Bishop Hezekiah Walker will become the Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ. For every new level, there is a new devil. We need to pray for Bishop Walker and The Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ.
Brother Gil Scott Heron joins our celestial angels. He possessed a tremendous spirit and was a creative genius. I remember when he released his book, "The Vulture", while at Johns Hopkins in the 70's. He brought his band later that year to then CCB for a concert. There were about 60 of us in the audience, but he played like he was in a stadium. After that he exploded on the scene with theme conscious music that shaped a generation of activists. I went to see him a few years ago at Blue's Alley in
Dirk versus LeBron will be a match-up for the ages. Which do you pick?
"I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
Just like you will have friends, you will also have enemies. While it is good to live in such a way that you don't make enemies; however, if to do, what is right and to believe what is true, it will be a small lost to have a few enemies on earth.
Why?
A friend in heaven is more valuable. Jesus Christ is the great peacemaker; but, before peace, He brings war. Where the light comes, the darkness must retire. Where the truth is, the lie must flee; or, if it abides, there must be a stern conflict, for the truth cannot and will not lower its standard, and the lie must be trampled under foot.
If you follow Christ, you will have all the Hounds of Baskerville barking at your heels. If you seek to live to be found worthy on the judgment day, depend upon it the world will not speak will of you. The one who has the friendship of the world is an enemy of God. Fearless of all consequences, you must do what is right. You will need the courage of a lion to pursue a course which will turn your best friend into your fiercest foe; but for the love of Jesus, you must be courageous.
Follow courageously in your Master's steps, for the walked this rough way before you. It is better to have a brief warfare and eternal rest, then false peace and everlasting torment.
"Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. Such is the destiny of all who forget God."
Job 8:11 - 13
How can I live and prosper without a deep and abiding faith in God? Without a moral and spiritual compass, how can one navigate the terrain of our journey?
"Spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews." Esther 10:3
In life God elevates us for a purpose. The reason you have resources, status, and access to power is to increase the effectiveness of your advocacy for the needs of others. It is tragic to witness persons with "power" in the earth realm who waste it on selfish pursuits. We need a return to advocacy, when people were willing to sacrifice their position for the needs of others. God takes care of you so that you may take care of others. Speak up in your local communities when you see that things are wrong. Speak up in public forum when there is a opportunity to say what is right. Speak up in our schools when you discover that educational resources are inadequate. Speak up when your political officials are off base and there service leaves much to be desired. Speak up within your faith communities when the leadership goes astray.
"Continue to [walk] in him." Colossians 2:6
Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry it out into a practical world to demonstrate what we believe. If we walk in Christ, then we act as Christ would act; for Christ being in us, our hope, our love, our joy, our life, we are the reflex of the image of Jesus.
Walking signifies progress. Each step takes you closer to your goal - an ultimate relationship with Him.
Take a walk each day. It will strengthen your character.
Dr. "Kayliz" Oakes is our Women's Day Speaker this morning at Union Baptist Church. She brings to the moment a zest for God and a spiritual presence. Her pastoral counseling background and her academic achievements equip her well for this inspiring moment.
Dr. Oakes says, "the way to change one’s existential circumstances is to choose to change oneself."
Her view is consistent with mine. Change begins on the inside before it is manifested on the outside.
Her view is consistent with scripture. "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world."
"To obey is better than sacrifice." 1 Samuel 15:22
In this text Saul had been commanded to utterly slay the Amalekites and their cattle. Instead of doing us, he preserved the king, and allowed his people to take the best of the oxen and of the sheep. When called to account, he declared that he did it with a view to offer sacrifice to God; but Samuel declared that your idea of sacrifice is no excuse for God's command to obey.
"Whoever splits logs may be endangered by them." Ecclesiastes 10:9
Those who oppress the poor and needy as easily as one may split logs of wood, better watch out, a splinter from a tree can kill a woodsman. Taking advantage of those who are defenseless can be hazardousness to your health. The lowly are often the ones who rise up to change systems that are abusive. This text reminds us that taking advantage of others is dangerous business.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue:" Proverbs 18:21
There are moments in life when it is better to cover your mouth than to speak evil of someone. The old adage, "loose lips sink ships" is true. Too often our words are not encouraging, but condemning. We need to practice the spirit of praise in our words and love in our phrases. Start first with those persons closes to you. Begin this morning by greeting them, embracing them and telling them that you love them. Continue today dedicated to positive words, thoughts and deed. We can defeat the devil and turn negativity around. I believe that God can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or think.
"See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands." Isaiah 49:16
In the pressures of life, it is sometimes easy to think that God has forgotten you or even deserted you. This text should give you encouragement this morning. You have no reason to doubt his love and concern, "See. I have engraved you on the palm of my hands."
He keeps his promises a thousand times. Nevertheless, the next trial we face sometimes causes us to doubt Him.
He is God!
What is significant is that the text reads, "I have engraved you!" It does not say, "I have engraved your name."
See the fullness of God's love. He has engraved your person, your image, your situation, your circumstances, your sins, your temptations, and your weaknesses. Your wants, your works; He has engraved you, everything about you, all that concerns you; He has put you altogether in His hands.
You can never say that God has forsaken or abandoned you when He has engraved you upon the palms of His own hands.
"And all the children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." Isaiah 54: 13 - 17
Someone needs to hear this word this morning, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." Why? You may find yourself under physical, mental and/or spiritual attack. The text informs us that the weapons may be formed. They may even be shot at you. That's alright, because He that is in you, is greater than he that is against you. Stand strong in the midst of any attack, the power of the Living God will protect your mind, body, and spirit.
That's right the word says, "No Weapon!"
"All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again." Ecclesiastes 1:7
Everything is on the move; time knows nothing of rest. Tides move the sea. Winds stir the airy ocean, and friction wears the rock, change and death rule everywhere. The sea is not a poor man's storehouse for a wealth of waters, for as by one force the waters flow into it, by another, they are lifted from it. Human beings are born to die; everything is hurry, worry, and scurrying of the spirit. Friend of the unchanging God, what a joy it is to reflect upon your changeless heritage; your sea of bliss which will be forever full, since God Himself shall pour eternal rivers of pleasure into it. We seek an abiding city beyond the skies, and we shall not be disappointed.
Just a shout out to Mr. Frank Walker; he was in
"With you is the fountain of life." Psalm 36:9
When one is thirsty, only water quenches your thirst. No other drink will do. There is something quintessential about the simple H2O of water that provides the body with all it needs.
"Jesus said to them, Come and have breakfast." John 21:12
In the hustle and bustle of life, we often fail to sit down for breakfast. We tend to eat on the run or eat very sparingly. Some fail to eat breakfast at all because of their economic reality any meal they eat is a luxury.
I spent most of the day with Rev. Eugene H. Peterson. Many of you may know his work. He wrote a contemporary reading of the Bible entitled, "The Message" He is the author of over 36 books and articles. He believes the work of a Pastor as essentially building relational communities. After lunch with him, he held a 4 hour conversation with over 250 people at St. Mary's Seminary.
I'm deeply saddened by the lost of my friend, Frank D. Boston, Jr. We would meet at the Capel's Barber Shop and discuss issues out in the open. The patrons would join in the conversations. Someone would tell a joke, and the whole barber shop would erupt into laughter. He was a consciously political leader. He services were not for personal gain, but for the people. He handled his illness with dignity and grace. Just the other day, I saw him. His state was weakened and he was in a little pain; but his concern was how the work of the church was going?
"He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart." Isaiah 40:11
The Good Shepherd carries his lambs near his heart. That should be an encouraging word for you this morning.
If God is carrying you near his heart it is because he has a tender heart, and any weakness, care or concern you have will melt his heart and results in his compassion. He responds to the needs of those who are weak because he has given his all for you to make you strong. He will care for you because he is responsible for you. That’s why he carries you. You may think that you are going through your difficulties alone. He is carrying you. Without him lifting you up, you would collapse under the pressure of this world. The Good Shepherd is always carrying you!
