Jeopardy

One of the things that I believe has become a cliche in sermons as well as in articles is beginning the information with a definition. It just slows down the process for the reader to get the information. Shall I write as if you don't understand? Will it be as if going through grade school again? Won't it be frustrating for you? Do you think its annoying for teachers to go over the same lessons as they had done before only to see their students in Summer school to learn it again? Its as if all of their efforts was for nothing. Do you think God thinks like that? Parents know they have to go over lessons again and again for their children to understand. Therefore, it can't be unusual and has to be a part of the learning process. Phew! It makes me feel better and explains so much in my own life. What about you?

As you recall in many of these entries, I made up my mind not to look at so many news stories. At the end of an hour or so, its just depressing. It doesn't make me more aware of the current events because there is always someone at the ready to tell of the bad news that was reported the night before. For instance, when a city's mayor was in all sorts of scandal, I believe that's when I stopped watching the news. I couldn't understand, why they gave this man so much press when he proved himself over and over again to be a crook. Then a pastor welcomed him in the church so he could further embarrass himself. He used God in his soliloquy making sure we all knew of the word forgiveness (Matthew 6:15 AMP). We also know of the words humility and being apologetic but we saw nor heard those things coming from him. He was a young mayor and his impeachment did not come as a surprise to anyone. Even when the District Attorney became involved and made the statement, "kindergarten children know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. For a grown man to use the defense that he didn't know, is ludicrous (paraphrasing)."

A famous news reporter had a relationship with a man who carried on with shady dealings. Her career is based on her credibility as a reporter, stating the facts which happen to be the truth. Many times a person is guilty by association and the police will pick up the friends along with the actual perpetrator (1 Corinthians 5:11 AMP). When her boyfriend was implicated in a scandal, the police also had questions for her. This ruined all that she was trying to build in the city where she was employed. She was fired solely because the news story had much to do with her involvement. Was she to report the news on herself? Was it that important to stay in a relationship with someone she knew that wasn't doing right and had no intentions of changing. Her salary was over a quarter of a million dollars a year when she was suspended. Was it really worth it?

As it stands, Brian Williams is in a mess. He lied about a news story for no other reason but to gain more notoriety. How much more does one need when the position you hold is an international news reporter? His questionable tactics also caused his suspension and a leave from his position and salary. Why go there? Why make statements that aren't true? Why mess with a life that was perfectly framed? What more would one need or want (Psalm 23:1 AMP)?

These questions are what also can be asked of you. I began this blog because I heard so many believers ask, is this all there is. I asked it myself. But as I continued to do research and write, I found that what I didn't have and needed was a better relationship with my Lord and Savior. Everything I need is in Him. It is why the scriptures state for there to be less of me and more of You (John 3:30 AMP). It is the reason I have to move out of the way for Him to do the leading. It is the reason we crucify the flesh daily so we can walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:24 AMP). All of these require Him. We don't know more then He does. We are not omniscient, omni-present, nor omnipotent. He is. So when we ask such foolishness like is this all there is, or where is the abundant life that was promised, or we are bombarded with all of the rules and none of the fun stuff, it tells others how immature you really are and how much more of God you need.

Without Him or believing you can do it all on your own, puts you on the path as the aforementioned. You are building on sand and with the storm that comes, your structure (your life, career, worldly possessions) will most assuredly fall (Matthew 7:24-27 AMP). That's a life of constant jeopardy. This doesn't make living more interesting. It puts a person on a broad path described in the bible as destruction, danger, and demise (Matthew 7:13-14 AMP). Where are those adjectives also used? Who is it that has access to those very things? You know, what's his name, whose entire assignment is to kill, steal and destroy. Oh, and for those still wondering if I am talking about the game show, the definition of jeopardy is a hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury. Calmly think
on that.

Shout Out To The 5 Fold Ministry!

In light of the scandalous things happening to ministers in the last few years, I needed to take a step back and

ask God, "What is happening?" I asked God for several reasons, the first being, I won't get a bunch of excuses from Him. Man has said to me repeatedly, it is a sign of the times. Yet, Christians already knew there would be various signs of Jesus's eminent return. We either guard ourselves from the crap around us and rejoice in the expectancy of it or we are watching what is happening and praying for those who have not learned to be on their guard. It is not expected of us, those that believe, to be on the broad path of destruction - or is it (if we to judge what is being broad casted)?

Is it obvious to us that those who are doing things their own way and in the name of Jesus have learned all about a liberty that we have not yet grabbed a hold of? The world has decided to tap into the entertainment industry from a different angle. They have been welcomed into the church.  In January of this year, the networks invaded several ministries through the wives. It was intrusive, a poor depiction of what is expected of the pastor's wives, and I was personally surprised that it lasted as long as it did - one season. It was a reality show (wink-wink) called The Sisterhood. I was pleased that the church did not participate in viewing that nonsense. Why nonsense? Because God has forgiven us of our past and many of those women that were blessed in being pastor's wives should not have thought it right to bring up what God has placed as far from Him as the east is from the west. How was the congregation supposed to take the ministry seriously when the first thought before going to the pulpit isn't if the message will be well received, but is the lighting right and will the camera get his/her "good" side. Is that liberty or vanity (1 Corinthians 8:9-12 AMP)?

This year, I saw a new reality show about to begin, Preachers of LA. The trailer introduced a few ministers (Proverbs 16:18 AMP).
that have been in the church circuit for decades. Their voices followed a script that said something to the effect of, "Why should the rappers and movie stars be the only ones driving the expensive cars and live in the mansions? We are blessed and have the right to have the good things in life too." Did those pastors and music ministers know that the producers were going to show the dilapidated homes of those that make up their congregation while they were asking the previously mentioned question? Do they not know that the trailer made them look like idiots? Are they so full of themselves that they cannot see that they are losing the better part of their congregation that they need? What is happening, will not be a question that is exclusive just for me but one they will eventually ask themselves once it happens.

I was looking a this blog and the other that I host. I had a goal to meet every year to write a post from each blog once a week. That means 52 posts per year. I have come close to meeting that goal once or twice but haven't accomplished it yet. I think this has been my worst year in maintaining that goal. I haven't quit but I did notice, I don't have the zeal about writing the things the Lord has given to me as much as I use to. I write them in a notebook and marvel at the simplicity of what I didn't know in those things that can be easily applied to anyone's life. However, the discussions with other believers that know better and has the knowledge to do better, when the test comes, they don't use what they know (John 16:33 AMP). They rely on the old habits that should have died when they came into the knowledge of the truth. This is discouraging for those that believe the Word of God is the only truth there is.

So I put that in the perspective of these ministers that have embroiled themselves in scandal or silly matters left to those who don't know. Have we become bored with what God has called us to do (2 Timothy 1:6 AMP)? Is it all just too academic for us to show and teach what thus says the Lord anymore? Has it become too difficult to repeat things we have said over and over again only to see man do the very thing we have taught them not to do? Isn't that what Jonah felt just before he was swallowed by the whale (Jonah 1:1-4 AMP)? Take heed ministers. Be warned. We have been called for such a time as this and it was not to envelope with what the world has to offer being friends with those principles (James 4:4 AMP). God has set aside a peculiar nation. When Jesus returns, He will be looking for that treasure that has been set aside. If you are not there, you will be left behind. You know better.

There is only one reason a minister becomes bored with his calling. He has stopped praying. Once the prayer stops, the belief stops. When the belief has stopped the faith ceases. You cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6 AMP). Therefore, if you don't believe, you cannot receive. Its as simple as that. The narrow way is still available for you. Do not find yourself near one of those crying rocks (Luke 19:38-40 AMP). God is waiting.