Why Be the Best?

"Before destruction the heart of man is haughty. But humility goes before honor."-Proverbs 18:12 (New American Standard Bible, NASB)

"But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and things will be given to you as well. "-Matthew 6:33 (New Revised Standard Version, NRSV)

I was driving to campus yesterday and en route this thought came across the surface of my mind: Why do we strive to be the best? I began to think to myself, "What would it mean to be recognized as one of the BEST preachers, if not the BEST preacher, in America?" Do I do what I do so I can be recognized as the best? Do I work hard to perfect the craft in efforts to be recognized as the best? What does it mean to be the best?

For me it is preaching, pastoring, and ministry. For others it may be teaching, sports, finance, law, science, singing, rapping, DJing, art, dance, cooking, and various other occupations or trades that one undertakes. In whatever endeavor we pursue, why do we strive to be the best?

Do we strive to be the best in order to receive accolades and praise from others? Do we strive to be the best so that our names will be recognized or to accomplish some semblance of fame? In our pursuit to be the best, do we compromise others who are also in this pursuit to be the best?

I submit today that our strivings to be the best should not be rooted in a pursuit to please and receive praise and accolades from others. Our strivings to be the best should not be motivated in efforts to be recognized or receive praise from others. Our strivings for being the best should be undertaken with humility. Honor is not found by placing ourselves on a pedestal but in humbly perfecting the gift God has placed in us in order to fulfill God's will and give honor, praise and glory to God.

Proverbs 18:12 reminds us that honor is preceded by humility and our haughtiness will bring about our destruction. Our pursuit in being best should be undertaken with the utmost humility and remembering that God is the one who has blessed us with this gift. Therefore we should handle it with care because if we are not careful, we could potentially allow our own selfish pursuits of greatness hinder us from being the best person that God wants us to be and also impacts the effect we can have on the world.

God Bless,

Rev

Emergency Exit

"No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." -1 Corinthians 10:13

I remember being in school and in the building they would have posted on the walls the directions we should take in the event an emergency should happen. All arrows pointed to the closest door with the sign lit in red that spelled E-X-I-T. We all knew that in the event of an emergency if we were able to make it to the exit we would be safe.

In life we will be faced with tests and temptations, but in the event of these emergencies God has provided and will always provide an emergency exit. The text tells that we will all face different tests and that facing tests is nothing new. Also the text tells us that God will not give us a test we are not able to handle and the reason we are able to handle it is because has provided and emergency exit. The beauty is that the text tells us that God is faithful in that the testing will not beyond our strength and God will provide an escape route.

My question is will we be faithful to God and use the emergency exit that God provides. I have noticed that many us like to take a walk on the wild side. We like the thrill of danger and instead of taking the emergency exit we sit there and enjoy the fire too long. God's grace and mercy is abundant and it renews on a daily basis but we must not take this for granted. God is faithful enough to provide an emergency exit when we face danger, let us be faithful and trust God and take advantage of the grace and mercy that God has extended.

God Bless,

Rev

Scripture and Prayer Guide for Lent

Below is the weekly itinerary that my church (Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA) is following during this season of Lent. The guide is composed of different scripture passages for each day of Lent that can be used in your time of meditation and devotion. I hope this helps during this time of prayer, fasting, and consecration. And see some Baptist churches do observe Lent lol. I am praying for all of us.

God Bless,

Rev

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE & PRAYER ITINERARY

Resisting Temptation:

Wed. 2/17: Matthew 4

Thurs. 2/18: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Frid. 2/19: Romans 5:12-19

Sat. 2/20: Psalm 91:1-2; 9:16

God's Promises to Believers:

Mon. 2/22: John 3:1-17

Tues. 2/23: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Wed. 2/24: Psalm 27

Thurs. 2/25: Genesis 12:1-4a

Fri. 2/26: Mark 9:14-23

Sat. 2/27: John 9:32-40

Hunger for God

Mon. 3/1: John 4:5-42

Tues. 3/2: Psalm 42

Wed. 3/3: Isaiah 55:1-9

Thurs. 3/4: Psalm 63:1-8

Fri. 3/5: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Sat. 3/6: Isaiah 41:17

