IMAGINE!

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it shall be yours!" - Mark 11:24

The word, "Imagine" is defined, "To create a mental picture or image."

As Kim and I enter into a new season for our lives and ministry, we have spent a lot of time reflecting. I remember walking into a little brick church building on Hwy. 136 in Trenton over 15 years ago. I was 27 years old and filled with vision and passion for the lost. I loaded our few possessions into a couple of pick-up trucks, and moved my wife and our three small children into an 1,100 square ft. parsonage that felt like a mansion to us. I packed my two suits and my Bible, and made up my mind that I was going to make a difference in that community for the glory of God!

God allowed me to see my dreams fulfilled. With God's grace, we have been able to see more miracles than I could ever begin to articulate or write about. We have seen many saved, lives changed, healing, financial miracles, buildings built and so much more! I stand amazed at God's incredible and amazing grace upon my life. Trenton will forever be in my heart!

We have been packing for several weeks. It is going to take more than a couple of pick up trucks to transport our belongings this time. I have more than a couple of suits to pack. I will turn in my keys this week to a beautiful and modern church facility that stands as a testimony of God's provision. The Mayor of Trenton made a special effort to reach out to me last night and thank me for our service here. I realize that God gave me everything that I imagined for Trenton!

Now, as I transition and reflect, I also look forward into the next season. I feel an unmistakable and powerful impression that the Lord is going to do greater things than I have ever seen! I hear the Holy Spirit speaking these incredulous and challenging words, "IMAGINE what I can do when you believe!"

This Sunday will be our first service at Monroe Church of God. I will be preaching a series of sermons that will challenge us to IMAGINE! I want to encourage every individual within the MCOG family to begin to imagine what God can do in your church and in your life.

Imagine lives being changed and transformed! Imagine marriages healed, families reunited, miracles of healing! Imagine a church that will minister to every facet of society in a way that radically changes an entire community!

I believe that there is nothing impossible with God! He is challenging us as a church to dream big, to think largely, to stretch our faith and to trust in Him!

Join me each service as we begin to IMAGINE!

People That Should Pray

I had the opportunity several months ago to attend the funeral service of a historic and legendary leader of my denomination. Dr. Ray Hughes served in many capacities of leadership in the Church of God, and was a modern day apostle. As I heard all of the wonderful accomplishments and testimonies about Dr. Hughes, there was one particular statement that stood out to me. Ray Hughes Jr. spoke about his father's prayer life. He stated that he remembered the many times that his father would put the children to bed and sit in the middle of the living room floor with a quilt over his head and pray for hours. He said that there were many times that he would pray through the night.

I have heard many other stories from those who were impacted by the prayer life of Dr. Hughes. The day after the funeral service, I attended a session of a conference that was led by Larry Stockstill, an incredible Pastor from Baton Rouge, LA. I was greatly impacted as he spoke about prayer. Later, I returned home with a renewed passion to increase my prayer time with the Lord. I have designated a portion of my day to prayer for several years. I considered myself a person of prayer. However, I have never been more personally challenged to pursue through prayer. Here are some thoughts that the Lord has given me regarding prayer. It is somewhat lengthy. I pray that you will read through it, and be challenged to prayer.ple 

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."--Jer. 33:3.

Moses cried out to God, and God spared Israel from judgment. Joshua’s prayer made the sun stand still. Hannah’s prayer was answered with a baby boy. Solomon got wisdom in answer to his prayer. Fire came down from Heaven when Elijah prayed and devoured the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. Jonah’s prayer brought him out of the belly of the whale. Elijah had the great power of God upon his life. But when Elisha prayed for a double portion of the Spirit, God did not bat an eye when He gave it to him. Jabezprayed for God to bless him, enlarge his coasts, for God’s hand to be with him, and keep him from evil, and God granted his request! Ten lepers prayed and were instantaneously healed. Peter prayed, and Dorcas arose from the dead. The thief on the cross prayed and was saved immediately. The early church prayed, and the place was shaken where they were gathered together. Peter got out of jail in answer to the early Christians’ prayers. The door of the Phillippian jail fell off when Paul and Silas prayed. 

It is fascinating to read of the accounts of the prayers of the saints of God in the Bible. But don’t we serve the same God? Shouldn’t we also pray?

It was Abraham Lincoln who said, "Many times I have been forced to my knees, realizing there was simply no other place to go." George Washington met the crisis of Valley Forge on his knees in prayer. In a speech to the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin reminded the delegates of the daily prayer to God for the guidance and protection that they had offered. Stonewall Jackson said, "I have so fixed the habit in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without lifting my heart to God in thanks and prayer for the Water of Life." I recently had the invitation to pray over the legislative session of the Georgia State Senate, and reminded them of the prayers of these men. 

Remember that prayer is the Christian’s greatest privilege. It is his greatest tool, his greatest weapon and his greatest opportunity. It is the key to God’s storehouse, the switch to God’s power station and the greatest work in which one can become involved.

May all of us say, with Samuel, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you" (I Sam. 12:23).

· Only prayer can turn a life around.
· Only prayer can sober the alcoholic.
· Only prayer can clean up the drug user.
· Only prayer can change a hardened criminal.
· Only prayer can cleanse our minds of old thoughts.
· Only prayer can summons angels into conflict.
· Only prayer can break through the heart of stone.
· Only prayer can pull a person from despair.
· Only prayer can break the yoke of bondage.
· Only prayer can give sight to the spiritually blind.
· Only prayer can give strength to the weary.
· Only prayer can bring in our lost loved ones.
· Only prayer can overthrow the attack of satan.
· Only prayer can unlock the doors to God’s storehouse of blessing. 　

1. People in Trouble Ought to Pray.The psalmist said, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (Ps. 34:6).
So, why don’t we really pray?

2. People Who Need Wisdom Ought to Pray. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).


3. People Who Need Power Ought to Pray. 
Jesus said, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:11-13).. 

4. People Who Want Revival Ought to Pray"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" (II Chron. 7:14).

5. People Who Want Cleansing Ought to Pray. David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23,24).6. People Who Want to Know God’s Way Ought to Pray. 
Moses prayed, "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people" (Exod. 33:13).. 

7. People Who Want to Be Saved Ought to Pray
Peter cried out, "Lord, save me" (Matt. 14:30). The Apostle Paul admonished us to "Pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17). Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).Someone has said, "God waits to do the will of praying men." 

If anything happens…somebody prayed!
If you are saved, somebody prayed.
If you are healed,  Somebody prayed!
We ought to pray! WE MUST PRAY!

The Healthy Pastoral Leader

In his research of leaders, both historical and contemporary, author Robert Clinton found that few leaders actually finish the race well. His two books, The Making of a Leader (NavPress) and The Mentor Handbook (Barnabas), explain that finishing well could be defined as a life that until its end is increasingly more in love with Christ, more committed to His service and more devoted to godly leadership.

What causes a leader to continue to grow, to stay on track and to finish well in life and ministry?

Five Habits of effectiveness. Effective leaders learn to become intentional about their character growth and formation. In this development of a leader we can make three general observations:

1.    God develops a leader over a lifetime;

2.    God uses people, circumstances and ministry assignments to shape the life of a leader; and

3.    Leadership plateau is often indicative of a growth issue within a leader's life.

To help us become more intentional about our health as leaders, let's explore five insights from leaders who have finished well.

1.    Healthy leaders are lifelong learners. Leaders pursue three types of training: personal training, (personal growth, projects, personal research); informal training (workshops, seminars, conferences); and formal training (continuing education, degree programs).

2.    Healthy leaders are committed to serve and develop others. Be alert to potential leaders in your sphere of influence (II Cor. 1:3-4; II Tim. 2:2).

3.    Healthy leaders have a dynamic view of life and ministry. There are three key elements to a personal mission statement - biblical purpose, values and vision.

4.    Healthy leaders experience repeated times of renewal. Effective, godly leaders develop intimacy with God, which in turn overflows into all areas of their ministry. The essential ingredient of leadership is the powerful presence of God in a leader's life and ministry. Leaders incorporate the spiritual disciplines into their walk.

