MOTHER'S LIVES MATTER......JESUS SAID SO

Whether you are the mom of biological children, adopted children, you're a teacher to many children, or you're the mother to creatures of another variety (cats, dogs,etc.....) you have an important role in GOD's economy as a MOTHER, and for that reason I CELEBRATE YOU!  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.  (John. 19:25-28)

Today is a day that is met with mixed emotions in our fallen world.   We have set aside the second Sunday in May to celebrate mothers because of a woman by the name of Anna Marie Jarvis who wanted to honor her mom for the good she did serving from those (wounded) returning from the Civil War.   In 1910 W. Virginia was the first state to uphold the celebration of Mothers on the second Sunday in May, and then in 1914 it was signed as a bill by President Wilson to make it official across the U.S.    

Anna intention was that those honoring their mothers were to hand write letters to their mothers, and wasn't really supportive of the commercialization of holiday with production of greeting cards and big business seeking to sink their teeth into the day set aside to focus on conveying your appreciation for the created beings GOD has christened to bring lives into the world.   See even as Christ hung on the cross He honored His grief-stricken mother, and asked John, the beloved to care for her.   As scripture supports from the moment it was asked, he took her into his home and cared for her.  

Whether it's because Christ modeled it first or an American daughter who saw her mom as a hero, at the end of the day when we pause to honor the creation of women who are nurturers in our world, we honor the creator of them, GOD.   Whether you had an All-Star mother, or a mother who struggled with demons....the fact remains that you got here somehow and GOD has a plan for you too, despite whether you can celebrate the woman who's womb you passed through or not.   What I realize as I loved on my mom today (and try to everyday) is that as a teenager she could've chosen not to have me, and then where does that leave me, the family I have and love, the church I get to lead, and the list goes on and on.  So, excuse me if I get indignant with celebrating the amazing woman I know and love, Linda Sue Alexander who btw, doesn't have time to create a FB page, because she's too busy serving and loving people which is where I learned it from.   Happy Mother's Day mom, thanks for trusting in GOD to help you raise 3 kids on your own, and entrusting us to HIM to shape us into vessels that would be filled by Him to glorify Him!   

REPPIN' MY HOOD

Peter 2:5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

and 

Peter 2:9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light



HOOD:    1.state :  condition :  quality :  character  2. individuals sharing a (specified) state or character <brotherhood, fatherhood, womanhood, manhood, etc.>

If you were at any of the Calvary Campuses right before communion you may have heard one if not both of these verses mentioning that we are to be holy priests, or belonging to an order referred to as a priesthood.   I am not sure if you've given this much thought, but in pop-culture there's this desire to rep or represent one's hood. We know this.   Whether you went to a particular high school, or college those lines are drawn and either you are with us or against us.   It's that sense of school spirit, or frat, or an order's pride that makes us hold our heads up a little higher, and stick our chests out with dignity that we came from (fill in the blank).

It was me growing up in J-Town (aka Jennings, Mo) as a WARRIOR, that's what we were supposed to be prepared to do at any time, go to war.   Whether that was on a baseball diamond, gridiron, debate club, or basketball court.   When we visited our rival schools (Riverview, BERKLEY, Normany.....) we carried ourselves as if to say " We can do anything you can do better than you...."  I know machismo most of it.   But seriously.....if you heard that you are to be like/as a holy priest, and a part of a priesthood.......have you lived your life in such a way since coming to Christ that you stand out?  Not like look at me.....but rather made it your goal to live your life (1Thess. 4:11-12) in such a quiet manner (not boring) that it is stunningly attractive or interesting to those that don't know you or your Jesus?

YOU
Are you approachable?  Or have you amplified the "minding your business" part of the verse to which you are of the order, or hood that drive into your garage never having engaged those who live next door, across the street, and or in back of you?  In short you don't know your neighbors/co-workers and they don't know you...and you are disgustingly fine with that.

These are important questions, especially if you belong to the "priesthood," of Christ.   Now some of you will go to..."Ray but priest wore sacred linen tunics, linen undergarments, and some stoles and royal robes...so what are you saying."  What you wear is pretty important...it's so important that Paul reminded the people of faith how they should cloth themselves...(Col. 3:12-13)    Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Is this you?  Chances are these verses exposes many of us as being improperly dressed believers, let alone priests.  Forget mentioning how merciless, impatient, and.......we are....let's just admit we make few allowances for each others faults (ESPECIALLY THOSE OUTSIDE THE very FAITH we profess), and forgiveness...what's that?   It's clear that after yesterday's message on Christ as our PRIEST, and coming to realization that we were SAVED for the purpose of reconciling others to Him as priests has upped the ante.   2015 is coming to a close and maybe we haven't truly represented (repp'd) ourselves as imperfect priest reflecting a perfect savior.   But in 4 days some of us will awake to a whole new year pinning New Years resolutions and goals, and I pray you seriously consider joining the priestHOOD of intentionally modeling behavior consistent with that of a individual that is madly in love with Christ, and lives to introduce others to Him.  

Then you will be truly reppin' the Hood to which your life should bear fruits that have people coming to Christ, and that is a Fructiferous Year worth celebrating.   #LGLP365

BY THE NUMBERS Part I

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?”  Numbers 14:1-3


Absolutely amazing.....how complainers are like schools of fish, or herds of animals that they travel in packs.  All it takes is us standing in a line somewhere and one person can lament over there not being enough checkers, or how slow this person always is, or where did all these people come from, or I wish they had a separate line for......ME....all about ME is really what we want.  Many of us go to places with a preconceived idea that we will be able to go in, get what we want, and get out without a line or an incidental hold up.  Selfish is what it is. 

The people of Israel were whining again, the spies had come back from scouting out the land that GOD had told them to go in possess and ultimately they balked at doing what HE said and succumbed to doubt and fear.   They believed the report of 10 of the 12 spies that there was no way they could take the land.  They didn't even remotely trust GOD to give to them what He said He'd give them.  Maybe they wouldn't have to lift a sword, or throw a punch, but rather than trust GOD they began to focus on their pre-freedom lives.  

How institutionalized is their mindset?  To the point they were comfortable with the thought of being enslaved and dying  in Egypt than they were seeing how GOD would bless them since it was Him who delivered them out of slavery.   What's really sad is that we do the same thing.  There are women that go back to abusive relationships as opposed to trusting GOD to be their husband, heal their broken/shattered hearts, then bless them with a husband (not a man there's a difference.  There's a abundance of men, and a lack of husbands.).  On the converse we have many men that have grown up without a GODLY example of a man/father/husband and instead of giving our lives to Christ to reshape our minds, we simply prefer to go back to either trying to figure things out on our own, or defaulting to become the very person we despise our broken fathers.  

They focused on the wrong thing.  Notice this phrase: " If we had only died in Egypt or even here in the wilderness."  Simple question, was the wilderness their destination or a mile marker?  They focused on their past and present situations, and became discouraged.  Had somebody remembered that their destination was the Promised Land, and they continued in that thought maybe they would've made it to the very place GOD was taking them (Hint: Caleb & Joshua's families).   For us....we need to see where we were and give thanks/praise that we aren't there anymore.   Then see where we are as places for us to learn something new about GOD, acquaint ourselves more intimately with Him, and those around us for His Glory.  Lastly, get excited about where He is taking us to fuel our motivation for continuing on the journey. 

Make sure you have an intelligent answer to stupid questions?  They ask, "Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?"  Ok, so let's really look at this:  They walked across the Red Sea so going back across it would likely be by boat which they didn't have.  Continuing...what are they going back to?  Slavery!  Lastly the only thing they could really look forward to is not the food mentioned chapters before, but death.  Death would be their only out, for peace.  So what about you?  What is your Egypt vs Where you are now?  Is it really better for you to be back there?  GOD freed all of us from....to bring us to Himself more than a destination here on Earth. Where you are now...are you closer to GOD, or have you spent more time complaining about?  

My encouragement to you in closing is sure you are not where you were, and maybe where you are right now is difficult, but realize what the Israelites missed.....1) GOD was with them day and night as He is with you.  2) GOD delivered you from something, someone, or somewhere that was possibly god-awful if that's the case give thanks, and praise for where you are.   3) Lastly, focus more on developing your relationship with Him on the journey so that the final destination doesn't become more important than your relationship with Him.  So no matter what you simply enjoy being where ever He is.  LGLP365

REMEMBER THE OUTCOME: I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!

Then another message came to me from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: 2 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem! Zech. 8:1

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west.  Zech. 8:6-7

In all of Hollywood Box Office splendor this latest installment of the Mission Impossible series in no shape, form, or fashion disappointed the avid or occasional movie goer.  It begins like many of them do with what seems to be an impossible set of circumstances, with a few ordinarily extraordinary characters, in the midst of a conflict.  This isn't much different than this account of the the people of Jerusalem and Judah who had bee under oppression, and were coming to the end of when GOD spoke to them to remind them of HIS LOVE for HIS PEOPLE, and COMMITMENT to caring for them, and blessing them.

This week for me has been a constant reminder of the importance of KNOWING THE STORY (GOD's WORD), so that you know what to expect.   You can't help but be at a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE movie knowing that the impossible will be made possible.  The same applies to those that live in this world, sometimes, often times, completely unaware that in the spiritual realm GOD's armies are staving off and defeating forces of wickedness that seek to end your life.  I'd like to share with you a few of my personal reflections of what was cloaked as a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE week, that like the move.....I know how this ends, and to GOD BE THE GLORY!

I learned that a leader that is committed to learning blesses those that he/she or leading, and they all benefit and get better. 

I re-learned that LOVE CONQUERS all.....1Cor.13:8

I learned that (just like in the movie) you can't say yes to everything, and you really need to consider praying since you will inevitably have to say no to someone or something to do what maybe most important.

I re-learned don't judge a book by it's cover, because those that you think are against you, maybe your strongest allies. 

I re-learned 1Peter 5:5-7 again:  In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”[a]

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 

I re-learned the sharpness of GOD's word (Heb.4:12) and how it will pierce hearts, as well divide soul & spirits, as well as destroy even hatred. 

I was also reminded that all of the successes as well as failures that occurred this GOD, like a faithful father, was there for all of it.  The successes I experienced were simply because of HIS SPIRIT, HIS ANOINTING being upon me.  The failures reminded me of my need for him, and the frailty of my flesh.  

The prayers of a righteous man(woman) avails much! (So appreciative of those that pray for me, my family, and God's bride)  James 5:16

As I prepare for my Sabbath rest, I go into it knowing....that I am to LOVE GOD and LOVE PEOPLE in all I do.  THIS IS HIS MISSION TO ME, TO US, if we choose to accept.   #LGLP365

SON OF A.........ENCOURAGER (ENCOURAGEMENT)

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. ³³ The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. ³⁴ There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them ³⁵ and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
³⁶ For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”).  Acts 4:32-36

So imagine this....you are shadowing Peter and John who had recently got released from the joint (jail) and they gather with other believers to tell of their adventure, and how they suffered for the sake of spreading the Gospel.   There  is no weeping or wailing, but rather a celebration of the saints that count it a joy to suffer for the ADVANCEMENT of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.  Following their account they go in, NO REALLY GO IN(to) prayer thanking and asking GOD boldness to preach His word, that they may perform miracles, signs, and wonders through Jesus.   After this prayer the place they were in shook, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they began preaching with boldness......WOW...but wait for it.

Because of the Spirit uniting those in attendance in heart and mind, they felt what they owned was not their own.   Let's stop here, because I think this where we disconnect.   Pastors all over the globe (some in places where preaching can cost them their lives.) pray for the boldness of the Holy Spirit and let's just say offering & or sign ups for (you fill in the blank) aren't as favorable as GOD would have it.  WHY is that?  Could it be that we aren't united in heart and mind?   Could it be that a few people are so they endeavor to REACH and do?  Could it be that we spend too much time being skeptical vs. simply Giving Ourselves & Our Possessions away?

I find it phenomenal that ALL THE BELIEVERS were united.  Following the their feelings of sharing EVERYTHING they had...that GOD's BLESSINGS was upon them ALL.  So you have a BODY that is selling out for the advancement of GOD's kingdom and then Joseph being in the assembly, having heard the prayer....that was a prayer of/for COURAGE comes in obedience to GOD and gets named....not the son of courage, but the SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT!

Courage:  the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous.
Encourage:  to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident


How cool is that....they prayed for the ability to do something (preaching, teaching, healing, miracles) that was dangerous, and God blessed them with someone with His spiritual DNA to make them more

determined, more hopeful, more confident in what He's called, and calling them to do!   I don't know about you.....but this is what WE ALL NEED!  An Encourager is a DIFFERENCE MAKER!   While we can all use one here's what the WORD OF GOD SAYS to each of us:

Eph 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

1Thess. 5:14  Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

Hebrews 10:25  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

All I'm simply saying is Barnabas was an ordinary guy, that believed in an Extraordinary God an encouraged others by his actions.....we can all use a little extra encouragement, and GOD calls us to do so.  I  know some people that's their gift, but just because it may not be your gift doesn't mean you can't make it a discipline to do so.  WHO WILL YOU REACH OUT to and ENCOURAGE today? LGLP365

CAN I BE SPIRITUAL W/O Engaging in CHURCH FELLOWSHIP

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Matt. 16:18)

 

 

Pictured above is and was my first exposure to "church" as it were growing up as a little kid.  The name on the building isn't as important as the impression and foundation that had been laid in me as a curious sponge of a boy.   It was here that I spent most if not all of my Sunday.  It was here I experienced the strange thing of "speaking in tongues."  It was here that I was reminded that "kids were to seen, not heard."  It was here I saw my grandmother & aunt serve as ushers.  It was here I wondered, " do they have to breathe heavy as they are closing their message?"    It was here I wondered " I will I ever understand what they are speaking/preaching/teaching about?"  It was here that I remember zoning out between Sunday school & morning worship....because it seemed to be BORING!  It was here that I that I remember hearing juicy gossip about the deacons, the mothers, and anyone else that came in.   It was also here that I learned to detest (almost to the point of hate) this institution but someone deposited a seed of the love of JESUS CHRIST in me although I didn't even know what that was.

 

Why tell you all this.....?  Because had I not been brought up in this dysfunctional body I'm certain I wouldn't be where I am today.   See the verse above was stated by JESUS CHRIST, and it was the first mentioning of the word CHURCH.   It was the Ekklesia (church) is where Christ wanted the broken of this world to come to learn and know about Him and in turn become a koinia (fellowship) where together we'd be the CHURCH ALIVE.   The CHURCH ALIVE in the sense that because of His Spirit in us we'd BE THE BRIDE, THE CHURCH HE's coming back for. 

Often because of the very things I experienced as a child up above we as a culture have opted out of church.  Their gossiping outside the walls of the church, who wants to be a part of that?   I had a young lady that came to the oil change that was a PK ( Pastor's Kid) that was done with the hypocrisy and couldn't understand the preached word, I can think of other things one may want to do with their time.    But not just going to one, but even becoming one.   Let me explain how....If the seed (JESUS CHRIST) that was planted in me never got watered & challenged by people of FAITH it would've simply shriveled up or choked out and died.   This is where some people who grew up being made to go to church are.....they've given up on going, and by giving up on going, they aren't becoming the church either.   See Christ's idea of us developing into this thing called the church meant it was to be done around other like-minded believers.   Others that would challenge us in our areas of lack.  Others that would challenge us to see what the WORD of GOD says about how we are to engage foreigners.  Others that would challenge us what does the word of GOD say about loving our neighbors and what does that look like.   Others that would love us when we didn't deserve to be loved because they too were once there.  Others that would challenge us in our marriages seeking happiness over the prescribed holiness.   Others......Others.....Others.....see one doesn't become what CHRIST intended without warming pews, seats, or rubbing shoulders with other broken individuals.

 

So to answer the question....is NO!  In order to be & grow  in your spiritually that isn't done in the context of books, or videos.   That's done in the context of being in the community (koinia) of others that desire to grow in the Spirit of Christ so that together they get to enjoy blessing the world with the FRUITS of His Spirit.  LGLP (see you tomorrow for shaping of our spiritual life) 

FRANTIC LIVES: SAVED FROM and FOR

²⁹ But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. ³⁰ That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. ³¹ When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses. Ex. 14:29-31

 

Then God gave the people all these instructions:

² “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

³ “You must not have any other god but me  Ex. 20:1-3

 

Can you imagine what it would be like to be born into slavery?  Not ever knowing what it means to live free?  Your parents, parents were slaves, and all you ever knew was being told what to do, when to do it, how to do it, when to eat, when to sleep.....and seeing friends, and family members treated harshly?   Some of which were killed by their masters for the most trivial of things.   Watching your mother or sisters sexually assaulted and being powerless to do anything, because you have watched what happens when someone rose up in opposition. 

 

The Israelites, God's chosen people, had chosen against GOD and found themselves under the heavy hand of Pharaoh serving many different gods, and after a turn of events Moses appears on the scene offering them something that they had only heard of, some dreamt of....freedom.  I don't know about you, but freedom would be scarier than being in captive, which is the mindset of some inmates that have been institutionalized over half of their lives.   They don't know what it means to pay bills, be responsible for their day, to exist in a society where someone isn't watching your every move and breathing down your neck....but GOD instructed Moses to lead his people out of captivity into FREEDOM, the wilderness and then into the promise land.

 

I don't know what prison you have been in...but is it possible that you have to, developed an institutional mindset about being FREE from:  DRUGS, ALCOHOL, PORN, CUTTING, LYING, STEALING, PHYSICAL/VERBAL/MENTAL/EMOTIONAL/SEXUAL ABUSE, ETC....whatever it is GOD offers each of us FREEDOM because HIS SON JESUS CHRIST paid that debt, and wants you  in a right relationship with the FATHER.  But GOD didn't whisk the Israelites across the RED SEA...they had to WALK, and upon them taking those steps of faith...HE KNEW THEY HAD NO IDEA about what it meant to be FREE, so He blessed Moses with the Commandments, and the first of them was HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME!

See what GOD wanted them to remember was that HE was the ONE who saved them from another year, another decade, another generation of slavery.   The purpose in freeing them, and bringing them into the WILDERNESS was JUST SO that before bringing them into the PROMISE LAND was so that they'd develop a WORSHIPFUL LOVE RELATIONSHIP with the very ONE that delivered them.   The same applies to each of us....HE OFFERS FREEDOM in JESUS CHRIST if we'd take a few steps of FAITH in HIS direction.   Some of us have been so accustomed to being enslaved to ___________________________ (also known as other gods) that we have hesitated at the opportunity to be free.

 

So each day that we are graced to see.....There is an open door that GOD offers to us all, and if you really desire to be free....STEP ONE after taking that walk is making sure that GOD is FIRST!  LGLP