DR. MANEUEL L. SCOTT SR SAID: "SERMONETTES MAKE CHRISTIAN-ETTES"!

It is highly possible that I've received and accepted more invitations to teach, lecture, preach or just share this year than any other year of my ministry. That said, I am moved once again by the notion that we gospel preachers need to do our best to be "fresh" in our preaching. Now by fresh I do not mean that we are coming up with some "new thing" or some new doctrine, or some new way to communicate the gospel. Rather, what I mean is that we need to do the best we can to not re-preach "can" sermons, old sermons, re-heatable sermons that we first preached a decade ago. We need to be careful to be "work"men, rightly dividing The Word of truth. We need to be sure that we are consistently reading The Word of God and studying The Word of God; and preparing new sermons as The LORD gives us direction. Believe it or not the mature believer can tell the difference between a T.V. dinner sermon and a home cooked sermon. They know the difference between a microwave pizza and one made fresh from scratch- in your own kitchen. Too often we get busy with things that matter, but not "the" thing that matters most. Namely, The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. It's good to visit the sick, clothe the naked, pray with those who are sick and shut-in, but it's better to make the main thing the preaching of The gospel of JESUS CHRIST. After all, that's what The LORD called us as pastors to do primarily- Preach, teach, pray and cast vision. It could be that some members of our churches are not growing because they are not receiving full course meals on Sunday morning. Dr. Manuel L. Scott Sr. said: "Sermonettes make Christian-ettes". We need to ask ourselves what kind of preaching are we doing? And then, whatever kind of preaching we are doing we need to commit to doing it better ... and better ... and better! Agape- S. J. Fort, preacher of The Gospel

Thank you Pastor Louis B. Jones II & Pilgrim Baptist Church of Washington D.C.

Much has taken place in my life since the writing of my last blog. That said, of that has taken place- the ups and downs, the in's and out's the shifts and changes, the one thing that has (and always will) remain consistent is the love, mercy and grace of our living LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank, honor and praise our God for His lovingkindness and tender mercies toward me. This weekend I was blessed to preach at the wonderful Pilgrim Baptist Church in Washington D.C. where the inimitable Rev. Louis B. Jones II serves as senior pastor. All I can say is "Wow"! What a pastor and what a people. The occasion for my coming was the "All Ministry Day" at Pilgrim. There is no question that Pastor Jones is one of the most gifted, charismatic and kind pastor's I know. It is Monday morning now in Washington D.C. and I am preparing to preach once more before leaving for the great southwest. Please keep me in prayer. I am praying with and for you. Safe in CHRIST, Sherman J. Fort

President William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton At The 2012 Democratic National Convention!

I just finished watching former President William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton deliver his speech at the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina. I was moved, motivated, informed, inspired and helped by what President Clinton had to say. I believe he was genuine and sincere. I've made my decision about who I plan to vote for in 2012, have you? Jesus Christ is my Savior and LORD. I pride myself on being a follower of Jesus Christ. So my conviction when voting is to seek The LORD in prayer and to vote my Christian conscience. Be sure to vote this year! Agape, Sherman J. Fort

KEEP HOPE ALIVE!

Romans 4:16-22 (NKJV): 16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Last night I watched and listened to Rahm Emanuel, the former White House Chief of Staff for President Barack H. Obama; and current mayor of Chicago speak at the Democratic National Convention. Following last nights Bible study and a home visit I caught portions of a replay of our nations gifted, God-fearing and gorgeous First Lady's speech. There is absolutely no question that Michelle Obama is a classy, clear and candid speaker, whose elegance and education are evident and obvious to all who watch and listen with a non-biased eye and ear. In short, she was bad last night. I still haven't watched her whole speech in total, but I was encouraged to hear her speak of family time she and President Obama commit to their daughters. I was encouraged to hear about vision and values and how they matter so much to the President. Now, having said all that I still know where my ultimate allegiance lies. It's not with the White House, rather it is in God's house. To be more specific, it is with The LORD Jesus Christ Himself. I look forward to the day when The LORD Jesus Christ returns in power and with great glory. I look forward to Him ruling and reigning with true justice and righteousness. Abraham is an awesome example for us today. The Apostle Paul records that Abraham, watch this now- against hope- believed in hope. Wow! That is to say that Abraham saw that all natural means were exhausted and that logic said what he and Sarah desired could not be done- still he believed in God. He trusted God and "hoped in Him" even when the situation seemed hopeless. GOD came through for Abraham. God came through for all of us. So trust The LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding (wisdom, knowledge and intellect). If you acknowledge God in all you do He will direct your path. Agape, SJF