Getting Through the Tough Times

   Life is a gift from God. He gave it to us to fulfill our creative purpose and to enjoy. However, everyone's life has a certain amount of tough times. They are a part of our life's journey. As uncomfortable and unpleasant as they may be, they cannot be avoided. No one can negotiate an exemption from experiencing them. The following are some suggestions fro getting through the tough times. When applied they will give you an advantage and help you in getting through the terrain of tough times.

1. God is faithful. Faithful is the same as trustworthy, reliable, and true. This faithfulness that is applied to God implies that he is worthy of full or complete trust. The Message Bible says concerning God, "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it, 1 Corinthians 10:13. We have God's assurance that our tough times are not outside of our ability to deal with them as we place out trust in him. We cannot control everything that comes or goes but we can daily choose to trust in God's faithfulness to be with us and get us through our difficulties.
2. Encourage Yourself. Every person requires a certain amount of encouragement. When discouraged it can be like adrenaline going through ones veins and giving energy in a time of need. Encouragement usually comes from others. A family member, close friend, a co-worker, etc. However it has been my experience that now and then there is no one around when you seem to be at a low point. During one of the most trying times in his life king David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. You can read it in your spare time, 1 Samuel 30. Our willingness and courage to speak good things to ourselves as a means of personal encouragement is irreplaceable.
3. Keep moving, don't quit and don't stop. During the tough times it is important to realize that they are apart of the journey. Its like driving in a car going from the east coast to the west coast. There are differing stretches of the highway. During the ride you will see everything from beautiful scenery to desert land. There will be places worthy of stoping and others that you can sleep right through. The goal is to get from the east to the west. If the goal is to be realized, you must keep going. So when times get tough just remember it's just a part of the drive to a better destination. The passengers are you and God and whom ever you choose to take with you i.e. your husband, your wife and children, a friend, etc. Remember someone may and probably is watching you as an example and point of reference to get through a difficult time.

The Importance of Being on Time

    Time is a very important factor in one's life. If utilized and managed efficiently, it will yield great results. The Word of God instructs us to do the following, "making the most of your time, because the days are evil," Ephesians 5:16. Everyone has at some point wished that they had did better with their time. The old cliche is, "time is money." Our Lord Jesus is the greatest example of time management that ever lived. Consider the following statement penned in John's gospel, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written," John 21:25. 

Before there was ever a time management class or seminar our Lord Jesus made great usage of what was allotted him. In a very short 3 year period he accomplished more than any of us could imagine. Once born, we only have so much time to fulfill the purpose that God has ordained for us. Effective time management begins with being on time for meetings, engagements, etc. The following are ten reasons every person should be on time when expected to attend a function. Consider them as they will prove to be rewarding in different ways.

     Why is being on time so important? Isn’t it enough that I show up? The answer lies in the following statement, “The habit of being prompt once formed extends to everything — meeting friends, paying debts, going to church, reaching and leaving place of business, keeping promises, retiring at night and rising in the morning, going to the lecture and town-meeting, and, indeed, to every relation and act, however trivial it may seem to observers.” –William Makepeace Thayer, Tact and Grit, 1882 

This quote speaks volumes as it pertains to time and punctuality. Someone long ago said, “I have always been a quarter of an hour before my time, and it has made a man of me.” 

Reasons for Being Punctual 

1. Being punctual strengthens and reveals your integrity. When you commit to a schedule, you have in essence made a promise. When you are late, it’s the same as breaking the promise. 

2. Being punctual shows you are dependable. Benjamin Franklin once said to an employee who was always late, but always ready with an excuse:  “I have generally found that the man who is good at an excuse is good for nothing else.” When excuses are given an impression of not being dependable is formed.

3. Being punctual builds your self-confidence. Showing up on time not only tells other people you are dependable, it teaches you that you can depend on yourself. The more you keep the promises you make, the more your self-confidence will grow.

4. Being punctual assures you’re at your best. Rushing in to a meeting or function for which you are expected to attend puts you at a disadvantage. If you care about you and those to which you have relationship, you should respect all parties involved by giving your best. It starts with being on time. 

5. Being punctual shows your humility. Punctuality demonstrates that you can and are submitted to authority. 

6. Being punctual shows your respect for others. Being late is a selfish act. Tardiness focuses on you and not your commitment. The attitude is, it’s all about you so let them adjust.

