Let Us Return

Come, and let us return to the LORD; 

For He has torn, but He will heal us;

He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

Hosea 6:1

How many times have you been wounded and in pain and your last thought is of returning to the God of Love. Our pain is so strong we direct our attention everywhere but His throne, why? Why are we so stubborn? His word says that if we go to Him, He will come to us, like the rain He will come to us. Is that not something to rejoice about? I know not all of us like rain but think of a really hot summer day, humidity is at 100%, there are no clouds in the sky and the sun is right on top of you, if you are like me you are going to wish for rain. And when that rain comes it will be refreshing, that's what Hosea means when he says, "...He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth" (Hosea6:3)

We serve a loving God and if we turn to Him, He will surely turn to us. But sometimes it is the state of our heart that keeps Him away. How would you feel if God told you: 

O Ephraim, what shall I do to you?

O Judah, what shall I do to you?

For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud,

and like the early dew it goes away.

Hosea 6:4

Replace Ephraim and Judah and use your name instead, "O Ana, what shall I do to you? for your faithfulness is like a morning cloud" those are really harsh words. He longs for a faithful relationship with you. Just like we expect our husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend to be faithful to us, He expects and demands the same from us. He will not be fooled if you only give Him lip service He can tell where your heart is and if it's not completely surrendered to Him, He doesn't want your pitiful acts of "righteousness". Instead He says to you, "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6). Let's not focus so much on what the world is going to say and let's focus on what God is going to say about us. The Pharisees followed the law, they were devoted (at least they appeared to be), they fasted and prayed but they did it so others would see, they were looking for the praise of men and not of God. Let's not be like the Pharisees, let us live surrendered lives, lives that please God. Let our praise and honor come from God and not man. For it is written, "woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets" Luke 6:26

Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, 

"Return to Me, says the LORD of hosts, 

"and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 1

Metro Praise

Metro Praise Grand Opening!!

Title of the message

Great worship

A passionate pastor

&

Beautiful people

They had a full house all the glory to God!

After service they spend some time hanging out

they cafe called "Mission Cafe" they sell all types of goodies and the money goes to support missions, what a great idea :)

Lady Malinda Prince Sapp

Lady MaLinda Sapp

I watched her homegoing service via the internet this afternoon and it was beautiful. So many great stories about Lady MaLinda were shared; she was an incredible women of God and she will be missed. The world might say that she lost her battle against cancer, but I assure you she didn't lose anything. We serve a God that knows all things, there's nothing that happens without Him knowing.

As I watched the service a women took the stage and what she said was so powerful, she said "What do you do when God doesn't do what you want Him to do? What do you when you feel He has disappointed you?" she went on to say how do you go back to this God? and that my friends struck me. 

First of all who are we to ask such question, God is God and regardless of what happens or does not happen He is worthy to be praise. But let's be honest we have all been in this place where we feel like God has not come through  (at least not the way we expected Him to), there's a sense of disappointment. We placed all of our faith in Him and we are hurt when He apparently doesn't show up. Oh how foolish of us, how easily we forget His goodness and His words, after all it was Him who said "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5

Oh my soul will put its trust on You!!! For You alone are the source of my strength, You alone my God hold my world in Your hands and I will trust You and You will quiet down my soul with Your Love!!! In my darkest moments and in my driest season I will choose to worship You, I will declare Your goodness and Your greatness. There's no one like You my Lord and my Saviour!!!

MaLinda Sapp funeral: Jonathan Dunn performs "Here I Am"