Smart LifeStyles

Thursday, May 6th - National Day of Prayer (click here)

I was pleasantly surprised last night at Revival when Dr. Guns message was a confirmation of my blog, "Come Chill Wid Me."  I sent it to my pastor, Rev. George Holland, Sr. and he agreed that it was a revelation and the I was blessed by Dr. Guns' message from Tuesday night and how the Lord gave me a glimpse of Wednesday night's message.  Dr. Guns spoke from Matthew 10:1-16.

Jesus gave his disciples their marching orders. He gave them the authority to speak in his name and act on behalf of the father. 

• To preach "The Kingdom of Heaven is near"
• To heal the sick
• Raise the dead
• Cleanse those who have leprosy
• Drive out demons
• Freely give as they have received
• Rely on the provision of God
• Find a worthy host
• Eat whatever is set before you

He planned every aspect of their ministry including how to handle rejection.

Look at the list, what is it you can or are willing to do to further the commission. If you say yes to becoming a disciple, what are you willing to do?

Jesus also gave the commission to Heal. We can use our spiritual gives to heal by going to those who are truly hurting. There are those who are moved to be missionaries and they go to the places in the far corners of the world to do the Lord's work. Then there are others who stay at home, but they send money and resources to assist in the healing.  Which are you? Are you a person is a missionary and travels to the needy? Or are you a minister who stays but works toward sending the necessary resources so the world can be healed. To fulfill God's commission you have to be either one or the other.

Lastly, Dr. Guns told us that Jesus told his disciples not to worry about the results. That's his job..."judgment belongs with God."  Jesus said, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when  you leavethat home or town.  I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town."

Dr. Guns reminded us that when we do accept the commission that our first assignment is to work within our homes.  In the bible, the jews were the lost sheep, they were discontented with God. Well look at the homes today. Aren't our children as they grow away from us becoming more like the jews? Aren't they becoming not just discontented with God, but with us and the rules and standards that we set down for them?  Dr. Guns gave us a static that is staggering.  Children born between 1977 and 1994 are the most violent generation ever lived. 

Jesus said, "Go to the lost sheep of Israel." He told them to go home and preach the gospel. He is telling us to go home and tell our families that God has saved us from eternal damnation.  To tell our families that our God is alive. To ask them, "Are you going to heaven? Or, are you going to hell?"

My prayer today on this the National Day of Prayer is for more parents to take back the leadership role of their home. Our children are finding other leaders to follow; leaders that know how to speak the language of today. Leaders that know how to satisfy the cravings and longings that we as parents cannot sooth or explain.  I pray Lord that parents whether single or married form a bond to bring their children back to you.  Not just drop them off at youth ministry events, but also get involved with youth ministry. 

Jesus said to go to the lost sheep of Israel...well we know in today's age our children have become your lost sheep. I pray that parents follow your command. I pray that they preach "The kingdom of heaven is near."  Parents should inform their children that unless they get rid of the black and milds; herbal essence, boozing and sexing the kingdom of heaven will not be theirs; but they WILL burn eternally in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 14-15, 21:8) which we call hell. Harsh words but true. This is the commission that Jesus told his disciples to preach. (Matt. 10:5-8) I pray again that all parents step up and become true disciples. Amen

Last Night of Revival: Thursday, May 6th  7:00 PM Green Grove Baptist Church 240 Cushman Avenue, W. Berlin, NJ

Wednesday, May 5th - 'Come Chill Wid Me' (...see more)

What draws our children to respond to the call "come chill wid me" and not the call "come follow me"?

Last night I slept knowing that I have two of the greatest relationships in the world; my relationship with Jesus the Christ and my husband. I like a number of Christians who are parents also want the best relationship that we can with our children; and for their children to continue their relationship with Jesus. But as our children grow out of their young teens and finish high school and move on to college or not, they move away from their own personal relationship with Jesus and begin hanging out with people who bring them "immediate" comfort (false as it is).  I've been there myself I can relate.

My question, how can we give understanding to our children how drinking, smoking herbal essence and sexing is so detrimental to their lives? Can you help answer this question?