Check this out! He is carrying you close to his heart. This demonstrates his boundless affection for each of you. Would he place anyone near his heart if he didn’t love them? No! He carries you near his bosom because that is where you will find perfect rest and his sweetest comfort. Isn’t it good to know this morning that you are in the arms of a loving God?
Let the church say, Amen!
"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. . . Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jeremiah 29: 4 - 7
Principals of Community Churches for Community Development, Rev. Dr. S. Todd Yeary, Rev. Dr. Arnold Howard, and Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway, Sr., stood with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake to proclaim that CHAP should do all in its power to stop the stalemate and permit the redevelopment of a significant downtown inner city block to move forward under the development plan The Dawson Company has on the table.
At issue memorializing the 1955 Civil Rights Sit-In held at the former Read's Drug Store. We believe that historic preservation and economic development can co-exist and be compatible. To achieve that goal, compromise is necessary.
Too many people are out of work or marginally employed to further delay projects that can have major impact to
Our advocacy for redeveloping significant projects in
This plan will put people within the affected zip codes and
Some of my good friends and colleagues line up on the opposite side and insist that the interior of the former Read's Drugstore should be retained. Yesterday, I walked into the building and the interior of that building is complete destroyed from decades of neglect. Nothing remains worth retaining on the inside of the building. However, I believe we can integrate the historical significance of the Civil Rights movement into the decor of the renovated space. I also believe that we can create dynamic monuments outside and on the Campus of Morgan State University that memorializes the contributions of the students who took the stand to sit at the Read's lunch counter in 1955.
The Jeremiah text I quote above is God's plan for survival and prosperity when the people of Israel was in bondage. He admonished God's people to pray for the peace of the city because as it prospered the His people will proper. God's plan worked for them. I believe God's plan will work for us today.
“Then I passed by and …said to you, Live!” Ezekiel 16:6
If you awaken this morning with any feelings of defeat, God says to you to live. If you need to be pardoned and absolved for what you have done, and you anticipate that condemnation is coming your way; God says to you to live. If you are feeling spiritually dead, this word is for you; God says to live. If your relationship is on its final lap around the track, God says for it to live. Even if you may be at the death's door, the resurrection is assured because even in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, God stills say to live.
As you begin a new week, choose to live!
My mother could take something as simple as making waffles and make it an unforgettable experience. She had a secret ingredient she would put into her cooking. As time goes by, I have discovered that her secret ingredient was LOVE.
I will always love my mama. She's my favorite girl. You only get one. You only get one.
Last night I took my wife to see, "Jumping The Broom." I recommend it to all who wish to see a good movie. On the Eve of Mother's Day, there were three mother images in the movie. I won't disclose anymore.
"Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope." Psalm 119:49
Whatever your special need may be, you may readily find some promise in the Bible suited for you. Are you becoming faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise - "He gives strength to the weary." When you read this promise, take it to God, and pray to Him to fulfill His own word. Are you seeking after Jesus Christ, and thirsting for closer communion with Him? This promise shines like a star upon you - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Keep your faith in God and continuously remind God of His word and His promises, as one of His children, whatever your fears, needs or wants, return to the Lord with the word of God in your heart, head and hand, saying, "Remember, Your word to your servant, for You have given me hope."
During the past few weeks, I have reread a wonderful devotional book, "Conversations with God." This book is a compilation of "Two Centuries of Prayers by African Americans." It was written by James Melvin Washington, Ph.D.
Allow me to share this prayer by Lewis Ruffin Nichols, "The Soul's Thirst (1895)."
My God I come to Thee,
Thee only would I know,
Thy blood O Let me feel,
And this will comfort me.
I still trust in Thy word,
Oh gracious lamb of God;
Increase my faith in Thee.
And wash me in thy blood.
The word I know is truth
And it can never fail,
All who in Thee confide
Forever will prevail.
Give me the "shield of faith,"
Baptize with righteousness;
The spirit's sword vouchsafe,
My fret, shod Thou with grace.
Walk with me, blessed Lord,
Till life's long journey ends,
Sin and temptation foil
Till Thou the summons send.
And then beyond the flood
On Canaan's blissful shore,
Where saints and angels dwell,
Save me forever more.
