Shepastor: “Settling the Lordship Question”

Sign Posts For Life: “Yield”

Romans 12: 1-2 (God’s Word Translation)


1Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. 2Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect.

When does it mean to “Yield?” Why is it important to yield in traffic? How does the term “yield” apply to Christians in day to day life? The term yield means to “give, surrender.” Investments, whether financial or crops yield produce. In order for investments to grow or crops to yield produce, both go through a surrendering of sorts. Investments are determined by the owner and or stock broker who moves monies around based upon the conditions of the market. Crops yield or produce fruit or grain based upon the tilling of the ground, the fertilization process, the irrigation process and harvesting.

The above mentioned entities have no say. We, however must choose to yield, surrender, obey. Our produce is dependent upon our choice in the matter.


BARRIERS TO OBEYING THE “YIELD SIGN”
Pride and self-centerdness can keep us from obeying God’s yield sign. A desire to rush ahead can keep us from obeying God’s yield sign. Disgust over “traffic” in our lives can cause us to ignore God’s yield sign.

What hinders you from yielding to God’s will?

Romans 12:2 states, “Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think.” (God’s Word Translation) To increase your willingness to yield to God, ask yourself the following questions…

Who is really the LORD of your life?

- Have I ever really surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as Lord and yielded myself to Him?
- Am I willing to do God’s will in any situation no matter what?
- Are my motives affected by pride? Am I unwilling to do something “beneath” me?
- Are my motives affected by self-centered attitudes? Am I placing my desires above God?

Surrender is the most important step in the process of hearing God. It “demystifies” the process of discerning His will.

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: “No Figs, No Problem!” Excerpts from Hampton Ministers’ Conference Preacher, Dr. Carl J. Solomon

Mark 11:12-25
New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts

12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.


This week I am privileged to be a presenter at the historic and prestigious Hampton Minister’s Conference in Hampton, VA. This 99 year-old gathering features some of the greatest preachers, teachers, lecturers and musicians from across the nation. Held on one of the Historical Black Universities and Colleges (HBCU) campuses, Hampton University, it boasts of an attendance of 8,000 – 12,000 annually.

This morning, attendees were electrified by a message from Dr. Carl J. Solomon, Pastor of United Baptist Church in East Baltimore, MD. Below are a few highlights from his message…

- The passage where Jesus curses the fig tree is some what quizzical. Why didn’t Jesus – the master of all, the one with all power in His hands – why didn’t Jesus command the fig tree to produce fruit when he saw that it was barren?

- Could it be that Jesus was teaching us a lesson… “stop wasting your time on dead things!” Some of us have allowed “dead things” to reside in our spirits for too long.

- Some of us have allowed disappointment and pain over something that is dead to rule over our spirits, consume us, depress us, discourage us and drive us in some instances to die. Anything that is a “disappointment” is in the past! It has already happened. Nothing can change it. Stop allowing that which is in the past to keep you from moving forward and receiving what God has for you in the future!

- Some of us spend a life time trying to revive, call back to life, rejuvenate, reinvigorate, etc dead things. We allow ourselves to become consumed with them. We take all of our energies to make them produce fruit.

- Instead, we need to let it die. “No fig, no problem.” You didn’t get the position? You didn’t get the promotion? You didn’t get the ring? You didn’t get the house? You didn’t get the decision? You didn’t get whatever? “No fig, no problem!” Place that disappointment under your feet and keep on moving.

- No fruit on “that tree” cannot stop you from getting fed elsewhere!

- Jesus did not go hungry because “that tree” did not bear fruit! Jesus moved on to other areas and so must we.

- Don’t allow barren trees to keep you hungry.

- Place disappointment under your feet. Leave disappointment in your past. Look rather for the new opportunities and fruit trees and blessings that God has for your life!

“No figs, no problem!”

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: “In Honor of Katie…”

Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon feast. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty. 1 Samuel 20:18

Today, I ask you to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. Katie Cunion. You probably didn’t know her. She was not a pastor or preacher. She was, however, a “minister.” I met Katie during my daughter’s summer camp several years ago. Katie’s daughter, Jessica and my daughter, Aris became good friends and classmates. They both were only six (6) at the time.

Katie and I passed each other in the hall each summer morning as we dropped our daughters off for camp. We both frequently ran late and would laugh about doing our utmost to get them there in time for activities. When I first met Katie, I noticed that she walked with a limp. It wasn’t until a few months later, when she boldly wore shorts and sandals that I realized one of her legs had been amputated and she was wearing a prosthesis (I didn’t know that they made a prosthesis shaped like a foot and that sandals could be worn with them!).

This disfigurement, however, did not stop Katie. Her smile was just as bright, eyes just as sparkly and clear blue/green as the ocean, head tied up with a scarf, proudly and lovingly participating with her daughter in camp and in school. Her spirit was valiant. Her stride was majestic. Her smile was infectious. Her determination was admirable. She had cancer. Unlike me, I never heard her complain about the fact that we had to climb a few flights of stairs to get to our daughters’ room. She was a trooper!

Today, my daughter and I attended Katie’s calling hours at the local funeral home. I debated over whether or not I should take Aris (a third grader) with me, but figured that her friend and classmate would be blessed by her support. So off we went. The line was already growing long when we arrived. Katie was greatly loved and respected. As we entered the door, a beautiful little girl popped her head around the corner. It was Jessica! Children are so resilient. She immediately grabbed Aris, hugged her and said, “Come and play with me.” Later, Jessica and Aris, together would walk in the other room and see Katie, lying there so still.