7. Being late is a form of stealing. This is a tough truth but one that is nonetheless true. Others are robbed when you are not where you are expected to be. 

8. Being late strains your relationships. When you’re late in meeting other people, it makes them feel under-valued, that whatever you couldn’t pull yourself away from was more important or that they didn’t mean enough to you to warrant allotting sufficient time to arrive on schedule.

9. Being late disturbs the experiences of other people. Your tardiness not only robs others of their time, but of the fullness of their experiences as well. When an old man was once asked why he had been so punctual in arriving at his church on time for decades, he replied, “I made it my religion not to disturb the religion of others.” 

10. Being late hurts your professional career. Whether you’re an employee or in business for yourself, being late can hinder your professional success. Whether you’re trying to impress the boss or win a client, being tardy produces the opposite effect.

Scripture Fundamentals

Just how important is the Scripture and what are its benefits? Certainly every Christian should be able to answer this with much conviction. To fail to answer and without conviction is close to denying the faith of which we believe and practice. When God gave His Word, He had more in mind than simply a book to read filled with stories. His goal is to reveal Himself to humanity and to make life's experience rewarding. The Scripture contains all that we need to experience God and His Kingdom and at the conclusion of one's life eternal rest in heaven. As we consider the Scripture, the following are the fundamentals of Scripture and as we obey His Word the blessings of the kingdom are granted to us. The Scripture is first and foremost inspired by God. Men chosen by God were divinely inspired to record the words given to them.

1. Scripture makes us wise. To be wise is to be enlightened regarding divine things. The Holy Scripture can give us wisdom that leads to salvation. If we are to experience God's saving grace, we must embrace His Word. James tells us that the doers and not the hearers of the Word are justified before God. Consequently, the Scripture can change us but we must allow the change to take place. All that God has written in His Word for us and concerning us can come to past. However, our participation and cooperation are pre-requisite. 
2. Scripture reveals Christian doctrine. The doctrines are those things that we believe according to the Scripture. For example, we believe in the virgin birth, heaven and hell, the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Spirit, etc. Our doctrines are not made up but come from God through His Word. The doctrines of Scripture must be taught so that we will believe. As believers we are called to protect the doctrines of the church. Satan has doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1) and they are the opposite of the doctrine of Scripture. 
3. Scripture exposes our rebellion. The word rebellion means to be opposition to one in authority. God is supreme authority. He loves and cares for us much more than we realize. When reading the Word, it will show us those areas in our lives that are in rebellion to God. Rebellion can result from simply a lack of faith that says, it's too hard or from a mindset that says no one is perfect. In either case it is opposition to God's requirements and commands. For some the word rebellion is too strong. Most of us would never see ourselves as being such. However, if God's Word says rebellion, then it is rebellion. His desire is to expose it so that it can be corrected. 
4. Scripture Corrects. Correction means to adjust to bring to some required standard. The beauty of the Word is we never have to guess about God's standards. They can be described in one word and that word is righteousness. Righteousness is the standard and requirement of the Kingdom of God. Correction concerns our mistakes. They are the things that we don't know about that when reading the Word we discover that we've been in error. When we recognize our mistake or error, we readily accept them as such and make the necessary changes to adjust. Remember an ungodly behavior should be replaced by a godly one. 
5. Training in Righteousness. Righteousness simply stated is right standing with God. It is speech and actions that are approved by God. Take note that we must be trained in righteousness. No one enters the world having already been trained. All of humanity is the posterity of the first Adam. Consequently, we are all born with a sin nature. Once we are born again, the training starts and continues until we leave this world. The original word for training meant instruction for children. Its purpose was to provide instruction with the intent of forming proper habits and behavior. God gave us His Word to shape our mind and behavior to reflect His righteousness. 

No matter the demands on our lives or what our schedules may be, we must find time to read the Word. The benefits are too great to neglect this most basic responsibility!

A Line Drawn in the Sand

    Recently President Barak Obama expressed his view on the controversial topic of "Same Sex Marriage." In case you've not heard, his position is that he supports same sex marriage. As we consider his position, it is more than a political matter that is being used to assist in securing his re-election. This issue has tremendous spiritual implications for our nation. As representatives of the Kingdom of God, where does the church stand regarding the matter? Are we divided? Are we to agree with the president or take a silent position in hopes that either God will do something or it will eventually go away? If we are waiting on God, then we have become unnecessary and have lost our significance. To take a righteous stand is not gay bashing as the world would have us to believe. Nor is it being judgmental. Both of these are efforts to stop the church from holding and bearing the truth. On the contrary, it is to agree with God's position on this agenda according to His Word. 

The Scripture is quite clear with regards to same sex marriage. God is explicit from creation to Paul's writings concerning the matter. In creation he made a man and a woman and gave them the mandate to be fruitful and multiply and have dominion. The city of Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because of its degree of sin. One of the main ones was homosexuality. In the New Testament Paul says the following,

"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due, Romans 1:26-27." 

"Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 6:9." 

    These are convincing truths concerning God's position on same sex marriage. Are we to waiver in our convictions and allow the devil to still the future of our nation for the sake of attempting to make everyone comfortable? The truth is, God loves us all therefore he sent his son to die for our sins. In Him we can live comfortable. It is his way and his way only. It is a fact that neither two men or two women coming together in a sexual act can reproduce. Now someone may be thinking, what about artificial insemination. I believe that if this were allowed by God, he would have done something different in creation. Our God never aborts his creative purpose. This issue is not about a vote, an election, or the first black man to hole the office of president and get re-elected. This matter is about righteousness and unrighteousness. The Scripture says, "righteous exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." On which side of the line do you stand? You cannot stand on both sides. Everyone must choose. It is better to be ridiculed for a righteous stand than to be popular with the masses. Jesus said, what is the profit of gaining the world and losing one's soul. 

    The church must stand on the rock of our foundation which is Christ. He will defend us, uphold us and reward us for taking a stand. So as we face controversial times rest in him, embrace his word, and share his love as the occasion comes.

Managing Your Life

Achievement! It is the goal of human existence. It isn't automatic and doesn't just happen. Achievement is the result of planning and discipline. Recently I was going through some old notes and came across five things that will help you achieve your goals and fulfill your dreams. They are borrowed from a book I'd read some time ago. You might be familiar with it. Its title is, "Ten Natural Laws of Successful time and Life Management." I have found them to be beneficial and it is hoped you will to.

1. Control your time and you will control your life. Time management is a major player in achieving. Time wasted is time gone. It seems that everyone and everything are in competition for our time. If our time is to be controlled, we must set priorities. Make a list of things to do for each day and stick to it. The list should begin with the most important task to the least for the day. Warning! Watch out for those distractions. They are sure to pop up. I am always amazed at the little things that come to interrupt my agenda. For the most part they are innocent matters but if allowed they will knock you off point. Here are a couple of questions to ask when they something that isn't on your list comes up, can it wait or can someone else address the matter. I am certain that the answer is easy.
2. Your personal success and fulfillment are connected to your governing values. These are the inner convictions that are embraced by every individual. They concern everything from family to friendship and from business to leisure. They are the guiding principles for living. Our governing values are developed and defined from differing streams. Here are a few, family examples both positive and negative, mentoring relationships, the ups and downs of life, religious teachings. During the past twenty years, I have examined my governing values from the teachings of Scripture. They have proven to be the absolute best stream to develop them. The other streams are good but secondary to Scripture. I am thankful to those (family members, my pastor, close friends, and experiences) who take interest in me and help me in this area. Make a list and see what you come up with. 
3. You experience inner peace when your daily activities reflect your governing values you. There is nothing more valuable than being at peace with God, yourself, and others. Everyone should live by their convictions. Our activities and conversation should be guided by them. At the conclusion of each day ask yourself, have I done right by God, others, and self. This will enable you to make adjustments and corrections where needed. There is nothing more precious than a peaceful night that results from a day well spent.
4. To reach any significant goal, you must leave your comfort zone.  According to the encyclopedia your comfort zone is a behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety neutral condition. You could even say that your comfort zone is a description of your personality. In this state there is a steady level of performance usually without risk. Your comfort zone is your established boundaries. There is nothing to risk and no increased anxiety. However, I've discovered that significant goals require you to experiment with new feelings, new territory, new people, etc. If you examine the successes of highly motivated people, you will discover that they may routinely step outside of their comfort zone to accomplish what they wish. 
5. Consistent daily planning leverages time and increases focus. Planning is the key to a well managed life. We've all heard the the cliches, fly by the seat of your pants and make it up as you go. Both are quick and easy ways to failure. If we are to get the best out of life, it will result in part by careful planning. I'm reminded of this very clear verse of Scripture, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty", Proverbs 21:5. Simply stated, plans when followed will keep distractions and procrastination at bay. 

Walk by the Spirit

This months blog is written by Crystal Dubose. Crystal is eighteen and has been with us since age eight and is the middle daughter of Elder Terreance and Minister Hope Dubose. She is a remarkable young lady who loves the Lord. A graduate of University High in Ferndale, her aspiration is to be a pre-school teacher. Crystal is a student of God's Word and gives us a creative way to relate to walking by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22
Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.

Yeah! You are faced with many challenges in life which can cause strife.
Maybe hard, maybe easy
But if you just believe Him, He will make a way out of no way.

Don't cater to your burden, stand strong and know that God is there.
If you praise Him in the storm, you won't have to mourn.
Lift up your head, and lift up your heart.
His promise to you will never depart.

Get your joy back! Don't lack!
Be the light that shines in the darkest places.
Know that his grace and mercy endures all races.
Treasure the moment you have worshipping God.

We were created to do God's will.
So praise Him in advance! Lift up your hands!
Galatians 5:16 and 17 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh! 
For the desires of the flesh are against the spirit and the desires of the spirit are against the flesh. For these are opposed to each other to keep you from the things you want to do."
Step outside the box and walk by the Spirit!

The Three C's of Leadership

"Leadership does not always wear the harness of compromise."

Woodrow Wilson


  Leadership! Now here is a topic that deserves much attention. Having said that many articles and books have been written on the subject. As time goes on, many continue their efforts to express their views, understanding, and manner in which leadership works. For the past twenty years I have been the senior leader of Abundant Life Christian Center. During those years I have made my share of mistakes as well as good decisions. More importantly, I have learned much over the years and my thirst to develop and learn more about being a leader is as fresh as when I first began. The following items have been the foundation of my continuing journey in leadership. It is hoped that they will undergird your pursuit of the call to lead no matter the profession that you may be in. I have called them the three C's of leadership.

1. Commitment. Commitment requires dedication and a resolve to stay a certain course of action no matter the circumstances. This is the beginning step of leadership. If you are a leader or aspire to become one you must be committed to leadership even before you implement a plan. It's a daily decision that must be embraced if any will lead. It is devotion devoid of compromise. A willingness to prioritize. Commitment focuses on completion. It is a choice to finish despite challenge. Commitment says no turning back. It will unleash potential and creativity. 
2. Conviction. Whatever our convictions, they will influence our decisions. Convictions reveal integrity or the lack of it. If any of our decisions are made devoid of strong convictions, the impact goes beyond us. They touch the team that we lead, our relationships, and ultimately the company/business that we service. During his earthly ministry Jesus gives insight to the secret of conduct/behavior that reflects strong convictions. Love God first and your neighbor as yourself. These are the foundation of strong convictions. How we conduct the affairs of our business is as important as our company's vision. There is nothing more fulfilling than choices that are the product of a pure conscious.    
3. Courage. Courage is bravery in the face of difficulty. It is not necessarily the absence of fear. I have discovered that there is a certain amount of fear the accompanies being a leader. Many have faced challenges that required them to choose to be courageous. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, many have overcome by choosing courage above fear. Courage says, something else is more important than being afraid. In the remake of the Karate Kid, Dre Parker sustains an injury that potentially ends his run to win the tournament that he's entered. Mr. Han had previously mended some injuries that Dre sustained from the gang who had been bullying him. The remedy was an old Chinese secret that he learned from his father. When applied the cure healed him and left him painless. As the story nears its conclusion, Dre and Mr. Han are in the looker room with Dre lying on the table seriously injured. He wants Mr. Han to use the cure again so that he can finish the tournament. Mr. Han with complete concern for Dre ask, why must you go back out there. You've done well and don't have to prove anything. Dre's response is, "because  I don't want to be afraid anymore." If Dre was going to live in China and attend the same school as the bully's he faced, he wanted to do so without being afraid. I think you get the point. 

The three C's of leadership work no matter the position one holds. The focus here is on leaders. However they are not restricted to this area. They will work for anyone's vision or dream. May they help you grow and succeed in life's journey.