Welcome to Inspirational Discussions

It is a pleasure to have you visit and share with me in my discussions, blogs and Christian studies.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Halloween

This is a weekend of celebration where treats are given and people often dress as other characters and sometimes pranks are played on people. Given the history of this day dating back to the 1800's when it was designed as a time of community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghost, witchcraft and pranks as we see today. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes. Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything "frightening" or "grotesque" out of Halloween celebrations. Because of their efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century.
By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular, but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide parties as the featured entertainment. Despite the best efforts of many schools and communities, vandalism began to plague Halloween celebrations in many communities during this time. By the 1950s, town leaders had successfully limited vandalism and Halloween had evolved into a holiday directed mainly at the young. Due to the high numbers of young children during the fifties baby boom, parties moved from town civic centers into the classroom or home, where they could be more easily accommodated. Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats. A new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country's second largest commercial holiday (Taken from research on Halloween).
It is my prayer that all celebrations are done in love, joy, peace and safety without pranks.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Intercessory Prayer

I Timothy 2:1

I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

What is intercessory prayer? The word intercession is to make a plea for others or the mediation, which is to act as a go between for two or more parties. Also, to be an intercessor is to make a petition to someone for someone else. With that being said, then our intercessory prayers become our petition to God for others as Jesus Christ is our intercessor to God for all mankind.
If the question were raised, Why should we pray for others as many we may not know or what their condition is? First, it is good to pray for others as an expression of our care for all mankind. Second, there will come a time when we will need others to pray for us. Lastly, our scripture text encourages praying for others as this denotes a caring spirit as this spirit exemplifies that of Christ.
This question comes to mind, in our intercessory prayer, what should we pray for others? We should pray for the well being of others as it is the desire of all mankind that all is well in his or her daily lives. Lastly, we are to pray a prayer of thanksgiving as an expression of gratitude for God’s many blessings and difficulties as well because problems grow faith. Intercede for others as Christ intercedes for you and I daily-pray.

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Adhere to God's Instructions

Proverbs 23:12

In every aspect of our lives we are guided by instructions; there are instructions or manuals on how to assemble many manufactured products that man has made. These instructions/manuals or procedures are designed to guide the consumer in a step-by-step approach in assembling the particular product. There are procedures on how to make our favorite dishes for eating, many are written and many are passed on from one generation to the next. With that being said, the question now becomes Why are God’s instructions so important?

God’s instructions are important because they are designed for guidance and directions as His instructions are recipes for holy living. God provides instructions for His people just for that purpose so that they will not go astray or be tempted by Satan and his deceptive schemes. It is noteworthy to say that God’s instructions are constantly being revealed to all who read study and meditate on His Word.

It is wise to adhere to God’s instructions because He is all knowing and has the ability to guide His people around any and all hurt harm or danger if adhered to. Providing instructions is part of God’s provisional care for His people. God’s value of teaching children is recorded in Deuteronomy 6:7 where He instructed parents to teach their children in their going out and coming in. In Joshua 4 God instructed Joshua to erect a memorial using stones as a teaching tool to the younger generation of Israelites of where and how they crossed the Jordan. Adhere to God’s Word.

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Purpose of Instructions

II Timothy 3:16

All scriptures are given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous.

Our scripture text provides the answer to the implied question of what is the purpose of instructions. Also, stated in our scripture text is who gave the instructions as there would be no doubt of the legitimacy of the Bible as it is one love story with instructions for man’s benefit.
Providing an explanation of doctrines we see that these teachings are to preserve God’s holy laws as mankind is to abide by His law that is designed for man’s holy and righteous living. Doctrines can be seen as traditions, a policy or conviction as man’s convictions are to first believe there is a God who created and sustains all that exist. Also, it is all believers’ conviction that God breathed His breath into man and he became a living soul. With that being said, then it is both God and man's (believers) conviction to live in a harmonious relationship with each other.

If the question were raised, What is a conviction? A conviction is a persuasion or belief. The believer’s persuasion to obey God’s instructions, obey them as they are to correct man when he/she go contrary to God’s commands, or provide proof that man is living according to God’s laws.

Instructions are guidelines or a plumb line for righteous living as they are good in every way.
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Saturday, October 9, 2010

Christian Leadership

During the year I have attended workshops on Visionary Leadership sponsored by the Wolverine State Congress of Christian Education, which has proven to be very enlightening and spirit-filled. These leadership workshops support the Congress' mission of "Equipping Church Leaders For Effective Ministry (Ephesians 4:12).

