from USED TO NEW Y USE

Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.    Romans 6:13

If we are all honest we have a B.C. life, you know a Before Christ life, where we did somethings that were visibly wrong, twisted, immoral where the entities of evil delighted in our life.   Where we lived for the moment, and did whatever our hearts desire, no matter who it hurt, us included.  

BUT, being used like that led us down a path of darkness and despair, where drunken stupors were how we woke up to the new day the Lord created.   We questioned what happened the evening before because we couldn't remember.   We left behind or around us a fallout that have some people still bruised and scarred mentally, spiritually and emotionally.  So we are introduced to the wonderful, mighty counselor Savior Jesus Christ that forgives us....and offers us a fresh start, not just then but EVERYDAY!

Pictured today are two scenes.......there is a distinct difference between the two.....one is all about you, and the other is all about Him!  You may have thought some immoral thoughts yesterday or said some hurtful things even, or done some immoral deeds but if you are reading this....Paul is talking to you.....don't let ANY part of your body be an instrument of evil to serve sin.   Give yourself away today to the will of GOD that your life, your WHOLE BODY, YOUR WHOLE BEING may be used to glorify GOD!

How does that look; you care more about other people than yourself.   You actually look for opportunities today to bless others, and that style of living starts first with loving GOD and then loving PEOPLE!   Have a blessed weekend!  LGLP

WANTED: New Heart & New Spirit

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. ²⁶ And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezek. 36:25-26

I gotta a question for you:  How is your heart & spirit today?  Do you, can you actually say that you love what GOD loves, and hates what God hates?  Ok maybe that's too deep too early...so how about this:  Do you make GOD famous everyday through your living?  See the people of Israel had given God a bad name. They cared more about themselves than they did the people around them....this is a clear indication of selfishness.   Remember they were His chosen people, and much to his dissatisfaction their hearts had grown cold (indifferent toward sin), and their spirits....well let's just say this....they were really into themselves and were chasing idols like dogs chasing after cars.


So this leads me back to you.  It goes without saying that we really need GOD, but do you recognize it?   Do you see where you have developed idols that have taken his place, because you find yourself working to support them (habits or hobbies) and therefore not having or making time to keep up with your devotional, or meeting with your small group, or attending/serving (at) church regularly?  What about your heart....think about it...is your heart really TENDER & RESPONSIVE to the WORD of GOD or is it hardened and stubborn?  When was the last time you heard a message or read the scriptures and you not only felt convicted, but your conviction spurred you on to do GOOD? 

The condition of your heart and spirit is of GREAT concern to GOD, simply because you are His chosen child.  You bear his name, much like your children disappoint you when they get in trouble, well GOD is disappointed and wants to bless your with a NEW HEART & NEW SPIRIT so that you not only make Him famous, but it leads you to an abundant life that He desires for you.  God wanted this for the people of Israel, and I honestly believe He wants it for you, for us too, but we need to willfully pray and submit to Him for this to begin to happen.  I pray you pray this prayer today for your Heart & Spirit to be made NEW!  LGLP

Operating on Fumes.....You Need New Strength

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.  IS. 40:31

Good morning, do you represent a large majority of the men/women who cringe at the crack of dawn?  Who struggle to find their footing to begin the day?  Or maybe you're one of the few the proud the morning person who leaps out of the bed, slide into your day's threads, and springs into action........ok maybe gingerly walks into the office.....whomever you are do you find yourself halfway through the morning wishing you were taking a nap?  Dozing off at your desk?  

YOU MY FRIEND are perfect candidate for what GOD is selling....ok offering....NEW STRENGTH.  That's right....the WORD says those who trust in.... in other words have you found yourself saying " I don't know how I'm gonna make it through..........(the dept meeting, this interview, working with THESE people, this day...etc.) only to find yourself being drug through whatever it was...and literally feeling like you've been dragged through.   Time to put your trust in the LORD!  Stop trying to figure out how YOU will, try, can, attempt to do......and relax knowing you are trusting an almighty GOD to provide you with NEW STRENGTH so that you can soar high...(disclaimer:  soaring doesn't require work...it just requires you spread your wings, and allow the wind beneath them to carry you....so stop flapping your arms...you look silly) and if you have multiple errands to run....this new strength will give you the go to get there with pep in your step.  Lastly maybe you don't have to run anywhere but you do have to walk, well imagine not being tired or feeling like a rest is needed because every step is taken in FAITH, and with GOD and His strength as your basis.......you don't mind taking a few more steps with Him.

If this came off as a sales pitch, or possible commercial advertisement.....YAY!  The reality is on our own we are weak, puny humans but GOD sees us through a different lens.  Because GOD is passionate about our lives, and has extraordinary plans for our lives He wants us to CONNECT with HIM before going out into the WORLD, who desires to drain the life right out of you...so GET CONNECTED, STAY CONNECTED and just observe the grace & power of GOD over you as you SOAR through the day.  LGLP

It's Time To Do Something New

Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me!
As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting—
they are all sinful and false.  I want no more of your pious meetings.
¹⁴ I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.  They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!  ¹⁵ When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.  Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,  for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. (IS. 1:13-15)

GOD HAS HAD IT!  With our revivals, our trustee meetings, our elder board gatherings, our celebrations of NOTHINGNESS, our church wide fasts, your shoutings, your touch ya neighbor 3 times...the SHOW...why?  I don't know who this is really for....but whether you go to a particular church or this is for you, the reader (a church), God isn't glorified by your human inspired holy ghost filled worship services when.......You can't stand your neighbors.   When you are at difference with your parents.    When there are people in your bandwidth of knowledge that utilities are being disconnected, or going hungry that night due to unfortunate circumstances.   When the homeless are being ignored.  When you aren't really seeking to defend the widows and orphans of the world. 

GOD through the prophet Isaiah suggests (vs. 17) that we stop all our religious acts and begin to learn to do good, and seek justice.  STOP looking at it (the situation) with your eyes and see it the way JESUS does.   LOOK at what the immediate need is and see where can you best serve.    LISTEN to what the Spirit of GOD encourages you to do....and be bold enough to do it.   So while this day is just beginning for most of us.....Here's what I simply suggest...that you seek to do good all day today.  Purpose your heart to GLORIFY GOD through your deeds & words and when you got to pray or lift up your hands in praise His blessings upon your life will wash you with His presence upon you.  It all comes down to ......LGLP

Or Should be in Human GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. (1Cor.13:11)

Today, I celebrate 38 years of life lessons.   I know to my more seasoned friends, I hear you saying..."awwh shucks that aint nothing...." and I say you may be half right if that's possible because while that's not many years, if those years are spent enduring any type of abuse, brokenness, tragedy, dodging cultural statistics, etc......there is something to be said about having avoided what has become set backs to many others.

As I was riding back from a blessed beginning to my birthday with enjoying breakfast with my wife, kids, and my parents....I was listening to a particular radio program and began to really see where at 38 I definitely have evolved if you will, in my thinking.  I have really avoided doing a couple of reviews on movies that I have recently seen simply because one of my reviews (through a Christian scope) would immediately  put many people on blasts just by their responses to my review or facebook post, so at the risk of doing that here's what I have:

Paul is talking about a person maturing, and truth be told that comes to different people, at different ages, at different times, based on your life's experiences.  I want to apologize but I can't, I don't find it entertaining or worth my hard earned dollar to invest it in movies that degrade women, fill my ear, head, and heart with filthy conversation that other's find knee slapping, and gut busting hilarious.  Nor being married and having daughters I think it's appropriate to fund movies laced with sexual innuendos that promote or make light of premarital sex or infidelity all to arrive at a happy ending.   Don't get me wrong there was a time when I thought movies like Eddie Murphy RAW, American Pie, and a few others I dare not to mention I thought were the funniest movies I saw until I attempted to gather with a few buddies about 12 years ago to watch them again, only to be sickened, and embarrassed and not just me but the other 4 people to the point we immediately returned the movies, demanded our monies back, and went home looking at each other saying....."wow...we have really changed, we used to really laugh it up...what's happened to us?"   I submit to you we GREW up in our understanding.   Thanks be to GOD!

So what about you?  Let me go back to Paul, sure when you were a child, adolescent, teen, young adult however you want to term it, you had a totally different perspective on what was cool to watch, or listen to.   Have you evolved at all?  Have you matured or do you still do and are entertained by what would now be perceived as possibly foolishness?   Before you go off the deep end, if you know me....I love having a good time (from playing games like MJ Experience on Wii, or Call of Duty every blue moon, or watching an action thriller, or comedy), and even quote a movie or two in ministry communications...but all in all I guess the best way to frame it;

Would Jesus enjoy that movie, that song, or that show with you......or would you have a difficult time enjoying it because you'd feel uncomfortable with Him there?  I am almost to the place where if I'm in my "man cave" and Tre wants to hang out with me....that if he can't watch it and enjoy it too...that is a POSSIBLE SIGN I don't need to be watching it either.

Having kids, being married.....they all have a way of changing your perspective on things....heck enduring the pangs of life can too.....but the question is have you allowed any of them to help you mature?  Thanks for reading...GOD BLESS.  LGLP

New GROUNDS for Believing

The disciples said, "Master, if he's gone to sleep, he'll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine." Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.

 ^14-15Then Jesus became explicit: "Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn't there. You're about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let's go to him." John 11:12-15

So everyone knows the story of when Lazarus died how Jesus was informed, and didn't drop everything to run to him.  But everyone knew that this was Jesus dear friend, and Jesus reacted in such a way that caused some alarm amongst the disciples.   They began to question Him, and above you see the gap between their understanding and Jesus' perspective on what was really going on all along.  So much so that the MESSAGE paraphrasing of the whole conversational exchange was JESUS telling it like it is....You're about to be given new grounds for believing..."

This week for me has been by far one of my most challenging.  Wanting to be two places at once, realizing that I can only be where I can be.   Emotionally wrestling with the realities that my seasons are changing, pre-seperation anxieties.   Comforting others while some others comfort me.    Trying to save a marriage (someone else's), while encouraging a couple on how to establish a marriage God's way.  Realizing again WHO'S CHURCH it is that I am privileged to stand in the gap to pastor at....and being humbled by His presence, His interest in the situation and His compassion over the situation, being reminded what OUR lives are really about....and again and again day after day, situation after situation as I write this blog I realize He has been giving me NEW GROUNDS for believing.  As I process this in cyberspace I come to the place where believing is really about remembering.  Remembering what DOES GOD SAY:  He will never leave us nor forsake us (for starters).   Remembering what GREAT things He has already done in your life, and this alone should comfort us that HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE & DELIVER US.  

The disciples has walked with Christ for awhile by the time Lazarus had died, and one would think DUH...but really....can we say that about them?  Where has GOD provided you with NEW GROUNDS for believing this week?  Where was it you were forced to be reminded who's really in control?   As you chew on this.....don't forget to Love God, and Love People!!!!!!  Have a blessed weekend, find time to celebrate GOD's great work and mighty acts....I am (50th Celebration up ahead...and I'm on 37....now that's a celebration....lol) I love you guys!

ARE YOU SINGING A NEW SONG OR ARE YOU SINGING THE SAME OL' SAME OL'?

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  Psalms 96:1-3

What's your favorite song?  For many people when asked that question they struggle to pin down one song.  For some they will say well it depends, if you are talking about a song that makes me dance, that's different from my favorite song that makes me want to shout for joy, or that pierces my heart, or that reminds me of my mom, or my dad, or my first date with my soul mate.   Mine....well it depends on the season and day.  I mean there are songs that I love to listen to when I am working out (when I get time to.....geez gotta get more of that) vs. songs that may get me pumped prior to preaching, or songs that help me prepare for worshipping through my day. 

In today's Psalm the psalmist encourages ALL of us to sing to the Lord.  Do you? Do you regularly find yourself singing God's praises to God?  If I GOD decided to drive to work with you today, or run with you while you ran, would  you need to change the radio station or cd as soon as you start your car?  Truthfully speaking when you slow down and really think about it, GOD is and has been so good to you that REALLY you should be singing His praises constantly.  That's the whole heart behind the song "You Are Good."   But staying on topic, it doesn't just say sing, but rather a new song.   Now before you say " Uh Ray, I am not a composer or writer of music," let me tell you that is not what the writer is asking you or I to do.    They are really saying sing a song that communicates your feelings about what God is doing in your life.  Since GOD is dynamic and constantly blessing is us, we should have a Ipod/Mp3 player full of songs that communicate what God is doing...and while their are talented song writers and singers out there why not go on Amazon or iTunes and click on New Releases and just expand our musical bandwidths to net new songs that inspire us to live and serve Christ the more.

No way, should our responses toward life be the " Same ol' same ol'." They only way people will KNOW how GOOD GOD is...is through you....and I wonder has anyone in your radius of influence been recently updated on how good He's been towards you and your family?   Here's a list of (new songs) that I have been feasting off of to communicate my JOY of the LORD:

Earnest Pugh -  I Need Your Glory

Free Chapel - Echo, There's Something About That Name

Ricardo Sanchez - Make Me An Answer, Moving Forward

Deluge - Lift Him High

Andrea Helms - Changed

Jessica Reedy - God Has Smiled on Me, Blue God

William McDowell - I Belong To You, I Surrender All, I Give Myself Away/Yes

Anthony Evans - How He Loves, Forgive Me
J.J. Harriston & Youthful Praise - I Am
Vashawn Mitchell - Nobody Greater
Martha Munizzi - Excellent, My God Is a Big God
RIO - No More, Boomerang, Go Remix
KB - ZONE OUT

I pray you praise GOD today, but not just today...EVERYDAY!  Makes it easier to love God, and love people!  LGLP