Another day another dollar is a mindset that is prevalent in many working communities. It suggests that this is just another day and that my goal is just to make it through the day and earn my daily wages. Even those who are currently unemployed or disabled have a similar mindset and suggest things like this is just another day I am trying to make it through. I like many of you have been guilty of saying this.
Here is the troubling part this lethargic mindset often translates over to how we view God. Like the job we become complacent with God. Like the job we become ungrateful towards God. Like the job we feel like we deserve more from God. Like the job we feel unfulfilled in the kingdom of God.
What happened to being grateful for a job in a society that has experienced record inflation and unemployment. What happened to being grateful to the God who supplied the job. What happened to thanking the God who kept God's word when God promised to supply all of your needs whether it be through a job, disability, etc.
Every day is a day thanksgiving! Every day is opportunity to be fellowship with True and Living God! Every day is an opportunity to live better than the previous day! The Psalmist declared that better is one day in your (LORD GOD ALMIGHTY) courts than a thousand elsewhere!
I don't about you but I resolved to be grateful for every day and excited about the opportunity that each day can bring! With God every day is the best day of your life!! For truly this is the day that the Lord has made and I shall rejoice and be glad in it!
Scripture Reference: Psalms 84:10
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Take Extra Time Now So You Don't Have To Later
Have you ever like me done something so fast that you ended up having to go back and make some sort of adjustment later? Can you imagine how different the world would look if people took a little extra time now? Would there be so much crime if parents would take a little extra time now during the child’s formative years instead of trying to discipline the child after the child begins to go astray? Would families be so dysfunctional if they took a little extra time now to bond instead of trying to expedite the process because of the death of a love one? Would our communities be so desolated if we took a little extra time now to show we care instead of trying to show we care when a crisis occurs or those special holidays?
Jesus understood this concept that's why he invested so much time in his disciples in the beginning of his ministry. So that when it came time for him to ascend back to heaven he wouldn't be scrambling to try to teach them all things He wanted them to know. We would be wise to follow Jesus example! Should we be taking a little extra time now in our relationship with God so we don't have to attempt to establish one later when trouble arises? Take a little extra time now to lend a helping hand because if you don't you will surely have to lend a helping hand later whether it be with a neighbor, family member, or a stranger.
Challenge: What in your life should you be investing a little more time in now so that you don't have to attempt to do later? What are you going to do about it?
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:4
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Jesus understood this concept that's why he invested so much time in his disciples in the beginning of his ministry. So that when it came time for him to ascend back to heaven he wouldn't be scrambling to try to teach them all things He wanted them to know. We would be wise to follow Jesus example! Should we be taking a little extra time now in our relationship with God so we don't have to attempt to establish one later when trouble arises? Take a little extra time now to lend a helping hand because if you don't you will surely have to lend a helping hand later whether it be with a neighbor, family member, or a stranger.
Challenge: What in your life should you be investing a little more time in now so that you don't have to attempt to do later? What are you going to do about it?
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:4
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Monday, January 23, 2012
Coloring Oustide The Lines: David Goatley Tribute
Growing up as a child I remember coloring in coloring books and every so often I would color outside the lines. To color outside of the lines has always had a negative implication ever since I was a child and this perhaps is true for most of us. Consequently, it is so natural for many of us to accept the boundaries life gives us since coloring outside of lines has always been a bad thing.
Life is full of boundaries that the world has set. There are social boundaries that suggest we only interact with people we enjoy dealing with. There are racial boundaries that suggest we only interact with people who look like us. There are intellectual boundaries that suggest we only interact with people who think the same way we think. What sub-conscious boundaries exist in your life?
Boundaries promote isolation, elitism, and glorified segregation! If we are going to fulfill our God-ordained purposes we have to be willing to color outside of the lines. Jesus did it! He spoke to women in public in a culture where women were consider property and such an activity was forbidden. He dined with sinners and touch people who were considered unclean further upsetting the cultural norms of his day. Jesus redefined the boundaries of his day!
What will you do? Will you embrace those people no one else wants to deal with? Will you interact with people of all ethnic orientations? Will you interact with people you do not consider your intellectual equivalent? Will you allow society to dictate your actions or will you redefine society?
Jesus was able to do great things because he was willing to color outside the lines! Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." Are you willing to color outside the lines?
Scripture Reference: John 14:12
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Life is full of boundaries that the world has set. There are social boundaries that suggest we only interact with people we enjoy dealing with. There are racial boundaries that suggest we only interact with people who look like us. There are intellectual boundaries that suggest we only interact with people who think the same way we think. What sub-conscious boundaries exist in your life?
Boundaries promote isolation, elitism, and glorified segregation! If we are going to fulfill our God-ordained purposes we have to be willing to color outside of the lines. Jesus did it! He spoke to women in public in a culture where women were consider property and such an activity was forbidden. He dined with sinners and touch people who were considered unclean further upsetting the cultural norms of his day. Jesus redefined the boundaries of his day!
What will you do? Will you embrace those people no one else wants to deal with? Will you interact with people of all ethnic orientations? Will you interact with people you do not consider your intellectual equivalent? Will you allow society to dictate your actions or will you redefine society?
Jesus was able to do great things because he was willing to color outside the lines! Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." Are you willing to color outside the lines?
Scripture Reference: John 14:12
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
911- Xhale Tribute
My senior year college roommate has recently came out with a single entitled, "911." As we approach the "How To Love Conference & After Party," I thought it would befitting to talk about this song as a way to illustrate how to love. In the song the young man is so dishearten because the woman he loves has decided to leave. As he reflects upon their relationships he thinks of all the good times and all of the bad times that they have shared. The lyrics of the song go you better call 911 because I can't stop thinking about you there something about you it’s got me going crazy! The young man is suicidal about this relationship! The guy doesn't believe he can live without this girl and would rather die than live without her! The truth is there is a large number of people who have felt/are feeling this way about an individual.
The problem with this is obvious when an individual reaches this point they have made this individual a god. No one is more important than Jesus Christ! Nothing is more important than fulfilling your God ordained purpose! What if we felt that way about Jesus Christ? What if we couldn't live without Christ? What would are lives look like? Would we pray more (stay in constant communication with Jesus Christ), would we read our bible more (spending time in devotion getting to know Jesus more intimately) or would we do good works (showing the love of Christ through acts of compassion and humility)?
True love starts vertically (unto God) and spreads horizontally (unto God's images). Psalm 51 is an illustration of a true 911 situation when David pleads with God and says do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. I know don't about you but the only 911 situation in the life of the believer is if God takes his hand off you! I don't know about you but I have a Lamar Campbell testimony, I love you Jesus just want to tell you that I love you more than anything!
Scripture Reference: Psalm 51:11
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Redeemed By The Blood: Roll Tide Tribute
As many of you may know I grew up approximately 50 minutes from Bryant-Denny Stadium. On November 5, 2011 Alabama lost to LSU in a dog fight. I make no excuses but the eye test suggested that Alabama lost the game more so than LSU won the game. Nevertheless on January 9, 2012 Alabama got and opportunity for redemption and they took full advantage by being the first team in the history of the BCS National Championship Game to record a shutout.
You say so what Trell? Here is the thing many people did not feel that Alabama deserved a second chance to play for the BCS National Championship. It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. They were hated on, mocked, and ridiculed! I got to thinking isn't that our story as Christians. We didn't deserve a second chance but were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! People we know hated on us, mocked us, and ridiculed us because of the things we did in our past! They didn't/don't feel like we deserve/deserved a second chance!
The question becomes what will you do with your second chance? Will you take full advantage like Alabama? Will you let your light shine so before mean that they see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven?
I don't know about you but going to do follow the example of Alabama and take advantage! Last time I checked His blood was crimson! I bleed crimson! ROLL TIDE!!
Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:16
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
You say so what Trell? Here is the thing many people did not feel that Alabama deserved a second chance to play for the BCS National Championship. It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. They were hated on, mocked, and ridiculed! I got to thinking isn't that our story as Christians. We didn't deserve a second chance but were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! People we know hated on us, mocked us, and ridiculed us because of the things we did in our past! They didn't/don't feel like we deserve/deserved a second chance!
The question becomes what will you do with your second chance? Will you take full advantage like Alabama? Will you let your light shine so before mean that they see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven?
I don't know about you but going to do follow the example of Alabama and take advantage! Last time I checked His blood was crimson! I bleed crimson! ROLL TIDE!!
Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:16
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Monday, January 9, 2012
Laugh At My Pain: The Hidden Sickness In All Of Us
Kevin Hart recently came out with a hilarious stand-up comedy entitled, "Laugh At My Pain." Admittedly I could not wait to see it and once viewing it I thoroughly enjoyed it, but the question becomes what does that say about me and others who enjoyed it? Let's just look at the title, "Laugh At My Pain," what about that should be appealing to us? I mean what is it about when someone falls and bumps their butt that is so hilarious to us?
I hear you saying Trell is it really that serious? Maybe it is maybe it is not however whether you want to admit it or not it is not a Christ centered response. What if Jesus had laughed at the man in the graveyard like area who was cutting himself and yelling uncontrollably no doubt that would be funny if portrayed on camera. However how did Christ respond? With compassion, love, and understanding.
Truth be told we all take some pleasure in things such as people falling, and others struggles whatever the case maybe but we often don't take the time to do is ask the question of what does such a response say about us?
Only God can judge but we can bring things to one another's attention. Live, Learn, and Grow. Living Life in 3-D (doctrine, duty, and discipleship) I trust this not the kind of Christian you want to be.
Scripture Mark 5:1-9
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
I hear you saying Trell is it really that serious? Maybe it is maybe it is not however whether you want to admit it or not it is not a Christ centered response. What if Jesus had laughed at the man in the graveyard like area who was cutting himself and yelling uncontrollably no doubt that would be funny if portrayed on camera. However how did Christ respond? With compassion, love, and understanding.
Truth be told we all take some pleasure in things such as people falling, and others struggles whatever the case maybe but we often don't take the time to do is ask the question of what does such a response say about us?
Only God can judge but we can bring things to one another's attention. Live, Learn, and Grow. Living Life in 3-D (doctrine, duty, and discipleship) I trust this not the kind of Christian you want to be.
Scripture Mark 5:1-9
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
What About Me: The Least Favorite Fruit
Most people like peaches. Most people like oranges. Most people like apples. However most people don't like tomatoes at least those for which I encounter. I know you thought that a tomato was a vegetable though it is used as a vegetable it is technically a fruit by definition. Kind of like how we are technically not good for anything but God uses us for his purposes.
What about spiritually? Most people like joy because it makes them feel good. Most people like peace because it makes them feel good. Most people like love because it makes them feel good. However most people don't like self-control at least those for which I encounter. I know you thought since Paul said in Romans that for the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want that you had biblical justification not to exhibit self-control. Self-control requires us to refrain from things that we like to do and that is why I submit to you that it is the least favorite fruit.
Here is the thing though the more we refrain from things we like to do though those things don't glorify the kingdom the closer we become to experiencing the kingdom of God. So this new year let's eat more tomatoes and self-control!
Scripture Reference: Romans 7:19
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
What about spiritually? Most people like joy because it makes them feel good. Most people like peace because it makes them feel good. Most people like love because it makes them feel good. However most people don't like self-control at least those for which I encounter. I know you thought since Paul said in Romans that for the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want that you had biblical justification not to exhibit self-control. Self-control requires us to refrain from things that we like to do and that is why I submit to you that it is the least favorite fruit.
Here is the thing though the more we refrain from things we like to do though those things don't glorify the kingdom the closer we become to experiencing the kingdom of God. So this new year let's eat more tomatoes and self-control!
Scripture Reference: Romans 7:19
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)