WHO'S IN CONTROL?

WHO’S IN CONTROL?

Today, I read the following insightful and inspirational article written by Paul Michael Vacca; and I just want to share it with you.

“Life can be a roller coaster. There are ups, downs, curves, and all sorts of twists and turns that you cannot anticipate or control. However, the roller coaster is still headed to its designed and designated end. We like having a sense of control over our lives, but control is really just an illusion. All it takes is one bad doctor report, a rebellious child, a car wreck, a pandemic, an error at work, or a downturn in the job market to reveal how little control we really have over our lives.

The point where our control ends is the place where we find peace and assurance in the faithfulness of God. While life might at times seem like a roller coaster, God is purposefully bringing us to His desired end. And His faithfulness will see us through – always. What we truly need is a very strong conviction in the faithfulness of our God, the One who is actually in control.

When I learn to give up my illusion of control and truly trust God, I find that I can relax and enjoy the ride much more. I do not mean that all my troubles somehow fade away, but I have an abiding confidence that God is bringing the ride of my life to His desired end. Are you holding on to the safety bar of life with clinched fists, terrorized by your own lack of control? Or will you let go and embrace the truth that God uses all the ups and downs in life to bring you to His desired end?”

Our gratitude is extended to Mr. Vacca for this practical wisdom.  My friend, prayerfully ponder.

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

AMERICA, WHERE ARE WE HEADED?

AMERICA, WHERE ARE WE HEADED?

Unfortunately, the current state of our union can be accurately characterized as a destructive descent into widespread deception and unprecedented division.  The following insights of Georgia Anne Beyer are entirely apropos for serious self-reflection in this challenging and corruptible hour. 

“I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to have a moral community or nation without faith in God, because without it everything rapidly comes down to “me,” and “me” alone is meaningless.  Today Americans have stopped acting in terms of their own moral, ethical and religious beliefs and principles.  They've stopped acting on what they know is right -- and the “me” has become the measure of everything.  However, moral societies are the only ones that work.  If anyone thinks there is not a direct and invaluable relationship between personal integrity in a society and that society's prosperity, that person has simply not studied history.  Great moral societies that are built upon faith in God, honor and the law blossom…because people respect their fellowman…because they have a common belief in something beyond themselves.  It simplifies life immensely; you do not waste and spend your days fighting for turf, for privilege, for money and for power over your fellowman.”

My friends, let us remember and reflect on the sage words of King Solomon: “Righteousness exalts a nation.” (Proverbs 14:34)  If we are to survive and thrive, individual and collective repentance is required; and it must begin with the people of God. (II Chronicles 7:14) 

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

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION...

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION…

The “Cathy” cartoon strip pictured a lady trying to lose weight while struggling with temptation.  Perhaps it’s applicable to other issues of life as well.

Frame 1: ‘I will take a drive, but won’t go near the grocery store.’

Frame 2: ‘I will drive by the grocery store, but will not go in.’

Frame 3: ‘I’ll go in the grocery store, but will not go down the aisle where the candy is on sale.’

Frame 4: ‘I will look at the candy, but not pick it up.’

Frame 5: ‘I will pick it up, but not buy it.’

Frame 6: ‘I will buy it, but not open it.’

Frame 7: ‘Open it, but not smell it.’

Frame 8: ‘Smell it, but not taste it.’

Frame 9: ‘Taste it, but not eat it.’

Frame 10: ‘EAT, EAT, EAT, EAT, EAT!’

Hmmm….lesson learned!

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

DO YOU HAVE HURRY SICKNESS?

DO YOU HAVE HURRY SICKNESS?

Today I read something hilarious but true, written by John Ortberg in his book, “The Life You’ve Always Wanted.”  He highlighted our human disposition to hurry up in practically every situation.  Speak to us, Mr. Ortberg…:

“If we have hurry sickness we’re haunted by the fear that there are not enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done.  We read faster, talk faster, and when listening, even nod faster to encourage the talker to accelerate.  We find ourselves chafing whenever we have to wait.  At a traffic light, if there are two lanes and each contains one car, we will find ourselves guessing – based on the year, make and model of each car – which one will pull away faster.  At the supermarket, if we have a choice between two check-out lanes, we find ourselves counting how many people are in each line and multiplying that number by the number of items in their shopping carts.  If you have a really bad case of hurry sickness, even after you commit to a check-out line you keep track of the person who would have been you in the other line. If you get through and the other person who would have been you is still waiting, you feel elated.  ‘Ha…I won!’ But if the alter-you is walking out of the store and you’re still in line, you feel really frustrated and depressed. If you can relate to any of those symptoms, you have a fairly bad case of hurry sickness!”

My friends, it's something to think about, right?  Let’s learn to slow down…

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

UNDERSTANDING THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (Part II)

UNDERSTANDING THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (Part II)

Yesterday’s devotional recounted the events of May 25, 1979, which took place during the COGIC International Women’s Convention in Chicago.  American Airlines Flight 191 crashed on take-off and 273 people lost their lives.  That evening, Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson announced that his assistant, Bishop Junius A. Blake (father of later Presiding Bishop Charles Blake) had been scheduled to fly with his wife to Los Angeles.  While checking in, the Lord strongly impressed Bishop Blake to avoid taking that flight; he changed to another one, avoiding a terrible tragedy.  Our God is amazing! 

But that’s not the end of this story.  Another minister, scheduled to return to Los Angeles on that same flight, experienced an unusual delay in New York which prevented him from catching Flight 191 in Chicago.  He later rejoiced at the phenomenal timing and grace that was clearly demonstrated in this situation, being firmly convinced that it could only have been the result of divine intervention.  

However, a clergyman named Edwards Elliot, the beloved pastor of California’s Garden Grove Orthodox Presbyterian Church was also booked on Flight 191.  He too experienced a delay on a connecting flight in Pennsylvania, but his journey had a radically different outcome.  A friend who flew with him to Chicago but had a different connecting flight, recalled seeing Edwards “dashing forward” in the terminal to make his connection with Flight 191.  He later wrote this assessment of what occurred: “I just had to let you know about one of God's great saints who ran to make Flight 191--and made it!” 

Although his family and friends were initially tempted to question the providence of God, at the funeral Mrs. Elliot and her four adult children made the following remarks: “Although our husband and father didn’t know it, while he was running through that airport he was actually running to Heaven.  He made it!”  Their optimistic faith perspective and their triumphant testimony about the sovereignty of God warmed and comforted the grieving congregation.

There can be no doubt – Our God is Sovereign!

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

UNDERSTANDING THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (Part I)

UNDERSTANDING THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (Part I)

On Friday, May 25, 1979, an amazing thing happened while I was an attendee at the COGIC International Women’s Convention held in Chicago, Illinois.  As a staff employee of Bishop H. Jenkins Bell, we were together promoting Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson’s efforts to actualize the building of Saints Center.

I remember that amazing day like it occurred yesterday.  In the evening service, the presiding bishop was slated as the speaker.  In his opening remarks, he sadly announced that American Airlines Flight 191 (a DC-10 aircraft) had crashed on take-off and all 273 people aboard had lost their lives.  However, what he said next both astounded and delighted the convention congregation.  The second assistant presiding bishop, Bishop Junius Blake (the father of Presiding Bishop Charles Blake) had been scheduled to take that flight to Los Angeles, along with his wife.

While they were in the process of checking in, the Lord strongly impressed Bishop Blake not to board that flight.  And, against all common sense and logical reasoning, he went through the trouble and expense of changing to another departure time.  Our God is absolutely amazing!  The lives of these two believers were saved from that horrible airline crash because of the sovereignty of God and their sensitivity to hearing His voice. 

More to come tomorrow…regarding that same flight and other passengers who were similarly impacted.

God is sovereign!

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

SHORT-CIRCUITED BY SELF

SHORT-CIRCUITED BY SELF

This humorous story is reflective of how many people tend to cut off potential blessings by projecting personal pressures and false perceptions onto others, and then actually believing them.

One dark rainy night a salesman had a flat tire on a lonely road.  But to his dismay he had no lug wrench.  Seeing a nearby farmhouse, he set out on foot.  Surely the farmer would have a lug wrench, he thought.  But would he even come to the door?  And if he did, he'd probably be furious at being bothered.  He’ll say, “What’s the big idea getting me out of bed in the middle of the night?”  This thought made the salesman angry.  Why, that farmer is a selfish old clod to refuse to help me!

Finally the man reached the farmer’s house.  Totally frustrated and drenched, he banged loudly on the door. “Who's there?” a voice called out from a window overhead. 

“You know good and well who it is,” yelled the assuming and angry salesman.  “It's me!  And you can keep your old lug wrench!  I wouldn’t borrow it if it was the last one in the county!” 

Never assume the worst; always look for the best.  If the worse-case scenario actually occurs, you can then make the necessary adjustments.

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