Today’s Reading
Rev 18 – Rev 22

You made it!!!!! This has been a blessed ninety days; we have grown in leaps and bounds. Overcame great obstacles, climbed many mountains, swam through many oceans and seas and walked through valleys. Some days it felt like we were being beaten and crucified, yet we have triumphed through it all. During this journey we have uncovered so many mysteries and truths, but more importantly we have learned our God and now we can and will do great exploits. In today’s reading Revelation 22:7 it says “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book". So no matter what each day holds after these ninety days know that your dedication and sacrifice has not been in vain. Not only have you triumphed on Earth but you have triumphed in Heaven. Now it's not enough for us to just be hearers of this Word but now our charge from this day forth is to be Doers of this Word. We have no more excuses but we now have the POWER, Wisdom and Knowledge that we need to demonstrate and dominate in every area of life. This journey is not over but just beginning!!!!!  

I just want to speak a blessing over your life as we come to a close of these 90 days. Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. 

During these last 90 days if no one else has told you that they love you and that they believe you know that I do, and I will be praying for you every step of the way.

The Field Is Open run on and do great things ...I can't wait to see you at the REVIVAL then we all can celebrate together!!!!!  

HISTORICAL BOOKS  

Matthew: This book Presents Jesus as the Messiah, it gives the birth of Christ, His baptism, temptation and ministry. Also found is passage on future events. Presents Jesus as the Messiah. Genealogy of Jesus through Joseph. Fulfillment of O.T. prophecy  
 
Mark: Presents Jesus as the Servant This book was written for the Gentile and Roman readers. This book centers on Christ and the service of the believer to Him.1/3 of the gospel deals with the last week of His life.  
 
Luke: Presents Jesus as the Son of Man to seek and save the lost. Genealogy of Jesus through Mary. Largest of the gospels. The theme of this book is also Christ and gives us a view of the Christ’s compassion.   
 
John: Presents Jesus as God in flesh, the Christ, so that you might believe. This book deals mostly with the nature of Christ. It is a book about Him and about having faith in Him. He is the Son of God, yet He is hungry, thirsty, weary, felt pain, suffered death, and rose alive. John shows seven miracles of Christ: water into wine; the healing of the nobleman’s son; healing of the paralyzed person; feeding of the multitude; walking on water; opening the blind eyes and the rising of Lazarus from the dead. The Holy Spirit is spoken of and the new birth.  

Acts: This book talks of the gospel of Christ and it’s deliverance to the world. The book talks of Christianity in Jerusalem, Palestine and Syria. This is a record of the Apostles as they journeyed to various parts of the world to deliver the message of the Gospel.  
 
Romans: This book is a book of justification by faith and what happens if faith is not present. The righteousness of God is shown and many things are discussed relating to Christianity. The confession of Christ as the Son of God grants salvation.  
 
PAULINE EPISTLES  
 
1st Corinthians: This is a letter written by Paul to the Corinthians. It deals with spirituality and morality. It speaks of the judgment seat of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s Supper, Love, gifts and resurrection.  
 
2nd Corinthians: This letter written by Paul to the Corinthians is to show the joy Paul had at the churches acceptance of his ministry and to give us some insight into Paul’s life. This letter also talks about giving.  

Galatians: Paul’s letter to the Galatians talks about justification by faith. There is only one way for man to come to God—accept the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  

Ephesians: This letter was written while Paul was in prison. This letter speaks of God’s purpose in establishing the Church of Christ. Christ is spoken of as the head of the church. The church is spoken of as the building and temple of God and the church as the bride of Christ.  
 
Philippians: Paul was in prison at the writing of this letter also. This book speaks of self-denial, giving up self for Christ; it speaks of the importance of prayer also. Praying always, and in all things giving thanks.  
 
Colossians: Paul also wrote this book in prison. This book talks about the importance and supreme nature of Christ. We can find all things in Christ. In Christ, we are drawn into union.  

1st Thessalonians: Paul speaks of his thankfulness to the church and talks about the rapture of the church, the last days and the day of the Lord.  
 
2nd Thessalonians: This letter by Paul was written because it seems that the church had misunderstood Paul’s first letter pertaining to the coming of the day of the Lord. Paul speaks out against the idle talkers and clears up the message pertaining to the day of the Lord in its relation to the present, the believers and unbelievers and exhorts the people to pray and stand in faithfulness and obedience.  

1st Timothy: The main idea of this book is for the believer to fight the good fight. We are told how to act in the house of God. Rules and structure is given for bishops, elders, and deacons of the church. The book speaks also of the last days and of caring for others and how to use money.  

2nd Timothy: Here in this book we are told how to be a good and faithful soldier of Christ. The book speaks of the last days, the inspiration of the Words of God and the crown of righteousness. This book calls us to be courageous, faithful, strong, and loyal servants to God.  

Titus: Here we have the qualifications for the elders, operation of the church and the duties of the minister. An exhortation to be wary of false teachings and the working of the Holy Spirit.  

Philemon: This letter is also one that was written while Paul was in prison. This is a very personal letter. It gives praise to Philemon, a plea, and pledge and speaks20of personal things concerning Philemon.  
 
NON PAULINE EPISTLES  

Hebrews: This book speaks of the greatness of Christ. A great salvation is given to us, as are the throne of grace and the intercession of Christ for the believer. This book also describes faith and gives a roll call of the heroes of faith.  

James: The book of James talks about the conduct of the believer. We are told how faith can work in our everyday life. Faith and works are the two main points of the book followed closely by the tongue and prayer for the sick.  

1st Peter: This book supposedly was written in Babylon (Rome) and is the depiction of the “true grace of God,” in the believer. This book tells us that grace includes security, submission, obedience, suffering, service, growth and love.  

2nd Peter: Here we see the inspiration of the scriptures and the assuredness of Christ’s second coming. The book talks of faith and false teachings. It gives the characteristics of false teachers and look at the future. 

1st John: This book is devoted to the welfare of the spiritual life of the believer. It is full of comparisons of dark to light, the love of the world and the love of God. It speaks of the children of God and the children of Satan. It speaks of the spirit of the antichrist and the Spirit of God. 

2nd John: The main idea in this book is to walk in the commandments of Christ. We are told to love one another, be cautious about false teachings and to walk in truth and love.  

3rd John: This is a personal letter addressed to Gaius. It speaks of godly living, the treatment of traveling ministers.  

Jude: Jude says that he is the author of this book and the brother of James, and half brother of Jesus. The purpose of the writing of this book is showing a defense of the faith developed by the apostles against the false teachings springing up in the churches. Jude exposes the false teachers and exhorts the believers.  

Revelation: Jesus Christ is the center of this book and this book is His revelation written by John. The book has four principal views or interpretations. 1) Preterist which is a view of prophecy as already being fulfilled. 2) Historical this is a portrayal of church history from the days of John to the end of time. 3) Idealist which is a picture of events as they are unfolding and in conflict. 4) Futurist which is a view of the majority of the book having not yet happened. The book is one that is to be understood by those desiring to read it and gain it's wisdom.

You have now been Empowered now I charge you to go and Empower someone else.....  "To Change the World you must first start by Empowering and Impacting a LIFE"
 

Today’s Reading
Jude – Revelation 17
 
Yesterday we hit a milestone mark in our journey to completing the bible in 90 days. I have been interacting with you through this blog for the whole process and never have we had a response like the one for the Internet Altar. It said to me several things; one is that the body of Christ is truly going through travail in this hour in a real way. The other is that healing is happening on many levels. Last night when we gathered for bible study, the spirit of intercession hovered over us like a cloud. It was almost as if the prayers going up were being met in mid air with the prayers that were coming down .Amazingly, quite a few wrote yesterday with no prompting that you wanted to continue and that this journey has been a lifeline and a vitamin source that has become apart of your everyday journey. You ought not to look at this as an ending but rather a beginning. I find it intriguing that when you have come to the end of a prescribed course work that they don't call it a conclusion but rather a commencement which is a beginning. As we come to the end of our reading, it’s not our conclusion but rather our beginning. Our reading today makes it abundantly clear.
 
A book that is often ignored and overlooked and easily passed is the book of Jude. It’s the next to the last book in the bible and consists of only one chapter with 25 verses. It's a letter of admonishment, encouragement and direction. You can tell by its reading that Jude has a heart of a pastor. He encourages us in verse 3 to fight and keep our faith. In verses 5-7 he almost verbatim echoes the sentiment of 2 Peter by reminding us what happens to those who take God’s grace for granted. In verse 9 he gives and shows us that even in death there's a fight for us. Your stock has to go up knowing the devil wants you dead or alive! In verse 17 Jude tells us to remember the prophecies and promises over our lives. In verse 20 he tells us to build ourselves up in prayer as we did on yesterday because there is yet a journey in front of us to be climbed. Then he gives us marching orders in verse 21-23 "Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh". That seems to be the end of the sermon but Jude has something even more profound to say he declares a benediction in verses 24-25 "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen". When I give the benediction on Sundays and Tuesday nights, it marks the end of the service. Therefore it would seem appropriate that this is the end! Its not! Turn the page and you see...the revelation. My point is this, as we come to the end of our 90 days, get ready for the revelation. God is going to show you a revelation about your gifts, your future, your finance your family and your call. There are those who are gonna come behind you in this 90 day process who will need a little encouragement like we found from our friend Jude. I want them to know what revelations you have received on this journey. Only bear and keep in mind that greater is coming later!

Today's Reading
James 3 - 3 John
 
Over the last 85 days we have grown together as a family in a very real way. We have fasted together, we have cried together, we have changed, developed and matured. As we come to the end of this journey I feel compelled to open up the altar for prayer. There are countless numbers of you who are going through some serious tight spots and challenges and it’s my earnest prayer that you do no conclude these 90 days the same way you started.
 
 13Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.
 
 14Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
 
 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
 
 16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:13-16
 
 Today, I along with my staff want to pray with you and over you. I believe in the power of the word and I believe in the power of prayer. Make your prayer needs and concerns known today and we will be lifting up the situation on this Internet altar. All day I charge you to pray one for another and to believe that God is going to do his perfect work. The text says pray for those who are sick, so in all intensive purposes we aren't limiting the prayer to just physical sickness but whatever it is you might be sick of...the altar is now open! You may submit your request.

Today’s Reading
Heb 1 – James 2
 
For those who were not in the 9:30 service yesterday, my spirit compels me to repeat to you an illustration that the Holy Spirit gave to me. In the sermon entitled, "I Tried To Keep It Together" from Acts 27, I spoke about the frustration that one experiences when you are on track to do the will of the master but things aren't going at the pace that you desire. Paul is trying to make his way to see the ruler in order to lend his testimony and the boat he's on seems to be going just a mile a minute. It would seem plausible for things to go slow when you have no direction or clear cut destiny. All the more intolerable to know you have somewhere to go but the pace you are keeping isn't commensurate. The job offers aren't coming yet you know you aren't lazy but qualified and industrious. The dates aren't coming when God has gifted you to be a great mate. The ministry opportunities just aren't there and you have a gift in you that must be shared! Paul tells us that things weren't going good until a storm came and the storm was precipitated by wind. Strangely and ironically it was the wind and storm that got the ship to pick up the pace and begin to move. Sometimes it’s your storm that will give you the push you need to make it. I shared with the congregants of Empowerment Temple on yesterday that in my travels to the West Coast both to preach and to visit my parents. I discovered that its quicker going out to the west coast than it is to fly back to the East Coast. Then I remembered the pilot on one occasion announcing that we were making it in ahead of schedule because a tail wind was pushing us! What a revelation to know that there was a wind pushing us and assisting us not just to make it but to make it ahead of schedule. 
 
Imagine my heart leap when I rose this morning to do today’s reading and can’t get any further than Hebrews 7: 4 where it said in clause A,"He makes his angels winds!" Put your foot on the break. God makes his angels the wind! That changes everything! I've got to go back and reevaluate all that I have read over the past 80 days. That insight helps me to better understand the story of Ezekiel when the Lord took him to the valley of dry bones and the Lord asked him could the bones live and he retorted back, Lord thou knowest. In return God told him to prophesy to the bones and the bones began to come together because of the wind angels. So angels are assisting in bringing together the fragmented areas of my life. What about when the prophet was on the run and in a mountain nook looking and listening for God and an earthquake came but God wasn’t in the earthquake then the wind but God wasn't in the wind (angels) that would call us a biblical tug of war because don't forget Satan is a fallen angel so maybe the wind that came by on that dog day afternoon was the presence of something very ungodly. Don't get it twisted! What about those who sat by the pool waiting on the troubling of the water, or the wind from an angel to cause a wave so one might get healed. Or even the instance where the disciples were caught in a tempestuous storm but Jesus said to the wind and the waves, peace be still. It makes sense now that the angels had to follow the orders of their boss. So when we get to Acts 27, Paul made progress on that ship because of the aid and assistance of the angels. 
 
Whenever there's a hot and humid day you hope for just a fresh wind to lend some relief. I pray right now for you that on this day under the relentless heat of your everyday travels you will experience a fresh wind (visitation of angels) I'm going right now to turn off my air and open the windows in hopes that angels will come through my house and carry a breath of fresh air!
 

Today’s Reading
1 Thes 1 – Philemon
  
On a memorable September night in 1985 at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, Pete Rose transformed his baseball career into something legendary. With hit number 4,192, Rose passed Ty Cobb to become baseball's career leader in hits. At the time, Rose - who played so hard he was nicknamed Charlie Hustle and was a cinch to be elected to the baseball Hall of Fame. But four years later, Rose was banned from the sport after an investigation found he had gambled thousands of dollars on baseball games as a player and a manager for the Cincinnati Reds. Rose said he "made some mistakes" but denied betting on baseball.  
 
In 2002 during the World Series game the commissioner introduced Pete Rose back to the baseball fans and all that could be heard in the stadium was a loud, long ovation and the public chanting Hall Of Fame! Hall of Fame! With their applause and their chant, those fans were stating that they had forgiven Pete Rose for his betting behavior as the Cincinnati Reds' manager. And more important, they were telling the Major League Baseball commission to take him back because he had learned his lesson and “People Do Change.”  
 
In today’s reading we read the books of Thessalonians and Philemon.  Philemon is a little Book with a big lesson. Paul teaches Philemon about forgiveness, the foundation of Christianity. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon asking him to forgive his slave, Onesimus for running away. Philemon was probably a wealthy member of the Church at  Colosse. This epistle was not a public document for the Colossians, though. It was a personal letter to Philemon. It was to be shared with Philemon’s home church, a small group of believers who met in Philemon’s home, as it is also addressed to people other than Philemon. Written about 60 A.D. during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, the letter instructs us about forgiveness and accepting our fellow Christians as our equals not matter what their perceived class might be. The homeless man in the mission shelter is as much our equal in Christ as the wealthiest member of the congregation. This is the teaching, but not often the practice.

Onesimus stole from Philemon when he ran away. He ran to Rome where he learned of Paul and had the opportunity to hear Paul preach. Onesimus was converted to Christianity and faced a serious challenge in his new life. He knew that he had to set the account straight with Philemon, but risked the penalty of death for his crimes. Paul intervened on the behalf of Onesimus by sending this epistle to Philemon through Onesimus. A mere 26 verses long, the letter still manages to pack a strong punch. The Book of Philemon is a work of applied Christianity.  Paul wisely opens his letter to Philemon with a reminder that he is a prisoner. He has an understanding of Onesimus’ position as a slave.  Paul makes no social commentary on the ethic of owning slaves, but he does gently remind Philemon that he is a captive, too. (Vs. 1 and Vs. 9) Paul does make it clear that Christianity can never sanction slavery. Christ came to set the captives free and make Christians equal. In verses 16 and 17 Paul urges Philemon to receive Onesimus as his brother rather than his servant. Even though Onesimus had stolen from Philemon, Paul tells him to receive him back as he would because People do Change. Paul formerly known as Saul who was the ex Murderer and chief  persecutor of the church now turned chief Apostle and author of the majority of the New Testament was a first hand witness and product of that!!!!!!!  
 
