Author: Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Hope For Hard Times

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HOPE FOR HARD TIMES
Living With Certainty in an Uncertain World
Philippians 4:4-7

Talk about uncertainty… The Apostle Paul did not know what to expect from day to day… but he was at peace. While in prison and scheduled for execution Paul wrote this letter. Yet, he wrote it as though he did not have a worry in the world. What was his secret? How did he remain certain and peaceful when things seemed to unravel at the seems? In the following verses Paul gave us his secret for obtaining peace and being certain in times of uncertainty.

Verse 4
Make A Choice To Rejoice

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice.” Life can be challenging and make us unhappy but the Word of God does not command us to be happy. There are several commands to rejoice. The apostle is so adamant about it that he says it twice. The believer is not to rejoice at “distant intervals” or during church worship but at every moment of our lives. What do we rejoice over? We must rejoice over the fact that God is in control of our lives no matter how out of control life may appear. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Therefore, our joy is enveloped in the exaltation that God is certain in an uncertain world and we can have joy in life’s painful and uncertain situations. What Paul has discovered is that your attitude will determine your altitude. Attitude is the eye of your soul. Your attitude determines how you view life. If your attitude is negative, you will see life negatively. If your attitude is positive, you will see life positively. If you have a thankful attitude, you will find something to be thankful for.

Verse 5
Show Some Will Power

          “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” There should be visible signs of joy in your life that others can see even in times of uncertainty. The word moderation means restraint on passions. It means that which is fit or suitable or to govern your appetite or refrain from excessive eating or drinking, it meant to restrain ones temper and to live a life that can be an example of what a Christian should look and live like. It takes will power to let others see that you are at peace and not pulling out your hair at the first sign of trouble. “For the Lord is at hand,” suggests that we should live as though God is coming back today. This phrase gives the idea that we should be on our best behavior because we don’t want the Lord Jesus to come and we are not prepared to stand before Him.

Verse 6
Pray About Everything With Thanksgiving

          “Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” The word “careful” means to be anxious. Some translations read, “Be anxious about nothing.” It does not mean that we should not be concerned about worldly matters or the things that are important to us, i.e., family, finances or health. It means don’t worry. The apostle says, “by prayer and supplication.” The word supplication is a stronger word than prayer. It is a mode of prayer that derives from a sense of need or want. It is when we say; “Lord I need you to do this for me!” The apostle said we should do it with thanksgiving. One can always find something to be thankful for when one prays. In other words, show some gratitude when you pray. Let your request be made known unto God. Tell Him what your wants and concerns are not as though you are telling Him something that He does not know. He requires that we come and express them to Him.

Verse 7
The Results

Here it is! Paul tells us the results of doing these three things in verse 7: “And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” The peace Paul talks about is felt when we are not worrying. It is a peace that passeth all understanding. That is, man can’t conceive how you have obtained it. It is the peace of the highest possible kind. God has a peace which is nowhere else known. It’s crazy peace! It’s the kind of peace where people think you must be crazy. The kind of peace where people will look at you and know it’s nothing but God. It’s the kind of peace that makes you smile in the midst of the storm. It’s the kind of peace that keeps you smiling when other folk are crying. It’s the kind of peace that allows you to go home and sleep at night. IT shall keep your hearts and minds. The word “keep” is a military term, and means that the mind would be guarded as a camp or castle is. The text is saying that God’s peace will keep your hearts from heaviness and your minds from a meltdown!

Here is the clause in the contract: It is only found in Christ Jesus. This is why Jesus said in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Final Thought: “Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you plenty to do but it doesn’t take you any where.”

Peace,

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

,black-woman-looking-out-HOPE

Something Has Gone Wrong In The Field!!!

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“Something Has Gone Wrong In The Field”

 Matthew 13:24-30

      Something has gone wrong in the field. Sixty years after launching the civil rights movement African Americans seem to have forgotten the struggles that were launched on the fields of social justice and equality. How did this happen? Low voter turnout for political change in economically deprived, educationally disregarded and high crime neighborhoods speak volumes to how far we have disengaged from the struggle. There was a time when the issues of social equality and social justice were the field in which African Americans toiled for fairness. However, something has gone wrong in the field. We were once conscientiously clear and had a sense of pride and a plan that spread throughout our communities and Black college campuses. Our struggle creatively, strategically and intentionally targeted oligarchs and plutocrats that fought to maintain the status quo. In the 1950’s and 60’s we engaged a righteous unified response to racism, poverty and inequities among our people because we understood how essential it was to our future. Something has gone wrong in the field. We have gone from raised fist of protest and African American pride to sagging pants of cultural shame. We have lost the yearning to fight for a seat at the front of the bus to fighting to take backseat anywhere.

       In 2015, we have joined ranks with many within the dominant culture where right has become wrong and wrong has become right. Something has gone wrong in the filed. It is difficult to place a finger on when or how this change occurred but it has become apparent. Something has occurred in the world that has slowly and sinfully turned many African Americans against the mindset, mores, precepts and principles of God that fought for our rights in the past. We have embraced a “Cultural Jesus” that is acceptable and accomodating to what is popular and reject the “Historical Jesus” that has been reliable throughout the ages. Something has gone wrong in the field. The struggle has dwindled and police are kiling young black men like target practice without a collective cry from our communities. The government has built twice as many prisons as schools. The economy has collapsed within many African American communities because of political disinvestments and education has not been a priority. Yet, there is not the same struggle or passion to protests social injustices as there once was among African Americans. Something has gone wrong in the field. What happen?

     Jesus told a story about a farmer that planted good seed in his field. At night an enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and slipped away before dawn. Over some time the farmhands noticed tares growing among the wheat so they went to the farmer and asked him, “Did you plant good seed? Where did these tares come from?” The farmer said, “Some enemy did this.” The farmhands asked, “Should we weed out the tares?” The farmer said, “No, if you weed the tares, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the tares and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.”

      The farmer is Jesus. He plants good seeds because that’s all He has. The field is the world and the workers are true Christians. This parable teaches us that those who are at work for the Lord of the Harvest should be able to look at the world and come to the conclusion that something has gone wrong in the field. The enemy has planted seeds of corruption within the struggle that has compromised the integrity of the good seeds. However, as the farmer indicated in the parable, “harvest time is coming.” God will do the separating. What do we do until then?

 Watch and Pray

      Jesus never said or gave the impression that we do nothing but He always encouraged believers to watch and pray. Why? Early detection is always the best policy and prayer opens up our eyes. My late grandfather used to say, “Watch everybody and watch yourself!” Look for early warning signs of enemy invasion in your own life as well as the people you are around. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus instructed His disciples to watch and pray. They fell asleep. Jesus was attempting to teach the disciples that prayer enhances your performance when the enemy shows up. That’s why Peter performed foolishly when the guards came in the garden and cut the soldiers ear off. Had he been praying when Jesus asked him to pray he would have known how to perform when the enemy showed up.

Rely on the Word

     The Word of God is crucial to staying spiritually awake and detecting enemy invasion. When society lines up against God’s Word it is a clear indicator that seeds of corruption have been sown.

Hope in the Harvest

      Harvest time is coming! The enemies who plant seeds of corruption will have their day. Father Henry Fehren was quoted in Christianity Today saying, “The fact that evil people prosper is a problem that goes back into the Old Testament. But Jesus said that our Father causes the sun to shine on the bad as well as the good, and his rain to fall on the honest and dishonest alike. The passing ‘rewards’ of evil should not tempt us to abandon good. The evil person is like the man who jumped from the 50th floor without a parachute. When he passed the 30th, someone shouted, ‘How’s it going?’ And the jumper answered, ‘So far so good.’” When evil happens and evil people prosper it is like the jumper who is only at the 30th floor. Their end is inevitable . . . even if it is delayed. As Christians we know what’s going to happen in the end.

Improving My Serve!

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Something Gone Wrong In The Field

Arguing The Case For The Resurrection

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ARGUING THE CASE FOR THE RESURRECTION

Matthew 28:1-6

Matthew’s account of the resurrection begins with two women both named Mary. They were on their way to anoint the body of Jesus with sweet smelling spices. It was early Sunday morning. Jesus had been dead since Friday. When they reached the tomb there suddenly was an earthquake and God’s angel came down from heaven and right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. The angel said, “There is nothing to fear. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross but He is not here. He was raised, just as He said. Come and see the place where His body was. Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He’s back from the dead.’”

According to Lee Strobel’s 2009 book,” The Case for the Real Jesus”, skepticism has surfaced concerning the resurrection of our Christ. Some are openly refuting that Jesus is alive and doing well.

In 2007 the Discovery Channel launched a special called The Lost Tomb of Jesus which disputed the resurrection. Another popular book titled The Jesus Family Tomb, which made a claim that they had found the burial site of Jesus and His family by an Israeli construction crew in 1980. This site is supposed to contain the bones of Jesus and a family that he supposed to have started after the crucifixion was documented.

More recently, Muslims who clearly understand that discrediting the resurrection means disproving the truth of Christianity have become even more opposing to the resurrection of Christ. Muslims are not alone. A prominent Hindu leader also declared in 2007 that Jesus never died on the cross and that He somehow survived and moved to India where He later died. But the Hindu and the Muslim are not alone. Atheists more intense critiques of the resurrection. In 2005, Prometheus Books published a 545-page anthology called the “Empty Tomb; Jesus beyond The Grave” in which skeptics set forth alternatives to why Jesus was not in the tomb on Resurrection Morning.

What has become so outrageous are those who call themselves Christians that have become gullible to the attacks of Satan and have embraced these recent books that discredit the one whom the say they believe and follow. Now it seems as though 2000 years of Church History and Systematic Theology has gone out of the window. However, many of the same people that have read these erroneous materials that defy Jesus Christ as the resurrected savior and stand so firmly on the many books that they have read; have never even read Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.

Noted English author Michael Green states: “Christianity does not hold the resurrection to be one among many tenets of belief. Without belief in the resurrection there would be no Christianity at all. The Christian Church would never have begun; the Jesus movement would have fizzled out like a damp squib with his execution. Christianity stands or falls with the truth of the resurrection. Once disprove it, and you have disposed of Christianity.”[1]

The critical question is: How can we make the case that Jesus was resurrected from the dead? There are three areas we should look at; the documentation of scriptures, the dwelling of the Spirit and the declaration of the saints.

DOCUMENTATION OF THE SCRIPTURES

Matthew 28:6 said, “He is risen.” Mark 16:6 said, “He is risen.” Luke 24:6-7 said, “He is risen.” John 21:14 documents that this was the third time Jesus had shown Himself to the eleven after he had risen. Luke 24 affirms that Jesus ate breakfast with the disciples after He had risen. In 1 Corinthians 15:6 Paul asserts that Jesus was seen by some 500 brethren at once and most of them were still alive when he wrote the document. Paul further said, “I saw Him on the Damascus Road” in Acts 9. The scriptures document that Jesus rose from the dead.

 DWELLING OF THE SPIRIT

The bible declares that Jesus is alive in the heart of every believer. In John 14 Jesus said, I go away but I will you my Spirit to dwell with you that will lead you, guide you and comfort you. In Mathew 28:19 Jesus said, “Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” The case for Jesus will speak for itself through the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the believers. When the Holy Spirit dwells in the lives of the believers things begin to happen. Young people began to show a compassion for their community and launch community cleaning outreach. The needs of the poor are met by feeding the poor and clothing the homeless. Gang members become Church members. Drug dealers become deacons. Skirt chasers become God chasers. Bitter people become sweet. People that are too cool to say amen began to shout “Hallelulia.” When Black Life is devalued the church begans to make a statement by wearing “Black Life Matters” tee shirts. When the Spirit is dwelling in God’s people the world can see that Jesus is alive and kicking. The world will know that He is real, reachable and relevant by the actions of those who claim His name.

DECLARATION OF THE SAINTS

The most reliable evidence of Jesus’ resurrection is what people have said about Him, specifically His disciples. For some reason the disciples actually believed it was true. If they were tricked than they fell hook, line and sinker because their behavior after the resurrection was the most convincing and compelling piece of evidence. Their actions after the resurrection were consistent to their behavior before the crucifixion; they were loyal to Jesus before He was crucified and even more loyal after His crucifixion. In fact, their loyalty was irrepressible and impressionable.

They took the ancient world by storm saying, “He lives!” If they were not convinced of the resurrection they would not have placed their lives on the line for a Jesus that did not get up for the dead. As a matter of fact, they believed it so whole-heartedly that it cost them their lives. That’s a point to really ponder because if I was a disciple that followed Jesus for three years, placed my self in harms way, left my family, quit my job, to follow a man who said He would rise from the grave in three days with all power in His hands He didn’t; the next words out of my mouth would have been, “I wasted three years out of my life following a fraud.” This was not the case with the disciples. Each one of them died a martyr’s death holding on to the conviction that He rose from the dead. The only disciple that was not killed was John who was banished to the lonely Island of Patmos. The disciples were killed because they kept testifying that Jesus was alive and doing well. This is one of the greatest proofs of His resurrection.

Here it is! Your testimony of Christ is the greatest piece of evidence that He is alive and doing well. When you have been born again you have an obligation to tell somebody that Jesus lives in your heart. It becomes a part of your life story. Your personal experience with Jesus becomes difficult for you to keep to yourself. If you were dead in your sins but He gave you another chance you ought to tell your story. If you prayed to Him and He answered your prayers you ought to tell your story. If He has done anything for you then you should tell your story.

The problem with modern Christianity is we have created a acceptable Jesus that is cultural instead of trusting the historical Jesus that is reliable. The accetable Jesus agrees with everything the culture wants. You want to live recklessly? That’s acceptable. You want to focus on prosperity? That’s acceptable. You want to marry people of the same sex? That’s acceptable. You want to discard the poor? That’s acceptable. You want to devalue Black life? That’s acceptable. We cannot create a acceptable Jesus that is cultural but we must trust the historical Jesus thatis reliable. Give me the Jesus of the bible that called sin “Sin”. Give me the Jesus of the bible that was soft on sin yet hard on hypocrites. Give me the Jesus of the bible that loved the sinner but hated the sin. The acceptable Jesus accepts the sinner and sin no matter how dark the sin may be but the historical Jesus call sin out.

Trusting the historical Jesus vesrsus creating an acceptable Jesus means that we may not be in the majority but Jesus is still the same, yesterday, today and forevermore. You can rely on Him when the chips are down. You can rely on Him when friends are few. It all boils down to creating a Jesus that is cultural or trusting a Jesus that is reliable! Will you create a Jesus that agrees with you or will you trust in the Jesus that created you? The case for Jesus depends on the declaration of saints separating themselves from that which is acceptable to that which is reliable. When you are relying on Jesus you are telling the world, “ I am all in”.

ALL IN

In every game of high-stakes poker, there comes a defining moment that separates the winners from the losers. You never know when that moment will come because it’s up to the individual players. There is a moment when a player says two words—”All in.” That means he thinks he’s got the best hand so he takes his chips and pushes them to the middle of the table. He flips his cards over so everyone can see them, and then he stands up. Going “all in” means that you are risking everything on the hand you have. That’s why it’s a high-drama moment. You can’t win a tournament unless you’re willing to go “all in” at some point. You’ve got to believe that your hand beats all others. will beat the other cards, and then you’ve got to risk everything in order to win. If you want New Life you have to believe that the tomb was empty. You have to be all in!

The way you know you are all in is you become like the disciples. The disciples had what I like to call “Forest Gump” theology. In the movie Forrest Gump every now and then the screen would flash to Forrest sitting on a bench where there was a bus stop. The theme of the bench and motive of Forrest was whoever sat on that bench had to listen to his story. He told the young, old, rich, poor, black or white; it didn’t matter. We have to be like Forrest and become so bold in our testimony that whoever sits next you must to hear your story. You have to tell somebody, “I used to be a liar but He changed me. I was on my way to hell but He saved me. He brought me out of darkness into His marvelous light. I was sinking deep in sin but he brought me out, I was dead in my sins but he raised me! He saw the best in me when everyone else around could only see the worse in me. Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because He lives, life is worth the living just because He lives!”

He’s Alive!

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

The Case

The Danger Of Quitting Too Soon

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 Danger Of Quitting Too Soon!!!
Galatians 6:7-9

There are seasons in all of our lives when we find ourselves going through a tough time. Sometimes life can be so overwhelming with responsibilities and concerns that one could snap crackle and pop just like that. What makes life’s journey so interesting and often frustrating is its unpredictability. We cannot always predict how life will turn out especially when we go through seasons of uncertainty. There are times when we assumed we see light at the end of the tunnel and a fresh start on the horizon only to discover it was a train. These are the times in life when we feel like throwing in the towel.

However, the Apostle Paul warns Christians of the clearly danger of quitting too soon. When we quit too soon… We lose a lesson we should have learned and miss a blessing we could have had. How many times have you become frustrated and fed up and thrown in the towel only to regret the decision later? When life seems to wear you down the Apostle Paul teaches us to do 4 things:

  1. Don’t make your move too soon – Evaluate The Setting
  2. Hang on in there – Endure A Bit Of Suffering
  3. Do the right thing – Exemplify The Savior
  4. Believe in the eventually – Expect The Spectacular

Paul wrote this letter to multiple churches in Galatia. It is a culmination of the thoughts that were expressed by Paul in chapter 5. In chapter 5 Paul concluded his description of the fruit of the spirit by defining 9 characteristics that described the fruit of the spirit. His parting words in chapter 5 were for those in the faith to never compare ourselves with one another thinking we are better. In chapter 6 Paul teaches us to help those who are overcome with faults that hinder the growth of their faith. He outlines a litany of directives to the Christian to ascribe to for a victorious Christian life. Let me give you the snapshot:

  1. Do Right & Help People Who Are In Trouble – vs. 1-2
  2. Do Right & Don’t Get A Big Head – vs. 3
  3. Do Right & Have Integrity In The Work You Do – vs. 4
  4. Do Right & Make Sure You Have Been Taught And Trained God’s Word – vs. 6
  5. Do Right & Share With Those Who Have Taught And Trained You – vs. 6
  6. Do Right & Don’t Underestimate God’s Law of Reciprocity – vs. 7-8