Last night at Revival, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Guns, senior pastor of 2nd Calvary Baptist in Norfolk Virginia began to answer that question for me in his lesson on how to say "Yes" to discipleship and accepting the challenge.  That wasn't his title, but that is what I got from his message. Last night he taught from Matthew 4:18-22 when Jesus began preaching and called his first disciples.  The first question he asked was “What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus; not necessarily a member of a church?” What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ?

In the scripture, Peter, Andrew, James and John gave up everything that they knew; their home, their business and their family to follow Jesus. Jesus simply said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  The call to follow Jesus is a call to discipleship.  The definition of discipleship in this case is having an adherence to Christ to form a partnership with Him; to accept His mission and vision and carry it out faithfully.

Last night Rev. Guns focused on the commission to carry the gospel to the whole world.  My thoughts this morning are, how about carrying the gospel to our children where they really need to understand Jesus.  Not just plan activities that will keep them busy and out of trouble.  As a new parent, I am finding that children are like pets that are kept on leases and when they reach a certain age are let loose to run free. We believe that they are trained and well suited to roam on their own. Yet once they are out of our sight, they run into others who come from all walks of life. Now wouldn’t it be wonderful if the training they received in our churches held and they were strong enough to withstand the temptations of the worldly new friends?

“Follow me” Jesus said.  This is the challenge that we have been given.  Rev. Guns said that most people now days are searching for their own individual purpose. “Purpose Driven Lives” is a great tool to find God’s desire for our lives. Yet, our children search for their purpose through the tools of radio, internet, television and movies and amongst themselves.  Millions of dollars are spent to tell our children their purpose in life is to have as much fun as they can pack in because life is short and tragic.

“Follow me” says the advertisements and the pimps and the drug dealers and the little boys and little girls with raging hormones. 

“Follow me” says the black and milds and the forties and the tequilas and the condoms that swear they will protect them from pregnancy and disease.

“Follow me” says other religions that offer whatever attracts others to their doctrines.

The first disciples left their family to followed Jesus.  He called them individually.  They were not special with super powers. They were ordinary people. But, they had Jesus in front of them living, breathing and teaching. It is so much easier to follow flesh and blood.  The challenge for us and our children is to see Jesus as still living and breathing even though he may not be flesh and blood, he still lives. Our challenge as we follow Jesus is to make him real to our children.

I know many good Christian parents have experienced the depth of despair as they witness their children moving further and further away from what they were taught as they grew up in the Lord. The challenge is great but do-able. Jesus has changed ordinary people into extra-ordinary people. He can also change a desperate situation into one of triumph. 

To help our children first we must say, “Yes I will follow you Lord.” Then dedicate ourselves to the challenge of obedience. Learn to be consistent in our walk; not just when we are expected to or when being watched. Commit ourselves at any cost to follow Him.  Get our home right, and then turn our sights to join the global crusade to spread the gospel. By strengthening ourselves and then our home, we strengthen the body of Christ.

This is the message that I received from the first night of our Spring Revival. I can't wait to get there for tonight's lesson.  I'd love to see you there at  'The Grove' - 7:00 PM - 240 Cushman Avenue, West Berlin, NJ.  Call (856)767-5423 for additional information. Here's our website: http://www.greengrovebaptist.com

Tuesday, May 4th - From Humble Beginnings (...see more)

How important is it to be humble as you grow your ministry and your business?

Below is an excerpt from Green Grove Baptist Church’s Prayer Ministry leader Sis. Donna Stove.

“Humility is not our culture's most valued asset or most desired character quality. But, humility is what is demanded -- not so much because it's commanded (though that would be enough), but because we've "earned" our need of it. Every year brings another wave of major failures in morality, character, and spirituality. Even on our best days, we all fall short of God's holiness. Rather than progressing culturally, we find ourselves slipping. Our need to approach God with humility is "earned"! So let's be humble and call upon the Lord, throwing off our sin and seeking after him!

Prayer:

Holy and Almighty God, your deeds are awesome, your faithfulness is overwhelming, and your mercy and grace are such blessings. Yet we come to you knowing that you hear us, despite the incredible distance between you and us, between your worth and holiness and our lack.  We confess that we, and our culture and country around us, have made a mess of what you so wonderfully blessed us with.  We come humbly asking that you reassert yourself in our nation at this time in clearly recognizable ways.  We ask this in faith through Jesus' name. Amen.”

