Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Good friends

Proverbs 27:17 "As one piece of iron sharpens another, so friends keep each other sharp."
   Today's scripture tells one of the ways we can stay sharp; which is to stay in relationship with fellow believers and keep one another in check. When we need to sharpen tools to a razor's edge it is important to apply friction to the blade and run it across a rough surface. This will eliminate any imperfections that would cause the blade to snag or drag.
      Good friends know your weaknesses and imperfections and you know theirs. There is no competition or desire to upstage each other so as one needs chastening the other can respond in love; as one needs support the other can respond with comfort. When doubt or fear embrace and try to paralyze, friends know just how much tension to apply to get us up and motivated again. Enough pressure to bend but not to break. The iron of their will grades up against the iron of our resistance and in the final analysis both are improved! Cherish your friends who are not "yes" men in your life. The ones who will call you to the carpet when you act foolishly or need a jolt of reality. Be that type of friend to others. Iron is most effective when it is clean and polished. 

       Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Not My Kind


Galatians 3:28 – “ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
    Those who know me know how much I love Sci-Fi and especially space odyssey movies. For today’s blog I share an excerpt from Joe Stowell.*
    In the Star Wars trilogy, there’s a scene at an establishment somewhere in a remote corner of the galaxy, where grotesque-looking creatures socialize over food and music. When Luke Skywalker enters with his two robots he is surprisingly turned away with a curt rebuff – “we don’t serve their kind here!”
    That strange scene captures the malady that we all struggle with in our relationships here on planet Earth. We are always more comfortable with people who are just like us. But think of where you would be if Jesus had felt that way. He was divine, perfect in every way, which makes Him far different from us. Yet He came to dwell among us and to die for us.
    Those of us who follow Christ shouldn’t have “they’re not my kind’ in our vocabulary. As Paul reminds us, in Him ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek…slave nor free…male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. So, whether others are different in attitude, perspective, race, class, political opinion, or social standing, it should make no difference to those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus. Find someone who is not your kind and share Jesus’ love with them today.
    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn



*Excerpt from Daily Bread (2/27/12)- Joe Stowell

Monday, February 26, 2018

Not Long Hidden

Hebrews 11:6 – “ [God] is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”
     Often at the end of one of my more strenuous lectures I will conclude my presentation with a few fun slides that contain hidden images. Most of my students will see the obvious picture right away. Some, after a few moments, will declare that they see the other images coming into focus. It comes easy for a few while others struggle. Those who do not give up and continue to stare at and search the screen will soon see other images evolve from the 2-dimensional hideaway. Some will leave their seats, approach the screen, turning their heads and bodies in all directions. And even though they could not readily see the hidden image, they believed it was there because others had seen it. Sure enough with time, patience and persistence almost everyone will be able to discern the hidden picture.
     Their persistence is a reminder of the importance of having the same tenacity in matter of faith. The danger for those who doubt is that they stop looking for God because they believe He cannot be found in their situation or that he has left them on their own. God promised that those who seek Him with all their heart and soul will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29) and our scripture today confirms that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
     If you struggle to believe, remember the example of the hidden picture; just because you don’t readily see the hand of God in your situation does not mean he does not exist or that he is not there. Keep seeking Him and watch Him graciously reveal Himself to you.
Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Friday, February 23, 2018

Yet I Will Rejoice

Habakkuk 3:18 – “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
     Life in our world can be difficult. At some point, most of us have wondered, “where is God in my trouble?” and we may have thought, “it seems like injustice is winning and God is silent”. We have a choice as to how we respond to our troubles. The prophet Habakkuk had an attitude worth following – he made the choice to rejoice.
     Habakkuk saw the rapid increase in Judah’s moral and spiritual failings, and this disturbed him deeply. But God’s response troubled him even more. God would use the wicked nation of Babylon to punish Judah. Habakkuk did not fully understand this, but he could rejoice because he had learned to rely on the wisdom, justice and sovereignty of God. He concluded his book with a wonderful affirmation (which is today’s scripture reference). Though it was not clear how Judah would survive, Habakkuk had learned to trust God amid injustice, suffering, and loss.. He would live by his faith in God alone. With this kind of faith came joy in God, despite the circumstances surrounding him.
     We too can rejoice in our trials, have surefooted confidence in God, and live on the heights of His sovereignty. Praising God in our trials turns burdens into blessings.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn
    

*Excerpt from Our Daily Bread - 12/29/11 Marvin Williams

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Master Key

Isaiah 22:22 (ERV)- “I will put the key to David’s house around his neck. If he opens a door, no one will be able to close it. If he closes a door, no one will be able to open it.”     The other day I was cleaning out an old jewelry box and came upon an oddly shaped key. It looks like an old brass skeletal key but it is flattened and has odd markings. I do like to collect odd metal pieces to make jewelry, but I didn’t remember where I got this unique key from or why it wasn’t with my other collectibles. I thought about what it might have once fit; what type of door or special lock it opened. My mind took an adventurous turn and I even thought that perhaps it was a ‘Master’ key that could open or secure many different locks.
     When Jesus left this world after his resurrection he promised the gift of the Holy Spirit that would always abide with and within true believers. We are so blessed that the Holy Spirit not only guides us, but provides us with the ‘Master’ keys to so many situations. His loving care, comforting ways and protective nature are evident in how he opens fortuitous doors we don’t even see and closes off areas that might be limiting or dangerous. He warns us about distractions and detours that could throw us off track. His keys are priceless and specific. His keys are uniquely fashioned for us and when we do not use them properly or misplace them, he is not angry but quick to help us retrieve what is lost.
     Our God is the Master and his keys help us to maneuver the course of life as we listen to the instructions, directions, warnings, guides and helps provided by the life that Jesus lived and the influence of the Holy Spirit. The keys come in many dimensions. Sometimes the keys come as thoughts when we are studying; dreams when were are meditating; conversations when we are listening and visions when we are praying. God gives us the keys to open great new ventures and keys to lock down and lock out predatory things that try to devour our progress. We must be diligent for when he places these keys within our grasp and to use them wisely. Do not let important keys lay dormant, get rusty or fall into the wrong hands.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed. Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Peeking -vs-Seeking

Jeremiah 29:13 (CEV) – “When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me.”

     “Stop using the refrigerator for an air conditioner”, I used to say to my oldest son, when as a teenager he stood in front of the open appliance trying to locate a snack. He would never move any items but would simply open the door and stare into the contents as if he believed what he wanted would maneuver itself to the front and jump into his hands."
        In the scripture for today, God tells us that he is available, willing and ready to be found but our looking must be conscientiously done. We must seek God with fervor, diligence and commitment. We can’t just scrap along the surface with premeditated prayers, closed-mouthed praise and time-limited worship. We cannot put God in a box and expect that every time we need him, he will pop-up like a Jack-in-the-box and respond methodically. We must seek, hunt, pursue, search, inquire, and go after our relationship with God with gusto and enthusiasm.

Even in our carnal thinking we place more value on things that we have to pursue. Things that are ‘free’ or easy to acquire are often not as treasured or cherished. We say that we get what we pay for. Well if we think this about leather versus pleather; perfume versus cologne or prime rib versus hamburger; then it is not too far-fetched to see how the original God that we serve deserves our undivided and uncompromised attention. Give God your best; seek him with your whole heart; love him with your total being and watch him make himself more visible and tangible in your life. 


Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

God’s Silence

God’s Silence  
Psalm 37:5- “Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

When you believe you are all alone and that God is silent because he is mad or frustrated with you...Don’t let the devil or spiritual darkness or your own uncertainty play on your emotions... God is not vexed at or with you. You haven’t committed all of the deadly sins with God’s sister on prom night and now he is out to get you with a shotgun. 
     God’s silence sometimes is  like a teacher giving a lesson. While I am active in teaching you see me, feel my presence and see my works... while I give you class work to complete I hang around and peek over your shoulder and allow you to think, debate and contemplate before I point out what you might need to do or correct or applaud your efforts... but when It is exam time and I am testing you; I remain silent.  I am still there watching and overseeing but you must go through on your own ( but never alone)
      Have you ever talked to someone who although they ask you questions never give you a chance to get a word in edge wise?Sometime God might be silent because he is such a gentleman.  While we are blabbing and squawking, blowing off steam, crying out our concerns etc; he remains quiet and just listens. Just when he might be ready to respond we jump the gun and start our “spill” again so he just remains still and listens.  
      Let’s pay close attention to how we wait on God and consider what phase of a lesson we might be in at the time.  God has not left you; he is omnipresent and all love!
Every day is Good day; it’s up to us to make it a Great day! Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn 

