First Is Not Always Best

by Bishop Eddie Long

Today’s Scripture Reading: Mark 10:28–31

Key Verse: Mark 10:31

Many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Sometimes you wrestle with the problem that you were not “first” to tackle a particular task in the kingdom. Do not, because that is not a bad thing. The people who are “first” often get there by cheating. Some of them did not have enough faith to step into what God ordained. Many did not have enough faith to cut unwholesome but profitable relationships, or to give up things that they loved too much. Their baggage kept them from moving into what God ordained.

Prayer:

Father, I have worried and wept over my “place” in Your kingdom in days gone by. Today, I choose to rejoice that You know my name, no matter where I stand in the line of faith. I trust the words and leadership of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and I am content to be the last in line as long as it is His line. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Harvest Principle

Harvest Principle: Give generously
by Rick Warren

Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" John 6:8-9 (NLT)
Whenever you have a need, acknowledge your faith by planting a seed. In other words, take your focus off your need and look at ways you can provide for the needs of others, planting a seed in their lives.

This isn't easy; it goes against our nature; it's totally illogical. If I'm out of money, I'm probably going to think, 'I can't give away any money?' Or, if I'm out of time, I'm probably going to think, 'Why should I spend more time on something else?' Or, if I don't have any energy in a relationship, I'm probably going to think, 'How can I give more energy away?'

Yet, God says this is exactly what demonstrates faith: when you have a need, you plant a seed.

You can see this principle imbedded in our blood. When you give away blood, you get more blood. You don't end up with less blood; you end up with as much blood or more than you had before.

God often works through this harvest principle, that when you have a need, you give -and what you give away, God replenishes. Faith is like a seed, so it has to be planted - deposited.

Remember the story of the little boy who had five loaves and two fish? He gives them away, and God uses it to feed 5,000 people. Jesus takes what the boy gives; He breaks it; He blesses it; and He uses it.

That's what God does in our lives. He takes us; He breaks us; He blesses us; and He uses us. He multiplied a little into a lot because it was planted as a seed.

I Prayed

"I prayed for change, so I changed my mind.

I prayed for guidance and learned to trust myself.

I prayed for happiness and realized I am not my ego.

I prayed for peace and learned to accept others unconditionally.

I prayed for abundance and realized my doubt kept it out.

I prayed for wealth and realized it is my health.

I prayed for a miracle and realized I am the miracle.

I prayed for a soul mate and realized I am the One.

I prayed for love and realized it's always knocking, but I have to let it in."

- Mastin Kipp, founder of TDL.

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Life Will Always Present a Test

Have you ever found yourself under attack?  Have you ever felt as though everyone wanted you to fail?  No matter how much love you sow toward others, it often seems as though you reap hell from them.  Have you ever experienced that?  Are you currently experiencing that?  Do you find yourself having to bite your tongue more often?  Do you have co-workers and neighbors who love to stir up strife in the office or community?  Are you surrounded by double-minded people?  Their attitudes change like the weather.

Life will always present test.  Each day offers a different test than the day before.  You find yourself on the defense at the job, in the home, at the church, in the community, in the classroom.  People are always trying to get you to denounce the name of Christ.  My friend, Be Not Ashamed Of Christ!  The Bible declares in Mark 8:38 - Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.  We are charged to represent Christ wherever we go.  Even when times become difficult to handle, we must still display a Christ-like attitude.  Be Not Ashamed Of Christ!  Many of your friends, who are not Believers, are searching for the truth.  There is a hunger within them.  If you begin to waver in your faith, they will turn in another direction.

My brother, my sister, the Bible declares inRomans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Never allow your current situation make you conform to it.  Through a renewed mind, you can bring about a change.  Be Not Ashamed Of Christ!  When you are on your job, you do not have to tell everyone you are a Believer.  Through your attitude and actions, the glow of the Holy Spirit will radiate the atmosphere.  When you attempt to cover up who God is in your life, you are telling Christ that you are ashamed of Him.  The Bible declares in Joshua 24:15 - And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Thought to Remember: Christ is not ashamed of you, so never be ashamed of Him.

Scripture Reading for the Day: Psalms 25:2

May God Bless you at Your point of need!

