Take Your Place and Be Obedient: You are the Essential Ingredient in God's Kingdom

As a child, I remember growing up in my family and my parents stressing obedience. I always remembered my father stressing this vehemently. As it turned out, I always tried to comply with everything that was requested of me. As I look back, I was an obedient child for the most part, however, I had my moments when I was not obedient. Due to those moments of being disobedient, I had to accept the consequences of my actions. The desire to please my parents was always ingrained in me. I didn’t want to disappoint them, because they were loving to my siblings and I. They nurtured us. They provided for us. They protected my siblings and I. When all was said and done, they loved us unconditionally. In all of this, we paid with consequences for disobedience, we still knew that we were loved.

I heard a pastor once say that when you are obedient to God, the dove stays nearby. However, when an offense of disobedience has occurred, the dove flies away. He stated that at that time, God’s heart is grieving. “YOU SHOULD DESIRE TO FOLLOW GOD’S WILL ABOVE ALL ELSE.” God’s gives us all free will to choose what is right and what is wrong. Learn where to find “THE KEY TO KNOWING GOD’S WILL” for you life. Do you know your destiny? Have you every asked God to reveal it to you? Do you even care? (John 16:18; Romans 8:32)

I have worked in the criminal justice system in Texas for twenty years in September. I always known that I will retire if it is God’s will due to people making wrong choices. If we as Christians make wrong choices, God is right there giving us grace and mercy in hopes that you will desire to make the right choices to live a productive and fruitful Christian life. We have heard many times that “God’s Grace Abounds”. However, the criminal justice system is not so forgiving. It is easier to ”fake it until we make it.” Sounds familiar? Well, God is not the one to fake it with! This is “INSINCERE OBEDIENCE.” (2 Chronicles 25:2.) We all do or have done it. For example, we do or say anything to our employers, spouses or friends to get along, especially if that person has authority over us. Does this sound familiar?

In relationships between men and women, we are to
“MAINTAIN SEXUAL PURITY.” This is the law of God. Have you everyone gone shopping in the grocery store and tasted a grape before you bought the bunch? It is stealing, no matter how you justify it by saying that everyone does it. Sex before marriage is wrong and God will not bless this mess. I( Peter 1:14-16)

In our streets today, there is a code of silence. They are burglaries robberies, thefts, rapes and murders occurring each and everyday somewhere in this world. However, in some neighborhoods, these crimes will never be reported to the authorities. Many of our family members and friends are incarcerated, because they do not want to be known as a snitch. In the world of a Christian, you must always take your stand for Christ, “NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS THINK!” A sincere Christian will always take a stand for Christ regardless of peer pressure, popular opinion or opposition. (Matthew 26:57-75)

Policemen, Wardens, Correctional Officers and Husbands all have one thing in common. They are in a position of authority.
If a person has authority over you, it is best to “TAME YOUR TONGUE.” The same tongue that you use on Sunday mornings to praise the Lord with, you turn around and use on Monday morning insult someone with your fire breathing words. If we are to please God and maintain a testimony that brings glory to our Lord, we must control what we say.
(James 3:6-9)

During the course of a wanted man’s life, he gets tired of doing the same old thing over and over. It’s tiresome to keep looking over your shoulder and wondering what is going to happen next. Will I get caught? Will someone rob me? Will someone kill me? Sooner or later, they get tired of looking over their shoulder and turn themselves in to the authorities. Immediately, the glow of peace appears and they are relived, no matter what their consequences may be. Obedience to the Lord in every facet of our lives is "THE KEY TO INNER SECURITY” and experiencing the presence of God. (I Peter 1:18-20)

Just as a criminal decides to retire his life of crime and make up his mind to follow the societal standard of living, you too as a Christian must follow the will of God and not your own.

