It Costs What It Costs | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Many times, we make declarations of faith without understanding the cost associated with them.  In my own life, I vividly remember the intense amount of prayer, fasting and consecration I underwent between my twenty-ninth and thirtieth birthdays in preparation for what GOD was going to do in the next phase of my life.  Turning thirty held great meaning for me because it was at this age that Jewish men who had committed their lives to the study of the holy books would be eligible to become master teachers.  It was also the age during which Jesus stepped out into public ministry.  I knew things would be different for me from this point onward, and I did not want to take this pivotal time of my life so lightly that its significance would get overlooked.  So all throughout that year, it was my prayer that GOD prepare me as I began to transition from the no more to the not yet.  However, I had no idea then what I was asking for.

As crazy as it sounds, sometimes it's just better that we don't know the cost of our faith declarations.  GOD does all things well, and I really believe His way of keeping us informed on a need to know basis works to our benefit.  In all honesty, if we really knew the costs associated with what we've declared by faith for our lives, then our hearts would be so gripped with fear that we would probably never pursue the path towards fulfilling that which we've spoken.  Had I known on my twenty-ninth birthday what would happen to me between then and the thirty-first birthday I celebrated this past Monday, the human side of me most certainly would not have made such bold faith declarations.  All I can say is that I know what a miracle looks like because I see one everytime I look into a mirror.

Of all that my eyes have seen these past two years, I would say moving to Dallas was probably the gutsiest.  Drawn to this metroplex without any concrete reason why, this leap of faith represents a major cost associated with my own declaration of faith in 2009.  It's not been easy leaving behind all that is familiar to move to a place larger than any other community I've ever before lived.  But GOD continues to show Himself strong on my behalf.  He sends prophetic Words through strangers to reassure me that, despite my feelings of uncertainty, all is going as planned.  When I've wanted to pack up and go back to where I came from, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the calling that's been on my life from eternity.  It's been during these times over the past year that I have come into a greater awareness of GOD's care for me...and it humbles me in the most heartwrenching way.

While recently visiting a friend of mine's church, it became clear that I've been well-planted, well-nourished and well-tended to, but the pot I've been in has become too small.  As great as the place in which I was planted has been for me, this move was timed by GOD because it would take leaving that place of comfort to follow GOD's leading.  This experience has taught me that it takes leaving everything you know to REALLY find out what it means to rely on GOD.  In order to ensure I'm prepared for the next phase, I've had to make a conscience decision to submit to this uncomfortable season.  GOD has to make sure that my trust is in Him and that He has my total allegiance.  No more "my way" but "His way" because I cannot expect to fulfill the purpose for which GOD gave me life by making decisions based upon my own understanding.  For this is where, in the walk of faith, where the rubber meets the road and it's time to get moving.

Use Your Gift | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Reading my Twitter timeline last Sunday morning, I ran across the following tweet:

"If you not going to use the Gift God gave you, He can take it away and give it to someone who will."

I can't recall how many times I have heard this and similar statements regarding the use of our GOD-given gifts throughout my life.  My mind got to meditating on that statement; and THIS TIME, something different happened when I considered what had been communicated.  It occurred to me that, as well-intended as its meaning may be, the idea of unused gifts being taken away is not the most accurate expression of GOD's perspective on the matter.

Allow me to backtrack for a minute, if you will.  When I was a college freshman, I would attend the midweek interdenominational worship services held on campus.  One day, I stopped by the office of the chaplain who conducted those services with a question.  After answering my query, this dear, sweet woman of GOD, who was also the faculty/staff advisor for the university's gospel choir, expressed to me that she heard me singing during the corporate worship and proceeded to ask why I wasn't a member.  I explained that singing publicly in choirs was not my "thing," neither was it something that I had done before.  I just love to worship GOD;  but anyone who knows Lois Dejean knows that my answer did not phase her one bit.  She recognized the gift I had to sing and responded, "If you don't use it, GOD will take it back."  Because I loved to worship GOD in song and didn't know any better, fear gripped me at the thought of losing the gift GOD had given me.  So I initially joined the gospel choir out of fear that my gift could be taken if gone unused.

I thank GOD for the power of His Word and how my journey of discovery in the Bible has renewed my mind concerning a number of things, this being one of them.  It took reading that tweet this morning to realize how my mind had been renewed in yet ANOTHER area of my life thanks to GOD's Word.  While I'm not particularly sure of the exact scriptural background behind the thinking that GOD would take back His unused gifts, I presume this idea is based on the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).  Without going into a detailed study of this parable, the big idea here is that the talents (ie currency) given to the unprofitable servant were taken back by his master and given to the most profitable servant.

The talents in this parable were tangible, but our gifts are intangible.  Furthermore, even though they may be manifested at various times throughout our lives, our gifts came here with us at birth.  We were given life to fulfill a GOD-ordained purpose; therefore, the tools (ie gifts) we've been given by Him to do so are just as irrevocable as His purposes for our lives.  Therefore, what we see here in the parable of the talents are not at all gifts but rather divinely-allocated resources for the fulfillment of purpose.  The servants were distributed resources by the master according to their purpose.  It's also safe to say that more resources were allocated to the servants who were already operating in their area(s) of gifting to a greater degree.  Remember: everything physical manifests from the spiritual.  We can't wait until we receive resources to operate in our area(s) of gifting because it's the use of our gifts that attracts resources.  GOD simply will not fund a vision that has no plan, and He won't breathe life into faith declarations that aren't backed up by corresponding faith actions.  He will NEVER take back our unused gifts; but when we're either too fearful or lazy to operate where we are in expectation of greater, we can't expect GOD to releases resources and provision to take us to the next level.

Getting A GOD-Eye View (Part 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

It's not easy climbing the mountain of worship because it requires us to put aside all the doubts and fears associated with our life situations.  There must be a steadfast determination in worshippers to push past everything that would attempt to arrest our attention and paralyze our forward progress.  Otherwise, we will never ascend to the place of worship where unto GOD desires to meet with us.  Abraham was able to make up his mind to climb Moriah and offer the sacrifice GOD required of him because his mind wasn't on what he could possibly lose.  Just as he indicated in the valley BEFORE he started the climb, Abraham's mind was on seeing the manifestation of GOD's provision (Genesis 22:7-8).

It was in the low place that Abraham declared in faith to his two servants that both he and Isaac would go up to worship and they both would return afterwards (Genesis 22:5).  Abraham was sure of this because he believed GOD would provide Himself a sacrifice.  He didn't waste time trying to figure out how GOD was going to make a way.  Abraham believed GOD and made the climb.  Unfortunately, for many of us, we can't make the climb because our minds are consumed with what we can't affect.  We worry and we fret, yet our worrying doesn't change the situation and our fretting won't help us feel any better about things.  It's through the eyes of faith that we see beyond the present circumstances, so we can overrule our emotions and press our way into GOD's presence.

The Takeover (Part 3) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Sometimes we need to be reminded that GOD is our Father and not just some divine being who controls everything.  We tend to see GOD as a temperamental deity who must be appeased as opposed to a loving father who only wants the best for His children.  I can vividly remember the tension between my own father and me throughout my teenage and early adulthood years. As far as I was concerned, he was controlling my life and it seemed the only way I could be in his good graces was by doing everything he wanted me to do.  I didn't see him as a loving father who only had his son's best interests at heart because all I could see was how my agenda was not lining up with his for me.  I didn't see things his way and wasn't trying to; yet whenever I needed something, I always ran to my parents.  It had even gotten to the point that pride set in, and I wouldn't even go to them for help when I should have because I didn't want to hear what they had to say about my situation.  Now doesn't that sound like our relationship with GOD?

NEWS FLASH: GOD is NOT interested in controlling His children.  He's interested in us succeeding and is so vested in our success that He's already planned for it.  For it's GOD alone who knows the purpose for the life of every individual.  GOD already knows the questions that we were given life to answer.  Apart from Him, we don't have a clue of what we're here on Earth to accomplish; but He does.  Everything about us was finished in eternity before time began, and GOD has perfectly timed every manifestation of purpose for our lives.  However, we complicate things when we choose to see GOD as a controller instead of a nurturer.  That aspect of human nature we inherited from Adam and Eve kicks in right there because we take on a rebellious mindset once the enemy influences our thoughts to believe that GOD is trying to control us.  If you don't believe me, it's right there in Genesis 3:1-6 (The Message Remix):

The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal GOD had made.  He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that GOD told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"

The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all.  We can eat from the trees in the garden.  It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"

The serpant told the Woman, "You won't die.  God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on.  You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."

When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it--she'd know everything!--she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.

Getting A GOD-Eye View | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

During The Sound Worship Conference last month (hosted by David & Nicole Binion at Covenant Church), Pastor Mike Hayes delivered a phenomenal message entitled "Meet Me On Moriah" on the first night.  While he made a number of awesome points, what really got my wheels turning was how Abraham said that GOD's provision will be seen (Genesis 22:8).  As Abraham looked up from the bottom of Mt. Moriah and saw the place at the top to which GOD called him to worship, I can only imagine what was going through his head.  He's here in this valley because GOD had instructed him (in Genesis 22:1-2) to sacrifice his only son, Isaac; and by this point, Abraham, his son Isaac and the two servants accompanying them were three days into their journey to worship GOD in the place Abraham was being shown (Genesis 22:3-4).  But upon closer look, what we see here is GOD testing the heart of His servant Abraham.

Has GOD ever called you to a place that you've never before been and called for a sacrifice that you've never before been asked to offer?  Have you ever been led to an unfamiliar place to pay a price that you're just not totally sure of?  Abraham most certainly didn't understand what GOD was doing, but I can say with great certainty that he knew the heart of GOD.  Isaac was the son of promise through whom Abraham would become the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5, 19).  And since Isaac was unmarried and without a son, Abraham was confident that GOD would provide a sacrifice in Isaac's stead.  Abraham knew what the instructions were and his actions indicated his obedience to GOD, but the same believing faith that caused GOD to declare Abraham righteous (according to Galations 3:6) was in operation here at the foot of Moriah.  It was the unwavering belief of faithful Abraham that kept him focused as he and Isaac ascended Moriah (Hebrews 11:17-19).  Despite popular opinion, it doesn't take GREAT faith to persist through life's dark moments.  Let's just use the faith we have: it's powerful enough to silence every demon screaming into our ears those things that are contrary to what we believe.  If the enemy can get us to doubt GOD in those times when we don't understand Him, then we won't even be able to make it to the place of worship in which GOD has called us to meet him.

Work It Out | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

The working out of one's salvation is the process of aligning the soul (mind, will and emotions) with the rulership of Heaven.  It involves a choice to come under the influence of GOD; and in choosing to trust GOD as opposed to ourselves, we must also willingly die to our human (or fleshly) desires.  As we allow the Holy Spirit (who dwells in our spirit man) access to our thoughts, hearts and feelings, that's when we REALLY understand His role as the Governor.  The Holy Spirit is the governing influence of Heaven here in the Earth. When the Holy Spirit takes His place in our lives as the Governor, there will be contention between that which makes us human and that which makes us spiritual.  However, a life steeped in worship desires Heaven's power more than Earth's pleasures.  As a Christian, if worship is not a lifestyle, then that lack of consistent fellowship with GOD in the realm of the spirit fosters an atmosphere of intense inner struggle.

Ultimately, it's the desire of our reborn spirit man for better government that prompts our humanity (ie flesh) to relinquish its control of our minds, will and emotions to the Holy Spirit that we--as new creatures in Christ--can gain control of them.  Since that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit, then our new spiritual identity overrules the former and we are no longer obligated to yield ourselves to the governing influence of the flesh.  (Sidenote: Hence no Christian should use the excuse, "Well I'm just human," because YOU'RE NOT.)  If the desire for better government was strong enough to warrant us becoming citizens of GOD's country, then why despise His governing influence?

The Takeover (Part 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I ended the first installment of this series by suggesting that GOD is not interested in controlling us or our lives.  In our pre-reconciled state, we actually lived in a controlled state.  As a matter of fact, Jesus delivered us from a life of bondage, which is all we knew (Hebrews 2:15).  So why then would we think that GOD's plan involves us being delivered from one enslaved state to another?  It just doesn't add up.  GOD's plan of redemption was intended to set men free.  It was GOD's intention to restore man to the position he had in Eden, wherein he was given responsibility (ie "the ability to respond").  And man's GOD-given ability to respond isn't based upon human reasoning or emotionalism but rather learning the art of Heaven's diplomacy because it's not us who need to be overtaken, but the Earth.

We have been made in the image and likeness of GOD via the spiritual rebirth, and we are able to respond to situations just as GOD does because we have been given the name of Jesus the Christ.  It's by the power and authority of that name wherein we are able to transact business in the realm of the spirit and see manifestations of Heaven's power here in the Earth.  But the reason why we don't see this kind of power any more than we do is because GOD's people have not been taught to walk in the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.  More importantly, the average Christian suffers from a spiritual identity crisis.  People who have no clue WHO they are certainly can not be expected to know HOW TO BE who they are.  So what then do we see?  A bunch of confused people running around doing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in hope that they'll eventually stumble across SOMETHING that works.  Last time I checked, GOD isn't schizophrenic.  Yet we claim to be made in His image and likeness.  Something is TERRIBLY wrong with this picture, friends.

