The contemporary church is terribly lacking in dialogue. God said to Isaiah, “…come let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18). If God calls us to reason with Him, why, then, don’t we dialogue among ourselves? There are some serious issues that are facing this sick and dying world and “church as usual” isn’t helping!

We have Christ-averse religions growing and seeking to expand their reach into the fabric of our nation and we simply say, “Can we all just get along?” No, we cannot. We must preach the Gospel! Jesus drew the line in the sand in John 14:6, when He said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Christianity is not just another religion; it is a way of life. Better yet, it is THE WAY TO LIFE! We must be loving and civil but we must preach the truth nonetheless. Instead of allowing religion to make inroads into our communities, we need to push back gently – explaining that Jesus is not a way, He is THE WAY!

We have young black men killing each other at an alarming rate. More and more young people are incarcerated and, thus, indoctrinated into a life of recidivism. Black women have the highest rate of HIV-AIDS in the country. Teenage pregnancy is an epidemic. Depression runs rampant. All the while we wring our collective hands, quoting scripture and doing nothing. There should be living examples of how the church is mentoring young men into leadership, counseling of young men and women on how to maintain sexual purity, and how the joy of the Lord can break the stronghold of depression. These are the things that require our immediate attention and resources.

Religious rhetoric will no longer cut it. The full Gospel of the Kingdom of God must be preached; that Gospel is the Gospel of wholeness and completion in the earth; not lack today and deferred reward in the “sweet-by-and-by.”

Change requires action. We can no longer afford to stand on the sidelines and hope that either things will simply change themselves or government will somehow stop the societal train-wreck. Change will not be instantaneous; initially the impact of the Kingdom will be incremental and unseen. However, if we are faithful about prosecuting the Kingdom agenda, incremental changes will swell into significant, seen changes that will impact and influence the world.

Article first published as Church – The Agent of Change on Technorati.

There is a website that allows you to compare pet foods’ contents and nutrients. Personally, I think that’s funny. After all, is there a website that allows parents to compare the contents and nutrients of their children’s food? For that matter, is there anyone concerned about the contents and nutrients in the food available to impoverished children here and abroad?

While we’re here, I find it amazing that there are actually commercials for pharmaceuticals for pets and that there’s actually insurance for pets. But in 2011, healthcare for children without health insurance is abysmal. And prescription drugs for our nation’s elderly are outrageously expensive.

I think our collective priorities are out of whack. There is more love for pets in this country than for human beings. I actually think that pet owners drive past the homeless  in their haughty automobiles speaking to their pets safely nestled in the back seat saying, “Fluffy, thank God we’re not like them.” I may be exaggerating but I’ll bet I’m not far from the truth.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no issues with having a pet, per se. In fact, I love animals. However, if you are a pet owner and you turn a blind eye to human suffering while looking for excellence in pet care, you may be suffering from misplaced priorities.

I say this in Love…

© 2010 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)

satan, Let Me Refresh Your Memory

The following is an excerpt from the book, “satan, Let Me Refresh Your Memory,” by Derrick and Angela Day. If you haven’t already downloaded your free copy, you should do so today! This book will equip you to operate in your God-Given authority and put the devil where he belongs, under your feet!

Who’s backing you?

Before we get puffed up and wise in our own conceits to think we can take on satan on our own power, we have to remember that true warfare require fighting forces. Every standing army is backed by the government it is sworn to defend. And every standing army has a commander-in-chief; in the Kingdom of God, the Commander-in-Chief is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Citizens of the Kingdom of God serve two roles, ambassador and soldier.

First and foremost, we are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God:

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20)

It is our duty to represent our King. As part of the new birth, we are commissioned to spread the good news of our God and His glorious Kingdom. When our citizenship changes, we remain in the world but we are not of the world. Therefore, we are ambassadors in a foreign land and, as such have the responsibility to speak the words of his home government, lest we be subject to recall!

Next we are called to be soldiers. This is why the Apostle Paul gave the illustration of combat apparel:

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…(Ephesians 6:13-17)

We have to understand that, in our capacity as soldiers, we are to be an occupying force of a victorious power. We are to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), not aggressors. We are to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

In our charge as ambassador and soldier, we are backed by the power and glory of Almighty God, creator of all things, the King of kings, Lord of lords, and the savior of mankind, Jesus Christ, and the Governor of all Creation, the Holy Spirit.

Just like U.S. dollars are backed by “the full faith and credit of the United States Government,” we must be fully persuaded we have the backing of the Lord of Hosts when resisting the devil. What is the guarantee we have this backing? The Word of God! It is the believer’s assurance that God will do what he says.

The devil is not the opposite of God. If this were true, satan would be God’s equal and would possess God’s creative ability. The fact is God has no equal! Evil is not the opposite of Good, it is merely the absence of it. Just like darkness is not the opposite of light, it is simply the absence of it!

© 2009 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com) and Angela day (www.angeladay.com)

Romans 11:29 declares, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” That said, man cannot deem the office of the Apostle is no more. Ephesians 4:11 says the Lord “…GAVE some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Please note that He GAVE — that means these offices are GIFTS from God!

These gifts also have a purpose, illustrated in Ephesians 4:12, “for the perfecting (or equipping) of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” We must therefore ask the question, “Have the saints been fully equipped?” The answer to that question, clearly, is, “no.”

And they have a time limit, shown in Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” We are compelled to ask again, “Is the Body of Christ operating in unity?” The answer, sadly, is “no.”

1 Corinthians 12:28 tells us “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” Note, here, the Apostle Paul says “in the church.” Since we are in the church era, this pertains to the “here-and-now.”

Now each office is unique — interdependent in the body yet independent in function. Neither is any greater than the other. You need not first become a Bishop before becoming an Apostle, no more than one need be an Evangelist before becoming a Pastor.

Concerning the office of the Bishop, Strong’s renders it thusly:

G1984 — Strong

????????

episkop?

ep-is-kop-ay’

From ^G1980; inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence; specifically the Christian “episcopate”: – the office of a “bishop”, bishoprick, visitation.

In other words, the Bishop is a superintendant or overseer. In modern parlance, the Bishop is what might be referred to as a “Pastor to pastors.” A Bishop is, therefore, a Pastor but not all Pastors are Bishops.

While these matters are, indeed, important to Church governance, I think they pale compared to the weightier matters of soul-winning and discipling. We must understand the offices of leadership are gifts to the Body of Christ but know that these gifts are not for the benefit of those who operate within them but for the Church and its edification. We must be faithful to that which makes disciples, matures believers and multiplies ministries.

© 2010 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)

Chick-Fil-A is a rare commodity. It is a business which openly professes the Christian values upon which it is founded. Its founder, Truett Cathy, has mandated that all their stores will be closed on Sundays. They have been fastidious in asking prospective employees about their faith and church affiliation. They are rare among businesses in that they don’t just pay “lip-service” to their values; they actually walk them out!

And, up until now, Chick-Fil-A has been unrepentant in its support of family -friendly causes.

The homosexual movement has decided to target Chick-Fil-A for its support of the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI), a conservative  organization dedicated to supporting traditional marriage and opposed to homosexual marriage. Sadly, this pressure has been such that Chick-Fil-A has withdrawn its support for PFI. What is wrong with a corporation capitalizing and supporting organizations that promotes common values? And what if a corporation supports an organization with questionable values? Well, there’s a strategy for that.

Don’t patronize them!

One of the reason I love to take my family to Chick-Fil-A is it is a family-friendly establishment. Every restaurant is impeccably clean, the food is great tasting; far better than most of the fast fare that passes for food, and the employees — even though they don’t say Christ — represent the love of Christ in their attitude and excellent service. When I visit an eating establishment and the conditions are such that make my family and myself uncomfortable, I simply do not return.

Why then, does the homosexual movement insist everyone change to conform to their agenda? And, better yet, why do establishments that have something resembling a moral compass acquiesce to the demands of groups that are devoid of anything resembling morality?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating discrimination against any patron. Serve all customers equally. Let the love of Christ be seen by all. At the same time, stay true to the values that made your enterprise successful.

I support Chick-Fil-A and the stand it has taken to support organizations based on Christian ideals. I think they should be free to support whom they wish. I love the food and I love the folks behind it.

As for me and my house, we will support Chick-Fil-A. Will you join us?

© 2010 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)

Ignorance of the past inhibits transformation in the present and change in the future.

Click the link below for the story:

Michele Bachmann flubs history of slavery and the Founding Fathers

My People are destroyed for lack of knowledge… (Hosea 4:6)

I just read this quote by Pastor Joel Osteen that absolutely warmed my heart:

“There is a religious – I call it a spirit or something that says we have to be poor and broke and defeated and sad to show people that we’re really humble, and that we really love God. And I don’t believe that. I believe God wants us to be examples of what it means to live for him. And that our money is to be a blessing to others.”

These are the words of someone who understands Kingdom prosperity.

Many pastors have asked, “Are there two or three key points that, when executed, will yield success in ministry?” Of course, there are many but I have found three that will ensure that will yield a healthy, effective ministry.

1. Check your “Love Walk.” The Lord Jesus told us in John 13:35 that it is by the love we exhibit for one another that the world would know we are His disciples. Love is a choice and no one needs to choose love more than the man or woman of God called to lead a church body. Many people, when wounded while loving, tend to retreat and withdraw; this is a human response. However, the pastor cannot respond to hurt in this manner and hope to be successful. Know this, you will be hurt – and there’s no hurt like church hurt – but the leader must wear his or her emotions on their sleeve.

The pastor, while human, must have a supernatural response; he or she must respond to hurt by loving more! Why is this so important? You may be the most knowledgeable preacher in the world but no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care! You must love fervently, openly, and most of all, genuinely!

It’s important to love your congregation but you must first love God then love your spouse! Do not allow the church to become your “thang on the side!” Some pastors are so busy with church work that they have neither enough time for consecrated prayer nor for their families. We must understand that the institutions of marriage and family were ordained by God before the church!

2. Don’t worry about the numbers. People will distract you! If there are too few folks in your congregation, you may (often incorrectly) conclude that you are ineffective. If you have too many, you may start to believe it has something to do with you – that is, you may become conceited.

Throughout the Bible, God has done the miraculous with small numbers. He whittled Gideon’s army from 32000 to 300; this army defeated “an army without number” (Judges 7:12)! God used 12 men (actually 11, excluding the son of perdition) to spread the Gospel. Most of all, He used one man – Jesus – to redeem mankind and forever change the world. God is not concerned with numbers, He’s concerned with effectiveness. The Bible says one will chase a thousand and two will put ten-thousand to flight (Deuteronomy 32:30); that’s effectiveness!

It has been said that in any organization, twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work. This is especially true in the modern church nonetheless; it is a paradigm requiring change.  Having a 30000-member church is impressive; less so when 6000 or less are bearing the brunt of the work. Effectiveness only comes from discipling and example. Pastors and leaders must be willing to roll up their sleeves; not only pitching in but leading the work effort!

The Holy Spirit once had me set up an empty chair in my living room and preach to it for a week. When I asked, “why,” He told me that before He’d trust me with His Word before a multitude; He had to show me how to preach when there is no one there to hear it! If you change the fervency of your preaching based on the number of people in attendance, you need to go and repent! This was a powerful lesson and I share it with virtually every pastor or preacher I have occasion to speak to.

While we’re here (nice segue, there), don’t get preoccupied with folk’s expressions while you’re preaching and teaching. I used to get uptight about some of the “cross-eyed” looks I’d get from those in the pews. The Lord corrected me of this insecurity by bringing to my remembrance Jeremiah 1:17, which says, “…be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.”

3. Check your stewardship. Is your car or home A LOT nicer than those in your congregation? If so, do you have streams of income (other than church salary) to substantiate having them? If  you do, glory to God – I want to be like you when I grow up (cue laugh track)! If you do not, please take inventory of your stewardship.

You may be as clean-as-clean-can-be regarding material stewardship but if there is any hint of impropriety, this will appear as a red-flag to the world. Now, we are not to be men-pleasers but we need our stewardship to be above reproach. Folks in the world still operate under the premise that “all the preacher wants is my money.” While that notion is false more often than true, it is the little foxes that spoil the vine.

It is frequently easy to confuse good work with God work. We need to ask if it is necessary to embark upon a new building project when there is abject poverty in our neighborhood. How many computers, books, school supplies, winter coats, or shoes could be purchased for the outlay of most building projects?  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should not build; I am saying we need to operate in love – perceiving and fulfilling need – and discerning of season (i.e., is it time to build?).

Is there more to it than that? You better believe it! However, I think that if we begin with the simple and graduate to the complex, we will become more effective and efficient in our ministries. All ministry should be beacons of love and stewardship, rooted and grounded in the power of the risen Jesus. I don’t expect to hear a lot of “Amens” to this but, then, God has instructed me to preach and teach for result, not for effect! Nevertheless, I pray this message is a blessing to you.

© 2011 – Derrick Day (www.derrickday.com)