That Last Minute Gift

Here's a great last minute gift. Everyone needs someone to believe in them and to have their back to the end. Give someone that GIFT. #TheGiftOfYou

Checking the List

It is that Time of Year - Making a List and Checking it Twice! Hey guess what? I just checked and I am thrilled to  share with you that:

• I'm blessed
• I'm favored
• I'm free
• I have gifts
• I have peace
• I have an inheritance
• I have a Savior
• I've been forgiven
• I've been redeemed
• I've been cleansed
• I will worship
• I will witness
• I will proclaim His Word

Lastly, I'd like to share with you that there is plenty of room for you to place your name (life) on this list!

Jesus IS the reason for the season!

God's Favor and You

Monday's Meditation: God's Favor and You.

Think about the awesomeness of God. When you take a moment to consider who He is, you then begin to realize that we don't have to have everything going in our favor, to be in the favor of God. Being favored by God doesn't prevent stuff from happening but His Favor does prevail the  believer through the stuff that does happen.

So, may we stop trying to figure it out, because God is already working it out!

The Local Church "Scorecard"

If you were to complete a "Scorecard" for your Local Church, which areas would you score well and which would you not score well?

Examples: Sermons, Worship, Discipleship, Community Presence, Children/Youth/Young Adult ministries, Hospitality, Care, Nurturing, Outreach, etc. 
Scale: A+ thru Fail

Poll Question

Church Goers, "Yes" or "No", is your local church meeting your needs?

One of the responses that I have received is that the church is not meeting the needs of the people, but merely meeting the needs of the church. How do you feel about that statement?

Feedback - Why We DON'T Go to Church?

I'm still reading the input from my Post yesterday  (Monday's Meditation) on the Study that was started last night titled, "Why We DON'T Go to Church".

Very enlightening feedback, insight and commentary. Please keep it coming because I truly believe  that in order for The Church to be about it, The Church must know about it!

Send me an email at: emailkeithwhite@gmail.com

Your input is confidential and will only be used to drive/ignite discussion with the sole purpose of helping the church understand/become better aware of the needs of the community in which it resides.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to your feedback.

Empty Churches - Why Aren't We Going?

Monday's Meditation: Tonight I'm shifting Bible Study from "Why We Go to Church", which has been a rich study over the last 12 weeks. Tonight we'll flip the script and begin looking at "Why We DON'T Go to Church?"

Please consider sharing your thoughts on why either yourself or share your perception of other's reasons for (1) being previously a church goer, but no longer attends; (2) those of us that only attend during special events, but will not commit to becoming a regular attendee; (3) and those of us who have never stepped through the doors of the Church.

How can Church be "The Church" in your community to meet the needs of the residents, offer fellowship, and be more relevant in your neighboorhoods? What are people looking for in a Church... what are their expectations?

Has your church experienced a decline and if so, what would be your observation as to why?

Lastly, what can YOU "do" about the decline?

When considering these questions, please know that I'm referring to the physical and the spiritual aspects of church.

I'm Thankful for a PROMISE OF NEXT!

Thankful Thursday: I'm Thankful for a PROMISE OF "NEXT"!

All of this week , I've been posting about difficulties because we have all faced them from time to time. Whether it be finanical, relational, emotional, professional or physical life does deal us with what seems to be some devastating blows and we find ourselves knocked down for the count.

Yep, there he is, the Devil starting to count down from ten so that he can declare victory by a knockout...BUT in the name of Jesus, I DECLARE NEXT!

You see, there's still some fight left in me, it's only round 7 of a 10 round fight devil! You've had me down before, but I got back up; you've even hit me when I was down, but I got back on my feet; However, this time I'm yelling "NEXT" because the "NEXT" or remaining rounds will belong to me. You see, I'm calling on my Big Brother Jesus who takes care of all of my concerns and problems; I'm going to be strengthen and equipped to carry-on by The Comforter for He knows what I need and He knows how to give it to me and I'm also telling my "Daddy" and He will not tolerate any of your nonsense against His children!

These last 3 rounds you will be utterly put out, put down, decommissioned and totally destroyed! Get ready, because I'm tired of being knocked down and setback; I'm done being beat-up and abused; I'm sick of being sick and in debt; I'm done with being your your footstool...I'm saying it right now...NEXT!!! Yea, coming NEXT is a complete reversal, and guess what? I'm gonna sit these NEXT round out!

“The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (Acts 2:34-35)

RECOVERY

Wednesday's Word: Recovery

In contrast to how the world would view blessings by looking upon those who have much wealth, much happiness, resources, health and a career, Jesus speaks concerning those followers of His that are the exact opposite.

Jesus speaks of those who have struggled in this life, but kept their faith; about those who lacked wealth and resources but relied, trusted and believed in Him; those who wept over loved ones, situations and circumstances but placed the same on the Altar before the Lord in prayer.

Jesus speaks of a time that you who have remained in Him will recover; a time when things will be reversed; a time when you will rest in Him from all that this world has dealt you.

Jesus speaks to everyone who loves Him more than their worldly status and possessions; those who obey His Word; seek His face and operate according to His commandment to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."

Yes, Jesus says that there will be a RECOVERY and if He said it, I believe it, and that settles it. Amen!

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now,    for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." (Luke 6:20-21)

Worrying Births Trouble for the Worrier

Tuesday's Truth: Worrying Births Trouble for the Worrier!

The word "Worry" literally means to have a troubled state of mind. If you're worried about what you're wearing, eating or drinking...about what you have or don't have materially, then your personality will be all caught up in what you are worried about and therefore your personality will take on the attributes of your state of mind or simply put, you'll find yourself in trouble.

Trouble of feeling defeated, of being an outcast, not worthy, cheated, ignored and when we reach this state of trouble we question God, His supremacy...even His existence! We stop praying, we stop fasting, His Holy Word yields no comfort, we dispise those who have what we don't have, we compare how the world is flourishing and how Christians are struggling to keep pace.

In the current situation that is gripping us with worry, we tend to forget about all of the situations where God has shown Himself to be Strong and Mighty; where God made a way out of no way; when God said yes after man said no; when God provided, sustained and kept you before when the provisions that you thought you had came up short.

This same God is still on the Throne, still in control, still loves you, is still providing for you, is still answering prayers and still developing and delivering you from all of your troubles (worries).

Jesus speaks to our worrying by reminding us that we were created in His image and likeness...greater than the birds of the air or the grass of the fields, yet both are cared for by God, "Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Read for yourself what Jesus says to us about worrying:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life  ?  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:25-34)

God Will Keep His Promise During Life's Difficult Moments?

Monday's Meditation: God Will Keep His Promise During Life's Difficult Moments?

The difficulties of the present moment oftentimes overshadows  the reality of God's promise, and people doubt that God would fulfill His promises. When we trust our own efforts instead of Christ's power, we, too, are in danger of turning back, letting go and allowing doubt to take over.

We must know that our own efforts are never adequate; only Christ can see us through.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)