Complacency & Talents (Round 2)

In fairness to those who didn’t read my blog post Complacency & Talents last year, here’s an excerpt of what I wrote. You can read the entire post filed under the 2011 archives (week of April 18, 2011)

(From April 18, 2011): What talent have you buried? I know a lot of people and many of you have made your talents known to me. And I must ask, what are you doing with them? I beg you not to let them go to waste, because your talent is NOT just for you. Only you can do what you do with the talents that have been bestowed upon you. Now you might think your talent is small, but in God's eyes, it's important! No matter how big or small your talent is it's the ticket to put you where you need to be in your life.

(July 2012)

Matthew 25:14-30 was the focus for that post and it will be the focus for this post. It’s been said that you can learn from people who succeed and from people who fail. Successful people can teach us things; and people who fail can teach us what not to do. I’m going to focus on people who fail for this post. You probably know people who have gone through life “I woulda, shoulda, coulda done this.” They stop there because they don’t want to add this after the phrase, “because I was complacent or I was told to consecrate myself, time and talents and everything which the Lord has blessed me with or which He may bless me to my local church, denomination, or religion.” No legacy is left, no lives were impacted, and the closing chapter of some people’s lives become full of resentment, disappointment, and their attitudes become bitter and mean.

If we are wise, we should learn from them. We know many people around us who have talents or are gifted in a specific area, but they don’t do anything due to fear, negative friends and family, or just downright complacency. I said I was going to reference the scripture in Matthew, let’s go there. A master had servants and gave one servant 5 talents, another 2 and another 1. The first two doubled their talents, and the last one sat on it. Many people stop after verse 26 where the master called the servant who sat on his talent a “wicked and slothful servant!” Verses 28 through 30 are crucial points that we can learn from. The master went on to say this to the slothful servant, take his talent and give it to him who has 10 talents. To everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness.

We all have been blessed with a specific talent (some may have more) or a specific ministry that is uniquely different (some of us need to stop trying to be carbon copies of others – that could be a lesson all by itself). Sometimes God will call you to a ministry or to use your talent that may not be lucrative in the natural or appear to minister to people while you're alive; however, that ministry or you using your talent to the fullest while you were alive will leave a legacy after you pass onto life eternal. I beg you my brothers and my sisters to be free from the spirit of complacency.

Spiritually Drained

As I look at my life and the lives of some of my brothers & sisters in the body of Christ, I can imagine there are times when we’re spiritually drained. Yes, we have Jesus in our hearts and lives, but what I’m referring to is more along the lines of when you’re encouraging someone in the faith (whether it be to go on with a dream, a career, and even their lives – such as divorce, thoughts of suicide, turning back to the world, etc.) or having to be strong for someone which typically includes you having to pray/intercede or fast for others (especially if they’re contemplating/attempting suicide or wanting to be sucked into the trap of the devil), that you can be drained spiritually and need to be fed and prayed for from somebody. Also, when you’re drained spiritually, the devil will typically come in an wreak havoc in an area of you life that’s either your weak point or an area that you neglected in your life. I’m sure some people have this kind of ministry; but one of two things can prevent us from being spiritually drained:

1. Swallow your pride – this typically occurs when you have this image that I’m to be a support and no one is to see my true feelings or the need that I’m drained. So we put on a false face to show that you’re not broken inside and need help. I try to encourage people to be real with me. The last thing I want to do is see someone so strong on the outside, where you’re really dying inside.
2. Believers putting down their selfishness – this occurs when people who are spiritually drained needing a brother/sister to pray and they turn you away because you’re too negative or their own pride.

In summary: A reason why we may not come alongside those who are trying save a life (whether physically, mentally or spiritually) is because of selfishness, or jealousy. Understand that most people who have ministries like this have gone through hell in their past or even their current. This is why they need to be covered in prayer. It’s one thing to be sensitive to the needs of others and trying to keep them encouraged, and at the same time you’re also being attacked in multiple ways (especially when you’re doing a work for the Kingdom of God – as you’re a co-laborer with Him). We should be able to come alongside anyone that have ministries that powerful and keep them encouraged with the Word of God. No one man is an island or has all the answers. Drop your pride and be prayed for, or don’t be neglecting your brothers or sisters because you’re so focused on your blessing.

