A More Excellent Way

"But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I to you a more excellent way" 1 Corinthians 12:31.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul warned the church not to be ignorant about spiritual gifts, their diversity, and use within the body of Christ (v1).  He states that just because some people did not have certain gifts, it did not mean their gifts were not useful and needed, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you” (v21).    He told them that love is superior to spiritual gifts, and the necessary ingredient with the use of gifts, "But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way" 1 Corinthians 12:31 (ESV).  In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul elaborates on the more excellent way of love, its great value, virtue, and victory. 
The value of love is beyond estimation.  No gift or possession is profitable without it.  In 1 Cor. 13:1-3, Paul compares the superiority of love to the gift of languages, the gift of prophecy, miraculous faith, and the doing of sacrifices and good deeds.  We must recognize the value of love also, for God's love enables us to do His work effectively.  God is love and the more like Him we become, the more love we will possess. But if we don't have love, we have gained nothing!

The virtues of love include kindness, humility, selflessness, patience, compassion, faith, and love.  Many people try to express the virtues of love without possessing love.  This is impossible to do.  We must possess the Spirit of Christ if we are to succeed in performing the work of Christ. Being filled with the Holy Spirit enables us to practice the virtues of love . Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Neighbor!  Oh, Neighbor! Look to your neighbor and say, "LOVE."  "Love" means "LORD OF VIRTUE EVERLASTING." Jesus Christ is Lord of virtue, and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 3:13).

There is great victory in love! Family members, friends, pleasures, and possessions sometimes fail, but "love never fails." Faith pleases God, but faith serves its purpose only in this life.  We cannot live without hope, but hope will not  be needed in the next life. Love is a necessity; everyone needs to love and be loved. Love is eternal; it will unfold in greater beauty and glory while endless ages roll. Victory is assured  to those who are filled with the love of God. Paul concludes by saying, "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.: (1 Cor. 13:13) 

No matter how gifted you are, how well you can sing, minister, serve, you're just making a whole lot of noise without love.  God is love!  In what ever you do, choose the more excellent way of love.  Love never fails!

The Benefits of Restored Relationship With God

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way in which you should go: I will guide you with my eye" Psalm 32:8.

Psalm 32 describes the blessings of restored relationship with God; the benefits of forgiveness like none other. As we face the new year, the question you must answer is, Will you walk with God or walk in your own understanding letting your conscious be our guide? Don't follow your own way, my sisters and brothers. Oftentimes, our feelings are fickle and our "unctions" won't function. They may lead you down the yellow brick road. Don't trust your GPS at the expense of wisdom and experience either, but in all things get biblical understanding (v 9). Don't trust in so-called pundits or experts, nor in horoscopes nor rituals. We need an adequate Guide in 2016 because we have not passed this way before, and we don't know what lies ahead. But God knows all things, and He knows what's best for each of us.  Let the Lord lead and guide you!

Psalm 32 shows us that the Lord will instruct, teach, and guide those who are willing to obey and follow Him, acknowledge and confess their sins in prayer (v5). God's guidance does not contradict the plan teaching of Scripture. The right way will not always be the easiest way. And following God will require faith. The wrong road, no matter how nice, no matter how beautiful, however, will never lead to the right place. I'd rather be with God in a storm on a raging sea than be without him on dry ground, wouldn't you?

The Spirit of the Lord leads us if we are in close fellowship with Him. This is a good time to consecrate yourself or recommit yourself, or return to the Lord.  The Lord opens doors where He wants us to go, and closes doors where He does not want us to go. We know we are in the right path when three aspects of His guidance lines up: His Word, His leading in circumstance, and the leading of His Spirit.  These are the benefits of a restored, a right relationship with the Lord.

Have a blessed and productive new year walking with the Lord!

Who's Influencing Your Unbelief?

I must admit that from time to time in prayer I cry out, "Lord, I believe!  Help me with my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).  It is an admission that as a woman of God, I occasionally struggle in trusting God to handle my situation.  In the Bible, there were people who struggled believing Jesus.   In fact, after all Jesus had done, they refused to believe.  Surprisingly, these were not people who didn't know him, but those who did.