There is an age old saying that a Leopard can’t change its spots (Jeremiah 13:23) other wise known as "People don’t Change”. The saying “people don’t change” is harmful and one of the most untruthful statement made because it denies the possibility of redemption. There is something profound about the redeemed. The man who’s experienced the lowest level of existence and conquered his personal demons has an empathy that’s lacking in more saintly people. In a society supposedly built on the Christian doctrine of forgiveness it’s remarkable how eager we are to label people as permanent degenerates. Circumstance and hard ship lead many good people to do foolish things. To say those mistakes are irredeemable is hypocritical. If the world considered only your most depraved moments, how would you be judged? People do change. We make every decision for the first time with no obligation to the past. If we control anything, we control our own thoughts and behavior.  If we can improve anything, it should be ourselves. So today before you judge someone or decided to hold something against them take a look at the man in the mirror "YOURSELF". Look how far you have come, look how you have grown, look at the wrongs you have made right, look at the smile that once was a frown, look at the joy in your heart that once was full of sorrow, look at the old bitter heart that is now open to give and receive love and most of all look at the old sinner that is now saved by God’s precious grace. So before you decide to throw someone away and cut them off forever, just remember people will NEVER be perfect but People Do Change. Because you DID!!!!!!!  

Today’s Reading
Galatians 4 – Colossians 4
 
I'm headed to the airport in Durham, North Carolina after preaching in Kinston, North Carolina last night. On Thursday I was in Mansfield, Ohio an hour outside of Columbus, Ohio preaching for one of my sons in the ministry to try to give him support in the community in which he has been assigned. On Wednesday I was in Tampa, Florida preaching for the Family Feast conference sponsored by the Church of God. Tuesday due to some demanding business meetings in Washington, DC I wasn't able to make it back for Bible study. This morning I woke up with a tremendous heaviness of heart not out of fatigue or weariness but about the welfare of those whom I have been assigned to pastor. In the age in which we live in multi tasking has become the norm for our times. People are continuously on the phone, working on computers, while watching television, cooking and attending to their families. Amidst all of that you have to be intentional to keep the main thing the main thing. The Lord has blessed me to have the capacity to do many thing, operate as the head of a family, evangelize, lecture, business, write books, mentor, preach, blog, cast vision and administrate but above all I'm clear that the main call on my life is to pastor. It matters not what arenas, halls, stadiums or convention centers I’m blessed to preach in, there is no greater desire than seeing the people I've been entrusted to pastor at 4217 Primrose—Empowerment Temple.
 
I hope today you will take a moment and assess as well as prioritize what is the main thing you are supposed to be doing in this season of your life. I'm confident that you are gifted in many areas but what is your main thing. Our staff is one of the most gifted in the planet but the beauty of them all is that they all know there main thing .Jesus could heal the sick, raise the dead, feed the multitude, walk on water, teach from sun up to sundown, restore sight to the blind and make the lame walk; however he was clear that the main thing He was set on this earth to do was to die on the cross. Your main thing may be killing you but if it’s what you were born to do, you will rise again.
 
In our reading today in Ephesians, Paul exposes his true heart: he's a mentor, a Bishop, a writer, a motivator, a Theologian but at his heart he's a pastor. Listen to his prayer in Ephesians 3:14-20. What he prayed for the church at Ephesus is the same thing I pray for all of you. 
 
