Tuesday, December 21, 2010

NO GREATER GIFT- My Christmas Card to You!

It’s that time of year again. Jingle Bells ring as the cash registers sing. While we’re dreaming of a White Christmas, the merchants are dreaming of a green one. As children anxiously anticipate that extra special present, store owners drool over their extra profit. Even the threat of a sluggish economy cannot thwart a Christmas shopper’s pursuit of the “perfect” gift.

Motivated by many things, the world pursues Christmas giving with all the gusto of a wild stallion gone mad. By Christmas Eve, stockings will be stuffed, and trees will almost topple over with gifts that will likely please, but never satisfy. Missing amidst the beautifully arranged decorations will be God’s greatest gift made available to all mankind... Eternal Life through Jesus Christ. It comes in no wrapping paper, but it’s waiting to be opened. For those who have received it, the Christmas tree is never empty and the stockings are always full.

Jesus says in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them Eternal Life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” What a gift! What a God! What a Savior!

As you reflect on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ this Christmas season, remember your priorities when you give and receive gifts. That watch from Macy’s may be marvelous. Those new jeans from Nordstroms may be wonderful. However, until you have received the glorious gift of Eternal Life through faith in our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ, Christmas really isn’t Christmas at all. God can give no greater gift. Let’s pray that many will know the joy of receiving it!

WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST GIFT AT CHRISTMAS? HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO GOD'S GREATEST GIFT? WHO WILL YOU TELL THIS YEAR ABOUT GOD'S GREATEST GIFT?



Israel Houghton and CeCe Winans

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Benefits of Waiting on God by Dr. James MacDonald

The Weekly Walk
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." - Psalms 40:1–3

The longer I live, the more I come to understand that life doesn't have a lot of green lights. There are hardly any times where God is like, "Do you want that? Have it right now. Why didn't you ask sooner?" More often God is like, "I'd like you to wait."
 
"No! I want it right now!"

God is like, "Listen! You might think you want it now, but I'm going to give it to you when you're fit to receive it. I'm going to use the process of waiting to shape you into the woman or the man that I want you to be. Getting it now wouldn't advance My purposes for you. I want you to wait."

Waiting is not an easy thing. Waiting is not passivity. Waiting on God is not the absence of efforts. Waiting is "I've done everything I know how to do but it's not enough and now I am waiting on God to do for me what I could not do for myself."
That is such an important lesson to learn. Let me tell you about some of the benefits that you get when you wait on God. Here are five verses that spell them out.
  • According to Psalm 40:1 when we wait on God, He hears our prayers: "I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry." 
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  • According to Isaiah 64:4 when we wait on God, He acts on our behalf: "Nor has the eye seen a God like You who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him."   
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  • That's what God is fired up about. He works for the people who wait. I wonder how many things we don't get because we're out there working for it ourselves beyond what we should and God's like, "Would you just stop that? I act on behalf of the people who wait for Me."
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  • Psalm 25:3 says that when we wait on God, He keeps us from shame: "Indeed none of those who wait for You O God will be ashamed."
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  • Isaiah 40:31 says that He gives strength to those who wait: "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength."
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  • Psalm 37:34 tells us that those who wait for God are exalted: "Wait for the Lord and He will exalt you."
Bottom line; God always makes it worth our while to wait for Him!

IF GOD HAS BEEN GOOD TO YOU...WHY SHOULD YOU COMPLAIN?

Marvin Winans - I Won't Complain

Douglas Miller - My Soul Has Been Anchored

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Blessing of Friendship by Chuck Swindoll

Daughter Lauren's (Ilen Bell) Wedding 2010
“Family & Friendship is a sheltering tree ”

How true . . . how terribly true! When the searing rays of adversity’s sun burn their way into our day, there’s nothing quite like a sheltering tree—a true friend—to give us relief in its cool shade. Its massive trunk of understanding gives security as its thick leaves of love wash our faces and wipe our brows. Beneath its branches have rested many a discouraged soul!

But of all the trees God placed beside His choice servants, one human redwood looms the largest, in my opinion. David was hunted and haunted by madman Saul.

Between Saul and David, however, stood a sheltering tree named Jonathan. Loyal and dependable, Jonathan assured David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you” (1 Samuel 20:4). No limits. No conditions. No bargain. No reservations. Best of all, when things were at their worst, he “went to David . . . and encouraged him in God” (23:16).

Why? Because he was committed to the basic principles of a friendship. Because he loved him as he loved himself (18:1). It was the kind of love that causes men to lay down their lives for their friends, as Jesus put it (John 15:13). No greater love exists on this globe.

Beneath whose branches are you refreshed, dear reader? Or, dare I ask, who rests beneath yours? Occasionally, I run across an independent soul who shuns the idea that he needs such a shelter, feeling that trees are for the immature, the spiritual babes, or those who haven’t learned to trust only in the Lord. It is that person I most pity, for his horizontal contacts are invariably superficial and shallow. Worst of all, his closing years on earth will be spent in the loneliest spot imaginable—a hot, treeless desert.

So, then, let’s be busy about the business of watering and pruning and cultivating our trees, shall we? Would I be more accurate if I added planting a few? Growing them takes time, you know . . . and you may really need a few when the heat rises and the winds begin to blow.

My Sheltering Tress! If you have family, friends, and a relationship with Jesus Christ...You Are Blessed!!






Me and wife Tanya

Darryl, Mom, Yvette, Ron at Yvette's old home in Florida

Mr. McGee and Dad (John Harris)

Wedding Day 1982

Grandma!

Signing Day




East Orange Harris Kids

Broadway John and lil Jennifer Harris (Ron's daughter, MA U. of Chicago)

Yvette and Alice Harris (Mom) at home in Orlando

Yvette and Son (AJ) Anthony (U of Alabama Mgr. 2011!)

Ron Harris

Yvette and Ron (Barbara - wife)

Dave Dowlen, Me and Eric Jackson (best friend)

David Harris Ashland U!

Jonathan Harris Miami Ohio U                                          













Friday, December 3, 2010

How Does God Measure a Man? by Darryl Harris

Manhood is measured in many ways… by many people.  However, today we ask ourselves the question;  HOW DOES GOD MEASURE A MAN? 


HOW DOES GOD MEASURE A MAN? - Not by his physical strength or intimidating
        presence...but by his recognition that his real strength comes only from the Lord!

HOW DOES GOD MEASURE A MAN? - Not by his fame, wealth, or position... but by
        his willingness to seek first the kingdom of God!

HOW DOES GOD MEASURE A MAN? -  Not by how many women he can satisfy... but
        can he satisfy one woman for a lifetime!

HOW DOES GOD MEASURE A MAN? -  Not by how many children he can produce...
        but can he provide for the children he does produce, and does he point them in the
        direction of Jesus!

HOW DOES GOD MEASURE A MAN? -  Not by how many people serve him... but how
        willing he is to serve others, before he serves himself!

HOW DOES GOD MEASURE A MAN? -  Not by how many obstacles he faces... but by
        how he stands strong and courageous against those obstacles, and overcomes them
        in the power of the Lord!

The Ultimate Measure of a Man is not how he measures against you or me... but How Does He Measure Against Jesus!

FOR OUR CHILDREN'S SAKE!
FOR OUR WOMEN'S SAKE!
FOR OUR COMMUNITIES SAKE!
FOR OUR PEOPLE’S SAKE!

FOR GOD’S SAKE!


WILL THE REAL MEN OF GOD, PLEASE STAND UP!!


Pastor Voddie Baucham on Biblical Manhood


Note: Find other parts to this great message on YouTube!