Monday, February 19, 2018

Peculiarly Chosen

1Peter 2:9 —“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”
      Of course the fever pitch on everyone’s lips centers around the movie “Black Panther”. The movie featured great cinematography, great acting, a wonderful script; which embodied more than just the dialogue of the comic superhero motif but a lot of underpinning messages all of which point to what our Scripture says today. Yes when God selects you for a particular mission, you are “chosen” and often to the world will appear to be “peculiar”.
     In the movie, as in most tales with heroes on a quest, there will always be opposition, internal conflict and a touch of romance. God has each of us slated to be the hero in some part of his Kingdom building; therefore you know there will be opposition, obstacles and even self doubt as you work through internal conflicts, but God’s Love, his care and protection will shoulder you through the darkest of situations. Stay focused on the fact that you are chosen, unique and set apart for greatness. You can and will make a difference in many ways.
     Every day is a good day; it’s up to us to make it a Great day! Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

If you haven’t seen the movie yet- take some time to do so- more than worth it!

Friday, February 16, 2018

Get More Sleep

Psalm 127:2 – “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves. He gives his beloved sleep.”
     Everyone who knows me knows that I do not sleep a lot and that I don’t take naps. I often say that I can ‘sleep when I’m dead’; but as I age the reality of it all is that I am mending my ways and getting more rest. I still can’t nap during the day, but I am trying to sleep more each night.
     Illness, stress, family problems, job demands, etc., can rob us of sleep. If we constantly run on low battery power it will show up in our attitudes, our relationships and our performance. The Bibles says (1) “’He gives his beloved sleep” ; (2) I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8) and (3) “When you lie down, you will not be afraid, yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. (Prov 3:24)
     Sleep is an act of trust; when you go to sleep the world is in God’s hands, not yours. And it will get along very well (even if you aren’t awake to control things). When you awaken the next morning, God will give you the grace you need for the new day.
     Ever tried to pray when you were suffering from sleep deficit? It is hard to do. Before Elijah was able to spend prolonged time in prayer the angel of the Lord made him take not one, but two long naps. Contrast that with the disciples in Gethsemane who couldn’t pray because they kept falling asleep. It is hard to think, feel and act like Jesus when you lack sleep. That is why the Psalmist says – “He gives His beloved sleep.” Maybe the most spiritual thing we can do is to get to bed earlier and wake up refreshed so we are ready to fulfill God’s purpose for our day.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Have an awesome weekend and get some rest. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Random Acts of Kindness

Matthew 25: 35-38 - "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”
     As we look for the best of God in any situation, I am encouraged to see people perform random acts of kindness to assist others. Without much introduction we must become people who step up to the plate and help where we see a need. We must check on the elderly to make sure they have provisions; we can run errands; do shopping; pick up prescriptions and make necessary arrangements to help those without transportation or funds.     As we enter into this Lent season let’s keep this spirit-filled fire going. Seek out ways and people to bless with Random-Acts-of-Kindness. It does not have to be anything monumental or extravagant. You would be surprised how simple things can make the day special for someone. Pray and seek the Holy Spirit’s intervention. He will not only show you whom to bless but provide the avenue to accomplish the deed.      Every day is a good day it is up to us to make it a GREAT loved-filled day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Real Love

1 John 4:10 (ERV) – “True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.”
   Today is Valentine’s Day, and Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent (and my brother Stanley’s birthday) and a great day to celebrate the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The love God has for us is unsurmountable and almost inconceivable. Because of the love we are shown from our Creator, it is important for the Body of Christ to dwell together in harmony and to be on one accord.
     Today’s scripture tells us that love is not merely a word or feeling, but an action. If you love someone they should not only hear it, but feel it and be able to touch and talk about it. How can we better express our concern for other’s well-being? How can we SHOW someone that we love them? Look for simple, yet powerful ways to allow the love of God to flow through you to others. As you do, you will be surprised how quickly and how pervasively the love will find its way back to you. Find someone to love on today!
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn
    Happy Birthday memories to my wonderful Uncle “Nee” Arthur Houser, Sr. who is celebrating in heaven with a slice of cake so big that it can stand on its own.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Deceiving -vs- Believing