Don't Go Back To Egypt

This is a brand new week, and if God told you that you can do something, then we have to stand up and do it! It's simple, right? Think again. Fear is something that prevents people from doing what they're supposed to do. It robs you of your true purpose. Real quick, I didn't plan to write this post today (I wanted to write on healthy relationships, but it should be released next week).

With that said, I was reading the last part of Numbers 13 and a good portion of Numbers 14. One thing that stuck out to me was this: only 2 of the 12 spies said that they can take Canaan, and the other 10 lied and caused the children of Israel to believe "the lie." Joshua & Caleb (the two spies who believed they could take the land), were looking at the spiritual and had faith that God can strengthen them to overcome what may seem overpowering whereas the children of Israel were looking at the natural. They cried to Moses saying, let's return to Egypt. I'm thinking they were probably singing "Let's Go Back To Egypt and live on top of the world." OK, that's a whole different topic, and I refuse to write about it here. Back to the children of Israel. 

Last year (April 25, 2011), I wrote a blog entitled Complacency & Hebrew Slaves. The summary of that blog was simply this: the children of Israel wanted to return to Egypt (a place of complacency, bondage, and slavery), even though God called to freedom. 

Even though what they saw in front of them didn't look easy, God was trying to get them to operate in faith. The tragedy of this is Joshua & Caleb had to lose 40 years (to suffer with the children of Israel in the wilderness) because they were a part of a team. And don't think for one second that the children of Israel were going to stay in the wilderness. They tried to take the land without God's assistance, and the result was self-explanatory.

My message to you all this week (and to myself), who's on your team? Are they heading to the place where God wants them to be? Are they operating in faith that God can sustain them through the ups AND downs in life? Are they trying to get you to return to Egypt? Don't let those you love (who are called to freedom in Christ) return to Egypt. Don't fret if you're part of the minority (like Joshua & Caleb) for God can use you and doesn't always use the majority. And most importantly, don't YOU go back to Egypt (your past, the place of complacency and bondage) thinking you can live on top of the world!

The Meaning of Coming Together (On One Accord)

Many of you are familiar with a song entitled Come Together (from the Beatles). The song itself will not be the focus of this blog. However, I will talk about the body of Christ and the need for the body to come together on one accord.

It’s been said that I take issues that I see in the body of Christ as being cynical, I see it more as a call to accountability (yes, I admit that I go overboard at times). Consider this: when I got deep into church in 1996/1997, most of the churches were focusing on this topic Race, Religion & Racism. One thing the pastor said that was critical was that the church is the most racist organization and that somebody has to talk about it and deal with it. The problem is that we have been sitting around not doing anything about it. That's his quote, which I agree. When I left my former church in 2000 due to control issues (the lesson I gained was that a clean-up job needs to be done and more accountability is needed especially to the leader). Another lesson is that in order to minister the world, we have to keep striving for a life that pleases God (I'm not exempt from this either). For a leader to have that much control (saying that if you miss a Thursday/Sunday service, you're taking a vacation from God), can devastate lives. I didn't get upset about leaving, if anything, I gained a lesson which is another one of my passions (which I probably do get carried away with), in order to change the world, we need to be accountable to each other, our lifestyles must be subject to the Bible and leaders are not without reproach. I don't say this out of anger, but out of a heartfelt love for the church. I understand that we're living in the last days, and people will be lovers of self, gathering teachers that say what they want to hear. I don't want you to think that I go around looking for church issues, that's not my personality. I am very open with people, in the hopes that we can be honest with each other and that we can meet each other where we are without damaging a soul. I will confess to you all that I have anger issues (especially when it's a cause that I believe in strongly). Granted, when I came to college (and some of you might remember this), my attitude was simply this: either you will live by this Bible or you will die to it. It's just that simple! That approach was a little too extreme, I'll admit that.

One thing that's a concern is when some people say that the church is perfect and never question a leader. One of the problems within the church is when it's time to speak up, we don't and then we turn around and point fingers when prayers are removed out of the school. I believe that we all can be free and not let the devil have access to our lives, if we come together on one accord (again, this is one of the lessons I learned early in my Christian walk) - the scripture base is the book of Acts. Acts was one of my favorite books when I in college. I was always convicted when I would think of seeing the disciples being beaten and still praising God. I'll admit I've slipped recently from having the attitude like the disciples due to my own sin and fear. I'll openly admit that.

In summary: if we don’t come together, the world is going to die. I hope that we can cease from pointing fingers at the world saying “oh well, they’re going to hell.”

When It's Time To Perform (Will You Be Ready)?

I heard a saying and it goes like this (which provoked my thought for this post): for many of you reading this, your time of public revealing is coming faster than you have time for preparing. This is based out of 1 Samuel 16, which will be the theme for this post.

For the benefit of those who are not familiar, here’s the story in a brief nutshell. King Saul is being rejected as king, and Samuel was offering a sacrifice to the Lord in which Jesse was invited. Jesse called every son but David; however, the Lord said unto Samuel that every son but David was not chosen to be king. So, Samuel asked are there any more children? I’m sure Jesse really didn’t want to say this, but he did: “There’s David, but he’s tending to the sheep.” Samuel insisted that David come (even though David wasn’t dressed for the occasion like his brothers), and the Lord said, anoint him. His public revealing came faster than he had time to prepare for it. Now David didn’t take over as king immediately after he was anointed. He went back to the sheep and was called to play the harp for Saul. And after he defeated Goliath, he wasn’t made king yet (but God knew that David was the only one who could take Goliath out). It would take some time, and eventually he would become king (which actually took place in 2 Samuel). He was ready when it was time to perform as the king over Judah and Israel.

Here are a few points that need to be made. David was going to be king. He had a heart and desire for God – which is very critical. Every one of us has a unique assignment for the kingdom of God that can make a serious impact on those around us. We might think it’s minor and unimportant, but He sees it as critical and it must be done! Also understand the following, patience is a virtue. As mentioned above, David didn’t take over as king right after he was anointed. Ecclesiastes 3 says that everything has a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. So, we must wait on our appointed time to function in our assignment. You have a voice that when you sing, people are ministered to (or you know someone who has the voice of an angel, and when they sing, people are ministered to); you have a ministry of reconciliation, people will be ministered to when you speak; and the list goes on. There’s one more thing that needs to be mentioned. Don’t get discouraged or complacent while you are waiting – and yes, it will be hard sometimes. Stay close to the Shepherd and prepare patiently and in prayer (worshiping in your secret place, unnoticed by everyone around you) for your public revealing. The enemy will want you to cast away your confidence either because the process is taking to long in YOUR eyes or because YOU aren’t getting the glory.

Your assignment for the kingdom of God is needed (no matter how great or small it is). There are chains binding people that need to be broken. And God knows that your unique purpose can do it. If you’re like me, you’re saying no more! Chains have to be broken in the name of Jesus. Will you be ready to perform when it’s your time? Do you believe that we can change the world? And don’t think for one minute you won’t be challenged when you’re performing. You will be attacked by a Goliath of some sort, just know that I’ve got you covered in prayer and I ask that you cover me in prayer. Don’t back down to that Goliath, if God ordained you to that assignment, He will sustain you!

So in closing, I leave you with this question: when it’s time to perform in your unique assignment for the kingdom of God, will you be ready?

Good Deeds

I watched Good Deeds yesterday, and I know you have an opinion of the movie. One thing that stood out to me during the first half of the movie and Tyler Perry hit the nail when he said what I was thinking halfway into the movie (which is the catalyst for this blog post). Without giving too much away for the benefit of those who haven’t seen the movie, I’ll use us everyday people for this blog post.

