Archbishop Gregory Holley

Gregory Lee, Listen to me!!!

My mother's voice rings from the kitchen this morning although she has been with Jesus for many years.  "Gregory Lee, listen to me, it's time to get up and go to church!"  The admonition, "listen to me," was an instructional integral portion of her vernacular.  With six kids and a stray or two floating in and out of the house she felt she had to get your attention and that you were somehow ignoring her words. So just to make sure she punctuated everything with , "listen to me!"

Children have a history of not listening to parents.  It seems to be a vocational hazard of parenthood.  Until your voice is raised and the sternness within  rises up the child does not listen. The weakness was in my generation and has become paralytic in this modern generation.

Focused upon self interests.  Deriving pleasure from narrow ranges of knowledge induced by video games or cell phones it seems no one is listening to anyone anymore.  We listen long enough to gather information to move on with our agenda.  We listen long enough to voice an opinion.

If you interrupted the old folk they would say, "Listen to me!"  Their authority lived within there longevity upon the earth. The respect for them was because they were older.  The obedience was that of submission to those that had the rule over you.

The most potent change today is the fact that parents have ceased to be parents and believe it is their duty to become their children's friends. Best friends that is. The competition is on rival friends, teachers, superstars and media.  So the parent seeks to have the child listen by becoming friends.

The loss of objectivity in this modern scenario is one of the probable causes of the loss of respect for Jesus Christ.  He is our friend.  He is our savior. But He is to be Lord in our lives.

When the Apostle Peter is praying in the 4th chapter of the Book of Acts in the Holy Bible he uses two words to help us in this distinction.  He calls out to the "Lord" to 'stretch out his hand' through the Lord's "holy servant Jesus."  Confused?  No need to be.

He cries out to God the Father as Lord.  My father taught me the Greek word for this was 'despotes' or absolute ruler.  Peter saw the eternal fatherhood of God as the absolute ruler.  Is Father God the absolute ruler of your life?  The 'outstretched hand' was the right hand of supernatural authority and was to be extended through the name of Jesus.  Still confused?  No need to be...

Peter says this miracles would be done through the "name of your holy servant Jesus."  The Greek word for servant is 'diakonos'  or the 'assisting' Jesus.  Now it comes clear.  Hear what the Spirit has to to say to the hearer.  The absolute ruler is not our childhood friend,  not our buddy, buddy, nor our shopping mate.  The absolute ruler has, according to the Holy Bible, Jesus at the right hand of his authority, ready to stretch out his hand and bring forth supernatural victory for you at this wonderful moment.

What a friend we have in Jesus...  These are the words to the song but if we listen to the miracle workers of the New Testament it should say these words. "What an assisting Jesus we have who is ready to do all things!!  He is authorized to bring you an outstretched hand of blessing this day!

"Gregory Lee, listen to me!"  Yes , mama, I'm coming!   uh, and listening!

No Asterisk Here by Mark Johnston

Mark Johnston is the Lead Pastor of The Journey in Newark, Delaware. His blog is fantastic and you can read more of his writing at www.yourjourney.typepad.com

No Asterisk Here

Exodus 20:8-10
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God…

It’s right there, a third of the way through the most famous legal system ever designed and delivered to humanity, the Ten Commandments.

Have you ever noticed that there are no caveats in the Ten Commandments? No disclaimers, no asterisks with miniscule print accompanying their twins at the bottom of the page, no howevers, no but ifs, no neverthelesses… It’s just straight up truth. God doesn’t say, honor your father and mother as long as they’re nice to you; or you shall have no other gods before Me unless you feel I’m doing a lousy job. He just puts it out there – straightforward, matter-of-fact, insistent. You shall. You shall not.

And those of us who trust His truth get it. We know that we shall not commit adultery – regardless of how lonely or seduced we feel when temptation comes. We agree that we shall not steal, lie, or murder – regardless of the need, convenience, or provocation we might be able to conjure up by way of explanation.

So what’s up with Sabbath? Remember the Sabbath day, God says, to keep it holy. Work as feverishly as you’d like six days a week; get as much done as you can, burn the midnight oil if that’s the way you’re wired, move mountains, change the world. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God.

Now I recognize that God seems to have shifted His attention away from Sabbath as Saturday; and that Jesus responded harshly to Sabbath as legalistic dagger-on-a-thread. But has God’s enthusiasm (and insistence) for a day of rest tapered off, become irrelevant, lost its fervor?

