Christian Character & Obedience

THE STORY

A few years ago, while teaching the "Tithes and Offering" Church Covenant Class for new members at my church, a member said to me at the end of class, "Do you mean to tell me that I should tithe continually even though I have rent, a car note and bills bills bills?"

I enthusiastically responded, "Absolutely! You just continue to stand fast to God's Word! Trust Him!. Try Him and see if He won't open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing for your faithfulness... and watch your situation turn around. His Word is true! All that's required on your part, is faith. Do you trust Him enough to be able to supply your needs as a result of your obedience to His word."

Two months after that class, the Lord blessed my wife and me with a beautiful new home. One night, while trying to budget, we realized that we did not have enough money to pay some of the bills while maintaining our expenses. You see, this kind of budgeting was new for us. In an instant, we went from having 1 or 2 bills to now having to pay a mortgage, car note, car insurance, day care expenses, food expenses, utilities, condominium fees, etc.

So here I was, looking at my paycheck (which kept looking smaller and smaller... particularly when Uncle Sam takes out so much money), and trying to figure out where I can cut corners. The first thought that comes to my mind is, "why don't you cut out the tithe for this month. Don't worry, you can pay that back later." [Side Note: How many of you know that this is a trick of the enemy? This kind of thinking gets you deeper and deeper into a hole.] All of a sudden, I found myself thinking about the young lady who asked me the question (above) from class. I found myself needing to take the same advice I gave her and make it applicable to my own situation.

THE MESSAGE

All month long, my pastor has been teaching us about Christian character. What I have determined, is that part of good Christian character can be found in obedience to God's Word.
The measure of good character, is not in how we respond/act during good times, but more so how we respond during those times when things don't work out the way we may want them to. The measure of good Christian character, is in how we continue to obey God's Word, even in the most difficult of times.

For me, in the story above, God was testing my character... to see if I would do the very words I teach to my class time and time again. He wanted to test whether or not I would be faithful to His Word and His commandments... in spite of not having enough money to pay everything.

Can I be honest and tell you that I initially failed that test. Months went by where I just could not catch up... and things continued to get worse and worse. Finally, I made a decision that I would just trust God according to His Word (Malachi 3:10 b). I came to Church, I asked the Lord to forgive me for not remaining faithful and I gave my tithe (THE ENTIRE 10%).

It has been four years since and I testify to you that by the Lord's grace, I have been faithful ever since. Everything hasn't been perfect; but, God continues to supply ALL of my needs and opens doors/windows of opportunities for me.

I would like to encourage you today to continue to walk in Obedience to God's Word. Don't be afraid when various storms rise in your life. For it's an opportunity for you to walk in the obedience of the Word of God and strengthen your character.

Everyone does not see God the same way

Everyone does not see God the same way. This was a hard reality for me that I had to come to grips with years ago. There came a point in my life where the things I believed to be true in the word, were not shared with some friends. For example, some Christians believe in speaking in tongues, others believe that tongues was for the early church. Some Christians believe that we should tithe, others believe Christians should freely give. Some Christians believe that power and authority is in their own voice through speaking authority, others believe that “Speaking those things” is a misentrepratiton of the Word.

For a long time, I allowed my personal spiritual beliefs to divide me from those whom I would call my friends. We had gotten into so many debates about the Word that we stopped talking all together.

What I realized is that everyone does not feel, sence and experience God and His Word in the same way. It’s just like how no two fingerprints are the same… The culmination of all my experiences, the way I grew up, the way my parents raised me, my experiences in church, my intrepretations of the Word, how I have seen God “bring me out”, have all contributed to how I SEE God and His Word. I have experienced the Lord in a way that no one else has. And since no one person has ever shared ALL of my experiences, it’s impossible for them to see God the way I see Him… and vise versa.

