Dedication of the Temple

2 Chronicles 7:11-12 

11 So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. 12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.

Solomon built the Temple of God for the people to worship the Lord. It’s important to note, that he built the temple first, then he built the palace…be careful to build for God first, before you build for yourself.

According to 2 Chronicles 8…Solomon used the finest materials and it took him 20 years to build it. We also read in chapter 6 that prayers and sacrifices were made in the dedication of the temple.

The Holy Temple is a place of worship, sacrifice, and prayer. It is a place where you can go and find out who you are in Christ Jesus. This is a place where people are formed and fashioned!

Articles of the Temple

Outer courts > Altar of incense | Brazen altar | Washing Laver…this is where the laymen gathered together for worship and various practices

Holy place > Table of Showbread | Menorah | Golden altar

Veil – this separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies

Holy of Holies > Ark of the Covenant | Mercy Seat 

This is a place where the high priest would offer sacrifices on behalf of the entire nation annually…

You are the Temple

1 Corinthians 3:16 

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Everything that I described earlier brings me to this point…God showed all of that to bring us to this…we are the temple of God!

The finest materials | The years of building | The articles contained inside | The necessary practices for holiness

If this is true that we are the temple of God…then where is the evidence of your ceremony?

In other words, where is your dedication? Church cannot possibly be a casual game to you…this must be real – He must be real!!

Psalm 51:17 

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—

These, O God, You will not despise.

This is what makes the temple of God complete…cleans hands and an upright heart. 

It is this kind of temple wherein lies real power to live right; resurrection power!!

John 2:19-21 

19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

Jesus is risen from the dead – we too shall rise!! Those of you who are contending for righteousness will have the power of God flow through you!!

It is not enough to be delivered from sin; it is enough to be delivered to righteousness. 

- Edwin Louis Cole

Refinery

Refine: to bring to a pure state…free of impurities | to purify from what is course, vulgar, or debasing; to make elegant or cultured.

Pasadena knows all about refineries. It is for this reason our city exists. This is an arduous process…filled with suffering and loss in order to produce quality. Living for God is just like that.

Oswald Chambers said this: We have to let God sacrifice us as He likes, and go where He sends us. Never be deluded into making this statement: 'I am here because I am so useful'; rather, 'I am here because God wants me here.' The lodestar, (guiding light) of the saint is God Himself, not estimated usefulness.

Back at our original text…I want to show you verses 13 through 15…

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.

This process is designed by God to draw us to Him, build up our faith and touch the nations. Do you believe that?

If you do, then when trouble comes, you won’t resist Him, but with faith you’ll proclaim – “Here am I Lord, send me.”

He Is Risen!!

John 17: 4 - I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work with You have given Me to do.

All that is necessary for our redemption and salvation has been finished by our Lord and Savior on the cross. Why should we therefore struggle in sin and shame...when the Lord has already counted out our steps and provided a way of freedom for us all?

Sometimes, I just don't get it. People constantly berating and beating themselves up over things th
at the Lord has already dealt with and forgiven...are you more righteous than our Lord?

Easter is a day we celebrate the fact that we no longer have to be bound by sin and shame...Jesus has set all of us free - it is a gift...you don't earn the gift, you don't qualify for the gift, you simply accept it.

John 6:53 - Verily I say to you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you.

The only life fitting for all of us to have is a life hidden in Christ with God. Make Easter a time of great celebration and remembrance; His blood was shed so that we can be free from sin...ALL OF IT.

Jesus died once and for all - we can live for Him, forever. 

- amen

Open Invitation

1st Corinthians 16:9 - "For there is a great and effective door opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

It is for the glory of God in His will, that doors of opportunity are opened up to the church of Jesus Christ. However, I've learned that whenever there are opportunities to advance His kingdom, there will be resistance and push-back. It's to be expected...if you are accustomed to fighting the good fight of faith - trust me, it is a fight!

With these opened doors there is something else the Lord will grant the people of God - favor. Let me tell you, favor ain't fair! This event  that's about to take place a couple of weeks from now is a glorious opportunity to spread the love of Jesus to a hurting and dying community. Our city is in desperate need for the gospel to be preached, (As they all are); we cannot afford to miss out on such a wonderful opportunity like this.

I believe that for such a time as this, our church has been asked to rise up, make a wall, and stand in the gap for the lost souls of Pasadena TX...although it's a simple fair, filled with family fun, giveaways, and recreation - I believe that it's a wonderful venue for soul-winning!!

Please pray for us as we endeavor to do the will of God, and see to it, that each and every person knows that Jesus is Lord, and that you cannot spell Christmas without Christ!!

Divine Path

John 13: 1-17, "...If I do not wash you, you will have no part with Me..."

The last lesson Jesus taught the night of His capture to crucifixion wasn't the latest revelation, it wasn't another parable...He taught His disciples how to serve! This is the most significant spiritual time for both Jesus and His disciples, and this is the time where He spends teaching a very basic and practical lesson, but O so critical to them and us as believers.

True love is seen in how you and I treat people.

John 13: 34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

You know that you're a Christian because of the things you do in the church whether it's ministry, devotion, etc...but the World knows you're a Christian by the way you treat other people!

It doesn't matter how spiritual you are, it's not impressive if you cannot love and serve people as Christ intended!

'Beware of making a fetish of consistency to your convictions instead of being devoted to God. You may say, "I shall never do that!" In all probability you will have to, if you are a saint. There never was a more inconsistent Being on this earth than our Lord, but He was never inconsistent to His Father. The one consistency of the saint is not to a principle, but to the Divine life." 
- Oswald Chambers

Jesus made it very clear that if you are going to have a part of Him, somewhere, He's gonna have to wash your feet! This speaks of humility and direction. Verse 10 tells us that if you wash your body, you would only need to wash your feet...

This tells you and I that, there are certain places we shouldn't go, things we shouldn't do, and we're gonna have to be real with ourselves and do some washing of our 'feet.'  Peter didn't want to have any part of this: for one, he knew that in the future he would have to humble himself and wash his brothers' feet, but secondly, he also understood that he would have to wash his own feet!

Having to admit that you're spiritually inept, or that your faith isn't as strong as you'd hoped, is a serious blow to your pride; but it'll save your life overall!

 

God's direction is always better than our own will or experiences. If you find yourself in uncharted waters, the first thing you must do is pray; the second thing to do is, serve God right in the middle of it! Too many are hoping that their circumstances change so that they can serve God when in actuality, God wants you to serve Him right where you are!

Let the Lord guide you, you need Him more today, then when you first believed.

Snakes in the Playground

Acts 27:39-44
39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
Acts 28:1-6
28 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Trials happen…we see here that Paul endured and overcame a ship wreck…although he almost lost his life, he made it. There are people here – you should’ve been dead, but God brought you out.
However, there are times where you feel that even though you’ve just overcome something, you can still feel the residue of it…even though Paul made it from the ship, he only landed on a cold, wet, island, in the middle of a rain storm…looking for fire.

In the midst of the storm, are you looking for fire? Paul found fire, and it moved him to gather wood to feed it…would to God, the Lord would give the church more FIRE FEEDERS! Don’t just admire someone’s fire, help feed it! Don’t hate on folks’ fire, feed it!!
Build

Genesis 22:6-7
6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

Understand this truth, you build a fire with your hands. You want to be on fire, you’re gonna have to build it!
I gave the Genesis reference because, Abraham had the wood and the fire, for one purpose, to sacrifice. There are many of you who desire to be on fire, but the purpose is for self-sacrifice, not for self – exaltation.

Can I ask you a question? Why do you want to be in the ministry of music or something stage worthy? Is it to glorify God, or is it to glorify you? I told someone yesterday that one of the things I regret is what I brought to this church; that is, an element of entertaining…I know how to sing, rap, perform, etc…and I brought that part of my character to this church…over the years, I see what kinda monster I built…I have a group of people that want the glory of the stage, but there’s no indication of fire, service, humility, or even work ethic…you have talent, and it’s your job to let the world know…grow up…it’s not anointing, you’re hindering what God really wants to do…I learned that the hard way, if you have to be heard, if you must be first, if you have to be out front – then it’s not ministry…it’s selfish ambition; that’s deadly, and demonic. You need to take a hard look at yourself in the bible; pray that God will use you, rather than you use God to promote yourself!

Proverbs 26:13
13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!”

Fire is built, it is created by labor and its intention is for sacrifice.
Snakes in the Playground

Verse (2-6) - 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

As Paul put the wood on the fire, a serpent driven out by the heat, attached itself to his hand. You must be careful who you allow attach themselves to you!

2 things to consider:
The snake was driven out by the heat, not the fire!
It attached itself to his hand…indicative of Paul’s Authority | Labor | Progress

Snakes always fasten themselves to you in order to afflict pain and stop your forward progress.
Now you know why things get hard…because snakes are driven out by the heat…so even when you get close to fire, or close to getting on fire…here he comes!

See, when the conditions are cold and comfortable, snakes won’t bother…
Shake it off

Paul shook it off in the fire. You must maintain the flames of God in order to lose the snake. You can’t have the snake hanging around you – you’ll lose everything you’ve worked so hard to build…just ask Adam and Eve.

2 Corinthians 4:17 - …For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

I’m sure there was fear, pain, and even doubt, but Paul didn’t have time to reflect on that, he had to shake it off.

Matthew 6:31-33
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Anxiety | depression | fear | anger | bitterness…all are brought about by snakes…could be your family, friends, people that have a voice and influence in your life…their ‘concern’ many times can lead to your demise, because they don’t understand the covenant you’ve made with Jesus

Shake it off in the fire. You can’t drown the snake, beat it with a rock, pull it off…IT MUST BE FIRE!
Get on fire for Jesus! Sacrifice for Jesus! Move for Jesus! Go for Jesus…shake them haters off!!

Not Like the Others

Ruth 2: 13 - '...although I'm not like one of the others...'

This is such a profound revelation from this woman, and yet, we miss it almost every time. What's missing is the reality that we are not like all the others. In many ways, you can argue that we don't even belong! My brothers, and sisters of the cross; we are the dregs of society, the social misfits and outcasts, the left overs, and the banished...however, because of the favor that God has shown to you and to me...we've been given access, dominion, and the upper hand whereas normally, we wouldn't see the light of day.

How did this great favor fall upon Ruth? How is it that she goes from a heathen woman, drowning in the sorrows of losing her husband who, by the way, was her only true connection to the Kingdom of God; going totally broke - only to find herself, back in a a country that has rejected her, no family, detected enemies, and on top of her own destiny! Where did this favor and miracle provision come from? Well...it came from dedicated S E R V I C E.

Our bible teaches that she served Naomi, she served her husband before he died...then, she went out into the fields to LABOR in order for her mother-in-law and she could scratch out a living. She could've easily went back to her homeland...no doubt with her beauty, she would've been snatched up in no time at all...however, she chose to believe in the God that Elimelech and Naomi served, and finds herself in an incredible destiny with God!

Matt. 1: 5 - 'Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.'

Now, from the looks of things, she's an outsider - she has no business fulfilling any such calling, and yet, through Christ - not only was she accepted, but she was called to something / someone greater than herself...can this be an echo of His truth in your life? You'd be amazed at the doors that would open for you if you would simply make up your mind to serve, and to labor in the Kingdom of God.

All Things

Phil. 4: 13 - "...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..."

It's amazing what our Lord and Savior can do for us amen? My wife and I have the wonderful privilege of working with some of the greatest people on the planet! Our church has seen a steady growth, not only in numbers, but in maturity - the miracles do not cease!

Last Sunday, we had a birth announcement...one of the couples I had the pleasure of marrying 4 years ago is PREGNANT!!  It was amazing, because the wife gave a powerful testimony about how they got saved, then got married, and now a little one is on the way!!  My wife and I have invested in them from the beginning, and to see the young man rise up as a leader in our church, and the servant's heart his wife has is something to behold!

Another testimony is about a couple that have recently joined the church, (6 months ago). We've prayed for them, helped them in any way we can, and sometimes, things just don't turn out the way you hope they would. Recently, they had a falling out, so much so that we thought separation was going to be their next course of action! We all were preparing for a Marriage Seminar and she swore on a stack of bibles that she wasn't going - even though he was discouraged, he kept coming to church, and kept on praying for her

Well low and behold...God did a miracle; they patched things up and both were present at the marriage seminar! Our kids babysat their kids while we were all there!! As a matter of fact, while at the seminar, they participated in a truly-wed game, and were the WINNERS!! Isn't our God remarkable? I so appreciate the fact that God would even choose someone like me to watch over His people. Thank You Lord; I look forward to all that God is going to do in these wonderful lives...

- Amen

Compelled To Send

Romans 10:14-15 (NKJV)

Israel Rejects the Gospel

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? 

For the first time in a long time, my wife and I were able to attend the Conference in Prescott AZ. The last time I was there was in 2003 by myself; the last time we were both there was in 1995!! So it has been long overdue...I must say, that it was incredibly refreshing to be alone with my wife and enjoy God's presence. This particular Conference was a bit different for me in the sense that, usually, a venue like this is a cause for a need to jolt my spiritual wherewith-all or get my fired up for going back home...however, I was already fired up before coming...God had something better in mind for me!!

Usually, Conferences are an 'Amen - Session', understand? I mean, for the most part, what is preached, I've conquered usually - however, our Chandler AZ Conference in 2015, and this conference was synonymous in the truth that - I was genuinely convicted and challenged to change! I thank God, that He can still reach down to my stubborn soul and shake something loose!!

Psalms 51: 17 - 'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart - these O God, you will not despise.'

As many of you well know, each message builds on the other, and this makes for a powerful encounter with God...all of which is true; in my case, things really came to a head by Thursday morning. Pastor Mark Aulson, a well - respected Leader in our Fellowship preached a powerful sermon on giving your all for Jesus Christ...that wasn't the kicker - the kicker was the prophecy spoken after the service (altar call). The prophecy was so specific, it was almost scary!!

I'm telling you, the young man speaking the prophecy should've simply walked across the tent, and yelled in my ear! God was that specific and on point! It literally shook me to the core, and is still lingering in my spirit as I write this! Then, to follow that up > Pastor Tom Payne preached the Thursday Evening sermon for International Night. He made a powerful statement that will stay with me for a long time, he said:

"We are not required to understand, but we are challenged to participate in faith." 

I heard this, and I thought to myself - you've gotta be kidding me God! Haven't You said enough?? Lord, what do You want me to do with all this?!!  I know what God was saying in that statement...rather than waste my energy trying to figure out why things are happening to me, I should focus on responding to Christ in faith and gaining His strength through these difficult and / or trying times.

Puddleglum from 'The Silver Chair' (6th book in the Chronicles of Narnia), said this: 'Aslan never told us what would happen, he only told us what to do!'  This is so true concerning the Kingdom of God! I walked away from that Conference with this resolve - I intend on keeping my eyes and my ears open; I am in the process of preparing myself, (My wife also); for whatever God has for us in the near future!

Pray for us as we endeavor to do God's will!

My God, my all in all

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NKJV)

5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

The longer I've been saved, the more I've come to realize the obvious truth - that is, I am nothing without the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He still amazes me with His love, His truth, and His grace. In our beloved city today - we were under attack from inclement weather; torrential rains, and a 15 degree drop in temperature...however, that didn't deter these faithful men of God from being water baptized! It was amazing to hear their testimonies, and dip in that bitterly cold water, yet remain excited about how Jesus had changed their lives for the better.

I am so privileged to be a part of what God is doing here in Pasadena TX!! You know, this year has literally been HELL on EARTH, but through it all - I've learned a lot, helped raise up some truly converted, mature, saints of God, and in the process built a strong foundation for what God wants to do going forward. I don't know what's gonna happen in 2016, but if today was any indication, then the devil is in some serious trouble!

 God is truly raising up an army of believers in this church, and the atmosphere is slowly changing for the better. Fidelity is in the air, and it's being fought for! People testify about how clean and holy the church is; and how convicted they are when they visit for the first time! What a testimony!! I've counseled many visitors who tell me their recent woes concerning other religious churches in the area and quite frankly, attending our church was a last resort type of situation - only to be blessed, convicted, and converted by the power of Jesus Christ!! Their lives will never be the same, and neither will mine!

I really don't know how appreciative people are when it comes to pioneering or pastoring one of our churches in this Fellowship, but I can tell you this - I am beyond blessed! Although this year has been difficult, Jesus has remained faithful. Matt. 24: 13 - 'They that endure to the end shall be saved...'

That is the hope of His glory, to hang in there until the very end. We've fought some up hill battles, my wife and I, but through it all, we've drawn closer together, and we've learned to love and appreciate each other a whole lot more.

Pastor Campbell several years ago challenged me by saying, 'Pay your own price!' That's what I'm trying to do sir - I pray that the lives being touched by the Lord, will mark and remember that my family and I have done everything we possibly could to bring about His glory into their lives. Galatians 4:19 - '...and have been in birth pains, until Christ is formed in you...'

Brand new and set free - what an anthem in the house of our God. I can only hope that this is just the beginning of what God wants to do through our church. We're going to see our city won for the gospel - and we're going to launch churches and see true revival in this place! Thank you for your prayers, your support, love and friendship - God bless.

The Master's Call

Matthew 21:1-9 (NKJV)
The Triumphal Entry

21 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

Prophecy was fulfilled, and Jesus entered into a glorious entry before His crucifixion...this is a powerful moment in Jewish history...however, I would like to focus on what He rode in on.

The bible says that He rode in on a colt, a young donkey...this animal has NEVER been ridden before...unbroken; yet, it was used to carry the Lord Jesus Himself.

The bible never tells us the difficulty in its usage, or that it even bucked the disciples when they came and retrieved it...the colt simply surrendered.

Ask yourself this question...if the Lord were to choose you...would you surrender? Many of us are much like this colt - untried and untested...some are unproven, but can you be pliable?

It's a good thing to ask yourself...we as people of God mus
t be willing to surrender to the Master's Call if we're going to make our mark in this world.

Acts 16:9-10 (NKJV)

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Luke wrote about a vision that Paul received, but he made the vision his own when he said, 'The Lord called US...'

When He calls, will you be ready?

The Possibilities of God

1st Peter 2: 9 - 'But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you my proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;'

We have been called by God to do His marvelous works! What a privilege to know that God would even consider us...He could've easily used more qualified creatures (namely, the angels); but God in His mercy and good pleasure chose you and me to do His will - this is an honor.

Psalm 8: 4 - 'What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?'

This is the great mystery at work for humanity...that despite our flaws, shortcomings, rebellion, and outright refusal to obey continually - God still chooses man to do His bidding over all other creation! Is this your testimony? Regardless of the skills / personality / resources, you lack, God still reaches for your hand, and you lift it up to Him?

Too many believers disqualify themselves before they ever get started; many times, this is another way of telling God that He made a mistake...God doesn't make mistakes!!

Acts 6: 3 - 'Therefore brethren, seek out from among you 7 men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;'

If you were around at that time, would you be considered among those 7? Would you get passed over because you haven't done what it would take to be prepared and qualified to enter into that type of service for Jesus Christ?  The greatest ability in the Kingdom of God is AVAIL-ability!!  Make it a point to get into a place where should a need arise, God can reach down and select you with confidence!

How Far We've Come

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)
⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

I never really understand why God loves me so much. I look at who I am, who I really am on the inside, and realize that in me no good thing dwells, yet God still looks for me, seeks me out, finds and fashions me, helps me, and elevates me.

This is quite a mystery, but hey, I'm loving the journey; arduous but exciting! When I was a young convert, there was a song we sang in Song Service...

'When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all He's done for me,

My soul cries out hallelujah, I thank God for saving me...'

He truly has brought me, and my wife a mighty long way...here is a picture of us a week after we got married. I was only 19 years old, and Jana was 18...looking back, had someone come to me and said, 'LaMont, you and your wife and gonna globe-trot, struggle to hell and back, have people you love leave you - betray you, break your heart and desert you!' 'As you heal from this, you're going to have Leaders abandon you, let you down, and mistreat you...'

I probably would've run in the opposite direction!! However, I thank God that through it all - God has kept my wife and I, sane, rational, and in love with each other, and Him!

Over the 25 years I've served Christ, one thing has been consistent through it all...God has never left my side, and He will always take care of me and my family...no matter what!

This quote from Puddleglum (Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair) sums it up rather nicely...

'Aslan never told us what would happen, 

He only told us what to do!!'

This is true when it comes to serving Jesus Christ ~ He never tells us what the outcome will be, He only tells us what to do!!  We should serve God with reckless abandon, and this is going to take an unfailing love on our part to do this...

I believe with all my heart the reason why we struggle as Christians is not because we don't do enough for God, or we aren't as disciplined as we should be...nope. I believe we have yet to drink in a sweet, satisfying love for God...ask yourself, do you really Love God? Or do you just love yourself a bit more?

Everyday, I have to make a decision that 'Today', I'm going to love God more than I love myself...I pray you do the same.

Asleep In the Light

A gay couple sued an Oregon bakery for 150k for refusing to bake them a 'wedding' cake May 27

 

Dylann Roof shot and killed 9 church goers at an AME Church in Charleston SC June 17

 

U.S. Government lifts ban on gay marriage nationwide - June 27

 

Caitlyn Jenner accepts Arthur Ashe award - July 15

U.S. Government approved new Nuclear deal for Iran July 15

Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed 4 marines at a military facility July 16

Do I need to go on? It's obvious that America has taken a turn for the worse and yet, these events are not our biggest problem...our greatest problem in America is the Drowsy Church of Jesus Christ. We're fighting the wrong battles, and we're dying on the wrong battlefield.

First of all, we need to accept our conditions. Understand, that it's supposed to get worse, not better! We keep trying to straighten the chairs on a Sinking Ship!!

Secondly, you must understand there is no covering for the wicked, and vengeance belongs to God and Him alone...our responsibility is to gather as many sinners as we can into God's kingdom!

Too many Christians are fighting fights we shouldn't. Hey, I'll never hold signs in front of an Abortion Clinic, but I will witness to young people letting them know that Jesus has something better than premarital sex...I'm not gonna fight gay marriage and the like...I'd rather witness to the gay community and allow the conviction of the Holy Spirit deal with their sins!

Matthew 9:36-38
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers.

This is our call, this is what God has for us - sinners are not the enemy - they're the prize!
Don't be fooled by the hype of the world...they pretend to be happy, but they're dying inside...it's up to the church to rise up and respond to the call of God...

We should be a people with a sense of urgency - going out to tell the story of the hope in His glory!

Keith Green:

Do you see, do you see, all the people sinking down?
Don't you care, don't you care; are you gonna let them drown?
How can you be so numb? Not to care if they come...
You just close your eyes and pretend the jobs done

O bless me Lord, bless me Lord
You know, that's all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts, no even sheds one tear
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, and He cares for your needs
And you just lay back, and keep soaking it in...

Can't you see it's such sin!
'Cause Jesus brings people to your door, and you turn them away
As you smile and say, 'God bless you, be in peace,'
And all heaven just weeps...'cause Jesus came to your door...
You left Him out on the street!

Open up, open up! Give yourself away!
You see the need, you hear the cries, so how can you delay?
God's called you, and you're the one, but like Jonah, you run
He told you to speak, but you keep holding it in...

O, can you see it's such sin!
The world is sleeping in the dark, that the church just can't fight
'Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead? When you've been so well fed?
Jesus rose from the grave...and you; You can't even get out of bed...

Making History

Mark 14:1-9

The Plot to Kill Jesus

14 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. ² But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

³ And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. ⁴ But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? ⁵ For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.
⁶ But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. ⁷ For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. ⁸ She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. ⁹ Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

This is one of the most powerful stories in the bible...here is a woman who made history! She prepared an offering in advance for Jesus' death, and resurrection! Her mark on the Kingdom of God will never be forgotten...Jesus Christ Himself testifies on her behalf - she never led a bible study, she never preached, she never did any high-flying act for the gospel's sake...she simply spent her life on Jesus and now, it's a memorial for all time...

How do you live your life? Are you spent for the gospel? Understand this truth; your legacy as a child of God isn't based on how well you lived for God, but how your life in Christ impacted others...a man/woman of God who loves God and follows Him without hindrance, will make history! Will you make history, or just excuses?

We are so concerned about the 'trip', we've forgotten all about the 'destination.' 

Killeen Homecoming 2015

Genesis 9:9 - “And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you..."

I must say that this Homecoming has been the best I've attended to date! It literally felt like a Bible Conference smashed into 3 days!!  ALL of the messages were timely, and powerful! The people from our church in Pasadena TX were so blessed, energized, challenged, and changed...I couldn't ask for anything more!

There were relationships established, fellowships renewed, and struggling Christians encouraged! It was a greater delight for me to see people in churches that my wife and I had the privilege of pastoring before...and the icing on the cake was that my Mother attended the last night of the Homecoming and knelt down at the altar!  I was blown away by everything that Jesus did in such a small window of time!

It is in our best interest to give God all the glory in everything we see and do. He truly orchestrated all these things in advance to show my wife and I, our children, and the church, His might and power! I explained to my Pastor that this was literally the first time ever that I longed to return to my home because I was so fired up and ready to apply what was preached and taught!

God is on the throne and I am so blessed and humbled to be a part of what God is doing! Listen to me, if you've left your church, fallen away from Jesus, walked away from calling...it's not over! You can return in power and dominion with Jesus Christ! You have a calling and destiny, don't let it go to waste!!

We as people of God have something inside each and every one of us that the devil cannot stand...that is His Resurrection Power!! We may be put down for whatever reason, but in Christ, we have the ability to rise again!!  Let's go get it for Jesus Christ!

Sincerely,

Pastor LaMont Melrose

Life and Death Gate

Proverbs 10:19

19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Luke 6:44-46

44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his hear brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

I read an article not too long ago about a young girl (Journee Woodard), who went to the Dentist for a routine cleaning, only to discover that she was suffering from a grapefruit size tumor attached to her pancreas! She underwent a 9 hour surgery to have it removed. This involved cutting into her gall bladder, lungs, and pancreas to remove this thing!

What got me curious was the fact that, in her desire to get her 'mouth' worked on, she found other problems on the inside, and without addressing her mouth, her life would've been forfeit. The same is true for you and I - when we deal w/the issues concerning our mouth - we'll find other areas of our lives that need our attention, and this honest examination can be life saving.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue! You know, as a child of God, it is really important that we watch what we say - words are spirit and they are life, and what we put out there can either build/edify, or demolish / destroy someone or something!

I really encourage you to speak life into ALL areas of your life! We must never underestimate the power of the spoken word! In fact, you live in the context of a sentence! The Lord created the 'Universe' - that's essentially 2 words: Uni = One...Verse = Spoken Word...this is where we live and how we exist...so your words carry an incredible weight...

So, the moral of the story is, fix your mouth, and the rest of your body can be saved!

Loss of Vision

Genesis 27:1-4

Isaac Blesses Jacob

27 Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” And he answered him, “Here I am.”
2 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

Genesis 27:22-23

22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 And he did not recognize him,

We see in this passage, an older man with a loss of vision. He must rely on his feelings now versus true vision...I know many Christians who are just like that. One of the great tragedies in this is, when you lack vision, it will limit your discernment and pervert your priorities...

As we see in verse 3 and 4, the desire of Isaac is that his son would go out and hunt for the savory game that he loves...a stew which will later be Esau's demise...you know, your present pleasures can wreck your family's destiny!

Another thing to note is, because he couldn't see, he had to feel his way around...unfortunately, when it came to knowing the truth from a lie, there was no hope in him being able to know which was which...verse 22 of our text says that what he heard was truth, but what he 'felt', was a lie.

Christian, have you lost your vision? Have you lost the passion and drive that brought you thus far? If you have, you need to get it back, and only Jesus can restore you and put you back in your proper place; let Him do it.