"Beyond Sunday"

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is head over every ruler and authority.

When you came to Christ, you were circumcised; but not by physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision: the cutting away of your sinful nature; for you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”

Colossians 2:8-12 NLT

For many centuries in the United States, Sunday has been a time when families all over attend church services. In many cases moms and dads would even send their children to Sunday school… Most church-going folk did their best to honor the fourth commandment;

“Remember the Sabbath day and to keep it holy…”

Normally in our household, mom would always start preparing Sunday dinner on Saturday night; then after church services were over, many of our relatives would join us for dinner and fellowship.

During the 50’s and 60’s bars were closed, not many stores were opened; and the few that did open would close earlier than usual. You would be hard-pressed to even find much drama happening on Sundays.

But when Monday came, it was back to business as usual. Our concerns reverted to our daily routines; work, school, gossip, the neighborhood bar…etc. There may have been the occasional conversation about what the preacher said in his sermon, but there was very little living it out.

“The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same”

Are we any different today?

Yes, but in a far worse manner…Today the Sabbath is more about being entertained in church services. There used to be a time when the church choir was enough to get us in the mood for the word, but today people need the praise team to pump them up, followed by the praise dance ministry, and finally, an emotionally charged message from the preacher.

After they’ve fulfilled their church obligation (cleared our conscience), then its right back to being carnal and the message they heard instantly vanishes from their memory.

“…a sower went forth to so; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth.

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them…” Matthew 13:3-7 KJV

When God commanded that we keep the Sabbath holy, it was not intended to be just for one day. Keeping the Sabbath holy must be a continued practice throughout the six days that follow.

Letting your light shine on Sunday only is to hide it from those whom you will come in contact with Monday through Saturday.

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost…” 2^nd Cor 4:3 KJV

Think about it on this wise; each day on your job there are instructions that you must follow earnestly in order to habitually maintain an outstanding performance grade. How well you follow the instructions is also an indicator of how much of a raise increase you’ll receive. Not only that; but your superiors can determine if you are the kind of worker they can trust and promote to a higher position, with greater demands earning you an even greater pay increase.

For the Christian, it is impossible to live beyond Sunday if we can’t follow the instructions found in Gods’ word daily. Sunday should serve as reinforcement to the word of God that we keep hid in our hearts and that directs us to avoid the pleasures of sin on a regular, daily basis.

Ref. Psalm 119:11

It’s easy to blend in and look the part during Sunday services, however ultimate victory is gained when we can hurdle the snares of the enemy beyond Sunday.

The “Great Commission” demands that our daily walk be a representation of Gods’ Kingdom, which is eternal. Ref. Matthew 28:18-20

His love for us and his promises to us extend far beyond Sunday.

Thererfore, let us live like it daily…

"Lights, Camera...Act Out!"

“…and anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trust in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large stone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea…” Matthew 18:5-6 NLT

Being the father of five it was not un-common to witness my children acting out from time to time…there were occasional moments when one of them would act-out, or throw a temper tantrum; nothing abnormal.

Now let me confess, I do not proclaim to have been the model dad. I say this because my temperament wasn’t always one of calm and tranquility. It became very apparent to me that my children were not so much acting out, but imitating what they witnessed in their dad.

Think about this; an actor/actress is a person who takes on a character roll, and in many cases the roles that they play are designed to imitate the lives of others. As actors and actresses go, they take instruction from directors. In the same manner, a child’s behavior is often directed by their parents in what they witness from us.

I can’t tell you how it pains me when I hear a young mother cursing her infant children, or when I visually witness them slinging the child around like a rag doll. It hurts when I know of absentee fathers; and in the few cases where there is a dad he too is setting a wrong example by using foul language, smoking blunts, or drinking in the presence of their children.

The word of God teaches; “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it…” (Proverbs 22:6 NLT)

Today’s culture has produced parents who take no thought of how harmful their own actions are to the future of their children. Mothers neglect the needs of their child to fulfill the needs of a man who really has no plans to be a husband to them or a father to their child…

Court files are stacked up to the ceiling because dead-beat dads refuse to live up to their responsibility. Negative examples produce negative results.

When moms and dads demonstrate wrong behavior in the presence of their children without concern for how they are affected, they direct these little ones to follow in their footsteps and produce the exact same behavior.

