Disunity

I am "Disunity."

When biological brothers and sisters can't get along  I am there.

When brothers and sisters in Christ can't get along I am there.

I am "Disunity."

When marriages fall apart and divorce is the resolution I am there.

When churches disband over trivial issues I am there.

I am "Disunity."

When Democrats and Republicans can't agree on the basics I am there.

When the U.S. is at war with other nations I am there.

I am "Disunity."

When fathers and children are at war with one another I am there.

When mothers and daughters are at war with one another I am there.

I am "Disunity."

Disunity is the one thing that is prevalent both in the secular world and the community of faith.  We are called to oneness!  Today in your circles of influence take a step towards unity!

Ephesian 4:1-3

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

I Like You Alot

The question came up can't I just like a person do I have to love them?  Now the simple answer is just no you have to love them.  However, we all know that life is not that simple and the truth is we really just like people when we think about it.  You see "like" doesn't require any commitment in other words "like" is conditional.  You see when you "like" someone and they disappoint you "like" can walk away.  You see when you "like" someone and they don't like you back "like" can walk away.  When you "like" a church and something changes that you don't like then "like" can walk away. You see "like" is temporary while love is eternal.

Therefore, Jesus gives his disciples the commandment to love!  Love is the requirement that the world may know that we are his disciples it is by our love for one another.  The question becomes why is this command is given?  The answer is simple because Christ knew that love doesn't make since.  Let me show you the difference and I will quit.  The Bible declares what profit is it to love those who love you does not even the sinner does that.  I submit to you that is what "like" looks like!  Love however loves those who hates them, love is patient, and love is still there when you are hurt or disappointed.  Love is unconditional and peculiar and this type of love is not our own but it belongs to the Spirit of God that is gifted to each believer.

For the believer I like you alot just won't cut it. 

Scripture Reference:  John 13:35

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis

The Curse of First

As individuals we have this innate desire to be first.  We often say things like no one was listening to this type of music until I started to listen to it or no one was wearing this type of clothing until I started wearing it.  To my fellows back in the day to be the first one to get the girl, but I am equal opportunity type of guy some ladies had that same mindset. To be the first is embedded in us.  However, the desire to be first can be a dangerous thing.  The desire to be first can cause us to become manipulative as our only desire is to be first.  The desire to be first can cause us to be cold and bitter towards others in our attempt to be first. 

This is not a new desire as it was around in antiquity I am reminded us the disciples who debating who would be the greatest in other words who would be in first place or the number one position. What is the interesting is that this desire often leads to the most pain.  Once one makes it into that first position they discover that it is lonely at the top.  They discover that everyone is targeting their spot and there is no love for those at the top.  It actually becomes an undesirable position.  So remember this if you humbled yourself under the mighty hand of God and God exalts you in due time and it happens to be the number one position it is then the desired position.

Scripture Reference: Luke 9:46-56

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
 

Created to Create

There are many attributes we have for God but one we often neglect is Creator.  The Bible itself begins with in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  So since we often are not aware of the creativity of God we fail to recognize the creative abilities we have within ourselves. God's creativity is evident throughout the earth and the universe.  The Bible declares that we are created in his image and his likeness. I recognize that everyone doesn't have artistic ability heck I don't but do you have creative power within you.

You have the power to walk in the room and create a positive atmosphere.  You have the power to take situation that has no hope and create a sense of hope.  You have the ability to take an individual who have been cast aside and create an atmosphere of restoration by embracing them.  You have the ability to be a co-creator with God.  I believe that this is the heart of the message in Ephesians were it is written that we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  We are created to create not the latest fashion trend, gadget, or fad but good works!

Scripture Reference:  Genesis 1:1, Ephesians 2:10

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Saved Me

There are times in your life where the only thing that you are going to be able asked of God is to save you.  These are the times you find yourself in after you tried to do things your own way and you find yourself in a  tough predicament. You are on your knees and the only thing you can cry is God save me. The question becomes what is God saving you from?  If we are honest most of the time God is saving us from ourselves.  Yes, ourselves because we think we know what's best for us better than God.   So how do we avoid these saved me moments?  Are these moments unavoidable?  I will acknowledge right now that even if you adhere to these few little principles you can still find yourself in those "Save Me" predicaments but here are a few suggestions:

1. Surrender your will for God's will meaning in every decision consider the godly implications.
2. Be aware of the signs God provides before you arrive in those "Save Me" predicaments.

We have all experienced those save me moments in our lives much like Peter did when he attempted to walk on the water and begin to sink.  Just like Jesus was there to save Peter he is also there to save you!

Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:22-33

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

When Love Doesn' t Love You Back

All of us have experienced times in our lives where we felt as if we loved someone and they did not return that love.  Whether it be with a family member or someone you were in  a relationship with.  Many times the pain from these relationships causes us to be reluctant to love.  If we are not careful we can even become bitter and our hearts become harden. However, I would like to suggest to you that is not true love and all that is an emotional or conditional love.  The truth is most relationships whatever the nature are based on conditional love.

You see true love is not dependent on how you feel.  It is the love that is not even of yourself.  It is the love that comes from God.  True love isn't concern with whether the love is return or not.  True love is pure.  It's the love that dies for individuals while they were yet sinners.  It the type of love that gives up glory to take upon the form of a servant that we may have life.  True love is unconditional it is the type of love that Jesus The Christ has for us!

So the next time you find yourself in a situation where love doesn't love you back remember love is not a feeling it is a choice!  Choose to love anyway!  If we are going be Jesus disciples we are going to have to love one another.  Jesus himself said, "By this will all men know that you are my disciples that ye have love one for another."  If we are going to live up to our end our love has to become  choice and not a feeling!

Scripture Reference: Romans 5:8, John 13:35

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Conform vs. Relevance

As the world continues to change the Church is place in a precarious position.  Many naysayers argue that the Church is conforming to the world in the Church's attempt to be relevant or adapt to the context it finds itself in today.  Since individuals who profess faith in Jesus The Christ make up the church it starts with each one of us. The line between conformity and relevance has always been very  thin however the Church must acknowledge the need to be relevant in the context it is in.

For instance after the temple was destroyed in approximately A.D. 67-70 the believers in Jesus Christ had to re-identified how they would worship God.  The temple was the place for which it was believed that God presence made its abode or dwelling place however the temple was no longer relevant.  If the Church had not being will to change then Christianity would have died with the destruction of the temple. So you see Christianity has been an adaptive religion from its inception. 

The question becomes why is it the Church has become so resistant to change?  Is it because many in the Church don't know their history?  Did author of John's Gospel conform when he called Christ the Logos in order to image Christ in a Greco-Roman World? Or did he make Christ relevant in the context he found himself in?

Let's take advantage of all the opportunities we have to make Christ relevant in a world which is desperately trying to make him irrelevant!

Scripture Reference: Romans 12:2

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

How to Become A Better Me?

Dr. Kerwin B. Lee is one of my favorite preachers.  I was reflecting this morning over a message that he preached this past November. He answered the question of how to become a better me in his sermon entitled, "Steps To Becoming A Better Person."  Anyone who has ever heard Pastor Lee before knows that he gives about a billion points per message here are few that blessed me:

1. Challenges in your life can help you become a better person.  This is a true statement because as painful as they were when I look back over my life it was the challenges that taught me the most about myself.
2. Christ in your life can help you become a better person.  This is a another true statement that I can witness to because if you had known me before Christ you would say it had to be a miracle.  Christ gives you the Holy Spirit which ultimately when you yield to it helps you become a better person.
3. Christians in your life can help you become a better person. How many know you begin to form the habits of the people around you.  Thusly if you surround yourself around godly people you begin to pick up some of their habits and in turn it helps you become a better person.
4. Changes in your life can help you become a better person. Change for most people can be a difficult.  We have just enter in to Lent season and it is an opportunity to implement changes in our life. Pas recommended we give up a sin and substance but ultimately it gives us the opportunity to become a better person by ridding ourselves of some of the habits we don't need.

No longer do you have to wonder how can I become a better person the steps have been laid out for you.  Much love to Dr. Kerwin Lee for that wonderful sermon that gave birth to this blog.

Scripture Reference  Acts 9:1-22

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Melo Drama aka Keeping Your Options Open

Even the most casual sports fan is aware of what was deemed "Melo Drama."  Carmelo Anthony now of the New York Knicks formerly of the Denver Nuggets could have chosen to opt out of the last year of his contract and become a free agent . Carmelo decided that he would keep his options open by refusing to sign a contract extension with the Nuggets.  Melo faced a lot of scrutiny because he decided to keep his options open.  You may have thought at this point what in the world does this have to do with me?  I don't even like sports so what does this have to do with me?  That's a fair question so here is what it has to do with you is God is asking you to sign a contract extension to put him first in your life and to serve him with your whole heart.  Many of us say to God what  Melo said to the Nuggets I am keeping my options open. The Nuggets offer remained on the table but Melo had dreams of going home and playing in New York City.  Likewise God offer to be your protector, instructor, and comforter is constantly on the table in our lives, but like Melo many of us have dreams and aspirations that take the center stage in our hearts. 

The question you have to ask yourself today is this is God wanting me fully commitment myself  to the edification of the kingdom? Is my response like Melo's I am keeping my options open?  God wants your all today!

Scripture Reference: Psalm 37:4-5

Note:  This is by no means a knock on Carmelo Anthony.

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Asking The Difficult Questions

Why is the world so corrupt?  Why is there so much murder in the world?  Why is the divorce rate so high?  These are your typical questions that are asked by both the secular world and the Church alike, but how often do we asked the difficult questions?  Why didn't you share your faith with the man on the corner?  Why don't you give up a couple hours a week to pour into the life of a young person that they may know the right way to go?

Change cannot occur until we begin to ask the right questions.  The world is not corrupt the people in the world are corrupt.  There is so much murder in the world because life is not valued. The value of the human life is like the value of a dollar not worth much at all.  The divorce rate is so high because the sanctity and sacredness of marriage is lost.  You notice the answer to these typical questions were painful, but what's even more painful is the answers to the difficult questions.

I will be the first to say that I am as guilty as the next person. To answer the question of why I don't take advantage of every opportunity to share Jesus I can only speak for myself.  My objective was to get you thinking along those lines.  For me I find myself getting so caught up with the things of life that I am not as alert and aware of these opportunities when they present themselves.  Yes, that was painful to admit but it has to start somewhere. 

A difficult question is posed in 2 Cor. 13:5-6 when the believers were encouraged to examine themselves to see if they were in the faith?  For some undoubtedly that was a difficult question!

Scripture Reference: 2 Cor. 13:5-6

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

When Hate Is Good

For many of us we cannot fathom a time when hate is a good thing. I mean hate is hazardous to your health. The Bible is all about love in fact God is love. In fact the Bible declares if a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  So how can you suggest hate can be a good thing well let me throw three little suggestions at you:

1. When people's hate motivates you to be the best you can be that's a good thing.
2. When hatred of sin causes leads to closer fellowship with God that's a good thing.
3. When hatred of injustice causes you take a stand for those who have no voice that's a good thing.

Ultimately, hate channeled in the properly way can be a good thing.  No, I am not an advocate for hate for one of the basic tenets of the Christian faith is predicated on love. Hopefully, the next time someone calls you a hater it is a good thing.

Scripture Reference:  1 John 4:20

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

There Really Is No Excuse

Often times when we are presented with an obstacle the first thing we do is make an excuse.  However, there really is no excuse just an unwillingness to face adversity. So natural is this excusing making process that it has become second nature.  I would further my education but I am too old .  I would become more active in the edification of the kingdom but I just don't have the time.  I would do this, I would do that, but is to often a phrase many of us found ourselves saying.  Yesterday I met an individual who is the personification of there really is no excuse.

Jason Curry is a entrepreneur who just so happens to be deaf.  He could have wallow in his handicap but he decide that he wouldn't allow his handicap to be an excuse.  He has been an employee of the US Department of Justice and the General Services Agency.  He currently sells real estate and owns his own business Scomm Inc. which is a company that has develop portable wireless devices so that you can communicate with deaf people.  I use it yesterday and it is incredible.  Jason is an inspiration to me.  He is truly the personification of there really is no excuse.

So what is your excuse?   What are you allowing to hinder you?  All thing are possible to him who believes!

Scripture Reference  Mark 9:23

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

The Gospel of Agriculture

Recently I attended the Agricultural Outlook Forum 2011 edition in Washington D.C. technically it was held at Gateway Marriott in Crystal City.  You may be wondering what in the world does this have to do with me?  At this point that is a valid question but give me a moment to set the stage. The speaker for Thursday morning was former President Bill Clinton and amongst other things he shared this story:

They were in a small village in a developing country in Africa in which they were helping poor farmers  develop more efficient farming techniques. This would allow them to maximize the yields of their crops and in turn generate more income. For the first time they would receive income as result of the surplus of crops. Previously, they only traded their crops to obtain the bear necessities needed to survive. When it was time for them to receive their payment they requested only 55% of their income. You ask what did they desire be done with the other 45% of their income? They requested that it be used to buy the inputs needed so others in their village could do the same thing they were doing. Remember they never received income before.

Some of you missed that but the moral of the story is this their heart was to see their brother prosper just as much as their own desire to prosper. Their attitude was not to get as much as I can get, but it was take what I needed and help my brother with the rest.  The sooner we embrace this concept the more we look like children of God.  Let us learn from this example our brothers set forth.

Scripture Reference: Gal. 6:2

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis