Matters of Faith

A practical application of the Word of God for everyday issues.

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James ‘Loren’ Russell was born in Harlem, New York, and raised in the Bronx, where he and his wife (Evelyn) of thirty-eight years currently reside. Loren began his professional career as a life insurance agent, quickly rising to sales manager and then senior management. To fulfill his entrepreneurial ambitions, Loren established The JLR Company/J Loren Consulting, LLC to provide financial planning services in general, “Biblical Economics” services to the religious community, and motivational and developmental seminars and workshops. He served 7 years with the Southern Baptist Convention as the Northeast Strategy Coordinator, Regional Church Finance Consultant, and Church Planting Coordinator for NYC. Loren earned the Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary and received an Honorary Doctor of Ministry from the Virginia University of Lynchburg. Through J Loren R Consulting, LLC, Loren provides financial, strategic planning, and business consultations to churches, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses nationally, with a specialization in urban church strategies. Loren’s spiritual and civic commitment keeps him busy. He is currently providing pastoral leadership to The Evangelical Church of God and continues as an Associate Minister and former Sunday School teacher at his home church, Goodwill Baptist Church. He is the founder of the Back In Stride Ministry, a ministry designed to help ex-offenders to establish their businesses; past President of the John L. Scott Associate Ministers Auxiliary of the United Missionary Baptist Association; founder and Chief Chaplain of the New York State Chaplains Workers Task Force, Inc; President of the 42nd Precinct Community Council, Clergy Liaison, and Moderator for the Ceasefire Initiative all for the New York Police Department; President of the Home/Simpson Street Homeowners Association, Bronx, NY; Board member of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI); 3 times past President of the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club, NY, and past District Governor for Rotary District 7230. Loren has a chapter capturing parts of his life in the book, Children of the Dream – The Psychology of Black Success by Audrey Edwards and Dr. Craig Polite. He also helped establish and provided voice-overs for the Speaking Community Calendar at Bronx Net Cable, Bronx, NY. Rev. Dr. Russell is an author who writes a weekly column called “Matters of Faith” that appear in several publications, Yonkers Insider, Better Mag magazine, Positve Community Magazine, and Pamela’s Big Heart Newsletter, and on his social media outlets. In addition, he hosts a weekly internet radio talk show, “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” (Matters of Faith YouTube channel), and authored and published Matters of Faith: The Book. Loren is a frequently sought-after preacher, keynote speaker, motivational instructor, workshop leader, and Master of Ceremonies for a variety of programs. Loren’s favorite quote is by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which epitomizes his philosophy on life. It states, “We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools.”

  • Commended By Choice

    Rev. J. Loren Russell

    2 Corinthians 6:4-10 NKJV

    But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

    To be commended means to be presented as suitable for approval or acceptance. Paul tells the Corinthian church that everything he and his fellow proclaimers of Christ have done gives undisputable evidence of their reliable, credible testimony that professes and encourages them to “come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.” (v.17)

    To commend oneself is difficult. It means giving up things that you may hold near and dear. It may mean giving up activities that you enjoy doing or places you enjoy going. Being commended means that you are willing to not just take off, but take oncharacteristics that heretofore have been foreign to you. Paul lists several things he and his fellow servants have taken on to exemplify their commendation. The New Living Translation aptly chronicles their characteristics; “alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.” 

    They were willing to endure trials and tribulations for the reward of an entire community who potentially would follow their lead and be commended in the same fashion as he and his colleagues. Not just that, those who choose to commend themselves will be supernaturally enabled by the God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit to endure as Paul and his comrades were able to endure, and that durability is transferable to every area of their  lives. 

    In the final verse of the chapter, Paul writes these encouraging words, “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”  (v.18). I likewise challenge you to be a living testimony of someone who is commended by choice.

    Be Blessed! 

    Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column  and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel.  Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.

  • Purposefully Employed

     Rev. J. Loren Russell

    I Corinthians 15:50-58 NKJV

    Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

    The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

    When we think of someone being purposefully employed, we think of them occupying a nine-to-five and being paid for their work-related activity. Some people are skilled at what they do, gifted with a particular ability. Others are trained for the job they were hired to do. Whether they are gifted or trained, if they are working, they are both considered to be purposely employed.

    Working for a living gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment because we know that they can and are providing for our families. Being purposely employed means that you have a regular work schedule and are  receiving a regular income for the work performed. You can be employed by someone, a company, or self-employed, but when you are purposely employed, the assumption is that you are not just getting by, you are doing well enough to provide for your needs and the needs of your family with disposable left over.  

