Category: Ministry

Philippians 2:3 “let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” [KJV]

The word Esteem means to set a value on. When the word self-esteem is used, a person is viewing their self-worth.

There are basically two kinds of self-esteem:

• High / good self-esteem
• Low / bad self esteem

When a person has a positive value of themselves, they feel worthwhile, secure in who they are, and feel confident in their abilities.

When a person has a negative value of themselves, they feel insecure and may have a lack of confidence in their talents or abilities.

The way a person thinks about themselves will have a lot to do with the type of self-esteem they have.

A person’s thoughts will lead their thinking to an idea or opinion about themselves or what is around them.  

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” [NKJV]

What happens around someone can have an effect on how a person may think. What happens on the outside can conform a person’s thoughts to being like what is going on around them. This outward expression does not always reflect what is happening on the inside. This can lead to someone having low self-esteem about themselves.

When a person’s thoughts are focused on being transformed, a change happens that comes from the inside and can be seen on the outside. This transformation will happen when a person allows the Holy Spirit to change their thinking or thoughts.

Romans 12:1,2 and 3 “I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Vs 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Vs 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

Having good self-esteem about yourself is healthy thinking, but a person has to be cautious to not allow it to lead to a “I’m better than ego.”

1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

Father in heaven, may your people be mindful of who they are and whose they are in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

“Letting go of the past”

Philippians 3:12,13 and 14 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also hold of me. Vs 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Vs 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”

In the next 72 hours, we will be transitioning out of the previous year 2021 and into the New Year of 2022. It is also a time when many people will make what we call “New Year’s resolutions.” These resolutions are plans to do something different in the upcoming year and experience life-altering changes.

Many times people don’t realize the difficulty in breaking old or bad habits, and developing new and better habits. Holding on to the past can keep a person from moving forward into their future.

The apostle Paul uses the analogy of a runner running in a race to describe the believers’ spiritual growth. Like the runner in a race, we must continue to pursue and put forth an effort to reach our goal. When a runner begins to get close to the finish line, that runner will start to lean forward in an effort to be the first to cross the finish line. If that runner is leaning backwards, there is a chance that he will lose the race.    

Paul also uses several terms in Philippians chapter 3:

• Press on; to continue attempts to reach forward with energetic action 
• Lay hold; making something your own possession
• But one thing I do; remaining focused in spite of distractions that happen.
• Forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead

From time to time we will remember events that happened in the past, both good and bad. It’s acceptable to remember the past, but if a person dwells on the past, they are allowing themselves to be distracted by the past.

Letting go of the past has to be done in order to move forward into the future. Believers can use their imagination to be able to see themselves accomplishing the goals that have been set.

In order to accomplish goals that have been set, there are some people, places and things that you are going to have to let go of because of their weight. If we don’t remain focused on the goal, weight will ensnare us.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, “let us lay aside every weight” and the sin which so easily ensures us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

In order to accomplish goals that have been set, there are some people, places and things that you are going to have to let go of because of their weight. If we don’t remain focused on the goal, weight will ensnare us.

Isaiah 43:18,19 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Vs 19 Behold I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

If a person continues to do what they have always been doing, they will continue to have the same results. With new ideas and new vision, a change can take place and the impossible will become possible.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Letting go of the past will enable a person to grasp and hold on to the future.

Mark 2:22: “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” 

New ideas will not work if you hold on to old plans. It’s acceptable to glance back at the past, but the main focus should be on looking forward to the future.

Father in heaven, I pray that the blessings that were given by you to your people in 2021 serve as a reminder in 2022 of how gracious you are.

In Jesus name…Amen

Continuing in His service…Rev

The Reason

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Is it possible that the world has gotten caught up in different traditions to celebrate this time of year?

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Many people have latched on to traditions, and have allowed themselves to become distracted from the true reason Christmas is celebrated.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Black Friday has turned into green Thursday by having people work on Thanksgiving day, in order to get people to shop for early deals on Christmas presents.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Some people will camp out all night in all types of weather, to be the first person in line to get in the store when the doors open for that one flat screen TV.   

Jesus is the reason for this season.

In many instances, purchase will be put on credit cards that will run up a balance that might take the entire year to pay off.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Instead of being caught up in a season, let us try to remain focused on the reason.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Seasons will change, but Jesus never changes.

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”

Continuing in His service…