I’m pretty sure the answer’s no. Instead, we’ve created caveats. Just for this one commandment, we’ve added an asterisk, a “see below.” Small print.

Remember the Sabbath. Unless it’s crunch time. Remember the Sabbath. Unless work’s been piling up. Remember the Sabbath. Unless there’s an urgent need requiring your attention. Remember the Sabbath. Unless this meeting could close the deal. Remember the Sabbath. Unless guilt looms large and anxiety prevails and just getting this one thing done and out of the way would make the rest of the week go smoother.

So for me, too many times, Sabbath is anything but holy. I try to sneak work in, rationalizing it, explaining it away, smothering the gift of rest given to me generously by God with no strings attached in the headlock of my obsessive drive to find fulfillment in finishing.

Do you think God approves of our caveats, our asterisks? Do you think God watches us violate His command and sheepishly says to Himself, they’re right, it was a foolish commandment, an embarrassment, out of place, inferior to the other nine. How much wiser than Me they are, realizing that instead of trusting and resting, they should finish up.

Nah. Instead He must be saddened, if not vexed, by our disregard for His gracious gift. He must wonder why we just can’t seem to remember… the Sabbath.

When’s the last time you rested, worshiped, slowed down, trusted God to handle what is unfinished while you focused on what is forever settled?

Exodus 20:8-10
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God…

It’s right there, a third of the way through the most famous legal system ever designed and delivered to humanity, the Ten Commandments.

Have you ever noticed that there are no caveats in the Ten Commandments? No disclaimers, no asterisks with miniscule print accompanying their twins at the bottom of the page, no howevers, no but ifs, no neverthelesses… It’s just straight up truth. God doesn’t say, honor your father and mother as long as they’re nice to you; or you shall have no other gods before Me unless you feel I’m doing a lousy job. He just puts it out there – straightforward, matter-of-fact, insistent. You shall. You shall not.

And those of us who trust His truth get it. We know that we shall not commit adultery – regardless of how lonely or seduced we feel when temptation comes. We agree that we shall not steal, lie, or murder – regardless of the need, convenience, or provocation we might be able to conjure up by way of explanation.

So what’s up with Sabbath? Remember the Sabbath day, God says, to keep it holy. Work as feverishly as you’d like six days a week; get as much done as you can, burn the midnight oil if that’s the way you’re wired, move mountains, change the world. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God.

Now I recognize that God seems to have shifted His attention away from Sabbath as Saturday; and that Jesus responded harshly to Sabbath as legalistic dagger-on-a-thread. But has God’s enthusiasm (and insistence) for a day of rest tapered off, become irrelevant, lost its fervor?

I’m pretty sure the answer’s no. Instead, we’ve created caveats. Just for this one commandment, we’ve added an asterisk, a “see below.” Small print.

Remember the Sabbath. Unless it’s crunch time. Remember the Sabbath. Unless work’s been piling up. Remember the Sabbath. Unless there’s an urgent need requiring your attention. Remember the Sabbath. Unless this meeting could close the deal. Remember the Sabbath. Unless guilt looms large and anxiety prevails and just getting this one thing done and out of the way would make the rest of the week go smoother.

So for me, too many times, Sabbath is anything but holy. I try to sneak work in, rationalizing it, explaining it away, smothering the gift of rest given to me generously by God with no strings attached in the headlock of my obsessive drive to find fulfillment in finishing.

Do you think God approves of our caveats, our asterisks? Do you think God watches us violate His command and sheepishly says to Himself, they’re right, it was a foolish commandment, an embarrassment, out of place, inferior to the other nine. How much wiser than Me they are, realizing that instead of trusting and resting, they should finish up.

Nah. Instead He must be saddened, if not vexed, by our disregard for His gracious gift. He must wonder why we just can’t seem to remember… the Sabbath.

When’s the last time you rested, worshiped, slowed down, trusted God to handle what is unfinished while you focused on what is forever settled?

I Need Church!

Your week has been demanding.  Perhaps disappointments in people, equipment and the general attitude of the world around you have bogged you down. Life may have scrambled you like the jet fighter pilots who stand on watch guarding our nation.  But today is Sunday.

We have chosen to go to church on Sunday as a people. A day of rest.  A day of yielding to the Heavenly authority once again. A day to remind us that if in this life only we have hope we would be among people most miserable.

Even our daily prayers do not supersede the need to gather with others and seek the pleasantries of a loving God. The choice to gather the family, get dressed, drive to the house of worship, park in the parking lot, go in and sit down is worship unto itself. And it is not lost on God's mind.

He told Jeremiah in the Good Book, " I know the thoughts you that I have for you and they are good and not of evil and will bring you to an expected place." The destination of God's thinking draws the worshiper to the drawing board once again and the plans already designed. These plans are in God's eternal plan for you.

So, we sit at the feet of one who died and was resurrected for our salvation and receive strength to go again. Tomorrow we return to the battles of life, both big and small. Tomorrow we polish the possessions that demand our attention. But today we worship.

Today we confess our faults one with another, each of us sitting in the congregation looking at Jesus and not at man.  Today we receive His goodness and it, like sugar in the tea, sweetens the rottenness of man. Today we receive fresh insight as to how to handle the problems that swirl around.

Today is Sunday and I need to go to church! Not that one day is above another, but this day is the Lord's day and I will be glad and rejoice in it!  Join me, not as hypocrites ignoring our needs before the Father, but as children coming home to the table of blessing!

Back in the Cornfields

This Sunday morning finds us sitting on a familiar parking lot at Bethel Bible Church in Decatur, Illinois.  Pastors Jack and Lynn Greenwood are long time friends of the ministry and we will be ministering in the morning service. The new parking lot is glistening and the 14 inches of snow last week is still evident around the buildings. Stability is the picture that is portrayed.

When entering the State of Illinois the wheels were turning as the Coach performed its usual flying circus act. Soon it was noticed that we were passing every truck and memory flashed warning signs. In this state trucks, motor homes, cars with trailers and Amish horse buggies must adhere to a 55 mile per hour limit. Applying gently on the brakes it was remembered that when leaving Illinois for residency in Texas the remark was made that we would not miss the speed limit or the snow!

One of the great preachers of modern time is hidden in a cornfield between Cadfield and Sullivan, Illinois. Twenty eight years ago Dave and Deborah Dolan became Pastors at a little church literally surrounded by cornfields.  When we became friends the church was bumping right along on its way to greatness. Our time allowed us to stop by and see the progress.  It was amazing!

A few years ago Pastor Dave told me of a desire to build a 1500 seat sanctuary. Now remember, people have to drive an average of 35 minutes to get to the place! Well, I saw it in the midst of building but when rounding the corner and looking through the cornfields it rose in majesty with its great steeple being seen almost a mile before arriving. The complex of buildings, recreation centers, coffee shop, cafe and classrooms was overwhelming!

It was one of those times in your life when you are reminded that God can place a man in cornfield or a desert and draw those hungry for His spirit to Himself. The family (7 Kids) have helped tremendously and today I salute New Life Tabernacle of Sullivan, Illinois for their terrific obedience to the Kingdom's call to go into all the world and preach the Gospel!  Their walls are laden with pictures of missionaries around the corner and around the world whom they support!

So the slowness of travel was good as we reminisced about the days of beginnings and how the Lord has blessed humble efforts!  So as we creep out of Illinois into Indiana this afternoon our speed may increase back to 70 or better but our spirits will have been revived and refreshed from the slow drive through the cornfields.  We will have been reminded of the thousands of loads hauled to charities around the world from Bloomington and Decatur.  We will be softened by memory of the days of struggle to align ourselves with the great efforts of mankind to alleviate the needs of the poor, around the corner, around the world.

Yes, cornfields are barren in this season.  The black dirt capped by white snow looking like oreos splashed with milk. But laying beneath the surface are the nutrients of tomorrows harvest, the corn products that fuel and feed the world. The ground is recouping its strength to yield another bountiful harvest. The snow, the thaw, the rolling tractors will soon begin to plant seed deep into the ground because of a harvest desired.

And the cornfields will no longer be barren ......   So, to our faithful friends and partners warm up to the idea that your harvest is coming. The cycle always turns and you must be ready to plant for the coming desired harvest. I hear the Bible writer saying, "Do not be weary not well doing for in due season you will reap if you faint not!"  Slow down, take a ride through the cornfields and be blessed!

Take Away the Stone!

11Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."

8 The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?"

9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."

12 Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him."

16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about [fn1] two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."

23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

Jesus and Death, the Last Enemy

28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you." 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but [fn2] was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, [fn3] saying, "She is going to the tomb to weep there."

32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."

33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, "Where have you laid him?"

They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."

