Daily Devotional – 11/6/11 “Pastors are human too!”

On today I had the privilege of celebrating 21 years of service with my Pastor & First Lady at our church, Macedonia MB Church in Hollywood, MS.  My task was to give a tribute to him as family, being his niece.  When I joined his church three years ago, I had no idea what plan God had for my life, all I knew was that he said move and I obeyed.  Changing from the church I had grew up in all my life to this small church outside of Tunica, MS was the best decision I could have made for me and my family.  Being under my uncle’s leadership I have grown tremendously, spiritually.  God has been going a work on me and I love it!  This has also given me an inside look into the ups & downs of a Pastor’s life.  I joke all the time that I’ve become a Preacher’s kid since joining church and I now call my uncle Pastor Daddy! But I love it still!  He is a great daddy, uncle and Pastor and I wouldn’t change it.  I’ve decided to post the tribute below to let you guys know that Pastors are humans too.  I pray that you enjoy it! 

I stand before you this morning to pay tribute to our Pastor and First Lady.  As a niece, I’ve known my pastor, all of my life but as a sheep under his ministry, I’ve been grazing in his pasture for about 3 years.  During these years, I’ve gained a deeper respect for the job that he has.  I read Hebrews 13:17 which states “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”  But then I think about folk and how they treat men of God, so it was placed on my heart to encourage you, as my pastor, on this morning.

See, when men or woman are called into ministering God’s word, we take that as if they no longer have human flesh.  We act like they don’t make mistakes in their everyday life and when they do, we are quick to pass judgment and write them off.  But ministers still put on pants the same as sinners do, they bleed red blood just like us, so don’t be surprised when something unchristian like pass through their mouth, as it sometimes do.  Stop holding them at a higher standard like they won’t sometimes fall or make a bad choice.  But pray for them instead of bringing them down, every time they hear your voice.  Don’t act like you don’t drink, when it’s not water in their cup.  But reach down to grab them when they fall, to pull them back up.  Yes, ministers sometimes need to be ministered too because you never know what they are going through.  They’ll be the names you call them and do the things you say they do, because as long as they got God on their side he will see them through. The bible states in 1st Chronicles 16:22 do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” So when they don’t stoop to your level, please don’t be alarmed. Now, don’t get me wrong they are still human so their feelings sometimes get hurt.  Especially when it’s so-called friends that’s dragging their name through the dirt. But, I assume, they shake it off and pray, because if they don’t they may just want to revert back to their old days.  You know when it wasn’t all gospel playing on the radio and a bible wasn’t in their hand, but when they would lay down the law no matter where they stand.  So don’t be quick to put your mouth on God’s chosen ones, because if God has to punish there’ll be no place to run. 

Now, this just isn’t for Pastor’s because their wives are also called, so don’t be quick to judge them when they happen to fall.  See if God already had a minister’s destiny chosen and plans for his life, don’t you think he made preparations when he was choosing his wife? She has to have tough skin to bear Christian folk because most of them don’t respect their role and they take it as a joke.  We always looking at their clothes, talking about their hair like her feelings don’t get hurt and Lord, we are quick to think negative when she misses church.  We act like her life isn’t anointed and appointed by God, like she has the answer to every question and all her problems are solved.  She has some good and bad days, sickness, struggles and strife but does that make her less than a minister’s wife?  She needs to be ministered to just like we do. 

So to you my first lady, my Pastor; hold your head up high because the Lord will fight your battles and he’ll keep getting you by.  He placed you in this place 21 years ago because he had a purpose in mind, and you will reap the benefits of your harvest in due time.  Even when it seems like your work is in vain and we church folk are a mess, just remember that it’s all in God’s plan and this is simply a test.  Even on the days when you’d rather walk away instead of fulfilling your calling, I’ll be there to lean on when you feel like falling.  I may not have all the answers but I have 2 ears to hear and when it feels like your leaning, I’ll be standing near.  I’ll offer my arms for a hug and a shoulder to help carry your weight because I was placed here for a purpose, it was God’s fate.  So, I’ll keep praying for you, for your strength to bear because we love you and need you here and we pray for many more years to share!

Daily Devotional – 11/5/11 “What’s blocking your path?”

It’s another one of God’s blessings to see this beautiful day. The sun is shining and there is not a cloud in sight. The streets are filled with folk busy about their day, barber & beauty shops filled with their normal crowds and restaurants are flowing with football fans. Most folk haven’t even stopped to tell God thank you for being on this side of the dirt. You do know it could have been the other way, right? Somebody woke up to find their spouse unresponsive this morning and wish they could have said more or just something different. Somebody said their final goodbyes on last night to loved ones they feel are gone too soon and even more are or preparing now to bury their loved one. If death hasn’t stopped by your house in a while, it will. No one is exempt from it because if you believe in God’s word then you know that you must die to live again.

Are you ready? Have you lived a life that’ll be pleasing in God’s eyes? Have you gotten your business straight and said all the things you need or want to say? Will your name be called when Jesus returns or are you just skating by? You know that you must forgive those who hate, use and abuse you? If you’re holding on to stuff because you’re too stubborn to forgive, it may just keep you from being able to live. Holding on to stress can cause heart attacks and strokes and then what will you do? It’s like being in a house of mirrors and every time you look around you’re seeing the same person. The only way to see something different is to either break the mirrors or leave the house. You do know that breaking a mirror won’t give you 7 years of bad luck the same way a black cat won’t cause you to die or have a wreck when they cross your path unless you swerve to miss him? This type of foolishness has been put into our thinking by man of the world and we are too busy to read for ourselves. If God made things here to cause us bad luck and death why would we need his word? Break the curse and move on. Momma and daddy had a grudge against the neighbors 20 years ago and now you continue it by hating their children. Baby, that’s crazy. Now you’re blocking your blessings and prayers from getting through and you probably can’t even remember how all the mess started in the first place!

If you’re already living in a hell, why would you want to die and then be destined to a eternal life in hell? Well, in a sense it’s what you’re choosing for your life when you allow folk and things to block your path to God. Imagine standing on a long road and at the end is the gate to enter into the presence of God. You’re walking but you keep running into stuff that’s knocking you off your path. Stuff like hate, malice, judging others, wishing bad on folk life, not forgiving and being envious of your brother. The good thing with God is when you get knocked off you don’t have to start all the way back over; you just get back on and start again. But if every time something happens in your life, you allow it to knock you off your feet, you’ll never make it to the gate or when you do it’ll be locked because it’s after hours. It’s like you forgetting the dress that you need for church at the cleaners and you rush to get there on Saturday but you’re too late and they are closed, now what will you do?

It’s the same way on this Christian journey. You’ve been hurt, yea I know, but it shouldn’t keep you from living. But every time you see that person your anger grows stronger and stronger, you’re getting knocked off your path. You’re jealous because you’re neighbor has a new car and you don’t so now you wish for it to be torn up or for a flat tire, you’re being knocked off you’re path. You’re upset because somebody else got the job you want and now you’re wishing for it to be the job from hell, you’re getting knocked off your path. You ought to be tired of getting kicked into the mud and having to keep a frown on your face. You should be out of breath from shouting instead of constantly running behind bushes and trees after throwing rocks. Your knees should be tired from praying and not from crawling to see into other folks yards. Your hands should be tired from helping folk instead of plunging knives into their backs. Your legs should be tired from working for the Lord instead of walking over people.

If you keep allowing yourself to be knocked off the path, you’ll never make it to your destination. At some point in your life you have to decide where you’ll spend eternity and you need to do it now. Just because you think you have time doesn’t mean you do. Ask the parents of a teenager who committed suicide after being teased, the son who thought he could make amends with momma until he got the call that she was gone or the sister who needed to say something to their brother who didn’t make it out of surgery. Time isn’t yours because you think it is. You need to remove all the obstacles that are blocking your path before your time is up because God doesn’t have time to hear excuses!

