This thing called Grace, it’s all I got!
December 10, 2009 by admin
Filed under Outreach, Vanessa Holman
Watch the clip first then read.
People that know me or even people that are apart of XCEL Fellowship may wonder why we [the administrative team] are driving from Raleigh/Durham to Oxford to assist in God’s vision for a church? Why drive 45 minutes to an hour to go to church? I’ve even ask myself as I take the Henderson-Petersburg exit to Oxford. Especially, when I had difficulty driving to Durham to another church that I thought was poppin’ love it, but “oooo-uhmmm it’s in Durham? I live in Garner! I’m gonna watch service on TV or Youtube.” Heck, let me be real about it. I didn’t want to drive to my mom’s church 10 minutes away from home. *Kanye Shrug* Back to the reason why I drive, well point blank and simple, it’s God’s vision and I accepted my part in His plan. Two, it’s not about me, it’s about the lost and the Steve Harveys of the world (see video). Three, it’s for the person(s) God has called XCEL Fellowship to shepard. That’s what it is all about.
*Yells* It’s Haaaard! For YEARS I was accustomed to my Sundays being used for school or something I wanted to do! Now, I gotta snap back into going to church? On top of that, I have to drive 2 hours round trip? Are-you-serious? The ponti (my car, a Pontiac) is holding on, my girl is hanging in there with me. WHEW…this thing called grace, is keeping her going! I have to tell myself consistently, despite how badly, I want continue my Sunday ritual of chillin’ with mom/ friends, cooking up dinner, watching the Carolina Panthers lose and then watching a B movie to laugh at; I have to remember there are Steve Harveys who needs us, need me. On a particular Sunday, I might be the only person someone listens to about God. There are those that want to have a discussion on the wondrous misunderstanding of God and I might have the words to unlock their destiny. I can’t be a “Holy-Roller” about it.
Let's go have a talk about Him without the snubs, condescension or prejudices.
It is easy as a leader to fall into an emotional trap akin to what Steve Harvey was releasing on the show. Leaders think they have to be problem solvers for every member and act like something must be said in comfort to the hurt. If you notice in the clip, Donnie McClurkin just prayed. Steve was going through something at that time needed spiritual revelation and God had not given Donnie a Ramah or Ramen word. Pastor McClurkin bowed his head and called on the Lord instead.
There are times and situations where you WILL NOT understand and you SHOULD NOT jump into everyone’s situation. When a person is trying to converse with God the surety that He is listening can seem like a void in their time-’o-need. In that case, people tend to search for someone that will tell them what they want to hear. If that is the case, it is leaderships responsibility to remind them of this thing called, grace. She always listens, provides and comforts. It is what God has sent to remind believers that when you get that “not being heard by God” feeling grace taps you on your shoulder to say, “C’mere give us a hug or Gurl/Maaaan, we are going to push this car down the road one mo’gin and protect you on the way to your assignment.”
1 Corinthians 2: 9-13 says,”…We speak of things which eye has not seen nor ear heard, and which have never entered the heart of man: all that God has in readiness for them that love Him…” You hear this quote often, but I think the next verses are key understanding how we should deal with understanding people, “…For us, however, God has drawn aside the veil through the teaching of the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, including the depths of the divine nature. For, among human beings, who knows a man’s inner thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? In the same way, also, only God’s Spirit is acquainted with God’s inner thoughts. …we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which comes forth from God, that we may know the blessings that have been so freely given to us by God. Of these we speak–not in language which man’s wisdom teaches us, but in that which the Spirit teaches–adapting, as we do, spiritual words to spiritual truths.”
WRAP IT UP B!
It’s easy to assume that life’s experiences permits authority to counsel others. I am here to tell you, that is not so. We’ve have been assigned to specific individuals to provide Godly wisdom. Good intentions based on your “understanding” and not spiritual truth can destroy a life. I have accepted that I am assigned to certain people coming to XCEL for the purposes of fulfilling God’s will for XCEL Fellowship. I also have accepted that I can not, must not counsel everyone that walks through those doors. It is important to recognize my place and be prepared when time comes RECEIVE understanding. To all reading this entry, Stop trying to analyze what people are going through just because they share their story. God will come forth in His time using His language to give spiritual truths, IF you are truly the person to provide counsel.
I will end this with two Moral-A-Tee (coming soon) quotes:
1 Corinthians 2: 11-What you THINK and What IS are two different things.
or
1 Corinthians 2: 11-*SIGH* Let God Handle it! You ain’t THAT Smart.
That’s my time folks.
VEE
Organizing for Expansion
December 10, 2009 by admin
Filed under From The Pastor, Outreach
Sometimes WE are praying for things that we really don’t need to pray for. In the body of Christ we’ve made prayer the key to obtaining from God when in reality it isn’t. For instance, “Lord, I really need a mate and I’m praying to you because I know you’re able”…..sounds good on first glance, but is prayer really the way to go about securing a mate? I personally don’t believe so. I think that we should be able to talk to God about anything and that all of our request should be made known unto him, but sometimes in OUR efforts to appear righteous and holy we forget that prayer is a conversation and that after the conversation we have to “organize” for the answer to our requests. I believe that if we were to start organizing for the things that we need, God would grant them. Organization is key. From what I read in scripture God has always planned [organized] for what he was going to do. When he wanted to send his Son into the earth, he began to organize right in the garden of Eden. He spoke of the “seed” that would bruise the serpents head. He spoke through the major and minor prophets of a coming savior. John the baptist was sent to “organize” or prepare the way for the lamb of God. So what is it that you’re wanting from God? Organize for it and you will see the hand of our father extended from heaven to grant you your request(s).
