Great Taste Less Filling

In this world where every five minutes you see Jennifer Hudson promoting "Weight Watchers" or Dan Marino promoting "Nutri-System" the pressure to look good is enormous.  Many people find themselves depressed because they are not the size that the world tells them they should be.  Ironically this leads most people to eat more only to find themselves more depressed.   This is one of the subtle ways that the Adversary works he plants an image in our minds and torments our minds as we try to pursue the image.

Here is the good news God always provides a way of escape. Miller Lite has an interesting slogan, "Great Taste Less Filling."  The claim is you don't have to sacrifice great taste because of fewer calories.  Here is my claim for this morning the Word of God is even better than Miller Lite as you can eat much delicious meat and drink as much milk as you want and the best part about it is that is Fat Free!

Scripture Reference: Psalms 34:8

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Press On

Adoniram Judson is remembered as the Apostle to Burma.  He responded to the Great Commission in a resounding way.  He felt that God had called him to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Burma also known as Myanmar.   He suffered many setbacks in his travels he lost children, wives, and his health failed him on several occasions.  He had every reason not to PRESS ON, but he continued because he had a desire to see the Burmese people have a Bible in their own language.  You see he had to forget about his past the many setbacks (the bad) and even that first Burmese person who accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ (the good).  He had to Press ON.   His strength to PRESS ON came from his intimate relationship with Jesus Christ even when he was imprisoned for sharing the Gospel he had memorized scriptures and translated them in his head and would share with his fellow inmates.   He like Paul had a desire to know Christ perfectly and to share that desire with the world.  

What’s keeping you from PRESSING ON?  Let us like Paul PRESS ON, Like Mr. Judson PRESS ON, but ultimately like Jesus Christ who PRESSED ON by Golgotha Hill’s on up to Calvary’s Mountain he PRESSED ON passed death on up to resurrection, he PRESSED ON passed earth on up to heaven, He PRESSED ON past condemnation and onto forgiveness, he PRESSED ON past disobedience onto obedience, and PRESSED ON passed condemnation onto salvation! 

Scripture Reference:  Philippians 3:14

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Stuck On Stupid

The adage, "Stuck On Stupid," usually refers to an individual who does things that doesn't make any sense repeatedly.  For example, you keep giving that guy chance after chance even though he continually breaks your heart and your girlfriends say girl you must be Stuck On Stupid.  Or you keep lending that individual money who fails to pay you back and your significant other says you must be Stuck On Stupid.  The prophet Forrest Gump says," Stupid is as Stupid does."  Question becomes what are you stuck on?

Jeremiah 5:21 literally talks about a time in the history of the nation of Israel where God ask His people are you Stuck on Stupid?  The Israelites refused to worship Yahweh or obey his commands. They behave as people who did not know God or fear God.  Question becomes how are you behaving?  Does your life suggest that you are a child of the Living God?

It's stupid not to trust God when He has made a way out of no way time after time.  It's stupid not trust God when He has shown his provision time after time.  It's stupid not to trust God when He has kept you out of harm's way time after time.  Are you Stuck On Stupid?

Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 5:21

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

God's Got Your Back When You Give Him Your Heart

Debra Roberts stated, "God's got your back when you give him your heart."  This is the lesson we learn repeatedly throughout the biblical text.  I believe David would agree the man for which the Bible declares was a man after God's own heart.  Do you remember when Saul seeked his life and he was on the run in the wilderness and God placed his arms of protection around him?  I am sure he will tell you that God's got your back when you give him your heart. 

Then there is the narrative of Joshua who God tells to meditate on the Law of Moses day and night in other words give me your heart and I will be with you like I was with Moses in other words I will have your back.  Joshua went on to lead the children of Israel into the Promise Land and I am sure he would agree that God's got your back when you give him your heart. 

So the question becomes what are you afraid?  What is God calling you to that you have not acted upon?  What are you waiting on?  Remember God's got your back when you give him your heart. 

Scripture Reference: Psalms 27:1

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Using What You Have For The Glory Of God.

Judges 3:31 records the little known story of Shamgar.  Shamgar was what many scholars consider a minor prophet.  In fact there are only two verses that even mentions his name (Judges 3:31 and Judges 5:6).  That's right 42 words tell his story. Shamgar was an example of an individual of who simply used what he had for the glory of God. God was looking for someone who would stand up and defend his honor.  All of the Israelites were paralyzed with fear, but not Shamgar. 

Shamgar decided despite what he did not have a sword or a shield he would use what he had for the glory of God!  He did not allow fear of the enemy to keep him from being used by God.  Shamgar could have made excuses but he decided to use what he had for the glory of God.  So he used his ox-goad and killed six hundred Philistines to deliver Israel.

This teaches us that God will give you the victory in whatever it is he is calling you to do if you are willing to use what you have for the glory of God!  Shamgar used his ox-goad!  The question becomes what is your ox-goad?  Will you use it for the glory of God?


Scripture Reference: Judges 3:31

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

  

A Hungry Man Is An Angry Man

As I was contemplating why people are so angry I came across this famous proverb and it became crystal clear to me. Hungry people are cranky!  Trust me I know I have firsthand experience and that's all I am at liberty to say if you know what I mean.  Honestly I discovered when I am hungry I tend to get agitated very easily.  I know you may be wondering what is this guy talking about?

Hunger is defined as the innate desire that every individual has to be in fellowship with God.  I have found when I don't spend time with God I am often not very pleasant to be around. When I am well-fed it is very difficult for me to become angry I am kinda like the individual James said everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Perhaps if we would take our cue from Jesus when he asked Peter if he loved him and Peter responded yes you know I love you.  Jesus response was FEED MY SHEEP.  The Word of God is a great way to fellowship with God because one of the ways God speaks is through His Word.

So the next time you find yourself getting angry feed your spiritual person with Word of God.  O taste and see that the Lord is good.

Scripture Reference: James 1:19

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

When It Rains It Pours

According Ad Age Advertising Century Morton Salt ranks number 9 on its list of top ten slogans of the century.  Their slogan you ask?  When It Rains It Pours and isn't that like life sometimes.  It seems like when it rains it pours.  I bet if you ask the folks on the east coast they would agree after experiencing a massive earthquake only to get news that a hurricane may be on the way. I bet if you asked David after he was confronted by Nathan and told that he would be publicly humiliated and that he would lose the child he made with Bathsheba he would say when it rain it pours. I bet if you asked Hagar after being obedient to her masters' she ends up in constant conflict and eventually told to leave the home she had become accustom to she would say when it rains it pours.

Here is the good news we serve a God that will be with us during the rain!  So when it rains grab an umbrella stand firm knowing that God will never leave you nor forsake you.

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 13:5

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis