Memorial Day

It is so sad and very unfortunate that we have reduced Memorial Day to just a time to have another three-day weekend. One person said, "Memorial Day is a day to BBQ, picnic, and take the boat out on the lake." We have neglected to teach our children about patriotism, honor, sacrifice, and the high price of freedom. The freedoms that we enjoy did not come without a price.  Men and women of courage died for this moment.

© Mlpotma | Stock Free Images &Dreamstime Stock Photos

From the website, "How to Observe Memorial Day":

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be -- a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given their lives for ours.


Here are some ways to honor and observe Memorial Day:

• by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
• by visiting memorials.
• by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
• by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
• by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance" at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
• by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans. 

May 

we find ourselves quiet, humble, and grateful as we reflect on the millions of lives lost so we could picnic,  BBQ, and play on the lake. Oh, that we could be forever in debt to all who loved America so we could see Old Faithful fly and hear freedom ring.

WE SAY "THANK YOU" TO THE MEN AND WOMEN, FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN WHO MADE AN INVESTMENT BY THE SACRIFICES OF THEIR OR THEIR LOVED ONES' LIVES. WE SHALL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL.

Humbly loving you,

Bishop Gabe

DON'T FEAR THE FLAT-LINE

Life is most fascinating when we understand its purpose. Life is nothing that we create or attain; it is truly a gift from God. God gives us life and we mostly determine its quality and often its quantity.When life comes to us as a gift, it is full of God's power. The potential life has within its borders hope, peace, fullness, future, and success. When we realize that life is from a loving and generous God, we then desire to live life to its fullest. Life should be enjoyed, not endured.

In this present life (the natural) we have ups and downs, mountains and valleys, triumphs and tragedies. Unfortunately, we compare one day to another and we determine whether this is a good day or bad day. If the truth be known, we cannot say what a good day or a bad day is until we have evaluated all the days. Let me propose to you, my reader, something to consider. I want you to imagine an EKG monitor. As it is recording your heart's activity, you will notice the peaks and the valleys. We call that a representation of life. As long as we can see high points and low points, we feel we are fine. Once that machine shows a long flat line, we call that death.  But is it really death or is it the passage way to a new destination?

Now when we understand real life (the spiritual), the flat line represents consistency. Life around us still happens. Life is full of deaths and births, marriage and divorce, buying a new home and being foreclosed, luxurious cruises and broken down cars. But those that have flat-lined in Christ are consistent in their faith. When their faith is challenged, they trust in God. When seemingly nothing goes right, they trust in God. When there is an abundance, they praise God for His goodness. When there is an apparent lack, they praise God for His goodness. David the Psalmist writes, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord." It is when we flat-line in Christ, that life becomes peaceful. A dead man does not fear tomorrow. A dead man is not offended as to what people do or say. The flat-liner says, as Apostle Paul has said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," and "The life which I NOW live..., I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." The dead man is no longer shaken, but has become the shaker.

Jesus warned us that in this life we shall have hard times and tribulations. Yet He said to be of good cheer because He had overcome and so, we too shall overcome. My friend, life happens. Let life do its thing and allow God to do His.  We also must learn to do God's thing! May we not allow the circumstances to dictate our path and our journey through this life. This life is merely a temporary detour to our eternal home!

Humbly loving you,
Bishop Gabe


Photo from:  © Nicemonkey | Stock Free Images &Dreamstime Stock Photos

YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE

You are truly an incredible piece of work. You are marvelous and have been fashioned by the hands of a loving Creator. You have been preordained for greatness. Everything that has happened in your life serves a purpose. True purpose is beyond human understanding and comprehension. Man spend fruitless hours making plans and attempting to figure out tomorrow. Humans are not to make plans, but we are to fulfill purpose. God has the plan. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans that He has for us. All of His plans will give you hope and will give you a prosperous future. These plans will be unfolded as we get closer and closer to Him. I want to encourage you that the mess you think you have made is not beyond repair. Satan would love for you to believe his lie that you are a failure and you are worthless. But you are not a failure; you are a miracle in the making. Success is yours by divine nature and divine birthright.

Let's take a look at failure and success.

Failure and success are opposite sides of the same coin, yet the value has not changed. 

What am I saying? Failure does not mean you messed up or did not succeed. It reveals to you things you did not know before. There is value in every failure.  Every successful person has failed time after time. Here are some quotes by successful and famous people:

 “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”          – Michael Jordan

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."  – Roger Bannister 

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur."     – Vince Lombardi 

"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." – Babe Ruth

SEVEN REASONS WHY WE FAIL
AND SEVEN REASONS WHY WE SUCCEED

Failure

1.     Focusing on the failures of the past.

2.     Not really fearing failure, but success.

3.     Fearing rejection or feeling inadequate.

4.     The pain of disappointment overrides the joy of success.

5.     Failure is easier to achieve -- not much work, lower
      expectations.

     6.  Not being confident that there will be a favorable outcome.

     7.   Accepting failure before the attempt.

Success

    1.      Focusing on past successes. 

    2.     Success comes with a powerful sense of expectation.

    3.     Looking forward to the sense of accomplishment and the joy
          of approval.

    4.     Recognizing who are designed to be.  

    5.     Understanding that this present success is the next step to
          greater successes.

    6.     Success is the only option.

    7.     Looking forward to modeling success to others.

YOU CAN TURN YOUR IMPOSSIBILITIES INTO POSSIBILITIES!

Humbly loving you,
Bishop Gabe


Click here for image source.

POSITIONED TO PROSPER PROPERLY

I have asked God to bless your mind as you read this blog and receive His Word.  In order to walk in the prosperity and the blessings of God, we need a paradigm shift.  We MUST believe that it is the will of God to have His blessings overtake us.  There is  a cry from God for our submission and obedience, so that we, with the continued blessing of God, can tell the story of His goodness.


You and I were created to prosper and to succeed. That was God's original design and plan for man. From the very beginning, God invested Himself into His creation.   He is a prosperous God and only life emanates from Him.  When we understand who God really is, then, and only then, will we learn to live in our designated position.


True prosperity is not found in  the acquisition of things, nor the accumulation money.  Money will never make one rich; houses and land will not make one prosperous; cars and material things will not cause us to be successful.  All those things are the fallout of hard work, good choices, wise investments, gifts, or inheritances.  True success is a state of mind. The truly successful and prosperous person is one who has learned contentment in whatever God brings his way. 


Let me give you a few pointers that will help you become prosperous and successful:

• Live in the acknowledgement that it is God who gives us power to get wealth.  (Deuteronomy 8:18)

• Understand that money is only seed and we need to learn how to sow, where to sow, and what to sow.  All seed produces of its kind.  A small measure of seed produces a small harvest; a huge measure of seed, a huge harvest.

• That which you have received as a blessing (spouse, children, job, church, pastor, etc.) NEVER comes with sorrow.  Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessings of the Lord bringeth forth wealth and He adds with it no sorrow."

• Wherever we house the presence of God will be blessed.  Read the story (1 Chronicles 13:14) of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of God remained with Obed-Edom for three months and the Lord blessed his household and everything he owned during that time.

• Joshua 1:8 tells us that through meditating on the Word of God, we shall make our way prosperous and shall have good success.

• When Isaac was meditating in the field (Genesis 24:63), he lifted his eyes, saw, and said, "Behold, the camels are coming!"  He saw his prosperity coming before it showed up and while he was in the presence of the Lord.

I encourage you to raise your expectations.  Do not be trapped by what the world or this economy is trying to dictate to you.  The God of creation has already decided your future. He says that His plans for you are good -- to give you a hope and to give you a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)  Your miracle is ready and waiting.


Humbly loving you,
Bishop Gabe


Image is from here.

PRACTICE BEING KIND

We live is such a harsh society. So many people are so uptight and seemingly will go off at any moment. I try not to listen to the news as it is so depressing. They recite and regurgitate one tragedy after another.  Paranoia has so many paralyzed by fear and hopelessness. 


We should live in such a way that others love to be around us. I was walking into the post office in our town and a lady with an arm load of packages was also trying to enter.  She could barely see her way. A young man cut in front of her and did not even hold the door open. A man commented, "Stupid kid." I replied, "No, poor parenting."

In this blog, I want to encourage you to turn the tides in your sphere of influence. You become the sunshine in someone's rainy day. You become the marshmallow in someone's hot chocolate or the cotton candy in someone's pity-party.  On every life you touch, you should  leave an indelible fingerprint of peace and happiness.  It really is not that difficult to be kind and respectful. We should be life-givers, encouragers, motivators and, most of all, examples of Jesus in real life.

Hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

The word "exhort" comes from the Greek word, parakaleo.

Para:  alongside

Kaleo:  to call, to invite, to speak, or to beckon

When these two words are connected, they paint a picture of someone who comes closely alongside of another person for the sake of speaking to him, consoling him, comforting him, or assisting him with instruction, counsel, or advice.

I am convinced that we can change our world with one smile at a time, a kind word,  and words of appreciation. Let's get back to old-fashioned courtesy, thankfulness, and gratitude. I am convinced that chivalry is not dead, just misplaced. If we were not so absorbed with ourselves, we would have time to consider others.  Just try saying thank you, you're welcome, please, excuse me, I'm sorry and, most of all, I love you and I forgive you.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to be a major source of blessing to people in my life! Help me to quit being so absorbed and fixated on myself and instead see how I can become strength and encouragement to others who are around me. Your Word commands me to be involved in giving daily encouragement. Since I am seriously committed to obeying Your Word, I intend, with Your help, to find a way to encourage someone who needs strength every day!

I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Humbly loving you,
Bishop Gabe


Image from stockfreeimages here.

WHY DID JESUS FOLD HIS NAPKIN?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was placed separate from the grave clothes. Early Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and Idon't know where they have put him!" Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant - and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating.  The servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. Now, when the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would then wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant "I'm done."

But if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because.......... the folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Have a victorious Resurrection Day!

Humbly loving you,

Bishop Gabe

Photo from: stockfreeimages.

Does God Have A Sense of Humor?

Guest post by Daja Abdelaziz Gombojav

St. Louis, MO 1956

A lady named Rosa Parks by one simple act began a movement.  She sparked an entire culture to sit up and ponder civil rights. 

St. Louis, MO 2000

The Ku Klux Klan won the right in court to be an organization to have their name on a highway sign, as the ones who keep that one-mile strip clean and beautiful. (Such as you often see Boy Scouts, churches or businesses doing.)

St. Louis, MO 2000

The State decides to celebrate the civil rights movement by naming a one-mile stretch of Highway 55 after Rosa Parks.  Guess which stretch is chosen?

Yes, I think God has a sense of humor.  KKK members now, once a month, can be seen cleaning the roadside of the Rosa Park Highway.  I’m reeling from the irony.  I think God is smiling.  It seems poetic justice.

There was a man in the Bible who, like the Klan members, thought he was superior.  His name was Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon.  You can find the story in Daniel 4.  He was an arrogant man.  He did not acknowledge God, nor worship Him.  In the height of his career as supreme leader, he had a dream.  It made him afraid.  Not one of his magicians or seers could tell him the interpretation.  Therefore, Daniel, who the Bible tells us was excellent in spirit, was called on.  And sure enough Daniel’s interpretation was true, because the dream soon came to pass. 

One day, King Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof of his castle (Daniel 4:29) and he had a “revelation” about how wonderful he was.  “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by MY mighty power and for the GLORY of MY majesty?”  (Daniel 4:30)  He did not acknowledge God in his accomplishments.  The Bible says that while these words were still on his lips, a voice from heaven came telling him his fate.  And immediately, he became as a wild beast.  For seven years he ate the grass of the fields, his hair grew like feathers, and his nails like that of a bird.  He was no longer a highly exalted king, he was a despised madman.


However, the Bible says that when he lifted his eyes toward heaven, his sanity was restored.  He was able, to not only return to his place of authority, but also became greater than he was before.  “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just.” Daniel 4:37a


The irony is unspeakable!  Poetic justice?

And to the Rosa Park highway cleaners, Nebuchadnezzar finishes his speech my saying, “And those who walk in pride He is able to humble.” Daniel 4:37b

--Daja Abdelaziz Gombojav


Daja is the daughter of Bishop Gabe and blogs at The Provision Room and at in other words....


Photo used by permission.