You cannot change the people around you. But you can change the people you are around.

Life is a theater.  Invite your audience carefully.  Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives.  There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.  It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize, your time with draining, negative, incompatible,not-going-anywhere relationships/friendships. 

Observe the relationships around you.  Pay attention.  Which ones lift and which ones lean?  Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse?  Which ones always have drama, or don't really understand, know or appreciate you?  The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

You cannot change the people around you.  But you can change the people you are around.

PASTOR SHARON T. SPENCER

THE BRIGHT & MORNING STAR PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY

I CAN DO WHAT HE WANTS ME TO DO- I CAN

Phillippian 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". 

 I now can say that because Jesus is IN me through the power of His blessed Holy Spirit I can do all things that God will request of me to do through his Son Jesus.  Whatever it is that the Lord will require for me to do, I must rely on the Spirit of God who will strengthen me for the specific task.  He will enable me to do work that I never thought I could do.  This is spiritual success.  He will enable me to supervise others with love, mildness, patience and authority successfully. This is spriitual success.  He will enable me to soar like an eagle.  To sing like an angel.  To utilize every single talent that he has loaned to me for HIS glory.  I refuse to say that I cannot be effective in my daily dealings.  I refuse to say that I cannot handle any given assignment. I refuse to say that it will not work.  I am a Child of God, and he has enabled me to do what he has created me for.  The mission shall be clear, the deed shall be simple.  God is able to do abundantly more than I have asked or even think, according to the power, working effectively in ME.  I will not fear ministry, I  will not accept defeat. I will not fear sharing, I will not accept selfishness. I will not fear tomorrow because I am going to trust Him Today.

I Can!

PASTOR SHARON T. SPENCER

The Glory Flight in JESUS!

The Glory Flight in Jesus

Thess 4:16-17 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

I am not so much for airplanes, but I will be ready for this flight because there will be no FEAR in the glory flight with Jesus!

The bodies of those that have passed away in the Lord shall be resurrected and changed from mortal to immortality. The spirits of those that passed away are presently with the Lord and they will be reunited with their new glorified bodies on this great day of the return of Christ for His Church. Those of us that remain ALIVE when Christ returns will at the twinkling of an eye receive new incorruptible bodies, and will never suffer death!   This group of born again believers in Christ that are alive at His return will also be caught up in the glory flight (in the air) and there will be A GREAT FAMILY REUNION of those that passed away in Christ and those that are alive at His return to be caught up in the air at the same time to meet the Lord in the air, and  to ever be with the Lord throughout eternities-without end! Glory!    

1 Thessalonians 4:14 - For IF we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 - Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Pastor Sharon T. Spencer

Being Successful from a Spiritual Point of View

III John Verse 2 - I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospers.  A prosperous person can be described as one that has achieved certain comforts that this life offers.  A prosperous soul is a soul that continuously abides in the Word of God. St. John 10:10 - I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it MORE abundantly. Abundantly described - Plentiful, present in great quantities.  Well-supplied, providing more than plentiful supply of something. Spiritual prosperity is to have The Son of God (Jesus) living and abiding within the confines of your heart.  Glory.  The above scripture reads that Jesus has come that we might have an abundant life.  The abundant life that the scripture is speaking of is living a Spirit-filled life motivated by the indwelling Christ.  Living a life for God is to live an unusual type of holy life.  It is to live a mysterously blessed life.  A sacrificial type of life that brings an overflow of blessings and joy and Peace of Mind.  The Lord desires that we live a life full of the Holy Spirit living in us and motivating us to go higher in the Lord.  A life that reaches out to help those less fortunate, a life that will go a mile for the benefit of another, a life that will share the love of Christ to others and a life that will be glowing with the radiance of Jesus Christ.  To live this type of life is to expect a miracle, expect blessings, and expect the extraordinary.  To serve Christ as motivated by the Spirit of God is the beginning or TRUE success. We cannot fail in the Lord! St. John 5:12 - He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son has not the life. When we have Christ living in our lives we have eternal life living on the inside.  What a day it was when God gave me a revelation that Jesus on the inside is the eternal life that God has promised for those that repent of their sins and ask the Lord to come in.  I do not have to wait until I get to heaven to have eternal life.  I have it NOW.  I have the Lord of Glory on the inside which means I have also inherited eternal life.  The Spirit of God is that Life that the bible is speaking of.  We only begin to live when Christ comes within and sheds light where it was dark.  Christ comes in and gives us an understanding of what the will of his Father is.  This eternal life gives us a desire to pray, a desire to serve, a desire to study scriptures, a desire not to do those low down things that we had become accustomed to doing.  It is this eternal life that will compell us to pray.    The bad news is that when we do not have Jesus in our lives, we also do not have the eternal life that the Father has promised to ALL those that repent of their sins and believe the gospel.  Sad to say, without Christ where are you going.  Without Christ we walk in darkness and do not see our way because of sin, self and selfishness. Phillippian 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   Man's viewpoint of success may be measured according to how much we have achieved in this world, or, what position's we may have attained, or, how we may have formed our programs based upon the traditional viewpoint of what success is suppose to be.  Man's viewpoint of success may be measured according to how much wealth you have, or how much land you own, or, what kind of car you drive.  Yet, you can have an abundance of worldly things and wealth, but if you do not have the Son of God living on the inside of you - you are not spritually successful.  Infact you will flunk life's most important lesson - which is not only to take Jesus everywhere you go but also to be filled with His Spirit, to stuff the Spirit of God deep into your soul because He is the only lasting success.  Glory. With him we will always be successful, especially when we pass our grade on earth and make it to the next level - Heaven bound.  With Jesus in our lives, what ever it is that we do, God will motivate us to do the best that we can in our service to others, if we can serve one another with the spirit of love, we are successful in JESUS.

