IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT BY PASTOR WAYNE M. BASS***

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT BY PASTOR WAYNE M. BASS

On May 26, 2014, I published an open letter to the Church of God in Christ detailing my disappointment in its overall state of organizational and spiritual affairs.  Although I remain confident that there are significant numbers within her ranks who are persons of Christ-like character and convictions, there is an ongoing need for revival, renewal and systemic change. 

OUR GOD is sovereign.  And He is raising up courageous, committed, prophetic voices that must align with others (already situated within her ranks) to declare the whole counsel of God, without fear, hesitation, or compromise.

SUBSEQUENT TO considerable prayer, reflection and consultation, I NOW RETURN TO MEMBERSHIP AND MINISTRY IN the CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, which is the CHURCH of my natural and spiritual nativity. 

Having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior 55 years ago – and the call to ministry 48 years ago in the Church of God in Christ – I dearly love this organization and her people.  That has never changed; that will never change.  To be sure, you are a substantial component of my spiritual heritage and familial legacy, and thus an integral part of my life.

In closing, I am making this announcement publicly because I want to have integrity and to avoid ‘discreetly entering the side door’ after such a visible exit.  I have no expectation or need for any personal accommodation, other than to be positioned where I can effectively proclaim Kingdom truth.  Others have departed-and-returned with varying degrees of organizational grace – and I pray that I may be a recipient of divine and human favor.  Thank you for prayerful support.

A BLESSED MAN/WOMAN

A BLESSED MAN/WOMAN

In an age where “blessings” are defined in largely material terms, the Word of God speaks clearly to us:

Psalm 1 (NKJV)

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
    And whatever he does shall prosper.

⁴ The ungodly are not so,
    But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
    Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 15 (NKJV)

¹  Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
    Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

² He who walks uprightly,
    And works righteousness,
    And speaks the truth in his heart;
³ He who does not backbite with his tongue,
    Nor does evil to his neighbor,
    Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
⁴ In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
    But he honors those who fear the Lord;
    He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
⁵ He who does not put out his money at usury,
    Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

    He who does these things shall never be moved.

As biblically defined, are you blessed?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

REFLECTED LIGHT

REFLECTED LIGHT

I overheard someone last night talking about moonlight.  Although it is an apparently beautiful phenomenon, it does not actually exist at all.  Technically, there is no such thing as moonlight.  The ‘light’ that we observe, ostensibly emanating from the moon, is merely reflected light.  In truth, THE SUN is the source.  The moon is merely the ‘mirror’ that reflects a modicum of solar brilliance and transcendent glory.

In this sense, we are very much like the moon.  For we have no true light, in and of ourselves.  The light that apparently shines forth from our attitudes and actions is the indirect reflection of THE SON.  It’s the reason why we steadfastly refuse to boast or boost our egos as we seek to build the Kingdom of God.  According to St. Paul, such superficial self-exaltation “is excluded” from the lives of true believers. (Romans 3:27)

Nevertheless, we are quite contented with our role.  Indeed, what an honor and privilege it is for us to be counted worthy to reflect the life-giving illumination that shines forth from the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.  To reflect Him is to honor Him.  And those who honor Him, in turn, will be honored by Him.

“But now THE LORD saith…them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” (I Samuel 2:30b)  This is the Word of the Lord.

Several years ago, I was inspired to hear The African Children’s Choir singing “Shine, Jesus, Shine.”  Its lyrics go something like this:

Lord, the Light of Your Love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness shining,
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth You now bring us,
Shine on me.  Shine on me.

As we gaze on Your kindly brightness.
So our faces display Your likeness.
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.
Shine on me.  Shine on me.

Shine, Jesus shine,
Fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit blaze,
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river flow,
Flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth Your Word,
Lord and let there be light.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of GOD, and not of us. (II Corinthians 4:7)

We believers are His reflected light. (John 8:12 ~ Matthew 5:14-16)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THE INEXHAUSTIBLE CHRIST

THE INEXHAUSTIBLE CHRIST

There are those days, aren’t there, my friend?  I mean there are times when we feel emotionally drained, physically exhausted and spiritually depleted; times when we would rather pull the covers back over our heads instead of facing the tasks and challenges of another day.  Do you feel me on this one?

For me, today is loaded with personal responsibilities.  And quite honestly, I don’t really feel like writing, working, or handling any of it.  But when I prayed early this morning, the Holy Spirit reminded me that (although I am tired) HE is INEXHAUSTIBLE.  As THE ALMIGHTY GOD, He never sleeps; He is never tired: He is never inattentive to the least of my needs.  The Psalmist, David, was right on target.  He nailed it!

Psalm 121 (KJV)

¹ I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

² My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

³ He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

⁴ Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

⁶ The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

⁸ The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

For all the days and dilemmas of our lives, THE ANOINTED ONE operates as the “ALPHA and OMEGA.” (Revelation 1:8)  That scriptural title is synonymous with “THE FIRST AND THE LAST” (Revelation 1:17) and “THE BEGINNING AND THE ENDING.” (Revelation 1:8)  These names/titles of our Lord are highly significant, not so much for what they say, but for what they imply.  ALPHA is the first letter of the Greek alphabet; OMEGA is the last.  The spiritual applications are obvious.  Jesus Christ is EVERYTHING to us, from A to Z.  As the Apostle Paul so aptly put it, “CHRIST IS ALL, and in all.” (Colossians 3:11)  In the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)  Hallelujah, what a Savior! 

So whatever we are facing today, “HE IS ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us!” (Ephesians 3:20)

We may be tired.  HE ISN’T!  Indeed, HE is inexhaustible, and He’s got our backs – from here to there – from A to Z.  So get up, my friend, and get to it!  “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1)  TRUST HIM!  LEAN ON HIM!  And never forget: “His strength is made perfect in (our) weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

SURVIVING TOUGH TIMES

SURVIVING TOUGH TIMES

Following my freshman year at Yale, I returned home to Pennsylvania for summer employment.  I was ecstatic because I had a wonderful job lined up in the Quality Control Laboratory of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel.  If you are aware of the steel industry, you know that I was blessed beyond measure to have snagged this high tech and safe position.  Inside steel mills, there are scores of undesirable places to work, from the roaring blast furnaces where steel is made to a myriad of hot, dry and dirty places.  Typically, new-kids-on-the-block are afforded the ‘golden opportunity’ to work in the most unpleasant places, due to their lack of seniority.

However, largely because of favor due to my father’s reputation and influence, I was assigned to something significantly better.  By rights, I should have been outdoors dealing with the lowest dregs of that hot and hostile industrial environment, but I was placed as a trainee technician inside an air-conditioned lab.  Indeed, I was highly favored and blessed!

My high school buddy and co-worker was the son of the superintendent of schools.  Throughout the months of June and July, Sherman and I prepared samples of raw materials (used to make steel) for spectrometer analysis.  How happy and carefree we were – to bypass the risk and rigor of working in the labor gang – close but far away from the streams of molten steel, the moving vessels containing fiery liquid slag and those terribly loud and torrid furnaces.

While we were infinitely blessed to work in the Q. C. Lab under the name and influence of our fathers, Sherman and I had no way of knowing that ‘hostile takeover forces’ were lurking unseen in the shadows.  During that incredibly hot July, two men with greater seniority spied our cushy and comfortable working conditions and decided to submit bids for our jobs.  One particularly hot day in the last week of July, the labor gang foreman appeared at the door of the Q.C. Lab.  He summoned us by name, ordered us to gather our personal effects and told us to meet him near Blast Furnace Number Three in ten minutes.

My co-worker and I spoke up at the same time and in almost the same words: “But sir, we work in the Quality Control Lab!”  In my mind’s eye, I can see that foreman standing there with a stern look on his face.  “Not anymore!” he pronounced firmly.  “You guys have been BUMPED by other men with more seniority.  Now get moving FAST if you still want to work here!”  I was just eighteen years old at the time, but it seems like yesterday.  Our hearts sank as we sucked in our last moments of air-conditioning, gathered our hardhats, goggles and steel-tipped safety boots and headed for the blast furnace, having been (in our minds at least) BUMPED BY THE DEVIL!

When we arrived at that smoke-filled and fiery site, Sherman and I had a rude awakening.  For seven weeks, we had enjoyed the cool, calm and safe environment of the laboratory.  Now we listened in a daze as the foreman called off various manual labor jobs, none of which were familiar to us.  Even other college students who had by this time worked for two months in the labor gang had more seniority than us!  Worse yet, we were assigned to do repair work in a terrible place: THE SOAKING PITS, where huge ingots of red-hot steel were fired and tempered.

During normal operations, those pits reached temperatures up to 8,000 degrees Fahrenheit.  Now in repair mode, the pits had been ‘cooled down’ to 140 degrees (60o Centigrade).  You cannot imagine how hot that air felt on our skin and in our lungs – it was burning up in there!  Our job was to work inside (for 20-25 minutes at a time, the maximum one could safely endure) and to remove hardened impurities from the firebrick lining the pit, using a 75-pound (40 kilo) jack hammer.  When it is that HOT, on top of the 90 degree [32 Centigrade] summer heat, perspiration evaporates immediately, lips and nasal passages dry out and it is extremely difficult to breathe.  Those harsh experiences in the soaking pits were my personal confirmation that HELL MUST BE AVOIDED AT ANY COSTS!

Nevertheless, the scriptures teach us that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  Sherman and I were both Christians, and though we definitely despised our new working environment, there were vital character lessons to be gained in that oppressive place.  First of all, we learned how to PERSEVERE, i.e. how not to quit when confronted with adverse circumstances.  Secondly, we learned to be truly GRATEFUL for those earlier days of situational favor – the comfort and convenience that might not (and did not) abide forever.  Thirdly, we learned that COLLEGE EDUCATION DID NOT MAKE US BETTER than others; neither did it make us more powerful or productive.  Fourthly, and perhaps most importantly, we learned all-important lessons of HUMILITY.  Humility teaches us how to survive at the bottom, while mobilizing us to rise and to remain at the top in our appointed season.  Lastly, we learned how to maintain a GOOD ATTITUDE and to discover random reasons for laughter, even in a ‘pit’ environment.

To be sure, Sherman and I hated our time in the pit, but we garnered strategic life lessons that guide and serve today.  In closing, I would be absolutely naïve and insensitive to assume that my short-term work challenges can somehow be equated with the gargantuan struggles that many experience on a daily basis.  Sherman and I had JOBS, reliable and gainful employment, while so many do not.  Many among us struggle in silence, just to survive and to secure the basic necessities of life: food, clean water, shelter, clothing, etc.  I am painfully aware of the realities of daily struggle in the lives of multiplied millions around the globe.

Nevertheless, the practical life lessons gleaned from this personal experience one summer decades ago are these: 1) YOU WILL MAKE IT through tough times because GOD (Jehovah-Shammah) IS THERE with you; 2) YOU WILL SECURE AND SUSTAIN PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TRYING TIMES – if you hold onto your smile, your laughter, your hope and your dream; 3) YOU CAN ALWAYS TALK TO GOD, in any situation and at any time.  In fact, you can tell HIM any and every thing; 4) TROUBLE WILL NOT LAST ALWAYS.  Robert Schuller said it this way: “Tough times don’t last…tough people do!”

Prayerfully consider the life lessons listed above and listen attentively (with your spirit) to these very encouraging COVENANT PROMISES:

Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 WAIT ON THE LORD; BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART; wait, I say, on the Lord!

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NKJV)
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall,
31 BUT THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

My friend, be encouraged to continue and to move forward – whoever, whatever, whenever, wherever, or however you may be.  GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU.  HE SEES. HE KNOWS. HE CARES; and HE HAS THE POWER TO TOTALLY TRANSFORM YOUR SITUATION.  TRUST HIM.  STAY POSITIVE.  STAY FOCUSED.  HANG IN THERE!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THE PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

THE PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

The PENCIL-MAKER took the PENCIL aside, just before putting him into the box.  “Before I send you out into the world,” he told the pencil, “there are five important things you must know. Never forget them and you will become the best pencil you possibly can be.”

