For anyone that has stepped foot in a church you are constantly told to obey God. We are told that every believer is suppose to obey God no matter what. However, the logical would say that there are some situations that I would not listen to the voice of God, especially if it is telling me to do something that I am not comfortable with. However, the reality is rarely does not God instruct us to do something that we are comfortable with. The whole purpose of obedience is trust and God, who in His infinite wisdom already knows where our level of trust lies, will instruct us to do certain things just to show us where our relationship with Him is.
In the book of Acts 5 we find Peter and other apostles being thrown into prison because they were doing what they were instructed to do. The Sanhedrin (Elder Council) did not like the fact that they were preaching and teaching Jesus the Christ and the apostles were threatened with prison and ultimately death by the Sanhedrin. While in jail an Angel visited Peter and the apostles and let them out. However, the release also came with instructions to go and preach and an exact location was given. The Apostles were approached again by the Sanhedrin and this time the Sanhedrin were furious. However, when we obey, God always shows up and shows out and this was no exception. One of the Sanhedrin's own spoke up and said that they should leave these men alone because if it is of God, they (Sanhedrin)will not win. He told them that they would not win because it would be like fighting against God! Wow...what a statement! In other words, to be obedient to God causes a higher level of security and protection for you and those connected to you. And every time anyone tries to stand against you, they are literally fighting against God....which means that they can not win no matter how hard they try. That should be comfort to anyone who is debating as to whether or not they should do what they have been instructed to do. I would encourage you right now to never wrestle with what God is instructing you to do. Always do what God says, when He says it! Because if God is for you....then who can stand against you?
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Together We Can Pray(11/2/08)
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Department of Lay Ministry
My Brothers and my Sister, greeting in the Name above every name, Jesus the Christ. The only begotten of the Father!
Well, it is finally upon us. The most historic election in the history of the United States of America will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. This will be the first time that a person of color will be the nominee of a major political party for the office of president of the USA. Whether you support Barak Obama or not, you must appreciate the precidence of this election.
I pray that everyone is registered to vote and will exercise that right. When we think of everything that our forefathers have gone through to give us that right to vote, we should not take it for granted!
* In 1776, George Washington led the revolutionary
army to gain our independence from England.
* In 1920, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
pushed for creation and passage of the Nineteenth Ad-
mendment to the Constitution that gave women the
right to vote.
* During the 1950's and 60's, Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King,
Jr. was beaten, jailed and humilited to get Black Amer- icans the right to vote.
With all that those people had to endure to make it possible for us to have the right to vote; we should vote, if for no other reason than, to honor their memory. It has been reported that 180 million citizens have registered to vote, so it may take some time to get everyone to a voting machine. Be patient and plan to stand it line for this historic election.
For this week, let's pray for this election. We should pray that the elections will be done fairly and that the will of the people will be enforced. We should pray for the safety of each candidate. Let's pray that God will put a fence around them to keep them safe from any hurt, harm or danger. Lastly, let's pray that the candidates, when elected, will be God lead in their actions and decisions.
Department of Lay Ministry
My Brothers and my Sister, greeting in the Name above every name, Jesus the Christ. The only begotten of the Father!
Well, it is finally upon us. The most historic election in the history of the United States of America will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. This will be the first time that a person of color will be the nominee of a major political party for the office of president of the USA. Whether you support Barak Obama or not, you must appreciate the precidence of this election.
I pray that everyone is registered to vote and will exercise that right. When we think of everything that our forefathers have gone through to give us that right to vote, we should not take it for granted!
* In 1776, George Washington led the revolutionary
army to gain our independence from England.
* In 1920, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
pushed for creation and passage of the Nineteenth Ad-
mendment to the Constitution that gave women the
right to vote.
* During the 1950's and 60's, Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King,
Jr. was beaten, jailed and humilited to get Black Amer- icans the right to vote.
With all that those people had to endure to make it possible for us to have the right to vote; we should vote, if for no other reason than, to honor their memory. It has been reported that 180 million citizens have registered to vote, so it may take some time to get everyone to a voting machine. Be patient and plan to stand it line for this historic election.
For this week, let's pray for this election. We should pray that the elections will be done fairly and that the will of the people will be enforced. We should pray for the safety of each candidate. Let's pray that God will put a fence around them to keep them safe from any hurt, harm or danger. Lastly, let's pray that the candidates, when elected, will be God lead in their actions and decisions.
Together We Can Pray (10/27/08)
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Department of Lay Ministry
Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus The Christ!
I was at a service on Sunday and the preacher took his text. The text concerned Jesus praying. I began to think about all the times in the Gospels that Jesus prayed. It seems that Jesus was always going off somewhere to pray:
Mt 26:39 And He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed
Mr 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and
departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mr 14:39 And again He went away, and prayed
Lu 5:16 And He withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Lu 22:41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled
down, and prayed,
Mt 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
I began to think, what was Jesus always praying about? Just as soon as I asked the question, the answer appeared: Jesus was always praying for someone else. He prayed for His disciples; He prayed for Jairus' daughter; He prayed for Lazarus and He prayed for each one of us that we might have everlasting life.
This week let's think of someone we can pray for. That person could be a family member or friend. It could also be someone who has misused you. Matthew 5:44b says, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Department of Lay Ministry
Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus The Christ!
I was at a service on Sunday and the preacher took his text. The text concerned Jesus praying. I began to think about all the times in the Gospels that Jesus prayed. It seems that Jesus was always going off somewhere to pray:
Mt 26:39 And He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed
Mr 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and
departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mr 14:39 And again He went away, and prayed
Lu 5:16 And He withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Lu 22:41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled
down, and prayed,
Mt 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
I began to think, what was Jesus always praying about? Just as soon as I asked the question, the answer appeared: Jesus was always praying for someone else. He prayed for His disciples; He prayed for Jairus' daughter; He prayed for Lazarus and He prayed for each one of us that we might have everlasting life.
This week let's think of someone we can pray for. That person could be a family member or friend. It could also be someone who has misused you. Matthew 5:44b says, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Together We Can Pray--Written by Odell Tolliver Lay President of the Northern California Region
Every week, Odell will send out these writings to everyone on his emai list. He has given me permission to put them on the blog. So please enjoy.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Department of Lay Ministry
And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting. (Matt 17:20-21-ASV)
Greetings in the Name of Jesus the Christ, the only begotten of the Father!
The above passage of Scripture reminds us of the power that we have through our faith. Jesus speaks of the faith of a grain of mustard seed. Some people believe Jesus is refering to the size of the mustard seed; others believe Jesus is thinking of the potential of a mustard seed (see Matt 13:31, 32). That tiny mustard seed must believe that it will grow into a mighty tree. In the same sense, we must believe that we can move mountains, there can be no doubt in our mind.
Starting at verse 14, a man comes to Jesus stating that his son has seizures and falls into the fire or into the water. The man says he has brought his son to the Disciples, but they could not heal him (verse 15, 16). Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy. In verse 19, the Disciples asked Jesus why He could drive out the demon but they could not. Jesus tells them in verse 21 that this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting. Here, Jesus reminds us that prayer and fasting are the basics of our faith! Our faith gives us the power to remove mountains, but that faith come by prayer and fasting!
For this week let's spend some time fasting and praying. I realize that some of us cannot do without food for medical reasons, but we can fast in other ways. Fasting means to give up something for a period of time. We should give up something, such as watching television or eating a certain type of food that we really enjoy. We could give up an activity, such as shopping. Those things that we give up for a period of time, we should replace them with prayer. When it is time to watch our favorite television program, we would spend that time praying. Instead of having that piece of cake or pie that we would spend that time in prayer. We call this getting back to basics.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Department of Lay Ministry
And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting. (Matt 17:20-21-ASV)
Greetings in the Name of Jesus the Christ, the only begotten of the Father!
The above passage of Scripture reminds us of the power that we have through our faith. Jesus speaks of the faith of a grain of mustard seed. Some people believe Jesus is refering to the size of the mustard seed; others believe Jesus is thinking of the potential of a mustard seed (see Matt 13:31, 32). That tiny mustard seed must believe that it will grow into a mighty tree. In the same sense, we must believe that we can move mountains, there can be no doubt in our mind.
Starting at verse 14, a man comes to Jesus stating that his son has seizures and falls into the fire or into the water. The man says he has brought his son to the Disciples, but they could not heal him (verse 15, 16). Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy. In verse 19, the Disciples asked Jesus why He could drive out the demon but they could not. Jesus tells them in verse 21 that this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting. Here, Jesus reminds us that prayer and fasting are the basics of our faith! Our faith gives us the power to remove mountains, but that faith come by prayer and fasting!
For this week let's spend some time fasting and praying. I realize that some of us cannot do without food for medical reasons, but we can fast in other ways. Fasting means to give up something for a period of time. We should give up something, such as watching television or eating a certain type of food that we really enjoy. We could give up an activity, such as shopping. Those things that we give up for a period of time, we should replace them with prayer. When it is time to watch our favorite television program, we would spend that time praying. Instead of having that piece of cake or pie that we would spend that time in prayer. We call this getting back to basics.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)