Amen! 

As I read this prayer this morning, I my thoughts turned to humility. I get confused sometimes about what humility really means.  I found a definition online (love Google) and it says: “Humility is the quality that lets us go more than halfway to meet the needs and demands of others.”

That definition makes me feel better because that is how I believe that I am. I am willing to go more than halfway in my relationships as a woman, a wife, a mother and an entrepreneur.  I have learned over the years through God’s leading to be more caring and understanding of the other person’s needs.  It has placed me in situations where I take on more than I should, but the Lord has blessed me in the end for those choices.

But then again there is this quote: "Humility is a strange thing. The moment you think you've got it, you've lost it.

Scripture verse from Job gives another look at the word Humble.

Job 8:7  "Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be."

From a lowly beginning you can rise to success.  Why do we always equate the word prosperity with success? Because prosperity according to Webster is the condition of being successful or thriving.

The word for today is Humility.  Be humble as you go through your day. Be open to the challenge of growing in the Lord and be gracious as you do what you do.

Friday, April 30, 2010 - Retiring Minds Want To Know

Have you begun thinking about retirement? Are you in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s?  I met a young woman who has pledged to teach students to prepare their minds to retire at 30.  More on her in a future article.

I have to be honest, when I was a child I never believed I would live to be 21. When I was in my 30s I wanted to retire at 55. I was working in a corporate environment getting a good paycheck every other week.  My bills were paid. I lived in a beautiful house and had my own car.  I could buy what I wanted, eat where I wanted and vacation three weeks out of the year.  I had a 401(k) and a savings account. 

It was easy for me to plan for my future retirement.  But then life jumped in and my life was turned upside down by the decisions that I began to make.  I had too much time and not enough God in my life.  I I was not wise in the use of my time; nor with the people I chose to spend my time.  I had never read or heard Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." I didn't know God's desire for me to be wise in the use of my time, nor in my day to day activities.

In Ephesians 5:15 - 18 the Lord tells us "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Be filled with the Holy Spirit. I thank God that I am, and because I am, my life has become so rich and rewarding. Not rich in coins, but rich in wisdom and time.  I no longer think about retiring. I have accepted the word that God has given us 120 years. So for me I have a very long time before I retire.  I have a lot of time to manage all of the responsibilities and tasks that the Lord places in my path each and every day.

Psalm 39:4 "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."

In reality, the Lord can take me home as I type this message. Yet I live my life as if I'm just starting it anew. This message should have been saved for June 24th, but I write it today because this is when the Lord has given it to me.

Why pine away your hours looking to retire?  Why not use your time to build up relationships and develop projects that will glorify God? Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Retiring minds should want to know..."Lord what is it you desire of me?"

In Your Tears He Gives You Joy

Sunday is winding down yet today's messages given at The Grove are still stirring my soul.  First I ask God for forgiveness for not always being obedient; and I thank Him for his loving patience.  He knows my character and who I will ultimately grow into.  Hallelujah.

Our 7:30 service was preached by Rev. Wendell F. McGinnis, Jr. Senior Pastor of North Baptist Church in Woodbury, New Jersey.  His message was taken from Romans 8:25-38..."What's in Your Wallet." He referenced the mastercard commercial with the uncivilized vikings...doing what they wanted because they had their mastercard.

He cited Romans 7:24-25 and also Ephesians 2 in his sermon and focused on Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" KJV but only on these words… "If", "be", "who (or what)", "can be" "against us?"

If can be substituted with the word "since" - Since God be for us.

It's not a question of whether God is or is not for us--Read Romans 8:29-30 -- This is God's perfect plan for us.  For US...not the angels.

Be can be substituted with the word "exists" -  - Since God exists for us.

Exists not just for us but where? In us...we have the holy spirit within us and God's love and protection surrounding us.

Who (or What) -- referring to ³⁸ "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Since God exists for us; Who (or what) can be against us?

Be again can be substituted with the term "exists" - Since God exists for us; who (or what) can exist against us?

Against refers to competition between two entities.  Who can compete when up against the power of God?

So think on this and savor it.

Since God exists for us; who (or what) can compete against His love and power? Just know we are on the winning team.

What's In My Wallet? Jesus how about yours?

