Thursday, September 29, 2011
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
"Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power" -- Shirley MacLaine
Friday, September 23, 2011
ACCOUNTABILITY - PART I
Accountablity is of great importance in every area of life, our families, our homes, our jobs, our organizations and our churches. As an appointed leader I am fully convinced that I cannot hold those delegated leaders accountable for something that I myself don't plan to put into practice. Leaders should never hold others accountable for things they're not practicing. I often tell people I don't teach or preach anything that hasn't first ministered to me. I can't talk to people about what God has said, if I haven't heard from Him. I'm accountable to God first and my expectations of Accountability must begin with myself first. If I'm not Accountable to what He needs me to be Accountable to, then I can't expect the same from others, it must start with me. Accountability promotes effectiveness, order and productivity. Learn to be Accountable TODAY! More to Come...
pjv
pjv
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
On last night during our Mid-Week Connections Bible Study, I taught from the Lesson: "Dare to be Different". We looked at the Life and leadership of a Young Boy by the name of Josiah over in 2nd Chronicles 34, who became King at the tender age of 8. He succeeded Amon, his father who was a wicked King and according to Chapter 33, vs. 21-25 of 2nd Chronicles it shares with us that Amon (Josiah's father) did evil in the eyes of God and led the people to do likewise. The genesis of Josiah's reign as King, saw him being met with having to deal with one of the greatest and most prevelant sins of his time, Idolatry and Idol Worship. His father and some of the Kings before him condoned and endorsed this pagan activity.
However, when Josiah took the helm as King, he "dared to be different". He made a conscious and purposeful decision to follow God and all that God desired. So here's what he did as he dared to be different:
1. He sought God at an early age, as he recieved his marching orders from God in order to get God's endorsement and approval for the decisions he needed to make.(2nd Chronicles 34:1-2)
2. He walked in Right standing before God, therefore he set STANDARDS and stuck with them. .(2nd Chronicles 34:1-2)
3. His Character was right as a result of decision to follow God. .(2nd Chronicles 34:1-2)
4. He removed the Problems of the past, he didn't allow what was always done to be a hindrance to what needed to be done. He (purified) or cleaned up the mess that served as obstacles to success. (Verses 3-7)
5. He brought honor to God as result of restoring what belonged to God (the Temple). (vs. 8-28))
6.. He surrounded himself with like-minded people. Those who bought into the Vision of Daring to be different. (vs. 8-28))
7. He refused to Compromise his Standards. (vs. 31-33)
So as you can see Josiah dared to be different, even at a young age, he made a decision that would positively affect his destiny and those around him. Daring to be different, is a key to making a Difference!
PJV
However, when Josiah took the helm as King, he "dared to be different". He made a conscious and purposeful decision to follow God and all that God desired. So here's what he did as he dared to be different:
1. He sought God at an early age, as he recieved his marching orders from God in order to get God's endorsement and approval for the decisions he needed to make.(2nd Chronicles 34:1-2)
2. He walked in Right standing before God, therefore he set STANDARDS and stuck with them. .(2nd Chronicles 34:1-2)
3. His Character was right as a result of decision to follow God. .(2nd Chronicles 34:1-2)
4. He removed the Problems of the past, he didn't allow what was always done to be a hindrance to what needed to be done. He (purified) or cleaned up the mess that served as obstacles to success. (Verses 3-7)
5. He brought honor to God as result of restoring what belonged to God (the Temple). (vs. 8-28))
6.. He surrounded himself with like-minded people. Those who bought into the Vision of Daring to be different. (vs. 8-28))
7. He refused to Compromise his Standards. (vs. 31-33)
So as you can see Josiah dared to be different, even at a young age, he made a decision that would positively affect his destiny and those around him. Daring to be different, is a key to making a Difference!
PJV
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
SOME THOUGHTS
As a Pastor the Lord has called me, gifted and graced me with the opportunrity to share in the hurt and pain of others, helping to coach, mentor, encourage, counsel and advise them through seasons of hurt and pain. Well, I must admit that can be a bit taxing and even frustrating at times, but it's what I enjoy doing, it's what I have a passion for, helping to see people back from places of distress and devastation!
However, there are times when that help goes underappreciated; I mean there will be a consistent period of time where someone will lean on me for Advice and Counsel to help them through a situation and the moment things start lookinig UP for that individual, they're no where to be found. I try to call, text and e-mail just to follow up with them and check on them, but I never recieve a call, text or e-mail back, this can be very frustrating especailly since I answered or returned every one of their calls, e-mails or texts, when they attempted to reach me..I'm by no means complaining, I'm just speaking on how prevelant selfishness is in today's society.
I WILL continue being there and being a blessing to those who are hurting and will do so without hesitation or reservation, even if it's never appreciated, because it's what I LOVE and am passionatte about doing and I understand clearly that my Ultimate reward is waiting for me in Heaven. Be blessed Somebody.
pjv
However, there are times when that help goes underappreciated; I mean there will be a consistent period of time where someone will lean on me for Advice and Counsel to help them through a situation and the moment things start lookinig UP for that individual, they're no where to be found. I try to call, text and e-mail just to follow up with them and check on them, but I never recieve a call, text or e-mail back, this can be very frustrating especailly since I answered or returned every one of their calls, e-mails or texts, when they attempted to reach me..I'm by no means complaining, I'm just speaking on how prevelant selfishness is in today's society.
I WILL continue being there and being a blessing to those who are hurting and will do so without hesitation or reservation, even if it's never appreciated, because it's what I LOVE and am passionatte about doing and I understand clearly that my Ultimate reward is waiting for me in Heaven. Be blessed Somebody.
pjv
Thursday, September 15, 2011
THE DANGERS OF INSECURITY Part I
DICTIONARY.COM says INSECURITY means to: "Lack confidence or assurance; self-doubt". Insecurity can BE both mildly and severely dangerous. It affects both the one who's being Insecure and those the insecurity is being directed towards.
When you have feelings of insecurity you doubt yourself and your ability to cope with a problem or situation or fear a negative outcome. Here's some great advice on overcoming Insecurity:
1. ADDRESS THE PROBLEM - Confronting Insecurity is of great importance, becasue it's very possible that insecurity could develop into something more dangerous. Rather than avoid these situations you should confront them and learn to overcome them. Confront the challenges and not run away from them.
2. EXPECT AND PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED - Whatever your situation, whether it's being a relationship, using a gift, talent or ability or just performing your job, when you prepare for the unexpected, your Insecurity is less likely to grow into something unecessarily Big and it keeps Insecurity from having any power over you rather you gain power over your Insecurity.
3. CONFIDE IN A TRUSTED SOURCE - Surrounding yourself with people you can trust and confide in is always Helpful and Healthy. Getting advice and counsel from "wise" people may not help the problem go completely away, but it will help you put things into their proper perspective. It's always a good thing to hear a Voice other than the Voice of Insecurity.
MORE TO COME...
pjv
When you have feelings of insecurity you doubt yourself and your ability to cope with a problem or situation or fear a negative outcome. Here's some great advice on overcoming Insecurity:
1. ADDRESS THE PROBLEM - Confronting Insecurity is of great importance, becasue it's very possible that insecurity could develop into something more dangerous. Rather than avoid these situations you should confront them and learn to overcome them. Confront the challenges and not run away from them.
2. EXPECT AND PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED - Whatever your situation, whether it's being a relationship, using a gift, talent or ability or just performing your job, when you prepare for the unexpected, your Insecurity is less likely to grow into something unecessarily Big and it keeps Insecurity from having any power over you rather you gain power over your Insecurity.
3. CONFIDE IN A TRUSTED SOURCE - Surrounding yourself with people you can trust and confide in is always Helpful and Healthy. Getting advice and counsel from "wise" people may not help the problem go completely away, but it will help you put things into their proper perspective. It's always a good thing to hear a Voice other than the Voice of Insecurity.
MORE TO COME...
pjv
Monday, September 12, 2011
FAN OR FOLLOWER - Part One
This past Sunday I began a New Sermon Series entitled: "NOT A FAN". The Messages for this Series are designed to Challenge us to "DTR" Define The Relationship that we have with Jesus Christ. A FAN is described as: “An enthusiastic admirer”. In God’s Word Jesus was never interested in “Fans”. So, is this how we would define our relationship with Him (a fan)? During the month of September we invite you to join “followers” of Jesus Christ as we dig into the Word of God and look at how we have been called to be followers of Christ and not His Fans.
Luke 9:23 (NLT) says, "Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my FOLLOWER you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me"
Two major points are made in this passage, in order to successfully be a "FOLLOWER" of Christ:
1) SELF-DENIAL - Giving up, surrendering, submitting your whole self to the will, direction and Lordship of Jesus. Making your desires HIs desires, HIs interest your interest, the things He loves becoming the things you love.
2) PATIENCE (endurance) - is needed to face and overcome the trials that come every now and then with being a follower. Patience keeps you from giving up on God and on life in the midst of troubling circumstances. Patience is the key to picking up your cross daily and following Christ. Finally patience keeps you from being a "FAN" or (Fair weather disciple) as we saw in John Chapter 6:41-66.
More to come...
PJV
Luke 9:23 (NLT) says, "Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my FOLLOWER you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me"
Two major points are made in this passage, in order to successfully be a "FOLLOWER" of Christ:
1) SELF-DENIAL - Giving up, surrendering, submitting your whole self to the will, direction and Lordship of Jesus. Making your desires HIs desires, HIs interest your interest, the things He loves becoming the things you love.
2) PATIENCE (endurance) - is needed to face and overcome the trials that come every now and then with being a follower. Patience keeps you from giving up on God and on life in the midst of troubling circumstances. Patience is the key to picking up your cross daily and following Christ. Finally patience keeps you from being a "FAN" or (Fair weather disciple) as we saw in John Chapter 6:41-66.
Jwho step across the line and say “I’m not a fan”
More to come...PJV
Friday, September 9, 2011
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Troublemakers and Gossipers are the same type of people and here's what the Bible has to say about them...
Proverbs 16:28 (NLT)
"A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends"
It would be a terrible thing to leave this earth and Proverbs 16:28 was a person's life story!
Proverbs 16:28 (NLT)
"A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends"
It would be a terrible thing to leave this earth and Proverbs 16:28 was a person's life story!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
LIMITATIONS
Whenever we come face to face with our limitations and something doesn't go right, I've discovered that it's easy to get down and stay down about it. The truth is our limitations can sometimes down right get the best of us, especially when we've put in much work, time, energy and effort just to make sure something goes right. We stay down abou it because we consistently replay our failures or what failed us over and over in our minds which will always stifle and hinder progressive thinking.
So I'm learning everyday not to allow the limitations of TODAY keep me from tapping into the Potential of tomorrow. Just because you failed at something today doesn't mean the same goes for tomorrow. It's a New season, it's a New day! Be Encouraged Somebody.
PJV
So I'm learning everyday not to allow the limitations of TODAY keep me from tapping into the Potential of tomorrow. Just because you failed at something today doesn't mean the same goes for tomorrow. It's a New season, it's a New day! Be Encouraged Somebody.
PJV
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