ONE MORE WEEK TIL' THE END OF THE WORLD

“No one knows the day or the hour” (Matt 24:36) DOES NOT APPLY FOREVER. But rest assured that all the hype that has been building on the end of the Mayan calendar scheduled for next Friday 12/21/12 is just that……hype. For all we may know, the world or “end of the age” (see Matt 28:20) as Jesus accurately identifies it) may occur today, tonight or tomorrow. Tomorrow is not a guarantee for anyone. “Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2). So whether the world ends today, tonight or tomorrow……..I’M READY and hope you are too. Have a great weekend!!!

True Friend(s)....What kind of friend are you? (Reposted)

True Friend(s)....What kind of friend are you? A true friend is as refreshing as a running stream. Yesterday, my wife and I took an impromptu road trip and drove 2 1/2 hours to visit a couple who are our friends. We have not seen them in more than 5 months and really wanted to spend some time together. There is a difference between knowing someone very well and being a true friend. The greatest evidence of true friendship is loyalty--being able to love at all times and available to help in times of distress and personal struggle. The most admirable character(s) in the Bible that demonstrated these qualities other than Jesus Christ was Jonathan and David (see 1Samuel 18-20). Jonathan demonstrated true friendship/loyalty by exposing his father's (Saul) intention to kill his friend David whom God had chosen to become King over Israel. Jonathan could have chosen to entertain personal aspirations of becoming King considering he was a potential successor. Instead, he valued his frienship more than his personal aspirations. Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they are not getting anything out of the relationship. Today, think of your friends and assess your loyalty to them. Exercise wisdom and be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages. Go visit a true friend! Proverbs 17:17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (New Living Translation)

Mediocrity Kills

Change your mindset and you would be surprised how mediocrity no longer has any place in your life.  Some of the things we have heard, seen and done in our life thus far have formed an impression in our minds that it is alright to live without purpose and rain on other people with negativity.  It is not alright.  Regardless of where we started it is our responsibility to determine to be "better", no matter what area that affects. This positive change can bring about tremendous increase in your life and the lives of the people around you!

What time is your apointment?

I must confess that I often make my best attempt to be early for my appointments, but end up being late. However, there is one appointment that I cannot miss. This is the appointment with death. Our time on the earth has been predetermined and we cannot escape the cold hands of death when it comes. Equally as important is not only when we die, but how we die. Will you experience death with the comfort of knowing Christ personally as your Lord and Savior or will you succumb to breathing your last breath with eternity hanging on the scale on uncertainty? Christ conquered Death and Hell so that we can experience the warmth of his love and the assurance in knowing that we will live with him forever. How will you die? Your appointment await you!

Hebrew 9:27 "It appointed unto men once to die, and after this comes the judgment."

ONLY BELIEVE

Listen to these powerful words from Jesus, "Do not fear, only believe and she will be well." What does it take to believe? Often times fear paralyze us and leave us stuck in a mindless state of inaction. As a result, sickness lingers, passion disappears, our drive dissipates, and death then overtake us (this may not necessarily be physical) and the purpose for which we were created is not fulfilled. But I declare today that I will NO LONGER be held hosatge by fear or doubt. I will activate my faith and believe. I will doubt my DOUBTS and BELIEVE my beliefs. The worst that can happen is that I could resume my posture of unbelief and inaction and get what I've always gotten which was NOTHING. Activate your faith today and believe in the God of the WORD. You have the POWER to conquer impossible......ONLY BELIEVE. What will you believe today?

Luke 8:50 "Do not fear, only believe and she will be well."

The Whole Truth......

I have discovered that "truth" sometimes gets lost in the judicial process. People are wrongfully convicted for crimes that they did not commit and the truth is often obscured. However, "truth" can only be obscured for a while before it is discovered. It must be searched for intentionally by those who are it's seekers. Nothing must be taken at face value and the inquisitive nature of our being must be unleashed in this discovery. In the book of Acts, the people of Berea were thus inquisitive and investigative in verfying the teaching of the Apostle Paul by searching the scriptures for themselves and discovering if what he was teaching them was the "truth". Search the word of God for yourself, and in it you will not only discover the beauty and majesty of an awesome God, but you'll discover the truth that his love for you is unfailing.

Acts 17:11 They received the word with eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Keep getting Up

This devotional was so inspiring that I decided to copy it to my blog.

So how many times have you fallen down, yet your inner resilience and God's unfailing grace kept lifting you up and you would NOT give up? Well, the reason you haven't given up is because your resilience comes from God. 'Your passions come from God. If you follow them, you will always get back up after a fall. However,if you follow a path devoid of passion, not only are you ignoring God's message to you but you are likely to fall quickly and permanently. Are you working on things that you're truly passionate about? Maybe it's time to review the list of projects you're involved in.

Proverbs 24:16. "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

Making "IT" happen

What is "IT"? I.T. is an acronym for INTEGRITY and TRUTH. Jesus said that we must know the truth and the truth will "make" us free. I wanna take this oportunity to send a "shout out" to the FIRST PRIORITY CLUB at William T. Dwyer High School for making I.T. happen. The students in this Christian Club had invited me to their club meetings over the past two weeks and have literally blown me away with their passion for Christ and their faith. The in-depth questions they have asked regarding growing in their relationship with Christ has been encouraging. To this end I believe they have demonstrated much courage in asking tough questions. Questions that encourage integrity in our daily lives and a desire for the truth of God's word. Developing integrity is being accountable to someone and applying the truth of God's word to our lives even when it hurts to make the change. That's "IT" in a nutshell!

John 8:32. Then you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.

What's the big deal about yesterday?

O.k......So what's the big deal about yesterday? Well, if you are fortunate to still be among the living then you too have a a reason to be excited about yesterday. 'Yesterday' is important to me because I remember where God has brought me from and I can recall the countless ways in which he has made the difference in my life. Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet Papa San,now a minister of the gospel but was once a popular reggae artist (even more popular now) from Jamaica. His testimony of what God has done in his life and how he has been changed is inspiring. Many of us have experienced the lifegiving transformation that is accomplished in a relationship with Christ; and can attest that we are not who we were yesterday. What I've become today is because of what I overcame yesterday. God has been a great deliverer and I'm grateful for the change he has orchestrated in my life. Truly "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; all things are passed away and behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)Thank God for yesterday!

Accesorizing your favorite Tee

Sometimes it is very difficult to figure out how to dress up something that you consider "simple" or "casual".  Here are a few tips to making your favorite tee a show stopper:
Ladies:
1. Wear a statement pair of earrings - your favorite will bring out your confidence.
2. Add a belt, not only will it cinch your waist but it will change the look of the shirt.
3. Make sure your bottoms, slacks or jeans are not skin tight to take away from the shirt.
4. Wear your favorite pumps.

Gents:
1. Wear shoes instead of sneakers with your jeans.
2. Add a blazer to give it a more sophisticated look.
3. Make sure your favorite tee is not a muscle shirt :).

Youth

When you have young children, you cannot help but stay young even if just in your mind. They say and do some of the most innocent things sometimes that everyday you cannot help but marvel at an awesome God.  I just told my 3year old, it is time to take a nap. She replied, "mommy I sleep all day". May God continue to keep you "young at heart" and mature you as Christians in Him.

1 John 2:14
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

The Year of Increase 2012

Make this the year that you increase your faith, love, integrity, character and truth and watch God manifest in your life in ways you cannot even begin to imagine. 


 Ephesians 3:²⁰Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
 ²¹Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.