Faith to Succeed

Faith to Succeed

     As I sit here at my desk juggling work from school, booking comedy events, among other things

I can't help but think about the goodness of God.  I have to be candid and transparent in order for this blog to help me and someone else.  I'm convinced that no matter what level people are in life, they still have challenges and hurdles that onlookers just can't see.  Sometimes people think just because you've been on television, or because you live in a nice house, or drive a nice car, and wear decent clothes that you are good to go.  People can look at you and think wow you must be rich.  But I've come to know that you can't believe everything that you see.  Only God knows what challenges each individual is faced with.

     We were in church on Sunday at Tabernacle of Praise International in McDonough, GA and Pastor T.J. McBride was doing an amazing illustration of a man who was downtrodden in the streets with trash all about him.  While Pastor described this man's turmoil and anguish he began to talk about the goodness of God, and how he can turn your situation around.  He spoke about how we as the church can walk down the street right past a homeless man and not acknowledge him or assist him at all.   I'm sure we've all been guilty of this.  Of course we can't help everyone.  But yet and still some of these very people might exist right in our own congregation.  Pastor asked us to hold hands with the person next to us while we all prayed for one another in hopes of lifting up those who might be destitute.  And while we were doing this I'm standing there with my nice suit on with my wife and mother by my side thinking "boy if these people only knew how temporarily financially challenged I am right now they would flip."  As Pastor was praying for people who were having a tough time I thought about the fact that I'm totally out on faith at this very moment.  I have not worked in a week, we are just back from a cruise, and we are staring at a mountain of bills.  I'm like "that guy on the ground with the trash all over him could very well be me."  But for the presence of Almighty God there goes I.

As Pastor continued to speak about the goodness of God and how he could change your situation in a moment's notice, a group of people began to walk out on the platform and set up a table with a bright red linen cloth, candles, china, silverware, and a glass as preparation for a King.  Pastor said that while you are  going through your toughest point God is preparing a table for you in the presence of your enemies.  At this time Pastor reached down to the man and dusted him off, and helped to lift him to his feet.  He put a suit jacket on him and invited him to sit at the table that was prepared for him.  The whole church was shouting and in tears.  It was a wonderful illustration.  Pastor McBride is famous for his excellent illustrations while preaching his sermons.  He asked us to join in on a Thanksgiving Turkey Drive where we are to feed up to 500 hundred families. Normally I would be all in at the top tier of giving. I wanted to give, but I couldn't because I already gave the little seed that I had towards the general offering.  But in the midst of it all I felt empowered and had this unshakable faith that God was going to work things out for my good.  His word said that he would.  I didn't even know how I was going to make it through school over the past two weeks while traveling to L.A. and going on the cruise.  I was doing homework the whole time. Here I was a big six foot four man sitting on the plane in coach trying type on my computer with my arms and legs all scrunched up.  But praise God I was able to get something done.  Even while I was on the cruise I hammered out my assignments and was able to post it from the ship's internet.  It all worked out for my good.

God is faithful and just to do what he said.  Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please him; and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him."  God will work your situation out please believe it.  When you are sitting there with a mountain of bills and no work in sight God will provide.  Yes he will!  I've been getting up in the mornings praying and meditating on his goodness, and the phone has begun to ring, and people are booking events.  So I'm trusting him to take me from zero to paying the mortgage, car notes, graduate school tuition, and all of the bills that are due.I'm at my red sea once again, but like Moses and the children of Israel, God will make a way out of no way.  I decree and declare that he is doing it right now.  And not only will he do it for me, but if you believe, he will do it for you. Until next time.

Peace and God Bless.

Willie

God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly all that we ask or think according to the power that  worketh in us.  (Ephesians 3:20).

Six Weeks Into The Masters Of Theology Program At Ohio Christian University

     Well I am six weeks into the Masters of Theology program at Ohio Christian University, a satellite campus located in Morrow, GA.  So far it has been an amazing journey of knowledge, dedication, enlightenment, and intrigue.  First and foremost, I never thought I would be on this path.  If you would have told me this just a few years ago I would have said "you are out of your mind."  I must say that it is a wonderful journey filled with challenges and learning that I have never experienced before.  One of the toughest things for me is to balance work as a full-time Comedian/Ventriloquist with being a full-time student, while being a husband, and taking care of my elderly mother.

