“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.” – Philemon 1:4

I dropped off my son to a prospective high school for a day of “shadowing”.  Grabbed a cup of coffee and came home.  As I get out of the car, I see one of the neighbors I’ve been praying for.  He is on my “twelve most wanted” list.  (http://advancechurch.org/wanted.jpg)

I walk towards my front door and whisper another prayer for him.  Then, that little bookmark in my heart surfaces.  You know, it’s that sense that God is getting ready to tell me to do something that will interrupt my current agenda.   I hear the still small voice, “tell him that you are praying for him.”   I call his name, “Johnny!” (Not his real name; a name used for dramatic effect.)  He does not hear hear me.  “Ok”, I say  silently in my heart, but not consciously, “Well I tried to call him.  He did not answer, so I’ll just go inside.”

But, I hear the still small voice again, this time a little louder: “tell him that you are praying for him.”  At this point it clearly is God talking, and to negotiate for my agenda is rebellion.   (Wow!  Did you catch that?)   So, I call him again.  “Johnny!”  He hears and I walk over to greet him.   The sun is shining directly in his face, so I can see him very clearly and see the emotion in his eyes.   I say, ” I have been praying for you …”  And, it was as if someone gave him some great news.  He eyes lit up with the zeal of a child who has been accepted by his peers, and he said: “thank you.”

For the rest of the day, this man will have the reality of God’s Spirit at work in his heart, not only because someone is praying for him, but also because he is now aware that God is mindful of him.  There is something about praying for people.  And, there is something about listening to the Holy Spirit when He tells you to let someone know that you are praying for them.

Paul reminded others that he was praying for them.   (Ephesians 1:16; Philemon 1:4)   There is a sense that you are not alone, that God is at work in your life, when you know that others are praying for you.

Let us not only pray for others, but also let them know we are doing it.  There is a light in their eyes that God wants to bring forth so that they can see the glorious gospel and unconditional love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
As you pray for others today, use these four powerful words:  “I’m praying for you!”

Hello Great People,

You can now read my blogs at advancechurch.org.

Grace and peace,

BHC

A month or so ago, I went to a restaurant to order food to go. I sat at the bar, ordered a glass of water, and placed my food order. After taking off my hat, I placed the keys in my hat and placed my hat on the counter. I chatted with the bartender while waiting. (Please pray for this gentleman as I am working to help him know Jesus.)

Many people were at the bar, drinking and having a great time. The smell of great food was in the air and I was on a dual mission: water the seeds of the gospel in the bartender and get the good food for my wife and me. So far, so good. It’s a great time at the bar. (Oh that God would raise up some believers who are passionate about Jesus who will go to places like bars, full of the Holy Spirit, order a glass of the finest ginger ale, and reach out to people who go to bars simply to talk.)

Well, my food comes out, I tip the waiter, put on my hat and leave the bar. When I get to the car, whistling and content, I cannot find my keys. I search around the car and under the car. No keys. I trace my steps from the parking lot to the bar. No keys. I look around the bar, on the bar, at the bar. No keys. I ask the host and the bartender, “Have you seen my keys? Has anyone turned in keys?” No keys. At this point the bartender goes outside to help me look. No keys.

Now, I’m asking the ageless question of Nicodemus: “how can these things be?” LOL!

Then, I have a great idea: Pray! (Pray first, that’s always the best strategy.) “Lord, help me find my keys.”

Suddenly, out of know where, I feel a little pinch on the right side of my head. “Could it be? No, I wouldn’t have. This is embarrassing. Come on!” Yes, my friends, the keys were in my hat, which was on my head.

Have you stopped laughing at me yet? LOL!

I repeat, the keys were in my hat on my head.

What are you searching for? God says, Take Off Your Hat! Everything you need, God has given you and put on the inside of you. The solution is not outside, it is within. Christ in you is the hope of glory!

Let’s not waste time and energy trying to find keys to life, keys to marriage, keys to business, keys to church growth, keys to health, etc. etc. in external things. Jesus said He give us the keys to the Kingdom.

We don’t have to look far. Just Take Off Your Hat. Get in the secret place with God and discover the keys.

Take Off Your Hat.

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. – Proverbs 20:17

Sad story, but too often true. A man (or woman) of great influence gets caught in the mousetrap of infidelity. Drawn away by some bad smelling cheese that only looks good. It is the ultimate “okey-doke”, the ultimate farce, one of the greater lies ever told: “you’re not hurting anyone, no one else has to know, just do it for a little while and get out.”

That’s like saying, “try a little crack.” Don’t believe the hype.

The Bible calls it the “bread of deceit”.

In New Orleans, we have “po-boy” sandwiches. Man, I could use an oyster po-boy right now. (Lord have mercy.) The oysters are seasoned really well. The lettuce and tomatoes add texture and helps you fell like you are eating something healthy. The hot sauce with a little mayonnaise is a requirement. But, none of those things are what really make the po-boy. It’s the bread.

That bread, that bread, that bread! Can’t find it in any other city in America. It invites you to come back for more and more. It says, just eat one more. You don’t realize that every day you are adding a pound or two. You don’t realize that your cholesterol is shooting through the roof, because that bread is so good. Until you visit the doctor and realize, “man I’m in trouble.”

We don’t have to give into the deceitful bread of infidelity! Jesus gives us the power to resist the bread of deceit. He is that Bread from Heaven that satisfies our longing souls. Yes sir! Jesus satisfies. Worship Him while you are waiting for your deliverance and watch the power that is released in your life!

Let me tell you a true story – something that happened to me about two years ago. At the time, I was providing consulting services to a government agency. Walking down the hall, headed to the rest room, I encountered a rather attractive young woman. She smiled at me as our eyes crossed when we walked down the hall. I gave a slight smile and moved on. I read her smile, however. It was one of those smiles, you know? (Flattery is dangerous. I recommend that you don’t give it, and don’t receive it.)

As I arrived at my destination, the Holy Spirit spoke to me very clearly and said: “Everything starts as a seed.” (Wow! Did you feel the weight of that?)

I knew at that moment, that I had to be vigilant. I told my wife about that smile and continued to advance by the power of the Holy Spirit.   A few weeks later I encountered that young woman again, and the Lord gave me a Word of Knowledge for her and I spoke it to her. From then on, it was clear to her that, by God’s grace, this guy is not the one.

What’s my point?

1) Worship
2) Know that everything starts as a seed
3) Yield to the Holy Spirit
4) Speak the Word

Do these and you will not fall. Come on, too much is on the line. You are needed. You can do it, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Speak the Word! You are an overcomer!

Remember: Everything starts as a seed.

“If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” – John 13:8

It is very clear to me according to the Word of God, that we are servants of God. This is our most noble work. Equally true is that God wants to serve us.

Jesus demonstrates to the disciples what it means to lead: serve. He takes the time to remove His outer garments, takes a towel, girds Himself with the towel, and washes their path-worn, dirty, dusty feet.

Use your sanctified imagination with me. Jesus goes to James and John, and they are a bit confused, thinking: “This is not what we signed up for. We want to be great!” He goes to Matthew who is trying to figure out how to market this “foot-washing” service. Jesus then serves Judas. Judas, having already betrayed Jesus in his heart, is full of shame at this point. He must have asked, “how can Jesus wash my feet, knowing that I have betrayed Him?” Finally, Jesus prepares to wash Peter’s feet and meets resistance. Everyone else had thoughts about the foot washing, but did not express their ideas. Not Peter. Never one who lacks words, he tells Jesus, flat out, “You will NEVER wash my feet!” Peter had the right concept, but the wrong response. It is good to not think too highly of your self and to acknowledge Jesus’ superiority. However, it is not good to reject Jesus’ goodness, mercy and grace because of your religious ideas of what Jesus should or should not do.

Jesus is Lord! If He wants to wash your feet, don’t resist. Receive! It is never spiritual to reject the gifts of God or to accept them with false humility.

Jesus tells Peter, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Peter then goes to the other extreme and says wash my hands and my head too. LOL! Well, Peter, you are almost there. Just let Jesus wash your feet “bruh”.

Lord helps us to learn to let You love/serve us like You want to, and to get out of Your way.

To what extent will you let Jesus serve you? Receive.