Jonah 2:8- "Those deceived by worthless things lose their chance for mercy.”
    It is remarkable how deceiving some things can be if we only take a look at the surface or what is first being presented. I remember just last week how beautiful the sun was shining through my windows early in the morning, but how the temperature was deceptively cold outside. From all appearances while inside, it seemed as if it was going to be a warm, sunny day; but once you stepped outside you could instantly tell that it was sunny but not close to being warm. Similar occurrences can happen in our lives. Some things that seem like blessings can turn out to be misfortunes and other things that seem like tragedies may very well end up being blessings in disguise. We must not be deceived by first appearances; God always has something going on in the mix.     We must not also get hung up on getting too comfortable in what appears to be our greatest triumph. You could be in the middle of what might be an awesome experience but God just might have something even greater in store. We have to be flexible and able to move with the flow of God’s rhythm. We might be presented with options to take opportunities that on the outset do not appear to be very grandiose; but if God is directing you to take that job or foster that relationship; it is in your best interest to remember that big things often come in small packages. Don’t be deceived. Think about how many times on the TV show “Let’s Make A Deal” that the contestants gave up wonderful prizes going after the biggest box or shiniest curtain only to get ‘zonked’.     Every ugly situation can turn out to be great when God is in control. Every sour note can turn into a beautiful melody when we place our trust in God. Remember, every growl does not have a bite. Believe God has your best interest at heart and you will truly be able to say that “every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day”! Be blessed! Be on the lookout for wonderful blessings that might come in small packages. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Monday, February 12, 2018

Worn But Worthy

Jeremiah 38:11 (NRSV) – “So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe of the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes.”     Yesterday at church service my pastor preached on how the King’s eunuch rescued the prophet Jeremiah from certain death out of a muddy pit by throwing down a makeshift harness which he fashioned from old rags and worn out materials. It was not fancy or high tech nor did he have time to stitch together something that the Safety Council would approve; however it accomplished the task of saving Jeremiah’s life.
     How often do we think that because something we have is old or a little used that it might not be useful to aid others? We must not get caught up in the stigma that only the shiny, brand new and un-opened sterile things of life are suitable for service. I often given rides and pick up those in need of transportation and I love to welcome them in my little, old reliable putt-putt. It’s not a high-end, new model fancy car and it even has windows you have to ‘crank’ to let down - but it gets us from point A to point B with low gas consumption and easily zips through traffic. We arrive safe and sound and it is always easy to fit into parking spaces.
     I have a dear friend who cooks more meals for hungry mouths on her old beat up stove (which really has only two functioning burners) than most people do who have fancy modern kitchens with double ovens and islands in the middle of the floor.
    Ebed-melech did not care so much about the method of the rescue; the important part was that the person was saved. So the next time you are hesitant to assist in a situation because you might feel what you have is too old, out-dated, low-tech or operates slowly – throw that out the window and let God use you in a magnificent way.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed. Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Friday, February 9, 2018

Leave it to God

Romans 12:19 - “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.´
     Some say that revenge is a dish best served cold. But the Bible tells us to avoid the temptation of seeking revenge. At some point in time, we have all been wronged in some manner. Whether we were the butt of a prank; cheated by a friend or the victim of identity theft and fraud; once we find or figure out how we have been duped the next thought is usually about how we can get back at the culprits.
     Jesus in his treatment of Judas Iscariot gives us a good example of how to react when we are treated in less than honorable ways. Although he was fully aware of the schemes and motivations of Judas, Jesus still permitted him to remain as one of the inner circle of disciples. He had a purpose to fulfill. We waste precious time and energy worrying and working on how to get back at perpetrators and soon we find that the people whom we seek vengeance upon have gone on with their lives and do not even have a shred of regret or remorse for what they have done.
     “Can’t nobody do me like Jesus, can’t nobody do me like the Lord.” This is often said about how just trusting in Christ can heal a grieving heart or make a life more tolerable just by being under the mantle of Christ. I’d like to do another arrangement on this ole familiar tune. When it comes to vengeance and satisfaction – “Can’t nobody get them like Jesus; can’t nobody get them like the Lord.”
     Stay focused on what God has in your destiny. Stay on your plan; work your ministry; study for your classes; advance on your job; love your family; care for your elders; and let God handle those who have the nerve to mistreat you.
      Every day is a good day it is up to us to make it a GREAT. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Dogs and Hogs

 Matthew 7: 6 (AMP)  -“Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces.
     As conscientious believers and caring Christians, when confronted with people struggling to overcome issues we are motivated to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and to often pray for and with them. When we see a need and we have the ability, we seek avenues to help address the problems. If someone is hungry we try to feed them. When families have been displaced by tragedies like floods or fires, we open our homes to provide shelter and comfort. We have even been known to open our wallets and share our resources with others in need. All of these are great examples of living an unselfish, caring and altruistic life; but there are times when we must be weary of the trappings of putting our best out to those who have ulterior motives.
     Not every begging hand or crying eye is attached to an appreciative heart. Not every sad tale is based in the truth. We must rely upon the Holy Spirit to give us discernment about how to share our resources, time and talent. The devil is crafty and will use all methods to distract and pillage our abilities to get the work done that God has ordained for us to do. Everything has a purpose and everyone has a journey. Even good deeds, if not a part of God’s plan or path for us are a distraction. Be good to one another, but don’t be fooled. You cannot save the world. Jesus has already claimed the position of Savior of the world.
     Every day is a good day it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Chosen by the Best


John 15:16(ESV) – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”    We have been chosen, selected, and hand-picked to live the life that God has ordained. The ups and downs, ins and outs, peaks and valleys are all a part of the assignment that God has entrusted to us; empowered us to complete and constantly monitors us to give the provisions that we need to be successful.
     When life presents challenges to us that just seem unsurmountable, it is refreshing to remember that God is in control and that he has not fallen asleep at the wheel. He is fully knowledgeable about our every circumstance and if we continue to trust him and lean upon his Holy name, we will defeat all the snares of the enemy and overcome the obstacles that stand in our path. The road may not be easy and often it seems that others have a better time than we do, but do not be dismayed – God is so on top of our situation and he loves us so much. Remember, when you can’t see God’s hand, and you are uncertain about his plan, trust in his heart. He is awesome, magnificent, sovereign and good!
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn


Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Bright Lights

John 1:5 (NIV) – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
     I am convinced that there is no darkness like a pitch black night under a Georgia sky. On a moonless, overcast night where no light from celestial bodies penetrates through the blackness; there seems to be such vast emptiness that it is difficult to see your hand in front of your face. The darkness is so pervasive it seems that you can almost carve through it with a knife.
      One very dark night I was driving home from a semi-rural area on the outskirts of town. I had to use my high beam light setting because regular light just did not seem to illuminate the road well enough and I could barely see anything off on the side. Deer and other nocturnal animals are deadly dangerous when they amble into the roadway and get mesmerized by the car lights. The old adage – “deer in the headlights” to depict someone who is physically there but mentally somewhere else is a good analogy of what happens when we rumble around in the dark (sin) and then are thrust into the loving light of Jesus.

When we are living in sin we are hanging around the fringes of life. God has great things for us and he needs us to get off the side lines and cross over into the blessings he has prepared for us. Like deer, the longer we linger in the darkness on the sidelines of living, the more blinded we are when we find our way into the Light. Don’t be like the illusive deer which stand motionless in the middle of their decision; - should it return to the familiarity of the darkness; should it run for unknown territory or remain mesmerized in the middle of the road?

As I traveled toward my home I noticed that many of the cars that were coming toward me were equipped with high intensity halogen headlights. They cast a wide beam of light so bright it appears to be blue rather than white. Jesus is the LIGHT of the world and when we put him first in our lives he will illuminate all that is around us and pierce into the darkness to make our way safe and comfortable. Don’t get used to having one foot in the dark and the other testing the light. God wants our whole commitment. We must consistently ask the Holy Spirit to show us areas where we are too comfortable on the edge of darkness. Pray for Jesus to shine his Light on those situations and rebuke the sin and its dangers away from our lives.
      Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be Blessed!  Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Monday, February 5, 2018