    Beloved, every gift that is given by the Spirit of God is for the edification of the people and the glorification of God. Make no mistake, all gifts are “from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17 MKJV).

    My prayer is that you have been chosen by God to be filled with the Holy Spirit and equipped for purposeful employment as an ambassador in His service. “If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully(Romans 12:6-8 NIV). To be clear, spiritual gifts are given for your employment, not just your enjoyment!

    If you have received a gift from the Holy Spirit, consider yourself to be purposefully employed. 

    Be blessed! 

    Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column  and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel.  Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.

  • Matters of Faith: The Radio Show

  • In The Potters Hand!

    Rev. J. Loren Russell

    Jeremiah 18:1-6 NKJV

    The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!

    In the hands of the potter, clay can be molded into whatever is desired. In the text, God is the Potter, and we are the clay. As the Potter, the Lord desires only the best for us. But clay has flaws…, lumps, bumps, and impurities. It often must be reshaped several times before it becomes what the Potter has in mind. 

    Jeremiah was sent to the potter’s house to be taught a lesson. As Jeremiah looked at the potter, the Lord spoke to him and revealed to him that the potter has complete and total authority to form and fashion clay as he sees fit. It’s his choice to do as he pleases, to reshape the clay into what he desires. 

    As Jeremiah witnessed the potter reshape the marred clay, the Lord tells him that the potter represented Him, the sovereign God over all creation. He owes us nothing and can reshape or dispose of us at His will. But, He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2Peter 3:9). He gives us multiple opportunities to conform to His image. When we are forgiven of our sins, we are conformed to His image and likeness. You see, unlike clay, the sovereign Lord has given us free will, the ability to choose or refuse to allow Him to mold and to shape us. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). 

    For better or worse, we are in the Potter’s hand. What a tragedy it is when The Lord takes us in His hand and finds that we are not willing to allow Him to shape us into what He desires. If He can’t shape us as monuments for righteousness, He will use us as tombstones to warn others. 

    Be Blessed! 

    Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column  and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel.  Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.

  • Humility in the Kingdom!

  • Humility in The Kingdom

    By Reverend J. Loren Russell

    Matthew 18:1-4 NKJV

    “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

    Webster’s Dictionary defines humility as freedom from pride or arrogance. Humility has also been used synonymously with words like meekness, submissiveness, compliance, or even timidity. But Webster’s definition correctly interprets humility as the source of freedom from egotism and superiority. 

    The Apostle Matthew illustrates in his writing that humility is personified in the spirit of young children. When Jesus answers the disciple’s inquiry by calling for a little child to sit with them, He flips the script on the tendency we have to associate authority, power, and control with the ability to exercise dominance over people. The Greek word for humble is tapeinoo (pronounced tap-i-no’-o) and is represented by the child who is devoid of arrogance, self-exaltation, or superiority, exhibiting a willingness to completely submit to the will of God. 

    Only those who have submitted themselves humbly and wholly to our God as a child can perceive the truths of the kingdom and realize all the blessings the Lord has planned. The author of Proverbs 22:4. Says, “Humility is the beginning of wisdom.” On the reverse end, pride has no place in God’s kingdom – on earth or in heaven. The Apostle James  says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (4:6).

    In case you haven’t figured it out, the greatest virtue or quality in the Kingdom of God is humility. When we stand in the presence of Jesus, we must be as humble as children. We must come like panhandlers and beggars, with a humble readiness to surrender wholeheartedly to the will of God. Matthew 5:3 reminds us that “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It is not pride, arrogance, wealth, fame or any vein glory. The Lord only allows humility in the Kingdom.  

    Be Blessed!

  • “Victory That Overcomes the World”

    By Reverend J. Loren Russell

    1 John 5:1-6

    “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

    The Bible says that a good understanding of the Lord is based on fear, but not the kind of fear that paralyzes us or makes us respond in what psychiatrists and psychologists call the fight or flight syndrome. The psalmist writes in 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.His praise endures forever.” This is healthy fear; the kind of fear where wisdom is born and a good understanding is given to all who obey the commandments of God. It’s where our praises of Him endure forever. In fact, you can find scripture throughout the Bible that tells us to fear the Lord. They tell us what a healthy fear does for, and to us: 

    • We are no longer slave to our fears:  Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
    • The Lord’s light in our lives overpowers our fears: Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?”
    • We can put our trust in the Lord: Psalm 56:3-4 “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?”
    • Even physical death doesn’t scare us: Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
    • God’s perfect love drives away fear: 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”

    There is another definition of fear. It is a fear birthed from a strong emotion of anticipation, sensing the presence of danger or evil. That is where the things that I listed about the fear of God and the assurances He gives do not exist. This sense of fear is a False Expectations Appearing Real. It can overwhelm our consciousness and be so all-consuming that every aspect of life is impacted. But I want you to keep in mind that this type of fear is the anticipation of something happening to you, not the event itself. It is a false expectation appearing real. 

