Remain Fully Engaged | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

A couple of Sundays ago, I heard the most interesting message on aging from GOD's perspective.  Even though this particular blog post isn't going to be about aging, I felt led to pull a little something from Pastor Sylvester Cole Dudley's message: remain fully engaged with life.  This statement stood out to me as I read through my journal.  It got me thinking about how lives once full of hope and promise become routine and hum-drum all because of an unwillingness to take risks.

You know, life happens.  We endure all manner of hardships, disappointments, setbacks and failures, even, throughout our existence.  These not so enjoyable moments teach some of life's most valuable lessons, and--whether or not we choose to admit it--we sometimes walk away from these experiences having learned the wrong thing.  And that would be to live more cautiously, take less risks.  There's nothing like a bruised ego or a broken heart to put the fire out of anyone's zest for life.  When life doesn't go as planned, we tend to retreat for the purpose of self-preservation.  However, what we fail to see in our self-preservationist mode is that when we avoid taking risks we are disengaging with life.  With each poor handling of life's unpleasantries, we become less and less engaged with life, thereby preventing our growth, development and maturity.

When Disaster Strikes | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I was listening to an old message preached by Bishop Jakes, in which he shared something to the effect of, "Isn't it amazing how one person's disaster can be another person's normal?"  This question struck me because I couldn't ever recall seeing my own life's "disasters" in this light.  (Honestly, my coping statement of choice when experiencing disappointment has been, "Worse things have happened to less deserving people."  Hey, it's not the the most profound statement, but it gets the job done in my world.)  However, Bishop Jakes introduced me to another perspective that I felt the need to explore.

When disaster strikes, one hardly imagines their current state of shock as another person's state of normalcy.  Personally speaking, my disasters resulted in me being consumed by what I lost and the changes that disaster had brought to my life.  I can't remember considering that someone may have never had what I lost or that the changes I had to make were the only living conditions someone else may have known.  We get so accustomed to our lives at their best that it seems far-fetched to even think that our lives at their worst are what someone else knows as normal.  When I realized how spoiled and ungrateful I had been acting, I couldn't help but to say, "GOD, I'm so sorry for how I acted. I apologize for taking so long to see things Your way."

Are You Being Ministered To? | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I've truly been blessed to connect with some AWESOME Kingdom citizens via social media.  Some of you, I'm sure, can relate to me when I say that I have a Facebook family.  Well, my FB big sister, Sylvia Upshur, is such a blessing.  She's a cheerleader like none other, and I thank GOD for her being the encourager GOD has called her to be.  The other day, she posted a status update that somehow got my fingers moving a lot more than I planned.  (When I was done, I was in shock at how much I'd written!) So, I'd like to share with you all what transpired...Here goes.  I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say about this, as well.

Sylia: It's GREAT to minister to others, but are you being ministered to?

Elton: I know that's right, Sis! I used to wonder why so many ministry workers (at all levels of leadership) were burning out, getting frustrated or just getting caught up in some bad situations (that honestly could've been avoided).  Then I realized that these things happen because those who minister are not allowing themselves to be ministered to in either an equal or greater proportion to the amount of their ministry output.  It's amazing: when it comes to finances, it's common sense that you can't expend more than you take in.  If that's applicable in the natural, then how much more is it in the spiritual?

You know, I don't knock people for listening to secular music, watching hours of tv or just doing nothing productive with their time.  But my secret to being ready to minister EFFECTIVELY at any given moment is feeding my spirit man around the clock.  I don't have to rebuke folk and judge them for how they spend their time because my lifestyle preaches that message.  I'm not gonna tell anybody what to do to get the results I get because talk is cheap and the skeptic in most people probably wouldn't believe me anyway. If they REALLY wanna know how I do it, then watch how I live. And if you like what you see, then follow me as I follow Christ.

Hello Fear, My Name Is... | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

This blog post is taken from a conversation with my friend and brother, Gary ("Mr. G. Lee" himself...LOL!), on Facebook last night.  (Side Note: It's his fault I didn't finish "Silencing the Critics--Part 2."  So for those of you who were looking for the next installment, blame him.  LOL!!!  I'm sooo joking...Gary's a great guy, so y'all can leave him be.)  I felt compelled, though, to share this on the blog because the Holy Spirit literally gave me this on the spot.  I've NEVER BEFORE had to explain what you will read below, so I give GOD the glory for guiding my thoughts, words and fingers (as I speedily pulled scriptures off my copy of E-Sword).

Gary Lee Jonez
...I've been in PLENTY of scenarios where I've depended on the Lord but the suspense of trusting the Lord when ur hanging by a thread can feel like so much!!!  It was easier to just stay... in the boat if ya know what I mean.  Even Peter, who took a leap of faith and went out and did what many were afraid to do (WALKING ON WATER!!!).... still felt uneasy as he walked to Jesus.  He began to sank when he lost focus but thankfully Jesus caught Him just in time.  If walking by faith meant u never feel uneasy about decision I suppose everybody would be walking by faith.  I still wonder is there such a place in the Lord where literally all fear subsides in faith?  The scripture says perfect love casts out all fear right?  I'm wondering what that really means?  Is "fear" merely unbelief?  Would it be inclusive of the emotional/psychological kinds of fear?  Is trust always believing while afraid, or is trust something we do to not be afraid?.... More thoughts plz...lol

Silencing the Critics -- Part One | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I was having a conversation with one of my social media buddies and just all around good, Christian brother, Mospet Sasa, MUCH earlier this morning.  (Since he's in Kenya, we hardly get to chat because of the time difference. But I happened to wake up in the middle of the night and he saw I was online.)  Several topics came up in our exchange; and as we were going back and forth, I found myself typing the following: "People who have no power criticize.  Folk who have real power in the realm of the Spirit simply pray."  I didn't grasp the profundity of what I said until after it was said.  It had to have been the Holy Spirit speaking through me because it flowed out so effortlessly that I can't even recall thinking about it beforehand.

Not too long ago, I heard Bishop T.D. Jakes say something that bears repeating: "We have overemphasized praise and worship to the point that people believe they can praise and worship their way out of EVERYTHING."  I could not agree more with this man of GOD's statement, which may seem strange considering that I am a praise and worship leader; however, I'm also a teacher of the Word of GOD.  It bothers me to see such disproportionate emphasis on praise and worship in today's church.  We see all degrees of ecclesiastical histrionics--and I'm not kicking anyone because those who have experienced my ministry already know that I flow across a very broad spectrum of worship styles--but I'm wondering what happened to us giving attention to prayer, fasting and obedience?  Since I primarily want to deal with prayer and fasting, I'll just go ahead and get "obedience" out of the way right now.  If the truth be told, no less than 90% of all we're trying to praise and worship our way out of resulted from us not obeying GOD's Word.  Our chickens of rebellious disobedience have simply come home to roost, and then we become emotional wrecks. (Okay?  There you go, that's it.  I'm through and moving on to the next thing. The menu on the left side of the screen lists multiples ways in which I can be contacted to receive any hate mail.)

Now I've posted blogs on criticism ("Handling Critics & Criticism" Part 1 and Part 2), but this topic needs to be revisited from a different standpoint.  There is a false sense of power that the spirit of criticism gives those who so choose to be influenced by its allure.  Shrouded in designer labeled "freedom of speech," a critical spirit empowers people to release into the atmosphere opinions based on their own understanding as opposed to divinely inspired words of edification and exhortation that line up with the Bible.  As Christian Americans, many of us--myself included--are guilty of acquiescing to this nation's culture and carrying it into the church of the Lord Jesus, which is NOT American.  The Body of Christ is under the authority of the King of Glory, not the men and women whom U.S. citizens elect to public office.  Therefore, as far as GOD is concerned, we can save our "freedom of speech" because it's not welcome in the Kingdom.

