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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : October 5, 2016 9:16 pm : Blog

The Gift of Salvation
II Corinthians 5:17-21

Pastor Rev. Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

Salvation can not be earned by your works. It is a gift from God. Once we receive this gift, we become a part of the Family of God.

Salvation is a gift that we receive and accept. It is a gift because of the work of Jesus Christ. He had no sin but became sin.

The Gift of Salvation:
1. …allows us to have “eternal salvation”.
Salvation cannot be taken from you because it is a gift freely given by God through His Son.

2. …includes the “forgiveness of sin”.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Without forgiveness the cross would be in vain.

3. …includes our “adoption” by God the Father.
Because of our acceptance of Jesus, we have been adopted into the royal family with all rights and privileges.

4. …includes the “indwelling of the Holy Spirit”.
The Son, Jesus, became our advocate.

We need to realize with all that is going on around us, we need to praise and serve God.
There is enough going on in this world daily for us to walk around mad, mean, messed up and miserable.
Jesus gave His life for us. We need to let go and move forward. Stop looking back!
We can’t advance the church and support the pastor for looking back. Stop looking back and move forward!

Remember we are many members of one body. Accept others and ourselves where we are.

Embrace and nurture the gift of salvation! Value your salvation.
Jesus became sin for us. It took Him to the cross. He gave His life for us.

Lift Jesus up!
Honor Jesus!
Praise Him and serve Him!

Show Christ love toward one another. Walk in the positive. Exhibit the love of Christ!

 

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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : August 10, 2016 10:16 pm : Blog

How To Miss Jesus
Matthew 19:16-22

Pastor Rev. Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

We miss Jesus because we feel we need to do the right thing to inherit the kingdom.

In this passage we see where the young man wanted to know what must he do to have eternal life. Jesus reminded him of the commandments: no murder, no adultery, no stealing, no bearing false witness, honor your parents, and love thy neighbor as thyself. He stated that he had kept all of these from his youth up. He then asked Jesus what did he lack. Jesus told him to sell what he hast and give to the poor and he would have treasures in heaven and follow Him. The young man heard this and left sorrowful for he had great wealth.

Salvation has nothing to do with what we do or have, but it has everything to do with what He did.

We miss Jesus because:
1. we have the wrong understanding about salvation. Some of us thing we can get in on the buddy pass, the work that we do or what we have. We can’t do enough to get into heaven. We need to know Him.

2. we have the wrong understanding about who Jesus is! Some of us have “lip service” but He’s not in our heart. We need to live so God can use us. Good deeds, going to church are only outward. We need to believe in God, that He was born of a virgin, died on the cross and rose on that third day morning! We need to trust God.

3. we hold to tightly to your  stuff. As this young man in the passage of scripture, he had finance, had gained popularity and he did not want to lose that position. We hold onto the gift and not the giver. God is the source of all things! We own nothing, God gave us everything. We are only stewards. God can “recall” or “take back” what He has given us at any time.

Don’t miss out by holding on to stuff: pride, malice, bitterness, or unforgiveness. God wants to live in us. He stands at the door and knocks for us to let Him in.

Don’t miss Jesus by holding on tightly to stuff, If you are saved stay saved or if you want to be saved, give up your life, deny yourself, and follow Christ!

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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : July 27, 2016 9:36 pm : Blog

Up to Mt. Moriah
Genesis 22:1-14

Pastor Rev. Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

In this passage of scripture, Abraham was asked to offer his only son, Isaac, whom he loved, as a sacrifice. a burnt offering. He obeyed and did as God had commanded. He went to the mountain with the knife, the fire and his son. As he prepared to offer his only son, God intervened, because of Abraham faithfulness, he provided a “ram” for the sacrifice. Abraham called the place “A place where God will provide”.

God has a way of always providing for us in whatever we might be faced with.

Every situation, every mountain, or every valley that we may encounter, God uses that  to teach us the following things.

1. God teaches you about yourself. He teaches your about your strength and your weakness. The devil wants you to think you are weak, but God shows you your strength. Whatever we go through we need to know that God will provide. We need Him in everything we do.

When you are granted what you ask for don’t forget to love the giver not the gift. Abraham prayed for a son and was granted one. He showed he loved the giver more than the gift because he was willing to offer his only son with no questions. Whatever it is, healing, deliverance, house, car, or opening doors don’t forget that God gave it to you!

2. God teaches us about the character of God. Abraham experienced God’s character. God provided him with a “ram”. God allows us to go through so that we can see His character. His character is who God is. His character is shelter, presence help, a keeper, the way, the truth, the light, a door and a lamb. He is God. He is a provider. When you go through your mountaintop or valley experience God is there. When you go through you grow closer to God. Nothing will be withheld from you as His child if you are obedient.

Bless God at all time. He has the resources. Remember the giver as well as the gift.

The strength of Abraham was trusting believing and being faithful to God.

Even when you don’t know the outcome of your situation, just know that God will provide. The sovereignty of God is in the blessings of God.

