Enjoying The Journey

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to effect and give glory to Jesus Christ. We look at the outside and inside views of gratefulness and the impact being thankful can lead to increase and miracles. The message is to families and individuals providing an understanding ofter missed.

A teaching taken from the book of Romans.

This is a tribute to a dear person who taught me to think critcally over important issues.

At the time of today's lesson, Daniel and his three friends would have been about twelve to thirteen years old. This is a remarkable story for teenagers and their parents. For teenagers, because it shows the values and benefits of staying true to honor God by your beliefs and actions to honor Him. For parents, because it shows you the outcome of teaching and training your children in the way that they should go thru their relationship in serving God and their fellowship in loving God.

The outcome of this biblical teaching is to identify demonic oppression/influence and overcome it.

Tonight's Bible Study is an Introduction to the Third Spiritual Issue that can hinder the Restoring of My Soul- Part 6. As we shared before there are Four Spiritual Issues that all comes through and affects our soul, which in turn directs our body. They are Generational Curses, Spiritual Error, Emotional Hurts, Demonic Oppression. Tonight, we will discuss the topic: Dealing With Emotional Hurts.

What is the kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Even if we are right in our convictions, we are still accountable to how we treat other believers regarding our convictions. It is the Spirt of Christ in Christians that empowers us to love others, to have a higher regard for the conscience of fellow believers, and thus surrender our own preferences but not our convictions. Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. Both are using their faith to honor God. He's the only one who can judge us.

Otis and. Ann want to welcome you to our FIRST lesson of the THIRD quarter for 2023 on "Health and Finances In Marriage." We appreciate you following and listening to us. We hope that you can spend the entire 25 -30 minutes with us teaching the Biblical Perspective of Togetherness in this marriage class tilted: "Bone From My Bone, Flesh From My Flesh."

The main concern Paul has in the churches of Galatia is legalism. Legalism is man's way of defining scripture. It is the opposite of giving control to the Holy Spirit. Paul wastes no time in his letter to the Galatians correcting this error and speaking against those perpetrators of the false teaching and those preaching misinformation. Neither should we be slow in addressing known error because a little leaven can quickly affect the whole. We have in our society much misinformation in politics and in places that you would not expect, like the church.

We want to welcome you to our FIRST lesson of the THIRD quarter for 2023 on "Health and Finances In Marriage." We appreciate you following and listening to us.  We hope that you can spend the entire 30 minutes with us teaching the Biblical Perspective of Togetherness in this marriage class tilted: "Bone From My Bone, Flesh From My Flesh." HOW YOU SEE YOUR SPOUSE WILL DETERMINE HOW YOU TREAT THEM. I have these questions for husbands. How do you see your wife? Is she a part of you? Is she seen as given to you by God? Is she seen as made from you and for you? When you see her do you say WOW -- MAN! She is bone from my bone and flesh from my flesh? (The video of this teaching is also available on our YouTube link https://youtu.be/a8E8OuU4PoM)

In today's text, Matthew 23:44-52, Jesus is giving very short parables with very few details and no explanations but He asked the disciples after he finished, do that understand? They said, yes they did understand. After this lesson, I pray you will also understand. Let's see if we can understand what Jesus is saying to us from these short parables. Are these parables applicable to use today?

The fact that Jesus took our curses on the Cross is the essential basis for our being able to break the power of any generational curse that are operating in our lives or in the lives of the people to whom we minister. According to Galatians 3:13, Jesus through the cross of Calvary made it possible for us to receive freedom from ALL generational curses. Your redemption from sin, transgression (trespasses),and iniquities were purchased once and for all by Jesus Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection. The New Covenant signed with the blood of Jesus frees mankind from sin and death. You can be free also.

God says it's not good for man to be alone. In this 22 min teaching video, Annquinetta and I explain what God did, define what is a helpmeet and share insights on how to improve your marriage relationship.

Sharing the impact from an reading event with middle school boys as a member of 100 Black Men and Pastor. We all can do something to help our kids be better educated.

Easter is not a holiday.

Many people project really well on the outside. On the outside they are really something - bigger than life. But how great are they on the inside? Jesus Said -greater is He on the INSIDE of you than he that is in the world. Make sure you have Jesus on the inside.

Even in our darkest hour, Jesus can be our greatest light. God is a God of Justice. If we disobey, there will be consequences for the sin of our actions. But God is also a God of righteousness. He will fulfill His promises. His Word will not return void. Isaiah constantly calls on us to look beyond the present, to remain aware of God, and to be confident in the future that God is shaping FOR US. In today's lesson God uses the prophet Isaiah to bring hope to a devastated people that had lost hope due to their own rebellion against His Word.

Annquinetta and I answer tough questions in this teaching session. We give our personal testimonies and provide answers to those tough situations that occur from the consequences of not doing things God's way. We also outline the benefits and the outcome when you do things God's way. While some of us fathers may find becoming a godly father challenging. It is doable when we rely on God through the power of His Holy Spirit. This session will benefit fathers and fathers- to- be who want to become the godly father God called them to. Please listen at your own leisure, in a quite setting, so you can allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. In addition, there is an after video On Facebook we prepared called #agodlyfather. Please listen to it after playing this podcast.

Worry is a common attribute among people, even those that say they are believers. Worry is similar to the actions of a rocking chair; constant movement but you are staying in the same place. Whereas, being concerned will produce actions that address the concern. For many people, this is a hard problem to overcome; especially for those who like to be in control. However, at the root of all worry; there is a lack of trust or faith in God. Worry is something that will or won't happen; which causes anxiety and stress. Some reports state that over 90% of what we worry about never happens. Philippians 4:6 says "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God". Lets see what Jesus says about how to be freed from worry:

Sometimes rituals and traditions can take the place of the actual presence of God. Each of us has the ability to be hypocritical, to distort scripture, and put our confidences. In things other than God Word. In this lesson we will learn how to avoid making those mistakes and look instead to our bright future.

Micaiah spoke the truth. Even though it resulted in ill treatment and prison, he still spoke the truth. No matter if he got word that the king's 400 prophets were saying something different than what God was saying to him. He still spoke what God told him. In our democratic society the majority often rules and makes the decisions. However, that does not mean the majority is always correct; e.g., the "Christian" churches for many years agreed with and supported slavery. It is better to stand for truth, even if you are the only one, than to follow the masses into destruction.

This call of God upon Jesus causes us to ask three questions we must answer. Are you ready? Are you prepared? Are you committed?

God has already given you His identity. Explore it, master it, and become what you were created to be and to do.

Good leadership is so vitally needed today. Why do I say good leadership? Because, in our society today we have very poor leadership or worst - no leadership. In today's lesson, we see good leadership in action. Good leadership looks for ways that will be beneficial to the people, not the leader. Most importantly, good leadership is successful, because they listen to God and follow His instructions. This is what Joshua did in our lesson text.

Comments on the effects of jealousy, envy, and pride and ways to counter them.

Paul is on his second missionary journey. The Holy Spirit guides him to where to preach the Gospel. Like Paul, we have to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit to fulfill the calling on our lives.

Today's lesson takes place in Capernaum. Capernaum was where Jesus started His home-based ministry operation. As a result of the healings Jesus performed, many people were seeking Him out and following Him. However, instead of just telling this story, my focus will be on the meaning of the event for us today and its application.

Everyone follows someone at sometime in their life. In todays' lesson we will see followers of Jesus become disciples of Jesus who will carry out the mission of the Kingdom of God

2020 means your vision is really good. For the year 21020 that was not the case for many of our spiritual leaders and their followers. We must have correct spiritual eyesight fo 2021.

Just a few statements that I have on my heart regarding leaving 2020 and entering 2021.

To be called to prepare has some unique features that the one called must be aware of to complete their calling. In our lesson text, John the Baptist is an excellent example of these features we will discuss.

Today's lesson, a narrative found only in Matthew's Gospel, comes during the Christmas season just weeks before Christmas Day. It reminds us of several important things about worshipping Christ: Let's find out what they are..

Today we explore the manner in which God called the Messiah, Jesus.

Knowing your family history is valuable. It not only helps you but can serve to provide evidence to others who may need verification. After the death of Jesus, many faithful Jews in Matthew's day were still waiting for the Messiah to come. Matthew begins his gospel with ancestry facts to show his jewish audience that Jesus was and is the true Messiah.

Favoritism, partially, prejudice, discrimination, and unjust judgement are some of the words used in this lesson to describe our actions that have impure motives and actions based on appearances. Let's allow James to teach how to show impartial love.

Christians should love one another. We have the same God who placed His love in us. We are not to love the world but love those who have been born again.

The Bible tells us we shall know them by their fruit. But what type of fruit is Jesus talking about? What does it mean to be fruitful and how do we do that? Let's find out.

I find this lesson most challenging because of who sets the example for us to follow. Jesus is not just saying "love one another'" that was not a "new" commandment. Jesus was saying to the disciples and to us to love one another "as I have loved you"!

What makes this 13 chapter of I Corinthians so difficult for us to understand is because of the type of love Paul is talking about. It is Agape love. What is your definition of love? Does it look anything like the content in this chapter ?

In today's lesson we have a dialog between Jesus and a lawyer, an expert of the religious Law. A trained bible interpreter. How it occurs should be of interest to a student of the Word.

This lesson in Genesis of the life of Joseph, his struggles, how God was with him, and how he overcame each hardship he had to endure is for our learning and application to the hardships, disappointments, and blessings we experience in life.

The Book of James tells us if any man lacks wisdom, he should ask God for it and He will give it (James 1:5). Therefore, human logic, reasoning nor intelligence can't substitute for the wisdom of God. 

Lesson taken from James 3:1-12. Man can't tame his tongue by himself. God can help you!  When we yield our tongue to God, He can bridle it like the bit in a horse's mouth or directed as a rudder guides a ship. If we have the mind of Christ, we can have His mouth also.

Lesson taken from James 2:14-26 What James is telling us is simply that our faith will produce a corresponding  action. It will produce (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up). James is not saying that you are saved by your works.

A prayer for the soul to prosper when spoken out in faith.

Proverbs 14:34 gives us guidance to answer this question. Thoughts are shared about current issues on racism and relevant action items we should contemplate.

Sometimes we don't pray or do the obvious on special days. It's often not the gift but the thought that you are remembered and appreciated.

Morning thoughts taken from Matt. 22:37-40. In order to love others you have got to love yourself. Allow God to restore your soul so you can love God and love others as you should.

Sharing my thoughts on the climate of our nation in response to the death of George Floyd.