We need to understand that Kingdom people ARE NOT opinionated people.  Christians are quick to claim that they're "Ambassadors for Christ" all the while clueless as to what that REALLY means.  That we might all be clear, allow me to break it down for you: ambassadors are governmental representatives who have no opinion and only speak what their government tells them to say.  In other words, there's no room for criticism when we're ONLY to say what Heaven's government instructs us to say.  Can you imagine what this world would be like if JUST THE PEOPLE OF GOD would cease from communicating their opinions and ONLY speak what Heaven's King desires to be spoken?  It wouldn't be so hard then to tell who's a Christian, right?  I mean, we would have NO PROBLEM determining the authenticity of one's spiritual rebirth, now would we?  Yet what do we hear in beauty/barber shops, offices, retail establishments and--YES!--even church sanctuaries?  CHRISTIANS CRITICIZING.  And oddly enough, we wonder why the power of GOD is not seen to the degree in which we expect. The answer is quite simple: there are more critics than ambassadors naming the name of Christ.

I'm Really On Your Mind | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

This past Wednesday, I had the amazing privilege of experiencing a move of GOD that literally changed my life.  Not quite able to put into words what happened, it finally came this morning through the Facebook status of my friend and brother JeRome: "Woke up thinking that 'Wow, God has been thinking about me' Jeremiah 29:11."  This blessed me tremendously because it reflected my sentiments exactly!

Have you ever experienced GOD speaking to you in such a way that it changed EVERYTHING?  I mean, as far as I'm concerned, EVERYTHING about my life changed on Wednesday night.  The message GOD sent was directed towards me and it had my name on it.  Each day since then I've been at a loss for how to describe this occurrence, and now the communicator in me is finally relieved that I FINALLY can: GOD has been thinking about me.  WOW!  When you receive a Word that changes...a Word that changes how you look at the present, how you approach your assignment, how you expect GOD to move on your behalf...I'm telling you, there's nothing like it.  I now know--without a shadow of a doubt--that GOD has been thinking about little old me.

I Am A Masterpiece (Part 2 of 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Note: This particular blog post is a continuation of "I Am A Masterpiece (Part 1)."

Via the new birth, believers are transitioned into the way of living from the inside out as opposed to living from the outside in as before.  The once dormant human spirit is quickened by the Holy Ghost, and this new creature emerges who must now learn how to live by the leading of his regenerated spirit man and no longer that of his flesh (or five senses).  You see, according to Ephesians 2:10, we are GOD's workmanship and we have been created to the intent that we be about doing good works.  This is only possible because GOD works in us to accomplish what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13).  And in order to bring GOD pleasure, we must purge ourselves from the world's influence so the Master can easily make use of us and we can be prepared to do the works of Him who has both saved and sent us (2 Timothy 2:20-21, John 9:4).

As GOD's masterpiece, we must reflect the glory of His craftsmanship.  It doesn't matter how flawed or damaged we may have been when we came to Christ.  Now that we are reconciled to the Father, our spirit man ALREADY reflects the fullness of GOD's glory.  Our present goal, therefore, is to fully engage in the process of allowing that same glory to be made manifest in our souls (ie mind, will and emotions).  Our everyday thoughts, decisionmaking and feelings need to reflect the Master's craftsmanship because that's what PEOPLE encounter FIRST.  In other words, this glory cannot be reserved exclusively for church.  Other people experience our souls BEFORE they connect with our spirit man. Therefore, it's imperative that we maintain good works (Titus 3:8). While works don't save us, they ought to be the noticeable result of our salvation.