Shifting From 'Feeling' to 'Being' | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

You never know what people are going through when they enter the sanctuary.  The people who fill the pews week after week represent both extremes of the human emotional spectrum as well as all points in between.  And for the most part, we've been sold a religion that emphasizes going to church so we can feel better about what's going on in our lives.  Even the praise and worship offered to GOD is so emotional because, for a number of people, church is their routine release.  It's their time to just let go and let it all out.  Furthermore, if there's no moment of emotional release, sadly some people feel like they didn't "have church."

Having served as a praise and worship leader, I've learned in my own journey that my desire to assemble in corporate worship shouldn't be to "feel better" but to "be better."  There must come a point in everyone's experience of GOD and His love that it's no longer enough to just feel better about what's happening in their lives.  Coming to church each week to feel better about life's circumstances in no way serves us well.  There is a necessary shift from "feeling" to "being" that must take place in order for us to become the mature Kingdom citizens GOD desires in the Earth.  We must understand that our feelings (or emotions) are part of our soulish realm, which is subject to change.  Depending on what's going on around us, our thoughts, intentions and emotions can send us in any number of directions.  After all, they're designed to respond to spiritual influences (both good and bad).  However, there just came a time when I got tired of the instability of "feeling" and began to crave the stability of "being."

The Dominant Third | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

We are all works in progress.  However, as we progress towards being the finished works GOD desires, we become more acquainted with our troublesome spots.  And if we're willing to be honest with ourselves, we often times allow our dissatisfaction with these areas of our lives to overshadow how we see ourselves.  It's the guilt of our sin that perpetuates this struggle--an ongoing identity crisis (for some) that stifles the growth of even the most well-intending of Christians.  So let me encourage you, Kingdom citizen...YOU are not your ISSUE.

Everything about us that's contrary to GOD and the culture of His Kingdom is not really us.  We are spirit beings who have been given souls and live in bodies.  At our very core, we are spirit beings; and cemented therein is my identity and yours, as the redeemed of GOD.  When we accepted the free gift of salvation and eternal life, we were born again after the incorruptible seed of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 1:23).  And since everything produces after its own kind according to GOD's established order (Genesis 1:12, 21, 25), we are therefore spirit beings that are perfect even as our Father is simply because spirits birth spirits (John 3:5-7).  The aspects of us that disagree with GOD's ways are in no way a reflection of our spiritual nature.  These sore spots are characteristic of our humanity, our means of expression, and the anatomical faculties we've been given to make sense of the world around us (Romans 7:18).

Have You Declared Your Independence? | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

(The following blog was originally posted in my MySpace blog on August 9, 2007.)

Tell me, what is the vision you have received from GOD for your life?  And what's standing between you and the accomplishment of your vision?  I'm sure several things come to mind currently blocking your progress; however, allow me to extrapolate on one particular hindrance I'm sure we all have in common - PEOPLE!  Not all people, but just those individuals who have not, will not or can not catch the vision you are pursuing.  They always have something to say against it, or their behavioral patterns clearly indicate their dismissal of the picture GOD gave you.

My advice to you would be to acquaint yourself with vision driven people.  They know these naysayers very well and are quite good at spotting them from afar.  In fact, they have had to learn throughout the process of realizing their own visions that these people are indeed enemies.  Yes, we have family members, friends, colleagues and even fellow church members who plant seeds of opposition in our fields of dreams.  Moreover, no matter how well-intended these "reality checks" are supposed to be, they are machinations (devices) of Satan designed to render your vision comatose - not dead, but barely showing signs of life.  You see, your adversary the devil wishes to carry your vision to a place where it's visible but not maturing.  It's breathing, but no longer growing.  What was once a powerfully, energizing force is now lying in dormancy.

Discerning The Contents | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I read the following Facebook status on yesterday (07-07-11):

"If everyone is so anti- title and anti-labels, then go into your kitchen cabinet and take all the labels off your can goods. Then decide what you will have for lunch. Was that dog food or beef stew? Titles help us to identify who is who in the Kingdom. NOT EVERYONE WHO CARRIES ONE IS A FALSE PROPHET, AND JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT CHOOSE TO BE IDENTIFIED WITH ONE DOES NOT MAKE YOU MORE HUMBLE. #balanceiskey"

My comment was on this wise: "I totally agree with you. I'm not into titles at all, but I find it very immature when Christians turn little silly things like THIS into bones of contention. It's counterproductive, divides the Body, hinders the manifestation of GOD's power by His Spirit in our midst and causes the world to laugh hysterically at the church. We've certainly got some growing up to do. Thanks for calling our attention to this, my Sister."

The discussion continued and there were over 100 comments in less than 24 hours from the time the status was posted.  I didn't bother to read what others had to say or if anyone expressed any disagreement with my thoughts.  It's just simply not the best use of my time.  Anyone who knows me well understands that I don't debate issues.  I'll share what I believe and, if asked, will explain why I believe it.  I don't do arguments, and I don't force my beliefs on anyone.  The results I obtain are what prove the truth behind my beliefs.  But that's not even the reason why I felt compelled to write this blog...All that was lagniappe.

Letter To A Modern Day Jonah | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

(On Monday, July 4, 2011, I felt the urge to write an open letter to all the modern day Jonah's out there who know the calling of GOD is upon them but have chosen to accept an identity contrary to the one GOD has given them.  This is strictly for those with ears to hear and is not directed to any one person in particular.  It was simply birthed in a moment late at night, during which heaviness of heart was felt for those who struggle between choosing GOD's way over their own.)

Dear Modern Day Jonah,

I know that a lot is going on with you right now.  And I know that sometimes you don't want to hear what I have to say, which is cool, because I'm not that important anyway.  Although I sometimes feel unsure of what to say because you can only stand so much "spiritual" stuff, I can't apologize for being who I am in the realm of the spirit.

Bondage Hurts | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Some of the greatest lessons learned as part of our human experience are those that generate a memorable degree of hurt or disappointment.  These experiences leave indelible inscriptions upon the pages of our hearts and are often defining moments in the shaping of our own unique behavioral characteristics.  Sometimes it's our fault; other times it's not at all.  But regardless of who's to blame, hurt is hurt when it comes to our interpersonal dealings with others--especially those we love.  My heart really goes out to those who are just givers by nature.  They unselfishly put others before themselves and will give their very last to help someone else, never really asking for anything in return.  Their kindness is usually taken for weakness, and their concern is often times mistaken for a hidden agenda.  And no matter how strong we say we are, people can only hurt so much at the hands of others for so long before they begin to feel like they don't need anyone in their lives and would just rather be alone.

If the truth be told, GOD created us to be social beings.  So a life of solitude is certainly not the answer to the dilemma we face.  As a matter of fact, GOD's work IN our lives is accomplished via Him working THROUGH the lives of others.  So people are very important to even our own lives experiencing the blessings of GOD.  But in order to fully understand what I am leading up to, don't just limit GOD's blessings to money or material possessions.  Expand your view of blessing beyond the tangible to include intangibles like favor, fellowship and friendship.  That certainly changes everything about how we comprehend our hurts, doesn't it?  And although we may hate to admit it, especially in times of disappointment with people, we require each other's presence in our lives to fulfill GOD's purpose for our lives.  But here is where I find we fail so miserably, me included: when GOD blesses us (tangibly or intangibly) through others, we allow our emotions to get attached to the person He used instead of Him.

Stop Complaining | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Last Sunday night, while attending The Flow, I heard Myron Williams say something that I just had to make note of: "Never complain about what you permit."  As Myron continued ministering, my mind literally wrapped itself around that statement.  I wouldn't consider myself to be a complainer, BUT I am human (so I'm far from being a perfect example of NOT complaining).  And like everyone else, I have my moments when frustration takes its toll on  me and I find myself complaining.  What I love about this quote, though, is how it really caused me to think about who's REALLY at fault for the things I may complain about.

It's terribly easy to point the finger at someone else when we're inconvenienced or upset, but how many of us would be honest enough to say that much of what we complain about has been given our permission to invade our lives?  For instance, we may complain about how slowly the traffic is moving on the interstate, BUT we honestly could have left sooner than we did for our destination. I know this might sound silly to some people, but it's simple occurences like this that quickly steal our joy and alter our mood.  (For more on this, see "Taking Responsibility.").  You see, the mature Kingdom citizen seeks GOD for clarity instead of complaining to Him under the guise of "prayer".  BEFORE crying out for deliverance, the mature in spirit pray, "Father, show me what I've done to contribute to this situation so I'll know not to do it again."