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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

A Simple Solution

But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

- 1 Corinthians 12:31 (NKJV)


Talking about spiritual gifts can cause some division among church people. Some believe that certain gifts no longer manifest themselves within the body of Christ, while others seem to serve as the authority on spiritual giftedness over theirs and other denominations. Sadly, much of this similar division is what Paul addressed among the Corinthian believers. Such division was called "schism" in the King James. Yet, in Paul's own words, he offered a "more excellent way."


Love should be our primary act in the name of the Lord. If we can offer nothing else to the body of Christ, let us at least offer love. If we have no other gift to offer this dying world, let us offer our love to them. When we find a brother wrestling with his sin, let us restore him and love him. As we go throughout our day, let the manifestation of all that Christ has bestowed upon us be saturated in His love for all. Find a way to share love today.

Discover "love": agape, philos, and eros; what is the difference?

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Wait is Over

"...behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

I had taken some time off from contributing to my blog due to final preparations for my latest book of inspirational poetry Broken Pieces. It actually gave me about two and half months to get centered on a few things and get geared up for where I am headed this next year in life and ministry.

2008 set me up for major adjustments in both life and ministry, but 2009 will see me soaring amongst the eagles in the upper atmosphere and above the clouds. Both my work and ministry will be impacted by what I experienced in 2008 and what the Lord has set upon me to accomplish in 2009. I move forward as a "new creation" in Christ Jesus, understanding that as such:
  • Old things have passed away
  • All things have become new

For a download or online purchase of Broken Pieces visit www.lulu.com/lifepath/

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

It Ain't Easy


"For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish."- Romans 7:19 (NASB)

Paul points out what many of us have learned over the years as Christians. He shares the problem that many of us face, day by day, moment by moment. Being a Christian in this human body is not easy. We can find ourselves working against ourselves, fighting the very thing that we are to be about. It is unfortunate but true.

Take a stab at something greater. Be cognizant of the things that work against our new nature as new creations in Christ Jesus. Try living at a higher level rather than lowering yourself to someone else's level. You just might see yourself working towards elevating towards a higher level.

HELPFUL HINT:
Looking for growth in your ministry? Have you been seeking God's blessing over your spiritual development? Seek out some specific targets. Set a date of when you would like to see growth and measure up until that date. Keep track of what you did and why you did it. Jot down any Bible verses that may have encouraged you or confirmed your desires. Keep growing, and keep track of your growth as you grow.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Poetry of Prayer

I have dropped out of sight and out of sorts to some due to "back-to-school" fever and all that comes along with that as well as literally having a fever. However, I am back and at it again in the internet era.

Here is a piece of poetry from one of my upcoming projects. I pray that it blesses you as it has already blessed me.


My Prayer to Thee

My prayer, O Lord, is for all.

I pray for all of Your children

That they may not go astray

But that they remain in Your flock.

I pray for those who once knew You

But turned away and went their own way.

I pray for the unforgiving

That they may have their hearts opened

And that they may find forgiveness.

I pray for the unmerciful

That You will grant them mercy

So they will know how to give it to others.

I pray for the evil and the wicked

That they may see the wrong in their ways.

I pray for those who not found their way

That God will show them which way they should go.

I pray for Your bride, the church in Your name,

That she would be washed and cleaned by the Word.

I pray for Your body, the body of Christ,

That it would build up each member

And strengthen them for fruitfulness.

This is my prayer.

This my prayer in Your name.

This is my prayer for those who may not have prayed

And for those who have refused to pray

Even for their wayward situation.

I pray believing that the answer is already given

In the One who is the Answer for all of our situations.

I pray this as one forgiven and given eternally life

Through the ever-flowing fountain of the Son’s blood.


Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Evening, Morning, and Noon

Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
Psalm 55:17 (NIV)

The psalmist spoke about crying out to the LORD "in distress" at all times of day. The hour of day doesn't matter. Evening? It doesn't matter. Morning? It doesn't matter. Noon? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what time of day that you find yourself in trouble. What matters most is that you know who to "cry out" to in that time of need. You need to call upon the name of the LORD. What is sure in that time is that the LORD "hears my voice" as the psalmist says to us plainly. It is key that the LORD hear from us in whatever hour we find ourselves in need.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

And a Child Shall Lead Them

I must admit that I can be frank about what I am about post here. I believe it to be true. Search back over the years. Most of our "revolutionary" thinkers have come out of the generation's youth. Now, as we look at our youth today, let us not forget what was truly revolutionary about some kids from the "wrong side" of the Sea of Galilee; Simon and Andrew, James and John, and that carpenter's son from Nazareth.

A Child Shall Lead Them

Have you heard?
There is something different going on.
(Yeah, Mary had that baby, didn't she?
I knew it wasn't his)
You know that there are some who've been waiting,
Praying that this revolution would take off like an explosion.
(They always want something new. Ain't nothing new happening 'round here)
You haven't heard?
You didn't get the word?
(What? I missed something?)
This Him who the prophets proclaimed long ago.
He's been born to a virgin over in Bethlehem.
(Who? What prophets?)
See hear. Look upon the scroll.
His name shall be called Immanuel.
He will be called Counselor, Wonderful, and even Prince of Peace.
(Why so many names? What's that all about?)
No, never mind that.
Look at what He will do.
Salvation is His for Jews and Gentiles.
A voice in the wilderness will come before Him,
Calling out:'Prepare ye the way!'
(Oh, I heard about that wilderness. Moses and Aaron was kin to my great-granddaddy.
We knows about some wilderness.)
Yes, He will come and make the crooked ways straight and wash their sins as white.
Yet, He will go as a lamb to the slaughter and by His stripes they'll be healed.
He'll be bruised for the many iniquities of the people.
He will hang upon the tree and become accursed for them.
(Really? Who is He?)
He is the Son of Man born of a virgin.
He is the Christ, the Anointed One.
He is the Messiah.
He is the one written of by the prophets of old.
He is Jesus of Nazareth.
(Aw, man, that's cool. Is he a warrior or a king?)
He is the Lion of Judah,
The Son of David and the King of kings.
He was in the beginning as the Alpha,
And He'll be at the end as the Omega.
Despite all of who He is and what He will be
Isaiah shared what He will do for us.
Isaiah recorded the message of God for us,
Saying:'And a child shall lead them.'
(What?)
He wrote: "Unto us a child is born."
He even wrote that "A son is given."
What he said that was most profound was:
'And a child shall lead them.'
(Oh, Lord! I- I can't believe it.)
Come with me
To see a child from Galilee
Born of a virgin mother
As the son of the living and true God.
(But He sounds so holy!)
Come before Him with thanksgiving,
For His name is: "Jehovah is salvation."
(Praise the Lord!)
Enter into His presence as a child
And worship this child with me
Who sets all men and women free
To live as free as newborn babes.
Amen
(Amen.)

Inspired by Isaiah 11:6
August 21, 2008

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Bible Tract Strategies for You & Your Ministry

Some time ago, at Bayview Baptist Church, we started an additional component of our evangelism ministry that incorporated distributing Bible tracts at local transportation stations for the bus and trolley in San Diego. Below you will find a list of recommendations for usages for Bible tracts.

10 Things You Can Do with Bible Tracts

*Insert a tract in birthday cards to family & friends.
*Give a tract with a thank you card to your doctor, mechanic & pharmacist.
*Leave a tract with your tip at a restaurant.
*Mail a tract to someone on your 10 Most Wanted list.
*Insert a tract in your monthly bills.
*Put a tract in a gift for a friend.
*Provide a tract to a friend who you have in your community.
*Share a tract with your beautician or barber.
*Give a tract to your child’s friends who come over for special occasions.
*Mail a tract to someone you haven’t seen in church for a while.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Pray Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing.- 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Take this to heart: getting through today won't get any easier without prayer. However, I believe that the Lord wants us on a continual quest that seeks Him out daily, especially by staying in prayer. We do so by tapping into God's Spirit that rests in us. He has placed His Holy Spirit within us and we must tap into the power of the Spirit in order to get in close contact with God.
With all that we have to deal with in a day, we have to stay in prayer. We have to stay in constant prayer. Without prayer, we would be like a a light bulb without any source of energy. I pray that you open yourself to continually praying throughout the day. Whether it be at your desk or on the road. Pray by having a brief word with God. Openly express your feelings to God like David did when He created many of the psalms that we read from the Bible.

Monday, July 7, 2008

The Fruit of Our Lips (Hebrews 13:15)


Praises should flow easily from our lips. We ought to be able to praise God with the ease of opening our mouths. Our praise should outweigh the singing and chirping of birds of the air. Our praise should exhibit brighter than the feathers of a peacock. We should have praise the oozes from our lips like a volcanic explosion of lava.


Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.- Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)


Our praise should be " a sacrifice of praise" and should "confess his name." This is the "fruit of lips." We should offer such praise "continually" and confess His name. This is the "fruit"- the evidence for others to witness as our testimony- that comes from our lips.


Find someone to bless today with a special witness of praise for God the Most High.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Please Him Today

Serve the Lord with gladness.- Psalm 100:2

Our service to the Lord is part of our worship of Him. Our worship of Him is through what we do and how we act. We can do the ritual and still be wrong with our attitude. God wants it all. He wants it all His way.

We should be able to share with each other how we are serving the Lord and how we feel about it. "Gladness" means that we enjoy it. It means that we make the most of every moment. In other words, the best that we have for God comes out of us so much that we thoroughly get into and involved with what we are doing for the Lord.

Let today mark the first of many days where you give it all to the Lord out of joy.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Follow the Lord's Lead (John 13:15)

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
-John 13:15 (KJV)

The Lord gave His disciples an example of how to act towards one another. He shared His love with them in both word and deed. He offered them a chance to go beyond the norm, to be set apart. The Lord set the tone by setting the example of how to be Christ-like, how to be a Christian.

Ask yourself if you are following the Lord's example. Check yourself and your ways against the example that He set for His disciples and all of us. The key to it all is that we can follow His example and serve as examples for others to follow Him as well.

Ain't God good?

Monday, June 9, 2008

Freedom School: We Have Who Believe in Freedom...

Recently, I spent about a week in Knoxville for CDF Freedom School's National Training. Although this had been my briefest stay for the annual training event, I gathered some insights from the experience once again.
  1. Freedom is still a word worth keeping in our vocabulary. Even with numerous technological advances such as the internet, MySpace, and cell phones, freedom still seems at a distance when we view our social and economic conditions. We need legislators who are going to do something about inflation, rising food and gas prices, and health insurance costs, not investigate the NFL about a Super Bowl over two years ago or even steroids in the MLB. Freedom is still something that we must believe in and share with our children, so that the cost of freedom is always valued.
  2. Any long-term movement will have a natural generational struggle and conflict. Those who are to pass the baton will hold on as long as they can, even stating that there is no one to pass it on to today. Those who are waiting to take hold of the baton will complain about those who hold it, saying that their time has passed and they need to give it to the new breed of change agents. If we are to take the baton, then we had better start running. I have never seen a relay where the next leg of the race was passed on to someone sitting and waiting; they're usually running in stride.
  3. It pays to pay homage to those who came before you and paved the way. It just makes sense. If you don't believe in karma or reciprocity, you have to at least recognize that you reap what you sow. Pay homage to those who have paid their dues, and then watch out.

Friday, May 30, 2008


Reflections of a Believer

Inspirational Poetry & Prayers
Bruce Jackson
(2008)

The Word is alive.
The Word is here and now.
The Word became flesh
But we still don't know how.
Really? Yeah, we do.
The Word became flesh.
He walked around with me
And with you, too.
He's within me
And even between us.
The Word was in the beginning.
The Word is JESUS.

Available for download $2.50
May 23, 2008
at www.lulu.com/lifepath/
Soft cover version available
July 4, 2008

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

More than Survivors (Romans 8:37)

We are More than Survivors
Romans 8:37
The concept is simple. Believers are not merely survivors of life's challenges. In fact, believers do not just overcome or simply conquer life's pressing matters. Believers, as Paul put it in Romans 8:37, "more than conquer through Him who loved us." It speaks volumes to those with wavering faith. It comforts those who just settled for what came there way. It empowers and energizes believers who strive to live life with abundance.
Order the t-shirt at: http://www.spreadshirt.com/shop.php?sid=129567 and go beyond surviving today!!

Monday, May 12, 2008

The Gospel = Good News

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.- Acts 5:42 (NIV)

As believers, we have some good news to share with others about the Lord, what He has done, and most certainly who He is. This is the type of news that is good; good for us to share and good for others to hear. We have to be proclaimers of His goodness. Notice that they never stopped sharing about Jesus as the Christ. This happened day after day and in all sorts of places and including teaching and preaching (proclaiming).
Think on it today. Where are you teaching and preaching about Jesus and the good news that surrounds Him? When are you doing it? Is it daily? Take it to heart and never stop.

UPDATE:
Bayview Baptist Church's Man-to-Man Ministry holds its monthly men's breakfast May 17th at 7 am at 6134 Benson Avenue (San Diego, CA 92114). Join us as we look at men moving from ordinary to extraordinary via John Macarthur's Twelve Ordinary Men.

Friday, May 9, 2008

The LORD is By Our Side

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side... - Pslam 124:1 (NKJV)

I take this time to take into account where the Lord has brought myself and my family from nearly a year ago. As I had just completed some of the necessary filings for launching a new business venture, my wife was praying about going into her law practice on her own. By the end of last May, my wife was opening an office for her own firm. God spoke to her and she responded in faith. (Read Hebrews 11:6 and 2 Corinthians 5:7 if you are having trouble getting it.)
However, today's causing me to look to the Lord again in reflection of all that He has done. Because of His mighty works, His mercy and grace, His love, I can praise Him. I can praise Him for the opportunity to share His love through the message of His Word through preaching, teaching, training, equipping, and creative expression like I have never done before in my life. I stand in total awe of Him and what He has done with me as person, a man, a father, a husband, a servant, a preacher, and a believer.
Take into account today...
  • Where you started
  • Where you have been since you started
  • What you have seen and heard since then
  • How God has worked on your behalf
  • Where you are now
  • Where you are headed

This simple exercise may assist you in developing greater praise for Him. It just might give you a pick-me-up of praise when it seems like holy humdrum.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

The Eyes of the Lord

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."- Proverbs 15:3 (NKJV)

Who's watching who? The Word keeps it real and makes it real. How real? God has His eyes on every place, thing and (uh-oh) person, too. We have limited perspective, while God has a panoramic view of the real BIG PICTURE. Get a load of that! We may think that someone has been watching our every move throughout the church, who we are seen with and what we are wearing, but God has that and more in His view.

God has eyes on something else as well. God is looking over the evil just like the good. Nothing slips by Him. No one has pulled the wool over His eyes. God is well aware of what is going down. The issue is that we need to know and be aware of the fact that He sees and knows all. Omniscient means that He sees and knows all things.
Who's watching who?

Monday, May 5, 2008

A New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.-2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

Being a "new creation" is about being in Christ. There are some things that have to pass away and some things that have to become new. It may sound a lot easier than it is because we are not that sure of ourselves when we desire the security of what we already know and fear the unknown of what could happen. Faith requires to do two essential things:
  1. Let go of what you know
  2. Hold on to what God has promised

I can't see it or say it any other way. If we do not hold on by faith, then we hold on to what we know out of fear; the fear of losing the security of what we already know. Holding on in faith requires us to trust God every step of the way.

Therefore, to continue on as new creations, we must strive to allow the old things to pass away (let go) and all other things to be viewed as new (accepting of God's will). We are to accept His will for His glory, not our own security. If we are faithful by trusting His Word, we will see its manifestation before our very eyes and in our lives.

Hold on in faith as a new creation!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Update: All Men Edified Now Meeting Location Change

All Men Edified Now (A.M.E.N.) First Friday Fellowship will change its meeting location for May 2nd to Bayview Baptist Church, 6134 Benson Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114 in MLK 104. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM and ends around 8 PM.
"...behold, all things have become new."
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

Saturday, April 26, 2008

All Men Edified Now (A.M.E.N.): First Friday Fellowship (May 2nd) 6:30 pm- 8 pm

Join us for First Friday Fellowship (May 2nd) 6:30 pm- 8 pm 1144 30th Street (San Diego, CA) Christ Cornerstone Church Topic: Fueled by Faith (Hebrews 11:8-10; James 2:21-24)
Map Link: http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=32.717383&lon=-117.129784&mag=2&q1=1144%2030th%20St%2C%20San%20Diego%2C%20CA%2092102-2302%2C%20United%20States

Let faith be your fuel for forging through this Christian journey!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Building Ministry on Solid Foundations (Matthew 7:24-27)

Life Path Ministries & Services' mini-conference "Building Ministry on Solid Foundations (Matthew 7:24-27)" scheduled May 24th, 11 am- 3 pm, at Bayview Baptist Church. $30 per person; discounted rate ($20) for senior citizens (55+), youth, college students, and clergy. Check out http://www.myspace.com/lifepathevents/ for more upcoming events and activities. Inquiries welcome at revbruce@ministriesinaction.com.

Get Connected to Continue

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. -Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Jesus provides us with an example of how to get connected in order to continue serving, especially if you've been doing a lot. In this brief narrative, between verses 21 through 34 of this same chapter, Jesus has been busy casting out demons, teaching, preaching and healing people. Yet, He takes time out to get connected with His source of power in order to continue with His work.

In order to get connected to continue, you should:
  • Get up early: This text tells us that Jesus got up "very early in the morning." Start out before the sunlight has struck the day. As the Word says: "while it was still dark."
  • Get away: The text shows that Jesus went to a "solitary place." He went somewhere that He could get away from all of the hustle and bustle of the multitudes and even His disciples. Get to a place where others cannot get to you readily.
  • Get alone (with God): Jesus get up early and got away, and then He prayed. He got alone with God. We need some one-on-one time with God. We need that time when He can speak to us in His Spirit through prayer.

If we get connected with God in a similar manner, then we can get to a point where we can continue in our service without feeling like it's all for nothing. Hear from God in prayer, meditation, and through Bible study.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

In Spite of the Circumstances

Picture this! Imagine a personal or professional venture where people in your community fail to support you (or your ideas), where corruption seemed to rule the rulers of the day, even the righteous religious ones, and where there was little to no family support. That doesn't sound so appealing to me, and I would imagine that it wouldn't seem so appealing to you either.



Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? (John 1:46, NASB)



The words of Nathanael echo in our ears daily. Can anything good come from a place where there is no support? Can anything good come from a single-parent family? Can anything good come from welfare and public assistance program recipients? Can anything good come from humble beginnings? What about the ghetto? What about the projects? What about dysfunctional families? Can anything good come from them?



Jesus demonstrated that it could happen. Jesus exemplified going for it in spite of the circumstances. If you ever feel that you don't have enough support or that life dealt you a bad hand prior to you even getting off to a start, look at what Jesus did in spite of the circumstances. The Master showed us that we can go beyond the limits that others set upon us. Keep going for it in spite of your circumstances.



For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 (NIV)

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Planning Your Course (Proverbs 16:9)

In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9



Believers have a responsibility to plan and submit. We are to plan our lives and the steps that it will take to get these plans done. However, we are also to submit to the will of Almighty God. We may make daily plans, but the Lord can step in and call us to take another direction with our lives.

I say this with all sincerity and seriousness. We have to plan our daily comings and goings, but we must be prepared for God to offer us a change of plans. By doing so, we are not attached to the temporal things of this world but the spiritual things of the kindgom of God.



Final Note: The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD; and He delights in his way. Psalm 37:23 (MKJV)



Update: Life Path Ministries & Services' mini-conference "Building Ministry on Solid Foundations (Matthew 7:24-27)" scheduled May 24th, 11 am- 3 pm, at Bayview Baptist Church. $30 per person; discounted rate ($20) for senior citizens (55+), youth, college students, and clergy. Check out http://www.myspace.com/lifepathevents/ for more upcoming events and activities. Inquiries welcome at revbruce@ministriesinaction.com.
 
Amen Me!