LIFE

Life----

Life was meant to be lived.  Jesus said, John 10:10

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I fear that we have reached a point in our society and churches that life is no longer celebrated or lived out abundantly.  Too many times I hear people speak of church life as a dread or punishment.  Statements like, “I have to go to church Sunday.” “I wish I didn’t have that church event, and I would, etc.”  These kind of statements should send a signal to our spirit that something is out of alignment.  The Christian life was never meant to be lived in the doldrums of despair, but rather in the abundance of God’s abiding presence.  God is a moving, living, exciting God.  The greatest life is the life lived in fulfillment of God promises and provisions.  We must never get to the place that the things in our world detract from the life God has planned for us to live.

Life is a gift.  To live in the presence and will of God is the greatest gift of all.  

I challenge every believer to live in God’s abundance and blessing.  To count each moment as a gift from above.  To embrace each day with a new found purpose and joy.  To truly began to live life abundantly according to God’s plan.  Laugh, Cry, Run, Dance, Smile, and whatch abundant life find you.

Values Sustain Vision

Values

Here at Calvary Tabernacle, I talk a lot about VISION.  It is my goal that everyone understand not only that we have a vision, but what that vision is.  So let me take just a minute and communicate something that I feel is imperative to the longevity of Calvary Tabernacle and its Vision.

===========================VALUES==============================

Values will determine the quality of the vision.  I personally have felt impressed as of late to communicate the importance of values for Calvary Tabernacle.   Simply put, I don’t want to spend time and energy building something that I never really set out to build. (I’m not talking of material buildings)  How sad would it be to take a journey only to wind up at the wrong destination?  It is equally as important that we are moving as that we are headed to the right destination.  I believe Vision will keep us moving, but knowing our values will keep us headed to the right destination.

A few things are valuable to me at Calvary Tabernacle:

1.     That we be a People with passion for the Kingdom of God.  I’m not just talking about hype or energy, but real passion:  A constant pursuit of His presence.  A people that anything less than a move of God’s spirit and revelation of His word will not do.  That we never settle for second rate, second best or even a substitute presence.  We need the presence of God working and moving in our lives, not just every service, but every day.  Calvary Tabernacle I value the presence of God that is in our midst. Don’t ever take it for granite.  It is not by might, nor by power, but everything by His Spirit.  Never lose your passion for the things of God.  Go after Him in a constant hunger and don’t stop until your submerged in His supernatural presence.

2.     What good is passion if it is displaced?  We must never de-value Truth.  Yes I am talking about ONE God, Jesus name Baptism, the receiving of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the spirit gives the utterance, and living a Godly lifestyle.  However, we must value the whole doctrine, not just the basics.  We should desire to grow on to meat of the word and not just milk.  Place a value in your life on growth.  Never leaving the basics, but maturing into the perfection to which we are called.  There is only ONE God, and His name is Jesus.  Teach your children He is not like any other God.  He is the only real God, and His name is Jesus.  His name is Jesus.  Don’t be deceived His name is Jesus.  There is only one name to be baptized in water and that name is Jesus.   There is no other name.  The Holy Ghost is essential to salvation.  If you have not the spirit of God, then you are none of His. (Romans 8:9)  The only way to be saved is to turn from your old ways and dedicate your life to God.  I don’t care what mass media would present; we are to live separated, dedicated lives.  We are in the world, but we are not of the world, Remember He called you OUT.

3.     Holiness: is not an ugly word.  It is the epitome of God himself. It is what distinguishes us from being like the world and being like God.  When we become Holy, we literally become like God.  Don’t ever let the lines of distinctions be blurred.  We are God’s children, his handy work, even His bride.  He is not coming back for the world, He is coming back for His church.  Place value on Holiness.  Men lift up Holy hands, without wrath or doubting.  Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (EPH 4:24).  Women God as not called us to uncleanness, but unto HOLINESS (Thess 4:7).  Don’t let the world convince you that being an Apostolic Lady is old fashioned. There is Power on you because of the Angels.  God’s glory rests upon you as you cover it with your Hair.  God created you.  You are wonderfully and fearfully made, allow God to show His glory through you.  Men dress like MEN.  Women Dress like WOMEN.  Place a value on God’s mandates, not our culture.  You can be culturally relevant and scripturally wrong, but it is impossible to be scripturally relevant and culturally wrong.  We are in God’s culture not the worlds.  Let’s follow peace with all men and HOLINESS, without which no one will see the Lord.

4.     Calvary Tabernacle don’t ever become a self-centered, self-serving people.  Place VALUE on evangelism.  We are here to impact the world.  Let’s always be a world changing church.  I value the fact that Calvary Tabernacle is a place that changes people’s lives.  Never lose sight of that.  People want to live for God, at Calvary Tabernacle, lets create an environment where they can.  Love People.  Value People.  Pray for People.  Help People.  Believe in People.  Care for People.  People are what He died for.  He said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.”  He was lifted at Calvary, now let’s be a part of drawing.  People. People. People.  Never get so caught up in your own world, that you couldn’t help someone in His.  Make an effort to help someone every week.  Pinpoint it, and follow through.  Ministry takes place where people are involved.  Let Calvary Tabernacle always be a place where ministry happens.

I as your Pastor value some many things that time would not allow me to tell, but hopefully this will bring to clarity some things that I do not want to see lost along the journey.  Let’s be a church that Keeps the faith, Fights the Good fight and finishes the race.  Value your God, Value, your Church, Value Ministry, Value Family, Value Doctrine, Value Passion and never lose sight of the Vision.