The Promise of PEACE

Today is an historic day.  The Nobel Peace prize will be presented to this year’s recipient – President Barack Obama – our 44th President of the United States.

On this day in 1964, another young man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., traveled to Oslo, Norway, to accept this prestigious prize for his wonderful work to promote peace in the midst of the nastiest climate in recent memory.  As a 19-year old, Dr. King acknowledged publicly that “I have an inner urge to serve humanity.” God elevated his platform so that the world could see his work on behalf of others.

During President Obama’s campaign, prior to his inauguration, he echoed repeatedly, “This is not about me.”  I earnestly believe that the millions of people (me included) that voted for him recognized his sincerity, and urgency, for change.  While Mr. President noted that his work to date is not necessarily worthy of the Nobel Peace prize, those who voted for him to win the prize have been moved by God to elevate his platform at this time in world history. Truly, there is not a better time to recognize this year’s recipient following the extremely poor performance of this country’s 43rd President, particularly as it relates to foreign policy and declined relations.

Jesus is the prince of peace.  The two are inseparable. Paul left the church at Corinth with a powerful exhortation after spending quality time with them correcting many of the behaviors and mannerisms that kept them at odds with one another and their failure to consistently practice Christian principles:

“Finally, brethen, farewll. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” – 2 Corinthians 13:11

Let today’s ceremony move you to live peaceably with all men and women.  Start today.

Family and Bible Week

Today, November 22nd, marks the beginning of two significant and unique milestones: National Bible Week and National Family Week.

They are both significant in that our Heavenly Father has ordained the family unit as an institution created to bring the utmost fulfillment and enjoyment for a man and a woman.  Further, the Bible, our ultimate roadmap for a successful natural and Christian life on earth, specifically addresses EVERY concern, issue, situation, circumstance and/or dilemna that will ever come our way as well as how to solve problems and make decisions.

Due to Abram’s obedience to God, all families are blessed for all generations.  This represents a covenant between God and Abraham.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. - Genesis 12:1-3 KJV

Along with blessing of the family unit, God left us his written Word – The B-I-B-L-E: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. The Bible is the inherent Word of God and is intended for our growth, development and maturity as Christian men and women.  It always provides the answer to all of our questions about this life and what it means to have purpose and spiritual gifts to make this world a much better place – using the common theme of LOVE throughout.

Take heed of your family and Bible this week through prayer, reflection, meditation and thought.  When you do, you will realize just how blessed you are!

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Kindness – Do Your Part

Friday the 13th!  Normally, a scary proposition.  Hollywood distributes movies that glorify death and darkness on this day.  Millions flock to see them.  But…this week has been designated as WORLD KINDNESS WEEK and today, the 13th, is officially WORLD KINDNESS DAY.

Kindness is simply a having a friendly attitude toward others.  It is manifested through Jesus’ lesson titled ‘The Golden Rule’:

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” – Matthew 7:12

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” – Luke 6:31

Today, and everyday, let’s CHOOSE to carryout God’s mandate to love one another through the gift of kindness.  As Christian men and women, based upon God’s Word, we represent the characteristics of God is the midst of this lost and dying world. A small demonstration of love could impact someone’s life immeasurably.

“For all the law if fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” – Galatians 5:14

Do your part today: Be kind.  Bless you for doing so.

How Do You Communicate?

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40

In cooperation with the International Society of Friendship and Good Will, the world (this is a global coalition) is about to conclude what is affectionately known as WORLD COMMUNICATION WEEK, the 1st of November through the 7th.

I am personally reminded about Paul’s teaching to the church at Ephesus:

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” – Ephesians 4:29

During this specific exhortation, Paul had recently explained the purpose of the perfecting gifts in the church – “…some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers“… (verse 11) and urges us to put off the old man and to add the new man, through the renewing of our minds, as a result of our Christian experience (salvation).  Similarly, Paul had taught the Romans to renew their minds with the Word of God (verse 23 confirms Paul message in Romans 12:2) and the manifestation of this renewal SHOULD result in new and improved communications.

Hence, make it a point to communicate positive, uplifting and energizing words to others.  Build up one another (edify) so that IT (what is being communicated) may minister grace to those that hear your words.

You’ll be surprised at the power of a simple “hello,” “good morning,” or “how are you today.”  Let’s represent our Heavenly Father well!  Watch your communication.

Forgiveness

Today, October 30th, is National Forgiveness Day in the United States.  Forgiveness is such a powerful characteristic of God, and healing tooling, that Jesus teaches about this phenominal concept during His first public sermon – The Sermon on the Mount.

In the Book of Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus gives us outline, example and pattern for prayer.  Two thousand-plus years later, we still refer to it as “The Lord’s Prayer” (6:9-13).  Immediately afterwards, beginning in verse 10, Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson about the act of forgiveness:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye frogive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (KJV)

We live in a country that acknowledges the power of forgiveness by setting aside this day annually.  Use this day for that purpose – forgive someone  for their act of indescretion against you.  It could be that they were just having a bad day – it may not have been a deliberate act.  You will experience a lifted burden off of your shoulders through the act of forgiveness.  After you have done so, go forward with the attitude, fortitude and enthusiasm to make this world a better place.

“This is the day which the LORD was made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 KJV

 

Pastoral Care Week

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervant prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

James 5:16 – KJV

Did you know that someone near and dear to your heart prays for you consistently?  Do you wonder why blessings constantly through and to you?  Well, think about the one who ministers to you weekly from the pulpit, through small groups, and/or by personal counseling sessions – your pastor.

October 24 -30 is known as “Pastoral Care Week.” For the next several days, I encourage you to take time out to thank your pastor for their servant heart.  Tell them that you love them and that you will pray for them, their family, the church, and their ministry.  While our pastors are meticulously in a state of prayer over our lives and well-being, return the blessings through a kind deed on their behalf.  Don’t let the week pass without doing so!

The Glory of the Lord

“May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works.” - Psalm 104:31

Referenced over 500 times in the Scripture, glory is a word that describes the beauty, magnificence, splendor and majesty of our Heavenly Father.  It literary means ‘to honor’ or ‘renown.’

Psalm 104 is reminicient of creation throughout its 35 chapters.  In the first verse of Psalm 104, it reads “Bless the LORD, O my soul, O LORD my God, thou are very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.”  As we meditate upon this book of the Bible, we see vivid descriptions of heaven, the mountains, clouds, water, animals, and the glory of the LORD (verse 31) - all created by God for our enjoyment!  Our Heavenly Father even addresses that sinners will be consumed (destroyed) out of the earth (verse 31). Near the end of this chapter, verse 34 reads – “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.”

Together, let’s Give God the Glory is every phase of our lives.  In doing so, God will be glorified through our good works.

“This is the day that the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad it!” – Psalm 118:24.  Enjoy today and everyday.

Outlook on Life

Quote for the day:

Your outlook on life is the beginning of the outcome that you will experience.

Coming Together

Notice how our President is true to his word?  How he reaches out to those of the other side of the table (i.e., Republicans and our Muslim bothers and sisters) in hopes of a peaceful truce?  What a good example for our children to emulate.  You see, in politics, there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends – just permanent interests.

Our President can see the bigger picture: In order to move along the proposed stimulus package to help the United States citizens, and our country’s economic stagnation, we must come together for the common good. In Hebrews 10:25, we are encouraged to assemble ourselves together to solve common problems:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Thank God that we have President who understands and values biblical principles as he works to solve problems and make decisions.  Way to go Mr. President!

Wow…Simply WOW!

Wow!

What a weekend in Washington, DC, celebrating with my fellow Americans, the inauguration of our 44th President of the United States.  A born leader and experienced to usher in much needed change, my family and I had a GREAT time walking the national mall, viewing the U.S. Capitol, watching several anchors and reporters conduct interviews on live TV on the mall, participating in community service projects on Dr. King’s Day, visiting the official Obama stores that sell merchandise, and walking down Pennsylvania Avenue along the blue line (parade route).  That was during the day.  In the evening, we attended one of three scheduled fabulous inaugural balls. We did this TOGETHER.

What have have witnessed over the past year is exactly what God intends – for His people to come TOGETHER and celebrate one another.  To experience UNITY vice division as the 43rd President, and his followers, actively promoted for eight years.  We were not created to oppose one another, start wars, constantly fight, and underestimate and devalue other’s potential. 

This weekend, God lifted up a man who has been chosed to lead America, and the world: To love one another (1 John 4:7-8) as God loves us – His creation.  OUr 44th President gets it and always has.  Preparation met opportunity and he will walk in it for the next four years.  Will you join us to make this WORLD a better place?

God bless you and God bless America!  Give God the Glory!