Category Archives: Blog

TGIF

TGIF! Take a moment and realize that in order to get you to today God made so many ways for you. Praise God that blesses even me!- to know that He took time and made great provision to get me to the point of today to function in intended Purpose. God has been GOOD and I can’t help but Thank Him!!

Ministry Help

 

So many of us have been built up and taught with the mindset of doing everything on our own. Whether it was the environment that we were reared or life’s experiences, we tend to take the burden or the bulk and carry it around. I’ve learned and continue to learn more and more, about how to be able to stand up straight and stop causing myself back issues. The only way I can relieve myself from having back issues, is by taking the load off of my back. We, as Christians, carry loads that are not intended for us to carry because of not, truly casting that care or burden to the Lord. I learned this concept at an early age. I was married at a very young age and didn’t truly understand that I could not carry the load of everything, on my back.

I was young and just wanted to keep my family together, no matter what. Being that my parents has gotten divorced when I was about three, I placed everything, in my marriage, on me. I didn’t want to have a broken household. I kept everything inside of me, didn’t express how I felt, I just did what had to be done, for everyone. Although, I had been saved and loved the Lord, and had already accepted the call to ministry, I had reached the breaking point in my life at a young age. To make a long story short, I just had to let go, and let God. I really had to realize that I needed to submit to Him totally. Submitting to Him also included casting everything to Him and just trust Him. Carrying your burdens, as well as the burdens of others, will break you down. I had to realize that God had the situation under control and He had it under control before I even experienced it.     

It is so evident that within the body of Christ, people are dealing with so many health issues that can be directly attributed to stress or carrying their burdens. I have learned to just: back up, calm down, sit down, and let God have His way. I must trust God with and through the process. Even in serving the sheep, in order to provide effective pastoral care; the pastor has to demonstrate his/her dependency on God, to the body. Providing pastoral care is not based upon the strength of the pastor but it is based upon the power and anointing of God. In other words where the pastor is weak God is strong and mighty. The power and anointing comes only through the function of His Spirit, in order to renew, rescue, guide, and protect the sheep.   

Pastor D. Wallace

I need Your Help

Hello,

In an effort to meet the needs of our ever changing society I need your help let me know about some topics that you would like to learn more about. This survey is completely anonymous and I want you to take some time and let me know some things that you would like me to share with you all.  Thanks

Godly Correction

Correction is a part of everyday life. I think that we are prepared as children to receive correction from our parents no matter how we may feel. Correction, to me, is simply a part of actually training up a child in the way he/ she should go as well as, not sparing the rod. In other words, we learn as children to take correction, and we better stop crying! Thanks: Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, and all of those who helped to establish an understanding of correction in my life.  

However, I also feel that receiving correction from others is something that we will grow into appreciating. Although, as a child I didn’t like the idea of being corrected, especially as it involved the rod, I have grown into appreciating it. I appreciate the correction received from my parents, because it gave me instruction; taught me limitations and self-discipline, obedience, as well as provided me with the knowledge to know right from wrong.

The (Amplified Bible, AMP) bible says that, “For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” Hebrews 12:6 AMP. God, just like our parents disciplines and corrects us because of His love for wanting to see us do well. Even in my own journey of faith, I didn’t know how to accept or even take correction because I thought people were just being critical. However, I can truly say that in growing spiritually and becoming more mature as a Christian adult, I thank God for Godly correction. Godly correction is like the staff and the rod of God recorded in the 23 Psalm which states that God; protects me, corrects me and directs me with the rod and staff. As, a pastor, this resonates to me the importance of providing correction, in love, to the sheep. Sheep may not like to be corrected, but the pastor understands the importance of caring enough for the sheep to give them Godly, guidance and direction for protection.

Godly correction comes through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Godly correction in providing pastoral care should never be based, only upon what we feel is necessary to say but should be, God guided. So, I thank God for providing; direction for protection, though correction.

Pastor Desmond

 

Compassionate Leader

When leading in ministry it is important to know that one cannot lead and not love who you lead. If I don’t love people and have compassion for people, I cannot lead them effectively. No matter what, my focus must be to lead them, in order to bring the best out of them for Gods use. For the Bible in says, I Corinthians 13:1-7, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Love is being patient love is kind love is enduring love sees in others, what they may not see in themselves. When functioning in love and compassion, as leaders in any capacity of ministry, it brings you to an understanding that serving people, is not about the individual, but it is simply about God and how as well as what he sees his child as.

Many times throughout the Bible we see how Jesus was moved with compassion even yet in the midst of hurt and trying times he was still moved with compassion toward the people of God. Jesus understood the necessity of providing and be of service to the people of God. In order to be of true service to God’s people I as a leader, as a pastor, or in whatever capacity of ministry, must be willing to listen as well as speak effectively. Effective communication involves one person speaking and the other person listening.