Afterwards, they went back into another room, got down on the floor with more children, laughed, talked and colored. Even in death, Katie knew how to bring love, joy and laughter in spite of tears.

We will miss Katie. Our prayers are with her beautiful children and husband, Bill. We pray also for her parents who wrestle with losing their daughter before the Lord calls them home.

May we walk in the glow of her example and have valiant spirits, filled with hope, resiliency and fervor in all of life’s seasons.

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until Next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: Let's Meditate on the Good News of Psalm 27

Psalm 27, Amplified Version...

[A Psalm] of David.

1 The Lord is my Light and my Salvation—whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.

5 For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.

6 And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me!

8 You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].

9 Hide not Your face from me; turn not Your servant away in anger, You Who have been my help! Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!

10 Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child].

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and even path because of my enemies [those who lie in wait for me].

12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me; they breathe out cruelty and violence.

13 [What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!

14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until Next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: The Role of Acceptance and Rejection in Ethical Behavior

"...Bretheren, we ought to obey God rather than men..." Acts 5:29, KJV

We are "ethical beings." In other words, God has given us the freedom to choose how we will think, make decisions and execute those decisions. However, powerful forces play a role in our decision making process.

In his work, The Responsible Self, ethicist H. Richard Niebuhr asserts that we all choose between being "responders or reactors." A responder carefully considers a matter and then controls and determines how he or she will behave based upon their own analysis of the matter. A reactor, conversely, allows the reactions, opinions, attitudes and behaviors of others to dictate or greatly influence how they themselves choose to behave.

We all have experienced this dilemma. The pain of rejection, no matter how subtle can mean the difference between us speaking truth in love, or remaining silent and going along with the crowd. The fear of alienation, non-acceptance, and being ostracized can mean the difference between us asking questions, raising an issue, confronting a problem or standing up when others are sitting down.

We instinctively understand that truth, no matter how respectfully and gently spoken can at times get you black balled, kicked out of clubs, circles and cliques and labeled a trouble maker. Therefore, we succumb to the power and influence of both acceptance and rejection. Through out scripture, God called upon men and women to speak truth to power irrespective of the reactions of the hearers.

Prophets are rarely popular (at least while they are still living!). Frequently we miss the power and meaning of their words until after God has removed them from our midst, or we experience the painful consequences of own own resistance to their message. If we are honest, we all vacillate between being reactors and responders. We wrestle to determine the times and the seasons - is it a time to speak or a time to be silent? Through prayer and wisdom, we must determine if our answer to that all important question is being influenced by our conviction that The Lord is guiding our action (or inaction) or is the fear of rejection as well as our desire for acceptance motivating our choices.

May our reverential fear of God, our love for fellow human beings and our determination to follow the more excellent way empower us to behave as the Holy Spirit dictates. Through prayer and faith, may we have the courage to be responders and not reactors.

Post a comment or send me an email at shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "Let Us Pray..."

"The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much." James 5:17, KJV

What a powerful testimony the families of Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry, and Michele Knight have! Although we had not heard of Michele, the prayers extended to all of the girls. Those families refused to give up hope, even when others had. We give God praise that they were found alive.

We must now join the families and our communities in new prayers...

Let us pray for the ladies and their families as they adjust to their new normal...

Let us pray that they all receive the counseling services that will help them to overcome post traumatic stress syndrome...

Let us pray that we will be more aware of our surroundings, our neighbors, and our communities, that we will resist paranoia, but will be discerning...

Let us bathe our communities in specific prayers that sex trafficking, kidnapping, rape, pediphilia, and all other forms of abuse will be exposed, prosecuted and eradicated...

Let us pray for healing, health, wholeness and peace for them all.

May we never forget and may we listen and learn.

Hear our prayers oh Lord, incline thine ear to us and grant us thy peace.

Post a comment or send me an email at, Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: An Opportunity to Join an Interesting Conversation...

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen... Hebrews 11:1, KJV

This week, Shepastor highlights an invitation from Baptist Women in Ministry, to join an intriguing conversation. Read below...

WHAT ARE YOU READING IN 2013? (Invitation from Rev. Dr. Pam Durso, Executive Director, Baptist Women in Ministry)

Join Devita Parnell and Pam Durso for our monthly conversation about women and Baptist life.

The 2013 conversations feature interviews with authors, and the great part is that you don't even have to be in Atlanta to be part. We meet via phone conference call and/or online through LIVE meetings. Our next gathering is Monday, May 6! The conversation begins at 10:30 (Eastern Time). The featured author is Danielle Shroyer, author of The Boundary-Breaking God: An Unfolding Story of Hope and Promise. Danielle is pastor of Journey Church in Dallas, Texas, and serves on the Emergent Village Coordinating Group, focusing in areas of social justice and theology.

She concludes The Boundary-Breaking God with these words:

"In all the ways we have understood what it means to be God's people through the years, I pray we can remember that we have always been, people of hope. We have always been the people who dared to believe in God's promises, even and perhaps most important when they seem rather far-fetched. I hope the winds of cynicism never outmatch the billowing promise that has filled our sails as long as this story's been told."

To connect to the conference call, dial 888-824-5783. Enter the passcode 30278726. Invite your friends and colleagues to this conversation! For more information, email Pam Durso at pamdurso@bwim.info .

What a wonderful opportunity! I plan to participate. How about you?

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris