spirit of the Lord. Sounds like an episode of American Greed to me. It’s a reminder that this kind of behavior and con is nothing new to the world.

Peter, who was filled with the power of the Spirit, knew instantly that Ananias was lying—not just to him but to God—and exposed his hypocrisy then and there. Ananias fell down and died. When Sapphira showed up, she, too, lied to Peter and to God, saying that they had donated the entire proceeds of the sale of the land to the church. When her lie had been exposed, she also fell down and died at Peter’s feet.

Why did God Judge them so Harshly?

We know they were likely true believers or church attenders because they were part of the community at the time. They were not outsiders. Which implies they were followers. Peter knew them by name. Their offering was accepted by the apostles in parallel to Barnabas’s gift. Their death brought great fear that seized the whole church and all who heard about what happened.

What is the lesson of these two great pretenders? GIVE WITH HONESTY.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Sermon on the Plain

Sermon on the Plain

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Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

Sermon on the Plain

“And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases.” Luke 6:17 KJV

Jesus’ sermon is sometimes called the Sermon on the Plain (or the Sermon on the Plateau) is delivered after coming down from a mountain and standing on a level place. Jesus begins with some beatitudes. In the Sermon Jesus gives us some command: love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those that curse us, pray for those who use, turn the other cheek when one strikes us, give generously to everyone who ask of us, and finally the Golden rule: “Do to others as you would have them do unto you.

Let’s break these commands down: Love your enemies-How hard has it been for you to love those you know hate you? Bless those who curse us-Have you been called everything but a child of God?  Every curse doesn’t have to be a cuss word to hurt a person. Pray for those who abuse us- Did you know that physical abuse is not the only form of abuse. There are five other abuses: sexual, verbal/emotional, mental/psychological, financial/economic, and cultural/identity.

Jesus closes the Sermon on the plain by reminding us to take action and follow through on our commitment. Even as hard as it sometimes an be, it all points back to the Golden rule of taking God’s way up by doing to others as you would have them do unto you.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

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