The Blood

It was the blood of the lambs and bulls in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) that was shed for the remission of sins.  The blood made atonement for the sins of the people.  I think about life without the blood.  If it wasn't for the blood shed on Cavalry's Mountain their would be no forgiveness of sins.  I would be hopeless because this life is all I had. Most of all I would be eternally separated from God.  What a horrible thought.  If it wasn't for the blood shed on Cavalry's Mountain there would be no resurrection and no one to make intercession on our behalf for our sins.  If it wasn't for the blood  shed on Cavalry's Mountain we would not be able to go to the throne of grace.  In others words we would not have direct access to the father to petition God in prayer.  If it wasn't for the blood shed on Cavalry's Mountain there would be no life.  Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life."  So today thank God for the blood shed on Cavalry's Mountain!

Scripture Reference:  John 11:25

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis 

Question and Answer

Q:  Why are there so many denominations within the body of Christ?

A:   Christians have failed to get along since the days of the early Church.

Q:   Why do some many Christians commit suicide?

A:   Many Christians are not taught that contentment in godliness is gain.

Q:   Will the world end in 2012 like the Mayan calendar predicts?

A:   No man knows the hour or the day for which the world will end!

Q:   What is the purpose of  life?

A:    To fear God and keep his commandments!


Scripture Reference:  Ecclesiastes 12:13, Matthew 24:36

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

What Is Keeping You From Loving?!

What is keeping you from loving?  Is it past hurt from a previous relationship?  Did someone you were counting on let you down?  Where you given some bad advice and it cost you severely?   Have you yet to forgive someone for a perceived slight against you?  Is loneliness keeping you from being happy for your brother or sister?  What is keeping you from loving?

Did you not know that your hurts make you stronger? Did you not know that God will never let you down if trust him and obey his commands?  Did you not know that God is all-knowing and God always gives the best advice if you would only seek him?  Did you not know that if we don't forgive others then God doesn't forgive us?  What is keeping you from loving?

So whatever it is that is keeping you from loving let it go!  God is love.   Roberta Bondi stated, " To love as God loves is to love God and to love God's image!

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

God Cares

Living in the world today it is easy for someone to get discouraged and to begin to think nobody cares. Guess what God Cares! I know sometimes it seems that all the people whom you thought cared about you turned out that they didn’t really care that much at all. Guess what God Cares! You are lonely and need someone to talk to and all your so-called friends are too busy to talk to you talk to God.  Why because he cares about your loneliness and he said I will never leave you nor forsake. You don’t know how you going to pay your bills and everyone you know is in the same predicament as you. Talk to God about it why because he cares for you! You are at a crossroads in life and you need some counsel, but no one has time to counsel you.  Talk to God about it why because he cares for you. He said if any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives liberally to all without reproach. You are in need of a job and you have been trying for awhile but nothing seems to come through and nobody seems to care. Talk to God about it because he cares for you. Paul said for my God shall supply all of my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Remember no matter what you are going through God cares for you!!

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 5:7

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Two Wings

Many of you may know these words from the popular gospel song entitled "Two Wings," by The Christianaires. The concept of the song is that if they had the ability they would fly away to escape the troubles of this world. Southwest Airlines even picked up on this concept.  You know they show commercials of individuals who find themselves in difficult situations and then they posed the question wanna get away?

How many times in your life have you had moments where you wanted to just get away?  I mean everything that could go wrong goes wrong.  There no peace all around you and you think to yourself  I just want to get away from it all. This is how the Psalmist felt in the 55th division of Psalms.  The Psalmist wrote in the six verse, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest!"  The Psalmist was asking the Lord for deliverance from his enemies. He was being oppressed by his enemies and was hated by all he came in contact with. He had a thought like many of us if  I had two wings I would fly away and the world couldn't do him anyway harm!

Remember the Bible is equipped to handle every situation you go through! If you keep reading the 55th Psalm you will find that he was comforted by his trust in God.  Do you trust him?

Scripture Reference Psalms 55:6

God Bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Whatever You Like

Clifford Harris you may know him better as T.I. or Tip.  Made a song a few years ago entitled, "Whatever You Like."   The idea behind the song is that he would give his lady interest whatever her heart desired.  That's an interesting thought.  He promised her a nice house, nice car, and the ability to travel wherever she would like to go.  This would be pretty difficult for any female to resist.

The thing that is so appealing about the song I believe is the thought of no worries.  The thought of being taking care of.  The thought of having all your hearts desire.  God offers to supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus!  God promises if you see ye first the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness that all you desire will be added unto you.  God promises to take care of you!  You don't have to worry because God's got you!

Now the difference between the song and God's promises is that the song is temporary and subject to limitations.  God on the other hand is eternal and in control of all things!  In other words when God promises to give you whatever you like God can really make it happen!

Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Foolish!

Some people say it is foolish to believe in someone or something you cannot see!  Some people say it is foolish to give money to an institution who believes in someone they cannot see! Some people say it is foolish to believe that there are divine forces that interfere in the lives of people! Some people say it is foolish to quit your job and dedicated your life to spreading a message that may not be true!  Some people say it is foolish to spend your time in church singing, crying, and learning about someone who was just a man!  Some people say it is foolish to obey commands from someone or something you cannot see! 

The question is what do you say?  The Bible says that a fool has said in his heart that, there is no God (Psalms 53:1).   The Bible says but the natural man receive not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14).  The Bible says let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise (1 Corinthians 3:18).


I don't know about you, but I will gladly be a fool for Jesus The Christ!  Just call me Mr. Foolish!

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Last time!

How many times have we said this will be my last time?  I am going to drink this drink and then I am done with drinking to get drunk!  I am going to smoke this cigarette and then this is going to be the last time!  I am going to engaged in this sexually immoral activity but this is the last time!  The problem is the last time occurs over and over again!  In order for it to be your last time for real there are some things you need to do!

1. You have to repent (turn away from) and not just ask for forgiveness.
2. You have to change your mindset (actually begin to despise the sin in your life).
3. Find scriptures that deal with the sin you are struggling.
4. Speak to that sin with the Word of God the same way Jesus did!

If you do these things in time your last time can really become your last time!

Scripture Reference:  Matthew 4

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
 

Lean On Me

There will be times in your life when you will need someone to lean on.  As believers we have the ultimate friend in Christ Jesus!  He promised that he would never leave us nor forsake us!  He also stated that if we keep his commands we can be his friends.  The songwriter said, "lean on me when your not strong and I'll be your strength."  As believers Christ strength is made perfect in our weakness.  In other words when we are weak he is strong!  The song goes on to say that I'll help you carry on!  Before Christ left this earth he promise to send a Comforter.  The Comforter is the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to carry on.  God has instituted the Church and one of the jobs of the church is to bear the burdens others.  In other words God place people in our lives to help cope with the peaks and valleys of life.  So we can lean on each other and God is always there for us to lean on him.  Thank you Lord! 

Jesus is waiting for you! Jesus has his arms open saying to you lean on me!

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Galatians 6:2

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Despite Me!

I am so thankful that God blesses me despite me.  When you think about it even though we try our best to be obedient there are so many areas will fall short.  Then there is that deliberate sin we willfully commit. Then there are those things God places on our hearts to do yet we don't do them. Then there are the sins we commit unknowingly. Yet through it all God blesses us despite us!  Thank you Lord.

The crazy thing is if you listen to what people say about you they will have you thinking you all that and a bag of chips. However, we know the private sins in our life and how we fall short of the glory of God. What if all our dirty little secrets were exposed?  When you think about it all you can really say is thank you Lord for blessing me despite me.

You know the incredible part about God is that he is faithful to us even when we are not faithful to him. God's covenant with us is not based on our performance or our faithfulness!  Thank you Lord for loving me and blessing me despite me!

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful because he cannot be untrue to himself.  2 Timothy 2:13

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Friday 13th!!