However as a servant of God, serving his people, I as a leader must not only be willing to listen and speak from a fleshly point of view but be led in order to be efficient. Esther, before she made a move in going to the king, asked for the people to be in prayer and fasting. She not only asked them to be in prayer and fasting but she, herself, was in prayer and fasting. In order for God to use her in a mighty way in public, she had to pray and seek Gods perfect will, in private. This practice is something that I not only see, as a practice in the Old Testament, but I see how Jesus demonstrated this for constant and consistent prayer; for strength and direction from God. Jesus was called, chosen, and ordained to be the Savior of the world, but even he fasted and prayed, before communicating. Jesus knew the importance of hearing from God in order to be obedient to God. God gives the vision, plan, strategy, and the power for will to be fulfilled. I must constantly seek Him for guidance throughout this journey of faith.

Pastor Desmond

Personal Christian Development

Throughout the years of my Christian Journey God has revealed my strengths as well as weaknesses that the Holy Spirit has guided in, which have been utilized in both ministry as well as societal capacities. One of my God given strengths is organization in order to bring resolution. It seems that, mind you through time and still growing, there can be a task placed directly in front of me that may seem to be very difficult to organize. However, the fact that I am a Melancholy by creation and a task oriented person, I can look at objective and devise a plan that is effective and efficient. God simply amazes me and I have to take a moment, many times to just say how, but mostly thank you Lord. God gives vision and the strategy to complete. The Holy Spirit will not allow me to rest until a solution to execute the plan, with adjustable parameters in order to meet the demand/s of the assignment, is at hand. God has given me the vision to see the plan orchestrated in multiple ways so that no matter what happens we can always adjust for effectiveness and get it done.

It seems as though, God shows me the problem, but is already because of prayer, guiding me into the solution. Now I understand that working out a situation is not always a one man’s work. Although God shows me solution, that is adjustable, many times, it takes a willing team to bring forth a great vision and/or resolution. I LOVE TEAMWORK!!! I was raised in a large family, and we would always have family gatherings and work together. So, my mindset is always, even in organizational resolution, team work.

I can admit, I have to make sure that I submit to the Holy Spirit for guidance in this capacity, because sometimes being so task oriented and striving to be very organized can cause me to become very compulsive. I truly have to constantly seek God and depend upon His Spirit to keep me balanced. Thanks be to God when submitting to Him, He directs us through the process. It is like within me, the Spirit of God is saying, we can’t waste time, let’s get this task done and I will direct you through the process because souls, lives, and people are at stake.

So, in other words, making ready a people prepared for the Lord, is resolution, but takes organization.

Christian Development: Walking, Learning, and Overcoming

Light or enlightened, is what Gods Word is for all of us who were, indeed in darkness. Before being born again and submitting to God, every one of us have been in dark places as well as in the dark. My darkness may have been different from your darkness, but we have all been in a place to whereas we were blind with no hope. However thanks be to God for the light and allowing the opportunity to experience and be filled with His light, through Jesus Christ.

Christian development is essential to everyday life. God’s Word says, Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not needing to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the Word of truth, (II Tim 2:15, KJV). Studying God’s Word, is not only a process in order to complete a program successfully, but studying His Word strengthens and prepares one for the challenges of everyday life. Christian development is personal yet it encompasses everyone. Light is not only light when it is around darkness but light should be recognized no matter what crowd, because light should recognize other light.

Staying connected to the light, which is Jesus, is a daily process, and should be of great necessity to the believer. God’s Word is what I need in order to have direction in a world and life that can be full of dark valleys. However, thanks be to God that the Word covers me in every area of life because His (Jesus’) life and the light which, directs me into the paths of righteousness.

Mobilizing the Community and the Church in the face of Tragedy

Lots on my mind but I’m reminded that the principalities that we fight, the wickedness that we face is deeply rooted. It’s definitely time to get back to church where there is strength and power to overcome. Our pulpits have seen injustices, inequalities, but yet were able mobilize communities and affect change. I know with anything there is good and bad, but it’s time we choose Christ. Today we find ourselves in a society driven by reality TV and everything goes truth is everything isn’t acceptable. The thing that is perpetual is the very essence and necessity in Christ, His presence in the church and the presence of the Church in the community.

Servanthood

This devotional reminds me, that again,  I am not called to be served but to serve. It also reminds me that I am not called of my own, but by the will God. A servant is someone who serves, not only in a particular capacity but in every form and facet of life, should be given to God. Looking at ministry and life from the stand point of a servant helps to rethink goals, both ministerial and personal. Sometimes, we can get caught up in worrying about, the how when God says to, 6-Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7-Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you, (IPeter 5:6-7, KJV). God has it all under control, I just have to trust Him. 

In other words, servants serve in humility, and put aside their own will for the Masters Will and purpose. As a minister, I am called to serve. A minister must totally submit to God allow him lead and guide, with His yoke, in pursuit of personal and ministerial goals. His hand is mighty because His hand is the hand that created. God knows my beginning, my middle, as well as, my end. In others words, He knows the: who, what, when, where, why, and how of my life.Since God knows everything about me and everything that concerns me, I must truly give all of my worry and concern to Him. The servant mindset brings home the fact that I was created for His purpose and that I must be constantly in pursuit of His purpose. Walking in His purpose, leads others to their purpose.