I Am A Masterpiece (Part 1 of 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I read something a few mornings ago that got me to thinking about the word "masterpiece" in a whole new way.  What amazed me was how we often assume a masterpiece has been crafted from the best materials simply because of the glory we behold in the finished product.  Certainly something of such unmistakable value had to have originated from the best raw materials, right?  Well, let's take a more in depth look at the word "masterpiece" then.  We're most familiar with its Latin roots, the words "magnum opus" (or "great work") which translate to the English word "masterpiece."  However, its first recorded appearance was around 1600 AD as the Dutch word "meesterstuk," meaning "work by which a craftsman attains the rank of master."

I have heard it said many times before that the creation of man was GOD's crowning achievement, but I submit to you that the Body of Christ is truly GOD's masterpiece.  The work of redemption is the magnum opus that solidifies GOD's rank as master craftsman.  GOD created in His Son Jesus a third kind of man who is neither Jew nor Gentile (Ephesians 2:13-16).  From the foundation of the world, He planned to circumvent the very system He created to establish this third man, who is in Christ, has access to the Father and is the temple of the Holy Ghost.  The Body of Christ has a personal, intimate relationship with all three persons of the Holy Trinity, which neither Jews nor Gentiles possess.  Now if that doesn't qualify GOD as a master craftsman, I don't know what does.

Choosing To Only Know | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

While conversing with my brother and close friend Lee Johnson on Tuesday, something came to me that was simply phenomenal.  Our conversation was about loving people and seeing them the way GOD does.  During this most interesting discussion, I was reminded of something I heard Dr. Joyce Adams, one of the ministers at the church I attend (Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church | Shreveport, LA) say in one of the past messages she delivered.  She said, "The only thing I want to know of anyone is Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2).  I thought I understood then what she meant at the time--and I may have to a degree--but I NOW know that I've received greater illumination on this because it nearly brought me to tears as I articulated what I shared with Lee and am about to share with you.

In the carnal sense, it's so easy for us to look at people and see their faults, shortcomings, vices and weaknesses while we make every excuse in the book for how hard it is to see the good in others.  However, since we're now part of the "ecclesia" (or "the called out ones"), this ought not be so.  The Kingdom of GOD is counterculture to this worldly system.  Because the Holy Spirit has taken residence inside of us, thereby making us perfect, whole and complete in our spirit man, we are capable of doing the exact opposite of the world.  It should now, therefore, be hard for us to see the negative in others and easy to see their potential, areas of gifting, strengths and goodness.  Of course, some saved somebody will say, "I just CAN'T do that;" but Christ Himself said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). So my question then to any Christian making excuses is, "Are you calling Jesus the Christ a liar? Or are you simply being influenced by a rebellious spirit?"

What we must understand as Kingdom citizens is that no matter how jacked up, messed up, reproachable or sinful anyone--saved or unsaved--may be that CHRIST DIED FOR THEM.  As a matter of fact, what makes seeing the best in everyone easier to do is realizing that Jesus' sacrificial death at Calvary is precisely what has made it possible for all of us TO BECOME who we were created to be.  It is because of the blood of Christ that GOD sees us as He's made us and not how we've been made as a result of lives born in sin and shapen in iniquity (Psalm 51:5).  If GOD's Spirit dwells in us, then we are capable through Him of seeing people as GOD does.  No excuses.  That promiscuous young man, that thieving woman, that gluttonous guy, that lying girl all have--beyond their ungodly behavior--a GOD-given purpose that can potentially be fulfilled because of the shed blood of our Christ.  Receiving the gift of salvation is SO MUCH MORE than securing eternal life.  It's about becoming.

Knowing only of others Jesus Christ and Him crucified is a conscious decision to look beyond all that's not right to see who GOD created people to become.  It's being disciplined enough to not condemn people for their actions while being sensitive enough to allow the Holy Spirit to show us who people have the potential to become.  It's about choosing to speak words of encouragement and exhortation to the wayward that push them into their purpose as opposed to reminding them of all the wrong they do, thereby discouraging them from possessing any desire to change.  It's about realizing that the stripes Jesus took, the spikes driven into His body and the blood He spilled were to the intent that we all--irregardless of how reprehensibly we've lived and do live--would have the choice to become the man or woman GOD intended for us to be from the beginning.  My friends, choose to know that and you will find it easier to love others as does our Father.

Down Time Is Prep Time | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

We all experience what could be called "dry spells."  These times of disappointment and frustration are usually characterized by little or no productivity.  What's amazing about these drought seasons is that most times we fail to see them coming.  They seem to just show up out of no where and stay for an undeterminable period of time.  In the meantime in between time, we beat our heads against the wall trying to achieve the successful results we're accustomed to experiencing in an atmosphere that's really not conducive for such success.

Therefore, we must handle our dry spells in the correct manner.  Negligence in doing so results in dire consequences that create even more problems.  I've seen so many blood-washed, redeemed people of GOD literally sink into a depressive state that sucks them dry.  People who were once so on fire for GOD end up being doused out by the wet blanket of life all because their response to the dry spell was simply the wrong one.  Even more ironic, though, is that it's not so much that they're doing the wrong thing.  Many times they're actually doing the right thing but it's at the wrong time.  This is why we have to understand the season and its purpose in order to make the best use of our time there.

My Achor Holds | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

This morning was particularly unusual because I just didn't feel like myself when I woke up.  And the crazy thing?  I really didn't know WHY I was feeling this way.  I just couldn't seem to shake this awkward uneasiness, but I managed to pull myself together and head to the office.  However, before leaving my residence, I made up in my mind that I was NOT going to be subject to this mood for the rest of the day.  With too much to get done today, there was NO WAY that I would allow my productivity to be hindered by something that couldn't even be explained.

So I did what I both was taught to do and knew would work: P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens).  There is something about an atmosphere saturated with prayer that will lift the heaviest of burdens and terrorize even the most resilient of demons.  Praying both in English and in the Spirit releases the power of GOD to do what it does best--building up (edifying) the Kingdom citizen.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with praying about situations and expecting GOD to change them.  However, I've learned to esteem higher GOD's ability to change me as opposed to changing my circumstances.  If I allow Him to change (conform) me to the image of Christ, then I can respond to the circumstances in a way that evokes the power of Heaven's government to change the situation.  GOD's allowance of adverse circumstances to arise occurs to place demands on our ability to manifest Heaven's culture, thereby manifesting Heaven's power here in the Earth realm.  And it's when Heaven's power is manifested that Heaven's results are achieved for mankind to see.

Enforce Satan's Defeat | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I don't know about you, but I'm just about tired of the enemy running all roughshod over GOD's people.  Anyone who knows me knows that I try my best NOT to give Satan any airtime, but sometimes you've just got to let the hell chaser in you make a quick cameo appearance so the devil can be reminded of--as my pastor says--"how the cow ate the cabbage."  Let it be known now, henceforth and forevermore that we're here to enforce Satan's defeat. That's right!  The works of the devil have ALREADY been destroyed, according to 1 John 3:8, because this destruction was the purpose for which the Son of GOD was manifested.  And it's time out for us, the children of the Most High GOD, accepting the foolishness of fallen angels and their defeated leader.

EVERY structure the enemy has erected has been destroyed.  Whether it be sickness, poverty, spiritual damnation, abuse, confusion, low self-esteem, addiction, hatred, fear...WHATEVER it may be...Thanks be to GOD, Heaven's demolition crew has reduced it ALL to rubble.  Part of Jesus' four-fold ministry, as outlined in Matthew 4:23-24, was healing the sick and delivering those who were afflicted by demons.  What we must understand, friends, is that--as Dr. Myles Munroe best put it--"deliverance is instantaneous, but freedom is a process."  Yes, Jesus' wrecking ball toppled what Satan erected to make life on Earth miserable, but GOD has given us the power and the authority to stand guard over the remaining rubble.  Every hindrance, disappointment, setback, etc in our lives lies in that rubble.  So we must dare not let the devil grab a single brick from it because he'll erect another structure, if we let him. 