Minister Darrick D. McGhee

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Daily Black History Facts 2/3

Feb 3, 1810 - Antonio Ruiz (El Negro Falucho), national hero of Buenos Aires, Agentina, dies for his country.

Feb 3, 1874 - Blanche Kelso Bruce elected to a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate by the Mississippi legislature.

Feb 3, 1903 – Jack Jackson became the first Negro Heavyweight Champion

Feb 3, 1920 – The Negro Baseball League was founded

Feb 3, 1948 – Laura Wheeler Waring, portrait painter and illustrator dies

Feb 3, 1948 – Rosa Ingram and her fourteen and sixteen year old sons condemned to death for the alleged murder of a white Georgian. Mrs. Ingram said she acted in self-defense.

Feb 3, 1956 - Autherine J. Lucy becomes the first black student to attend the University of Alabama. She was expelled three days later "for her own safety" in response to threats from a mob. In 1992 Autherine Lucy Foster graduated from the University with a master’s degree in education. The same day, her daughter, Grazia Foster, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance.

Feb 3, 1964 - School officials reported that 464,000 Black and Puerto Rican students boycotted New York City public schools. More than 267,000 were absent during second boycott, March 16.

Feb 3, 1965 - Geraldine McCullough, sculptor, wins the Widener Gold Medal award.

Feb 3, 1981 - The Air Force Academy drops its ban on applicants with sickle cell trait.

Feb 3, 1988 - In Montgomery, Alabama, Thomas Reed, president of the Alabama chapter of the NAACP, was arrested after he and 11 others attempted to strike a Confederate flag flying atop the state capitol building.

Feb 3, 1989 - Former Saint Louis Cardinals first baseman Bill White is named president of the National League. He is the first African American to head a major sports league.

Feb 3, 1989 - Tennis professional Lori McNeil defeated Chris Evert in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

Feb 3, 1997 - Award-winning jazz drummer Tony Williams dies in Daly City, California.

Feb 3, 1999 - On Wednesday, February 3rd, for the first time in history, America's urban students will have a Web site specifically designed to address their educational needs and interests. The site -- called the Cyber-Youth Network -- provides a model for online education by offering students and teachers culturally relevant material that is both educational and entertaining. With help from organizations like founding sponsor DaimlerChrysler Corp., the launch of the program will showcase students from Washington, DC's Eastern and Ballou Senior High Schools who, using the Cyber-Youth Network, will trace their ancestors through the African-American Civil War Memorial online database, access sites about Black History Month and participate in a live video conference with African-American role models. The project is conducted in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with plans to expand the program to other urban school systems within HUD's existing nine Enterprise Zone Communities over the next year. The launch of the Cyber-Youth Network will coincide with the first week of Black History Month. WHAT: The Cyber-Youth Network will launch the nation's first fully interactive Internet Web site specifically designed for urban students, teachers and parents in recognition of Black History Month. More than 15 students will demonstrate the Network's capabilities. CONTACT: Ann Liston or Carmelita Chavez, 202-338-8700 or 1-800-SKY-PAGE, pin #801-9901, both for Cyber-Youth Network. SOURCE Cyber-Youth Network

Daily Black History Facts: 2/1

2/1/1865 - The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865.

2/1/1871 - Jefferson Long of Georgia became the first Black to make an official speech in the House of Representatives. He opposed leniency to former Confederates.

2/1/1926 - What is now known as Black History Month, was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson. It became a month long celebration in 1976.

2/1/1937 - Actor/Comedian Garrett Morris (Saturday Night Live, Martin)is born in New Orleans

2/1/1952 - Rock/Funk singer Rick James is born

2/1/1960 - Four students form North Carolina A&T College started Sit-in movement at Greensboro, N.C., five-and-dime store. By February 10 movement had spread to fifteen Southern cities in five states.

2/1/1965 - Ruby Dee was the first African American actress to play a major role at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford Conn.

2/1/1974 - TV Show "Good Times" premiered on CBS.

2/1/1978 - The first stamp of the U.S. Postal Service's Black Heritage USA series honors Harriet Tubman, famed abolitionist and "conductor" on the Underground Railroad