Here it is! Paul is saying that being a good Christian can at times make you feel as though you are a doormat that has been walked on, used for others gain. Yet despite what comes your way do the right thing and don’t quit doing it. That sets the context for verse 9. In verse 9 Paul said keep doing what is right no matter how hard it may become or discouraged we may get. Don’t miss the connection that Paul makes with verse 7 and verse 9. In verse 9 Paul continued the analogy of sowing and reaping that he picked up on in verse 7 and contends that a farmer will have no harvest to reap if he becomes too weary to work the fields. Likewise, believers must not become discouraged and give up when living for Jesus Christ or else they will have nothing to reap in due season. The message of verse 9 is… When we do good persevere without fainting and in God’s time we will see a brighter day. This text is tailored to teach 4 things:

DON’T MAKE YOURE MOVE TOO SOON

The word “weary” here means, “flagging, fainting, despondent, discouraged.” When we become “weary” the natural response is to quit. Yet, Paul encourages us to Evaluate The Situation. There are times when we must…

  1. Go sit down somewhere.
  2. Have a little talk with Jesus: Don’t just talk to Him but wait for Him to talk to you. Wait for the answer. The story is told of a wealthy woman that called the manager of a concert hall. She asked, “Have you found a diamond pendant? I think I lost it in your building last night.” The manager said, “No, we haven’t found it, but we will look. Please hold the line.” After several minutes of searching someone found the diamond. The manager came back on the line and said, “I’ve got good news. We found you pendant . . . Hello? . . . Hello?” The woman became weary of waiting and had hung up. The diamond was never claimed . . .Whatever your situation is the answer is on the way! Don’t hang up. Wait on the Lord.
  3. Look at the situation again: God may instruct you to leave at once or He may lead you too stick around.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV) – Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

HANG ON IN THERE

To endure weariness is a mark of growth. It places the Christian in a position of mimicking Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Luke 9:23 (KJV) – “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” If there is no cross to bear there will be no crown to wear. The cross is an inconvenience but the crown is an investment. Yet, the investment of the crown far outweighs the inconvenience of the cross. There are times when Jesus expects us to hang on in there for His namesake. After all, it was on the cross of Calvary that He “hung on in there” for us. He was hung up for our hang-ups. James 1:4 (KJV) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Endure A Bit Of Suffering.

Louis Binstock, in his book, The Road to Successful Living, tells the story of a diamond prospector by the name of Rafael Solano who became discouraged sitting on a boulder in the dry river bed when he announced to his two companions, “I quit! There’s no use going on any longer. See this pebble?  It makes about 999,999 that I’ve picked up and not a single diamond.  If I pick up another, it will be a million – but what’s the use?  I’m quitting.” It was 1942 and the three men had spent months prospecting for diamonds in a Venezuelan creek bed.  They had worked, clothes were ragged, and for months no diamonds. They had never thought about quitting until Solano said, “I quit”. Equally discouraged, one of them said, “Pick up another and make it a million.” Solano said, “All right,” and put his hand in a pile of pebbles and pulled one out almost the size of a hen’s egg.  “Here it is,” he said, “the last one.”  But it was heavy – too heavy.  He looked.  “Boys, it’s a diamond!” he shouted.  Harry Winston, a New York jewel dealer, paid Rafael Solano $200,000 for that millionth pebble.  Named The Liberator, it was the largest and purest diamond ever found.

DO THE RIGHT THING

When life turns the corner we have the tendency to say, “I was doing better before I became a Christian.” However, the ability to do the right thing in a bad situation is what separates the Christian from “the world”. Even when the world treats us badly we are to do the right thing. David said in Psalm 37:1-3 – “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” That means no matter what happens to you when you “do the right thing” God will take care of you. Exemplify The Savior.

IMAGINE THE EVENTUALLY

Paul’s conclusion of verse 9 is conditional. It is a preposition: “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” What is at stake here is the understanding of the dynamics of seasons and the power of imagination. “Due season” as Paul mentions in this text has nothing to do with chronological time and it does not fit into a category with winter and summer solstice. Due season cannot be calculated or anticipated as a date on the calendar. It has nothing to the idiosyncrasies of ones chronometer, which is in direct, accord with the great cynderical movement by which all time is most commonly kept. Due season is not about time but a moment in time that’s pregnant with possibilities. Due season is about God’s time and when He get’s ready. The most important thing the Christian can do to prepare for it is prepare for it. Expect The Spectacular.

In other words, don’t miss the opportunities that God sends your way to get you prepared! Why? Missed opportunities because of quitting too soon makes it difficult for one to imagine the eventually. The eventually is… one day your season will come but you’ve got to endure some stuff before you get there!

That’s why God does not give us some of our dreams and desires immediately but places us on His list called “eventually”. If He always gave us what we wanted immediately we would have nothing to work for. God wants us to work the eventuallly. Can I tell you something? Imagination helps you live longer and causes you to work harder. Psalm 126:5-6; “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. That is to say, at the present moment it may look bad but eventually there will be joy!

Paul’s intent was not for them or us to just be earthly good but to have a good eternity! That’s what’s really at stake in this text. Eternal life. You have to go back to verse 8 when Paul said, “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Whether you go to heaven or hell depends in some way on whether you grow weary in well doing. Paul said if you sow to the flesh the flesh would reap corruption but if you sow to the Spirit you will reap eternal life. That’s why he says, “And let us not (therefore) grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if you faint not.” Eternal life is the issue here!

I was riding along listening to a celebrity talking on the radio the other day. She gave some small chatter about her career and how there were people that were in and out of her life because of her celebrity. She mentioned how selective she had become with her friend circles and then she made a statement that arrested me. She said, “I want all my friends to have cars, planes and toys.” I thought about the statement and said I would like for my friends to have so much more. I would like for them to have faith, endurance and imagination. Why? Because cars, planes and toys are restricted to this earth but faith, endurance and imagination are essential for eternal life.

I want to suggest that we all need someone in our lives that our concerned about how we “finish” not just how we “flash”.

I close with this story told by “Homiletics” of Muhammad Ali’s answer to the question of the greatest lesson he’d ever learned. Ali told the story of a heavyweight title bout against Sonny Liston in 1964. “Liston was the strongest man I’d ever fought. Every time I hit him, it hurt me worse than it did him. I gave him everything I had. When the sixth round ended, I was completely spent. I couldn’t even raise my arms. I couldn’t even stand up to go back onto the ring. ‘I’m goin’ home!’ I told Angelo Dundee. ‘I’m not going back in there!’ Dundee demanded that Ali get ready to go in. Ali refused. The bell rang, and still Ali didn’t leave his seat. Dundee pushed him and shouted, ‘Get in there and don’t come out until you’re the heavyweight champion of the world.’ Ali struggled to his feet. Liston didn’t. At the end of that fight, Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay was the new heavyweight champion of the world. “The greatest lesson I’ve learned,’ Ali said, ‘is to have someone pushin’ you and makin’ you do things you don’t think you can do.”

When you’ve given life everything you’ve got and it’s not enough, that’s when you need someone in our corner, someone to cheer you on. You need someone reminding you that God wouldn’t asked you to do anything that you can’t finish. Is there an Angelo Dundee in your life? And how have you been the voice of courage for someone else?

God is looking for finishers! Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7:8 (KJV) – Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV) – I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Finally, the best example of not quitting we have is in Jesus Christ. In John 19:30 (NIV) Jesus said, “It is finished.” I’m so glad Jesus didn’t quit!

Improving My Serve!

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Dont Quit Too Soon

Black Lives Matter – “Keep The Faith Baby!”

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 Lives Matter – Part 2
Keep The Faith Baby!
Matthew 15:21-28

There is a pattern and practice of discrimination against Black people in this country that sends a clear message that Black Lives do not matter. All too often pleas of Black people are ignored, our pains are individualized as personal problems and we are often insulted as a people. However, our progress in this country is connected to our faith. We cannot give up praying, protesting or making our plea for justice even when we have been ignored, individualized or ignored. The Black response to social injustices must be cultivated by our faith in Jesus Christ. We must keep the faith.

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

CONTEXT

     In this conversation that Jesus had with a Black woman we learn a very valuable lesson. Society ignores, individualizes and insults certain groups of people. Yet, it is essential how those groups of people should respond.

The Pursuit of Possibility

     A woman came to Jesus with a matter concerning her daughter that was vexed with a devil. Word quickly spread of the miraculous healings that had taken place throughout the region at the hands of Jesus. Matthew 4:24 confirms that the report spread throughout all of Syria, and many brought those who were sick, afflicted, diseased and under the power of demons to Jesus, and He healed them. This mother thought it was possible that if Jesus healed others He would grant her request even though she was not a Jew. Canaanites and Israelites had a sorted past together. They did not mingle or interact with one another. Yet, this Canaanite woman set out on the pursuit of the possibility that this young Jewish healer would heal her Canaanite daughter. She saw Him and imagination suggests that she took off running towards Him and cried saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David”. She used His Messianic title, Son of David. “My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.”

The Silence of the Savior

     She was met with silence. Jesus did not say a word. He ignored her. This is not the normal response of Jesus; especially, when one has sought Him and asked for mercy. The disciples said, “Send her away; for she cries after us.” Some scholars suggests that the disciples were not saying for Jesus to ignore her but to heal her so she could be on her way and leave them alone. This thought better fits Jesus’ following statement, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

The Forging of Faith

     This saying of Jesus does not detour or faze this woman. She is persistent. Then she worshipped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” Jesus said, “It is not right for me to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Her reply was, “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters ‘table.” Then Jesus answered and said unto her, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” Immediately.

Scholars say that the land of Canaan extended from Northern Africa along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea into the Arabian Peninsula. She was a black woman. By Jewish standards she was all-wrong; she was of a people that Joshua had overthrown 1,400 years earlier and had made into servants. She was from the Gentile world. Her religion had failed her, and her life was falling apart. She came to Jesus and he did 4 things:

  1. He ignored her pleas: He responded as though she was not there. She even used His Messianic name, “Son of David” and she asked for mercy. Yet the savior ignored her.
  2. He individualized her problem: When the woman expressed her problem Jesus’ response was, “I didn’t come for your people.” Jesus literally said, “I came for the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” The text suggests that Jesus individualized her problem as “her problem” or “their problem” and not His. Jesus made this statement because she was not of Jewish ancestry. Canaanites worshipped Baal. She did not have the same code of beliefs, morals or ethics as the Jewish people.
  3. He insulted her people: He called her people dogs. There are some scholars that say this saying referred to her as a “puppy” and would have been accepted as a cultural title for Canaanites. “It is not right for me to give the children’s bread to the dogs.” This statement of Jesus is symbolic; children refer to the Children of Israel, God’s people. When Jesus mentioned bread He is making reference to Himself. Bread was viewed in that day as a symbol of life’s necessities being met. When the Children of Israel were in the wilderness God gave them bread. David rescued Mephibosheth and his promise was, “You shall eat bread continuously at the Kings table.” When Jesus taught the disciples to pray His instructions were to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Bread represents the “necessities of life.” Jesus was saying. “This bread is not for you!” He called her people dogs because the Jews considered Canaanites unclean. Leviticus 11 says that dogs are unclean animals and she agreed with the Lord.
  4. He identifies her power: Jesus identifies this woman’s determination, her tenacity and persistence. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Her faith was the needed ingredient.

It is the faith of Black people that have made us so valuable and resilient. We have been ignored, individualized and insulted but our power has been identified in our faith. This is an unusual story because it makes Jesus look insensitive and insulting but these traits do not fall in line with the character of our Savior. The prima facie evidence looks baffling. However, if one were to look deeper one would discover that Jesus was really being instructive. He used this woman as an example to teach the disciples as well as others that our faith can overcome our frustrations. This lesson becomes a clinical case study for those in society who have been ignored, individualized and insulted that your value cannot be determined by what others think about you but it is determined by your faith in God. It is a teachable lesson that we must be persistent as this woman was for Jesus’ intervention. Jesus was no doubt, testing her faith. Our faith will be tested against a culture that continues to ignore our pleas, individualize our pain and insult our people but we must continue to fight for equal rights because of our faith. When we give up too soon we don’t learn what we need to learn… we don’t experience what we should experience… and we miss the blessing we could have had.

Let’s look at….

  1. Reality: We must face the reality that some people want nothing to do with us. However, a person’s perception of who they think we are should never become our reality. What’s real is that there are people that see no value in Black life. That’s real. There are people that will ignore Black people simply because of the color of their skin. Society will ignore your pleas but keep the faith: Frederick Douglass said keep on pleading because Power never conceded anything without a demand. It never has and it never will.
  2. Humility: The intention of Jesus’ statement was to penetrate and expose her humility. This woman was flat out ignored and appeared as though she had been insulted but she didn’t fly off the handle. She didn’t just walk away but she continued the conversation. There are times when life causes one to be humble and focus on the end results. Society will individualize our pain or problems but keep the faith. Former Mayor Rudi Giuliani recently made the statement that recent police killings in the black community are our fault. Professor Michael Eric Dyson said, “That is a defense mechanism statement of the privileged in our country to remove them from any responsibility of unjust killings in our community.”
  3. Ability: Our ability to hold on to the faith cannot be compromised even through recent Black sitcoms, i.e., Empire, Scandal or Mary Jane. There are some things we should never allow to become sacrilegious and devalue US as a people. There are tenets of whom we are as Christians that should always rise to the top. Society will insult our people but keep the faith: Politicians can be insulting to our people. They can buy preachers with money, buy votes with a beer and a ham sandwiches, but we must keep the faith. Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. rose to fame by leading a boycott of shops along 125th Street that would sell to African-American shoppers but would not hire them to work at the stores. He started a movement called, “Don’t Shop Where You Can’t Work”! He became New York’s first black city council member in 1941. In 1944, he was elected to the House of Representatives—the first African-American from New York—and served until 1970. In congress, Powell was integral to the Civil Rights movement and as chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor saw to it that legislation on school lunches, student loans, and the minimum wage got passed. At the end of his life society had insulted him and ignored him but he never let them see it. The phrase “Keep the faith baby”, was used to encourage our people to keep their heads held high, and to stay in the struggle.

How do you keep the faith?

  1. Reality – This woman did not ignore the fact that her people were looked down upon in society. One must face reality that there will be some people that will never accept our race, our beliefs or our concerns. One must also accept the reality that Jesus is the only answer for our frustrations.
  2. Humility – As Christians we are taught to humble ourselves under the hand of God and He will exalt us in due season. Humility does not mean to sit back and accept what Society brings our way. It simply means to allow God to order and direct our steps as His servants.
  3. Ability – God has given every believer the ability to do something to glorify Him. Use what you have been given by God to make a difference in the world. Your ability will be cultivated by your faith.

Jesus saw this woman had a grasp on reality. She knew He was able to address her frustration. Jesus recognized her humility to be under His command. Jesus saw her ability in that her faith was so strong that she persisted in her plea for His intervention. Jesus said to this woman, “Woman you have great faith. Be it done for you as you will.” He did not say, “as you want” because want means you have a desire but He said, “as you will” because will means you have made a decision. She had decided to make Jesus her choice and when you make a decision for Jesus he can make some decisions for you. Keep the faith baby.

The text says that her daughter was healed in the same hour. Her daughter was immediately cured. Jesus healed her immediately but sometimes His healings are eventually. Don’t ever lose the faith because Jesus does not do it immediately. Sometimes He moves in the eventually. God heard Martin Luther King Jr. and his cry for our people to be recognized but he did it not answer immediately. It was eventually we elected the first black president of the United States in Barak Obama.

Is it not strange that the Lord changed the topic from healing to eating? She requested that her daughter be healed and Jesus’ response was related to eating; “It is not right for m to give bread to dogs.” To the Lord eating is more important than healing. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Jesus appears to be saying that we can deal with earthly sorrows when we have an eternal solution. Jesus is talking about salvation! And here in this text the mission of Jesus changed directions. When Jesus sees that a woman that was not Jewish had faith it became a pivotal shift for the ministry of Jesus to indicate He was available to all men. This opened up salvation to the world not just the Jews. All lives matter! This is true, yet when one group of people has been significantly devalued it becomes incumbent upon that group to protest injustice lest they become participants in their own demise.

KEEP THE FAITH BABY!

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Black Life 2

It’s Just That Ugly Part Of Me!!!

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It’s Just That Ugly Part Of Me

Romans 7:15-25

Every now and again we can hear a new tune on the radio for the first time that really hits home and arrests the core of our consciousness. Like a leitmotif in a Wagnerian opera, the theme and the words of a song can vibrate and unfold like a flower bursting from an array of musical brilliance. This is was what happened to me one night as I found myself winding down from the days madness. As I thought about the events that occurred that day, within the background, there was a voice on the radio crooning to music and coupled with inviting and intoxicating lyrics that broke into my concentration. It was the sultry and soulful voice of a rising R&B and jazz artist by the name of Avery Sunshine. She is a singer, songwriter and pianist, who rooted in Gospel, brings forth a cornucopia of music complexities. Her style has been coined jazzgosoul, with elements of jazz, gospel and R&B soul. This night she sung a song I had never heard before but the storyline was so familiar! You see, she hit on an area that all of us find difficult to talk about, our ugly side! Here are her words:

“Last night, I got mad and I said things I shouldn’t have said. I wanted him to know how deeply I feel I wouldn’t even let him talk. All he could do is walk away. He was gone and it was too late for me to say, “It’s just that ugly part of me!” – Avery Sunshine

Let me repeat that! “It’s just that ugly side of me!” With that snatch of a phrase I was arrested and handcuffed. God had somehow blazed and baptized the lips of an R&B singer to remind me just how messed up I really am and why I struggle with being a sinner and saint simultaneously. I was able to see our text from a fresh new perspective. Whether we want to admit or not all of us have a side to us that is considered the “Ugly Part” or the “Dark Side” or what Carl Jung calls the “Shadow Side”. I mean, the person that surfaces like roaches when the lights are out and scatters when the light comes on; you know, the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde part of our personalities.

