Another Spirit 01/01/2012
Another Spirit..... Numbers 14:24.... But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. Repeat after me...”This will be my best year ever! It will be my most productive and progressive year ever!” We live in a world where everybody wants to be accepted. The attitudes and behaviors of celebrities, athletes, public figures, many times help to shape the values and moral climate of our society; to many they become role models. Peer pressure is so prevalent that one dares to be different. How often do we hear “everybody is doing it”? So when someone takes a position that is not popular, they are many times labeled....”weird” or “different”. If someone says...”I love my wife and family...I honor my vows....I still believe in the sanctity of marriage...I love my job, I honor my employers.... no, I don’t involve myself in certain forms of entertainment, I don’t cheat on my taxes... I’m not ashamed to say I love Jesus, and I give Him the Glory and my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost....I’m a virgin...and proud of it. I have values...I have character... there is a call on my life. When everyone else is trying to fit in, I am trying to stand out! I refuse to be distracted or detoured from my Destiny!” In such a time of compromise and a cry for acceptance, real success many times is found in the small classroom of being different. Real victory will come to this peculiar, chosen generation of believers! Caleb had a different spirit...and because of this God brought him into his promised land…his inheritance. Disobedience cost Israel their inheritance. Many today are losing out because of their spirit. 7 characteristics of Caleb… 1. Man of Vision...Caleb saw the land as the possession of God’s people, and the land as his inheritance. This is what they left Egypt for...this is what God had promised them. The ten saw giants and obstacles, but Caleb and Joshua saw giants in front of their Victory! 2. Man of Faith...Caleb quieted the people...let us go up and posses it ...we are well able...just raw faith. God said it! It is settled! I believe God! If ever in a world of confusion, doubters, etc., we need people that just believe God...against all odds! 3. Man of Perseverance...Faith needs to persevere. His people spent 40 yrs in the wilderness, overcome negative...10 times of murmuring..or complaining.. but Caleb remained focused...he remained determined. 4. Man of Encouragement...Caleb encouraged others. Are you negative or are you positive? 5. Man of Loyalty...He supported Moses...he supported Joshua...his leaders...whoever God had placed over him. Are you a person of loyalty? 6. Man of War...Even at 85 yrs of age...still a fighter, ready to pursue his enemy...still strong...still courageous, still faith talking… give me my mountain... mountains will fall. Always know that before the blessing there is a time of war! Still fighting? 7. Man of Blessing...at the end of your courageous battles, you win. The blessings of the Lord will overtake you. Believers we have all been called into the Kingdom for such a time as this! We will be victorious as we walk in the steps of Caleb. You possess indeed “Another Spirit” Add Comment For This He Came 12/29/2011
For This He Came...because He favors us. St. Luke 1:26-38 When we use the term favor or favorite, we usually mean something special. Luke uses this term a number of times, however, when used in the Bible “favor” doesn’t mean the same thing that we mean. Point One ...God’s favor means ordinary. God chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His Glory. He chose ordinary, insignificant Mary and Joseph, who were from an ordinary town. He had a supernatural miracle but He needed natural people. He doesn’t use us because we are significant, he gives us significance by using us. He takes a David, a Moses, a Daniel, a Rahab, an Ester, a Hosea, a Gomer...and causes us to be used for His purpose. Point Two ...God’s favor mean trouble. Mary was chosen and blessed, but therewas trouble. A virgin...but pregnant before marriage...and not by Joseph. Trouble...had to go to Bethlehem to pay taxes...while pregnant...gives birth to the savior of the world in a stable. Then, she gets a word, “a sword would pierce her soul,”...meaning this blessed child would be executed as a criminal. Yes, to follow Jesus and have His favor is to have adversity. Point Three ...To have the favor of God requires obedience. What does Mary do when the angel Gabriel gives her a word....She says here am I! a servant of the Lord; let it be accordingly. Mary submitted her will… her desires...her feelings...to His will. There can be no walking with God apart from an obedient life. What would have happened had Mary not obeyed? The choice was hers...just as it is for us today. We have a choice. Point Four ...The favor of God always has a purpose. God had a purpose for Mary and for Joseph. The angels spell it out...she had a specific role... purpose... unique... to give birth to Jesus, the son of God...the Savior of the world. Just like Mary, we have a purpose. When you realize you have purpose, you will not be so easily distracted or manipulated by the enemy. Maybe not everybody is called to be a pastor, musician, teacher or deacon...yours might be to usher, be a janitor, a youth volunteer, do outreach or administrate. Whatever our hands find to do...do it...do it well. He has empowered us with the ability to fulfill our purpose. By fulfilling our purpose...we discover our destiny. Always remember that God’s purpose is far greater than you could ever realize. His purpose is bigger than you! For this He came.... Oh Give Thanks... 11/22/2011
Oh Give Thanks... Thanksgiving.... Seems like only yesterday it was the beginning of year, now we are approaching the end. Where did the time go? Life is so fleeting....James said it best, it appears for a moment like a mist and then it is gone. Job said earlier...man born of a woman is of a few days...and those are full of trouble. Yes, this Thanksgiving....we are reminded that our lives here are brief and that’s why I am convinced we need to make each moment count. Live your life to the fullest! Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good! Too many of us spend our lives living in the rewind wish mode. If only...one day...I wish; focusing on what we don't have, focusing on what could or should have been. This season...I ask you to focus on what you do have; your family, your friends, your church. Let us give thanks that we are still standing! In a world where people are falling each day....we are still alive with brand new mercies! Brand new opportunities! This thanksgiving let us focus on all that Christ has done for us and all He is doing for us. Let it be more than the meal we eat. As we pause, let us focus on the positive rather than the negative. Let’s Praise God for every breath we take...every time we get a chance to get it right....let’s purpose this season to enjoy the simple things, yet the important things....laugh more, forgive ...let the past go. Don't be so serious....let your family know at the gatherings this year just how much they mean to you and how much you love them! Believe that this...this life...is precious...it is for living...and let's be thankful as we enjoy the ride! The Bishop Biggie Size It 10/31/2011
Biggie Size It! John 14:12...Greater Works It is quite common for us to go into a restaurant and be asked ..”do you want to biggie size it?” Somehow it always seems like no matter what kind of resolve we have, we are no match for the power of the prize...to taste, eat and enjoy... give in to our cravings. Isn't it amazing that in spite of our nation’s war on obesity, we each face our own battle with food and drinks. We have developed a taste for that which is unhealthy; things that have the potential to be detrimental to our health and rob us of our heritage...the good life...good to us but not for us. Isn't it strange, however, perhaps unsettling, that when it comes to God and the things pertaining to the Kingdom, how little we expect. Many Christians live each day focused on the heaven and the hereafter. That in itself is not bad, but more importantly, as we prepare for eternity ...their focus should be more on "now"... today...tomorrow will take care of itself. We are told to occupy until he comes. St Luke 19:11. That means God expects us to take advantage of this life and the opportunity that has been afforded us as Kingdom people. To overcome whatever obstacles that have tried to prevent us from arriving at that place...our there...our place of purpose...our destiny. To make choices that will position each of us for greatness. The bible says in John10:10 that God wants us to have an abundant, full, vibrant life. We ought to expect and pursue the better job, the promotion, a better relationships, a better marriage, and a better standard of living...to live large. We should do great exploits...we should expect to do greater things for God. St. Mark 16-17 these signs shall follow them that believe...in my name they shall cast out devils, speak with new tongues; it's time to stop the madness...we need to realize the awesome power of God that we possess. It’s time to stop running and go on the offense and pursue. It's time to tap into the unused power...power of a great big sized God...not be held hostage by the past...but to move forward! It's time for us to take the attitude I want it...I want it all! All THAT GOD HAS INTENDED FOR ME. Bigger...I want more....It's time to expand our expectations. I want life biggie sized...and I expect to receive it! The Bishop The Elephant in the Room 10/03/2011
The Elephant in the room...... There is an old English Idiom....the elephant in the room. It refers to an obvious truth that everybody ignores. Usually it something everybody is thinking but nobody is bold enough to talk about; sort of like tiptoeing around the daisies. This thing is so big you can’t miss it, but let's just pretend it doesn’t exist, it's not in the room. A lot of us have experienced the elephant in the room. It happens in our families a lot of times. Many times there has been abuse of some form or another. Doesn't matter if it was verbal, mental or sexual...it left a scar. Where we are today many times is a result of generational curses. Our dysfunction becomes our normal. We live our lives pretending and even convincing ourselves that "all is well". Many have learned to live in denial. We have compartmentalized the hurt, the embarrassment, the shame of our issues. The problem with compartments, however, is though it would seem they are closed, all tucked away... it's not what it appears. Just as going over turbulence on a plane can cause items in the overhead to shift or tumble out.... Sometimes in our life when we hit turbulence or a bump in the road...the elephants start tumbling out! Many of us have personal elephants in the ....room of our lives...things about us that we ignore or don't see but everybody else can see. These elephants or issues detour us from our destiny. They are destroying friendships, marriages, families, jobs, even affecting us in ministries. These elephants care nothing about the lost opportunities. The wasted dreams...they just push us further from those promises that God so emphatically promised us. These elephants cause us to act out of character. They cause us to be angry, fearful, and even insecure. Others live with unforgiving hearts, etc. Jesus has declared that we are to cast our cares/our problems on him. He has promised ....come unto me all ye that labor and heavy ladened and I will give you rest. Therein lies the problem... We have not cast these cares...these issues...we have thought somehow if we run from these problems...these issues...that somehow they would go away! They won't! We must confess our inadequacy…our weakness. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We must bring it to the strong one, Jesus Christ! Our deliverer! Our redeemer! Yes, our earnest prayer ought to be....Lord, help us to get the elephant out of the room...Our Destiny depends on it!! The Bishop The Cry of the Anointed! 09/14/2011
Habakkuk 1:2-4, Habakkuk 2:2-3. Habakkuk was complaining to the Lord. It seemed to him that God was unfair and silent to the struggles of His chosen. He could not wrap his mind around the fact that God chose a terrible, fierce, ungodly people to judge His people. Have you ever been in a test or series of trials and tried to wrap your mind around...the ways of God? Many times it seems like God is silent in our time of trouble. It seems like the evil people somehow are moving forward, prospering, and we are constantly denied access to the blessings that the bible say we so rightly deserve. Many times we even feel as though God has placed a target on our back and said to the enemy.....there he is...have at him/her...another test, another temptation, another let up to be let down; I call it a Job moment. Many times, if you are honest, we do feel as if we, God's chosen, have been forgotten. Where is God when we suffer lost, when we lose a job, a home, a marriage, a relationship, or have health challenges, even experience death? The cry "why me” or “how much longer, God?” We cry out “have we not suffered enough! Have we not paid for our sins of disobedience?” We wonder why it seems as if the unjust, the non- believers prosper and we suffer. Why does it take God so long to answer? If He never sleeps nor slumbers......where is He? The questions persist ...why must I be persecuted, do without, continuously be in a state of "going through". Where is my abundant life? Yes, the cry of the anointed.....Why? When all I want to do is live for Jesus. We must not be disillusioned as to what is really transpiring. Many are the afflictions of the righteous...but the Lord shall deliver him out of them all. For our "light afflictions” which is for but a moment...works for us a far more eternal weight of glory. I can hear some of you saying "light?" come on now....The bible says we are not ignorant of the devil’s devices. It is the enemy's objective to make you feel as though you have been deserted. Nothing new....he tried the same thing with Jesus...remember Jesus on the cross....feeling all alone...abandoned. The bible says He....God, reigns on the just as well as the unjust; so we are not immune from suffering. However crazy it seems...our times are in His hands...all of God’s anointed have asked those same agonizing questions. Job asked why, Naomi asked why, David asked why the injustice, Jeremiah, even Paul asked why. God says if you are anointed....it is for His purpose...to fulfill your "destiny". His ways are higher than ours. He tells us ....as He told Habakkuk , the vision...the answer...the purpose is for an appointed time...and though it tarry....wait on it....for it, your deliverance, your answer...it will come. Beloved, know that God is preparing you for your next level where your complete purpose will be manifested. It’s essential that you go through the season to get to your place of blessing. Weeping endures for a night but joy comes in the morning! So anointed, cry if you must, but know soon you will trade these challenges, these situations, these seemingly unanswered prayers, these tears, “for the garment of Praise"... for the Victory that Jesus promised. Anointed...."wait on it!" The Bishop.... Are You Addicted? 09/04/2011
