Based on Acts 1:3-7 ...
Remember the ways and times God has proved His power in our lives. Don't doubt the work of God in our life. That's our story to share with the help of His Spirit to others!
If we are promised a new gift (Holy Spirit), why just settle for what we already have? Hold onto our salvation and public identification of a Christ-follower through baptism, but GO AFTER the new gift. Then share your story with others! As a witness, we must maintain our credibility as a witness in our daily walk of life out in the world. Don't give chance for Satan and the world to poke holes in our story!
Thank God ... the format of the service changed a bit yesterday. Started with a worship song and then the Word and closed with worship. The worship time was awesome, people were just enjoying the presence of God. Few people said they haven't experienced that before or in a long time. Praise God!
Found out afterwards that the last song was spur of the moment. God touched our hearts!
Enjoy The Ride,
Cecil
Monday, March 21, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Crumbs of Love
What do we do with the crumbs of food that fall to the tabletop or floor? We throw it away ... hopefully! Or maybe the dog comes walking by and licks it up for a quick snack. Something we have no use for or see as "crumbs" might be someone else's 1-course snack and dinner. I'm going to encourage you to read Matthew 15:21-28.
Are we like the foreigner woman that was restrained from getting to Jesus because she was seen as a "dog" in the minds of Jesus' disciples? She was being told by the so-called followers of Jesus that she had no right to be near Jesus.
Are we like the disciples thinking we can be selfish with Jesus by keeping Him to ourselves? What's really going on in our minds when a truly desperate soul is in search for hope and salvation? Do we label folks as they're not good enough to have "my" Jesus?
Jesus went to that lady's hometown not just to heal the lady's daughter but to teach his followers that He not only came for those of Israel but for people of all backgrounds. It didn't matter the race, ethnicity, class, gender, education level, etc... He came to seek and save the lost!
For those of us who have experienced His salvation have had the 5-course dinner because we have received His immense love. He gave it to us by dying on the cross for us and so we can be set free and have eternal life. Can we be generous enough to at least give some "crumbs" of love that we experienced to someone that we have in our life that needs some love in their life? The "crumb" that someone needs might be an encouraging word, a quick prayer, and listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a person to give them guidance. If those people can see that these crumbs are coming from the Master's table, it will give them faith, hope, deliverance, and healing all arenas of their life.
Let's make sure we're not holding the mindset of the "disciples" of Jesus. We are to be a WITNESS to all people!
Enjoy the Ride,
Cecil
Are we like the foreigner woman that was restrained from getting to Jesus because she was seen as a "dog" in the minds of Jesus' disciples? She was being told by the so-called followers of Jesus that she had no right to be near Jesus.
Are we like the disciples thinking we can be selfish with Jesus by keeping Him to ourselves? What's really going on in our minds when a truly desperate soul is in search for hope and salvation? Do we label folks as they're not good enough to have "my" Jesus?
Jesus went to that lady's hometown not just to heal the lady's daughter but to teach his followers that He not only came for those of Israel but for people of all backgrounds. It didn't matter the race, ethnicity, class, gender, education level, etc... He came to seek and save the lost!
For those of us who have experienced His salvation have had the 5-course dinner because we have received His immense love. He gave it to us by dying on the cross for us and so we can be set free and have eternal life. Can we be generous enough to at least give some "crumbs" of love that we experienced to someone that we have in our life that needs some love in their life? The "crumb" that someone needs might be an encouraging word, a quick prayer, and listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a person to give them guidance. If those people can see that these crumbs are coming from the Master's table, it will give them faith, hope, deliverance, and healing all arenas of their life.
Let's make sure we're not holding the mindset of the "disciples" of Jesus. We are to be a WITNESS to all people!
Enjoy the Ride,
Cecil
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
You & The ABC's
The ABCs of Personal Involvement in the Great Commission
(Matthew 28:19 & 20)
A – Affirm urgency of Great Commission.
B – Believe in Holy Spirit enablement.
C – Confess Christ with biblical authority.
D – Develop skills to witness effectively.
E – Engage in forming receptive relationships.
F – Form faith to visualize transformation.
G – Gain respect with convincing dedication.
H – Hold firmly to spiritual values.
I – Inspire by demonstrating consistency.
J – Join forces with other believers.
K – Kneel prayerfully for impact opportunities.
L – Learn contagious ways to relate.
M – Magnify fruit of church life.
N – Nurture friendships for spiritual growth.
O – Offer assistance for special needs.
P – Partner with pastor in mission.
Q – Question hesitation to express faith.
R – Respond to questions and misunderstandings.
S – Spotlight the blessings of salvation.
T – Touch with acts of kindness.
U – Utilize every method of evangelism.
V – Volunteer for community service projects.
W – Witness with tact and wisdom.
X – X-press confidence in conversion results.
Y – Yield to Holy Spirit promptings.
Z – Zero in on positive outreach possibilities.
. . . .
© 2011 Church of God World Missions
Monday, March 7, 2011
Vision Sunday...New Service Updates
Thanking God for He is great and faithful! Great teams in different ministry areas are crucial! Be blessed!
Enjoy the Ride,
Cecil
Monday, February 28, 2011
This Is My Story
There’s a principle in church ministry that states that any ministry should have volunteers from the church to lead and handle the whole idea of the specific ministry. Until then, the ministry should not start. You wait until people with a passion and gifts to lead a children’s ministry to start a Kids Korner Explorers (ages 3-6) and now to launch the next phase of children's ministry - Discovery Kidz (ages 7-12). Now is the time for these things and more as seen in the timing of God.
When we trust in God to open the doors, allow Him to inspire the hearts of the people, and let Him raise up volunteers, leaders, and behind-the-scenes worker, the road ahead will be worth the journey.
It is similar to the journey we as individuals and families take in life. As I look back on my three-plus decades of life here in New York, there are ups, downs, victories, defeats, surprises, embarrassments, and learning experiences. As you enter each new stage in life you quickly realize it comes with a new set of responsibilities and expectations.
The college years you experience freedom that you can exploit for your own demise or you can capitalize the opportunities to build your future. After getting that degree and landing that job – where in this economic state of the country might be hard to do – you feel the pressure of having to find a spouse. (That’s a whole other post.) You get married and start your family life and wear the husband/wife hat. Up to this point, most of us have only worried about our self-preservation and maintenance. After getting married you realize there is someone else’s well-being you are mandated to care for. Then comes the greatest joy and responsibility – being a parent.
Each stage presents its own challenges and questions. Which college do I select? Which major/profession do I pursue? Which company do I work for? Do I stay in New York or move out of state? What am I looking for in a spouse? Where do we live? How do we pay the mortgage?
Each stage has its highlights. You get the scholarship to your first choice college. You graduate with honors and have a job lined up. You get promoted. You get engaged, married, and then comes a little bundle of joy. You become new homeowners.
I’m glad to say that God will only lead us where His grace can keep us. If we are in the will of God, just enjoy the ride. Even with all the bumps along the way, the journey is definitely worth it because you know that God’s hand is on your life.
There is one principle I try to live by which is to not stress or complain over things I cannot control but put my best effort into things I have influence over and trust God to do the rest. Let the defeats roll off your back and move forward. Learn the lesson from the experience and apply it if similar circumstances present themselves in your life. Don’t let the victories get to your head because pride comes before the fall (mom’s occasional advice). Learn from the victorious experiences as well – there are lessons there too. What did you do differently that gave you the victory? Hopefully, God is involved in the process.
Enjoying This Ride,
Cecil
When we trust in God to open the doors, allow Him to inspire the hearts of the people, and let Him raise up volunteers, leaders, and behind-the-scenes worker, the road ahead will be worth the journey.
It is similar to the journey we as individuals and families take in life. As I look back on my three-plus decades of life here in New York, there are ups, downs, victories, defeats, surprises, embarrassments, and learning experiences. As you enter each new stage in life you quickly realize it comes with a new set of responsibilities and expectations.
The college years you experience freedom that you can exploit for your own demise or you can capitalize the opportunities to build your future. After getting that degree and landing that job – where in this economic state of the country might be hard to do – you feel the pressure of having to find a spouse. (That’s a whole other post.) You get married and start your family life and wear the husband/wife hat. Up to this point, most of us have only worried about our self-preservation and maintenance. After getting married you realize there is someone else’s well-being you are mandated to care for. Then comes the greatest joy and responsibility – being a parent.
Each stage presents its own challenges and questions. Which college do I select? Which major/profession do I pursue? Which company do I work for? Do I stay in New York or move out of state? What am I looking for in a spouse? Where do we live? How do we pay the mortgage?
Each stage has its highlights. You get the scholarship to your first choice college. You graduate with honors and have a job lined up. You get promoted. You get engaged, married, and then comes a little bundle of joy. You become new homeowners.
I’m glad to say that God will only lead us where His grace can keep us. If we are in the will of God, just enjoy the ride. Even with all the bumps along the way, the journey is definitely worth it because you know that God’s hand is on your life.
There is one principle I try to live by which is to not stress or complain over things I cannot control but put my best effort into things I have influence over and trust God to do the rest. Let the defeats roll off your back and move forward. Learn the lesson from the experience and apply it if similar circumstances present themselves in your life. Don’t let the victories get to your head because pride comes before the fall (mom’s occasional advice). Learn from the victorious experiences as well – there are lessons there too. What did you do differently that gave you the victory? Hopefully, God is involved in the process.
Enjoying This Ride,
Cecil
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