Daily Devotional – 11/4/11 “Is your light broken?”

Are you aware that in order for you to be blessed you have to also be a blessing? You asked God for a car and now you won’t even give a ride to those in need. You asked God for a job or an increase in your salary but you won’t even help somebody who asks you on the street. You ask God for a healing in your body and now you’re too scared to share your testimony. You’ve been blessed with extra food in the refrigerator but can’t even let your neighbor borrow a cup of sugar. Don’t you realize the only God some people see is in you? The bible states in Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” If every time I see you and your light is out there is a problem. It’s like coming to your home but every time your lights are off. Eventually, I will probably think that you haven’t paid your bill or you don’t want me to know you’re home. It’s the same way with letting your light for God shine. If every time I pass you and you are complaining, your light is off. If every time I ask you for something and you tell me no this is mine get your own, your light is off. If I call you for guidance and prayer and all you got to offer is gossip, your light is off. If every time there is work to be done at church and you’re a hindrance, your light is off. If you keep your light out at all times, God may pass you by like a trick or treater does a dark house on Halloween. I don’t know about you but I’m singing every day, “Lord whatever you’re doing in this season, don’t do it without me!”

God has given you an amazing gift but you have to use it. 2nd Timothy 1:6 says “You received a gift from God when I placed my hands on you [to ordain you]. Now I’m reminding you to fan that gift into flames.” Haven’t you heard the saying, use it or lose it? If you start a fire in the fireplace, the only way for it to keep burning is by adding wood because if you don’t then it will go out. It’s the same with God-given gifts. If you don’t use your legs for a long time when you try to stand they will give out on you. If you don’t use the gift of knowledge that you’ve been blessed with, you may just forget it. In order for you to continue to be blessed you have to show yourself worthy of what you already have. If you aren’t taking care of the house you got now, you won’t be blessed with another one. If you are constantly complaining about the job you have now, you won’t be blessed with another one. If you don’t find the time to increase the blessings you’ve already received God surely won’t send you another one. It’s like the story in the bible of the men God blessed with gifts. He gave one man five and he turned it into 10. He gave one man 2 and he turned it into 4. Because they chose to work with the gifts God gave them, he replied “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord (Matthew 25:21)”. But the man who received one gift buried it in the ground because he was afraid of the possibility of losing it but what use is it in the ground? The only thing that is supposed to be buried is dead stuff. Is your blessing dead? If God has blessed you with his light, why is it off? Why are you afraid to show that you have God deep on the inside?

Matthew 25:29 says “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” Isn’t that great news? If I use what I got, I get more. If I share what I got, I get more. If I give what I got, I get more. Take for an example, you have your last $3 in your pocket for lunch and on your way to work you see someone asking for change. You know that you only have these last few dollars but you gladly give it to him. You’re not worried because you remember God’s word that says I’ll be your provider and you go on to work. Then lunch times come and the company has decided to buy lunch for everybody, not only that, a coworker comes and hands you a card as a thank you for always helping her when she ask. As she walks away, you open it and $20 falls out. Won’t God show up just when you need him? All because you gave your all, he gave his.

If you allow your light to be off or dim, you’re the only person to blame. There is no reason for having a limited supply of light when God has promised you a constant supply if you believe and if you use it. Psalm 18:28 says “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” I may not let my light shine the right way every day, but I’m a work in progress so forgive me. I may not always come when you call but I’m a work in progress so love me. I may not always go where I should or do what I should do but I’m a work in progress so help me. I may sometimes fall and let you down but I’m a work in progress so help me. I may sometimes act unchristian like but I’m a work in progress so pray for me. Don’t act like you’re always so good, kind, trustworthy and caring because you have bad days too. Just because you got a little extra money this week, it doesn’t make you better than me so watch your attitude. I may just be your way to work next week. Just because your boyfriend is at the house this week doesn’t mean all the bad days are over, so watch your tone because I may be the shoulder you cry on next week. Just because your kids don’t act up and you got all the answers don’t mean I’m doing things wrong so watch what you say and who you say it too because I may just have to bail you out next week. Be careful of the backs you cross because that person may be the one to help carry you when you fall. Be careful of the shoulders to step on going up because they may be the one you lean on coming down. Be careful of the hands you bite because they may be the only ones to pull you up when you get knocked down. I am not perfect but I’m a believer so that makes me God’s child and that’s enough.