Remember to give of yourself. Through every experience that you go through, God is trying to transform you to see Him

 

 

 

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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : July 20, 2016 9:44 pm : Blog

The Christian Response to Chaos, Crisis and Confusion
Ephesians 6:10-11

Rev. Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

In the life of the believer we see much happening around us daily:
Baton Rouge
Minneapolis
Dallas
Black on Black Crime
Blue on Black Crime
The list could go on and on.

So, How do you, as a believer respond or deal with different situations that you can’t control; you are serving God but troubles keeps coming; trouble keeps finding you; new move, new relationship but troubles keeps coming?

What is my respond?
1. Be Strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. You need to have a relationship with God and tap into the power He has. This will move you to put on the whole armour of God!

Your Christian response should be different from the world. People should be able to tell that you are different.

2. Stand Your Ground. Stand! Stand firm! The enemy job is to pull you down or distract you. But remember God is still on the throne. Don’t let nothing separate you from God. You will be attacked on every side. Do not retreat. Trust God.
Stand Firm! Stand Strong!

3. Trust In the Lord.  No weapon will be able to prosper. God is on the throne. God has a divine handkerchief to wipe away all your tears.

Remember to Stand, Be Strong and Trust in God!

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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : June 22, 2016 9:24 pm : Blog

I Samuel 30:1
It’s Time to Stop Crying

Rev. Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

David was now the King. He was in battle. When he returned home from the battle, they had been invaded. Everythong they onwed had been taken. They were in a hopeless situation. They wept until they could  not weep anymore. They were all cried out! The King was in the sitation as his men. He too had to deal with loss just as the others. But now his men turned on him and blamed him for their situation.

There are times when we are going through situations and circumstances when it seems like we just can not cry. We are all cried out! We can’t do anything about what has happened. Therefore, It is time to stop crying! We must do as David did. We need to make up our minds to change.

At times you cannot think clearly if you focus on pain, hurt or situations. As with David, things will not change or happen until you dry up your tears. When friends and family turn against you because they blame you, you need to encourage yourself, Do not allow your situation or circumstances to hold you back.

The first step in moving forward is to talk to the Lord as David did. Then you need to stay there long enough to hear God. He will not allow you to stay in that situation. Do not try to make decisions when you are emotional. Dry up your tears, get your mind right and let God lead you. Prepare to move forward.

Stay and listen to the Lord! He knows it all. He will give you directions and substances.  When you listen and stop crying you will receive from the Lord. Just as David did, you will receive more than you lost. Not only did David get back what they had taken from him, but he received what they had and what they had taken from others.

God is in the blessing business! He will give you double for your trouble. God will put you back together again!

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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : June 8, 2016 10:44 pm : Blog

Don’t Quit
Luke 5:1-5

Rev. Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

Life has a way of sending us through processes that are beyond our control. Sometime we are doing right, doing all the right things, but it seems not to produce positive results. Stay encouraged! Don’t allow where we are or going through hinder us or stop us from achieving or going forward.

In the lesson text, we see where these men had been fishing and toiling all night and did not catch anything. You must have the mind set or mentality that regardless I will not quit. I will not give up. I will not give in!

God is in position to enter into our ship!

In the lesson text we see there was two ships. Jesus had a choice. Jesus chose one of then and it happened to be the one with Simon Peter.

God has options. Because of this He choose you. He choose your number and now He has chosen your ship! It is a blessing to know that there are others in line, other people available, but you need to be positive and in position that God is willing to get on board.

In the lesson text the men were washing their nets. They had given up because they had toiled all night and not caught anything.

When you wash your net you are saying you are defeated. Don’t wash your net. Don’t give up. Don’t throw in the towel. Don’t walk away! It’s not over yet. Regardless of the situation you are facing: doctor report, current conditions, doors closed in your face! It’s not over yet! Maybe that door closed in your face was not for you. Maybe that opportunity was not for you. Remember God is now on board giving you ANOTHER CHANCE!

Lesson text: All that the men had done, all their efforts, their nets not produce anything, Jesus told them to launch out in the deep. Their response you want us to do again it again. Yes!

Just because that door closed, you were rejected this tine, circumstances not pan out, God wants us to do it again. Yes, you may have been talked about, rejected, received a bad report, Launch out again. The difference, first time you did on your own accord; second time God is leading, you stepped out on God’s Word.

The reality is that sometimes we do things on our abilities and skills, but when God gets on board our ship he tells us to do it! He is giving the directions now.

You can’t Quit!
You can’t Give up!
You can’t thrown in the towel!
Giving up and losing is not an option. God is on your side!

Text: After washing their nets by way of discouragement and exhaustion, the men gave up. They now gave Jesus their emptiness and a ship with no fish. When you give God what you have left, He gives you something to work with! Jesus told them to launch out into the deep and throw their net over. Do it again! Now they had more than enough!

Don’t Quit! Others benefit by you not giving up. They look at your faith, hope and drive. Where others have given up when they see you not giving up and keep going, it encourages them to keep on fighting the good fight of Faith.

Don’t get discourage. Whatever you are facing don’t stop your faith, advancement and pursuit of happiness!

We have to endure! Those that wait on the Lord, He has something prepared for you as a believer!
God rewards your faithfulness.

Don’t Quit, give up, walk away or be discouraged! God is waiting to get on board. He’s waiting to help you through. He wants to expand your territory!

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Thursday’s Ministry moment

UMBC : June 1, 2016 11:33 pm : Blog

How to Deal With Frustrating Moments
Proverbs 3:1-6

Rev. Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

We have to deal with our share of frustrating moments. You can be doing good then things began to happen. Things can be going good then the bottom falls out. Frustration is a sense of imbalance and about things we have no control over.

In order to deal with our frustration we have to trust in the Lord. He will never leave us.
We have to learn how to
relax – trust in God; He’s in control. He knows about our situations. Trust Him for healing and deliverance.
relate – don’t put things in your hands but in God’s hand. Let it go! Trust God!
release – in all your ways acknowledge God and He will direct your path.

We cannot allow our situations and frustration to get the best of us. God loves us no matter what. Trust in God. Do not allow what you think to supersede God. The power of God supersedes our thoughts, mindset and mentality.

We must acknowledge God and trust Him from the bottom of our hearts. We need to hear His voice because He is leading and directing us.

Learn to trust God. Lend not to your understanding. God knows and God cares!

 

 

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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : May 25, 2016 10:39 pm : Blog

It’s A Setup
John 9:1-3

Pastor Rev. Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

When we look at our situation (death, sickness, problems, etc.) we see them as setbacks. We must remember that sometime God allows things to happen to us so that He can get the glory! We might not understand the hurt or pain, and we think that the devil is doing this to us, but it could be the hand of God.

God is allowing or arranging things to happen to set us up!   God wants to get the glory!

Don’t give up! Don’t write it off! Sometimes God picks us out so we can be positioned or picked on. God is picking us out to bring Him glory. If it is His will, it is His bill!

The death of your suffering determines your height of anointing. He allows it to increase your anointing. He will not put too much on you that you can not handle.

Being on the mind of God is a blessing! When you are on God’s mind, He’s working with you. God wants you to be where you are.

When you are questioning God, He’s doing it. He wants you to go through so that He can get the glory. He wants you to go through the test so that you can be a testimony to someone else.

Don’t let your situation get you down. You don’t want to miss the glory of God.
You will be rewarded your “badge”. Look at it as a “Badge of Honor” because you made it through (sickness, death, forgiveness, or whatever the situation). He’s preparing you for something greater. If it is His choice, it’s His invoice!

Remember when you are on the mind of God, you are on the heart of God!

Just hold out. Don’t give up!  The blessing is coming.  God is just setting you up!

 

 

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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : May 18, 2016 11:49 pm : Blog

A Champion’s Anointing
Psalms 37:23-26

Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

You are called and anointed by God to be great! You were created and allowed to be part of the family.

You have poise and position to win, so be a winner! You have the skill set and characteristics to come out on the winning end.   Know who you are. Don’t worry about the enemy because you are already position to be great. There is no need for worry!

Don’t you try to fight the enemy because of the anointing on your life everything that comes upon you will be let down.

Learn how to trust in the Lord. Do not allow your flesh and flaws draw you back because  the anointing holds you. Do good because you have it in you.

The direction and path of your life is preordained. Allow your life to be lead and directed by God. Your steps are anointed by God.

You should get excited by what God is calling you to do. Walk in prosperity because you are position to be great.

Being a Champion is calling you to
1. be Courageous – Be bold and assured. Stand in the midst of others falling.
2. be Compulsive – You should have a bad case of the “can’t help it”
3. be Composed – Keep your composure. What comes your way do not let it detour you. Do not let life’s circumstances dictate to you.

Remember you need to have full-time commitment. You may slip up but it will not take you out. Join in and run to the end. Full time commitment may not always be in your favor but remember not to throw in the towel.

You are of God’s seed. You are part of the royal family. Just wait on the Lord and He will exalt you!

God looks beyond your faults. Win and be victorious.

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Thursday’s Ministry Moment

UMBC : May 4, 2016 8:20 pm : Blog

I’m Under Construction
Luke 0:1-6

Dr. Jonathan T. Phillips, Jr.

In the Gospel according to Luke,  we see where Jesus calls his 12 disciples. He knew all about them because he is a sovereign God, but he still called them so they could be used for service. He gave them instructions and commissioned them to go.

Even as people of God and people of faith, we are all under construction. Just as the sovereign God knew the twelve, he knows about each one of us, our downfalls and shortcomings. but he still wants to use us. No matter where you are now if God calls you, no one can stop you from doing the work of God.

Just as the twelve messed up, fell short, let God down, he still used them.
Peter denied Him.
Thomas doubted Him.
Judas betrayed Him.
The others deserted Him.

No matter how the devil tries to make you feel because of your shortcomings, your hang ups or your issues, he is a liar. God can still use you. No one can stop or block what God has for you. God is still in control. What we go through, when we are misunderstood, and when we make mistakes, God has called us to serve and He has it under control.

In all things know that God is calling you. He wants to use you. Drop you net! Drop yourself so God can use you. If He can speak through a donkey, he can use your voice to speak, your hands for encouragement, but you must be willing to be submitted to Him!

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