Senior Minister and Pastor of the Plymouth United Church of Christ in Detroit, Michigan USA - 600 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, Michigan 48201 - 313-831-2460 - nhoo996937@aol.com
I don’t want to wear out my welcome, Lord. I feel like I call on you when you must be tied up or busy. Maybe you are listening or talking to someone else. It is you to whom I call, because from my youth, you have always made time for me. You have always responded to me. I have grown to trust you and rely upon you. In, I have always felt welcome. My nightmare is that I might wear out my welcome.
I do not want to pester you or get on your nerves. I am afraid I may be a nuisance and you may kick me to the curb. I call on you because right now there is a lot going on in my life and I want to share my enthusiasm and excitement with you. I call on you because you mean so much to me. I do not have anywhere else to turn. Answer me when I call. Listen to me when I ramble and repeat myself in joy. Bless me with your favor by day and by night. Do not kick me to the curb and most of all, help me not tp wear out my welcome. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Written by Pastor Nick Hood
Questions for Reflection
What does this prayer say to you?
Do you ever wonder how the Lord has time for you and your prayers?
Lord, help me to pick up the jagged pieces of my life. Help me to think clearly, see straightly, and hear your voice without distraction. Jesus, sometimes I feel like I have been slammed in the gut. Help me to catch my breath, pick myself up, shake off the dust, then hold my head high as you lead me into the dark night. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
where you can now view in one place the devotions, prayers, podcasts and videos of Pastor Nick Hood
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New – Listen to readings from the Book of Psalms, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, 1st Samuel, 2 Samuel, Proverbs, the Gospel of John, Acts of the Apostles, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Colossians, Titus, Revelation and more as well as Inspirational Prayers written by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III at Nicholas Hood3, is now available on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nicholas-hood3/id1370371705.
Lord, I am looking to you today for a blessing. Not tomorrow, not next week, but today! The clock is ticking. My heart is beating. Give me a word. Show me a sign. I need your favor. I need you now. Bless me today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Written by Pastor Nick Hood
Questions for Reflection:
What are you praying for today?
Are you afraid to ask God to bless you today?
What is preventing you for asking God for a blessing ?
Pastor Nick Hood preaching at the Plymouth United Church of Christ Detroit
Believe in Yourself Sermon Outline
1 Samuel 24: 4 The men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” Then David went and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak
Today, I want to talk about Believing in Yourself
Last week, I paused to think about all the times in my life when I had to put up with people who did not believe in me and my dreams… (share poem)
I often look to the Bible for guidance in everything
The story of David finding Saul in a cave… (Tell the story)
Lessons from the Bible Story
David is on the run from Saul
David is in the desert of Engedi
David finds a safe place in a cave
Sometimes a good run is better than a bad stand
David and his men seek privacy and safety in the cave
Saul needs to relieve himself and seeks privacy
Lesson: Each of us at some point seek privacy and safety
The rich and the poor thirst for privacy, security and safety.
The solace of the cave provided David with the opportunity to to kill Saul
Because David believed the prophecy of Samuel, he refuses to kill Saul
I want to talk for a moment about why David believes in himself:
Samuel had anointed David king
David believed the prophecy of Samuel
So many good things had already happened to Davidm it seemed to him like the prophecy was true
Lesson: You and I must look and listen to the people around us
You and I should look to the Bible for inspiration that tells us that God has a plan for your life
Example: the way our church encourages and supports its students through scholarships…
I have a “Well defined ego” that was formed when I was a little boy in New Orleans….
There always will be somebody who wants to put you down
What I have found is that often the people who want to put you down are not sure of themselves
I encourage you, if you take away nothing else from this sermon, to beiieve in yourself!
Believe in Yourself!
Some may laugh. Others might frown. Some may try to put you down. People you confide in may wonder why you have such dreams, but believe in yourself. Dream your dreams and do the math. Plan and calculate what it will cost and what it will take, but at the end of the day, believe in yourself! Take a look at others and learn of their story. What you will find is that they believed in themselves. Things may not have been smooth, and at times it might have seemed like they would crash and burn, but they kept pushing, kept trying, kept reading, practicing, praying, kept dreaming and never stopped believing in the dream within. Hold on to your dreams, fight for your dreams, build on your dreams, and never ever stop believing in yourself!
Making a commitment to the Lord is one of the keys to a happy and enduring life. Each of us will at some point make a commitment to something. The things we choose to commit to may be positive or negativce, weak or strong, logical or ill-logical, but whatever it may be, our commitment locks us into a certain path that we must follow until and unless we determine to travel in another direction.
The musician is taught to look at the music, think about what they will play, and then commit to play the notes as they desire. The commitment to the notes they will play is a starting point for how the music will turn out.
Parents make a commitment to raise their children. The worker makes a commitment to perform their assigned duties. The lover makes a commitment to be faithful to their friend. The husband and wife make a commitment to be faithful to each other. The banker makes a commitment to discharge their duties in an honest and forthright manner.
Each of these commitments are significant, but in our humanity, we often fall short and disappoint others and ourselves as well.
I have found that they greatest commitment one can make is a commitment to the Lord. Jesus Christ can save you. Jesus Christ will show you the path to meaningful and purposeful life in this life. He will show you joy and happiness that is unparralled. The things we purchase can break and wear out. Friends will come and go and sometimes disappoint. The human body eventually will wear out and die. The only thing that will last is the redemptive love and mercy of the Lord! I encourage you today to renew your commitment to Jesus Christ while you still have time. Commit your way to the Lord and he will bless you, strengthen you and keep you.
Thank you for reading. Blessings,
Nick
Questions for reflection:
Have you ever made a commitment toJesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
What does that commitment look like?
What does it mean to you?
What has been the reaction of others to your commitment to the Lord?
Other throughts?
Prayer: Lord, today I commit my way to you. I commit to stop wasting time money and emotions on people and things that take me from your path. Accept me as I am. Wash me and clean me and lead me to higher ground. Today, I give up foolishness. Today, I give up my insecurity. Today, I choose life and life more abundantly. Bless me now as I stretch for where the air is fresh and joy radiates from the rooftop of heaven to the depths of the human soul. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
where you can now view in one place the devotions, prayers, podcasts and videows of Pastor Nick Hood
New – You Tube Spiritual Videos at Rev Nicholas Hood and on Facebook
New – Listen to readings from the Book of Psalms, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, 1st Samuel, 2 Samuel, Proverbs, the Gospel of John, Acts of the Apostles, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Colossians, Titus, Revelation and more as well as Inspirational Prayers written by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III at Nicholas Hood3, is now available on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nicholas-hood3/id1370371705.
Yes there are times when we make mistakes – mistakes in judgement, mistakes in our actions, mistakes with our time, money and relationships. In spite of it all, in the eyes of God, our mistakes do not mean we are an absolute failure. The Apostle Paul taught that, “All things work together for good for those who love God. (Romans 8:28) All things, not some things, but all things work together for good for those who love God. How can this be when we make mistakes? Yes, even our mistakes can work together forwards an ultimate good. Let me share what I mean by all things work together for good.
The blessing of a mistake is the opportunity to rezlize you have made a mistake.
Our mistakes provide us with powerful awareness and examples where we could have made other choices
Our mistakes should cause us to make new commitments to think and act on a higher and better level.
The commitment to think and act on the best levels will force us to transform our mistakes into platforms for success.
Once we create platforms for success, we begin to see that even our worst moments can “Work together for good.”
I hope you have found this thought helpful. This message is forall persons who are down in the dumps and feel like a failure. It is also for those who may wonder why your life has turned out in a certain way. When I think back to the people I have met and loved, even the relationships and career path I have taken, I am certain the Lord has watched over my shoulder every step of the way.
For every person who has been mean or insulting to me, I count it all as blessing. For all the people who have been kind and supportive, I also count them as a blessing. Looking backwards though the years, I would have to say that every person I have met, every job I have worked, every victory and every loss, I could everything , even my mistakes as a blessing from God. The Lord has rained favor and blessings upon me so great, I cannot measure, and I count it all as joy.
Questions for Reflection:
How do you score your mistakes?
When have you found favor inspite of your failures?
What are the mistakes you have not been able to rise above?
Why?
Other thoughts?
Prayer: Jesus, I acknowledge my short comings. Sometimes, I have said what I should not have said, and done what I should not have done. Sometimes, I have thought mean thoughts. I feel bad because of my mistakes in judgement, mistakes in behavior, and mistakes in love. Yet, through it all, I see the footprint of favor in the blessings you rain down from heaven upon me. Lord, you are so high. I am so low. Still, you love me and care for me. Help me this day to see your handiwork in the large and small, the rich and the poor. Help me to see something positive in all things. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
where you can now view in one place the devotions, prayers, podcasts and videows of Pastor Nick Hood
New – You Tube Spiritual Videos at Rev Nicholas Hood and on Facebook
New – Listen to readings from the Book of Psalms, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, 1st Samuel, 2 Samuel, Proverbs, the Gospel of John, Acts of the Apostles, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Colossians, Titus, Revelation and more as well as Inspirational Prayers written by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III at Nicholas Hood3, is now available on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nicholas-hood3/id1370371705.
Put Your trust in God because God is good, God is all powerful and God is loving. God will inspire you. God will show you the best path for you. God will protect you. If you open your heart, you will feel God. If you open your eyes, God will show you the best way. I put my trust in God a long time ago, and in the most interesting of ways, looking back over my life, I must admit there is no failure in God. Yes, I have experienced disappointment, but for every disappointment, there have been greater success. For every dead end, new vistas and horizons have appeared, for every heart break I have witnessed new heart throbs, and through it all, the hand of God has sheltered and led me. Trust God and what you will find is favor and blessings that transcend your wildest imagination!
Prayer: Jesus, I trust you. I trust your wisdom. I trust your direction. I admit there have been times when I missed the mark and went astray, but for every misdirection, every mistake, you never gave up on me, so I say thank you. Thank you for receiving me. Thank you for redeeming me. Thank you for redirecting me and reestablishing my mind, my heart and my soul. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
where you can now view in one place the devotions, prayers, podcasts and videows of Pastor Nick Hood
New – You Tube Spiritual Videos at Rev Nicholas Hood and on Facebook
New – Listen to readings from the Book of Psalms, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, 1st Samuel, 2 Samuel, Proverbs, the Gospel of John, Acts of the Apostles, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Colossians, Titus, Revelation and more as well as Inspirational Prayers written by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III at Nicholas Hood3, is now available on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nicholas-hood3/id1370371705.
Some may laugh. Others might frown. Some may try to put you down. People you confide in may wonder why you have such dreams, but believe in yourself. Dream your dreams and do the math. Plan and calculate what it will cost and what it will take, but at the end of the day, believe in yourself! Take a look at others and learn of their story. What you will find is that they believed in themselves. Things may not have been smooth, and at times it might have seemed like they would crash and burn, but they kept pushing, kept trying, kept reading, practicing, praying, kept dreaming and never stopped believing in the dream within. Hold on to your dreams, fight for your dreams, build on your dreams, and never ever stop believing in yourself!
What are your thoughts about “believe in yourself?”
What is most difficult about believing in yourself?
Have you lived long enough to see some of your dreams come true?
Other thoughts?
Prayer
Lord, help me to believe ini myself – even when others frown, laugh, or try to put me down. Show me why I should not stop in believing in myself. Lord, I believe in myself and Lord, I believe in you! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
where you can now view in one place the devotions, prayers, podcasts and videows of Pastor Nick Hood
New – You Tube Spiritual Videos at Rev Nicholas Hood and on Facebook
New – Listen to readings from the Book of Psalms, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, 1st Samuel, 2 Samuel, Proverbs, the Gospel of John, Acts of the Apostles, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Colossians, Titus, Revelation and more as well as Inspirational Prayers written by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III at Nicholas Hood3, is now available on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nicholas-hood3/id1370371705.
Nicholas Hood III Ministries 