So it is with the Word of God. Take for example Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each of them had great experiences with Jesus and told of those experiences from different perspectives. Why? Because they all saw Jesus differently. John had a revelation of who Jesus was in God. He starts off his writings with, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God and the Worfd was with God.” He talks about how God so loved that word that he gave his only son, etc. Luke found that the birth of Jesus was important and writes on it more than the others. Mark heard something Jesus said that was not written about in Matthew, Luke or John. He writes:

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." – Mark 16:17

Everyone see’s and experiences God differently. Which is why there are so many denominations in the Christian Church. Is that such a bad thing? I don’t think so. I actually think it’s healthy. It teaches us how to find common ground and how to love each other in spite of our different beliefs.

So where can we find common ground? In this… that Christ died for our sins, He now lives in us, and all men can find salvation through Him and Him alone (John 3:16). Our common ground is that Christ is love and our most important work on this earth is to love one another. That’s it. All other things are of less importantance.

The Key to Hearing the Voice of God

I have two children ages four and eight. If I were to blindfold both of them… place them in a crowd of adults where all of the adults began to call their names, my children would almost instantly be able to discern my voice and start walking towards me? Why? Because over the past 4-7 years, every day of their lives is spent listening to my voice. So it is with the Word of God. I have learned that the more I spend time with God, that is, talking to Him and asking questions such as, “well what do you think about…” and “why did you say this…”, the more I develop a personal relationship with Him whereby I can say with confidence that I KNOW Him. Spending QUALITY time in God’s Word allows me to hear His voice in my thoughts. I feel His hand when I make decisions, I discern His spirit convicting me when I do wrong.

It’s not enough to spend a minute here or a minute there in the Word. It’s not enough to read and let the words fall off the page. The purpose for reading the Word is to get to know Jesus. You get to know Him by spending quality time with God in His Word. The more I spend time in the Word, the more I am able to clearly hear and discern the voice of God in my life.

John 10:4 tells us, “...his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

I’d like to encourage you to spend time daily in the Word of God. It is only then that you will be able to clearly hear the voice of God in your life on a consistent basis.

Here’s a GREAT link I found with four keys to hearing God’s voice. http://www.cwgministries.org/Four-Keys-to-Hearing-Gods-Voice.htm

Why Does Prophecy Always Sound Like King James?

Have you even been in church and heard someone prophecy… and the prophecy sounds like something out of the King James Bible?

“And thus sayeth the Lord, ye though thou shallest be…”

etc etc. Have you ever wondered why prophecy often sounds like King James? This question or course leads to a multiplicity of other questions such as: Is this how the Lord speaks? Does He sound like this in China? Surely churches in China receive prophecy as well… and if they do, is it in English or Chinese? And if it’s in Chinese, does the prophecy sound like King James there also?

After thinking on these things, I realized that the reason why prophecies often sound like King James, is because that is probably the version of the bible that the person giving the prophecy, often reads. Because that person spends time in the (King James version) Bible, that is how they hear and perceive God’s voice. So when God speaks to their spirit, they hear it and disseminate that word based off of how they hear God.

Perfect example… when I normally teach the Word of God, I’m finding more and more that my preaching style is very similar to that of my pastor. That’s because I’ve spent seven years listening to him every Sunday. So it’s only natural that my preaching/teaching style (the way I pronunciate, annunciate and emphasize certain points) is going to be innately similar.

So it is with those who prophecy, and sound like King James. They too have become so accustomed to hearing God’s voice through what they consistently spend time studying, in His Word. Which is why for those who don’t normally read the King James and read some other version of the bible, such as the amplified, or message, a prophecy through them may sound more like that version.

Personally, I read the message, the amplified, New King James and (mostly) the NIV. So when I write, most of my writings sound like NIV.

So what shall we say then? Shall we say that sounding like King James is a bad thing? Surely Not? For I am convinced that God's voice, in any language, in any bible version, is edifying for my spirit.

I’ll take God’s voice in any way I can. Even if it sounds like baby talk!

Happy Birthday Tye!

I miss you man!

My Heart Hurts for Marriages (Part 2)

On Monday morning, the Holy Spirit woke me up around 6am to pray for marriages. I prayed for the church, I prayed for friends who are married...calling people out by name, and praying in the spirit. A few days later, I wake up to news of Prophetess Bynum (read in post below). That hurt. Then this morning I wake up to news that Pastor Paula White and her husband are splitting (read in post below).

There is so much that I wanted to say about these two situations, but I digress...because much has already been said. It's all over the internet. Thousands are blogging about it and even more are talking about it. I recently read something by Bishop Donald Hilliard on his myspace bulletin which encouraged me to pray rather than gossip:

Galatians 6:1 tells us, “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.” These are indeed interesting days in the public church world. Many men and women of God in high places are experiencing trials and tribulations. This needs to be a time of sensitivity, care and prayer.

Please watch your mouth and keep your mouth off the people of God because regardless of whatever occurs these are the Lord’s anointed. 2 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us, “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” Before we are Preachers, Pastors, Bishops, Apostles we are men and women and we are clay. The anointing of God resides within the jar of clay. Nevertheless, we who hold these public positions are called to a higher standard. We are called to live cleaner lives. Regardless of what you hear and see; HOLINESS IS STILL RIGHT!

I’ve often shared “if you see me somewhere out of sorts, staggering or falling deep in sin,” before you tear me down, try to help me, pray for me, try to pick me up. Now, do not try to pick me up to the point where you fall. However, pick me up and get me to some help. Get me to some authority that can help put me in my place, sit me down and get me Godly counsel.

Men and women of God we have this treasure in an earthen vessel and vessels are prone to crack. Yes, marriages are prone to crack even among pastors and leaders. People snap and people fall into depression. However, wrong behavior is never to be excused. Let’s pray for one another! Our prayers go out to our loved ones in the body of Christ who have spoken into us, we pray for God’s mercy, grace and healing to navigate us through times of shame and allow us to walk in the newness of life of which we are called to be a witness.

Despite all of the misogynistic behavior that we see on film, television and in music videos it is never appropriate to lay hands on women. Men must always treat women with respect. However, when there is a case of domestic violence seek help immediately. There are resources like the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).

May we walk in peace and love, forgiving one another, loving each other and helping each other so that the body of Christ will not be ashamed.

+Donald Hilliard II

The Kingdom of God is under attack. The attack is on marriages and families. Why? Because Satan knows that if He can destroy a family, he can hurt the Kingdom. In Genesis chapter 3, Satan's first order of business, was to cause dissent between Adam, Even and God. The more Satan breaks up marriages, the less the physical manifestation of Christ's Kingdom there is on earth. I can only imagine how a simple breaking of covenant between the two marriages mentioned above, have potentially damaged:

• hundreds or even thousands of other marriages
• The Church
• The perception of Christ and/or Christianity

Marriage (between a man and a women...I have to clarify these days) and the family are at the very heart and rubric of the Kingdom of God and Christian foundation. Christ even equates His return to that of a husband coming for his wife.

So on today my heart is heavy. Heavy for the broken marriages in the Kingdom....Heavy for the churches and the people of God... particularly those who may be affected by recent current events.

But one thing I think we call can agree on, is that continual prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is essential in these last days. Pray for you families, your friends, pray for the church, pray for your pastors, pray for the nation, pray for the Kingdom, pray for discernment, just pray...

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." - Matthew 11:12

My Heart Hurts for Marriages (Part 1)

Well-Known TV Minister Told Police Husband Savagely Beat Her

ATLANTA (FOX 5) -- Atlanta police said Wednesday that well-known television minister, Juanita Bynum, became the victim of domestic abuse after her husband savagely beat her in a hotel parking lot Tuesday night.

A relative of Reverend Bynum told FOX 5 News that the Reverend Bynum and her husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks, are in the middle of a separation.

The relative said the two agreed to meet Tuesday night in the dining room of the Renaissance Hotel near Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

The meeting reportedly did not go well and ended with Bishop Weeks leaving abruptly. The relative said Reverend Bynum followed him to the parking lot where the two exchanged words.

According to an Atlanta Police Department report, that's when Weeks allegedly attacked her. In a statement to police, Reverend Bynum said her husband, Thomas Weeks, "choked her, pushed her down, kicked her and stomped her in the Renaissance parking lot."

Ronald Campbell of the APD said a bellhop at the hotel saw the attack, intervened and stopped it.

Officer Campbell said Reverend Bynum suffered multiple bruises and swelling and required hospitalization.

Reverend Bynum is being kept at an undisclosed location.

Police are searching for Thomas Weeks.


Bishop Thomas Weeks turns himself in to police

(Eurweb.com) He is being charged with felony aggravated assault and making terrorist threats against his wife, televangelist Juanita Bynum, after he allegedly stomped and choked her in a hotel parking lot and threatened to kill her.

Weeks was accompanied by his lawyer when he surrendered this morning at the Fulton County Jail.

Bond was set at $30,000 on a charge of aggravated assault and $10,000 on a charge of terroristic threats, and a magistrate ordered Weeks to have no contact with Bynum or her sister, Tina Culpepper, reports D. Aileen Dodd and Saeed Ahmed of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Weeks, who made no statrement, was released on bail after he was photographed and fingerprinted.

Bynum, 48 and Weeks, 54, are co-founders of Global Destiny Church in Duluth Georgia.

They were married in 2002 in a lavish televised wedding that featured a 7.76-carat diamond ring. They separated three months ago, said Bynum's sister, Tina Culpepper.

Culpepper told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the couple met for dinner Tuesday night at Concorde Grill in the Renaissance Concourse Hotel near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to work out their differences.

Apparently things didn't go well and Weeks walked out to the parking lot at about 10:30 p.m. He then turned back around and attacked her, said Officer Ron Campbell of the Atlanta Police Dept.

Because Weeks threatened Bynum's life during the attack, police said, charges were upgraded.

"Anytime you tell a person, 'I'm going to kill you,' that moves it up to a felony," Campbell said. And her bruises were serious enough to merit felony aggravated assault charges against Weeks.

In a comment posted on her MySpace page, the evangelist said, "I am currently recovering from all of my injuries and resting well ... this, too, shall pass."
Her publicist, Amy Malone, said Bynum wants to keep the matter private.

"People are interpreting it to mean the two of them were fighting," Malone said. "They were not fighting. She was assaulted."

Pastor Randy and Paula White call it quits

(Eurweb.com) Randy White and his wife Paula White, Co-Pastors of Without Walls
Church in Tampa, FL told congregants in Thursday night's church service that
they are getting a divorce.

The well known preacher/conference speaker, Paula appeared to be choked up as she approached the podium, the Tampa Tribune reports.

They'd avoided speculation about their deteriorating relationship for months, but last night they acknowledged the unfortunate reality of their relationship before an audience of thousands.

This revelation comes after years of counseling and a day after the highly publicized
separation and beating of Prophetess Juanita Bynum by her husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks, III.

Paula and Randy White announcing their divorce at Without Walls Church on August 23, 2007

Randy White responded to rumors about a possible divorce in an expose' reported by the Tampa Tribune in May. Asked whether they were contemplating divorce, he replied, "No one can predict the future."

Through personal challenges (Randy's 29-year-old daughter reportedly was diagnosed with a mature brain tumor) and their callings taking them in obtuse directions (Paula, an evangelist, conference host, T.V. host and author is away frequently), the glue in their marriage dissolved.

Lauding Pastor Paula for being an exceptional woman, preacher and mother, Randy White said he takes 100% of the responsibility for the split.

Both say there were no third parties involved and they are parting amicably, although Pastor Randy admits that "innocently" being in public with other women was wrong.