The text says the family of Stephanas was addicted to the ministry of the saints. I must admit, I was a little taken aback to see the word “ addicted “ in relationship to ministry. To be addicted means to be physically or emotionally dependent or devoted to something. Most of us are familiar with addictions of one sort or another. Like me, many have memories or knowledge of family or friends that fell victim to certain addictions. Many times families were severely affected or lost to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sex addictions. We also know of that struggle with addictive behaviors...gluttony, shopping, lying, gossip, negativity, etc. We can never underestimate the power of an addiction…It seduces its victim gradually until one is hooked…until they are an addict. Unable to help themselves…no matter how destructive, bizarre, compulsive the behavior...they are but a helpless creature in the grasp of the captor. The only relief comes with the eventual acquiring of that which it is addicted to. The scripture John 10:10 declares... that the enemy...Satan... comes to steal, kill and destroy...But praise God, Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundantly. Aren’t you glad Jesus broke the chains of addiction that had us bound a prisoner to Satan and sin and set us free? It is so comforting to know that he is continuing to free us daily! We are not told how the family ministered...only that they were aggressively devoted to the ministry of the saints. To minister means to “serve”. We are not told how or what they did; maybe they washed the feet of those that traveled through their areas. Maybe they served as missionaries... giving food to the hungry, maybe they aided widows and orphans of the church. Maybe they assisted the ministers of the day with visiting those that were sick and bedridden. Maybe they interceded in the natural and spiritual. However they served, they met the needs of the saints. What a fine thing to meet the needs of the saints…so many are guilty of meeting needs only when it is convenient. And then only giving people what they want to give vs. what they need. In this last hour of church history...the stress of just trying to live…trying to survive…trying to deal with my own issues… trying to find a way to cope...do we ask ourselves how can I help somebody? But I wonder what would happen if in the midst of our pain, our trials, even our disappointments, we would just bless the Lord…and realize that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We actually become stronger as we reach out to help others. What would happen if suddenly we trusted God enough to” Give Ourselves Away”...in ministry...in service! What would happen if we would become just as passionate about our commitment to service as we were to the addictions in our former life? Can you imagine the impact we...the bride of Christ would have on our families, our community, our schools, universities, places of employment? What would the result be in our church if we began to frantically look for someone to offer Jesus to, someone to bless!...someone to offer hope to...someone to offer a kind word, a smile to …the love of Jesus! In a lost and dying world Jesus says “the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” This season of Prayer…I pray that the Lord of the Harvest send forth laborers…..Are you praying “Here am I, Oh Lord, send me”? Are you an Addict? -Bishop When We Pray 08/28/2011
 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. When We Pray! Acts 4:23-31... If I asked the question...what is prayer?, most people know...talking to God. And if I asked people...do you pray?,...most would respond..certainly, I do. But if I asked how often?...how long?, the responses would be different. Depending on the person or situation, determines how long your conversations with God are. Conversations...dialogue...exchange of information, etc. The series we have been in were all inspired by God. Don't you just love God? Nobody greater...he is awesome in all His ways...always working on our behalf. God is present even in the craziest of situations...trying to get us, His people, those bought with a price, to analyze, process, energize...and act. That is, make choices. You can't do anything about your past but learn from it and keep it moving! Know this that this entire time you are here on earth, it’s about choices. God is not near as concerned about you being happy or comfortable, as He is that you learn the lesson concerning why you were created. You, today, can choose to dwell on the past… access your present situation...go on a pity party about your lot in life, failures, misunderstandings, abuse, hurt, loss, or you can move forward....and say I choose to Worship....I choose to grow...I choose to honor God...I choose to repent... and make it do what it do. I choose to do it...life...rather than continue to let it do me. I have a destiny...and I made up my mind to bless the Lord...and once and for all get the victory. I mean, if anybody is successful...it's going to be me. If anybody is going to pull it in...it's going to be me. If anybody is going to overcome their weakness… it will be me. If anybody is going to get themselves together...it's going to be me. If all my life I had to fight...oh well, another one...but the outcome will be different this time. I have purposed in my heart...I got to get myself together...! As much as I am an optimist...a visionary... and believe God, I am a realist. These are critical times. Many times we get stuck in our valley, and though I know there is a “lily in the valley”, I can’t find it. I can’t find Him! I often say ...if you have a good day...enjoy it! Because the truth be told..we are all just one step away from stuff, one phone call away from bad news, one crisis away from turning your world upside down. Keeping it real… seems like one stinking test after another...everybody playing games..oil companies....gas war...stock market...my 401k...phone calls, bad news...tragedy... marriage falling apart...children acting crazy......parents aging .....nursing home...passport...job situations...a job/no job, more with less. I'm tired...church...many are the afflictions of the righteous......some days I don't know if I'm coming or going. Some days my greatest struggle/battle/fight is not with you, it's with me and my demons...my depression, my insecurities, my not liking me! Though I was fearfully and wonderfully made...sometimes...I don't like what God made. Though I know He knows what's best... I don't really like His best...and sometimes....this love thing is hard, to say the least. In the text, we find something taking place that seems to be missing in the church today....church members praying for other church members. Often times we are so preoccupied with our particular situation that we can’t focus on anyone else. In this particular case, a church member is in trouble. Apostle Peter is on death row and all his petitions have been exhausted...can't get a stay of execution...but I've come to tell you, prayer changes things. In the early church corporate prayer was standard....a model for us today. In Acts 5:42, church members met day after day..in the temple, in the courts...and from house to house....old fashioned prayer meetings. It was this kind of praying that brought deliverance. So the church is praying fervently..for Peter’s deliverance. At this time Peter was really the leader of the church. They recognized that the enemy was after their leader. If he was able to destroy their leader, the body would suffer. Today the enemy is after our leaders. He knows that these are critical times...never before has there been so much uncertainty about life about the future. Never before has there been such an attack on our leaders, our communities, our families, our values and on our churches. But know this, prayer will change things. While the church in the text was praying God had dispatched an angel to free Peter from jail. It was so miraculous that Peter, chained between two guards, is awakened and his chains unlocked, but the guards stay fast asleep. Peter is led through the prison gates to freedom. All the while the saints are still fervently praying. James 5:16…The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much. So often God has released the answer and we are still praying. So often Jesus has unhooked the chains, but we are still in bondage emotionally. When Peter arrived at the door, the answer to their prayers...they still didn’t realize that God had heard their prayer. Not until the maid, did they realize that the answer was at the door. Could your answer be at the door...? I want to encourage you to begin with me on this journey…this prayer journey. Let’s ask God to take us back to that place of innocence where we first received Him. If there are things that we need God to do for us...Let us come boldly before the throne! Let us step back and watch God do great and mighty things… -Bishop Welcome! 08/21/2011
Welcome to our new website. I am so excited you stopped by to visit. With the Lords help, New Destiny is on the move! Each week I will post my thoughts and feelings about what the Lord is speaking to me regarding the body of Christ, and/or current events. Currently, I'm teaching a series about the lost art of the church - PRAYER. The Lord is speaking to me that it's time for the church to get back to the place where we receive our true strength, encouragement, wisdom and power...our knees. It's this place that enables Gods will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. I have to run, but check back next week for my first official post. -Bishop | AuthorBishop Alfred L. Ringer ArchivesJanuary 2012 Categories |
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