September 19th, 2010

Hey Ladies...

Just sharing a WORD, it was a good word... guess you had to be there to get the full effect. I know that work might keep you outta the church house on Sunday... but you still can get a piece of the word in ;-) Or you might just want a lil bit more! that's okay too!

*Disclaimer* I know this maybe a little all over the play... but you know how pastors are! LOL

Date: Sept 19, 2010
Speaker: Pastor Carmina Owens
Message: 'How L.O.W. can you go?'
Scripture(s): Joshua 17:16-18 and Judges 1: 1 and 19

At this point Joshua was placed in charge of the Israelites because Moses died. The Israelites were given land.. After the land was divided amongst the people; They complained that they only had one lot of land. And the land that they were given wasn't good enough. They were given a hill. The wanted the land in the valley (which was rich and fertile) but, they didn't want to conquer it because the inhabitants of the land were strong. Joshua told the people that they were strong and powerful too. And, would be given more land (the forest). Joshua told them to clear as much land as they wanted and it would be theirs to keep.

*they had to cut the forest down for it to be of use for them. Don't question another's gifts or talents. Some people have to work hard to get/keep their gifts. Be gracious and accept your lot.

fwd---> Judges 1:1 after Joshua had died... the people questioned "Who would fight the battle for them to get the forest land?" Keep in mind that Joshua already told the people that they were a strong and powerful people. And, they had what it took to overtake the land.

Judah was the person who helped the Israelites get the land. Judah means PRAISE... keep in mind that Judah was a man of action. Praise must be an action.
*If you call yourself praising and you're not 'moving'; are you really praising?

The Lord was with Judah because the Lord inhabits the praise of this people.

Judah's battle plan consisted of taking the people CENTER--> SOUTH --> NORTH --> CENTER.
If you read 2 chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Pastor Owens then used "land " as an analogy for the human body.

so to conquer the flesh...
1. HUMBLE yourself
2. Turn to GOD and PRAY
3. and Turn away from your wicked ways

Center = Heart (be sure to guard your heart with all diligence Proverbs 1:23)
South= womb, genitals, etc.. (deal with the issues in your lower regions... sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, etc. and women be careful what you "carry" in your womb)
North= Head (your thoughts... keep your mind stayed on him! You have to monitor the things that you hear...)
Center= Heart (praise)

fix your heart... deal with lower region issues... deal with your thoughts and then REjoice or praise again.

Judah went out he conquered the center land, then the southern land, then the northern land and went back to where he started and worshiped at the altar that was there and praised the Lord.

The people of Israel were hard headed... they didn't recognize their own strength and power (Joshua 16:17)... however God moved in spite of them...

So the question is how L.O.W. can you go?!?!?! (can you go down low... all da way to da flo!?!?! LOL)

L. (Lay aside every weight and sin) Hebrews 12:1
O. (Obedience) 2 Corinthians 4-6
W. (Worship) John 4: 23-24

Personal Note: when I heard the title I assumed the message would be about humbling yourself before the Lord... It was but that wasn't all. Humbling yourself before the Lord is some thing that I KEEP hearing... church after church... service after service. We can't allow pride to get in our way... we have to be Kingdom Chasers for GOD! Pride comes before the fall... The only fall we should be anticipating is to fall flat on our faces (literally or figuratively) for God. I know that young people typically have a problem with praising and worshipping God, but we have no problem dropping it like it's hot in the club. I admit that I don't have the best singing voice (it's actually awesome) but I sing along to Musiq, India, Jilly from Philly, etc. church hymns not so much. God is begging his people for PUBLIC PRAISE and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT! The question is, "are we willing to answer the call"? Anyway I love you ladies and hope that everything is going well.. TTYL


Sincerely,


Stimp