_________________

At our 11:00 service, our own Rev. Larry Hopson brought the word from Luke 5:1-11.  This is the story of Jesus teaching by the shore of Galilee (also known as Gennesaret).  The throng of people were pressing against him so he stepped into one of the ships that were docked there.  After he finished his teaching, he asked Simon to  launch the ship out into the deep and to drop their nets for fish.  Simon was not very happy about that. He complained and grumbled about how they worked all night without success; but yielded to Jesus’ request.  “And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their net brake.” Luke 5:6

Rev. Hopson used this story to explain that we have to separate ourselves from our position of safety and take the risk of moving away from our comfort zone.  He said that no matter how hard our circumstance, that if we persist and persevere "even in our tears God gives us joy."  Even though Simon grumbled and complained, his circumstance changed because he did what Jesus told him to do.  His grumbling and complaining turned to joy and astonishment.

D-Notes:

• Do not stay comfortable
• Be humble but sharp
• Be wise as a serpent yet gentle as a dove
• You need spiritual food to nourish your soul.
• You cannot stand on the shores if you want to catch the big fish in your life.  You have to launch your boat into the deep.

You have to leave your SURE behind in order to strengthen yourself through the help of Jesus Christ. The only way we can be strong and self-assured is through Jesus.

Good Word.

 

 

 

 

Connecting Builds Strong Relationships-Part 2

As I look back at my relationship with God and my husbands of the past, I recognize how I strayed away. In Romans 1:21-24, Paul makes it plain that when those of us who do not have a strong relationship with God will turn to other 'gods' to satisfy the void that we create in ourselves. In trying to fill this void, we turn to 'sexual impurity' and other immoral acts; dying in the mess that we create for ourselves. I write this because I am witness to individuals' whose lives are falling apart because of decisions they have made and are making on their own strength without fully seeking and waiting on an answer from the Lord. This is my opinion based on my experience. I too, in the past, made decisions for myself instead waiting on the Lord and/or addressing them with the person who hurt me.

When I first sought to get married, I was 20 years old. My husband-to-be and I were inexperienced in living in a God-centered family life. I attended church faithfully so I thought I knew God and that my thoughts and decisions were correct. My fiance did not attend church and at that time I didn't fully understand what it meant to be 'unequally yoked.' When I went to my pastor, who had known me for 6 years; but not understanding that he also knew and understood my family home life, he refused to perform the wedding. His reasons were that my parents had been divorced and my fiance was not born into a family with a father.

I was angry and hurt. How dare he deny me the privilege of getting married like my friends and my brothers? My brothers came from the same family yet they were allowed to get married in a church; mind you not our church. Because of this, I left the church that I had been raised, baptisted and Sunday schooled for over 14 years. I left because I was taught a head knowledge about God; but I wasn't taught the importance of having a relationship or understanding of what God wanted for me.

I never confronted or spoke to Rev. Roman or attended Canaan Baptist Church again. I never sought what the Lord wanted for me.

As I look back on the decisions I've made in my life...I can honestly say...that's how I pursued my relationships until my 20 year relationship and marriage to my deceased husband Donald. When people said "No" or disagreed with my desires; I moved on and did it anyway--my way. Since Donald's death, I have grown so much in the Lord; I can't even begin to tell you. If you see my smile, just know that it's genuine. It comes from a wellspring of faith and trust. That wellspring is the water that Jesus spoke about to my sister, the 'Woman at the Well.' Like her I had many husbands, none were truly my husband. My true husband is the one the Lord presented to me and whom I am married to now, Willie Smart.

God is stirring the pot in my life. He has poured into me ingredients that are making my life sweet. I encourage you to be still and let God speak into your life. I invite you to find a 'church home' that you can be educated but also edified in your walk with the Lord. What do I mean by edified? I mean that you will find a gathering of like-minded Christians who know and love the Lord and together you build a strong relationship by connecting to Christ, connecting to your "church" and connecting to your community. We are not suppose to live isolated lives. There are many husbands, wives and children living under the same roof, yet they don't even pray together, let alone speak respectfully to each other.

