Rich Wilkerson Jr.'s Blog

Almost Isn't Good Enough

Almost doesn’t cut it. Almost isn’t good enough.

This word almost simply means: Very nearly but not exactly or entirely 

It seems like there is a common trend in our culture where almost has become acceptable…

-I almost had a successful marriage

-I sort of set a Godly example for my children,

-I practically completed my education,

-I more or less gave the amount to God I pledged,

-I nearly kept that promise,

-I just about got the project done

-I mean it wasn’t exactly the way my boss wanted it to be – it was almost!

-I almost!

 How have we become so content with Almost?

            -With just barely getting by.

            -Just doing the bare minimum.

When we look around see a lot of this. People content to get things done half way.

Not finishing the task. Not giving their all. This is not at all how God wants us to live. He calls us to be sold out for him. Either hot or cold, he really doesn’t like in between (lukewarm almost Christians).

The Bible says in..

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Some weeks ago I preached a sermon entitled “Almost is Good Enough.” At the end of the sermon I preached the story of Naaman who suffered from leprosy. Go ahead and watch… I think you will really like the illustration and I pray it will speak to you as it did to so many of us here in Miami. Choose today not to ever live an almost life!

Against All Hope

Psalm 42:5

Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and ⁶ my God.

Psalm 62:5

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from him.

Romans 4:18-25

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

 HOPE: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best

 You see faith is when you are sure. It’s 100 percent belief… no doubt, no fear! Hope may be 75%, 50%, or even 2% belief. It may be mixed with doubt, fear, dread, or weariness. Hope is the substance used to construct viable faith. Faith is hope that has been purged of all conflict. But please understand that Jesus honors hope as well as faith. The prophet said in Isaiah 42:3 that the messiah would not snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed. Meaning Christ sees and honors the smallest percent of belief.

Here is what Matthew Henry says...

 "When the prayer made in faith is not answered, and the healing for which many have sought does not come, we are not to look for someone to accuse of failure in faith.

Rather we are to remember that besides faith there is hope.

Hope has to do with God's promises that are still future and hidden, just as faith has to do with God's promises that are here and now.

To the person who has believed for today but has not seen the answer come today, there comes the call to hope.

Hope says, 'Tomorrow also is God's. Enough has happened already to assure you that the rest is on the way.'"

Miami Vices

So I live in a pretty wild city. Miami is often referred to as the cocaine capital. As a pastor sometimes I can become discouraged because I watch great people fall victim to all the temptations that the MIA has to offer. However, I do believe that with God's help we can live in the world, but not be of the world. Next week I am starting a new series with my good friend Terrance Wilson called Miami Vices. For the next few weeks we will be answering some really tough questions; "How far is too far?" "How to be a christian and stay cool?" "How to withstand temptation?" "How to win a city for Jesus?"  

Happy Mothers Day

I am truly a product of great mothering. My mom is the best. I know you think yours is, but you're wrong LOL. Today she preached alongside my dad. It was really powerful. I'm so proud to be her son! Make sure you hug your mom and tell her that you love her. Beleive me you owe her!

Ramon Fernandez: Official Rendezvous Promoter

Grace Anatomy

So we started a new series this past week at the VOUS. It's called Grace Anatomy. The Bible says in Romans 2:4 it's through Gods kindness that men come to repentace. That word kindness in the Greek is charis which is the same as grace. We know that grace is the unmerrited favor of the Lord. Meaning you don't deserve it. There is nothing YOU can do on your own to get it. It's simply a gift from God that you receive by believing in Him.

So going back to Romans 2. It's through Gods grace that man repent. We've decided at the Rendezvous to put this scripture into action. We believe that as we show Gods kindness people will fall in love with Christ. For the next 5 weeks we're gonna be doing random acts of kindness. We're asking everyone to join in!

Today in MIA 30 young adults came together and washed over 90 cars cars for free. People were touched and amazed! Can't wait to hear all the testimonies! Be apart of the change.

Top 3 Today

Got a chance to interview a really cool pastor today. His name is Dave Gibbons and he pastors new song church. He wrote a book called "the monkey and the fish" it's all about being a third culture leader. Very cool... Check him out at 3culture.tv

You've Got to Crawl Before You Can Walk

Life is as it seems a process. It's a journey. So often we are unsatisfied with our current place in life. However, its in that place that you are being prepared for the next place. Too often we miss the chance to enjoy our current surrounding because we are so focused on getting to our next destination. 

I had a friend in jr. high who was having some problems. He ended up going to the Dr. for a diagnosis. After many different tests; both physically and psychologically, the Dr. claimed the issue he was having had to do with the fact that my friend had missed his crawling stage. Apparently, my buddy when he was young started walking to soon. Some of the problems he was having was because he had missed a crucial stage of childhood...crawling.    

Who knew crawling was such an important thing. You see life is a continual growth process. We sit up, we crawl, we walk, we run. There are different stages. Our dreams and our passions really operate the same way. The only problem is our ambition and drive want them to be running and jumping even though they were just born. Give yourself some time. Enjoy the process before you kill yourself lol. Your dreams will happen just be willing to let them grow.

 

Who Gets the Credit?

I'm not gonna lie. It's great to receive credit for something. Especially when you work really hard. I like it, it feels good. Yet, if that is what drives you, you're not going to get very far because it's never nearly enough. What I am discovering is that true leaders really could care less about who gets the credit for something. A good leader is never after the glory. In fact true leaders  never find their thrill or contentment from others telling them how great they are. Instead joy and  excitement are birthed when the group/body/followers/team....(whatever you call it )is benefiting/thriving/growing.

For instance, it's nice to hear people tell me after a Rendezvous service, "Rich you are a great preacher. Best I ever heard (lol)."  Sure I appreciate that. Still, it doesn't even compare with the excitement I get when I see our church growing. Or when people start running with and spreading the dream. At the end of the day that is what I love. Real leaders don't care about credit, they simply long to see the mission/vision spread. In my  own life I am constantly checking myself.  Am  I doing this for credit or for the mission? If glory is what I am after I will never be the leader God has destined me to be and neither will you.

Happy Valentines Day

I am the most blessed man in the world. The past seven years have been incredible. When I was 17 my life was forever changed when I met DawnChere Duron. Today I celebrate her and what she has meant to me. I love her more now today then when I first met her. Happy Valentines Day honey .

 I watched Mark Driscoll on CNN last night. I though he did a fantastic job. I thought you might enjoy seeing it if you missed it.