Remember to “TAKE YOUR PLACE AND BE OBEDIENT, YOU ARE THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT IN GOD’S KINGDOM. (Matthew 6:33)

The Legacy of Our Father(s): His Namesake

My Father was a great man! He was a man of wisdom, strength and character, but first and foremost, he was a godly Christian man. He was a man of righteousness who modeled this for all to see. He not only walked the walk, he talked the talk. He can also be described as a man who stood for justice. Fathers are men who after they are gone, have an undeniable legacy that they have left behind. The most precious gift that a man can leave his family is a legacy that his survivors can remember and relish. My father did not send his family to church; he took us to church. He modeled that each Sunday. He studied his lesson and made sure that we received the word each week. " What did you learn today in Sunday School?" This was asked of me and my brother and sister each week. We would regurgitate the lesson to him week after week. We learned the books of the bible, the Ten Commandments and many other things that most children today have not had the pleasure to learn. He taught us to "turn the other cheek". There are so many memories of my father that I could list, but as I think of him today, thirty-seven years since his homegoing, I smile, as I am proud of the legacy that he left behind. This is the most precious gift that anyone could receive. His blood that run through my veins each day is a DNA footprint that I hope to pass on one day not just to future children, but to my nieces and nephews. The family name is a badge of honor and sense of pride for many families in this world. The legacy of Adolphus Ross Sr still lives today.There is another legacy that is more precious than my fleshly father; it is my Spiritual Father. He is the one who made it possible for all of us to exist on this earth. He is the Father who is known by many in this world as:

1. Adonai Jehovah..................The Lord Our Sovereign
2. El-Elyon.............................The Lord Most High
3. El-Olam.............................The Everlasting God
4. El Shaddai....The God That is Sufficient for Needs of His People
5. Jehovah Elohim..................The Eternal Creator
6. Jehovah Jireh.....................The Lord our Provider
7. Jehovah Nissi......................The Lord our Banner
8. Jehovah Ropheka................The Lord our Healer
9. Jehovah Shalom..................The Lord our Peace
10. Jehovah Tsidkenu.........The Lord our Righteousness
11. Jehovah Mekaddishkem.....The Lord our Sanctifier
12. Jehovah Sabaoth................The Lord of Host
13. Jehovah Shammah.............The Lord is Present
14. Jehovah Rohi......................The Lord our Shepherd
15. Jehovah Hoseenu................The Lord our Maker
16. Jehovah Eloheenu...............The Lord our God

These are just some of the names and a mere mention of his legacy to us.
He is everything to us. His legacy is chronicled in the Old Testament and New Testament. His acts and deeds as well as his character is revealved through out the bible.

It is prayfully requested that if you do not know your father or the legacy that he has left you,

Read Romans 10:9-10
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

You too will have a legacy on which to stand and be proud. This is the most precious gift that any father can leave a child. He is a father to the fatherless and a mother to the motherless. He is waiting on you to accept this open invitation into his family.

The Tale of the Empty Basket

Easter is a time of celebration for most families. It represents spring time and new things. Easter was a time as I reflect back to childhood that was a very special time in our family. As a child, I along with my sisters and brother always knew that this meant that we would get something new.

Easter bunnies, Easter baskets, new clothes, new shoes and a new hairstyle. Although I have not seen this picture is over thirty plus years, I remember it vividly as my sister and I each had new Easter rabbits. My rabbit was purple and my sister's was blue, our favorite colors. Of course, these were stuff animals, but a real tradition each year for us. We also delighted in the Easter baskets that our parents bought us as they were filled with chocolate eggs, marshmellow eggs of different colors and toys. We also knew about the real reason for Easter as our parents were Christans. We knew that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. Each Easter as children, we could not wait for church services to be over, because we were ready to hunt for eggs. A tradition that is alive and well today.

This brings me to the question of " Why is your basket empty? As Christians, we should know that there are nine attributes in the walk of the christian. These are attributes of the christian life, better known as the "Fruit of the Spirit." In Galations 5:22-23(NIV), these attributes are revealed. They are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Let's discuss each of these attributes:

Love
(1 John 4:16(NIV)),And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8(NIV)) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Joy
(Nehemiah 8:10(NIV)) Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

(Hebrews 12:2)(NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Peace
(Romans 5:1)(NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 15:13)(NIV) 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.

Longsuffering(patience)
(Colossians 1:11)(NIV) being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

Ephesians 4:2)(NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Gentleness(kindness)
(2 Corinthians 6:6-7)(NIV)
in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

Goodness
(2 Thessalonians 1:11)(NIV) With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

Faith(faithfulness)
Ephesians 5:9(NIV) (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

Isaiah 25:1)(NIV) O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.,

Ephesians 3:16-17)(NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

Meekness
(Galations 6:1)(NIV) Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

(Ephesians 4:2)(NIV)2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Temperance(self-control)(2 Peter 1: 5-7(NIV)
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

The Fruits of the Spirit are excellent attributes to live by just because you were created by God and live on this earth. Just think about these attributes as one of the prerequisites to get into heaven.

A childs marvels at the thought of an Easter Egg Hunt. The different colors of eggs that are hidden in the grass are just waiting to be picked up by children who are full of excitement. Children in their innocents have an innate sense of joy, peace, peace, faith, gentleness, goodness and meekness about them as they are sure that they will find the eggs that the Easter Bunny had hidden. Patience and self-control while waiting for our Sunday service to end were always lacking in most of our characters as children. However, as we grew up these things were instilled in us as the trails of life appeared.

As you grow in Christ, all nine of these attributes will become apart of your daily Christian walk. True christian living is a lifestyle that must be nurtured and developed. As resurrection Sunday approaches, be mindlful of your basket. Is it filled with the nine attributes of true Christian living or is your basket empty because your attributes are still hidden?

The Providential Wife

The Role of the Pastor's Wife has been defined and superimposed into a phenomenon that literally scares most women into a state of defiance and a misunderstanding of the role that she must assume. You never hear the term "a doctor's wife"; " a lawyer's wife" or even a "football player's wife." However, the pastor's wife is always defined universally in this way. Some pastor's wives have stated on numerous occasions "I AM LIVING IN A FISHBOWL" and I don't like it. Well it is true that you are on public display all of the time. However, many of us just want to be ourselves.

The key is to be you. I have yet to meet a wife of a pastor that was excited about their role as a pastor’s wife. Many are called after they are married to serve with their husbands. I have heard some wives say that "God called him, but he didn't call me!" There have been many marriages suffer, because the call was on the husband and the wife refused to heed the call. In the dating arena, many women dated seminary students, ministers or pastors. There are some women who really didn't know what they were getting into with their significant other and as a result, they weren't ready for was the innate responsibilities that are imminent when you become the wife of a pastor. It has taken many women a lifetime to adjust to the role of becoming a pastor’s wife. Some begrudgingly hiss for years sentiments of discomfort and roll their eyes almost to the point of needing the assistance of an ophthalmologist under their colorful masks. This is due to not being able to openly share your feelings . Wives of pastors need to feel safe when sharing concerns and someone besides their husbands should be available to help them ease the burden.

You should not be define by what others think you should be doing for the ministry, but what God calls you to do. Your gifts are to be used to serve in the kingdom of God and to help others. If you don't know what your gifts are, you should think of the things that you do best. What do you enjoy? Also, taking a gifts assessment will help you discover known gifts and those that are not visible to you. Find your niche and apply them to in the ministry. God has placed all of us on this earth for a purpose. Pastor Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church states in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, " You are not an accident." You are here for a reason. Ask God to reveal your purpose and if you listen carefully and with an open mind, He will reveal your purpose to you. Bishop T.D. Jake's wrote a book entitled, God's Leading Lady, Out of the Shadows and into the Light. He also states that you must step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. The basis of this book is to empower women to be what God has purpose you to be. If you are a child of God, you’re already illuminated. Therefore, the lights are shining and you should already know that you are living a transparent life.

God chose you to be the helpmeet of your husband. This is an honor that is not bestowed just upon anyone. You were appointed and anointed well before you even realized it. Some of you are in families that have a great legacy of pastors and pastor’s wives. I am carrying on the legacy of my family as a wife of a pastor. You can truly believe that I was not aspiring to be a pastor’s wife, but I heard the call and accepted it graciously and with honor. It has not been easy, but the rewards have been many.

Serving in the ministry with my husband is a blessing. I am happy that Our Father chose me even before my parent’s thought of me. The road is filled with bumps and curves, but if you have a great navigator and I do, you will be able to negotiate and stay on the road, which will eventually lead you to your great reward in Heaven. Just think of Jesus as your "On Star" button. you can press it anytime and receive the help that you need.