Today is Friday the 13th but as believers we don't believe in superstition.  Luck implies that something happens by chance. We have freewill but nothing can happen in a believer's life that God's doesn't allow.  This is shown in the book of Job.  Don't allow the world's thinking to infiltrate your mind.  The Word says  be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2). 

So this Friday 13th don't get caught up in superstition but be a blessing to someone.  Do will of him that send you!  In case you are wondering Jesus The Christ has sent you.  It is known as the Great Commission and it says,  "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Friday 13th is just another opportunity to do what we are called to do!

Scripture Reference:  Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 12:2

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

I Remember When!

There will always those who remember the evil things you done.  You know the people every time someone says some nice about you. They come back with the statement, "I remember when they use to do this or that." Or every time you are trying give someone some advice about something.  They come back with the statement, "How can they give someone any advice because I remember when they use to _________?"

The enemy strategically places these individuals in your path to keep you discouraged.  The people in of  themselves may even be Christians, but Satan can transform into an angel of light. In other words anyone can be use by Satan.  For example, the Apostle Peter was use by Satan and Jesus rebuked him. We also know that God the Father reveal the true identity of Jesus the Christ to the Apostle Peter.

The I remember when folks are there for a purpose!  The key is how you respond to those individuals.  The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, If any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creation, behold old things has passed away, and all things have become new!

Finally, don't let the I remember when folks keep you from bearing fruit for the glory of God!  Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14, "but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

No Pain No Gain!

Why is pain so important?  Because without pain there can be no growth.  It is undeniable that pain is apart of life.  The question becomes how do you react to it?  Do you wallow in pain? Or do you seek to learn the lesson that pain desires to teach you?  As Christians we often feel we should be exempt from pain on this on earth. God never promised us that in fact he promise us that we would experienced much pain on this earth.  However, he did promise us that there would come a day where he would wipe all of our tears away and take all our pain away!  This will be in the new heaven and on the new earth!

You see there are three aspects to this thing called salvation.  First is when a sinner acknowledges their a sinner in need of a savior, believes unto righteousness in their heart, and confess with their mouth that Jesus is the Son of God.  Then a person becomes what we called saved. They are now in right standing with God because they have been justified by the blood of the lamb (justification) .

Then there is sanctification this is the process where the pain takes place.  Pain is necessary because you or being conform to the image of Christ.  It may involved some heartache, it may involved some tears, and a lot of preserverence, but its for our own good.

Finally, there is glorification this occurs when Jesus comes back for the church and we are transform within a twinkling of an eye.  This aspect of salvation that keeps the believer encouraged to finish the course.

As the old saying goes no pain no gain!

Scripture Reference:  Rev. 21:1-5, John 15:11

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

I forgive you!

I forgive you!  Let's practice saying that. Was it difficult for you to say?  Forgiveness is something that every person deals with believer or non-believer.  The key to forgiveness is recognizing it's power.  The Bible says if we don't forgive others then God doesn't forgive us.  That's a powerful statement!  I don't know about you but I need God's forgiveness.  That alone is enough motivation to forgive!  Forgiveness leads to bitterness, anxiety, and frustration!  Forgiveness throws your whole game off.  You can't worship the same and to be honest with you God is not pleased with your worship.  The Bible says therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.  Forgiveness is an essential element in our walk with God.  Don't let unforgiveness control you the results are disastrous!  I forgive you! Is that hurt or that pain that caused you to have that unforgiving spirit worth jeopardizing your relationship with God?  I don't think so.  Just forgive it will allow you to live a more productive and peaceful life!  I forgive you!

Scripture Reference:  Matthew 5:23-24

God Bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Wind Beneath My Wings

Did you ever know that you were my hero?  You are everything I would like to be.  You may know these words as lyrics from Bette Midler hit song "Wind Beneath My Wings," and you would be right.  I don't know Bette Midler as she is before my time. However, I would like to take these words and expound upon them.

