If Jesus hadn't changed me, I would still be buying books like...

It truly is amazing how foolish we are as humans. We try the same things in different generations.

We repeat the same mistakes and trust in the same foolish philosophies. The thing is, there is nothing in me that is in any way more enlightened than Oprah or the guy that wrote this best-selling book.

Apart from the grace of our savior, we would all be humanistic, demon led, self-serving, unbelievers. Glory be to God for enlightening us and bringing us to his most blessed son. Before I was saved, I was interested in human philosophy. I actually was a philosophy major in college. I sought human wisdom. By the grace of God, I have been delivered to seek HIM alone.

And by the way, don't get this book.

Go to HIM Outside the Camp

The world considers Christians to be fools.

I have some family members who are unbelievers. In fact they are atheists/agnostics. Sometimes when I spend time with them they make fun of believers who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as He is portrayed in the scriptures. A few months while having dinner one of them said..."I actually had one of these kids in my class who believes in creation and the biblical account of the world..." to which the rest of the table chuckled in agreement. In a quick moment of faith I responded..."that is EXACTLY what I believe."

It is a blessing when we are counted as foolish, naive and unwise by the world, for the gospel in Christ is foolishness to men, but it is the WISDOM of God.

Consider these passages....

Lev 24:23
Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him. The Israelites did as the Lord commanded Moses.

Numbers 12:15 - So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

Outside the Camp was the location of the reproach of sin. Under law, sinners were bannished to outside the camp where they received shame, reproach and often the punishment that came with sin.

But then, consider this passage...

Hebrews 13:13 - Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.

We should be willing and eager to suffer any reproach or disgrace that is hurled on our savior by the world. Let us accept the rejection of the world, because we await a an "enduring city...that is to come".

What does Barack Obama have to do with Jesus?

So what exactly does Barack Obama have to do with Jesus? How does Barack represent the Kingdom of Christ? How does his campaign reflect the person of Jesus? I don't know the answer to this question, but it seems that Barack is very popular in the black community. Perhaps it is pride of race. But I will say this. This video connects John P. Kee with Barack Obama. I don't understand the fascination of churches with Barack. He may be a believer, but it is clear that he does not seem to espouse Christ-like values in many areas.

I only have on King. The Lord Jesus Christ. Barack can't save us from sin. If elected president, I only hope that he will simply allow believers to lead peaceful lives free from governmental interference. But if the Lord uses Him as a persecutor of the church, may we be faithful to the Cross of Christ!

the evil impact of sin

Sin has so many effects.  

People are crushed by it.  Souls are lost in it.  Bodies are defiled in it.   My church is being impacted by the evil impact of sin.  People's families are being bruised.  When there is an issue in a church, many people are hurt by the situation.  

  

It is tearing apart our churches.  But we don't have to let it happen.  We are dead to sin, identifying with the crucifixion of our savior; but we can live to Christ.   Christ is dead to sin, and we can live in HIM.

Christ is all!

I am Sick of Snow, but I love Jesus

I live in Chicago -- and I am really sick of the snow. But a few days ago, I was reminded of this text, Genesis 8:22...

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

YHWH promised to never destroy living creatures in this way again. Even though "every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood", God has shown us grace in the seasons. So, I hate the snow, but we should remember the Lord Jesus Christ...the promise of YHWH in the seasons. Christ made the seasons -- let's remember HIM...even while we are shoveling.

We need Fellowship in HIM

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

There is something special about fellowship in Christ.

This weekend I worked on Joshua Jeneration's new CD project with a few HHH artist friends of mine. We worked on music, talked about Jesus, ate food, challenged each other, discussed our shortcomings -- it was beautiful. I wish that my regular interactions during church were more like this time I shared with my brothers and sisters in Christ this weekend.

I need Lyve Martyr & Camp Liberation, Iomos Marad, Mahogany Jones, Joshua Jeneration, Christ Bible Church, Lord Jesus Christ Assembly, Tha House, Passion of the Christ Movement, J-Kwest, Mark Wright and Remnant, Kevin, Brandon, David, Mike Miller, Phil, Marvin Williams & Tabernacle Christian Church...All of our ministries need connection with each other on a regular basis. Not just talking, not just phone calls, not ritualistic religious rites, but fellowship directed at edification of the HIS body; fellowship concerning the Christ of the World.

My Growing Disdain for Gospel Music

I have a love hate relationship with Gospel Music.

I love the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I enjoy "Gospel" music as an art form. I love listening to foot-stompin', hand-clapping chords and beats. But I am concerned we are going in the wrong direction with respect to this Music we call traditional gospel as a Ministry. Traditional gospel is often more focused on presentation than purpose. Style over substance. Charismatic characters over the Christ.

I found this whole "performance" kind of strange.

Ricky Dillard at the Stellars.

As a music minister, I am often concerned that people are becoming attracted to me rather than Christ. I am sure any pastor or leader of a ministry often considers this. We as Jesus lovers should never let the the style of presentation overshadow the savior. We should never elevate any man over the message of the Cross. May Jesus be exalted that our Lord does not have to humble us; for He disciplines those He loves. May he increase as we decrease (John 3:30).

Christ is all.

I represent Jesus Christ

Peep my favorite poet and a blessed sister in Christ, Blair Wingo.

I can relate to this poem. Have any of you grown up bound in denominationalism, division, and man-centered religion. Check what Blair has to say about the only thing in this world worth representing.

I represent Jesus Christ

Christ is all,
Troy

I have no God

I believe agnosticism is the new atheism. "I just don't know" has replaced "I don't believe" in the post-modern mind.