1: And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.    2: And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?    3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.    4: But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.    5: And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.    6: And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.  Mark 6:1-6

Here is an incident where the Word of God was preached, the Spirit of God was felt, the Power of God was known.  Yet, Jesus was powerless to reach these people.  Why?  Because of the unbelief.  Jesus was puzzled. Verse 6 states, "And he marvelled because of their unbelief." He had poured out His heart to no avail.  This may very well be a picture of any congregation today - Seeing but not seeing, hearing but not hearing, experience the presence of God but not refusing to believe and respond.
Let us note unbelief, the causes of unbelief, and the effects or results of unbelief:
The people were amazed a Jesus' ability to teach, cast out devils, raise the dead, and heal the sick.  They were astonished at His teachings, yet refused to believe ,  2: And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 
You've heard the adage, "Familiarity breeds contempt?"  The hometown folk knew all about Jesus, that he was brilliant, a gifted teacher of the law, and about his family background, yet refused to believe, Verse 3:, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him".  It was not because he was an outsider, but because he was one of them that they were offended.  Notice, how they mentioned his mother, Mary but not his stepfather, Joseph. Who does he think he is?, they said.  
They knew about the miracles Jesus performed, the people He healed. No doubt they had heard he had just raised Jairus' dying daughter and healed the woman with the issue of blood before returning home.  Knowing all this, still they refused to believe. What all has Jesus done for you? Verses 5-6 said, "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  6: And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching".   
And Jesus said to them in verse 4, "A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."  The NIV says, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."  They were amazed, but Jesus was amazed also for their lack of faith.  What all has Jesus done for you?  No matter the new circumstance, He is still able to keep you from falling.
Like Jesus being a prophet without honor , at some point in your life those closest to you will refused to believe in you.  They are not going to call upon you no matter what you do, not going to consider your skill or talent, nor  will they realize and recognize you as the answer to their prayer.  As a result, you won't be able to contribute to your best work, and they won't receive all that God has for them.  It won't be people you don't know who won't support you, but people you know -- family, friends, co-workers, church members -- people right there in your town operating by a jaded perspective of familiarity, influence by those around them, the know-it-alls; and by cultural, religious, socio-economic, environmental factors, they won't believe. 
So, whose influencing your unbelief?  Are they the "believers"?  Don't let their lack of faith negatively impact your relationship with God.  Don't give up, but continue to trust in the Lord. The Bible says,  He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him. Hebrews 11:6.

WLOU Radio Hosts Lonnie Hunter Meet and Greet in Louisville



One of the biggest names in gospel music, Lonnie Hunter, producer of songs Even Me (The Drip Drop Song), Let's Dance, among others, came to Louisville for 104.7 FM WinterFest, December 11th & 12th. WLOU/104.7 FM Radio hosted a pre-WinterFest Meet and Greet with the Stellar-Award winning gospel artist, and syndicated radio show host on Friday, December 11th at The Life Conference Suite. Attendees spoke with, took selfies with Lonnie, listened to his new project, and picked up copies of his new CD, #GetItDone, featuring the new single, He's Worthy.

 

Gospel Artist Lonnie Hunter is Coming to Louisville This Weekend at WinterFest

Stellar-Award Gospel artist Lonnie Hunter will be in Louisville this Friday, December 11 for the 104.7 FM Meet and Greet at The Life Conference Suite, 6:00 pm, a prelude to 104.7 FM's WinterFest

WinterFest Christmas Celebration and Vendor Wonderland, is Saturday, December 12th, at Old Walnut Street, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali, presented by 104.7, that's WLOU on FM and 1240 WLLV. WinterFest features national gospel artist Lonnie Hunter, local artists, choirs, and praise teams, vendor wonderland, polar express for the kids, and Christmas Café, hourly drawings of bikes, flat screen televisions and much more! You don't want to miss it! Hear your favorite Christmas caroles sung live, as we celebrate Jesus, the Perfect Gift, the reason for the season.