Message: I’m Too much in love with the solution to glamorize the problem

THIS MESSAGE NEEDS SCRIPTURES EDITED..... Message:  I’m Too much in love with the solution to glamorize the problem Acts 3:1-8 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us"! 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. John 11: 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?  41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.  42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Message:  I’m Too much in love with the

solution to glamorize the problem

Reclining at the table with Jesus- John 12:26 – If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall also my servant be, if any man serve me, him will my father Honor.

John 12:1-2 -Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at , where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

Once you have survived a real satanic attack as Lazarus did, you are no longer free to be some cold and indifferent Christian who is satisfied to toy with warm thoughts about some higher power.   When you know that Jesus pulled you out of the muck and mire of life – who else can satisfy you like HIM?  Wherever the Jews saw Jesus after the miracle in , Lazarus was there too.  He became committed to the Lord who had brought him through.  Many people do not continue that long.  They hang around for a while until they are out of danger, then seem to find other things to do.  Lazarus was too smart to stop taking his WORD treatments just because his condition had improved.  Jesus was His life, so he stayed with Him.

1.                 When was the last time you performed for Jesus’ Honor?  Every time we allow God to use us in the Manner that He desires-we perform for Jesus’ honor. Acts 5:42-And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (The Apostles of Christ).

Being so relaxed with the Lord that you can recline in His Presence –Acts 6:4 – But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  (The disciples of Christ). Psalm 42 :1-As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2.                 Being Relaxed ONLY in His Presence – We cannot afford to cool off, we must say by His fire.  We need worship like drug addicts need dope.  We are not drawn to him merely by the high we receive in His Presence –it is the pain we feel apart from him.  We only feel normal when we are with Him. Ephesians 2:1 – And YOU Hath HE Quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.

LIVE BEYOND INTIMIDATION - 12:9-11 -9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.  10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;  11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

1 Peter -4:13-17

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear^[a]; do not be frightened."^[b] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Glamorize what the Lord has done for you so that many can have resurrected faith in the Living Christ. Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1.                 St.. John - for he hath been dead four days.   Nothing threatens a dead man – Lazarus had already faced the ultimate challenge of life – death.  He had looked death and failure in the face and walked away into new life.    He knew the cold terror of lying with other rotting corpses in the tombs.  He was familiar with the stench and decay of the decomposed, and skeletal remains. 

2.                 Once we experience the DELIVERING POWER OF GOD ACTIVATED ON OUR BEHALF  we should no longer be intimidated by the wicked. No Weapon formed against ME shall PROSPER. Isaiah   1 Peter – Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

The Problem versus the Solution – Eph Therefore He saith: "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."   Sleeping spiritually – Ignorant towards the will of the Father.    The Dead – Living a sinful life that only can promise DEATH – 3 fold –spiritually, physically, eternally. Light – An awareness/understanding of the Mind of God.  God can give us a deeper awareness of our problem and empower us towards the solution.

.           The Lame man at the Gate had a problem.  It was not a coincident that he was layed at the entrance of the court where the people entered to worship God. When he LOOKED at the Spiritual Leaders…The HOly Ghost which was Inside of Spiritual Leadership got on the inside of Him and BROUGHT FORTH THE SOLUTION – WHICH WAS IN A PHYSICAL HEALING.  The Holy Ghost visited the Lame Man and rebuked his physical infirmity.  John – LOOSE HIM AND LET HIM GO.

