December 2016
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What’s In A Title? Accountability!!!

December 29, 2016

If you have ever followed me on Facebook you know that I love the church. It is the hope of the world. We, the members of His Body, corporately and individually. Belonging to local bodies and a part of His global community have been deemed the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

With this comes great responsibility to share His message with love and compassion. Telling the world we live in about the life of Christ, the death of Christ, and the resurrection of Christ.

His church was built with the Gospel message and as it grew certain ministries were ordained to help in teaching disciples and growing the local bodies of believers.

Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists were called and commissioned to guard the Gospel, encourage the faithful, teach repentance for sins, care for the poor and the hungry.

The Apostle James gave this important charge to those who would teach in the church. I will read from the Amplified Bible.

James 3:1

Not many [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].

Sadly there are many who want to operate in these ministries but they do not want the title. What’s in a title they say? Accountability!! It comes with the calling of God.

Let me correct the church but don’t call me Apostle. Let me prophesy but don’t call me Prophet. Pastor, but don’t call me Pastor. Teach, but don’t call me teacher. Evangelize but I do my own thing. On and on there are those who try to circumvent accountability by saying, “what’s in a name?”

No one understands more than I the feeling of unworthiness that comes with a call of God upon your life. Can I do it? Will I get it right. Many more questions arise after you take your first step towards acknowledging the call of God.

As a Pastor I accept the responsibilities of the call. Giving Him the glory for the good and accepting as my own the mistakes that I make.

Surrounding myself with people with the same vision helps minimize the mistakes yet as Senior Pastor the weight of every decision is on me. I can not circumvent the responsibility by not accepting the title. If God puts you in the pulpit He will hold you accountable. Whether you acknowledge the title or not.

We must pray for our leaders. Those who have accepted the call of God on their lives. I understand the reverence and respect for His calling. It is scary when you have been commissioned by God to fulfill a certain work and you fear failure or disappointment.

Your leaders need your prayers and those who lead must accept their responsibility.

I pray for the church daily and it’s leaders. I pray that all who follow the amazing and humbling call of God will one day hear;

“Well done My good and faithful servant”

Thank God For A Tree

December 28, 2016

Thank God For A Tree

While praying recently God reminded me of the story of Zaccheus. He also asked a challenging question that I will share in a moment.

If you went to Sunday School as a child you have probably heard the story and sang the song about Zaccheus. That wee little man that climbed a tree so he could see Jesus. The story is found in Luke 19 verses 1-10. I want to read you three from the middle.

Luke 19:3-5 NASB

3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature.

4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.

5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

The question that came to my mind has two parts. First, what is keeping you from seeing Jesus.

In life there are so many distractions that can keep us from seeing Jesus. We know He is there and concerned for our circumstances but we can only see the interference.

Everyday living brings us great joy as we follow Christ but it also brings the unexpected. An unanticipated financial need. A child in trouble. A friend or family member that receives a startling medical diagnosis. In the midst of living our lives things can come our way that at least temporarily block our vision of Jesus.

Very quickly our enemy will take advantage of our circumstances. Where was God, he will tell us. This is all your fault, God won’t help you. Every possible discouraging and hurtful word will come to your mind. Sometimes from the people that you look to for support.

So all of a sudden you can’t see Jesus. The second part to the question is what are you going to do about it. Zaccheus and his answer was simple. Climb a tree. That would elevate him above the crowd. The circumstances of his height would no longer be a problem.

Your solution is not very different than His. You have to evaluate your circumstances. Look at the interference as nothing more than a distraction. No matter how serious an event has taken place there is a way to rise above it.

It may take some time and some effort. Prayer and support from your church family and friends. There may even be times that in your life experiences you will have to stand alone. Remember that in Christ you are never alone.

Let me leave you with this. God placed the tree that Zaccheus would climb long before he needed it.

He has also placed in your life a means to rise above your circumstances. You must have faith and put that faith to work. Climb out of your depression and do what you can to change the circumstances. Put Jesus in your line of sight.

Sometimes it can be hard, difficult to hold on. Almost like climbing a tree.

Thy Kingdom Come

December 27, 2016

Kingdom authority and Dominion is a wonderful gift that God has transferred to those who believe.

I have preached it, heard it preached, and read books on the subject. I have read of, and experienced the transformation power of Kingdom living. I have noticed something missing in many manuscripts that has always concerned me. With much thought and prayer I want to share a few words about the King of the Kingdom.

In particular His humility and service to those around Him. There will be some who will disagree with my next statement but I pray they will prayerfully consider it.

Kingdom living and Dominion is not all about ruling. It is also about service. Serving our churches, our communities, and our world.

Jesus said it better than me in John 13:12-15.

“So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”

Understanding who He is and what He did is crucial,

Jesus should be our example for every aspect of our lives. In every day living. In tragedies and discouragement. He has felt every feeling we could ever have. From heart breaking sadness to inexpressible victory He has left us a very clear picture of Dominion and Kingdom authority. Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done

visitlivinghope@gmail.com

Welcome to Visit Living Hope

December 26, 2016

It is my hope that as I begin blogging again that God would use me along with other guest bloggers to reach people with the amazing story of Jesus.

I intend to address controversial issues from time to time along with my take on some of the weird theology going around.

I am choosing this format over other social media sites because it allows for longer discussions.

My blog is titled Visit Living Hope because it is my heart to always bring every discussion to the hope of all mankind. Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. My redeemer and my Lord.

I pray you have an amazing Year. Blessed with peace and His glory.

Intense-Desperate-Decisive

December 11, 2016

Intense 12 11 16

December 11, 2016
Amazing Life Church
“Intense-Desperate-Decisive”
Greet People
Betty and I want to thank everyone for your attendance
and help at the banquet. I want to especially thank Betty
for her hard work. She puts so much effort into making
this a beautiful and hospitable event. She is awesome.
An amazing Pastor’s wife.
I am so looking forward to the next season of ministry
in this church and the things that I believe that God is
doing and will do.
As we enter the new year I am praying about some
improvements that are on my heart. Already thinking on
an introductory message for 2017.
I still have huge dreams, and huge expectations for
God’s greatness in this house and our lives. I also am
aware that huge dreams and expectations will require
consistent faith and hard work.
“God honors consistent and deliberate faith.”Page 2
I want to share some thoughts today titled, “Intense-
Desperate-Decisive”
The word intense is defined this way, “Having or
showing strong feelings or opinions. Extremely earnest
or seriousness.”
Desperate is defined as , “showing or involving a
hopeless sense that a situation is so bad, impossible to
deal with.”
Decisive is defined as, “having the ability to make
decisions. Strong minded-determined”
Keep this in your mind, “Intense-Desperate-Decisive”
There are times that I will hear a word from scriptures
that I have already preached. I don’t believe that I
preach the same thoughts but likely some find their way
into the message. It is just at times you can read a
passage and something jumps out that needs some more
attention.
Psalms 51 is familiar to many. It is the Psalm David
wrote in repentance for his affair with Bathsheba.Page 3
I want to share 4 verses from it.
Psalms 51:14-17 NASB
14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, the God of
my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your
righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare
Your praise.
16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would
give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken
and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Verse 17 Amplified
My only sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
A broken and contrite heart broken with sorrow for sin,
thoroughly penitent, such, O God, You will not despise.
The word broken comes from a Hebrew word which
means, “to break in or down, rend violently, wreck-
crush-quench.”
The word spirit literally means breath or wind. It is used
metaphorically to mean, “disposition, bitter,
discontented, unaccountable, and uncontrollable”.
Continue definitions.Page 4
The word contrite comes from a Hebrew word which
means, “to be crushed, broken, crushed to pieces.”
The word heart means, “inner man-mind-will-
understanding”
This condition that David found himself in would have
required a prayer that came from the heart. Not a lay me
down to sleep prayer. In fact this prayer was most likely
prayed with extreme seriousness, in a desperate frame
of mind, with a determined expected result.
Preach
Psalms 34:18 NASB
The L ORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those
who are crushed in spirit.
Psalms 147:3 NASB
He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of our Lord.
Isaiah 61:1 NASB
The Spirit of the Lord G OD is upon me, Because the
L ORD has anointed me To bring good news to the
afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to
prisoners.Page 5
Jesus quoted that passage also.
Luke 4:18 NASB
T HE S PIRIT OF THE L ORD IS UPON M E , B ECAUSE H E
ANOINTED M E TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR .
H E HAS SENT M E TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE
CAPTIVES , A ND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND ,
T O SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED .
The word brokenhearted from the Greek means, to
“break, break in pieces, shiver, to break down, to
crush.”
Preach-“There is an adequate number of passages that
indicate the willingness of God to pick us up and heal
us from the most desperate situations.”
Here are my 3 words again. “Intense-Desperate-
Decisive”
The last few minutes I want to share some things from
my heart. I will be speaking in general but as always, if
the shoe fits.
Two things in particular really moved me.Page 6
They are first, prayer in the church. Individually and
corporately.
I believe that many prayers go unanswered because
there is no passion in the prayer. No strong feelings, no
seriousness. No desperate plea for God to answer. No
made up mind to be faithful in the prayer.
Preach
Second. I want to first read you 2 sets of passages.
Nehemiah 1:5-6 NASB
5 I said, “I beseech You, O L ORD God of heaven, the
great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant
and loving kindness for those who love Him and keep
His commandments,
6 let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to
hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying
before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of
Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of
Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my
father’s house have sinned.
NextPage 7
Daniel 9:4-6 NASB
4 I prayed to the L ORD my God and confessed and said,
“Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps
His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love
Him and keep His commandments,
5 we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly
and rebelled, even turning aside from Your
commandments and ordinances.
6 Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the
prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our
princes, our fathers and all the people of the land.
Verse 20 NASB
Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing
my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting
my supplication before the L ORD my God in behalf of
the holy mountain of my God.
What is common here. 2 Mighty men of God. Both in
captivity and praying for their people, and their sins and
rebellion against God.
They identified themselves with the sins of the people.
Preach-What If The Church Did The Same. “Intense-
Desperate-Decisive”

Embrace the Evidence

December 4, 2016

Embrace 12 4 16

December 4, 2016
Amazing Life Church
“Embrace the Evidence”
Greet People
Wow does time fly. January 1 st will begin our fourteenth
year of ministry in the city of Savannah. It has been an
awesome time in the presence of God. There are seasons
in the life of a church and we have weathered several.
Each one has been an opportunity to grow. Not always
in number; but always in our relationship with Christ,
and with each other.
The same is true as individuals. We have experienced all
kinds of life events in 13 years. Yet we stand. Wobbly at
times. Still we move forward in His extraordinary plan
for our lives.
Understanding His awesome love and grace.
Understanding the undeniable principles of the
Kingdom of God and its relevance to us. Understanding
the Kingdom authority passed on to us has been my
focus for most of this year.
With that said I want to share some thoughts titled,
“Embrace the Evidence”Page 2
In Genesis you find the story of Abraham and God’s
promise of a son. After much doubt and human
interference God reminded Abraham of what He
promised. One scripture with one question I want you to
remember throughout this message.
Genesis 18:14 NASB
Is anything too difficult for the L ORD ? At the appointed
time I will return to you, at this time next year, and
Sarah will have a son.
Preach-Is anything too difficult for the L ORD ?
Throughout our lives there are circumstances,
difficulties, trails, tragedies, sickness, on and on. I am
sure that many have wondered about the promises of
God. Promises of health and healing. Promises of
victory over our enemies. Promises of our household
being saved. Still some are not.
Are we not like Abraham and Sarah. Who wondered,
questioned, and didn’t understand. Spending years
trying to believe in the midst of all the doubt and
confusion.Page 3
I have experienced difficulties and loss. When I held the
hand of my mom when she was passing over to the
other side I told her I would see her again. That really
was not what I wanted. I wanted her to get out of that
hospital bed and go home and fix me a pot of her
horrible dumplings. She fixed them with so much love.
Even more than that I have held the hands of many
people over the years, including many of you that have
experienced major life events. In those early moments
there is little comfort, very little peace. There is only
why. Until such time that we can sense the hand of God
and know that moving forward will be possible because,
Is anything too difficult for the L ORD ?
There is one Biblical principle that seems to be so
misunderstood, or left unused.
Hebrews 11:1-3 NASB
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared
by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made
out of things which are visible.Page 4
Here is the definition of faith from Strong’s with some
commentary. “in the NT of a conviction or belief
respecting man’s relationship to God and divine
things, generally with the included idea of trust and
holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.”
“Faith is positively believing in the promises of God.
The Kingdom prayers He taught us to pray, and the
dreams He has placed in your heart. Believing that they
exist even when you can not see them.”
Ephesians 3:14-21 NASB
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth
derives its name.
There are times that I stop and look closer at a passage
so we can understand the depth of its message. Here is
what verse 15 is saying. “Believers in Christ on earth,
the spirits of those who have passed, and all the Holy
Angels in Heaven. Make one family and God is the
Father.”
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of
His glory, to be strengthened with power through His
Spirit in the inner man.Page 5
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what
is the breadth and length and height and depth,
18 Amplified- “be fully capable of comprehending
with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length
and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing
that amazing, endless love];”
19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses
knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness
of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly
beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works within us,
20 Amplified- “Now to Him who is able to [carry out
His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all
that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our
greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His
power that is at work within us”
21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Preach-“Embrace the Evidence”
“I know God Can Do It”–Biblical ExamplesPage 6
Commentary each passage
Job 42:1-2 NASB
1 Then Job answered the L ORD and said,
2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no
purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Jeremiah 32:27 NASB
“Behold, I am the L ORD , the God of all flesh; is
anything too difficult for Me?”
Luke 1:37 NASB
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Luke 18:27 NASB
But He said, “The things that are impossible with people
are possible with God.
Preach Embrace the evidence of the faith that has gone
before us. The stands that great men and women have
taken by faith in God. Embrace your dreams, your
purpose. Embrace the welfare of your family and
friends.
Begin every day, every prayer, every thought with these
words. “I know God can do it”

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