Pastor Frank Henderson is a young man that lives in Raleigh, North Carolina and absolutely loves God’s people. XCEL Fellowship Church is where he pastors full-time in hope of reaching the city of Oxford, NC. He can be reached at www.xcelfellowship.com or by emailing xcelfellowship@gmail.com all day, every day.
Broken Compass: Reaching the Lost.
The first component of XCEL Fellowship’s Mission statement is to Reach the Lost. The Bible asks in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
The first thing we need to learn in reaching the lost is knowing how to start up a conversation that will lead into introducing salvation. When I am talking with a non-believer, my goal is to see how is God working in their life and then I can bring the conversation to a point where we look at God’s word. There are 5 key points to knowing how to begin a conversation that ends with the word of God.
1. Find out what their needs are.
2. Talk about current issues or the NOW.
3. Talk about spiritual issues, ask the non-believer what are their opinion or views on the topic.
4. Talk about the Kingdom of God (Heaven).
5. Talk about the word and what it says about salvation in Jesus.
It is also important to help a non-believer understand that you care about them as an individual and their soul. Often, people spend all day preaching and feeding their spirit man only to deprive the outer man. God intentions for us is to be well spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. The bible tells us in John 10:10, “I come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” That scripture says that there is much more than just material things we are to receive. I believe the word, “abundantly” in this scripture lets us know that we can have more of Him spiritually, more of Him mentally, more of Him emotionally, and more of Him physically. God is more than just a good feeling on Sunday mornings. He is a realistic God that we can live and be with here in this world, everyday.
That is why it is important when evangelizing the word of God that we first find out what the individual’s needs are. Secondly, reintroduce their soul to Jesus and provide an opportunity for salvation. Third, express that God cares and desires to help the inner and outer man.
God Bless You and remember “It’s all about the SOULS!”
Migdalia De’Leon
Gospel Glossary:
There are four components to the “life” of a human, but only three are discussed the spirit, body and soul.
Spirit/ Inner man is the intuition God gave to us a directly in Genesis 2:7, “Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
Body/Outer man is the frame which connects us with the physical world and the vessel for the five senses. Romans 7:18, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”
Soul is the person’s mind, will and emotion as expressed throughout the book of Psalms; for example Psalms 139:14, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”
Non-Believer/Lost an individual who does not believe or accepted salvation through Christ Jesus accordance to Judeo-Christian principles.
XCEL Worldwide
XCELWorldwide is our faith-filled effort to reach the entire world with the gospel of Jesus Christ! We’ve determined that in order to do that, Christians all over the world will have to lay down their differences, prejudices and preferences and pick up the blood stained banner of our Lord. The only thing required is an email address and membership @ XCELWorldwide is guaranteed. This is where the saints can bring their ideas, testimonies and all of their gifts and talents together to advance the cause of Christ in the earth. Be sure to check out our forums and blogs. They just might make a difference in your life and don’t forget to sow a financial seed @ the Lord’s leading. Salvation is FREE, but getting it to the people can be costly. WE want your ideas, creations, videos, songs, to be displayed here. Again, Here there is only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism…………WE are the body of Christ! Join XCELWorlwide today!
XCEL Events
XCEL Fellowship is dedicated to bringing to Oxford and the world events that are done in excellence by people with an excellent spirit. Conferences, symposiums, seminars and more are available at XCEL Fellowship Church. WE believe that there are millions of ways to exalt Christ and reach the world, so we look to our members and friends for the latest and greatest ideas to execute so that we can reach the world with the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Looking for something that the whole family can attend? Try XE and you will not be disappointed. WE believe that branding, promoting, and marketing for the Kingdom of God are essential and material to the Body of Christ fulfilling the mission that God has called her to. WE will see you @ the next XCEL event!
XCEL Booking
Would you like to make an impact in the lives of those that you love and care for? Interested in having your leadership trained by experts? Wanna take your childrens ministry to the next level? Need someone to fire up your employees? If so, XCELEvents is the team for you. Our leadership team has multiplied years of team building experience. There is no longer any reason to struggle or stay ineffective in the things that you know you’re needing to be revamped and recharged in. Let Frank Henderson and the leadership team @ XCEL come in and help fortify the “work” that you’ve given your heart for. Wanna know more? Interested? If so, you can call us @ 919.345.4001 OR email us @ xcelfellowship@gmail.com and get started making a difference TODAY!
XCEL Fellowship Church – “X-perience The Difference”
A brand new, diverse, eclectic, down-to-earth and biblical ministry in the heart of Oxford, North Carolina designed with YOU in mind. XCEL is a body of believers that are committed to seeing Oxford BE all that it can be. @ XCEL you will find people of like faith that are one in spirit and focused on the mission. Birthed in the heart of church planter and lead pastor, Frank Henderson, XCEL is attracting those that are ready to be included in what God is doing. Pastor Frank is committed to helping ALL achieve their God-given dreams. One visit to XCEL and YOU will NEVER be the same! Jesus IS Lord!