“One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.”

“Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you will need it to become better.”

“Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you will make along the way.”

“Four: The most important part of you will always be what lies on the inside.”

“Five: On every surface where you are used, leave your mark.  No matter what, you must continue to write.”

The pencil understood, promised to remember and went into the box with real purpose in its heart.  

Now let’s substitute YOU for the pencil.  Always remember these wisdom nuggets; and, if you never forget, you will become the best person you possibly can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand.  Also, you must allow people to access the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time via various problems in life, but you actually need this process in order to become a stronger person.

Three: With God’s help, you will be able to correct any mistakes you will make along the way.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what lies on the inside.

Five: Wherever you walk, leave your mark.  No matter what the situation, be faithful, be diligent, be resilient and be true.

Please allow this PARABLE OF THE PENCIL to encourage and energize you.  Remember how absolutely special YOU are to GOD, and to us.  Only YOU can fulfill that unique purpose and destiny for which you were born into this world.

So never allow yourself to become so discouraged that life seems insignificant or there is little hope and expectation for a positive change.  In the words of the Apostle Paul, “Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:58)  

And here's a divine telegram from THE PENCIL-MAKER...sent just for you:  "Hey PENCIL, live faithfully and fearlessly.  Never be afraid of the pencil-sharpener and never ever skip the pressure and pain of the process.  You just might enable someone else to obtain life's passing score!"  Amen?  Amen!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THE SPIRIT-DIRECTED LIFE

THE SPIRIT-DIRECTED LIFE

Belinda and I share an early morning devotional time, during which we pray, worship and study the Word of God.  The ‘theme’ of our prayer for today centered on being directed by the Spirit of God.  Jesus Christ taught us that the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Ghost (the same person of The Triune Godhead) is actually the “Spirit of truth.” (John 16:13)  His express purpose is to convict us of our sins, convince us of the truth of God’s Word, provide daily direction for abundant life, comfort us through challenging circumstances and empower us to effectively serve the Kingdom of God. (John 14:12-21 – John 15:26 – John 16:5-15 – Acts 1:4-8)

As a means of accomplishing God’s perfect will within the earth realm, every believer is promised an endowment of the Holy Spirit, with SPIRITUAL gifts (I Corinthians, chapter 12) and SPIRITUAL fruit.

Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Always remember: Growing in grace is a PROCESS. (II Peter 3:18)  That is, over time, we proactively expand our knowledge of God’s Word and (at the same time) we develop an experiential faith.  In other words, our confidence in Who God is and what God will do is enhanced and multiplied by our daily interactions with Him – as we live and walk by faith. (Romans 1:17)

The fruit of the Spirit is a singular gift, endowed to us by faith as we are baptized into the Body of Christ and thereafter filled with the Holy Spirit.  However, it is necessary to GROW our fruit and to increase our fruitfulness via 1) daily communion with Christ, 2) daily submission to His Word, and 3) the teaching and fellowship that comes through interacting with other believers. (John 15:8;16 – I Corinthians 12:13 – Hebrews 10:25)

According to the Apostle Paul, “as many as are LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, these are the SONS OF GOD.” (Romans 8:14)  In the absence of being directed by the Spirit of God, no person can rightfully lay claim to the title of “CHRISTIAN” or to the spiritual authority that is the legal inheritance of every child of God. (Mark 16:17-18)

Prayerfully consider these questions: 1) Is the Holy Spirit at the forefront of your decision-making?  2) Do you consistently consult God (through prayer and reflection on His Word) concerning your faith, your family, your marriage, your schedule, your career, your finances, and yes, even your friendships?  If your honest answer is “yes,” you are indeed living a Spirit-directed life.  However, if you are only partially committed to seeking His face (or unsure of your personal level of commitment), carefully reflect on the following:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

You will feel and fare so much better, whenever you give the Master charge. (Joshua 1:8)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!