Colossians 3:12-17New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord  has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ  dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I remember when I was a kid and I would play pick up games of basketball in the neighborhood I would rarely be chosen first, second, or third.  At first it would bother me. Some how over time it I was able to move past the order I was selected and became thankful not to be the one on the sideline not playing.  I saw the value in being on the team and playing whatever part I could  by listening to the captain to add value to the over all goal of winning. I had  forged in my mind that since I was chosen, then I was wanted for what I could do best (regardless of the order).Today's scripture speaks directly to you and I, those that are chosen by God. It gives us rules because we are on the same team how to treat one another. It talks about how we should listen to the team captain(God) and be thankful that we were chosen. Teammates let our efforts work in concert today and everyday going forward to get to the over all goal of reaching heaven.  I pray for your encouragement today to know that you are valuable to God and that you were chosen by the Almighty to serve his purpose. In the name of Jesus, amen.

I love you as I love Christ.
-Rev. Lee

Colossians 3:6-11New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life.  8 But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

Good Morning!

I pray that you all had a restful evening and that whatever troubles you had yesterday are left behind. Now that means in accordance with today's scripture you need to practice being your new self. Make today the first day that those you work with, engage in class, meet at the store or restaurants, and those you encounter as passers by; experience the Creator in you. Let your actions and words display that your are a child of God above all other attributes that were used to describe you on yesterday.  May the Lord bless you, may God's face shine upon you, and the Holy Spirit keep you! Amen.

I love you as I love Christ.
-Rev. Lee

Colossians 3:1-5New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your  life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).

Good Morning Family,

Today is an opportunity for you and I to grow closer to God. Paul shares with us hope for tomorrow as Christ our Savior will reveal to the world who He is... Well you and I play a significant role in this action before others and one another. Let's  abstain from the desires that we have grown closer to that are not Christ. Do not continue to allow your flesh and crave for: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed press you in a direction that will keep you from drawing nearer to Christ.  I pray for our strength in these matters and hope for you to encourage others along the way. In the name of Jesus, amen.

I love you as I love Christ!
-Rev. Lee

3 John 1:5-6 NIV Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.

Brothers and Sisters your actions, works and deeds will speak for you no matter what you do. Make your goal to be faithful in your work concerning one another. Trust that as you are faithful to one another that God will be pleased and in time you will be rewarded for your service. Continue to keep the commandments ( Love the Father with all your mind, heart, and soul and love your neighbor as yourself). May God continue to bless you and keep you. Amen.
I love you as I love Christ.
-Rev. Lee

 2 Chronicles 7:12-18  NRSV

12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house so that my name may be there forever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time. 17 As for you, if you walk before me, as your father David walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my ordinances, 18 then I will establish your royal throne, as I made covenant with your father David saying, ‘You shall never lack a successor to rule over Israel.’

God is calling for His people to humble themselves and receive His Word. Trust in the Lord today my friends and allow God to use you and not man. I pray that the Lord guides your steps today orders your thoughts and words in His direction. So that though you a life may bear witness to how good God is to us all. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

I love you as I love Christ
-Rev. Lee

Mark 2:1-5
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Good Morning Family,
We find often that life will deal us situations that will cause us to stretch our faith in order to be made whole. We all have ask God to bless us with; patience, temperance, love, compassion, and etc. Have you ever been in a position were you had to break through and obstacle to receive one of these or other blessings? We to often miss the opportunity to show those things when the time comes. Let us now be committed to creating another opening to allow God to do His work in our lives when the door appears to be crowded with others' agendas. Let us show the world how strong our faith is in the One who gave His life so that we would have opportunity to live eternally with God. Family, I pray that today you and I seize every chance to exhibit the Love of Christ and be a blessing to those around us. In Jesus Christ name I pray. Amen!

I love you as I love Christ
-Rev. Lee

Good Morning Family,

Continue to keep God first, His love endures all things and all time. I pray that we recognize that God give us plenty and He delivers us daily from all the cares of the world. Thank you God for increasing our territories. Help us to remain steadfast to keep your Law and Word. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

On another note, today marks the first Young Adult Bible Study at St. Paul AME in Nashville. I invite all of you that are in the area out to join us for a powerful hour (6-7pm) connecting with like-minded persons who want to learn more of God's presence. We will serve a light dinner at no cost. Come and join us at 3340 West Hamilton Road.

I love you as I love Christ
-Rev. Lee

Mark 15:1-47
Focal Text: 32a. Let the Christ, the king of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!

Good Morning Family,

Don't let your faith be determined by what you can see. If you lost your sight where would your faith then be nurtured. You may have asked to be delivered from sickness. You may be asking God to bring you financial freedom.  Some of us are praying for a loving relationship.  I encourage you all to trust and believe in the promise of God. The Apostle Paul talks about rejoicing in the Lord. What that means is we should remain steadfast in our service to God. Even as all those things that we are asking for seem out of reach and we can not SEE how they will come to past. If we remain steadfast (rejoice) in serving God in prayer, church, devotional, caring for others as the Lord lays it on your heart in due time all the things that we could not see will come into plain view. 

I pray for strength in faith  today, that no matter the trial we continue to find solace in knowing that Christ is real,  He died for our sins, His blood makes us whole, He has risen, and ascended to heaven . In Jesus name, amen.

I love you as I love Christ.

-Rev. Lee

Another day given by you O'God (how refreshing). Thank you for this opportunity to serve you again in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Mark 10:15-16
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Allow your mind, heart, and soul to love the Lord. Make yourself clay so that you may be molded and formed in a way such-as; everything you do before Christ bears the innocence of a child. We strive to enter the Kingdom by our own might, yet children who are not in control of anything are already blessed to receive the Kingdom do to their obedience.
They go and come as we (their parents/guardians, teachers, mentors) directs them. Just as we instruct children to ask for what they want; to be respectful; confide in us everything, so that we can bless their lives with thoughtful and fruitful sustenance. We to must implore those same principles and more if we want to have eternal life. Allow God to bless you this day and going forward because you have chosen to live a life that is directed by and obedient to Him.

Father we pray for your Holy Spirit to counsel us in everything we do. That we listen and trust you as children. And may your love be in all that we undertake today. So that we may be blessed by you. In the name above all names, Jesus the Christ, Amen!

Agape
-Rev. Lee

Philippians 4:4-5 NRSV
4 Rejoice  in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Praise the Lord Brothers and Sisters. I pray that your weekend was restful and enjoyable. As we start a new work  week, allow the simplicity of this scripture to direct your day. Rejoice because of the new opportunities to the will of God that are before you today. Share that same feeling with all that you come in contact with so that they will experience the Spirit of the Lord.

I pray for your praise today! Go and let God use you to bring joy, excitement, relief, kindness, and love into the life of someone today. In the name of Jesus, amen.

I love you as I love Christ.

-Rev. Lee