     It is the strength and testimonies of others that helps me to continue.  I've spoke to people and have heard their stories as to how they raised babies while attending school and working full-time.  Like the old saying goes "Whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger."  I'm going to hold on to my faith in God and see where he leads me. If you want more out of life then you have to be willing to put more into it.  There is nothing more important than learning the word of God and applying it to your life.  We get better one day at a time.  As Yolanda Adams most eloquently sang in her song "the battle is not yours, it's the Lord's."

     Let me not forget to mention how great and supportive my wife Sherry has been. I don't think I could do this without her. She has been the wind beneath my wings.  I would be remiss not to mention her.  And right in the middle of this blog she brings me a nice hot bowl of oatmeal with walnuts, raisin, brown sugar, butter, and milk.  Wow, breakfast for champions!  Thank you Honey.  I love you.

     As a student in the Masters of Theology program at Ohio Christian University I find it necessary to create this blog beginning with the subject of “How to Study the Bible."  First and foremost the bible is the word of God, and is inspired by God the creator of the universe.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."  Therefore in order to do the will of God one most know the will of good.  The only way to know God’s will for our lives is to study his word, which is found in the Holy Bible.

Effective Bible Study

  In order to have an effective bible study it is important to have a bible with the proper translation that you can understand.  I like the King James Version, but I also read from a much easier text in the New Living Translation also known as NLT. So find yourself a good bible and make a goal to read it daily.  I would suggest that you begin by praying and asking God for understanding and revelation of his word before you read.  Matthew 7:7-8 KJV or King James Version says “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

     According to God’s word you can expect to gain knowledge and all that you are looking for if you seek it.  You should also pick a book in the bible that you would like to read.  Of course you can start with the book of Genesis and work your way through to the end in Revelation. But I was taught to take a little at a time, and read to understand it not just to read it.  It was suggested to me to read from the book of proverbs in the morning, and to read a psalm at night.  Proverbs is a book of wisdom with thirty-one passages.  You can actually read a proverb each morning and start your day off with the mighty wisdom of God.  You can then read a psalm which speaks of God’s praise, his wonderful works, and awesome power.  When reading the bible do it consistently.  Also re-read the bible because you can gain understanding and new meaning each time you do so depending on what is going on in your life at the time.

Christ-like life

     In order to live a Christ-like life it’s important to study the bible and to learn about the key people in the bible and their stories.  When you start with the book of Genesis you learn about how God created the heaven and earth from nothing.  You also learn about how God created the first man and woman Adam and Eve.  It’s important to know where we came from and what God expects from mankind.  All of this and more can be found in various books of the bible.  In following Moses and the children of Israel we learn about a forty year journey from bondage to the promise land.  There are many stories of miracles and God’s mercy towards his chosen people.  When we learn about different people in the bible and what they have gone through it helps us to learn more about ourselves, our faith, and what great things God has planned for us.  As we look at the lives and challenges of others sometimes we can see ourselves.  We can also see God’s faithfulness in how he brings biblical characters through many trials and tribulations.  Through reading God’s word, and fellowship with other believers we learn how to live a victorious Christ-like life.

Practice of Christian Ministry

     The practice of Christian ministry comes through many different facets.  As believers of Christ we must study God’s word to show ourselves approved, but we must also fellowship with the body of believers.  The bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 KJV “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  So it is important for us come together as a body of believers to learn, support, and strengthen one another.  The bible says that “iron sharpens iron, so does a man sharpen the countenance of his friend” Proverbs 27:17 KJV.  It’s encouraged that followers of Christ read the word of God regularly, and attend church where the word is taught.  Not only should we attend church, but we should get involved in a ministry and be active.  Furthermore, when a Christian attends church he or she should look to learn more by taking courses in discipleship, or any training that will increase one’s knowledge of Christ.  It’s great to read the bible and other support materials, books from notable pastors, Christian magazines, articles etc.  The more we surround ourselves with the people of God, and read his literature, the more Christ-like our lives become.