Sweet Lips...Zip it to Save IT!

James 1:26 says, "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."

As we continue to work towards a Sweet Lips Lifestyle, I challenge us to hold fast to this verse. I believe the writer is urging believer's to "protect and save". So often we rock the cross and the "Jesus" paraphanelia...we post a couple of scriptures and "church flow" selfies; however, we damage our religion. The best way for us to "protect and save" lost souls and believers alike is to "zip it". Well, James says it a lot nicer: "keep a tight reign" on our tongues. We never know if the words we say today will be the difference in someone hanging on or giving up...keeping the faith or losing hope!

Join me as we "Zip it to Save IT"...to save them...to save us!

#ThePastorC

Still...Sweet Lips!

Proverbs 12:18 says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue lf the wise brings healing".

Too often, we say whatever comes up in our mouths. We don't filter. We don't think through it. We don't seem to care whether or not what we are about to say will do more harm than good. As we journey on this "Sweet Lips" Fast and Lifestyle Change, I challenge us to keep this proverb in mind. Am I being reckless or am I being wise?

God desires for us to truly love others the way that God loves us. This would require us to be more wise in our speech. We do not know how many people we encounter truly need to be healed through our conversations and their encounters with us. What will you say today? What will what you say today do to or for someone else?

#ThePastorC

Sweet Lips

It's so easy to just say what comes to mind. However, the Bible tells us that out of the abundance of our heart our mouth speaks. This means that whatever I speak has actually first taken root in my heart. If something has taken root in my heart, it has direct access to my soul. Therefore I choose to guard my heart like it's my most valuable possession. In fact, it is!

This month I challenge you to join this lifestyle challenge that I call "Sweet Lips". Refrain from negative and polluted conversation-only speak words that are "sweet" and offer "healing". In doing so, you actually are ensuring that your heart is filled with the same. 

Come on...you can do this! #ThePastorC

Holy Week...Let's Get Holy!

Holy Week...Get Holy

Final Step:  It's time to GET HOLY
Six weeks ago, we started the journey of "Turning Away from Sin" together.  Let us not give up during this critical space during the Lenten Fast.

Christians all over the world recognize this celebrated week as "Holy Week".  It is during this week that we remember Jesus' last 5 days on earth before his untimely death and unmatched resurrection.  It does not get any better than this week!  So, what are you waiting for?

This week I challenge us to truly be inspired by the Holy steps of Christ throughout Holy Week.  Jesus never gave into his fears, doubts, or even the threat of not being accepted or understood.  How quickly many of us are to throw in the towel when people do not appreciate or value WHO God has created us to be.  It is truly tempting to simply walk away and say "God, you deal with them...you made them."  HA!  This is it...did you see that?  We are willing to admit that God made them, so why do we try to take on God's creation.  Let's Get Holy!

Let us spend this final week of the Lenten season in true meditation and dedication to being Holy.  Do not let anyone or anything separate you from Christ this week.  When gossip comes your way, walk away.  If you open your mouth to speak ill, close it!  If you don't like it, give it to Jesus and let Him handle it!  It's HOLY WEEK...GET HOLY!

Let's begin to work towards being holy by focusing on this week's challenge questions and focus scriptures:
 

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS & FOCUS SCRIPTURES:

I've sinned and fallen short.  How can I get holy?
What do I do that I know I should NOT do?
How can I avail myself to the Holy Spirit so that I can be holy?

PALM SUNDAY (Mark 11:1-11) Make me ever aware of Who God is and not be tempted to offer fake praise.

HOLY MONDAY (Mark 11:12-19) Show me the ways that I fall show so that Jesus will not have to curse or turn over things in my life.

HOLY TUESDAY (Mark 11:20-Mark 13) Remind me to be careful not to misuse the scriptures to trap or trick others.  The truth is it is not our place to make judgment.

HOLY WEDNESDAY (Mark 14:1-11) Remind me of how much you have forgiven me and to have the heart of the woman with the alabaster jar.  Keep me loyal to You, God, so that I might not ever "sell you out" for popularity among people.

MAUNDY THURSDAY (Mark 14:12-51)  Help me not to fall away from you even when doing right seems to be unpopular.

GOOD FRIDAY (Mark 14:53-15)  Show me the "lashes" that I cause you daily when I do and say things that are not pleasing in Your sight.  Motivate me to help carry the cross daily.

SATURDAY  Keep me silent like your Word.  Don't let me speak unless You give me the words to say.

RESURRECTION SUNDAY (Mark 16:1-20) Show me the places that are dead in my life so that I can ever mindful that Jesus will not live "among the dead".

 CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, this week is critical.  As we continue to "Turn Away From Sin," we are truly seeking our holiness.  Please prick our hearts and make us uncomfortable in our skin until we come to know You fully.  You are not pleased with jealousy, hatred, and just plain mean-spirited behavior.  It is for these sins that You died for us long before we were born.  Teach us to truly value Your death, burial, and resurrection so that we might live HOLY, GODLY lives.  Give us the strength to GET HOLY!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lent 2015: Weeks 4 & 5

Motivated...Weeks 4 & 5

Third Step:  Pray & Pray Some More
Two weeks have almost passed, and the Lenten Devotion was held up.  What did you do?  Did you quit or did you stay motivated?

As a recap:
Week 1-We prepared for success
Week 2-We admitted that we have a problem
Week 3-We waged war & stayed the course

Now, this week I challenge us to stay motivated!  It's so easy during the second haul of the Lenten season to fall short.  You have made it through the first three weeks, but have you gotten slack in your fasting and praying?  We are still at it, and we must stay motivated!

Let us spend the remainder of this week in the Lenten season motivating and encouraging ourselves and each other.  Check in with other believers, and encourage them on this journey.  

James 5:16 tells us to "...confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  How much are we bearing alone and how discouraged have we become because we have been carrying our burdens alone?  Let's get motivated!
 

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

How can I motivate others to stay strong during this Lenten season and throughout their walk with God?  What areas of my life are discouraging me and who can I depend on to pray for me?
 

 CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we are still seeking and walking with Jesus to the cross.  We recognize that we all have our own cross to bear; however, we know that You are able to sustain us.  Help us to recognize the power in sharing our burdens with one another that we might encourage and pray for each other.  We want to please You-help us!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lent 2015: Week 3

Stay the Course...Week 3

Second Step:  Wage War
I've heard that when you show up for help most professionals affirm that the first step to defeating demons of any kind is to admit you have a problem! I believe on this Spiritual journey the second step is to wage war against the problem!

The second part of this year's focus scripture is Romans 3:24: "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." If we really want to defeat the demons that we face, we must wage war against them.  The power comes when you realize that the fight is fixed! 

This week I challenge us to continue with Step 2: Stay the Course or Wage War!  Too often we become victims when we are really already victorious. The scripture affirms for us the fact that in spite of our "falling short" Jesus FREELY GIVES grace that justifies.  In order for us to truly "Turn Away From Sin," we must wage war against sin and STAY THE COURSE!

Let us spend this week focusing on tangible ways to wage war and stay the course. Christ has already gifted us the grace and access to forgiveness. So why not turn away and fight the urge to hate...fight the urge to lie...fight the urge to doubt...fight the urge to worry...fight sin of ALL KINDS!  Let's begin to work towards a solution through this week's challenge questions.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

How can I daily decide to stay the course and wage war against the temptations of sin?
In what ways do I become a victim to sin when God intended for me to be victorious?

 CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank You for strengthening us to observe Lent for three weeks. As we seek a closer walk with you and determine ourselves to be victorious, help us to stay the course and wage war against sin.  God we want to be pleasing in all that we say and do, and we do not want to become weary in doing well.  Inspire us daily by your Holy Spirit and keep us ever mindful of the grace that you have freely given us for redemption from sin and the ties of the enemy.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Turning Away...Week 2

First Step:  Admit You Have A ProblemI've heard that when you show up for help most professionals affirm that the first step to defeating demons of any kind is to admit you have a problem!

Part one of this year's focus scripture is Romans 3:23:  "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."

This week I challenge us to begin with Step 1: Admit You Have A Problem!  Now, don't get too defensive while reading this.  The "You" is a corporate "You".  If I were to change my language, I would say: Let US Admit that WE have a Problem!  Paul told the church at Rome "...ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".  Therefore, you and I have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.  In order for God to alleviate the problem, we must admit that we have that problem.

Let us spend this week focusing on all areas of our lives and the ways we fall short in them.  Let us really examine ourselves and whether or not God is being glorified by the conversations that we have or the behaviors that we engage in.  Too often we get comfortable with the way we are or the way things have always been done.  When we reach that place in our walk, we begin to sin more easily because our "righteous radar" has been compromised.  It is easier to say whatever comes to mind...it is easier to do whatever one feels like doing...and the list goes on.  We have a problem!  Let's begin to work towards a solution through this week's challenge questions.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

In what area(s) of my life do I fall short of God's glory and sin?
How can I improve my relationship with God by admitting that even I have a problem?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we desire to be pleasing in Your sight in all areas of our lives.  We do not want to be a public witness and a private spectacle.  We want you to be pleased in public and pleased in private with who we are and who we show others.  Help us to use this week to consecrate ourselves to hear from You.  Help us to be sensitive to Your chastisement and not to become complacent in how we have always been or what we have always done.  We set ourselves aside for Your glory!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lenten Season 2015: Turn Away From Sin

Your Lenten Fast Preparation is the Key to Success! Before beginning your Lenten Fast, I urge you to pray.  It is important that you truly seek God about what you are going to sacrifice during the Lenten season.  Your sacrifice should be meaningful to you.  What do you eat all of the time OR do all of the time?  What really means a lot to you? Once you determine what you are sacrificing, I urge you to focus on areas in your life in which you are falling short.  Romans 3:23-24 reminds us that "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  This is where our corporate theme is founded. This year, I challenge us to make an intentional effort to "Turn Away From Sin".  The fancy word we have heard over and over again in church is: REPENT!  Well, that's the kind of heart we approach this season with; however, this year let us really be about it!  Let us examine every single aspect of our lives and ask God to show us the short fall and help us to TURN AWAY!

Turn UPP in 2015 for Extreme Greatness

Oh how marvelous is the name of Jesus! The presence of the Lord left many of us unable to sleep after our 2014 Watch Night experience. I'm so grateful for the power of the Lord and how He manifested His glory before and in us. I believe that it is this same power that God desires for us to experience every time we enter Greater Ward Chapel in 2015! Let us prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits for this extreme greatness!

We can do this by turning UPP every day of our lives. In this house, the formula for turning UPP is U-unity, P-prayer and praise! I challenge every member of GWC to Turn UPP with me in 2015. Let us turn to unity instead of division. Let us turn to prayer instead of gossip, and let us turn to praise instead of pity! Are you ready? Let's Turn UPP!!!!