The Riches of God's Grace

Mon. 3/8: Ephesians 2:1-10

Tues. 3/9: Romans 3:1-24

Wed. 3/10: Titus 2:11-15

Thurs. 3/11: Psalm 23

Fri. 3/12: Psalm 84

Sat. 3/13: 1 Peter 4:1-10

Fasting

Mon. 3/15: Joel 1:14

Tues. 3/16: Matthew 6:17-18

Wed. 3/17: Exodus 34:28

Thurs. 3/18: Daniel 10:2-3

Fri. 3/19: Luke 4:1-2

Sat. 3/20: Zechariah 7:4-10

Praying Power

Mon. 3/22: Isaiah 56:7

Tues. 3/23: Matthew 6:9-13

Wed. 3/24: Matthew 26:41

Thurs. 3/25: Romans 8:26-27

Fri. 3/26: Ephesians 6:18

Sat. 3/27: 1 Samuel 1:9-27

Self-Sacrifice

Mon. 3/29: Hebrews 9:11-15

Tues. 3/30: Galatians 6: 14-17

Wed. 3/31: Hebrews 12:1-3

Thurs. 4/1: John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Fri. 4/2: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Sat. 4/3: Psalm 16

Transformative Power of Lent

Tomorrow will begin the season of Lent. Lent is a liturgical season that precedes the holiest period on the Christian Calendar, Easter. This 40 day period is a time for the church universal to fast and prayer together in anticipation and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus which is celebrated on Easter.

This 40 day period is also a time for the church universal to commit and dedicate itself to the Lord through the spiritual disciplines of fasting and prayer. Fasting is a spiritual discipline in which we deprive ourselves of desires in efforts to deepen and strengthen our relationship with God. Those desires we deprive ourselves are replaced with prayer, meditation, and scripture in efforts to become closer to God.

This 40 day period of fasting and prayer is representative of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying prior to his public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). I am convinced that the 40 day period was necessary preparation for Jesus so he would be able to fulfill the task that God placed before him. There are also other references in the gospels in which Jesus went to be alone. It is important that we reserve time in which we spend intimate time with God so we can remain clear on what God's will for us in this world.

I encourage us all to take this time serious. Let us not give up something for 40 days, pat ourselves on the back, and then go back to business as usual. In the words of my big sis (shout out to Allyson Smith) Lent is not about giving up things in efforts to "prove how hardcore you are for God" but with hopes of getting closer to God.

We should come out the season of Lent transformed and renewed. We should better coming out of Lent than we did coming in. I encourage us to allow the transformative work of God to take place in all us during this season of Lent in hopes that we will be more dedicated and committed to the work of God just as Christ was when he descended from that mountain after 40 days of fasting and prayer.

I'm praying for you all.

God Bless,

Rev

Where's Your Integrity???

"I dumb down for my audience and double my dollars/They criticize me for it yet they all yell "Holla"/If skills sold truth be told/I'd probably be/Lyricly Talib Kweli/Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense/(But i did five Mil)/I ain't been rhymin like Common since"

Jay-Z is one of my favorite hip-hop artist. Despite all the rumors of his affiliation with Freemasonry and Illuminati, no one can deny his ability to use words to paint a picture. The above lyrics are from his song "Moment of Clarity" from The Black Album. These series of lines display not only an issue found in the hip-hop community but it is found in the church as well and that is the "dumbing down" lyrics/sermons for the sake of money, profits, or popularity.

Jay-Z says that he has the ability to rap like Talib Kweli and Common (both are associated most with a form of rap that is conscience based). However Jay-Z is convinced that this style of rap and pure skill does not sell. So he says he "dumbs down" or gives a diluted form of rap in efforts to make a larger financial profits. Not only did this work for him ("But I did 5 Mil") but the audience tends to like this diluted music as well.

The same can be said about preaching. There are many gifted preachers throughout the world but how many of these preachers/pastors have "diluted" the gospel and revelation of God in efforts to gain financial profit, popularity, or increased numbers in the congregation. If you would allow me to remix Jay's lyrics for a sec "Dumbed down for my congregation to double my tithes/they criticize me for it but they all yell Hallelujah." I know it doesn't rhyme but I hope the message is clear.

In sanctuaries and studios across this nation, integrity needs to be re-established. Preachers/Pastors and Musicians (rappers, singers, producers, etc.) have the ability to influence the moves of all those within the reach of their voice. We must all hold fast to our integrity and not allow the outside pressures of money, fame, and fortune compromise the integrity of the art.

Pastors/Preachers hold fast to your integrity when preaching the Word of God. So many people trust the words that come out of our mouths. Therefore we must handle the Word of God with care. Also we must not be afraid to preach the truth and not fear that "people won't like us" or "my church won't grow." If your primary motive for preaching is to be known as "the best preacher in America" or for people "to like you" or "to have the largest congregation" do the world a favor and stop preaching now.

Pastors/Preachers integrity and faithfulness to God is more important than the accolades and ovations of others. Remember they cheered for Jesus at the beginning of the week and screamed "Crucify Him" at the end of the week. So we must hold fast to our integrity and preach the truth even if that means to the point of death.

I'm committed to trusting God in all I do and not compromising my integrity...who's joining me???

God Bless,

Rev

Don't Ignore Your Angel

"Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him"-Matthew 4:11

This is the closing verse in the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil. The last verse does not get much attention. Primary focus is given to the encounter between Jesus and the tempter but this last verse has so much meaning to my life.

Thursday evening I ran over a pothole (please get those potholes fixed city of Atlanta...Thanks) and it caused major damage to one of tires. Fortunately I was able to get my car to a Krispy Kreme parking lot. Now it is raining, I do not have a spare tire and I find myself getting frustrated. In my moment of frustration and weakness, "suddenly angels came waited on me."

My first angel was a homeless brother. The brother approached me simply asking for a blanket and I gave him my QT6 (shout out to Quintessence 6 and Hampton University). After I gave him the blanket he asked if he I need help with my tire. Truth be told I was not thrilled about changing a tire in the rain and this brother came right on time. He took the tire off in record time and it was a humbling moment for me. It's not the fact that he changed the tire in record time but he was willing to do something for me that I was not willing to do for myself. I didn't want to get on the wet concrete to help myself. I didn't want to get on the wet concrete in order to help myself move forward. Thank God for this angel. He attended to me when I was in need.

Im just going to end this like this. Be conscience of how you treat all people. If you allow me to be transparent, I looked at myself as being above this brother but at the moment when he went to a place to help me and I wasn't even willing to help myself, it humbled me. I thank God I did not ignore that brother. I encourage us not to ignore each other regardless of socio-economic status, race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, sexual-orientation, etc. because you could be potentially ignoring an angel.

God Bless,

Rev

Moving Beyond Cliche Faith (Inspired by Book of Eli)

"I don't know what God is doing. I don't think God knows what God is doing sometimes. However, I will still trust God."

The above quote is a paraphrase of a statement Howard Thurman said towards the end of his life. To me, it exudes an unrelenting faith in God, even if we do not know what is going on or we are not sure if God knows what is going on. Some may find it shocking for someone to dare say "I don't think God knows what God is doing." Some may say this is borderline blasphemous. However, this speaks to a faith that goes deeper than the typical cliches (God is good all the time and all the time God is good; I'm blessed and highly favored; To blessed to be stressed; etc.) uttered by many (including myself) on a daily basis. What I want to talk about is a faith that goes beyond rhetoric and cliches. I am talking about an unwavering faith even when we have the slightest ideal what is going on.

When thinking about this type of faith, it took me back to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Garden of Gethsemane was not a pretty place for Jesus. It was here that Jesus had to face the reality of his call and purpose in his life. Jesus had to face the reality of the cross at this moment. Jesus did not want to face the cross. The text (Mat. 26:37-38) says that Jesus was grieved and agitated. And he asked for the cup to pass over him (Mat. 26:39). Jesus did not want to go to the cross. But even in this moment of weakness, Jesus was able to say "not what I want but what you want" (Mat. 26:39). Jesus could have chosen not to go to the cross. Jesus could have said no. But Jesus chose to trust in God. I dare say that if it were up to Jesus he would have avoided the cross. However, it was Jesus faith and trust in God that enabled him to say "not MY will but YOUR WILL."

Deep faith is total submission to the will of God even if the will of God takes us down a path that we would not have chosen for ourselves. Deep faith is trusting God even if we cannot rationalize or find the logic in the situation. Deep faith is trusting God when we don't know what is going on and all we have to rely on is God. Deep faith causes us to be vulnerable. Deep faith means we have no control. Deep faith means really trusting God with our lives. Ask yourself "Do I really trust God with my life?" Do I really want to let God control my life or do I want to have a say so? Take time to really meditate on this question.

It is time for all of us to move beyond the cliches of faith. It is time for us to take our walk and relationship with God seriously. We must allow ourselves to explore the depths of God and open ourselves to the possibility of being vulnerable to God. Allowing God to truly use us and allowing God's will to be done in our lives. LET US NOT REDUCE FAITH TO CLICHES. Let us live out our faith in God and let us live out his will for our lives.

God Bless,

Rev