How you parent your children can have a perpetual effect that either corrupts or blesses your family for generations to come. Fathers who neglect to properly demonstrate godly behavior before their children will ultimately provoke them to wrath. The mother who improperly nurtures and fails to instruct their young daughters send them looking for love in all the wrong places. When foolishness rises in the heart of a child, it is the parents’ duty to correct them and drive the thought far from them. (Ref. Proverbs 22:15)

We live in an era when children do what they witness from adults. The dad who wears his jeans low to the ground can expect the same from the son he raises; likewise, the mom who wears her skirts above her thighs and blouses cut very low is setting the tone for her daughter.

Every parent who refuses to properly raise-up their children, directs them to commit sin….By the same token, every adult who sets a bad example does likewise. “Grown-ups, Get Ready For Your Close-up”

The Lord of host is in the editing room…so, “Lights, Camera…Act Out!”

"The Kingdom Strikes Back!"

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12

For many years I used to read this scripture and hear it quoted by so many in the Body of Christ, but I could never really grasp what the Savior meant by this saying. Thank God that He sent the Comforter after Christ ascended into heaven. It was through the knowledge and power of the Holy Spirit that I came to understand what Jesus was saying.

From the time John the Baptist began preaching, (even until now), the Kingdom of Heaven has been triumphantly, and forcefully advancing according to God’s will and purpose for His people.

However there are other violent people who attack the Kingdom and it’s principles on a regular, daily basis.

You might ask the question; “In this post-moderate generation, how can we be sure that this is still the case?”

Here is the “Litmus Test”:

(The Work Place) - On your jobs you may hear every kind of conversation from sexual exploits, to soap-opera digests and the bumping party last weekend. You hear stories of illicit affairs and get-over schemes, and the beat goes on and on…

Those conversations are widely accepted around the water-cooler, but just try sharing the word of God in the work place and see what kind of backlash you receive? Many of your co-workers and supervisors will tell you that this is not the proper time or place for such conversation.

(The Classroom) – Prayer has long since been eliminated. It’s common now days to pick up a newspaper and read about students who were suspended for simply mentioning Gods’ name in a book report. High school valedictorians must have their graduation speeches screened in an effort to assure that there is no mention of God or Christ because school officials don’t want to offend people of other religious beliefs.

(Government) – If the removal of the “Ten Commandments” from city, county, and state halls of justice isn’t proof enough, how about the removal of “In God We Trust” from our currency; and let’s not forget eliminating from the pledge of allegiance “One Nation Under God”...  

Christian values are no longer acceptable to an insatiable society that adheres to the laws of secular-humanism, the hip-hop culture, Hollywood, Wall Street, the Parisian cat-walk, The View, and this generation of “I’m-a-do-me”

THIS IS WAR!

In the words of the late Marine Colonel Chesty Puller; “we’re surrounded, that simplifies the problem”…

I remember when I was about to enter 1^st grade, my dad took me to school. As we walked up the street he began to give me instructions on how to survive what would be my initial year of formal education. His instructions were simple:

·        Pay attention to the teacher

·        Don’t misbehave in the classroom

·        Go straight to school and come straight home…..and…..

·        If somebody hits you, hit them back!

Saints we have been taking hits from all angles… politicians and special interest groups continue to move against the church with plans designed to wipe us off of the face of the earth. This wicked society has a two-faced agenda. On one hand they feign promoting good wholesome values, but readily accept same-sex-marriages, shacking-up, and casual/pre-marital sex.

It’s ok to violate the Ten Commandments and the golden rule because ultimately you are gods unto yourselves. It’s ok the shoot videos of street fights and air them on YouTube, but not in my neighborhood and not if my child is involved.

We fight against not only a world of darkness, but a double-minded generation designed to only satisfy itself. (Ref. James 1:8)

I quote the Apostle Paul and say;

“Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:10-13

I want to challenge everyone in the Body of Christ to strike back for the Kingdom of God…

At school or work do the un-expected;

instead of eating lunch in the cafeteria, gather outside on campus grounds and pray together…share the word of God and encourage each other; and when they ask why you’re doing this, be ready and willing to give an answer of the hope that is within you.

The Spirit of God (Jehovah-Nissi) has raised the standard against our enemies, and no weapon that they can produce will ever be able to prosper against us.

“We Are Kingdom and the Kingdom is Striking Back!”

"THE FINAL AUTHORITY"

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT)

I recently saw a news report about Piers Morgan’s interview of former child television star Kirk Cameron; the topic was homosexuality. During the session Cameron said that the lifestyle was un-natural and it destroys the fabric of society. Incase you haven’t paid attention over the last 15 years or so; Kirk is a born again believer. He and his wife have been heavily involved with the “Left Behind” series of movies, Cameron also partners with Ray Comfort in “The Way of the Master” evangelism ministry…. I for one applaud and commend him on taking a stand for righteousness and boldly going where many refuse to go at all.

