Day Fourteen - January 24, 2012

Go ahead and admit it!  You like to be in control.  There are parts of you that love to be in charge and in control of every situation.  You like to be in control in the car.  You like to be in control of where you're going to eat and what you're going to eat.  You DON'T like being told how fast you can drive.


Does that describe you?  Don't sweat it...we all have control issues to some degree.  What we sometimes fail to realize is how little control we actually have in this universe.

• You did not control when you were born.
• You did not control who your parents would be.
• You did not control who your brothers and sisters would be.
• You did not control what color of skin, eyes and hair you'd have.  
• Although apparently you can alter all of that today with products and surgery.(smile)
• You did not control what part of the country you were born in.
• You cannot control when you're going to leave this earth.
• You cannot control what others think.
• You cannot control your children's future.
• You can direct...but not control.
• You cannot control how other people relate to each other.
• You cannot control Indiana weather.
• You cannot control slow poke drivers.
• You cannot other peoples response to the Gospel message.
• You cannot control your age.
• Forty's are fabulous...(just had to say that)
• You cannot control GOD by your religious performance.

Still yet...we want to be in control.  We seem to derive a certain satisfaction by being in control.  The truth is, what tiny amount we actually do control pales in comparison to eternity.

This is where FAITH comes in.  We actually liberate ourselves when we discover that our fate is in the hands of a God who has NEVER ceased to maintain control over what He created.

So if you feel like you're out of control...YOU ARE!  The more we try to control the more likely we are to find ourselves in a place of rebellion to the One Who is in control...Who has all things in His hands and Who constantly calls us to surrender to Him.

God desires us to experience complete JOY living under His sovereignty rather than having to constantly discover that we have none of our own.

Do you have control issues?  (Come on...be honest)

Perhaps there are areas where you are feeling completely out of control today.  Could it be that the Lord is trying to get your attention and get you to surrender to His control?

Until He is in control...we will be out of control.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank You for hearing my cry today.  Thank You for giving me mercy and grace and steering me through areas where I lack Your wisdom and understanding.  I submit to Your control today.  I YIELD to YOU!  As You continue to direct my path, my earnest cry is that I will be sensitive to follow willingly at all times.  I am committed to staying close to Your heartbeat...to knowing Your plan above mine.  Thank You for not casting me aside when I've messed up or delayed Your perfect plan in my life.  I trust You!  In Jesus' name.  Amen. 

He's Still In The Fire - Rev. Robert Penny Sr.

Rev. Robert Penny Sr.

He's Still In The Fire

Rev. Robert Penny Sr. has been an ordained minister for the past 33 years. He has served in multiple ministry positions, including Senior Pastor. As a father, grandfather & a great grandfather, his pristine legacy of Christian faith has been imparted to future generations. Rev. Penny went home to be with Jesus on February 9, 2010. His ministry will never be forgotten. He will long be remembered for his preaching, spirit, craftsmanship, his "Amens!" and the phrase, "we're going on!" This sermon contains the voice and spirit of a man who was indeed considered an elder statesman and a highly respected minister of the Gospel.

Bishop Penny will forever be MY HERO!

Respectfully,

Pastor Hylton

Day Thirteen - January 23, 2012

The men that God had raised up to help Moses helped him best when they stood by his side and held up his arms.  That is our responsibility towards those God has placed over us.  As a loyal son to my fathers, it is my calling, my responsibility, and my duty to assist my pastor(s) and leader(s).  My Bishop is the leader; he is the shepherd whom God has charged with overseeing our ministry.  My job is to ease his burden, to make his job lighter, to hold up his arms, to help him in anything that needs done.


My job is to pray for my leader daily, to encourage him if I can, to give him lots of data so he knows everything that's going on, so that he's never surprised by anything, to give him input and opinion, to support him and help him.  Bishop doesn't want nor need a yes man that nods dumbly at everything.  But on the other hand, he doesn't need some independent cowboy seeking to build his own kingdom.


God has placed somebody over you.  Submit to them.  Love them.  Pray for them.  Help them.  Above all, always be loyal.  Never betray those with whom you minister.  Never backbite or criticize publicly.  Never gossip or be a talebearer. 


If there's something you can't live with in a ministry, quietly leave.  Never try to build your own ministry on another man's foundation.  Touch not the Lord's anointed.  If he's off the wall, God will deal with him; who are we to criticize another man's servant?


Never cause strife or division.  Help, encourage, submit, lighten the load, assist.  Don't try and be a star.  Serve God by serving the leader God has placed you under.  If I'm doing my job right, my leader will never have to worry about this part of the ministry because he'll know that it is running just exactly as it would if he had the time to be here and do it all personally.  The only reason he needs me is because he doesn't have time to do it all.  If he did, he'd do it himself.  It is my leader's oversight; I need to guide it just as he would.


If you have a heart for God's people, are a servant, and are willing to put sincere effort into your service, you'll never have trouble with your leader.


PRAYER
Dear Lord, I submit to You and to those You've placed over me.  Today, I will check my motives and heart to make sure that all is well and that I'm not conflicted.  Thank You for your goodness and thank You for seeing fit to place me in the ministry.  You are not a burden!  You are not a chore!  You are the love of my life.  In Jesus' name.  Amen. 

The Long-Suffering Leader (Part 2)

Sharing the Gospel with an interested person is one thing.  Arguing and debating with them is another.  Talking out an issue is good.  Disagreeing and trying to understand one another is good.  However, arguing about the truth is not good and neither is it necessary.  The truth (Jesus) stands alone regardless of whether a heretic thinks they get the last word or not.  The truth STILL stands.  If I spent all my time defending what I believe, I wouldn't have time to do anything else.


If you are a Christian out doing something for Jesus, expect persecution...don't be surprised when it comes.  The Bible says that all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  In sharing Christ on the Internet, we've encountered a variety of people...including atheists and liberals...many of them claiming to be Christian who are Buddhists, Mormons and even Satanists.  They all have one thing in common...they are false prophets who want to share their bad news and misinformation.  


We are commanded NOT to argue with them and I've learned the hard way to obey those commandments.  STRIVING with people will certainly "eat you as a canker" as the Scripture says.  

• 2 Timothy 2:14 "Strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers."
• 2 Timothy 2:16-17 "But shun profane and vain babblings:  for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  And their word will eat as doth a canker..."
• 2 Timothy 2:23 "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."
• Proverbs 26:4-5 "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  Answer a fool according to his folly, let he be wise in his own conceit."

In other words, you have to use wisdom to know when to ignore a fool and when to answer a fool. 

• 2 Timothy 2:24  "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,"

The Lord's servant must not be an argumentative type of person who is ready to come out with guns blazing.  There are many people like that who shoot from the "lip," always ready for an argument.  But the Lord's servant is not out to win arguments; he is not out to squash the opposition or silence dissent by overbearing, heavy-handed approaches.  Rather, he is there to encourage discussion and examination.  He does not put down opponents or resort to name-calling or attacks.  He is not argumentative, not contentious. 


The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) teaches us to walk with gentleness to all.  Steer clear of squabbles.

Day Twelve - January 22, 2012

The way up is down.  If you would stand tall in God's Kingdom, you must learn to be on your face before Him.  The Lord's way is exactly the opposite of the world's way.  We can have a room full of flow charts...but ultimately...God's way means:  The "higher up" you go, the more people you have the opportunity of serving.  


The creator of the universe, Almighty God, girded Himself with a towel (John 13), knelt down and did the work of a slave by washing His disciples' feet.  Are we greater than our master?


Ministry means service.  It means opening your eyes and seeing what needs done and doing it.  It means that we consider no task to be too low or common. If it needs doing...do it...don't let others do it...do it yourself.  If there's trash, pick it up.  If a light's out, change it.  If the nursery is short of help, serve!


Motivated by love for God's people, it is our calling to serve them.  Some people aspire to ministry but won't lift a finger to help out in practical ways.  Others are willing to help if you specifically tell them what to do.  Both can be irritating.  A true minister is a servant, a voluntary daily slave of the people, he sees what needs done and does it.  The fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are few.  The self appointed clergymen who wants prestige are many, but workers, laborers, true servants are few.  That's what Jesus said to pray for more of.  


You never outgrow service.  It's not something you do until the church is big enough to get others to do it.  The greatest in the Kingdom is the servant of all.


PRAYER
Lord, I know You have called me to serve.  Thank You for calling me and thank You for seeing fit to place me in the ministry.  My life is in Your hands.  I do not carry an "entitlement spirit."  Everything I am and everything I hope to be is in Your hand and at Your discretion.  Help me to remain teachable, tender hearted and willing to do Your every wish. In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Day Eleven - January 21, 2012

Blessed are the FLEXIBLE for they shall be flexed.  A lack of flexibility is why we're often attracted to "pre-packaged" ministry.  We prefer that our lives have a regimented schedule so we know what to do and when.  Just thinking about coming up with a 5-year plan is intimidating.


If you're going to serve in ministry...YOU MUST BE FLEXIBLE.  The Scriptures teach us about being "instant in season and out" and ready to be used of God at any time in any way.  If you're not flexible...YOU WILL BREAK.


Life is full of interruptions...especially in the ministry.  However, interruptions are just OPPORTUNITIES for God to use you to share His love with others.  If we live our lives guided by the Holy Spirit, we need to be open to hearing and obeying His voice as He speaks to us from his Word.


I have found that having a schedule is CRUCIAL for my sanity!  However, I must be careful not to become a slave to it.  I may purpose to take care of administrative details only to have the Lord shift me to minister to someone one-on-one in prayer.  When we walk in the Spirit we are open to having our schedule rearranged.  Believe me, everything God wants done will get done.


If we're going to see measurable success in our lives and ministry then we must be good stewards of our time.  At the same time, we must be flexible and open to change.  Being willing to go wherever the Lord leads is essential to the Kingdom of God being shared.  Sometimes you'll be called upon at a moments notice to teach a class, pray with someone, counsel another, plunge a toilet and fix the boiler.  (All in one service...ha ha ha)


The flexible never break!


PRAYER
It's me Lord.  Once again, I'm coming to You with a heart of gratitude.  Thank you for loving me, saving me and placing me in the ministry.  You're not a burden!  Living for You is a privilege and never a chore.  Thank You for waking me up today and thank You for leading me in a clear path.  Regardless of what happens today, may I respond as You would.  May I love as You would.  May I give as You would. May I be flexible in all my efforts. In Jesus' name.  Amen.  

Day Ten - January 20, 2012

If we're building our kingdom, we'll find the work strenuous.  However, if we can relax, rely on the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, with all of His gifts and glory, we'll find ministry to be delightful.  We may get tired in the work, but never of it.  "Burn out" is unthinkable if we're resting in Jesus.


Friends, God wants INSPIRATION not PERSPIRATION.  We will simply become exhausted if we spend all our energy trying to "pump up" ministry with programs, "hyped up" worship or "charged up" emotionalism.  


True inspiration comes from a heart yielded fully to God, a life in a state of being continually FILLED with the Holy Ghost, "speaking to ourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs."

It's exciting to take steps of FAITH!  Stepping out and seeing if God wants to do something is part of the journey.  If he doesn't desire to move in that way, that's fine, we withdraw and move on.  But sometimes, God will move mightily, He was just waiting for someone to step out of the boat.


When we recognize that God is the one leading and Jesus is building His own church (without our help if need be), we can RELAX, not STRIVE, not PUSH, not WORRY.


Sometimes it will become obvious through the lack of fruit that God's not in a particular venture.  If so, fine, if God's not in it...LET IT GO.  


Let God be God and go with the flow.


PRAYER
Dear Lord, hallowed be thy name.  Thank You for a purpose to live for.  Thank You for a hope that fadeth not away.  Thank You for a heart that is passionate for Your Kingdom purpose.  In all of my endeavors to serve You, live for You and fulfill the mandate You've given me...I don't want to do anything that will take away from what You're blessing just to prop up something I may want to do on my own.  Let Your Kingdom come...let Your will be done.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

The Long-suffering Leader (Part 1)

Long-suffering is the ability to love people when they act adversely or don't meet up to our expectations.  

• In every group of people there are some that are chronically "ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:7)  A long-suffering leader will be patient with these people.  
• In every group of people there are some who are "weak and feeble-minded" who must be "comforted and supported."  
• In every group of people there are some who will insult, criticize or misunderstand the leader.  

A wise leader must practice the proverb; "A soft answer turneth away wrath."  (Proverbs 15:1) He must learn never to strike back, but to fight evil with good.  


A "long-suffering" leader is one who is dedicated to people's growth over the "long-term."  Of Jesus it is said, "A bruised reed shall he not break and the smoking flax shall he not quench." (Matthew 12:20)


In other words, "a wounded person He shall not hurt, and a struggling believer He shall not take advantage of."


A long-suffering leader will not give up believing in God's people!


The Bible is full of examples of men and women who served with excellence.  King David was one of those leaders.  He was a GREAT leader because he was a GENTLE leader.  He said, "Thy gentleness has made me great." (Psalms 18:35)

GREATNESS comes from GENTLENESS

If you want to be a great leader, you must let God develop the fruit of gentleness in you.  Apostle Paul said: "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us."  (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)


Leaders who think they can get away with treating God's people brutishly are in for a big surprise.  God won't tolerate leaders who treat HIS SHEEP wrong.  "For pastors are become brutish and have not sought the Lord; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered." (Jeremiah 10:21)


Wise leaders lead by example.  Jesus never requires of us something that He doesn't require of Himself.  Paul commanded pastors in 1 Peter 5:3 not to "be lords" (dictators) over god's heritage, but examples of the flock."  