5.    Healthy leaders have a life perspective. God brings along many destiny experiences to shape a leader's ministry. Leaders manifest a growing awareness of their sense of destiny.

Ten Procrastination Traps To Avoid

It has been said that if you kill time that you murder success. In an ever increasingly busy world, it is vital that we as leaders have a disciplined time management system. Here are some foot- dragging steps that I have learned are sure to keep you buried in things to do.

Floundering - The failure to focus attention and efforts in a single direction. The cause is a lack of clear-cut goals. This trap can be avoided by crystallizing your goals. Try writing them down on paper. Make them as specific as possible and give them accomplishment dates.

Wheel-Spinning - Trying to do something so you'll feel busy but accomplishing little or nothing. This usually happens when we let ourselves get behind in our work and try to assuage out guilty feelings by doing everything at once. You won't solve the problem by frantic activity. Survey your list and make a schedule to accomplish everything in a realistic time frame.

Fire-Fighting - Living in a state of perpetual crisis. We often end up like this due to a lack of planning and goals. It's important to include in your schedule planning time. Take the time to sit down and review your schedule and you goals on a daily and weekly basis.

Vacillation - Indecision. This happens when we fail to weigh the alternatives or consider the possibilities. Get tough with yourself. Weigh the pros and cons, write down all the possibilities and make decisions. Trying to do something and failing is better than trying to do nothing and succeeding.

Dawdling - Drifting, daydreaming, dilly-dallying. This is a failure to keep your goals clearly in mind and make them a priority. Give yourself a deadline and stick to it. Promise yourself a reward when you've done it.

Spraying - Diverting your efforts to many tasks instead of one; spreading yourself too thin. This is also the result of a failure to focus on your goals. After you've written down your goals, focus all your energy on accomplishing them one at a time.

Switching - Starting one project and getting diverted to another one half-way through. Again, you've lost the focus of your goals and plan. Don't let yourself be satisfied until the job is done.

Acquiescing - The inability to say no. This can be caused by the desire to please other people, guilt, timidity, lack of self-discipline. You must learn that you don't have to please everyone. When someone makes a request of you that delays or interferes with your plans, politely but firmly refuse. And this includes yourself. Don't give in to self indulgence.

Rehashing - Dwelling on past accomplishments, problems or failures. Here you have an unwillingness to deal with the present. Let the past go. Concentrate on what is and what can be. You do now live in the past. You live in the present. The future will become the present faster than you think.

Perfectionism - Unwillingness to compromise; unrealistic expectations. When we set our goals too high, we run the risk of becoming intimidated by our own goals. Learn to strive for excellence, not perfection. You want to be sure to set realistic, not idealistic, goals.

Ten Principles for Getting Along With Difficult People

1. Maintain your confidence by being in right relationship with God. You can’t be objective or discerning if you’re not in good standing with God. A strong relationship with God gives you the grace and confidence to deal properly with difficult people.

2. Remember over-reacting will only accentuate the conflict and confuse the issue.

3. Hold realistic expectations. Make sure the difficult person can reach your expectations. You may be expecting him to do or be something that is impossible.

4. Quit trying to change the difficult person. Give up your rights and expectations regarding this person. Accept the fact that you can’t change him, but you can change your reactions to him.

5. Refuse to play his games. He may attempt to use you or make you feel guilty or obligated. Recognize the emotional games, and don’t participate.

6. Don’t allow yourself to become the difficult person’s slave. Be honest with yourself and learn to say no.

7. Keep a proper spirit and attitude. Maintaining credibility is the greatest struggle. Don’t let bitterness, anger, or resentment grow.

8. Allow God to ­lead you in dealing with the difficult person. There are no easy answers or set patterns to dealing with Him. The Holy Spirit will give guidance.

9. Confront immediately. Don’t put off facing the conflict. It only makes matters worse.

10. Demonstrate Godly compassion. The basis for getting along with people is found in Jesus’ words. A religious leader asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus responded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself”. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:23-40, NIV).

It’s easy to love those who love us and those who are easy to get along with. But how do you treat the stranger, the difficult person, that person you don’t really understand, can’t relate to and don’t really care about? Jesus said that is the true test of our character and love.