Jesus did you ever know that you were my hero?  Of course you know because you are all knowing!  I just wanted to let you know though by the way I live my life.  I would like to be a light in a dying world just like you were.  I would like to show the love and compassion that you showed.  Jesus you are my hero!

You are everything I would like to be.  You are creative, you are powerful, very knowledgeable, and you are rich but not because of wealth.  You have peace, you have joy, you are kind, and you are gentle. You bring honor to your parents and your family.  Jesus you are everything I would like to be.

Jesus you are the wind beneath my wings!!

Scripture Reference Galatians 5:22-23

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
   

Effective Witness

Confession! Most of the time I find myself doing things that I would not to do.  I don't always respond with love and kindness when my buttons are pushed. I often find my mind thinking ungodly things.  The list could go on and on. So why is it that unbelievers believed that Christians are to be so perfect?  Is it because we try to put up a front instead of being honest with people?

For instance, let's just say I was going to witness to someone.
 
Hello, what is your name? My name is Ray Ray.

His response: look man I got get myself right before I can come to church.

Your response: man I am not right but God is working on me. You see I mess up all the time but God still loves me and he loves you to even though you are messed up! 

His response: so you are telling me that Jesus loves me in spite of what I do, what I have done, and even though I don't have a lot of money? 

Your response: yes, yes, and Jesus doesn't care about what you have only that you believe in him!

His response: So I can come just as I am and Jesus will accept me?  All I have to do is confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead, then I will be saved?

Your response: Yes, then you enter into the body of believers.  So come to church with me so I can teach you what it means to be saved and a follower of Christ.

His response: I believe in Jesus the Christ and I will like to be baptized let's go to church!

You see honesty, love, and kindness is what draws people to Christ.

Scripture Reference:  Romans 10: 9-10

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

When I grow up!

All of us at some point or another have pondered the question what do I want to be when I grow up?  From that point on we begin to ask ourselves questions.  What do I enjoy doing?  Do people get paid for that?  How much do they get paid?  What type of school do I need to attend? We be begin to go full-speed developing dreams, goals, and aspirations.

I begin to think looking back in hindsight if I was to pondered that question today what questions would I have?  I would like to share them with you.  What would God have me to do?  How can I do it most effectively? Am I fulfilling God's purpose for my life? You see as we grow in Christ our perspective on life begins to change.

Notice the difference between the first two paragraphs. The first paragraph was all about self versus the second paragraph which was less about self and more about God.  The point is this as a person grows in their relationship with Christ life becomes less about what they want and more about what God wants.

When I grow up I want to be just like Jesus The Christ!

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis  

What happen to gratitude?

Nothing good every happens to me!  Why can't I ever get ahead?  I have a house but it's just a shack. I have a job but it's just minimum wage.  I have a car but it's just a piece of junk. Unfortunately this kind of thinking dominates the minds of many individuals. The sad part is many of these individuals are supposedly Christians.

For those of you who think nothing good every happens to you.  Let me change your perspective every morning you wake up it's a good thing.  Every time that you are afforded the opportunity to eat it's a good thing.  Every time you travel from one destination to another it's a good thing.  How can you then say nothing good every happens to you?  We have become so entitled as a people that we can't appreciate the immense blessings that are sent our way. We take them for granted because we have become desensitized to God's providence.  Wow, I am starting to preach so I will stop here. So the next time you start to complain sit back and think about all the blessings you receive in your life.  For that matter, think about your blessing up to that moment you are about to complain. Then just say I thank you Lord I am grateful. I will leave with these words from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

I will ask once again what happen to gratitude?

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Thank you!!

I just got a promotion! Thank you Lord! I just found and/or was found by that special someone!  Thank you Lord!  I woke up this morning clothed in my right mind! Thank you Lord!  I just won free tickets to the ball game! Thank you Lord!  My family is doing well! Thank you Lord!