We are honored to have Lonnie Hunter ministering in song at WinterFest. Listen to 104.7, that's WLOU on FM for the details. Log onto WLOUonline.com!

Vintage Lonnie Hunter and the Voices of St. Mark reminding us beautifully in song that God loved the world so that he gave his one and only son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. This song will bless you, and minister the unquenchable love of Jesus to your spirit!

Former Patients, Friends Celebrate Retiring West Louisville Physician, Dr. A. O'Tayo Lalude

We enjoyed great evening at the retirement celebration for Dr. A. O'tayo Lalude, Family Practioner and Diabetes Specialist, on Sunday, October 18th at the Glen View Condominium. The celebration included a call of the drum and African dance by the Belizean Dance Intermix and Women of the Drum, welcome by Virginia Bradford; prayer for the Health of the Community by myself, Scripture by Tanya Beachamp, and solo, "Wind Beneath My Wings." Elaine Burns shared reflections from Dr. Lalude 's bio and accomplishments over 28 years serving West Louisville. Special presentation from the Celebration Committee included a proclamation from the Office of Council woman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, Kentucky Colonel proclamation, and gift from the committee. Dr. Lalude, his wife Judith, staff and friends and patients all shared remarks. The celebration end in prayer, dance, and drum celebration. Attendees enjoyed a colorful, tasty healthy meal. I was honored to serve as emcee.



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Father, May I?

By:  Angela Lee Price


I was asked to be in a fashion show on Saturday, September 12th at an African Heritage Festival at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in Louisville.  I did some twirling, although not very good because modeling is something I haven't done in a long, long time. Rip the runway? Not hardly, but I had fun getting out of my comfort zone, and giving back to my community.  

I grew up just a few blocks from where the African Heritage Festival was held.  I did a lot of twirling as a child while playing a game with the other children on my block  called "Mother, May I?" One child served as the "mother" and all the other children were the "children." The object of the game was for the children, who started out at the other end of the block, to get to where the mother was. The first one there won the game and became the new mother.

In getting to the mother, the children each took turns asking, "May I hop, skip, run, leap, jump, twirl?." The Mother could accept, reject, or amend their requests. But often the response would be, "Yes, you may!"

I really liked this game. It taught children how to get along with each other, to have respect for authority, good manners, and patience. Sometimes the children were asked to take a number of steps backward, and we did it.

Our goal as children of God is to get to the Father.  We serve a God who is waiting on each of us to ask right now, "Father, may I? Before we get to our Father in Heaven, we have a great work to do for Him right here on earth in reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.  We ought to be on fire for God, willing to do anything, hop, skip, run, jump, leap, and even twirl to get closer to God and show others the way to Him through Jesus Christ! Jesus says in His Word, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).  He said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).  Jesus promises to do the drawing when we do the lifting. 

It is a September to Remember Jesus in Worship, Service, and Giving here at Jesus Saves Ministries as we celebrate our 10th anniversary.  We are blessed by your presence on the Jesus Saves Social Network, but we know in faith that the best is yet to come. God has an assignment for you draw closer to Him, and lift Him up in your neighborhood, church, workplace, home, school, and on social media. You may have to do what I did at that fashion show, that is get out of your comfort zone and twirl, twirl, twirl -- that is worship, serve and give as only you know how!  The Lord needs willing vessels.  The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Just ask, Father, may I?" We pray that His reply to you is, "Yes, you may!"

God's Prescription for Healing

"If my people, which are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land"  2 Chronicles 7:14

2 Chronicles 7:14 speaks about the people of God who were called by the name of God. Clearly, God was not speaking to the unsaved, but to the saved.  It starts, "If my people...." This promise was originally given to Solomon, the Israelite King, concerning the people of Israel.   God said through Solomon that if His people would do four things, humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, turn from their wicked ways, He would forgive their sin and heal their land.  