All for one; one for all

1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV) - “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”
     Now that football season is officially over and the champions have been triumphantly cheered, many sports fans will turn their attentions to the next challenge of athletic prowess - basketball. This happens to be my sport of choice. In my youth I enjoyed playing on our school’s intramural team, now I get total satisfaction off the court as a spectator. Regardless of whether you are an armchair coach or a weekend player one thing is noted basketball, like life, is fast-paced and cannot be successful without teamwork. While there may be a few star players whose skills set them apart from the rest, no one person can win a game. The greatest players need assists and strong rebounders to help them set-up and make their shots.
     As Christians we find this same team work is needed to help us navigate through life’s playing field. God has set up the tournament; our Savior Jesus has already shown us the best plays and they are written down in a special play book (The Holy Bible) so that we can have easy access to them. The Holy Spirit is our daily coach and other believers are our team mates. We must rely upon each other to avoid injuries; to outwit the underhanded dirty plays of the enemy team and come out on top. Our success may depend upon us being in the foreground making the all-important lay-ups or it might mean that for certain plays we do not get our hands on the ball but put them up to guard against the wiles of the oppressing forces. Don’t worry if you feel sidetracked or delayed. Sometimes we have to fake one direction to actually go in another or we have to stop dead in our tracks and pass the play on to another who is free to keep the action going.
     Whatever station you are in life right now, whether running full press for a sure shot or taking your chance from outside the 3-point line or maybe you have been fouled and standing at the free throw line trying to make up for lost ground. Know that you have a team running right beside you ready to help. And also don’t forget about those on the bench…getting rested up, prayed up and anointed to come back in and take us all on to victory. No man is an island. Don’t think you have to go it alone. If you are feeling isolated pray for God to raise up a team that can help you sharpen your skills and get the most out of this game called life.
     Every day is a good day it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Friday, February 2, 2018

People Pleasing

Galatians 1:10 (NLT) - “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”      Everyone likes to be appreciated and loved. It is not atypical for someone to desire to be in good standing with family, friends, co-workers and other people in general. None of us can deny that at some point or another it felt good when we heard someone say complimentary things about us because of something we did or accomplished. The warning comes when we do activities or acts of kindness just to get the applause and cheers of the crowd. When we seek to get accolades from man, we soon learn that those cheers are hollow and short-lived. Even Jesus knew what it was like to be loved and adored with shouts of praise at the beginning of the week; only to be spat upon, hit and cursed by week’s end. How quickly cheers of ‘Hosanna’,’ Hosanna’ turned to ‘crucify him’,’ crucify him’.
      We were created to praise and glorify God and in doing so our actions may lead others to appreciate our efforts; however that should never be our primary motivation. God looks at our hearts and judges our incentives. Today focus on why you do certain actions. Study your motivations and evaluate if you do things because you have genuine empathy for the situation or is it just routine, mundane and what others expect you to do as a people pleaser. If helping others is not deeply rooted in God’s grace and mercy the Holy Spirit will reveal this to you and will guide you in how to turn from being a people pleaser to a man or woman after God’s own heart.      Every day is a good day it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn

Thursday, February 1, 2018

And then . . .

Job 1:17 – “Before this man finished, still another messenger rushed in: ‘Three bands of Chaldeans have driven off your camels and killed your servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” (TLB)
    Poor Job was bombarded with bad news after bad news. Before one servant had the opportunity to completely report all that was dismally happening within Job’s household, yet another calamity was on its heels. Each servant was frantic to tell Job of the disasters they had witnessed and that they alone barely escaped with their lives to report back to him. Recently I have heard from family and friends from the four corners of the country about how the slings and arrows of misfortune have been constantly aimed in their direction. We will not give Satan any publicity but we do know that he is busy running to and fro stirring up trouble. Before one bill can be paid, another greater expense mounts around us. When you think you have your in-laws figured out; they stay one day too long and the heavenly beings have to serve as referees. As soon as you get the transmission fixed then the cooling system goes out. When one child seems to have finally ‘found’ themselves and are now back on track…here comes their sibling, who could not work their way out of a wet paper bag with a sharp machete, but they are bringing you into their madness.    God reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (NKJGF) Regardless of the pattern or uncanny circumstances surrounding your daily walk with God, stay steadfast in your faith. Yes it is true, for some of us tragedy, disagreement, chaos and frustration seems to be a norm. We might not be able to function wholly in modern society because our truth lies in the will and word of God. If we rejoice always, we do not have time for despair and depression.       If we pray without ceasing, our minds are occupied and unable to process negative thoughts. In everything we must give thanks. The simplicity of its power is just awesome. A simple ‘thank you’ can open doors of hope and shut windows of downheartedness. God reminds us that he is still on the throne and that nothing is ever outside of his watchful eye. God does not slumber nor sleep. And aren’t you glad that God never has an ‘A Ha” moment. Nothing comes as a surprise to God or catches him off guard? We get caught up quite often. We fix the dishwasher and then a pipe burst. We expensively service our car engine...and then we find out we need new brakes. One bad issue following another… and then, and then, and then. Although you might feel as if things are just mounting up and piling up around you - relax …AND THEN consider your options (praise, prayer and give thanks) When you take your hands off of your problem, then God will put his hands in it to win it!
    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnnTop of Form