Daily Devotional – 11/3/11 “Stop and Listen!”

You’re running through life in chaos wondering why God won’t hear voice, when you rarely speak to him unless you are veering off course.  You expect him to be at your beck and call every time trouble comes and your way seems dark, when you never touch the bible that is in the back seat of your car.  You keep saying I don’t know why God isn’t hearing my plea, when he does but he’s waiting for you to invite him in, you see.  God won’t drop a blessing in your lap because you simply asked, there is work to be done and you seem to be off task.  You need to get back on track and stop trying to please folk who can’t answer for you, because when judgment comes and your name is called, they can’t get you through.  Yea, you may think you have time until it’s too late, and then you’re standing on the outside looking through the gate.  Stop acting like God can’t see just because you hide your hands, when baby he can see every step you take right from where he stands.  Stop hating folk that hurt you last week, last month, last year; get over those who have walked away and stop wasting your tears.  Keeping hate and malice in your heart only blocks what God has for you, they stop your prayers from reaching God’s ears, and they just won’t get through.  You are a blessing from God and he has given you an amazing gift, isn’t that enough? So why you worried about other people’s blessings and wishing for their stuff?  Trust me, God has enough power and blessings to share and he’ll give you your own, so start planting your harvest so you can reap what you’ve sown.  Don’t think that God will bless you if you’re in a messy, sticky situation; being with someone else’s wife or husband and having all types of relations.  Nawl baby, God don’t work like that but you know this already, so stop acting like you’re being punished when the weight gets heavy.  Just because you hide behind closed doors and park in dark places, doesn’t mean you’re getting away from it because God is looking at faces.  You may think that the grass is greener and the dream seems too real, but you’ll soon wake up and realize what you got wasn’t part of the deal.  But then it’s too late because you’ve packed your bags and crossed the fence into somebody else’s yard, only to realize they’ve got weeds too and now you’re working extra hard.  You’re trying to fix the mistake you made by jumping ship too fast, when you should have just held on and waited because trouble just won’t last.  Yea, it’ll come because it was promised before you were born, but God said that he’d cover you and give you strength during your storms.  But as soon as the dark clouds roll in and the rain begins to fall, we start acting life God has forsaken us and hasn’t been there through it all.  Stop trying to handle problems you can’t solve and things you can’t fix because you trying to work on God’s behalf, well that don’t mix.  Pick your battles wisely because some are not worth the effort you put in because if you try to fix them yourself you probably won’t win.  Why don’t you read your bible, study, fast and pray more? Instead of always being in front of a TV or running to the store.  Take time out for God and he’ll take time out for you, he’ll carry you when you’re tired and he’ll help you make it through.  But he has to know your voice so talk to him every day then he’ll be attentive to your needs and what you have to say.  Don’t wait until the battle is almost over and then try to call God’s name, because he may not be there to answer and that would be a shame.

Daily Devotional – 11/2/11 “Can I get a witness?”

Imagine if you will a courtroom filled to the capacity with people.  There are camera crews from all the major television stations, reporters, and people for the defendant and those that are against him.  See today, the court has been called to order to judge the doings of Jesus.  Some folk say he is a liar, a fake and not able to do all the things the bible says he can.  Others say, he is just who he say he is because they are believers. 

The prosecuting attorney, Mr. Lucifer, stands proudly before the courtroom, in his tailor-made suit, ready to plead his case.  He says he has folks ready to tell the court the defendant isn’t capable of doing what has been written in the bible and for that, he must be labeled a liar and deceiver.  The defending attorney, Grace Mercy stands and simply says, “Let his work speak for him.” The courtroom goes wild with applause from those that believe until the judge hollers “Order in the court!”  The judge tells the prosecution to call their first witness.

Witness 1: John Atheist – The court bailiff says, “Mr. Atheist, do you promise to tell the truth & nothing but the truth so help you God?”  Mr. Atheist laughs and says, “I promise to tell the truth but there is no God so how can he help?”  Prosecution, “Well Mr. Atheist, how do you know of the defendant?”  Mr. Atheist, “I don’t know him personally but I’ve heard of some of the things he claims to do from other folk in my neighborhood.”  Grace Mercy stands and says, “Objection! How can he be a witness when he only has hearsay? I asked that he be removed from the witness stand.” Judge says, “Mr. Atheist, your testimony will be stricken from the record, please step down. Mr. Lucifer, call your next witness.”

Lucifer stands and calls his second witness, Dr. Doubt.  The court bailiff says, “Dr. Doubt, do you promise to tell the truth & nothing but the truth so help you God?”  He pounds his fist and says, “I promise to tell the truth but there is no God!”  Prosecution, “Very well, Dr. Doubt can you tell the court why you think the defendant is a fraud?” Doubt says “I had a patient who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and all the tests and scans showed it and it was progressing fast but my patient told me that this man, her Jesus, would heal her.  (Giggling) He says, “I told her I would be the one to heal here once I performed the surgery to remove the tumor.  But once I got in, I was not able to remove it completely so I had to tell her that she would only live another 2 months.”  Prosecution, “After 2 months what happened?” Doubt says “I assumed she died because I never saw her again, which proves my point that this Jesus is a fake.”  Grace Mercy stands and says, “Dr. Doubt, what if I told you that since that time your patient has not died but is very much alive and well, would you believe me?”  He shouts, “There is no way!”  The courtroom’s door opens and in walks the patient.  Doubt shouts again, “There is no way, she should be dead! Let me, uh, let me run some tests and I’m sure this can be explained.” Grace Mercy says “Judge, I have no more questions.”  The judge tells Dr. Doubt, he can step down. 

The prosecution calls his final witness, Ms. Once Believer.  The court bailiff says, “Ms. Once Believer, do you promise to tell the truth & nothing but the truth so help you God?”  She says, “I promise to tell the truth but I don’t need no God to help me!”  Prosecution says “Very well.   Ms. Unbeliever, you use to be for the defendant right?  What happened?” She says, “I use to believe in the power of this man and everything was fine.  But then one day my husband died, (she starts to cry), he was a healthy man with no known issues and his heart just stopped.  I prayed to this so-called healer and asked him to not take my husband but he did.  After that, I start having trouble sleeping and couldn’t pay my bills.  If this man claimed to be all he said he was, why was I having some much trouble, why didn’t he come see about me like he promised? He is a fake!”  The prosecution says with a smile, “Mercy, your witness.”  Mercy stands before Ms. Once Believer and hands her a tissue.  She asks, “Ms. Once Believer, didn’t you read your bible?”  She answered, “I use too.” Mercy hands her a sheet of paper and ask her to read the highlighted portion.  Ms. Once Believer reads aloud, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” (Ecclesiastes 3) Mercy asks, “Wasn’t this written long before your husband died? Wasn’t it just his time? Ms. Once believer says, “I guess so but what about all the trouble that I’ve seen, why am I being punished?”  Mercy says, “Again, I will ask you to read the next highlighted portion.”   Ms. Once Believer reads “A person who is born of a woman is short-lived and is full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) Mercy Grace asks “If this was promised before you were even born, what makes you exempt from it?” Ms. Once Believer stammers and can’t answer.  Mercy says, “No more questions, your honor.”  The Judge says, “You may step down.”

The prosecution has no more witnesses to call and says, “Judge, we rest our case.”  The judge looks to Mercy Grace and ask her to call her first witness.  She calls the man who was once lame in Jerusalem.  He takes the stand and the court bailiff says, “Do you promise to tell the truth & nothing but the truth so help you God?” He says, “Yes I do!”  Mercy asks him to tell why he believes the defendant to be true in what he does.  The man says, “I had been lying on my bed for 38 years and when I tried to get into the pool of Bethesda for healing, I had no help so others would pass me by.  But then one day this man came and when he saw me he ask if I wanted to be healed? When I said, yes, he told me to get up and walk and so I did.  I’ve been walking for him ever since. (John 5)  Let me show you!”  He jumped up from the witness stand and begin jumping and dancing around.  The judge hollered, “Order in my court!”  Mercy said, “No more questions.”  The prosecution, rubbing his head had no questions to ask. 

Mercy calls her second witness, the woman with an issue of blood.  The court bailiff says, “Do you promise to tell the truth & nothing but the truth so help you God?”  She shouts, “Yes!”  Mercy asks her to tell why she believes the defendant to be true in what he does. She says, “I had a condition in my body that caused me to bleed for 12 years.  I spent all that I had going from doctor to doctor and no one could heal me.  But then one day, when Jesus came through our town and I had heard about his healing power, I pressed my way through the crowd to him and I touched the hem of the gown he was wearing because I believed in him and his power.  He turned and asked who touched him and when I answered he told me my faith had healed me and I was healed.” (Mark 5:25-34)  She began to thank him over and over! She said “he is who he says he is and he can heal, if you believe just look at me!”  Mercy says, “Your honor, I have no more questions.”

Mercy addressed the judge and said, “Your honor, I have a lot more witnesses to call.  I have a man who had an impure spirit but was cleaned (Mark 5:1-14) and Lazarus who was raised from the dead (John 11:1-45).  Shall I continue?”  Then a woman jumped to her feet and said, “Your honor, I’m not on the witness list but I am a witness.  See, this man has been my rock through the storms in my life.  When I didn’t have food he fed me, no clothes he clothed me, no friends he was there, when I was in darkness he provided a light for me, when folk tried to harm me he protected me and when I’m too selfish to thank him he continues to bless me.  So, you see, he is who he says he is.”  Another man jumped up and said, “Please excuse me your honor for I am not on the witness list but I am a witness.  See, when I was accused of being guilty of a crime I didn’t commit they threw me in jail and folk turned their backs on me but Jesus didn’t.  He promised to be my lawyer and he was just that and all I had to do was believe in him.  I did and he allowed me to walk out of that jail with my charges dropped.  Because I believed, he believed in me.  He is who he says he is.” 

The courtroom filled with the sounds of people shouting for and against Jesus.  The judge bangs her gavel and shouts for order.  Jesus rises from his chair and speaks, “Your honor, I don’t have to boast and brag about the things that I’ve done and will do because my work speaks for me.  I am who I say I am and my Father has given me the authority to do all which I can.  I don’t have to list off the many acts that have been done, in my name, because they speak for themselves.  Your honor, I’ve given people power to speak things as though they are.  I don’t have to speak life because if they believe, they can.  I don’t have to speak healing because if they believe, then they will be healed.  All they need is the faith as small as the size of a mustard seed and it will carry them through.  In my word I promised trouble but there is also joy afterwards.  I promised death but there is life after death.  I promised sickness but there is healing, sleepless nights but after, rest.  There are promises of bad days, but the good ones strongly outweigh them.  See, I don’t sell dreams but I offer free salvation.  I don’t offer green grass all the time but I offer stuff to kill the weeds when they grow.  I don’t offer a smooth ride all the time but I offer a way to handle the bumps in the road.  Judge, there is no judgment or ruling needed for you to tell me who I am.  For those that believe, they will see the kingdom that has been prepared.  For those who don’t, I can’t make them but there is a place prepared for them as well. Your honor, I rest my case.”