I attend Green Grove Baptist Church in West Berlin, New Jersey...240 Cushman Avenue...off of Route 73. My Pastor is Rev. George E. Holland, Sr. In Vineland New Jersey, you have Rev. A. David Griffin is the Pastor of Adullam, 1049 E Chestnut Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360.

Wow!!! Watch this...I just realized the connection between King David of the old testament and Rev. Griffin. Rev. Griffin brought me back to the Lord and Rev. Holland is sustaining and helping me grow stronger in my walk. So I credit both these men as being my Pastor and Teacher. Yet, I only have one Pastor that I follow and that's Pastor Holland. I love Rev. Griffin as a big brother and respect him a great deal.

Back to the point! 1 Samuel 22 tells of how David hid out in the cave of Adullam. Rev. Griffin's middle name is David. I often wondered why he changed how he was addressed from Rev. Albert to Rev. A. David...now I understand. He is modern day David taking refuge with his soldiers in the Cave of Adullam. I wouldn't have understood this if I did not have a connection with the Lord's word and a connection to understanding Rev. Griffin's connection with Jesus. Praise the Lord.

I'll stop here. I gave testimony about how I missed many years of peace and joy because I lacked a strong connection to the Lord's word and how it fit in my life. Those years I will never get back. I can only pray that in the years the Lord will allow me have, that I will continue to be transparent as I share my experience and my 'ahha' moments. I am a writer who has been blessed with the talent of clarity. I clearly understand my role. Although I seek wealth through my business ventures, I also seek to know what the Lord wants for me. Only me. I cannot seek what he wants for my husband, that's Willie's responsibility. I've learned that the only changes that really matter are the changes that are made by me...for me. But I trust that the Lord has placed us together because our walk is along the same path.

John Maxwell moment: "Many people go further than they thought they could go because someone else believed they could and told them so."

"25 Ways to Win with People" John C. Maxwell and Les Parrott, Ph.D.

I believe that I can go further in life than I ever imagined because Jesus said "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

I've dedicated all that I do the my Lord and Savior Jesus. Selah.

Connecting Builds Strong Relationships

There are many people that I know have a hard time reaching out. I can tell by their body language and by their level of participation when in a social setting. I pray that the secrets to a successful relationship that I share will be helpful to you and/or someone that you are working hard to reach.

Smart Tip : Stop using the 'try' word. I have replaced 'try' with "working hard to" in my previous sentence. I could have said, "...that I share will be helpful to you and/or someone that you are trying to reach." As Yoda said, "Do or do not there is no try."

If I may be bold, I would like to make some changes in a few bible verses that may help more people accomplish what it asks us to do.

1 Corinthians 14:12
So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

Revised:
So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, work hard to excel in gifts that build up the church.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Revised:
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always work hard to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

I apologize for being so bold to change the word of God...he said try. It seems in today's society we use the word 'try' as a scapegoat to get out of doing things. It is my desire to help us grow stronger and closer in our walk. "I tried, but I couldn't do it." "I tried, but it's hard." How about, "I worked really hard at it but I couldn't get it done." It at least shows some action had been taken. At this point I can ask the question, "What have you done?" Then it opens up the possibilities that you may have missed a step that I could help you complete.

If you struggle, don't struggle alone. We have so many more resources available to us. Share your struggle with a family member, friend or even a complete stranger that you meet in a social setting (even facebook via the Inbox feature which is a private one-on-one communication tool). You do not know who the Lord will send to you to help you out of your struggle.

Here is a mentoring moment from John Maxwell. "Only the spoon knows what is stirring in the pot." When you allow another person to know what is stirring within you, you instantly make a meaningful connection with him. Who doesn't want to know what's going on in the mind of someone they care about?

From: 25 Ways to Win with People...How to Make Others Feel Like a Million Bucks by John C. Maxwell and Les Parrott, Ph.D.

I thank God for my gifts and my desire to grow stronger in his will. I thank him for the internet because it allows someone like myself to write the teachings that come my way. I thank him for Rev. D. Albert Griffin and Rev. George E. Holland, Sr. both men of God who have the ability to make it plain, and also encourage and empower the people who sit in their presence to connect to Christ, the church and the community.

I encourage you to comment on this note, and ask you to share your thoughts about a tool you use to bring people closer to you, to Christ, the Church and your Community.

Let your light shine as you go chase Jesus.