It is amazing that just four things done by the people of God would heal so much of the brokenness that we are experiencing today. So much of the crime and violence in our inner cities, and in our suburbs, in our schools, and in our homes is due to sin, lack of respect for human life, and a total disrespect for God! I don't know about you, but I need a few things healed, a few things mended, a few things fixed, a few things restored in my life!  What an awesome promise this is!  It is much more than a quick fix.  It does what Alleve, Advil, and Tamaflu can't do.  It is a prescription for healing.

It is so important that as intercessors and as Bible-believing people of God that we remain humble and on our knees before Yahweh, our Almighty God, seeking His face daily and not just His hand. Some devotions on this text say that God is asking us to do three things and not four, that pray and seek His face are really one and the same.  I beg to differ.  I believe God wants us to pray (persistently, every day) and seek His face.  When we seek the face of God, we ask the will of God despite what it is we want to do because His will is what's best. That's why reading the Word of God is so important. Therein we find the will of God, the B-I-B-L-E has our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.  When we read the Bible we gain insight into what God would have us do in our specific circumstance.  When we seek the face of God, we seek the presence of God, the way a baby stretches its arms to be in its mother's lap, or the way we stretch our legs to soak up the warmth of the sun, (and Son) on a beautiful sunny day. The good news is we have an advocate with the Father in Jesus Christ who sits at His right hand making intercessions for us! What happens to us is predicated on our relationship with God and on us doing our part in it. 

Let us claim 2 Chronicles 7:14 today. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Let us not sit on the premises at home, at work, at school, at church, nor here in this ministry, but stand on the promises of God.   If we do our part, then God promises to forgive our sin and heal the land.  What an awesome God we serve!  He is Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. To Him be glory and honor, dominion and power both now and forever!  Amen.

Getting Into the Word: Malachi 3:10 Famously Misapplied

This week's lesson in Malachi 3:1-10 is the last in my Walking With Jesus Summer Series. I hope you have gained a few valuable insights from recent recaps from the prophets Micah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Zechariah. These brief recaps served as a source of inspiration to stay in your Bible and study your lessons during the "dog days" of summer. Exciting times are ahead! The new quarter begins next week on the book of Acts where we will learn more about the growth of the early ch...urch. Good stuff! Back to Malachi.

Malachi was unique in that he was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Though all of the OT books are not in chronological order as to when they were written, Malachi really is the last book. When God finishes speaking here, he says not a word for 400 years until he announces his Son Jesus.
Malachi in a nutshell: Worshipping God is not about doing the least you can do to get by, but about "keeping it 100," wholeheartedly. The tone of this book is not jovial but angry. Malachi reprimanded the Israelites for disregarding God's laws, and bringing damaged crops and sacrifices. They also failed to give the tithe which supported the priest and levites. They acted as if they were innocent and/or totally oblivious to their own disobedience and wickedness. Malachi stated, "Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now, return to me and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. But you ask, 'How can we return when we have never gone astray? '"
The Isrealites went astray and we have, in many respects, gone astray today in our giving, yes, but also in our misapplication of Malachi 3:10, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have room enough to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" This text is famously presented as a "give-to-get" text. We ought give as an act of worship, because it is the right thing to do. Let us repent and turn back to God in every area of our lives, also in the application of God's word.
The follow link shares more on how Malachi 3:10 is famously misapplied.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php…

Jesus Saves Ministries Day at the Movies

It was Jesus Saves Ministries Day at the movies on Saturday, August 29th! A group of us put our war clothes on and went to see the movie WAR ROOM at the Carrmike Cinemas Stony Brook 20. The movie is a must see! Get your group together, family, church members and friends and support this movie on the power of prayer! It will make you laugh. It will make you cry, but most of all, it will make you more inspired to pray! Jesus Saves Ministries is celebrating our 10th anniversary so I brought along giveaways for everyone, great new gospel music CDs by Marvin Sapp, Israel & New Breed, JJ Hairston, Risen, and local artist Michael Young and In God's Presence. Pastors Thomas and Linda Moore gave DVD of their weekly cable ministry. We are planning another movie day real soon. Don't miss it! Jesus saves!