The servant leader should always see himself ON THE BOTTOM LIFTING GOD'S PEOPLE UP rather than ON THE TOP BARKING OUT ORDERS TO PEOPLE.


"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves our servant for Jesus' sake."  (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)


A Godly leader will lead by example in...

• TITHES, OFFERINGS, CHARACTER, COMMITMENT, SUBMISSION to AUTHORITY, LOVE and FORGIVENESS.  

If you want people to follow you in something, simply set the example.  "Be an example to the believers..." (1 Timothy 4:11-16)

• We cannot LEAD where we've never BEEN.
• We cannot teach the 10 Commandments if we aren't living them ourselves.

Day Nine - January 19, 2012

A life lived in the Spirit makes the law irrelevant.  When you walk in the Spirit, the desire to fulfill the lust of the flesh is obsolete.  The law is able to point out what I shouldn't do...the Spirit ensures that the desire to sin is starved out of me.


An Eskimo fisherman came to town every Saturday afternoon.  He always brought his two dogs with him.  He had taught them to fight on command.  Every Saturday afternoon, in the town square, the people would gather to watch these two dogs fight and the fisherman would take bets.  On one Saturday, one of the dogs would win and on the following Saturday the other dog would win. (The fisherman always won.)  His friends began to ask him how he did it.  He said, "I starve one and feed the other.  The one I feed always wins because he is stronger."


When we are full of the Spirit, the manifestation of the fruit of the spirit will be evidenced in our lives.  When these virtues are evident among us...there is no need of law to say to people:  Don't gossip...don't lie...don't cheat...don't fornicate...etc.


The fruit of the spirit is evidence of the law being written on the heart.  We are people of the Spirit.  We must respond to the Spirit.  If we respond properly it will be evidenced by fruit.


Love
Joy
Peace 
Longsuffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance


At conversion, the goal is for us to bear the fruit of the Spirit.  In other words, to be transformed into God's own likeness, the likeness of Christ.


When we receive the Spirit at conversion we do not receive perfection but we do receive a sort of "divine infection."  We have been invaded by the living God Himself.  The Holy Spirit lives with us, and the goal of the Holy Spirit is to infect us thoroughly with God's own likeness.  This infection grows into what the Bible calls the "fruit of the Spirit."


Prayer
Heavenly Father, today I yield my body, soul and spirit to You entirely.  Please help me to live a life filled with the Spirit.  I realize that it is not anyone else's responsibility to fill me...but mine alone.  So I ask You for your help and divine enablement that I may search for every possible means to remain full of You. I realize today, staying full of Your Spirit is not an option if I'm to live the overcoming life of a Jesus follower.  Take me, mold me and fill me with Your presence, passion and power!  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Day Eight - January 18, 2012

Where did your joy go? Did it run out?  Is it hiding?  How do you find real joy?  I still believe that if you take the attention off of yourself and focus on meeting someone else's needs...you'll find joy in it.


To give yourself for the benefit of someone else out of pure joy is not common today.  Joy comes when we find a way to make deposits in other people's emotional banks.


Jesus said in John 16:24 "...ask and you will receive, and your JOY will be complete."


"The disciples were filled with JOY and with the Holy Spirit." Acts 13:52


"May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13


"In my prayer for all of you, I always pray with JOY." Philippians 1:4


Share

• Are you afraid to give to others for fear you'll end up with nothing in the end?  If you maintain that train of thought you'll end up holding to a "what about me" attitude that will ultimately keep you confined to a lifestyle of stinginess.  One way to walk in JOY is to consider yourself a "giver," someone who adds value to others.

Pray

• A lifestyle of prayer will keep your heart hot!  When your heart is hot, there's very little room for pride, envy, jealously and other JOY-killers.  When we live in the realm of prayer, the fire of the Holy Spirit will burn within us.

Focus

• When we attempt to do too much we can become extremely frustrated.  The truth is, you can't be all thing to all people.  Rethink your busy schedule and focus on the things that are essential.  You'll rediscover your JOY as you major on your strengths and delegate your weaknesses to others.

Smile

• Smiles are contagious.  If you give one away, it always comes right back.  The principle is if you give away JOY you'll receive it back.  One way this can happen is when you praise the accomplishments of others.  Be quick to offer a smile and a kind word.  If you'll become a person who makes others feel good about themselves, they will return the favor.

Recapture your JOY today!

PRAYER

Lord, You are the reason for my joy.  You have saved me, delivered me and rescued me from the clinch of sin.  The very fact that I can breathe brings me joy.  Thank you for giving me a hope beyond this world.  I commit myself to sharing Your joy to others today.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.