 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[a] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[b] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. —New Living Translation

I asked one of my staff members this week to take on an additional assignment and they graciously and respectfully declined saying, "pastor I've got to keep the main thing the main thing" Even at the risk of turning something's down next week keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing
 

Today’s Reading
1 Cor 15 – Gal 3

The whole world this morning is tuned into the Olympics waiting to see if Michael Phelps is going to break and make history by acquiring an astounding eight gold medals. Athletic enthusiast from every field are awaiting to see if in there life time they will be witnessing what many journalist believe is the greatest athlete to live in the 21st century. In 1972, Mark Spitz won seven gold medals setting the stage and the standard by which Michael Phelps is being judged. Interestingly enough when Mark Spitz broke the record Michael Phelps wasn't even born. On the cover of this mornings USA TODAY, Vicki Michaels wrote that she doesn't believe that what Michael Phelps is going to accomplish will be topped anytime soon. She argues passionately that the key to his success are many including his form, the structure by which he approaches the sport, his height, he measures up to 6'5”. His diversity, most swimmers are good in one area such as relay or 100 meters but Mike dominates in all. What is all the more awe inspiring is the fact that he not only wins but every time he competes he breaks his own record. Having won his 6th gold medal last night we all sit by the bleachers of our bedrooms expecting that....it’s coming!
 
 The book of Galatians is an intriguing treatise of theology. It’s light on narrative but heavy on proposition. In chapter 2 it argues and articulates our being justified by faith. Assessing that we ought to all be dead but for the grace of God and the sacrifice of Christ we are all yet still here. In chapter 3 he helps us to understand that where we are as recipients of Grace is not because of the law because we all have broken the law(of the old testament), its not by works because the work we do for the kingdom still doesn't qualify us for the gift of his grace. But rather and instead it is because of our faith. Our power to believe in Him is the most powerful tool and weapon that we have at our disposal that is grossly under used. In verse 22 the dissertation on faith begins to intensify when it states, "the scripture imprisoned everything under since that the promise of faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.” Just to know that your sin got sent to prison without parole because you have been reading through the bible over these 90 days. 
 
In verse 23, it says before faith came we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. For those who have been feeling bogged and stifled by circumstances and situations hold on, your new faith is coming. When the faith you have been stretching for, reading for, praying about and travailing through arrives, the bonds will be broken! In verse 25 the last verse we are to read for today makes a declaration that all of us need to read and remember, YOUR NEW FAITH IS HERE!!!!! All this time you’ve been hearing in church about it coming, wait on it, the word for today is that its here! Just before it gets here in verse 24 it states our guardian Jesus came that we might be justified.
 
Take delight knowing you are anointed to be like Michael Phelps, this year you are going to break all your old records, pray more, study more, have more discipline. You have to get to 8 medals because 8 is the number of new beginnings and its time for you to have a fresh start. Your structure and form of your life is getting ready to change. You are history in the making. Tell the atmosphere, ITS COMING!...Keep in mind what ever feats you accomplish its because of a sacrifice made before you got here, no its not Mark Spitz but because of Jesus Christ. Get ready to get the gold this weekend. Don't doubt it, because by faith ...IT’S COMING!
 

Today’s Reading
Romans 15 – 1 Cor 14
 
 
Last night I was preaching in Tampa, Florida my armor bearer was walking very slow and was in excruciating pain due to a toe injury he had received while we were in the Bahamas. As a consequence, his doctor told him to wear soft bottom shoes. Unfortunately he didn't have any soft bottom dress shoes for service last night so he decided to wear his hard bottom dress shoes. He chose fashion over comfort. This in turn had him walking less than two miles an hour and limping. Unfortunately, he was in no position at all to help me with my needs. This would have never happened if he would have had on the right shoes. The Doctor never told him that the soft bottom shoes would totally alleviate his pain but they would minimize it. This morning many of you are faced with what pair of shoes to wear—the soft bottom shoes made for comfort and safety (The Pain of Discipline) or the hard bottom shoes made for fashion only (The Pain of Regret). No matter what pair you decide to wear they both are GONNA HURT, one will just last longer and the other one will be better for you in the long run!!!!! 
 
 In today’s reading we have finished the book of Romans and entered the first book of Corinthians. The Apostle Paul started the church in Corinth. A few years after leaving the church, the Apostle Paul heard some disturbing reports about the Corinthians church (CHURCH DRAMA). The church was full of pride, the church was excusing sexual
immorality, spiritual gifts were being used improperly, and there was rampant misunderstanding of key Christian doctrines. The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in an attempt to restore the Corinthian church to its foundation – Jesus Christ.  
 
The Corinthian church was plagued by divisions. The believers in Corinth were dividing into groups loyal to certain spiritual leaders (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:1-6). Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers to be united because of devotion to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). The Corinthian believers were essentially approving of an immoral relationship (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul commanded them to expel the wicked man from the church (1 Corinthians 5:13). The Corinthian believers were taking each other to court (1 Corinthians 6:1-2). Paul taught the Corinthians that it would be better to be taken advantage of than to damage your Christian testimony (1 Corinthians 6:3-8). Paul gave the Corinthian church instructions on marriage and celibacy (1 Corinthians chapter 7), food sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians chapters 8 and 10), Christian freedom (1 Corinthians chapter 9), the veiling of women (1 Corinthians 11:1-16), the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34), spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians chapters 12-14). He urged them to grow up it the things of God and not to give up, but to discipline themselves and to forget about the pain that comes with following the teachings of Christ, because a greater Hope awaited them.  

Today I want you to take a moment and think about the sum total of everything you’re currently doing to improve your life, family, relationship with God or business. Think of every detail you can, the level of effort, the sweat, the time—everything. Now think about if you don’t do it. Think about the lives that will never be touched and changed, think about the dreams that will never be accomplished, think about the businesses that will never get started, and think about the company that will never have the first Christian CEO. Think about the magazine covers that your photo will be missing from and most of all think about the REGRET you will feel. So today whether you decide to continue on the road to accomplish the destiny God has for your life or whether you decide to throw up your hands and walk away: no matter what you decide "IT'S GONNA HURT" but the Pain of Discipline only weighs ounces and last for a little while but the Pain of Regret weighs Tons and can last forever!!!!!!!!  

Today’s Reading
Acts 28 – Romans 14

There is a universal law of cause and effect that all of us rest under in the earth. Every action is going to produce a reaction. Seemingly, the children of God act oblivious to this rule. Bishop Rudolph Mckissick shared while preaching in the Bahamas last week that we want the presents from God but we shun the process. As you go through your day just about everything, you touch and encounter a process that no doubt has to be painful. The orange juice you drank this morning came out of oranges being crushed. The coffee from Starbucks began as coffee beans that were grinded and then subjected to intense heat. The diamonds you wear began as coal but had to endure immense pressure in order to get its shine on. I dare not even go into what you’re going to eat today at the risk of many of you becoming instant vegetarians!

Paul in Romans chapter 5 attempts to hold our hands at the doctor’s office knowing that the needle is coming from behind the doctor’s back. But if we remain steady for the shot, we won’t go into shock! The things he expounds in relationship to the process and promise of cause and effect aren’t popular in the western world church culture because we want the gain without the pain, a resurrection without a crucifixion. In verse 3 he says, rejoice in your suffering. Quite a difficult task if you ask me but nonetheless, when you are suffering as many of us are today, its not just about the bill, the health concern, the family matter, the oppressive job, but rejoice in it knowing something’s coming out of it you. You are not suffering for nothing! You are rejoicing because your suffering is teaching you endurance. You are stronger now because of things that you have been through. Now you have a greater tolerance for pain and problems than you used to. Things that would have crippled you before don’t have the same impact because you now know how to endure.

In verse 4 of chapter 5, Paul gives us the insight that the process is far from over in that one step. Endurance is going to turn into something else—character. Your reputation is what people think of you in public, your character is who you are in private. God isn’t interested in our reputation but in our character. What impresses people matters not to the Master. Who are you when nobody is looking? What would you do and what decisions will you make if you know you won’t get caught? What kind of Christian are you behind closed doors? Once you have character it produces hope. That then says to us you can’t have hope if you have no character. Barack Obama is an awesome prototype of the audacity of hope. His character is impeccable which makes him globally acceptable. He already won the candidacy of character. After the breaking news with John Edwards last week, its all the more glaring to know the only issue the media and the Republicans could find on Barack Obama was statements by his former pastor! For a black man in his forties that’s huge! Verse 5 is an insurance policy that seals that the process is worth it all; your hope won’t allow you to be put to shame. You will not be embarrassed, humiliated or lose faith not because of your perfection but because of your hope.

Today as you are reading this and you feel as if you are going through something that’s killing you. Pause and ask your self: what am I getting out of this? Jesus went through something similar while on the cross. All that pain he endured was to perfect the process of grace, to know that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
As we approach the last days of reading through the Bible, I pray that your early morning and late night readings were not in vain. I pray in earnest that like me you are getting a lot out of this!

Today’s Reading
Acts 17 – Acts 27

One late night television host in commenting about the Olympics said, “I hope the US team wins enough gold that we can bring it back home and revive the economy that has been lost to china." In every fabric of our community, people are being hit by the reality of this plummeting economy. People are having to make vital and critical decisions. Splurging is not a question and economizing is the call for the day. In a combination between having minimal options or being slaves to consumerism, many have begun to live off of credit cards creating a cycle of debt that may turn out to be disastrous for those who launch out into the deep, buying what they don’t need with money they don’t have, to impress folk they don’t like. This generation is going to have regrettably the greatest debt ratio in the history of our nation. Of all the industries that are suffering, two surely are not; the petroleum industry and the credit card industry. It’s almost as if the populace has come to a consensus that we must drive and we must buy. It’s almost as if no one is seeing the effect of either. We’re not seeing what the smog is doing to the ozone layer or what the hidden fees are doing to your bank account. The average credit card interest rate is charging you between 17-20%. So, whatever you think you have purchased on sale you have lost the discount in credit card fees. There’s a commercial that has captivated the imagination of millions. In it medieval warriors representing credit card interest are charging towards an unsuspecting consumer. Just before they pounce on him he pulls out the card of choice that is able to beat back the attack of escalating interest rates and the commercial ends with the catch phrase, "WHATS IN YOUR WALLET?" suggesting if you don’t have this card you have the wrong thing.

When we read Acts chapter 17, we find Paul immersed in a community that is in much confusion because their not sure what they believe. The atmosphere is congested because there were so many doctrines and ideologies that people were believing just about any and everything. When he gets into Athens, he finds that the church hasn’t spoken out at all about what’s going on in the community. The American Church is going to have to answer the same thing, why have we remained silent in the face of corruption, capitalism, chauvinism and complacency? The bitter pill is that much of it has slipped from outside the church into our pews and pulpits! They reviled and ridiculed Paul because he spoke of the resurrection and it was a theology they hadn’t been introduced to before. (WARNING: whenever you introduce a new idea, concept or approach, get ready for controversy, attack and cynicism) In verse 23 he states,"for as I walked around, I even saw an altar with an inscription: to an unknown God...." Today, I want to ask you not what’s in your wallet but what’s on you altar??? Some of your practices of worship are foreign to the God that we serve. If you feel like your situation is going to kill you, what God are you serving? Jesus is known for getting up from the dead. If you think you will be seized by debt and recession, what God are you serving? Ours is known to supply all needs according to his riches in glory!  In verse 28 it says, in Him we live and move and have our being."  The bible says greater is he that’s in you than he that’s in the world. If you don’t know what’s in you then you don’t know what you have. What’s in your heart should be on your altar (and if you can’t figure it out here’s a hint—he was on the cross). The same God who was on the cross can put something in your wallet!