It seems that everything is changing. The definition of family has changed, sexual gender identification has changed, and there is even climate change. Boundaries and borders are changing; world economies are changing, traditional customs are changing, and replaced by new ones. The way we communicate has changed. Face to face communication is becoming a thing of the past, and personal contact is rare. We have thousands of friends who we have never met personally; even the Church of God is changing to reflect social changes. While change is inevitable and necessary for growth, not all change is useful or beneficial.

Evangelist Billy Graham said: “While our world is shaking and crumbling, we need to realize that one thing will never change, and that is God. He is the same today as he was ten million years ago, and will be the same ten million years from today.”

The one thing that will never change is God! That means His love, laws, and precepts for fallen man will never change because He declares them in His Word, the Bible. Jesus said that the Word of God, the Bible, will never fail (Luke 1:37 NLT).

In this world where everything is changing, and systems and people are failing, we have an assurance from God that His Word, the Bible, will never fail. The government will fail you, the economy will fail you, politicians will fail you, your friends will fail you, your mother and father will fail you, and your spouse will fail you. However, the Word of God will never fail. The Word of God is the one, and the only thing that will not fail. Even if everything fails, His Word never fails.

Pastor, author, and teacher, Dr. A. R. Bernard wrote the following in his book, Four Things Women Want From a Man: “A principle is a broad and basic truth, a permanent feature on the human landscape; it doesn’t change with popular culture or social mores. Even if societal values shift, even if cultural norms are completely overturned, even if an entire population believes otherwise, God’s principles cannot be altered. His laws are as old as time itself. His truths never change.”

Beloved, in this world of constant change, hold on to the one unchanging, unfailing truth: the Word of God.

Your Spiritual Father

+Roberto Jemmott

 Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

As a clergy member, I am often called upon to officiate or eulogize the deceased. I make it my practice not to eulogize or officiate funerals where I am not acquainted with the deceased person or the family. In my experience, I don’t recall hearing negative or unbecoming statements about the departed from family members. I have only heard good things said about the person, even if the person was not well liked or unpopular. There are times when one wonders if the truth is being told not wanting to embarrass or offend the family.

      In the movie “Kingdom Come,” Whoopi Goldberg played the part of the grieving widow, Raynelle Slocumb. She made an unforgettable statement about her departed spouse. When asked what she wanted written on his tombstone, on a piece of paper she wrote the words “Mean and Surly.”

      When your name comes up in conversation, what is said about you? Does your reputation bring scorn, scoff or appreciation? Can people praise God for your life? As pastors and leaders in the body of Christ, it’s time for a self-check – how is your reputation?

      D.L. Moody, the great American evangelist, and publisher said this about reputation: “If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.” As Pastor Moody says, your character will take care of your reputation. The Apostle Paul had a reputation as someone who persecuted the church, but when Christ met him on the road to Damascus, he was converted to the Christian faith and given the mission to preach the gospel to the world. When Paul returned to Jerusalem, many feared him because of his reputation. Here is what the life of Paul teaches us. A bad reputation before salvation is different from a bad reputation after salvation especially for pastors and leaders of the church of the Living God.

      Your current reputation should bring glory to God; listen to Paul’s admonition to the Galatians about his reputation. “Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me.” Galatians 1:21-24 (NIV)

      Church leaders, does your past or present reputation bring glory to God? My challenge to you if your reputation does not bring glory to God: Take the necessary steps to correct your character, and as you correct your character your reputation will be adjusted.

      Can people praise God for your life?

Be Blessed,
Bishop Jemmott

 Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

The Bible teaches that we should be different from the world; we should not copy or emulate the behavior of the world. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT) To be different is to be unlike another person, it also means to be unique and distinct from others. As believers, there should be differences between the unbelievers and us.

      When we become born again we are transformed into a new person, our thought pattern changes to reflect our new way of life, and we no longer walk according to the flesh, or our sinful nature. The Apostle Paul describes the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21. “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (NLT) The world follows the desire of their sinful nature but the Holy Spirit, the Presence of God in our lives, leads us as believers.

      When Moses was getting ready to take the Israelites into the Promised Land, he asked the Lord who would go with him to the Promised Land. “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?'” Exodus 33:14-16 (NIV)

      Did you see the Lord’s answer? I will go with you! My Presence will be with you! I will walk with you into the Promised Land, and it will be my Presence that will distinguish you from other people who live in the land. Just like the Israelites who became distinguished or were different from the people of the land because of the Presence of the Lord, you are also different from the world. Today, the Presence of the Lord is manifested in a different way with us. He dwells in us in the form of the Holy Spirit.

      Every believer walks around with the Presence of God in his or her life. In other words, you are carrying the Glory of God; you are a Glory carrier. Because you are a Glory carrier, there should be a difference between you and the unbeliever. As Paul declared to the Corinthian believers, I declare to you that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Treat it that way. Don’t indulge or submit your bodies to the works of the flesh.

      “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)

Be Blessed,
Bishop Jemmott

 Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

In Proverbs 4:22, King Solomon is instructing his son on how he should live his life; he tells him that he should allow wisdom and the Word of God to govern his life. He makes him the promise that his life will be full and healthy if the Word of God is the focus of his life.

If you pay attention, listen, and keep the Word before your eyes and store it in your heart, the seat of your emotion. Then it will become life and health to your body. Yes, the Word of God will heal and restore your body if you allow it to leave the pages and enter your heart.

“For they are life to those who find them, And health to their whole body.” Proverbs 4:22 (WEB)

How is it possible for the Word of God to give life and health to my body? “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two- edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)

The Word of God is living, and active and the Word of God can do anything!

Be Blessed,

Bishop Jemmott

 Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

One of my favorite pastors and authors is Chuck Swindoll; I have read most of his books and listened to his Insight for Living broadcast. His radio program kept me during my wilderness season. I do not remember if I read this from one of his books or heard it over his broadcast, but what he said about being a leader has stayed with me: “If you want people to bleed, you must hemorrhage.” In other words, as a leader, you must be an example. If you want them to give, your giving must exceed their giving, and you must be the first one to give. If you want them to be on time, you must be there before them.

The Apostle Peter wrote the following: “Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” 1 Peter 5:3 (NLT)

The word “lord” in the text is from the Greek word “katakurieuō,” meaning to exercise dominion over. We should not exercise control over the people God has placed in our charge; we are to lead them. When you strive to control the people assigned to your care, you are no longer a shepherd. You become someone God never intended, a tyrant who commands lordship over the people.

This spirit of control causes tremendous damage to the body of Christ. Most people who have experienced church hurt, and want nothing to do with the church, were probably hurt by a tyrant pastor who lorded over their lives.

My dear children, remember that you are called to shepherd the flock God has put in your care. That means you must care for them by being an example to them. If your lifestyle does not glorify God, you cannot expect the people in your care to live a life that glorifies God. Remember, sheep follow the example of the shepherd; they go where he leads them. You are their example.

One final observation, make sure you are living what you preach. One of Paul’s final admonitions to his son Timothy was to pay attention to his preaching and his lifestyle: “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16 (NASB)

If your lifestyle and preaching are biblical, those who hear you will be saved!

Your Spiritual Father

+Roberto Jemmott

Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

Kindness seems to be a forgotten practice. We don’t see or hear too many people speaking of kindness, and if you live in New York City, it appears as if no one wants to be kind to their fellow man anymore. The late Princess Diana said the following about kindness, “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”

What a profound thought from a lady who died far too early! “A random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” There was a woman in the Bible who performed a random act of kindness for the man of God not expecting anything in return. God used that act of kindness to bless this woman beyond her expectation.

I am speaking of the Shunammite woman. This woman opened her home to the man of God and later built a room so that he would have a place to stay and rest after she prepared meals for him. The only thing she knew about Elisha was that he was a man of God.

“She said to her husband, ‘Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.'” 2 Kings 4:9-10

One random act of kindness brought favor into the life of this woman! You know the story, she was wealthy, had no children and her husband was aged. The man of God prophesied that she would have a son; her son later died and was miraculously brought back to life by Elisha. But the story does not end there, this woman’s random act of kindness continued to bring favor into her life. Elisha warned the woman to leave her land because of the Arameans. The Arameans conquered most of the Northern Kingdom and the upcoming famine that the people were going to experience because of the siege to the capital city of Samaria.