Many of us (if not all of us) have talents, goals and visions for our lives. Sometimes, things in life happen that can steer us off course. They can range for multiple things. When we’re off course, the enemy loves to take our minds through the path of loneliness, or perhaps cause some people to turn away from us especially when we need someone to help us get back on track. The areas that I will be focusing on that the enemy loves to use within us are pride and isolation. In most cases, pride and isolation are used when something tragic happens to us (and then we say, we don’t need anybody’s help). It also occurs when a tragedy strikes and we bounce back, then we sing the Frank Sinatra song, I Did It MY WAY without any help! There’s one problem with that, we never do things on our own. We had help in every step of our lives. We didn’t get our jobs (or businesses) on our own, we didn’t bring a baby into this world on our own, and we didn’t get blessed by God on our own. To make it in life and hopefully life eternal, we need to get rid of that prideful spirit that we know everything, and we don’t need anybody to help me. Yes, there are boundaries that need to be set, not everybody in your circle can help you (and some will say they are helping you, when they are actually hurting you and making you feel worse off than you did). But don’t push off everyone just because of one person who hurt you when you needed help (and I need to tell myself that as well). Some people will be sent by God to help you and truly have a genuine spirit. Keep your discerning spirit on at all times.

In summary, what I’m trying to say is this: don’t be afraid to ask for help if you really need help and swallow your pride. The truth of the matter is that we all need help in some capacity. If we all had it together, we wouldn’t be on this earth. It’s my prayer that when we ask for help, that we launch onto what God has purposed in us to do and also you help someone else who needs the help that only your gift/talent can provide (under the love of God of course).

Protect Your Gift

It’s been a little over a week since the death of Whitney Houston. I’m not glorifying her when I mention her name, but the Lord was dealing with me this past Friday about her. I came home on Friday night from sitting a coffee shop working on my novel and ended up watching ABC’s 20/20. It was a special entitled One Moment In Time: The Life of Whitney Houston.

I don’t know who happen to watch it, but I did. In a short summary, it focused on her entire life (the ups and downs of her life). Over the course of this week, I saw numerous posts on Facebook about her. Some were focusing on the funeral ceremony and some were angry that the media was still talking about the downs of her life. Well, as I watched it, God showed me something and I wonder if anybody else caught the lesson (or we missed it altogether). As we live life, people live and die. It was like that in the Bible days. One thing we tend to miss is that there are lessons to learn through somebody’s life (example: we learn that David was a man after God’s on heart, and that adultery can tarnish your character). This is true about Whitney Houston and this will be the focus of this blogpost.

During her years before releasing her first album in 1985, it was evident that God gave her a gift, and of course, it was her voice (she would be known to the world as “The Voice”). As I watched the part where she was singing in the choir as a teenager, her gift was being used to the fullest and was being perfected. Between 1985 and 1992, she was the icon to the world in the realm of female vocalists. I’ll admit there were times when I was tired of hearing some of the songs she sang (and for those who knew me back in the day, I chose her songs that weren’t so popular). But still, she was blessing many people with her voice.

Many people will have opinions, but I will only focus on her gift for this post. Between 1992 and 2012, her gift was a target for the devil. Notice, I didn’t say Bobby Brown was the cause of her downfall. She has to take full responsibility for this, just like we have to take responsibility for the gift God has given us. Sure, people can influence us to do many things, but the responsibility to protect it lies on us. Just because we have a gift doesn’t mean we’ll always have it. This is what happened to Whitney especially at the turn of the millennium. By the time she appeared on Oprah in 2009, her gift was gone.

Yes, it is a tragedy that her life was cut short, but the lesson that we should’ve gained from Whitney Houston’s life is this: everybody has a unique gift. Instead of trying to compete, use the gift that God has given you, and protect it at all costs because the devil knows how much of an impact your gift will make on other people. If anything, what we are to do with our gift especially if we’re a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and a holy nation to show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), is to use it so that others will know that God is with us and more importantly, in us! The purpose is so that others will give praise to God and not give praise to us. This is where we miss it due to the temptation of self-gratification.