Spiritual Blacksmiths needed

Messenger: Rev. Roderick D. Dawson

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13: 19a

Topic: "Spiritual Blacksmiths needed"

Location: St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Houston, TX

God worked through my pastor to present a spirit-filled sermon that reflects on Black History.

Notes:

• Spiritual Blacksmiths know how to shape and sharpen something raw (material) into kingdom material.
• A Spiritual Blacksmith knows how to handle God's Word (also known as the Blacksmith's hammer)
• Sometimes God has to subtract the number of people in your life so you can depend on Him.
• What a Spiritual Blacksmith will tell you:

--> 1. Believe in you and do you.

--> 2. Believe in God.

Spiritual Blacksmiths define the role of a true friend, because they will tell it like it is whether you want to hear it or not.

Back in the day Men used to be hardworking and the Women would be the pretty ones. However, in the present time, Women have taken on the hardworking role and Men have gravitated towards the pretty image.

Where are all the Spiritual Blacksmiths?

Take the Limit off God

Notes on:

"Take the Limit off God"
Nathan Williams
General Manager DayStar TV
Ephesians 3:20-21

The problem with people is that we learn with limitations.

We have all learned tradition that puts the Word of God in non-effect.

Religion--> man seeking after God.

Christianity--> is a relationship with Christ.

There are limitations with religion.

God can do nothing if we limit Him. You have the power to limit God.

Ask and pray to God to ask him where you have been limited.

You have to learn to turn a deaf ear to the haters.

Our lives are hid in Christ. When you come to Christ you will get something that is always bigger than you.

Everything that concerns you concerns God.

Religion has messed up a lot of people.

We need the mind of Christ.

An old wine skin can not hold new wine.

Ask God to show you things you can do. Sometimes God will come to you and show you something so simple.

God tells us how to think.

Philippians 4: 8-9

Truth is the Word of God.

There is life and death in the power of the tongue.

I can curse you or I can encourage you by speaking good words.

Take the limits off of God.

Proverbs 23:7

Your heart is the thinking part of the Spirit.

As a man thinks in his heart so is he.

Its not so devistating about what someone else thinks about you but what you think about yourself.

God can't take you in a place if you have limited thinking.

You allow you worst experience to become reality.

Jonah 2:8

-If you believe a lie the mercy of God is not valid.
-The closer I get to God the more He corrects me.
-We are special to the Lord.
-Those that follow the spirity of God are Sons/Daughters of God.

Get out of the box because God wants to give you His way.

The truth doesn't change the method changes.

Matthew 15:3

-You have people practicing tradition like their honoring God.
-Some people don't go to church because of bad experiences with religion.
-God wants us to be free.

Communication Excellence Without Excuse

Notes on:

Wash A. Jones, Ph.D.
Leadership Institute
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
January 9, 2010

*Work and commitment

Take Responsibility

-Genesis 3:12 (first excuse in the Bible)
-Don't make excuses for you actions
-Be PROACTIVE instead of REACTIVE
-Proactive
-we don't let others weaknesses drive our decision.
-make choices according to your purpose
-always check yourself, do not depend on others to correct you
-Reactive
-when we blame others
-Whatever your responsibility is here you are accountable.

Educate yourself

2 Timothy 2:15 (Study)
2 Timothy 4:13 (Reading)

-Before you start to talk, educate yourself
-Read! Invest in a dictionary.
-Travel to other ministries and educate yourself.
-Don't limit yourself

Consider your audience-->and work with them

Matthew 10:16
Galatians 5:19-21

-If you are teaching, break it down to them.

Diagnose before your prescribe

Revelation 2:29 (Hear)
1 Corinthians 14:20 (Mature)
James 1:19 (Swift to hear)

-We have to listen 2 times as much as you talk.
-Listen with the attend to understand not respond.