The other day I was sitting on our deck, praying, listening, watching, and, looking at birds. There was a particular bird traveling very quickly in and around our yard. It would stop on the grass or stop in a plant and pick up little sticks. It would fly high into the tree for a while and then fly out very fast. When I looked up, I noticed that it was building a nest. It look liked the nest was almost complete, but not yet. It was as if the bird had a deadline. There was a certain level of intensity and focus that this particular bird had. It was not simply whistling the day away. It was on a mission. There was a sense of urgency.

I believe God is speaking to me, and us, through that bird. There is a sense of urgency for us to go through the doors that God is opening. This is not a time to analyze, but a time to actualize. This is not a time to only watch and pray, but a time to work and pray, on every front.

Get to it.

I went to a coffee shop this morning and ordered a certain type of tea that I enjoy. I wanted it to brew for a while and then I wanted the waiter to add steamed soy. I made the request, paid the cashier and sat down. After watching others receive their drinks, I went to the counter to ask about mine. The waiter went on to say, “I have the soy all ready to go.” She was supposed to make the drink, but when she realized they did not have the kind of tea I wanted, she did not take any other action. Then, another waiter opened a package of tea that I did not order and said to me “we don’t have the brand you want.”

I was not happy that they did not tell me this before I paid. Instead, they assumed that I would just accept another type of tea. That, my friends, is mediocre and as some would say from my old neighborhood: “that’s some weak game”.

How often do we offer God “some weak game?” How often do we attempt to offer God something He does not want?  You can’t “play” God.

Do you want to know what God really wants?  It is not simply your best performance. It is not simply your community engagement.  It is not simply your wealth.  Those “tea bags” have merit, but they fall short.

When God comes to your counter to place an order, he is asking for one specific thing.   He wants your trust.  Give Him what He wants: Trust God. Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.

With faith it is possible to please God.

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“And he [Jairus] fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house.” – Luke 8:41

The multitude is crowding Jesus. They all want to see Him and hear Him. They all want something from Him. Such was true of a man named Jarius, whose twelve year-old daughter was extremely ill. What is the difference between Jarius and the great multitude?

He asked.

It is amazing that one of the major tipping points in our walk with Jesus is a simple request. Asking God in faith, according to His will, is the thing that can distinguish you today in the eyes of God and bring to your life what God has for you. The Bible instructs us:

• Ask, and it shall be given you. [Matthew 7:7]

• If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God. [James 1:5]

• Let your requests be made known unto God. [Philippians 4:6]

God is listening. He hears the cry of His people. The one question before you today is: What one thing would you dare to ask if you knew God would grant it?

We don’t need more self-esteem. What we need is more self-government.

The first and most important thing for people to govern (rule, manage) are themselves. The book of Proverbs lets us know that he who rules his spirit is stronger than he who takes a city.

Self-Government is built upon Self-Denial & Sacrifice.

With the increase of self-help books, teachings, and conversations, why is there an increase in counseling, depression, and discontent? Could it be that the focus on self is counterproductive?

What if we turned our focus to others?   What if we took to heart the example of Jesus and laid down our lives for others?   

God’s ways are not our ways.   Instead of seeking to save our lives, life is found in giving our lives.   The more we give our lives through self-denial and sacrifice, the more we govern ourselves.   

I pray today that we all would advance from the bondage of self-help to the freedom of self-denial and sacrifice. 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can manifest one of His fruit: self-government.

The more we value people, the better we can help them. People are more important than what they do for a living. They are more valuable than “the letter of the law”. People matter to God. He died for them. He got up from the grave for them. He is coming back for them (those that receive Him.) People matter to God.

The religious leaders in Matthew 12 tried to get Jesus trapped by the letter of the law. They were focussed on their religious agenda. Jesus was focussed on helping people. He poses a question to them, that I believe He poses to us today: “Of how much more value is a man than a sheep?”

Today, it sometimes seems that people are more concerned about whales than they are the little fatherless kid. Some are more concerned about turtles than the small business owner who is losing his business. But, people matter to God.

After Jesus talks about the priority of people, he demonstrates it. He tells the man with the withered hand, “Stretch out your hand.” While the religious leaders were pontificating and posturing, Jesus was serving and saving. He valued the man, thus was able to help him.

People matter to God. God help us to be more like You.

You have the power today to tell someone, “stretch out your hand.” Who can you value and serve today?