Have you ever been there? Wresting with good and evil! You love God with all of your your heart but every now and then the “old man” pops up and reminds you of who you used to be. If you’ve ever rode on that bus or walked down that street then you certainly can identify with the author of this text. His name is Paul and in Romans 7:24 he cries out, “Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Paul confessed that he has an ugly part of himself that he can’t get away from. I said to myself, “If it could happen to a saint like Paul, who am I to think I am immune from the temptations and tribulations of life.

In Romans 7:15-25 Paul speaks of his own struggle and lays his soul bare before us and articulates his struggles. He grapples with his own sin. Note these 3 biblical observations:

The Presence of Evil Is Inescapable: In verse 21 Paul said, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” This is a reminder to every born again believer that we are never too far out of reach from the devils tactics. He knows your address.

The Pull of Evil Is Alluring: In verses 22 & 23 Paul said, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin in my members.”

The Relief from Evil Is Available: In verse 24 Paul cries out in desperation, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

When Paul uses the term “wretched” it is the Greek word talaipōros, and the word means miserable. Here it is! Paul described sin as a “The Ugly Side” or a corpse that has attached itself to us as an opponent. In Paul’s day if a person was found guilty of murder they would take the victims dead corpse and tie it to the guilty offenders body. They would bind the dead corpse head to head, torso to torso together until eventually death and decay from the corpse would seep into the living body. This is how Paul described the ugly nature of sin, as a dead man taking life from him.

What can we walk away with by reading this? THE STRUGGLE IS REAL! Martin Luther King Jr. said, “There is a tension at the heart of the universe between good and evil.” Sigmund Freud said it was between the id and superego.” In other words there is a civil war going on inside each and every one of us.

How do you handle life when who you really are is who you don’t want the world to really see?

  1. You Must Make The Confession: Paul confessed that he was a “wretched man” and that there was an ugly side to him. He took sides with God against himself concerning his weaknesses. He acknowledged the “white elephant” in the room. As long as we continue to act as though we have no faults, nothing will ever change in any of our lives. Confession is the first sign that you really want help. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  2. You Must Reach For The Right Deliverer: Paul said, “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death”. Paul recognized that he could not deliver himself. Paul did not say “What” shall deliver me but “Who” shall deliver me. Dear friends in the faith, it is possible to be saved and still not delivered. The only way we can be delivered is to recognize our powerlessness, stop fighting, and submit to God. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
  3. You Must Strip The Dead Man Of Power: Paul is struggling to free himself from the ugly side, from the old nature of sin. It is possible to strip the dead man’s power. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” There is a struggle between the spirit man and the flesh and the man you feed is the man that will win in this fight!  I am reminded of the story of the man who fought pit bulls. He would fight the dogs every week and would take side bets on which dog was going to win. Every week he seemed to know which dog would win. Then someone asked him how he knew which one would win. He simply said, “The one that I want to win I feed.” That’s all I am trying to say, feed the man that you want to win. God’s Word is food for the soul!!!

Because of His Grace!

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Ugly Part of Me

Know When To Hold Em – Know When To Fold Em

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                      “Know When To Hold Em – Know When To Fold Em!”

Proverbs 22:24-25
“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go; Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”

It was the summer of 1978 when Country Western singer Kenny Rogers’ album The Gambler soared to the top of country and pop charts. The song itself was about a warm summers evening on a train “bound to nowhere”. Rogers met an unamed old man that was a gambler. The old man apparently had wisdom gained throughout the years that allowed him to look into Rogers eyes and see that he was down on his luck. The gambler offered Rogers seasoned advice for his last swallow of whiskey. He took the shot down, lit a cigarette and began to speak: “You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, Know when to walk away and know when to run. You never count your money when you are sitting at the table. There’ll be time enough for countin when the dealing is done.” The gambler then shared that his secret to survival was knowing what to throw away and what to keep.

It would be outrageous, even supercilious, to limit God’s teachable moments to music that we hear in church. God can baptize the lips of a Country Western singer with a simple story line about a Gambler on a train bound to nowhere to convey biblical truths. The man on the train was a wise gambler bound to nowhere but the man in the text was a wise king whose words live on into eternity.

Solomon gives us wise advice on how to avoid friendship trains that are bound to nowhere. The truth is, many of us nurture and invest in relationships that have no virtue, no vision or no victory. Listen to Solomon’s words: “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go; Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.” As we take a real look at our relationships there are 3 things to consider:

  1. Consider The Description of Caution: What relationships do you nurture with persons who are angry about life? Solomon described a person who is angry and furious. The word for “angry” is the Hebrew word “ap” and it means short-tempered. The Hebrew word for furious is “hema” and it describes a person who is constantly in a state of anger. Solomon says avoid them! They flare up at the drop of a dime so don’t take a walk with them, don’t do business with them, don’t go on vacation with them, don’t visit them, don’t seek their company or court their conversation, and for Christ’s sake don’t seek their advice! Wow! Harsh advice. Why Solomon?
  2. Consider The Devastating Corruption: “Lest thou learn his ways:” If you continue this relationship it will corrupt you! Those whom we go with we are apt to grow like. Paul said the same thing in 1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” What is the conclusion?
  3. Consider The Dangerous Conclusion: “and get a snare to thy soul.” A snare metaphorically is something that allures one from his real purpose and then destroys him. Our souls are valuable to God and our relationships should strengthen the soul. Philia Ophelema Psukis are Greek words meaning, “Friendship is essential to the soul.” The wrong relationships can be detrimental to your soul and divert you from your destiny and place you on a friendship train bound to nowhere!

         Here it is! There is no human relationship worth sacrificing your soul and spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. When one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, they establish the most important relationship their soul will ever know. What a friend we have in Jesus! At the end of the day, we must give careful consideration to the relationships that we nurture and make investments. We must be led by the Spirit of God as to what role we should play in our relationships with others and what role others play in their relationship with us. Friends, there are some relationships that come to last and others that come to pass. So, love hard! Laugh often! Live wisely in your relationships! Know when to hold em, and know when to fold em! Don’t get caught on a friendship train bound to nowhere!

On The Train Bound To Glory!

 Know when to hold em

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s A Snake In Your Garden

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“THERE’S A SNAKE IN YOUR GARDEN”

Genesis 3:1-9

Iron Eyes Cody was the Native American who appeared in the old Keep America Beautiful TV commercials. He told an Indian legend from many years ago. Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One youth hiked into a beautiful valley with green trees & bright flowers. He saw the surrounding mountain and decided to test himself against that mountain. When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke. “I am about to die,” said the snake. “It is too cold for me up here, and I am freezing. There is no food, and I am starving. Please, put me under your shirt and take me down into the valley.” “No,” said the youth. “I know better. You are a rattlesnake and if I pick you up, you will bite and kill me.” “Not so,” said the snake. “I will treat you differently. If you do this for me I will not harm you.” The youth resisted for a while, but this was a very persuasive snake, with beautiful markings. At last the youth took pity on the reptile, picked it up, tucked it under his shirt, and carried it down into the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the snake coiled, rattled, and struck—biting him on the leg. “But you promised!” cried the youth. “You knew what I was when you picked me up” said the snake as he slithered away.

The truth is, we often allow people access into our lives that we know mean us no good but they promise like the snake, “I will treat you differently.” They say the right things, appear to be harmless, and you fall for the “okey doke”. The next thing you know, you have bought in to their low lifestyle and your once close relationship with God seems like a distant memory. You don’t pray anymore, you don’t go to church quite as often, your commitment to God and His church is fledgling at best. The trick part is, once they get what they want they turn on you. These people are seductive in their serpentine ways to strategically separate you from God. This has been Satan’s mission since the beginning of time. He seeks to bring chaos and confusion and chasms to God’s children that result in shame and separation from God!

The book of Genesis gives the first account of how Satan ruined a relationship with God. The biblical account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is a clinical case study on why we should protect ourselves from relationships that separate us from God. Adam and Eve had everything they wanted and needed until they allowed a snake to charm them into doing what God instructed them not to do. As a consequence, they ended up shamed by sin and separated from God all because they listened to a snake in their garden.

What do you do when confronted by a snake?

1. Don’t Listen To His Lies: Jesus told the Pharisees one day in John 8:44 – “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

2. Don’t Look In His Direction: Paul said in his letter to the church of Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 – “ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

3. Don’t Long For What He Offers: James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

4. Don’t Linger In His Presence: 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
The bottom line is never trust a snake!!! At the end of the day, you can’t walk with God and hold hands with the devil!

Because of Him,

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

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TAKING GIANT STEPS

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GIANT STEPS

Matthew 14:29

“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship,

he walked on water, to go to Jesus.”

Jazz composer John Coltrane at the age of 35 years old after playing with many successful bands for many years decided to grow and launch out on his own.  This was challenging at 35 no matter how good he was. He decided to make an album using all original tunes. This was unheard of because in the jazz industry you always colored someone else’s tunes. He was warned of failure. However, he did it anyway and produced the album “Giant Steps”. It became an instant success because of its complicated rifts. Coltrane’s album “Giant Steps” not only was a success but it set the standard for other jazz musicians that followed. Coltrane had a plan for his personal development and was successful.

Do you have a plan for your personal spiritual growth in 2015? I once heard a statement by John Maxwell that said, “Life is in session! Are you present?” The bottom line is, spiritual growth is an option. It is continuous and vital to living the victorious Christian life. However, many churchgoers are not present in the spiritual life development session.

The truth is, spiritual growth does not happen by accident. You must make it your intention to take the necessary steps towards your own spiritual growth and development.

In Matthew 14 Peter took a giant step that catapulted his understanding of the value of trusting God. Peter took the step that changed his life. On a storm tossed sea the disciples were in a boat that was being tossed like a rubber ball when they saw Jesus walking on the water. They were not sure if Jesus was a ghost or not but Peter asked, “Lord if it is you bid me to come.” Jesus told Peter, “Come!”  Peter took a giant step and walked on water. He took the step that changed his life.

Here are 3 Giants Steps that can change your life in 2015.

  1. Change Your Mind And You Can Change Your Life! Jesus wanted Peter to change his mind towards great possibilities with the assistance of Jesus.
  2. What You Walk Away From Will Determine What God Will Bring To You! Peter walked out of his boat. Had he never walked away from the boat, he would have never known that he could walk on water.
  3. Your Obedience To Jesus Will Stretch Your Faith! Peter did not take a foolish risk but he had a faithful response. He waited for Jesus to call Him before he went.

Praying for your “Giants Steps” in 2015

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

walkonwater

Demand and Supply

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Demand and Supply

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Most of my life I have heard the vintage Christian adage, “God will never put more on you than you can bear.” While that sounds comforting and may give one a temporary sense of relief; it’s just not true.

What do you do when God puts more on you than you can bear? How do you respond to life’s overwhelming demands from circumstances or people that seek your assistance, advice or assurance? Every maturing Christian will ultimately experience times when life demands more than he or she can supply. How one responds to life’s demanding episodes is crucial. Although some people are invasive, insensitive and indifferent there are others that simply just need your help. Circumstances that demand more of our time and attention are not always avoidable.

Why would God allow us to become overwhelmed with the demands of life? Why are there times when we simply do not have the supply of patience, compassion or energy to meet the demands that life brings our way? The answer is found in God’s Holy Word. Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) – “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

This powerful verse reminds the believer of three treasured truths to live by.

  1. Approach Means Everything: We have access to God through prayer and should never feel ashamed or insecure coming before God for help.
  2. Grace And Mercy Does What We Cannot: God has an abundant supply of grace and mercy to augment and supplement the areas of our lives where we are depleted.
  3. God Offers Help In The Time Of Need: Help is a common need. There comes a time when even those who try to help need help themselves.

 

Loving God’s Word

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Here it is! God will place more on you then you can bear! BUT! When life demands more than the Christian can supply there is a Heavenly Storehouse available to help in the time of need.