I am in currently in France on business where I met a taxi driver from Algeria. He said his mother was Jewish and his father is Muslim. He concluded "I have no God". Strangely enough, he has a sister who is a Christ believer. He said he had studied the Torah, Quran and the Bible to conclude there really are no significant differences: Anyone who thinks this has missed the Lord Jesus altogether.

Christ is the message of the bible, and without HIM as the Key, it cannot be understood. I suppose that without guidance we alwould conclude there is no God...or atleast we would believe in the wrong one.

Castro will soon be dead

Fidel Castro is turning over the reigns of his military government to his brother (another dictator).

Castro will soon be dead. Another communist, anti-Christ non God honoring person will be dead. Was he able to defeat the cross -- no. Did the communist establishment eradicate the Lord's Gospel - no. In fact, it seems that lately the Gospel is increasing in influence in Castro's Cuba.

So then, what is the impact of a life lived for Communist, Anti-Christ tendencies. It is pure vanity. Castro espoused an ideology that he thought was full of hope and beauty, but He (like the others) will soon die realizing that any world view that does not include the one and only True God is an eternal failure.

Perhaps before He dies, Castro will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And then, HIS grace can be shown that even an anti-Christ, militaristic leader who has caused much division and bloodshed can be saved in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Wouldn't that be great?

He laid down His Life, Willingly

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." John 10:18.

Does this text tell us something about the unique ability and right given to the Son of God to "lay down his life". Jesus had the ability to "lay down his life". He did not die because of sin, but he "lay it down" willingly.

He also has the power to "take it up again". Resurrection power is granted by command of the Father to the Son. He alone has the power to lay it down and take it up again.

Christ is all!

Dead to Sin - Alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:10-11)

Dead equals non responsiveness.

Dead people can't answer, they can't breathe, they can't live or enjoy anything. They are uncommitted, non reactive...they can't be provoked. When you speak to a dead person, he does not answer. A dead person cannot see, he cannot taste, handle or touch. He cannot sense or have an opinion; he cannot debate with you or give an argument. The dead cannot move or revel in anything because there is no ability to activate or animate - He is dead.

We should be dead to Sin, but alive to God! Reacting to Christ, hearing Christ, thinking of Christ, seeing Christ Taste and See that the Lord is Good. Drink the living water; taste of the Bread of Life. Make melodies in your heart and let it overflow with a good theme (Ps 45:1) Our life should be in Christ - not in sin. We are dead to the World, but alive in CHRIST!

Black History Month in the Church? (message 1)

I love the History Channel. I don't know...I just love hearing about the stories that have shaped our current world situation.
The only problem is, I don't know if the history channel belongs in the Church. When we gather together, what ought to be our focus? Christ.

So, what does Black history month have to do with the Lord Jesus Christ? Well, perhaps, indirectly the Lord Jesus Christ can be glorified for delivering Africans from the oppression of White slave owners. He can be glorified for the men and women who believed on Him that came before us. Indirectly, we can praise the Lord Jesus Christ that we have "come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord".

Unfortunately, our focus on Black History usually takes our eyes off of Christ and onto ourselves.

• Do the scriptures emphasize deliverance from a worldly foe, or deliverance from sin?
• Does Christ ever emphasize ethnicity as a means of affection or appreciation?
• Do the scriptures encourage us to remember our ethnic differences or downplay them in the light of the Cross?
• Do the scriptures ask us to remember those who have gone before because of their accomplishments in the world or their acts of faith? (Hebrews 11)

When reflecting on his accomplishments in Judaism (perhaps the ethnicity with the richest history of oppression, religiosity and moral character), Paul states...

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)

I love the History Channel - but when we get History Channel at church, I quickly find myself thinking about Creation rather than the Creator. About the works of man rather than the Works of Christ. About earthly things rather than Heavenly purpose for my life. May Christ exclusively be glorified above every ethnicity He has made.

Christ is all!

the housing market is not my home

The housing market sucks. The Lord blessed us with a house last year. I am glad to be a home owner...or at least a "home payer backer" as I won't own the home (Lord willing) for nearly 30 years. But should I really care about a Home? No.

This world is not my home. Abraham dwelt in a tent, even though the Lord promised him a great inheritance. Jesus slept on hill tops and spent the night with friends. He didn't even bother to rent an apartment and was born in a barn. The apostle Paul did most of His best work as a teacher from a jail cell. He didn't need a cozy library, or study, but the Lord used Him just fine from a cell, house arrest or on the run. John wrote us extremely beautiful letters in transition or in exile -- didn't matter.

So I don't really need a house. The housing market sucks, but it is only temporary. This world is not our home and ministry never required a zip code.

Wonderful - Jesus Is

Jesus is called, Wonderful. I used to always think of this as an adjective (and don't get me wrong, I know my English parts of speech). Like..."That was a wonderful meal", or "I had a wonderful time at the play tonight.

Before the birth of Samson, we have an appearance of the Angel of the Lord in Judges 13 says to Manoah, Samson's father, "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is Wonderful?" Manoah should have been able to see his Name is Wonderful. That IS His name. Or again, the often quoted scripture of the promised Messiah in Isaiah 9:6, "...and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The name of this blessed savior would be Wonderful.

One of the names of the Son of God is Wonderful. He is truly, full of Wonder. To look at Him is to be in awe. Anyone who saw Him in His glory, was immediately awestruck. Even when he did works as a man, men looked at Him and wondered, "What manner of man is this?" He is a wonder evoking being, a beautiful and mighty God. He is without comparison and beyond measure.

He is indeed Wonderful.