Al Jennings II

Would Jesus go to Piere's?

Luke 7: 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 

Religious people were shocked when they found Jesus talking with the woman at the well. They accused Him of being a friend to tax collectors and sinners. In the above verse, they didn't even think Jesus realized that the woman who showed her appreciation to Him was a sinner. 

I wonder if Jesus would go to Piere's. 

Well, now that Summit is being called the club church, we may as well "go there." I am considering going on a mission trip with some bold believers right into the teeth of the enemies territory. This would not be for the faint of heart. The purpose of going is not to stand up on top of the bar and curse the darkness, but rather, to shine the light. This may be controversial for some, but if I ascertain that this is the Lord's leading, I'm willing to go. I purpose to do what ever the Lord tells me to do. No, I'm not going there to drink or chase women, I'll be going there to be a witness for Jesus. 

So if you hear people tell you that they saw Pastor Al at Piere's, tell them, "I know it, and I know why." If Jesus walked the earth right now, I think many would be surprised where they would find Him between Sunday's. I don't think He would sit around and wait for them to come to the sanctuary. I think He would have a blog, a facebook page, twitter, etc. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the club. You can't put Him in a box. What say you?

Focus

The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus. - Bruce Lee

Thank God for Barack Obama

1Tim. 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The Scripture exhorts us to pray for those in authority. I have been doing this for years, but after talking to Pastor Bryan Hudson (a good friend of mine), I discovered something that was missing in my prayer for our leaders. He asked me what was it
says after supplications, prayers, and intercessions? I didn't have my Bible, so I guessed the answer and got it wrong. And he told me it says, "giving of thanks." The passage goes on to say to give thanks for all men, for kings (for us in the U.S., that would mean President) and all who are in authority.
I knew to pray for them in terms of interceding and making supplication as the verse indicates. However, what I was missing was the giving of thanks. I always prayed for the President and elected officials, but I don't remember thanking God for them, especially those who I didn't vote for.
It's amazing how you can read and quote passages of Scripture for years, and all of a sudden see something in that passage that you didn't see before. If you are open to learn new things and don't think that you know everything there is to know about the Bible, God will constantly give you fresh insight from the Word of God. But again, you must be open to it.
So, the moral of the story is this: you should thank God for those who were elected, whether you voted for them or not. We are instructed in Scripture to do so and they need our prayers. So thank God for President George W. Bush, President-elect Barack Obama, and all those who are in authority!

First things first

But I find it if I spend time with God each day, He helps me sort out my other priorities, plus, whether I spend time in prayer or not, I'm still busy. So I may as well spend time in prayer and let Him help me! You have to give God time. I was trying to work God into my schedule. But God said, ' you need to work your schedule around Me.'" Kurt Warner (quarterback, Arizona Cardinals) from the book, "Why Great Men Fall," by Wayde Goodall.

Wisdom: the master key!

2Chr. 1:7 On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 8 And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” 11 Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—
12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”
Here we find one of the most powerful Q&A's in the entire Bible. God gave Solomon a carte blanche to ask for whatever he wanted. Man, that's a loaded question, especially considering who it is that's asking the question. And out of all the things that Solomon could have asked for: fame, money, women, status, or health, for example. He didn't ask for any of that. What did he ask for? He asked for wisdom. This simple and yet profound Q&A gives us what I believe to be the master key to success once you have made Jesus the Lord of your life. Here's the key: get wisdom!
Prov. 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Before you ask God for anything else, ask Him for wisdom. Many Christians pray and ask God for a lot of things, when what they need most, they're not even asking for; and that's wisdom.
Take a moment right now and ask God to give you wisdom for today and for your life.
Check this out. When Solomon asked for wisdom, got loaded him up with other benefits that he didn't ask for: riches, wealth, and honor as a bonus!

Focus on your strengths

You have several times more potential for growth when you invest your energy into developing your strengths instead of correcting your deficiencies (from the book, Strength Finder 2.0).
Discover what you do best. What are you good at? What's your passion? What drives you? Focus on your strengths. Hone your skills. Be the best at what you do best. Read books, watch DVDs, listen to CDs to learn more, get more information on your gifting. Learn so you can improve. By doing this, you are being a good steward of the gifts, talents, and abilities that God put on the inside of you.

Time in prayer saves you time

As I was praying today I thought about an experience I had yesterday. As I was driving, I was about to move into another lane when somebody that I didn't see was on my blind side. I almost ran right into that car, but I swerved back into my lane and avoided the accident.
As I was praying today, I thought about my prayer life. I know that what saved me from having an accident in that situation, was God's protection. In my prayer time that morning, I pleaded the blood of Jesus over myself and my family and over all our possessions.
Don't become so busy that you don't make time to pray. I truly believe that it was my prayer life, the time I spend with God and the relationship that I have with Him, that kept me safe on the road yesterday. Spending a peaceful time in prayer this morning, I thought about how prayer saves time. Had I been in an accident, I could have been in the hospital or spending my time making arrangements to have my car fixed. But instead, because of God's protection, praise God I don't have to do any of that. I can spend my time today serving God, being fruitful, and sharing this testimony with you!

Getting out of your comfort zone

Here's a quote I just stumbled upon: "None of us learn unless we're outside our comfort zone. If you're doing something that you really know how to do well, you're not learning anything; you're just practicing skills".
Good stuff! Get out of your comfort zone and learn new stuff, new skills, new ideas, new ways of doing things, and new insights.

Reaching non-christians

Our job is not to make non-christians act like christians. That can't happen. Instead, live your life in such a way that non-christians will want to become christians by observing how you act.

Word 4 2day

When people try 2 bring you down, it can't happen 'cause U got God; and since God is 4U, who can B against U!? Nobody! No one can successfully B arrayed against the person that God is 4. No weopon formed against U shall prosper. UR hands off as far as God is concerned. You are more than a conqueror and greater is He who is NU than whoever and whatever is he that is N the world (Romans 8:31,37; Isaiah 54:17; IJohn 4:4)!