Some of the workshops addressed Pastors receiving the vision and effectively communicating his or her vision to the congregation. This week's workshop addressed with "Giving Birth To Your Vision 1 & 2" where the topics were "The Vision Personnel and The Vision Process." These presentations were presented by two dynamic pastors as each provided some very enlightening points. Presenter one, Dr. Nathan Johnson expounded on the "Who Develops the Vision, or Who are the Personnel Involved in the Envisioning Process?" under the section of "The Point Person" it was stated that "The ministry leader is the sole point person or primary leader of the ministry. In the church, this person is the senior pastor." Point well stated. Another point that struck a cord with me is "There is no biblical foundation for co-leadership, people cannot follow a group" (A Single Leader section). My mind went to churches that have co-pastors.

Some of the other high points of Dr. Johnson's presentation were the Visionary leader and the characteristics of visionary leaders. An explanation of what the point person does as this person is the vision cultivator, communicator, and clarifier. These duties are very important for the vision to become a reality in that it involves what was termed as "Significant Others" which is made up of the leadership team. It was pointed out that "Wise leaders know that if they get the driving wheels (leadership team) committed, they will bring others along, and without the commitment of the driving wheels, the organization moves unsteadily." (Dr. Nathan Johnson).

After identifying the leadership team, Dr. Johnson, provided the functions of the leadership team, which is four-fold from their cooperation, contribution, support and their communication.

Dr. Johnson closed his presentation by saying, "Visionary leadership is needed in the kingdom of God in order to fulfill the outline that God has for reaching the world. Individuals who live in obedience to His direction can implement God's vision and plan for individuals, churches, communities as well as the world. Leadership with insight is not about mighty exploits of human creativity that end in successful praise of the followers. Rather, a Christian leader with a spiritual goal is one who receives directions from God then launches out into the deep by believing that "faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Powerful!

The second presenter, Pastor Reginald Flynn presented the "Three Critical Stages in the Vision Birthing Process." Stage one outlined "The Conception of Your Vision", in stage two Pastor Flynn outlined "The Source of the Visionary's Vision (Birthing) and in stage three he outlined "The Development of Your Vision--The Dream Grows To Becoming A Vision.) In each stage of the birthing process the presenter provided very important points in bringing your vision into reality. They are far too many to list here.

The workshop session closed with a powerful sermon "Another Way of Crossing Over, (Joshua 3:1-8) by Dr. Marvin Smith. Our next session is expected to equally as powerful.
In closing, the Holy Spirit is at work calling willing hearts that are willing to obey God's call world over and lead others to Christ (soul harvesting). I say this because as I travel, communicate and network with others many are hearing and obeying the call of God as they recognize the importance of God's kingdom building. Reflecting on my ministry which is a church without walls and I will continue to share His Word as He gives me strength.
Comments are welcome.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Anger

Ephesians 4:26-27

The Holy Spirit is at work because last week we discussed peace and anger was my topic for this week. During worship service Dr. Charles Stanley sermon was on conflict. In his sermon he gave the destructiveness of anger from the stand point that anger wreck lives, destroys marriages, wounds children, separates friends, and causes disunity in churches. I concur with all of anger's destructive effects.
Our scripture text gives advice on dealing with anger by suggesting that we are reframe from sinning in our anger and "let not the sun go down upon your wrath"(v 26) "neither give place to the devil" (v 27). What these verses are saying is for us to deal with our anger by identify the source of our anger, "deal with it quickly,"(Dr. Stanley), by confronting the person or persons and forgiving the person(s) as God has forgiven us all. Was God angry when He forgave us? God was angry when He pronounced the whole world guilty because of sin, but His love, grace and mercy took precedence and He provided salvation which freed us from the bondage of sin. We are to replace our anger with a spirit of compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12-13).
With that being said, we are handle anger according to scripture, which states "vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12: 19c). Put away your anger.

Friday, October 1, 2010

The Peace of God

Jeremiah 33:16

Continuing our discussion on peace we will define peace, its origination and how we can have peace while waiting for Christ's return. What is the true definition of peace? The Hebrew word for peace is shalom; which is far more than the absence of war, conflict, or stress. It is the positive presence of harmony, wholeness, soundness, well being and success in all areas of life (KJV commentary). This peace can be seen when one is at peace within him or herself and God. It can be said to be in acceptance of where you are at that present time. Regardless of physical, mental, or surrounding conditions God is always near. Paul stated that he knew how to be happy whether he had a little or a lot.
Peace or shalom originated when God created the heaven and earth and all that is within was created in perfect harmony and wholeness with God. Remember the harmony that existed between God, nature, animal and man until it was disrupted by sin. When Adam sinned his sense of inner peace was lost forever until Christ returns to restore men shalom.

While waiting for Christ’s return and the restoration of God’s peace, how can we have peace now? Peace is available to all believers through the Holy Spirit as we remain united with Christ in faith. Also, we are to seek to live in harmony with others as peace is one of the fruit of the spirit, which is an indicator of who and where we are—at peace.
The peace of God rules supreme and is misunderstood by the world.