Prayer, Evangelism and Worship

 In light of the pandemic of 2020 and 2021,  somebody had said that the church is "made for times like these."  Recent polls however indicate that the church has suffered much due to what COVID-19 brought, isolation, separation and distance proximity.   Let's remember the promise of the Lord about what the church is: Here are the six characteristics of a biblical church as indicated by Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22 1.  The Biblical Church is a about family (relationships, communion and fellowship, v.19b, you are fellow citizens with God's  people) Have you been born again? (John 1:12, John 3:16) Have you been baptized?  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19-20) 2.  The Biblical Church is about membership (commitment, respect, and obligation, 19c, and members  of his household ) Are you willing to grow intimately? Acts 2:42 Are you willing to give faithfully? 2 Cor. 9:1-8; Malachi 3:10 Are you willing to serve selflessly? 2 Cor. 9:12-13; Eph. 4:12 Are yo...

Saul and Samuel          Saul and Jonathan          Saul and David  Love is a powerful element because it transforms people from within.   Our story has been covering King Saul and his relationships with people that have made significant impact in his life.  First, God used Samuel to speak the truth to him.  Secondly, God used his son Jonathan to show him how to live a good life.   Today, we will look at how God used David to love on King Saul.  Here are some things that we discover how to extend love to anybody that does not deserve loving  (1 Samuel 24):  1.   Loving your enemy is the right thing to do (v.5) 2.   Consult others about your response to people (v.7) 3.   Approach people with respect (v.8, 11) 4.  Dispel gossip and confirm facts (v. 9-11) 5.  Pray for justice and leave it to God (v. 12,15) First, relate any of this point to the story ...

Now more than ever, the caged church is ready to rediscover itself.   COVID 19 has kept the Christian church far too long and many of its members are crying out for purpose, deliverance and courage.   If you are like me, you have felt the urge to move the church forward.  But how do you this?  Lately, I've been looking at church systems that just might be able to jump start the plateau church into a vibrant growing organism.   Being in person or online is irrelevant if you have a strategy that the church can use to map out its spiritual growth.   Where do we begin?   I feel that an assessment of sort is needed most especially who had been in the church for awhile.   This first step creates a beginning point which hopefully creates the need to look forward to  a next step.  Simply creating the class without the person feeling the need for it is just another way to waste someone's time.   But who kno...

Saul and Samuel          Saul and Jonathan          Saul and David  The story of King Saul and his son Jonathan is an ironic drama.   Typically, it's the father who lives righteously to teach his son good ways.  In this case, it is Jonathan who shows to his father the right way.   We all need help especially on areas that are difficult to change in our lives.  Humility, sacrifice, forgiveness, hard work, treating others fairly among others.   But God wants us to live victoriously and abundantly.   That is why we he chose people to come alongside us.   Here are four areas that Jonathan lived better than his father.  Notice how the writer of the book 1 Samuel literary placed them side by side for readers to see the comparison.   These are also areas we may need help with a mentor, confidant or a friend.   1.  Humility is a hard lesson to learn (1...

Saul and Samuel         Saul and Jonathan         Saul and David  LESSON # 1:  Discipleship:  When You Need Someone To Tell You The Truth Other topics:   Samuel Points King Saul to God; Listen to God's Divine Intervention; The Barrier of Unbelief Bible Verses:  1 Samuel 10:20-24;  1 Samuel 13:7-14; 1 Samuel 15:10-15; 20-23 Barriers are healthy especially when you are careening on the freeway of life at top speed.  These boundaries keep you safe.   But there are boundaries that hold us back that keep us moving forward to our top speed.   So if you feel like you running like a turtle, when you know God gave you rabbit legs, then this series is for you.    King Saul was called by God to lead the children of Israel into independence and victory.   But Saul kept hitting walls that would have made him a great leader.   He also failed to realize the moments where he...

I'm often asked what's a good church?  Who is the true church?  How can I find a good church?  The Bible speaks of the importance of you being involved in a church and here are some questions you can ask to find the right one:   1.  Is this church Bible-Teaching church?    You would normally know from day 1 if it is because they bring their bibles, they open their bible, they read the bible.   2.  Is this church a Bible-Practicing church?  As one has said, it is easier "caught" than "taught".  So stay for a few to see if they are really practicing what they are preaching.  3.  Do they prioritize their worship to Jesus?   You would know immediately who is the focus of the church and unfortunately, sometimes the Pastor, the building, money, and saints become the focus.    Here is a list of churches that I know are immediately you can visit if you are within their area:  First Baptist Church...

Congratulations!   You have made a commitment to be a follower of Jesus.  So don't forget the day and the incident when this happened.   I want you to know that your journey has just begun.   Now it's time to grow in God and here are some immediate steps you can take.   Connect.  Continue to connect with the person who brought you to Jesus.  Communicate to him or her once a week and share what's going on in your life and an update of your spiritual journey.    Bible.  Start reading the Bible and flip it open to the book of John.   May I encourage you to read one chapter at a time.  The book of John is the simplest and easy to understand book regarding the life of Jesus.   Prayer.   God wants to hear from you and pick a time and a place that you would meet with God regularly to pray.   Speak to Him.  He is very eager to hear from you.  Church.    You need to find ...