The Danger Of Being Like Other Folks

First Samuel chapter 8 gives us insight about the dangers of trying to be like other folks.  First Samuel chapter 8 lays down a time in the history of the children of Israel where they had no King but they operated via THEOCRACY.  Theocracy simply means God served as their king, but they were not content with having GOD as their king they wanted to be like other nations and have an earthly king.  Think for a moment they had the ALL-powerful, ALL-resourceful, and ALL- sustaining God as their king and it wasn't enough for them.  Isn't that just like us:

· God blesses you with transportation but you go get into debt behind a car because you want to be like someone else.

· God blesses you with shelter but you go get into debt behind a house because you want to be like someone else.

The moment we take our affections off of God and focus them somewhere else is the moment we enter the danger zone.  If you keep reading you will discover that God granted them what they asked for.  However, they would soon discover that being like the other nations wasn't all they thought it would be.  Let us learn this lesson and be content with who God has made us to be and the provision that God has granted us.

Scripture Reference: 1st Samuel 8

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis

The Gospel Of The Traffic Light

As I continue to journey through this thing called life I am starting to realize that life is like a traffic light.  Here's what I mean:

·         Sometimes in life you have to stop!  That is the red light which is God saying be still and know that I am GOD (Psalms 46:10).

·         Sometimes in life you have to slow down.  That is the yellow light which is God saying for six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD (Exodus 35:2).

·         Sometimes in life you have to go!  That is the green light which is God saying be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6).

So the next time you are at a traffic light pause and reflect about what God is saying to you in that moment.  God is always speaking we just have to pay attention.

Scripture Reference: Psalms 46:10, Exodus 35:2, Deuteronomy 31:6

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis

Don't Hate Participate!

You have heard what has become an African American proverb if you will, "Don't Hate Participate."  This statement occurs when an individual feels that another individual is trying to discredit them or hate on them.  As believers in Jesus Christ we have no reason to hate on anyone else.  Why you ask?  It's simple God has promise to give you whatever you ask for as long as it is according to his will. 

So the next time you find yourself about to hate on an individual ask yourself, “did I ask God if this thing is in His will for my life,” and ask yourself, "Did I asked with the right motive."  The Word of God gives us the prescription to rid hate out of our lives.

So the next time you are hated on you can literally say don't hate participate.  Just quote John 14:13 it says,  "and I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." 

Remember it has to be according to the will of God and to bring glory to God I would never promote hocus pocus theology!


Scripture Reference John 14:13

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis

Lord, I Thank You For My Haters

When was the last time you stop and gave God thanks for your haters?  It has probably been a second huh?  The Bible teaches us in 1 Peter chapter 4 beginning in about the 12th verse the proper attitude we are to have towards our haters.  In fact, the Bible suggests that we are not to be surprised that we have haters but that we should expect to have them.  Think about it any time you are doing something to the glory of God then the enemy by his nature is designed to hate on it.

The trick for you and I is to ensure that we are being hated for Christ name sake.  Could it be that you can't thank God for your haters because you give them a legitimate reason to hate you?  The writer of 1 Peter makes it very clear that you will have haters in this life.

What I like about the writer of 1 Peter is that he lets us know the benefit of these haters.   Peter lets us know that the haters are confirmation that the presence of God is being manifested in your life!!  Stop!  "Praise Break."  We can thank God for the confirmation that our haters bring!!

Lord, I thank you for my haters and for the witness they give to me about the sanctification process at work within in me.  In Jesus Name I pray.  Amen.

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 4

God Bless,

Bondservant Hollis

Your Not Fully Clean Until Your Zest Fully Clean

Many of you remember the commercial you’re not fully clean until you are zest fully clean.  Although catchy and entertaining I would like to suggest to you this morning that is not exactly true.  Yes, Zest is soap and if used it will clean your physical body.  However in order for someone to be fully clean they have to be clean physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Sorry Zest, only the blood can do that via faith in the revealed Word of God. 

Thusly, I would like to suggest to you this morning that you are not fully clean until you apply the S.O.A.P. method each day.  What's S.O.A.P. you ask?

·         Scripture

·         Observation

·         Application

·         Prayer

The testimony of Enoch was that he walked with God.  If you apply S.O.A.P. to your daily like you can share in the testimony of Enoch.

Scripture Reference:  Genesis 5:24

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis

You Loved Me Through My Good and My Bad

J-Moss recently came out with the single, "You Loved Me Through My Good and My Bad."  This simple song illustrates a deep theological truth.  God loves you despite you!  The biblical narrative is full of examples of God loving individuals through their good and their bad:

· Abraham is the father of faith (good) but also lied repeatedly to save his own butt (bad).

· Noah was faithful and obedient to build the ark (good) but also was a drunk (bad).

· Paul planted many of churches across Asia Minor (good) but also persecuted many who followed Christ (bad).

So the next time you feel like a disappointment to yourself, your family, your community, and your God remember God loves you through your good and your bad.

Scripture Reference:  Book of Genesis

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis

Living Life in Triangles

Living in Triangles

A triangle is a term that is familiar to those who are familiar with systems theory.  Triangles are neutral within themselves that is to say they are neither good nor bad.  This is also true for many things in life.  Triangles occur when anxiety exists between two individuals and they incorporate a third party to release the anxiety.  Triangles can take the form of:

·         An affair whether emotional or sexual

·         Gossiping

·         Or even a prayer request

·         Mediating conflict between two individuals (conflict resolution)

Triangles are unavoidable most times so the key is to recognize them show you can navigate through them effectively.  So how does one know if a triangle is good?  So glad you asked:

·         If the triangle has to be hidden then it is not a beneficial triangle

·         If the triangle doesn’t lead to the edifying of the kingdom then it is not a beneficial triangle

·         If the triangle causes more harm than good then it is not a beneficial triangle

Here is a triangle that is always beneficial.  You + Anxiety + God = a successful triangle.  Why because God is the only one who is truly able to do something about your anxiety any way.  So try to avoid negative triangles and seek God’s wisdom for those you can’t avoid.

Scripture Reference:  1 Thess. 5:11

God bless,

Bondservant Hollis