My favorite aunt just died! Thank you Lord! The person I thought loved me has suddenly had a change of heart!  Thank you Lord!  I have been diagnosed with a illness! Thank you Lord!  I just lost $250 in the streets somewhere! Thank you Lord!  I have just been falsely accused for something I didn't do!  Thank you Lord!

The point is this it is easy to give thanks for the good that happens in our life, but how many of us give God thanks for the painful/bad things that occur in our lives?  Job was a wealthy man who lost everything that he had and his wife suggested he curse God and die!  He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" That's right we should be thankful in every situation.  I will leave you with the words of the apostle Paul, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  Thank you!

Scripture Reference Job 2:10, 1 Thess. 5:18

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

 

Keep ya head up!

Tupac Shakur made this phrase into one of the most uplifting songs of our time.  Despite the fact that his method may have been unconventional and his lyrics somewhat foul.  The underlying message of the song was to stay encouraged.  In essence, Tupac was saying that trouble doesn't last always.  You may have lost your job but it is just an opportunity for God to teach you that he is Jehovah Jireh. You may have lost a friend or two but it is just an opportunity for God to teach you that there is no better friend than him.  He promise he would never leave you nor forsake you and God is faithful. The storms in our life only come to strengthen our relationship with God. The purpose of a storm is to build patience and the Bible says let patience have her perfect work in you that you may be strong lacking nothing.  So no matter how bad things may get in your life keep ya head up! Why because things are going to get brighter and things are going to get easier.  So keep ya head up!  I will leave you with the words of the psalmist who said, "weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning."  Keep ya head up!
Scripture References: James 1:4, Hebrews 13:5, Psalms 30:5

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Superman!!!!!

What is about Superman that makes him so appealing?  Is it that we are intrigue by the possibility of having superpowers?  Is it his ability to transcend situations and overcome difficult circumstances? Superman as incredible as he may be Superman is fictional. However, there is a real-life Superman you ask who? Jesus The Christ.  He is alive and unlike Superman who has some powers Jesus The Christ was given all power both in heaven and on earth.  By placing your trust and faith in him he gives you power!  That's right you can have more power than that Superman guy you are so memorized with. Jesus said, verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  Jesus said that he would give us the power to do greater works than the miracles he perform, but we have to first put our faith in him and he then gives us the power.  Remember it is not our power but God's power that works in us and through us for his glory. Therefore, the next time you get excited about a fictional superhero remember you have a real life all powerful superhero in Jesus The Christ.

Scripture Reference: John 14:12

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

I just can't help myself

All of us have those sins in our lives that make us say I just cant help myself.  We often like to pacify ourselves by quoting the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:15, "For that which I do I allow not: for that I would, that I do not; that what I hate I do."  That sin we enjoy so much, but that we supposedly hate so much has hardened our hearts.  You see sin separates us from God the more we sin and pacify that sin the easier it becomes for us to commit that sin.  You feel in the blank for that sin in your life ________.  However, one of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of our sin and lead us in the ways of righteousness.  Unconfess sin hinders the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we say I just can't help myself ; what we are really saying are things like this:  I lack discipline to control myself, and living a life pleasing to God is really not that important to me. Are those the type of things we really want to say to God?  I just cant help myself is a defeated mindset, but God has given you the power to overcome not only that sin ______ but all things that come against you. The next time you are tempted to say I just can't help myself listen to that small still voice that provides you a way out and walk away. 

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

  

He knows

Often times in our relationship with God we failed to open up to God.  We can open up to our so called friends, we can be open with our family, and sometimes we can even open up to strangers. We open up to everyone except the one we need to open upon to and that is God. Why is that? Why do we feel so comfortable talking to people who have no power to change our circumstances? Is it because we think God can't relate?  Is it because God seems far away?  Psalms 139:1 says O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.  God knows about you and what you going through.  I encourage you to talk to God about everything that goes on in your life because he already knows. God desires to be your best friend if you allow him to. He knows everything about you the good, the bad, and the ugly. He knows all about you and still desires your friendship!  He knows so go ahead and open up to him.

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis