You Don't Know What You've Got Until Its Gone

You ever been in a relationship and you did not appreciate the person you were with until they were no longer there?  There was a song that came out I can remember who sung it but it was a lady with some dreadlocks sitting in back of a car singing, "You Don't Know What You've Got Until Its Gone."  Most of the time we think of this concept in the context of relationships but this is not always the case.  For example, you ever had a car and the freedom to go wherever you wanted to go and then your car breaks down for a few days?  You could then testify that you don't know what you've got until its gone.  Another example, have you ever had a family member whom you were close to die?  No matter how well you knew the person the full impact that person had on your life could not be measured until that person was no longer in your life.  Why is that? Simple because you don't know what you've got until its gone.

Still there?  Still marinating on Sunday's message!  Often times it only when we walk away from God that we can to truly appreciate how AWESOME, EXCELLENT, LOVING, CARING, COMPASSIONATE, GRACIOUS, FORGIVING, WISE, UNDERSTANDING etc. GOD is.  Go ahead and tell the truth about it was only when you walked away from God that you truly came to understand this concept.  We learn that the first step was to admit we had left God.  The next step was to seek after God.  How many of you like the Psalmist can say as the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.

Scripture Reference  42:1

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

We are all familiar with the familiar line from the story of Snow White.  It goes mirror mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all?  The Queen would often ask the mirror that question.  Now fairest is translated beautiful.  For seven years the Queen asked the mirror the same question, "mirror mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all?" The mirror (who is personified in the narrative) would respond you are and the Queen was pleased.  Isn't that just like us as long as people tell us the response we want to hear all is well?  It strokes our ego and validates our self-centered desires. 

The story continues that when Snow White became seven years old she was the fairest of them all.  So when the Queen asked mirror mirror on the Wall who is the fairest of them all?  The mirror responded, "Snow White." The narrative continues that the Queen became jealous and sent a huntsman to kill Snow White.  Isn't that just like us as soon as people don't give us the response we want to hear we react harshly.  We often send words to murder their character.

How will you respond we you mirror of affirmation gives you a response you are not fond of?  The Bible says in Titus 3:2 that we are to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Scripture Reference: Titus 3:2

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Soul Survivor

Young Jeezy recorded a track featuring Akon entitled "Soul Survivor."  In the track Jeezy who claims to be the heart of the streets tells the story of his life as a hustler.  He shares about his struggles about the highs and lows of the dope game.  He comes to the conclusion that he is a Soul Survivor.

This past Sunday's message was entitled, "My Worship Is For Real," it covered Luke 1:46-56 it as affectionately known by many as Mary's Song. Mary says in the verse 46 that my souls magnifies the Lord!  She is effectively saying that in light of your care Lord I am a Soul Survivor!  Mary is also saying in light of your mercy towards Israel in other words your ultimate deliverance of Israel my soul magnifies the Lord.  Mary says that because of you Lord I can be a Soul Survivor!

What does your soul magnify?  Does it like Young Jeezy the things of this world or does it like Mary the light of the world?

Scripture Reference:  Luke 1:46-56

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

The Pie Nobody Wants To Eat: Humble Pie

What's your favorite pie?  Is it the infamous sweet potato pie?  Is it the delicious apple pie?  Perhaps you like pecan pie?  No, I got it you like pumpkin pie?  This holiday season there will be millions of people partaking in one of the aforementioned pies and as good as they are they are not the pie the Lord desires for His people to eat.  That is not to say that the Lord is against you eating pies in moderation wink wink but it is to say that there is a desirable pie that you can eat as much as you want.  Humble pie! 

Humble pie gets a bad rep because it usually happens as a result of an individual's boasting or being haughty and then they get a slice of humble pie to bring them back to reality.  However, this doesn't have to  be the case the Bible says humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time (NIV). 

So this holiday season remember the pie that smells good to the LORD.  Will you have a slice?

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 5:6

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

The Art of Pre-Responding

Have you ever wonder why things happen the way they happen in your life?  You ask yourself why don't I ever get the promotion?  Why am I never found? Why can't I find the one?  Why don't the things I pray about come to past?  Might I suggest to you that it is because you are a reactionary individual opposed to a proactive individual?

 A Reactionary individual praises God when the change comes vs. A Proactive individual who praises God while they are waiting for the change to come.

A Reactionary individual praises God when things are well vs. A Proactive individual who praises God when things are a mess trusting God can bless the mess.

Which one are you?  Are you a Reactionary individual or a Proactive individual? 

Here is the key to becoming a pro-active individual. Pastor Donald Johnson suggest that the pro-active individual is the individual who responds to God's revelation opposed to God's manifestation!  That is to say it is the proactive individual who hears the Word of God responds with anticipatory faith acting as is the revelation is the manifestation!

God is watching your pre-response.  What kind of individual will he see?

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:13

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis