When We Take The Easy Path

Choosing To Compromise

In the years 336 – 323 BC, Alexander the Great was leader of the known world. He “fought many battles, conquered strongholds, put kings to death, advanced to the ends of the earth and plundered nations” (Apoc.). He ruled the world for 12 years. The Jewish people had hoped for continued economic stability, as they had under the rule of the Ptolemaic kings, even Cleopatra. But this was not to be so. 

Alexander the Great called his closest and most respected military officers and divided the nations among them. Under this new leadership, “many evils were caused upon the earth” (Apoc. 199).

As is usually the case, insiders decided “Since we have separated from the Gentiles around us, many disasters have come upon us”. A proposal was made to bow to the new kings of the land (in this region it was Antiochus Epiphanes) rather than seek God for a solution to the hardships they were experiencing. I find it interesting that we usually give in and return to the familiar, rather than embrace the present circumstance and seek God. I tell you, this is hard! When faced with a tough decision, and I have been there many times, I go back in search of ease, rather than seek God’s face for direction. Could it be that God permitted these things in order to advance His cause? The question then is where do I fit into this narrative? Is God asking for something new? Is He asking me to adopt a new strategy or to stretch my faith beyond what I am accustomed to? Every time I face a mountain, it’s an opportunity for God to remove it. Unfortunately, most times I take the long and hard road of going around the mountain or allowing the mountain to fall on me (smh). God, give me faith to face this one!

Praying for the victims of the Parkland Mass shooting in Florida

When Death Comes...

DEATH    When it comes, we are reminded of another world; one we pay very little attention to – the spiritual world. It exists! The place to which our loved one departed. Now we’re all alone. People around us, yes, but we can’t help but feeling all alone. We miss you. How will we live without you? You were part of our world. Love you, hate you, can’t stand you, must have you…We miss you. Now you are gone. Where to? How can you do this to us? Why did you have to go like this? A range of emotions we feel at this time. We wish you were still here. We feel lost without you.

The People Who Neglected God

Neglect God, Love The World - Malachi

Malachi speaks very strongly concerning Messiah coming – his prophecies relate to both comings of Jesus. In chapter 4, he begins with “The great day of the Lord”, using imagery such as “burning like an oven, the wicked will be stubble, burn them up (there's a Jamaican way of saying this one that's stronger), leave them neither root nor branch, trample the wicked, ashes under the soles of your feet, strike the earth with a curse”. I am assuming the people knew he was prophesying, but these were harsh words. Yet to the people of God, these were comforting words to hear about their oppressors. How easy it is to wish destruction upon your enemies or your oppressor.

Christians in The Minority or The Majority?

A Typical Day At The Beach In The Bahamas

It's the day before we launch a new Apostolic church ministry in Fort Lauderdale Florida . I thought how best to spend the morning than at the beach, one of my favorite places. Already a good group of people here, plus this is a tourist area (Bahamas). Some playing games, some walking, some exercising, some (like me) just hanging out. Oh, there's a couple hanging out with their dog ...dogs must have beach time too y'know.

But within the crowd is a small group of people (party of 7); they were up to something different. They were singing songs, praying and lifting hands and heart in worship...the worship of the sovereign God of heaven. How do I know? They were calling His name, Jesus!

Ministry Beginnings @ Transformation Fort Lauderdale

Day 1 – Transformation Ministries Florida

Well, it’s in the books! First day of Ministry. The day I have been anticipating for years. A dream, a calling, a passion? Call it what you will, my Dad and family have started a new ministry. This I believe is a high privilege. A bit anxious the night before. I flew in from Nassau, got a haircut, and went to hang out with the team in Deerfield Beach...Nothing like some good "American Food" - burgers, nachos with cheese, chicken wings, coke. Things we take for granted...Can't get this on the islands.  A little later, I headed back to the hotel to check out the meeting space. We'd been working on plans for a while. A range of emotions when we were done with the setup...

The Time Has Come... We start a New Ministry In Florida!!

PROJECT TRANSFORM FLORIDA

We are Transformation Ministries Florida. We are expecting explosive growth in the State of Florida, beginning in the City of  Fort Lauderdale.
Do you feel called by God to do more?
Are you praying for an opportunity to become mature in your Faith?
 Looking for Transformation?
Then Transformation Ministries Florida is the answer to your prayer.
Come join us and grow!

We are seeking to fill the following positions at our new location in Coconut Creek, Florida:
* Worship Minister - Praise team leader, Praise team, Choir members
* Musicians
*Minister of Evangelism - Evangelists, Outreach Leaders
*Minister of Youth
*Minister of Edification - Sunday School Director, Secretary, Area Leaders, Teachers
*Bilingual (Creole) Assistant Pastor
*Children's Ministry Director
*Deacons

Meeting Place:            Hampton Inn & Suites - Coconut Creek
                                    5740 N. State Road 7, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073
                                    Sundays @ 9:00 am & Thursdays @ 7:00 pm

Contact:                      Pastor Brown,  Pastor Hall
                                   (754) 214-5601/ (954) 248-0674                                                                                                               transformationministriesfla@gmail.com

The Man God Used Greatly

Ezra : God’s Man

Ezra serves as proof God can partner with just one person to accomplish His will in earth. Ezra “set in his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (7:10). His vocation was priest, scribe, leader. His whole life was dedicated to God’s purposes. He served God in humility and obedience. “His knowledge of the Scriptures was obvious even to the king that he was appointed to lead the second wave of returnees; teaching them and administering national life” (Nasb). Ezra was trustworthy. Modeling true stewardship. God rewarded Ezra’s efforts, “placing His hands upon him” (7:9b). Imagine you and me living at this level!

When We Face Tough Times

Faith To Get Through

What happens to my faith when faced with a critical decision, a trying time? Some people abandon God. Some conveniently exchange Him for a lie. Still, there are those who dig their heels in an embrace their faith in the Sovereign God of the Universe. Such was the case with Esther. Facing the edict of Haman Esther, Mordecai and the Jewish people “refused to believe that the cruel evidence of darkness, hate and evil was the final explanation” (Larson, 321). Instead, “The power to reject the conspiracy of violence and lies, and the strength to persist in the midst of despair came from embracing God” (Larson, 322). 

It is faith in God, and a stubborn determination to rely on Him, making petitions through fasting and prayer that Gets the Christian Through.

Reference:

Larson, K. Holman Old Testament Commentary. Nashville: B & H (2005)

GoogleImage

Written by Kevin A. Hall

My New Favorite Book - Haggai

Haggai - Encouragement for the Journey

I have to say, the Book of Haggai has become my new favorite of the Old Testament. Just conducted a study of the book - only two chapters. Short, but packed with so much encouragement for the Christian walk. Haggai is used by God to whip the people back into priority. Just a few initial thoughts from study:

• This book encourages us to “Consider ourselves” (1:5)
• Reminds me that there’s always a remnant who are committed to God despite the current state of world affairs
• Just as the temple of God was paramount to worship, so too is the maintaining of our spiritual and physical temple in this day
• The people were not blessed because of disobedience and selfishness. Divine judgment was also tied to their actions…the same applies to us today (Deut. 28)
• God will accomplish His work (Hag. 2: 4-5; Zech. 4:6)
• Association with the wrong crowd can bring spiritual defilement (Hag. 2:10-19)
• The Christian walk is one that requires commitment – this can lead to blessings

There will be an extensive study of this chapter to come. I am so excited about this one!

Blessings!

Neglect In Building God's Kingdom?

To Build or Not To Build

³ Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, ⁴ “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? ⁵ Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways”    (Haggai 1: 3-5).

I have found that the Christian walk is filled with hills and valleys. There are those of us who pitch a tent after a valley event and never bother to head back up the hill. Our priorities become skewed and we lose the focus, settling for “status quo and the lazy lethargic attitude”. This is what happened to the first set of returnees. The Israelites had been exiled for over 70 years and were now in their land, having been given the challenge to return home and rebuild God’s temple (Ezra 1). After the hostility, dashed hopes - “With what are we going to rebuild? This is a huge effort! We have to fix our own living conditions too..” They took the focus off the rebuilding effort and pitched a tent in the valley of ease and contentment. They began to focus on their stuff – caught up with daily living (work, work, home, kids, fun, work, work, home kids, husband, wife, relationships).