Dying to Behold A New Thing (AUDIO) | This Is FHW (Mar 2011 Radio Segment)

Listen to today's radio segment of "This is FHW | From the Heart of a Worshipper" on the Resting In His Word Broadcast featuring Evangelist Cheryl Boggs on Amistad Radio Group's KSYB 1300 AM (Shreveport, LA). To read the transcript, visit our Facebook Fan Page and click the "Notes" tab. Questions and/or comments are welcome and can be sent via email. The music featured in today's segment is by new artist JeRome, whose newest single "You're the One" is available for purchase on his website.

You Need A Plan | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

One of the most knee-weakening experiences a person can have is receiving a vision from GOD.  I'm not talking about some little aspiration, but rather Him showing you something so HUGE that its manifestation requires GOD's involvement.  It can be pretty scary coming face to face with such a ginormous assignment because many times it requires us to tap into a knowledge base or skill set we have little or no experience utilizing.  Just ask Noah: he built an ark as a visible symbol of GOD's saving grace with no recorded shipbuilding experience.  In addition to tapping into the unfamiliar, people of vision must sort through a variety of emotions when they receive GOD's assignment.  We just may experience a plethora of emotions, such as shock, bewilderment, excitement and relief, simultaneously.  However, bringing a GOD-given vision to pass requires reigning in our emotions to plainly write the vision and create a strategic plan BEFORE we get moving accomplishing tasks.

Too often, GOD's people receive a vision and, out of sheer excitement, quickly jump into making things happen before anything is ever placed in writing.  BAD IDEA!  The LORD says in Habakkuk 2:2 to plainly write the vision so that it can be quickly read and easily understood.  Vision is purpose in pictures, but the pictures need to be translated into a written statement.  Doing so empowers visionaries to effectively communicate that which they have seen to others.  And this is important because the ability to effectively communicate the vision orally and in writing inspires others to catch the vision (or see the purpose in pictures for themselves).  A compelling statement that inspires others to catch the vision creates accountability because now someone other than the visionary has become vested in bringing the vision to pass.  And without accountability measures in place, it's easy to lose focus and stray away from the vision.

Yet He Abideth Faithful | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

In a conversation with a friend, the phrase "He abideth faithful" came to me in such a way that I had to make a mental note to explore this verse in my study time.  It's actually found in 2 Timothy 2:13, which reads in the King James Version, "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."  The Apostle Paul of Tarsus is instructing his protege, a young, lachrymose pastor by the name of Timothy, in this epistle.  Verse 13 is actually the end of a "faithful saying" (2 Timothy 2:11-13) that Paul shares with Timothy.  It's the "basic essentials" found in this saying that Paul admonishes the neophyte pastor (in 2 Timothy 2:14) to reiterate to the congregation before GOD so they don't get caught up in "pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith" (The Message Remix).

One of the things I've learned in my own walk with the LORD is that the Word of GOD clearly speaks for itself.  Once upon a time, I would get up in arms and debate people over what the Bible says and/or doesn't say.  However, with maturity comes growth, and I thank GOD that I've been converted from such behavior.  The Bible says what it says: it simply is what it is.  Either people get it or they don't.  And once the Word has been explained, there's nothing more I can do of my own accord to convince someone to receive it as truth.  I can only pray that the eyes of people's understanding be enlightened concerning that which has been presented.  Therefore, I refuse to go back and forth with anyone because it's a complete waste of my time and energy.  Such disputings simply chip away at the faith or, as it says in the King James version, contribute to the "subverting (upsetting) of the hearers."  Our discussion of the Word of GOD with others should not be so heated that it becomes catastrophic.  When it gets to that point, the flesh has pretty much taken over because now those involved have something personal to prove, as opposed to proving the Word.