Apparently his views and comments upset another group of former television stars who took it upon themselves to make a public service announcement attacking Kirk for his Christian beliefs and they seem to have the backing of not only Piers Morgan, but a host of other Hollywood stars and gay rights activist and organizations.

As a Christian and a minister of the Gospel I also stand with Kirk on this issue. I will say that a person can choose to live any way they desire, but it doesn’t always mean that their way of life is correct. Why is it that when Christians speak out against un-righteous living, we receive ridicule from every corner of the globe?

Don’t answer that…we are well aware that these are the last of the last days where every evil thing eschews all that is good and holy. The gay/homosexual movement has been allowed to get a foot-hold in every walk of life; even in the church.

There seems to be a mentality that has no problem appointing practicing gays and lesbians as ministers, pastors, bishops, and so forth. They want a little bit of God while still holding on to a gross amount of shear un-godliness.

One gay rights official called Kirks views old and out dated. But how can that be true?

We’ve learned from Gods’ word that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore…Jesus Himself warned that one cannot serve two masters… (Ref. Matthew 6:24)

The word of God also speaks out very strongly against the gay/lesbian and bi-sexual lifestyle.



The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:24-28 NLT:

“²⁴ So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. ²⁵ They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

²⁶ That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. ²⁷ And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

²⁸ Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.”

On that fact I rest my case; in a world where every thought and desire of mankind’s heart is always evil continually, I choose to boldly take a stand with Kirk Cameron. In this final frontier of these final days, I stand on God word, and His word is….

“THE FINAL AUTHORITY”   

Exchanges: The Good And The Bad Of It

“Meanwhile, the leading priests, and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”

 The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”

Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”  

They shouted back, “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:20-22 NLT)

During the 1960’s,  it was common to return empty soda pop bottles to the neighborhood store; and depending on the bottle size, in exchange the returner would receive either a nickel or a dime… That is considered to be a good exchange.

Also during those times we participated in an activity called “Junking”, which consisted of collecting salvageable materials during the week, and then taking what we collected to local junk-yards to be weighed. In exchange, depending on the weight; we would receive a few dollars, the heavier the load, the more money we’d receive… That too, was considered to be a good exchange. Those kinds of exchanges taught us the benefits of enterprise and work ethic… good exchanges that would last a lifetime.

Then came the 70’s and 80’s… the drug trade was beginning to boom. Marijuana and cocaine became a popular way of inebriating ones-self… exchanges were still being made; only these exchanges ruined lives, families and often-times futures. Unlike the activity of junking, the more money that an individual exchanged, would determine the weight the product he or she would receive.

Over two-thousand years ago another exchange was made… Jesus The Christ, a man who did no wrong and knew no sin was offered up by a host of people to be crucified, in exchange for the life of a thief and murderer named Barabbas. The irony of this particular exchange is that many of the same people, who were now crying out for his destruction, were just a few days earlier hailing him and paving the streets before him with palm leaves shouting “Hosanna in the highest…”

From the out-set, the exchange of Jesus’s life for that of Barabbas would seem like a very bad decision, but the truth is there was another exchange made within the exchange… Jesus made a personal exchange that would seat us in heavenly places with the father, and himself being made the curse that our lives once were.

Today the same treachery exists where exchange is concerned, between God and man. What used to be right has been exchanged to embrace everything that is wrong in society… Christianity is attacked daily for its Biblical views concerning adultery, fornication, homosexuality which also includes same-sex-marriages…

Prayer has long been prohibited in the classroom in exchange for teaching our children how to practice safe sex as opposed to abstinence. Modest apparel has been exchanged in order to allow males to wear their pants lower than the country’s weak economy, and females to wear skirts so short where nothing is left to the imagination.

Virtuous women and honorable men are all but non-existent causing the world to wax more wicked than in the days of Noah.

Last but surely not least; practical Christian living has been exchanged for the “Mega-Church-Mentality”… the image of God has been exchanged for the image of beasts and birds, from male to female, for silver and gold; making the Creator to be the creature. A plethora of bad exchanges to satisfy mankind’s lusts and desires…

I say to the body of Christ, the power lies within us to bring about great exchange…for God has declared; “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”   2^nd Chronicles 7:14

To the un-believer I say; “if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of this Amorite society, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Ref. Joshua 24:15…..”

I don’t know about you, ”But I’m making a good exchange”