The Solution is GREATER THAN THE PROBLEM -  Ephesians – And be renewed in the Spirit of Your Mind. (Having a greater awareness and understanding of the Will of The Lord for every problematic situation that confronts US in THIS Life).  He that is IN ME is GREATER than HE that is in the WORLD.  Jesus is the SOLUTION to all of our PROBLEMS.  St. John 16:13 – Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shell he speak, and he will show you things to come.( The Lord can GUIDE us towards the solution to every problem through faith and trust in Him).

·          I AM the resurrection and the Life St. John My Interpretation – I am the Life that YOU  need IF I should  resurrect YOU.  

·          Trust in the Lord with all thy mind and he shall direct thy path…..

·          Al things work out for good to those that Love God. Romans …..

·          1 Cor - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

·          Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Stop Crying Over Spilled Milk

Stop Crying Over Spilled Milk

1.     Stop making a Big Deal about Every Incident that occurs in our lives.  Incident - an occurrence of an action or situation.  II Timothy 2:3-4 That thou therefore endure (to go through without giving in) hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

2.     Learn how to go with the flow – Trusting God in all situations and Letting Go Of those things that we cannot control – II Tim 3:14 – But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. (You have to know when to use The Word that was given you).

3.     Forget about the Spilled Milk -  Phil 3:13 -forgetting those things which are behind,-- The Spilled Milk can represent the Incident that has upset us, the trial that we must face, the weaknesses of others, the mistakes of others, the burdens placed upon us, the ever ending ministries entrusted unto us, the afflictions that we have to endure, the painful events of the past, the bad marriage and on and on and on…………

4.     Learning to Clean Up the Mess that enters Our Lives Phil 3:13 - reaching forth unto those things which are before,  Ephesians 6: 13-Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand (endure the spiritual warfare) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Having done ALL – After you have done all that you know to do using faith and prayer – STAND STILL AND WAIT ON THE SALVATION OF THE LORD!  Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Reaching – Do not allow the spilled milk to stagnate your life…Phil – I PRESS toward the mark (the end of my journey with spiritual fruit as my success)   for the prize  (whatever it is that God has for me for preservering on earth)  of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.   Keeping on doing a good work for the Lord.  Keep on praising God in the midst of the mess – Stay focused on your goals and priorities – Fight a good battle using righteousness and prayer as your weapons. 1 Cor – Let all things be done with charity.   II Cor. 10:4-For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.  (Strongholds – Situations and Circumstances that have a STRONG HOLD to prevent us from progressing in our lives)

5.     Letting go of offenses and irritations and forgive –Ephesians 4:31 – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger, and clamor (to persuade another person by talking the loudest) andevil speaking, be put away from you with all malice and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  To FORGIVE One for an offense is to oppose hate, wrath, bitterness, anger, evil speaking  and show love.

Pastor Sharon Therese Spencer

Living with God's Purpose in Mind

Proverbs 19:21-Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Acts 13:36-For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep (His soul)  and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, (His flesh).

Proverbs - Know where you are headed, and you will stay on solid ground. Contemporary English version

Message:  Living with God’s  Purpose in Mind

Sub topic:  Our purpose is to please God-Not people  1 Thess 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Life’s five greatest Questions:

What will be the Center of my Life?  II Chronicles 14:4 -  (Asa) And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.  Ephesians 3:17- That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.  Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What will be the Character of my Life?  You will take your character into eternity, but not your career.  What kind of person will you be?  II Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge. 1 Tim - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

What will be the Contribution of my Life?  What will be your ministry in The Body of Christ?  YOU MUST KNOW YOUR SHAPE!  S-Spiritual gifts, H-Heart A-Abilities P-Personality E-Experiences.While you are shaped to serve others, even Jesus did not meet the needs of everyone while on earth.  You have to choose whom you can best help. Based on your shape.   St. John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and thatyour fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  That fruit represents good deeds, and your God appointed ministry is a good deed unto others.  II Corinthians - For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God.

What will be the Communication of your life?  ^{As you grow in Christ the Lord may give you a special target group of people to focus on reaching.  Phil 1:27}Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, thatye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

What will be the Community of my life?  This statement involves fellowship.  Who will make up the Circle of People that you fellowship with?  To which church family will you be joined as a functioning member?  The more that you mature, the more you will love The Body of Christ and desire to sacrifice  for it.  Ephesians - Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.