The scene in Samaria during the siege was chaotic; the people resorted to cannibalism to survive. Again, the prophet Elisha comes on the scene and prophesies that God will miraculously deliver the city from the hands of the Arameans. Overnight, God caused the Arameans to fight and kill each other leaving all their food and possession behind, just as Elisha had prophesied. King Jehoram talks to Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, desiring to hear all the details about what Elisha had done for this Shunammite woman. As Gehazi begins to tell the story, the woman appears at the palace seeking restoration of her land. The king then asked her if the story was true:

“‘Is this true?’ the king asked her. And she told him the story. So he directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.” 2 Kings 8:6 (NLT)

This woman’s one random act of kindness to the man of God resulted in complete restoration of all her properties.

What random act of kindness have you done without reward lately?

Be Blessed,
Bishop Jemmott

Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

The church at Corinth wanted to know what happened to believers who died before the Lord’s return. The Apostle Paul explained to them that death was the separation of the body from the spirit; the body dies but the spirit lives, and those who died in Christ go to be with the Lord in heaven, and wait for His second coming when our bodies will be re-united with our spirit.

He closes his explanation of the second coming of Christ and the resurrection with these words of admonition to the believers: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB)

Paul lists four admonitions for the believers who are looking for the second coming of the Lord. The first admonition is Be steadfast! The second admonition is Be immovable! The third admonition is to abound in the work of the Lord! The word abound means great quantities or numbers. So, to abound in the work of the Lord means every believer should be involved, working on the things that build the Kingdom of God. If you are sitting in church doing nothing, you are not abounding in the work of the Lord. It’s time to abound in the work of the Lord.

Be Blessed,

Bishop Jemmott

Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

A shepherd is a person who leads and takes care of sheep; the Bible often compares pastors and leaders to shepherds. “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.” Acts 20:28 (NLT)

God has placed us as pastors and leaders over his people so that we may lead and feed them, not drive and abuse them, or even take advantage of them. During the days of the prophet Jeremiah, the leadership of the nation of Israel had become corrupt, from the king and his official, to the priest and the religious leaders. They stopped leading and guarding the people, and became interested only in their own comfort and well-being. They used the people whom God had committed into their care for their own personal gain. They stopped leading and protecting, and became abusive by placing demands on the people which God did not command.

When shepherds lose focus on leading, protecting, and feeding the people of God, the people become prey to the adversary and his predators. Because shepherds have failed to protect the body of Christ, all kinds of teachings and wolves in sheep’s clothing have penetrated the church. They are wreaking havoc in the body of Christ, teaching doctrines and practices that are not biblical. These predators and wolves in sheep’s clothing are leading many believers away from the church.

However, as the Lord promised Jeremiah, God is raising up true shepherds in these last days. “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15

Today, God is raising up a new kind of shepherd. Shepherds who have his heart, loves His people, and will guide with knowledge and understanding. Shepherds who will lead based on the unchangeable principles God has outlined in His Word, and not by society’s norms and practices.

My dearest children, spiritual covering is most essential. Your covering shepherd should be a man or woman who is a true shepherd. Not every person who says they are a pastor is a true shepherd. You need to pray and ask the Lord for knowledge and discernment concerning whom you must submit your life to. Just because someone can preach or teach does not make them a shepherd after God’s heart.

By their fruit you will know them!

Your Spiritual Father

+Roberto Jemmott

Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

A guardian is a defender, protector, or a keeper. Guardians defend nations, cities, towns, villages; they also defend belief, philosophy, religion, constitutions, a way of life, the rights of the underprivileged, a minority group or the poor and needy. In short, guardians are defenders of whatever is important to them.

      Pastors and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ are called to defend the Word of God; in theological circles it’s called Apologetics. The word apologetics is from the Greek word “apologia”, meaning to speak in defense. It is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of information. Early Christian writers who defended and guarded the faith against critics and shared their faith with outsiders were called apologists.

      The practice of guarding and defending the Word of God did not originate with early Christian writers: it began with the tribe of Levi. When Moses went up to the mountain to receive the commandments from the Lord, he was delayed. The Israelites, believing that Moses was dead, convinced Aaron to make an idol in the form of a golden calf, so that they could worship the calf as the one who delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians. Upon completion of the golden idol, the people worshipped and celebrated it, all except the tribe of Levi.

      God instructed Moses to return to the camp because of the sin of the people. When Moses returned, he saw the people worshiping the golden calf. Only the Levites stood with Moses that day and helped him eradicate the worship of the golden calf. Because the Levites did not participate in the idolatry, God made them the guardians of His Word and Covenant and gave them charge of the secreted things. Read Moses’ last words to the Levites in Deuteronomy 33:8-11(NLT); verse 9 says:

“The Levites obeyed your word and guarded your covenant. They were more loyal to you than to their own parents. They ignored their relatives and did not acknowledge their own children.”

      In verse 8 they are called faithful servants because they refused to go along with the others. As pastors and leaders, we are called to be protectors and guardians of the word of God and also of the Christian way of life. Today many are being led astray by the doctrines of men. As Shepherds and leaders of the church, we are called to bring awareness to men and women. We have a responsibility to turn this shift away from the Word of God and the Christian way of living back to the way God intended it to be. Like the Levites, we are the Guardians and the Keepers of the Faith.

Be Blessed,
Bishop Jemmott

Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.

Many years ago, while in the Air Force, my wife and I were driving to Augusta, GA. We were heading to visit my cousins who were stationed at Ft. Gordon, GA. We left Florida late that evening, and while traveling on Interstate Highway 20, we encountered heavy fog between Atlanta and Augusta. I have never seen fog as thick as an ominous cloud in all my years of traveling. I could barely see 10 or 20 feet ahead of me, and because it was late, there was hardly any traffic on the road. There were no fog lights on my car, and I did not want to pull over or stop at a hotel for the night. We decided to push on. Thank God we arrived at our destination safely with the help of a trucker whose eighteen-wheeler was equipped with fog lights.

Like that night on that foggy road, life can sometimes expose us to challenges and obstacles that obscure our path and make it dark and cloudy. There are times when we can’t see what’s ahead of us. We are in a crisis fog! It may be a financial, mental or medical crisis that propels us into total darkness to the point where we can’t see God. Like Job, we desperately seek God like Job did during his dark crisis. “I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.” Job 23:8-9 (NLT) Can you identify with Job? There are times when it seems like God can’t be found; it’s during those moments that we need to put our trust in God and God alone!

Like blind Bartimaeus, we need to believe and trust God when we can’t see Him. When you are experiencing dark and difficult times, it’s hard to find friends who are willing to walk you through darkness and difficulties. Forget about those who made you fictitious promises, they are even harder to find. The book of Proverbs says the following about trusting in people: “Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.” Proverbs 11:7 (NIV)

There are times we need to trust God when we can’t see Him! It may be strenuous to accept and believe what I just said. It is arduous for us to see our way out when we are in a dark and cloudy situation. When the car is about to be repossessed because of late payments, or the test results are positive, and the doctor does not give you a favorable prognosis. When the house goes into foreclosure, and the lights, cable, gas or telephone service is about to be disconnected. It gets dark when your spouse is asking for a divorce after 20 years of marriage. It gets cloudy when your son or daughter gets arrested. What about when you just got fired or laid off from your job? Can you trust God?

Can you trust God when you cannot see Him? The answer is yes! Even when I can’t see Him, His Words resonate in my ears. Words like Proverbs 3:5 says this about trusting God: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” (NASB)

Blind Bartimaeus could not see Jesus, but he heard when Jesus said, “your faith has made you well.” Mark 10:52 (NASB)

You may be in a dark place, but trust God and not man. Your faith will see you out!

Be Blessed,

Bishop Jemmott

Support the legacy of Bishop Roberto Jemmott, purchase his books and sermons here.