35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

37 And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"

Lazarus Raised from the Dead

38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone."

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."

40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41 Then they took away the stone [fn4] from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?
HE IS JESUS
WHO IS HE?
IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE
NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF
GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW
OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH
TWO FISH & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE
BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL
BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR AND THE PRINCE OF PEACE;

IN SALVATION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO
THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;

SO. WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!

       JOIN ME IN CHURCH TODAY                                   AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM;

HE IS WORTHY.

Emergency Telephone Numbers!

Emergency Telephone Numbers  These are more effective than 911  When -  You are sad, phone John 14  You have sinned, phone Psalm 51  You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91  People have failed you, phone Psalm 27  It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139  Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11  You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23  You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34  You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13  You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18  You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39  You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30  It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90  You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30  You are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121  You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87  You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1  Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31  You are depressive, phone Psalm 27  Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37  You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13  It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15  You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126  You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19  You want to carry fruit, phone John 15  Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17  With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55  To get along with other people, phone Romans 12  ALTERNATE NUMBERS  For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47  For security, call Psalm 121:3  For assurance, call Mark 8:35  For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18  ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.  NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.  ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.  FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH.

Let Us Go!

Familiar words?  It seems everybody is going somewhere.  And in a hurry too. Over 50 times in the Bible (kjv) the words, "let us go" are induced in a variation of meanings.

At times it was a command.  At other times it was a plea.  At another it was a decision.  And yet another an invitation.

Moses, impassioned by the imprisonment of the children of Israel, commanded Pharaoh to "Let my people go..." But it was the commanding voice of authority when he asked Pharaoh to "let us go" into the desert to worship that released the hoard of humanity upon their wilderness trek.

Then Moses said to the Israelites, "let us go..."  There was a certain amount of reasoning to those who had been reared in slavery. They had no knowledge but slavery and were uncomfortable about going anywhere outside of the established routine. It was this plea that brought them together in packing their things.

Then there was the Tower of Babel. The unified men of the earth decided to build a tower to reach the heavens where they pictured God to live.  As they began the foundations it was simple to watch but as the tower grew into the clouds the mockery of God drew the attention of God.  God made a decision. "Let us go down and confuse their languages so that they cannot continue this path of human destruction..."  And soon came the multiplicity of languages upon the earth!

Then there is David the Psalmist who artfully penned the phrase, "I was glad when they said unto , let us go into the house of the Lord!"  It has been said to me innumerable times growing up.  It has been used in our home as Angela grew up.  And it is not weakened that on this Sunday I say unto you, "Let us go into the house of the Lord!  See you in church!!!!

Successful Faith Requires Action!

Do you remember what it is to look forward to going somewhere? It all but consumes your mind.  The days seem to drag as the date nears. Then it comes.

It seems as though Habakkuk wrote in his letter to the spiritual that they should make a plan.  Write it down. Make it plain. Then began to move toward the victory of the desire.

We are a couple of weeks past the already forgotten New Year's Resolutions of many.  Perhaps you have made a resolution to do this or that, to stop this or that, to go here or there.  Habakkuk spoke carefully of his current endeavors.

He stated that he would stand upon his watch.  He would even climb a little higher into a tower.  He would watch to see what will be said unto him. And most important, would answer and not ignore a rebuke or reproval.

When the Lord did speak to him it was simple.  "Write your vision, make it plain, so that the one reading it can run with the plan."  The instructions following the instructions were the most important.

1. The vision (or dream) is for a specific time.
2. In the conception it may be unheard but in the culmination it will speak.
3. It will not be a lie.
4. It may be delayed in your time table but wait.
5. It will surely come and when it comes it will move fast!
6. Watch the pride of the success.
7. You will always have to live by faith to be justified.

Habakkuk 2:1-4

Be blessed!!!

Stand!

Ephesians 6: 10-19

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--

19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel...

STAND!

There was a toy in our house when just a kid.  It was a clown that was blown up and about 4 feet tall. It had a weighted base and whenever we kicked it around it always came back to the upright position. Try as we might, kick it as far as we might, wrestle it as much as we might, when you turned it loose, it was coming back to stand straight in your face!   It never failed.  Someone gave me one a few days ago.  You know, it still works!  And then the analogy of the Apostle's teaching came to mind. 

No matter what is done against you, how far you have been kicked (by your own doing or others), should Jesus Christ be your weighted anchor when it turns you loose, and it will, you will come back to dead center, STANDING!