    We have a promise of victory! We have an assurance that is so certain that it will turn those fear-filled emotions into faith-filled action. We cannot let a false sense of fear stop us from doing what the Lord has assigned for us to do. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, know that it is Him whom you serve and that He has chosen you specifically. Your faith is not just a wish; it is the assurance that you have already overcome. Let this truth inspire and empower you every day. You are not expecting victory or waiting for it to come in the future—you already have the victory that has overcome the world. It is your faith! 

    Be Blessed!

    Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column  and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel.  Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.

  • Your Reputation Precedes You!

    Rev. J. Loren Russell

    Psalm139:1-4 NKJV

    O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

    Incognito is what a person does when they do not want to be noticed. They may wear clothing that is not common to them, wear a mask to hide their faces, distort their appearance with make-up, or call themselves by a different name, anything to remain unknown. 

    Sometimes, being incognito is necessary, particularly if you are trying to hide something. We might find ourselves ashamed of some past indiscretion and want to keep it under wraps. Or we may not want people to know of the benevolent things we do, preferring to remain anonymous. However, once the word gets out about who you are, your reputation precedes you. Wherever you go, people know who you are. What people interpret about your reputation is entirely up to them, but the things you do that create your reputation is entirely up to you. 

    It is uplifting when someone approaches you and says that someone has spoken so highly of you that they were looking forward to meeting you. Not quite so when they see you and begin whispering about you in hushed tones to others in a derogatory way, “Yea, that’s him/her.” Those are the times we would like to remain incognito. When your reputation precedes you, rest assured, people are watching you, for one reason or another.  

    But it does not matter what you do to distort your appearance or hide your reputation from others, God knows you from the inside out. There are no circumstances and no situations that escape the observation of the Lord. He sees everything and knows everything. He sees and knows everything about you! He knows your abilities and your troubles. He knows when you are going out and He knows when you are coming in! 

    Since you can’t hide from God, and He is our ultimate judge, why not build a reputation that will cause God to say, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’?” The Lord is always looking for an opportunity to be gracious to us. Always remember that He is ever watching! 

    Be Blessed!   

    Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company and The J. Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting, an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177)

  • Kingdom First

    Rev. J. Loren Russell

    Matthew 6:25-33

    “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

    “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

    So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

    “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

    Life is a journey, not a destination. Sadly, as we pass from one stage of life to another, we change our focus from being on the journey to the things we do, our accomplishments, our trophies and our medals. Our conversation starts to describe what we do rather than who we are. We ask our children “What are you going to do when you grow up?” But what we should be asking is, “Who are you going to be when you grow up?”  The journey of life can get confusing.

    However confusing it may get for us, God has never been confused. Life has never been about our doing; it has always been and will forever be about our being. 

    Did I ever tell you the story of TJ? TJ never did anything. He was never an exceptional student in school; never an outstanding employee; never a business success or a sports sensation. TJ never amassed great wealth or made charitable history. TJ was never noted as one who gave water to the thirsty, or food to the hungry. He didn’t make the cover of any newspaper or noted for some outstanding achievement. 

    TJ’s name will not be written in history books, nor be someone people can’t stop talking about because of the impact he made in the lives of others. TJ never “did” anything for himself or anyone else. If God’s primary concern was the things we do, TJ would have been a terrible disappointment. 

    But TJ was a very special person to God. TJ didn’t please God by his doing; he pleased God through his being. You see, TJ spent just 106 days in the land of the dying before the Lord called him home. TJ simply was “being” a baby. 

    We are encouraged in what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount, to seek first the Kingdom of God. That means we are to glorify God in our being. We ought to be so closely related to God that people see the image of the living God when they look at us. When we know who we are and whose we are, doing becomes easy. When we talk, our words should glorify God. When we walk, our stride ought to glorify God. 

    TJ becomes the personification of kingdom first. He did no works, had no accomplishments, had nothing to show for his life. Being a baby was enough. Like the birds of the air, the flowers in the fields, or baby TJ, our being who God created us to be is how we put God and His kingdom first in all things.     

    Be Blessed! 

    Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column  and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel.  Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.