Five Level of Listening

1. Ignoring
-making no effort to listen at all.

2. Pretend to Listen
-make believe or give the appearance to listen.

3. Selective Listening
-hear only the part that interest me.

4. Attentive Listening
-Paying attention and comparing what was said to what we experienced

5. Emphatic Listening
-Listen with your heart and mind to understand the speakers words, intent, and feelings.

-We typically speak at 100-175 words per minute
-We understand intelligently 600-800 words per minute
-For example, the disclaimer statements on advertisements

Think on your feet

1 Peter 5:8
1 Timothy 6:20
Ephesians 6:10-18

-Things to help you Boost your brain power

Breathe deep/meditate, video games, sit up straight, use dead time, learn a language, write, listen to Mozart, exercise, imaginary friends, learn more efficiently, take notes from the start and leave with a question or 2 in mind, use techniques for clear thinking, talk-->try explaining things you don't understand well, do something you enjoy, eat fish, laugh, do puzzles, sing, fiber, develop your creativity, avoid too much fat, eat potential brain foods, and avoid unnecessary arguments.

Use pictures [BE a picture]

Ephesians 4:1 (rather SEE a sermon than HEAR one)
1 Corinthians 16:2
Malachi 3:8

Bridle the tongue

James 3

Circle of Concern/Circle of Influence

My circle of Concern (things you care about)
-The salvation of people around the world
-Healthcare of the world
-World peace

My circle of Influence (things you can change)
-Training young men to be disciples for Jesus
-Sharing my faith with others
-Playing music with my trumpet and the piano
-Doing what God called me to do


What is your Circle of Concern? What is you Circle of Influence?

Musings of Frustrated Christians (SINGLES)!

Notes from:

Rev. Michael W. Waters and Atty. Yulise R. Waters
Joy Tabernacle A.M.E. Church
Dallas, TX

Where are we in this cycle of frustration?

Hope------->Frustration

To induce feeling of discouragement in:

1. I want a Christian marriage

----> Ideal of what we hope for.

----> When we begin we consider: getting in a faithful marriage, Christian hope in marriage.

2. I have been hurt or disappointed in my relationships.

----> Objectification can happen in 3 ways: Money, Access, Sex.

3. I am questioning the reality of what I once beleived in.


4. I give up.

----> Communication is key!

----> Committed non-committals---> doing everything to not commit to marriage.


Where are you at in the Cycle of Frustration to Hope.

Frustration------------->Hope

1. I am being healed of my wounds!

-----> we need to be restored.

2. My beliefs in Christian Marriage are being restored.

-----> Sometimes it has to be gained through your intimacy w/God.

3. I have hope in Christian Marriage, again!


4. I want a Christian marriage!

-----> not settling for anything less.

Can I get a witness?

I will contine with Job later but for now...

I am posting my notes for the Opening A.M.E. Convocation on yesterday July 16th, 2009. This was an amazing service preached by Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

Can I get a witness?
Acts 4:18-20

¤ When a preacher asks the question can I get a witness, something should to be heard.

¤ The church is suffering from secret service saints.

¤ Everybody will not be thrilled about your witnessing.

¤ Witnesses are often in danger.
---> We need some:

¤ Ignited witnesses(Peter)

---> Holy Ghost filled --> when fire gets hold of you. Psalm 118:22

¤ Irrefutible witnesses

---> show up and speak up on their behalf of their God.
---> They have been with Jesus.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

According to the Bible, Job is described as an honest and innocent man, who honored God and stayed away from evil. However, he ends up suffering and going through a hard season in his life.

-->Why did this happen to Job?

I believe, Satan does not like to see people doing well and will do anything to bring out the worst in that person. Moreover, in the beginning of this story, Job chapters 1-3, Satan is trying to give God every reason to believe that Job will curse Him to his face.
I am amazed that while Job was suffering, his friends were bringing him down by saying that he must of done something to make God mad. I believe that his friends only liked him because he was wealthy. His friends did not understand his situation and Job knew that he did nothing wrong. I believe ultimately that God wanted to show Satan what a good servant Job was.

To be continued...

Rev. Dawson's Sermon notes

Scripture: Isiah 40:31

Topic: "Wait on the Lord"

God binding us together from a thread to a rope.

He promises us strength

Kava-->the making of a rope;to wait on the Lord;binding together.

3 things the Lord will give us for waiting:

1.Provide inward strength(rejuvination)

--> The heart is the think tank.

-->Your heart must line up with the will of God.

2.Provide upward strength(elevation)

-->Stop flapping and learn how to SOAR

-->Fly with the storm and not against it and praise above it.

3.He gives us ACCELERATION to help us LAST throughout the DURATION