4th May, 2008
Remaining The Same In A Changing World
After many hours of observation and many days of pondering the thought of stagnation, I have come to this conclusion: That stagnation brings a nasty murkiness to any organization or individual. When an organization does not want to change with the flow of the society in which it serves then the message is quite clear: The organization no longer wishes to serve that generation or help evaluate its condition. It has turned itself into a stagnant pool of knowledge which after a while becomes to complex to pull information from.
Change must be embraced and each organization must be able to change with the direction that society as a whole is taking. When Jesus was on the earth He moved amongst the people and brought change that was necessary to the climate of that society. We as Christians must move amongst the people and bring change, real change. Change to the immoral and displaced hearts that roam throughout our cities and towns as ghosts, unseen and unchallenged. People truly want change even though some are afraid of it.
I believe that the Church in America desires change but for the most part she is afraid of it! The Church has become so comfortable in the multi-million dollar facilities and the billions of dollars in property values. I know one thing as I know many, property values and over priced complexes do not interest the King of our hearts. Change is difficult when you prioritize adamant values over human value. When the moment of decision comes and there is a “stall’ because of cost and factors relating to loss which in turn keeps the American Church in a stagnate position, then we need change. The society we live in is changing in culture and in attitude. Languages and placement is changing rapidly. This is no time for the the American Church to stop and ponder change. It is simply time to change with the direction of where God is moving. One simple statement that has a great deal of complexities to it is “Shrinking is not changing it is a sign to change.”
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 11:12 pm | Comment (0)
27th April, 2008
Stages In Life
Man, it is really hard lately to even embrace all the “change” that is going on! What I mean by this is that one must be careful not to embrace falsehood. The enemy can counter with really good stuff that sounds good. He tried that with Jesus in the desert, remember? This kind of change comes when people become really frustrated or even weary trying to accomplish what is believed to be “Godly” desires. Often they are, but, the darkness begins to act like light and BAM, oops there it is, loss and failure. Yes, failure to continue in what your goal was! Just keep a knee bent and a heart lifted to Him who can show you the tomorrow before it comes.
God wants success for His people (Church) not failure! I know that stages come through out life that offer perfect platforms to perform on. The question is this: Does He want you to perform on that platform or is there another just for you? His voice and His text is the ruling factor in every decision for change. Listen for Him, He is calling to all of us! These stages will pass! I hope and pray that we all will be ready for the next ones.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 9:02 pm | Comment (0)
22nd January, 2008
Don’t Settle For Less
Tonight, as I sit here in front of this glaring yet inviting monitor I began to ponder or contemplate the response of so many people that I minister to. This is also a reflection on many people in the Kingdom who just settle for what comes! Anyway, my point is quite simple: Don’t settle for anything less than what God has promised!
Many of the people who I serve as pastor just get by with a little help from their friends (Joe Cocker mentioned that in one of his songs “Get By With A Little Help From My Friends”. I knew some of these people when they had more and when their families were together. But, what happened is that life started to offer them pleasures that don’t satisfy and cause short-term reactions with long term affects. They begin to settle for less. They once loved their children around them and would do anything to keep them safe. As they continued to settle for less and gain short-term amiable receptivity through bad decisions the family became less important. What we need to understand is that life can offer some short-term answers for difficulties and can be very persuasive, however, what God promises has long-term affects. He offers a connection and position in life that does not impair the short-term! I like what David testified:
Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him. I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread. All day long they are merciful and deal graciously; they lend, and their offspring are blessed. (Psalm 37:24-26 AMP)
My heart is so burdened for those that settle for the less and loose the most!
Look to the Lord for the connection and position you should have in life. The problem can be solved and the result will have a inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefutable affect on your life and the lives of your children. Do not settle for less, God has so much for you!
Peace
Dennis
All scriptures used in this blog article are The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 11:49 pm | Comment (0)
28th December, 2007
What Is Preaching?
Preaching is what people do when they want to strongly exhort. prophesy or reprove other people. Preaching is also defined as ‘the public proclamation of Christianity to the non-Christian world’. Preaching can be multifarious! It seem to me that we do a whole lot of preaching to each other who are saved and not enough to the non-Christian world. The enemy of our walk with God has confused so many by making “superstar” preachers (who I think should stay in Hollywood)! I have heard great preaching in my day! Sermons that would curl and did curl the devils toes. These sermons did not come from some known “superstar” but from the heart of individuals who understood the heart of God to reach souls. They understood the warfare that begins in prayer before the sermon is even designed on paper. They understood the anointing that came upon them as they began to declare the oracles of God to unsaved ears. It is not in length nor of talent but in the understanding that the Word of God is preached to bring souls to the decision of accepting Christ.
For myself I have been speaking for about 33 years. I really do not know if I even understand the “art” of preaching. One thing I do understand is that no matter how God does it, it is Him who breaks the yoke through preaching. I remember once that I felt that I had really found my niche in communicating the Gospel of Christ. I invited a seasoned preacher who I respected immensely to preach at the church I was pastoring in San Lorenzo, CA. The speaker came to the platform after I spent time introducing and sowing accolades ( Gets me sick to think that is what I thought was right) and in five minutes of speaking (preaching) the message was over. I sat in my chair thinking: It took five minutes to say what normally would have taken me an hour! I learned that day that content can be delivered as the Holy Spirit gives opportunity. What is the understanding of preaching. Paul stated this:
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, ” (Romans 1:16, AMP)
In this verse I have soaked my spirit-man. Hoping that one day I can say in five minutes what it takes an hour normally for me. You can buy books to show you how to stand when you preach ( I must confess, that I never read one but I have paged through them!) You can buy other sermons and build of them. You can memorize so you can deliver with the greatest of eloquence ( That is cool, I think). But I still believe that finding a prayer closet and asking God to anoint you with power, to flow through you in power and to help you quench the thirsting of Jesus is the way to get your sermon. Studying is what God wants but we need to be anointed also.
So what is preaching? I really can only tell you that I am still learning to preach! What I have learned so far is that God has chosen it to communicate to the lost. By the way board room preaching is messed up and not anointed!
Peace
Dennis
All scriptures contained in this blog are of the The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 10:35 pm | Comments (2)
20th October, 2007
Why Should We Pray?
Prayer is the essence of pure communion with God. It is worship and meditation coupled together! Prayer is personal yet corporate. If a person does not pray there is not much one can do against the wiles of the enemy. A preacher, teacher, prophet, evangelist, missionary, apostle or one that is part of the Body of Christ should not do anything till they have prayed. Prayer moves the Hand of God!
“If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. ” (2 Chronicles 7:14, AMP)
Prayer should be embraced by every person who believes in the miraculous undertaking of the heavens to communicate one’s desires and praise to Him, the Creator of men.
How often in my spirit I cry:
“I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands. ” (1 Timothy 2:8, AMP)
Once I heard a man say, ‘Why pray, God gave us intelligence.’ I agree, he gave us intelligence! He also gave us the opportunity to use that intelligence. He gave us the awesome grace to seek Him. I pray because I love to talk to God. I love to request of Him to bless the poor and help the needy. I trust that people do not pray because they do not want to talk to Him who knows all things. God is really the author of prayer and He is the answer to all your prayers. Why pray? It is really something to call on Him anywhere, anytime and know that you are being listened to. When to pray? Here are some suggestions
- In the morning with your morning beverage.
- On the way to the office (in the car, it is way safer than text messaging).
- In the afternoon (before or after your lunch).
- While you are jogging or exercising.
- In the evening with your family.
- In the middle of the night (it is really quiet then)
- While waiting for an appointment.
Prayer is necessary for your spiritual growth. It puts you on Holy ground! Oh, people who pray are not really popular with hypocrites. The devil will come at you with all his forces to stop you, but so what! Jesus is standing there with you covering you with His peace, blood, and mercy.
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 11:14 pm | Comment (0)