|
|
Information |
Pastor's BlogYOU NEVER REALLY KNOW THE TRUE IMPACT YOU HAVE ON THOSE AROUND YOU. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH SOMEONE NEEDED THAT SMILE YOU GAVE THEM. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR KINDNESS TURNED SOMEONE'S ENTIRE LIFE AROUND. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH SOMEONE NEEDED THAT LONG HUG OR DEEP TALK. SO DON'T WAIT TO BE KIND. DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO BE KIND FIRST. DON'T WAIT FOR BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES OR FOR SOMEONE TO CHANGE. JUST BE KIND, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH SOMEONE NEEDS IT. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “ - John 14:6 We must focus on Jesus not because we want to get through this world but because we love Him. But sadly we also love the world and when we sho that, we need to reminded of 2 Peter 2:2 “And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.” This is why James 4:4 says: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. “ Hope!?! Hope is a power thing, but what it does for us depends entirely on what kind of hope we are using. There are 3 kinds of hope in this world and we as Christians need to make sure we are using the right one. First there is the hope of fear. You hear that a friend or family member is in a car accident and out of fear you hope that they are OK. Second there is hope born out of desperation, you take a biology test and come saying, "I hope I passed." Then there is Biblical Hope. Biblical hope is not based in fear or born out of desperation, Biblical Hope comes out of our faith in Christ Jesus. It is as sure as all the promises in the Bible. It is Hope that does not waver or faultier. As Christians our Hope comes directly from Jesus. Romans 8:28 says that "all things work together for Good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." This is our Hope. This is our security - that we know, no matter what is going on, God will use it for good. No matter what your struggles, pain, fear or desperation are, the Biblical Hope of Jesus Christ will not only see you through, but make it all for for His good and purpose. Pray with me: Great and all might God, the one who created all things, we come to you now asking for Your forgiveness, Your Hope, and Your guidance in our lives. Help us to see what it is that You are pointing us toward and show us how to help you work through us to accomplish your goals and purpose in our lives and the lives of all those we come in contact with. In the mighty and gracious name of Jesus, Amen!
I can't fit through there! We have all heard the saying that "When the world closes a door, God opens a window." This happens all the time, but we sometimes miss it because we look at the window and think there's no way I'll fit through there. Windows are a great deal smaller than doors after all. So we just keep looking for another door. But if God opened the window that's where He wants you to go. But God I can't fit through that window! Many times we have to get rid of a few things before we can go through the window - and that's God's plan all along. He wants us to get shed some emotional, spiritual, and sometimes physical weight so that we can go through the window. We need to shed some of the pride, and impure thoughts. We need to shed the feelings of not being worthy or not being worth anything. God has opened a window for you. If you stay focused on Him, and get rid of the extra weight you are carrying around, you can fit through that window. And you will be better off, because you will be in God's will and in His plan. No it won't be easy. But it will be worth it. Pray with me: Great God, I know that I have not lived the life You wanted me to live. I know that I have made bad choices and mistakes. I ask know that You forgive me and help me not to make those choices and mistakes again. I pray that You will help me to shed the things that I need to get rid of so that I can fit through the window You have opened. Help me to be the person You want me to be. Help me to be the reason that someone thanks You, believes in You, and see You in this dark world today. In Jesus name. Amen. Forget about it! We have all done things in our life that were not in the will of God. We have all sinned. These mistakes or bad choices come back into our mind many times. They make us think less of ourselves. They make us think that God will not be there for us because of them. Sometimes other people remind us of the things we have done. But as Christians we need not dwell on these things or listen to others remind us of them. Yes we do have to live with the consequences of our mistakes and choices, but we don't have to dwell on them. You see when we as Christians repent of our sins and ask for forgiveness, God takes those sins and mistakes and throws them away. He casts them as far as the East is from West, never to be remembered again. So we need to forget about the past. Learn from it for sure, but forget it. Once we are born again, we are not the same person. Once we repent and ask forgiveness, those things no longer matter to God. Forget about it! Move on as a the new creature God has made you. Pray with me: Father God, creator of all things, we come to you right now asking for Your forgiveness for the sins we have committed and mistakes we have made. Lord we give You thanks for all that You have done for us, all that you are doing and all that You are going to do for us. We ask for Your help in guiding us on the right path. We ask that You surround us with Your love and protection. We ask that You help us to put the past behind us, and focus on Jesus as we move forward. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.
Important! How long has it been since you talked to your spouse, kids, parents, best friend? How many of us know when our favorite ball team starts their season, and who they are playing? How many of us know exactly how much money we have in the bank? How many of us watch the news or read the paper or read the news online? How long has been since you looked at your phone? These are all important things to us. And yes many of these things should be important to us. But now let me ask you, how long has it been since we’ve sat down and had a conversation with God? How long has it been since we’ve read and studied the scriptures? How many Bible verses do we remember? How many Bible stories can we remember? How long has been since we talked with family or friends about God or the scripture? In our life, we make time for what is important to us. We make an effort to know and work on what is most important. So what is most important to us? If you look at our world today, it is not God. It is not the scripture. It is not our relationship or our friends and family ’s relationship with God. We have to change our priorities and start putting the most import at the top of our list. Amazing things happened in the Bible when people were obedient and prayed and stayed in a right relationship with God. People were blessed. People were healed. The world was made right. We have to put our priorities in the right order for our own salvation and the salvation of family, friends and the world. Pray with me: Father God, Lord and Creator of all, we come to you right now thanking you for all you have done for us, all you are doing for us and all you have done for us. We ask now that you forgive us for having our priorities all messed up, and ask for you guidance to set them straight. Love us and keep us safe. And empower us to set our lives straight and be about your service. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
From the Dark to the Light The world in which we live today is a dark place. There is all manner of sins happing all around us. The news is full of death and depravity. We as are Christians are called to be a light in this this dark world. In Colossians chapter 1, Paul tells us that we were rescued from the darkness and placed in the Kingdom of God. We as Christians are spread the light of Christ to this dark world (Matthew 5:14). We are as a whole not doing such a good job, because the world is getting darker and darker. Get Out of the Boat In this world today we are not all in the same boat, but we are as they say on the same ocean. We all have different issues and problems that we deal with. We all have different things from our past that we are either trying to ignore, deal with, or forget. However we do all still live in the same world. A world that wants to condemn us for our problems and issues and for past mistakes. Not all the same boat, but the same ocean. I am reminded of the gospels where the disciples were in a boat and they saw Jesus coming toward them walking on the water. At first they were filled with fear. But then Peter said "Jesus, if that's you tell me to come to you." Jesus told him to come. Peter stepped out of the boat on faith and Peter walked on the water. Of course Peter hear the wind and saw the waves and took his eyes off Jesus. At which point he started to sink. but he cried out to Jesus and Jesus lifted him up and saved him. I am here to tell you today that we need to all be getting out of our boats. Our fear of what will happen or of what people are going say should not stop us. Jesus is calling us to Him. He is calling us to walk on the water. We need to step out on faith and answer the call. The wind and waves this world are nothing compared to the love, grace and salvation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the answer for all our issues and problems. Jesus does not condemn us for our past, He forgives us. The world may try to knock us down for what we've done in the past, but Jesus does not. In fact when we repent, are forgiven and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savor, He doesn't even remember those things. they are cast as far as the East is from the West. We need to step out of our boats. We need to stay focused on Jesus and walk on the water. Don't listen to the wind of the world telling "No you can't" or "No not you." Don't look at the waves of issues or problems that the world is throwing at you to distract you for Jesus. Get out of the boat. Walk on the water. Stay focused on Jesus. Pray with me right now: Lord God, I am sorry for my doubts and fears. I'm sorry for the mistakes I have made. I ask that you forgive me, and I thank you for being here for me. I thank you for calling me to get out of the boat and I thank you for helping me walk on the water. I pray that you guide me this day and help me to stay focused on you. I ask that you help me not to listen to the wind of the world saying "No", but listen to you call my name and saying "Yes you can." I ask that you help me not to focus on the waves of issues and problems in this world, but to keep my eyes on you. In Jesus Name. Amen. What has you bent out of shape? In Luke 13:10-13, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue and there was a woman there who for 18 years had been bent over due to a sickness cause by a spirit. She could not stand up straight. Jesus called the woman over and in verses 12 and 13 said "Woman, you are free from your sickness." He laid His hands on her and she immediately stood up and began glorifying God. What an amazing and wonderful thing. Jesus healed her, just like that. In our world today, we get bent out of shape ourselves. Sometimes it's because of addictions, or loss. Sometimes it's just because we get frustrated. Addiction, loss and frustration happen to us on a daily basis. These things can cause us to shut ourselves off from those who care about us. They can cause us to look to all kinds of things for comfort and relief. but mostly they keep us from seeing the one thing that can help us more than any other. Jesus! Jesus is here for us. Jesus wants us to be made whole and righteous. He came so that we would have life and have it abundantly. Jesus is willing and able to cure our sicknesses, to stop our addictions, comfort us in times of loss, and calm us in times of frustration. Today, what has you bent out of shape? Give it to Jesus. Let him Heal, Comfort and Calm you today. Pray with me right now: Jesus, I know my life has been less than perfect. I know I have made mistakes along the way and I know I have not trusted you completely. Jesus, forgive me for my sins, mistakes and lack of trust. Lord just heal me right now. Complete me right now. And help me to see and live this abundant life You came to give to me. In Jesus name. Amen!
Time: Too Much or Not Enough? We are constantly telling ourselves there's just not enough time in the day to get things done, but we do not act like it. Oh yes, we spend most of our days running around trying to get things done, but stop and think about why. Most of us are doing all that we can because we are thinking of all we did not get done the day before or the week before or we are trying to get as much done as we can so we won't have as much to do tomorrow. Time. There never seems to be enough, but that is our fault. It is our fault because we spend to much time focusing on yesterday and tomorrow. We need to stop. We need to take a moment and just stop. There is a verse that comes to mind: "Be still, be quiet and know that I am God." We need to stop fretting about yesterday and trying to make sure tomorrow is better or easier and focus on today. Now will never come again. And the truth is most of us miss the now. We miss the now opportunity to witness to someone who needs to know Jesus, or comfort someone who is struggling, or help someone in need. We cannot change what happened yesterday, and we are not promised tomorrow. We as Christians have to live in the now. We have to be still and be quiet and listen to what God is telling us. Pay attention to what God is showing us. He shows us people in need. She shows us His amazing power. He tells us what He wants us to do. But we spend too much time worrying about yesterday and tomorrow and do not have enough time to God right now. Stop! Be Still! Be Quiet! Know that He is God! Listen to what He is telling you! See what He is showing you! Live in the now. Be sure that Now, you are right with God. Help others Now get right with God. Now is the Time we should be focused on, because it will never come again! Don't miss it!
The Spiritual War - Part 6 Ephesians 6:10-18 I don’t believe many Christians today realize that we are constantly engaged in a Spiritual War. We are at war with the evils of the world. This war comes against us and from within us. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we must be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of God. Paul explains the armor of God to us and the sixth piece of this armor is the Sword of the Spirit. Paul says the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Now the thing about a sword is that it can be used to defend and attack. It is the same with the Word of God. One of the biggest issues that people who call themselves Christians today have is that they do not know the Word of God they way should. Life gets to busy for us to study or memorize scripture. Well that busy life is killing us in this Spiritual War. The Sword of the Spirit or the Word of God is critical to our defense and our attack. Without knowing and uderstanding the Word of God, we cannot know what we need to defend against, and we have nothing to attack with. Some of you are reading this and wondering what it is we are supposed to be attacking, becuase we all know that we cannot attack the devil on our own. It's easy for us to see the things that we should defend against. But what are we to attack. Well, how about doubt, depression, ignorance, etc. The Word of God gives us the knowledge to attack these things; to put a stop to them before they become an issue for us and for others. Knowing the scriptures can give us Hope to fight off depression, assurance to fight off doubt, and wisdom to fight ignorance. It is crucial for us to study and learn the Word of God. It is through the Word that God shows us how to live. So put on the Belt of Truth, be made right before God and wear the Breast Plate of Righteousness, put on the Shoes that make you spread the Gospel of Peace, take up the Shield of Faith, put on the Helmet of Salvation and arm yourself with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Do all this so that we can be strong in the Lord and stand firm in Life.
The Spiritual War - Part 5 Ephesians 6:10-18 I don’t believe many Christians today realize that we are constantly engaged in a Spiritual War. We are at war with the evils of the world. This war comes against us and from within us. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we must be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of God. Paul explains the armor of God to us and the fifth piece of this armor is the Helmet of Salvation. One of the many problems we have as humans is we are easily distracted, and this world has plenty of things to distract us. As Christians we supposed to be totally focused on Jesus Christ and His work in this world. However, this world offers us many things to take our focus off Jesus. This piece of armor, the helmet, is to protect our head, but because it is the Helmet of Salvation, it protects our minds as well. The enemy uses all the distractions of this world to make us shift our focus off of Christ. That is why the Helmet of Salvation is so important. It protects our heads and our minds in this battle. It helps to give us the ability to stay focused on Jesus. As Christians, our Salvation and thus the Helmet of Salvation focuses us on Jesus and not on the distractions of this world. So put on the Belt of Truth, be made right before God and wear the Breast Plate of Righteousness, put on the Shoes that make you spread the Gospel of Peace, take up the Shield of Faith, and put on the Helmet of Salvation and remain focused on Jesus Christ and His works.
The Spiritual War - Part 4 Ephesians 6:10-18 I don’t believe many Christians today realize that we are constantly engaged in a Spiritual War. We are at war with the evils of the world. This war comes against us and from within us. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we must be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of God. Paul explains the armor of God to us and the fourth piece of this armor is the Shield of Faith. Once we are grounded in the Truth of the Scriptures, made right before God, and put on the Shoes to spread the Gospel of Peace; we must take up the Shield of Faith. The Shield of Faith is part of our protection against the enemy. It guards us against the flaming arrows of the evil one. These arrows are doubt, insecurity, fear and panic just to name a few. Our Faith in Jesus Christ nullifies the doubts, gives security in place of insecurity, courage in place of fear, and calmness in place of panic. In a battle doubt can kill you. Insecurity can kill you. Fear can kill you. Panic can kill you. The Shield of Faith protects us from these things. We must be protected in this battle. So put on Belt of Truth, be made right and wear the Breast Plate of Righteousness, put on the Shoes that make you spread the Gospel of Peace, and take up the Shield of Faith to protect yourself from doubt, insecurity, fear and panic.
The Spiritual War - Part 3 Ephesians 6:10-18 I don’t believe many Christians today realize that we are constantly engaged in a Spiritual War. We are at war with the evils of the world. This war comes against us and from within us. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we must be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of God. Paul explains the armor of God to us and the third piece of this armor is Shoes of Peace. Once we are grounded in the Truth of the Scriptures and made right before God, we must be equipped to spread the Gospel of Peace. You can think about it like this, if you walk through the mud and walk across a carpet, then turn around and look. What do you see – your footprints. The shoes that make us quick to spread the Gospel of Piece are like that; wherever we go we should be leaving peace. As Christians in this constant Spiritual War, we need to be leaving peace wherever we go. No matter what the situation, conversation, or location we should be bringing in and leaving peace. So put on that belt of truth, cover your heart with Christ and be made right before God and spread peace wherever you go.
The Spiritual War - Part 2 Ephesians 6:10-18 I don’t believe many Christians today realize that we are constantly engaged in a Spiritual War. We are at war with the evils of the world. This war comes against us and from within us. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we must be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of God. Paul explains the armor of God to us and the second piece of this armor is Breastplate of Righteousness. Once we are grounded and firm in the Truth from the Scriptures, we must be made right before God. The scriptures tell us that no one may come before the Father unless they have been born again. This rebirth or new life begins when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and we are washed in His blood, accepting that Jesus died or was sacrificed for our sins, and made clean before God. It is the Truth that gives us our Foundation, protects our midsection if will, but it being made right or righteous before God that protects our hearts. So in this Spiritual War we must first ground ourselves in the Truth that comes from the Bible – Put on the Belt of Truth. Then me must protect our heart with the Righteousness that comes from being washed in the blood of Jesus Christ – Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness. So in the end we may be found strong in the Lord and found standing. The Spiritual War - Part 1 Ephesians 6:10-18 I don’t believe many Christians today realize that we are constantly engaged in a Spiritual War. We are at war with the evils of the world. This war comes against us and from within us. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we must be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of God. Paul explains the armor of God to us and the first piece of this armor is Belt of truth.
To Join the Party or Not During His ministry, Jesus taught His disciples many things. When He taught many times He taught with parables. One the most remembered parables, is the Parable of the Lost Son or more commonly remembered as the Prodigal Son. This amazing parable is one most people Christian or not are familiar with. The main focus of the parable is the son who wanted his inheritance, got it, went and spent it all, ended up eating with pigs and came home to a loving and forgiving father who welcomed him with open arms. When the son came home the father put robes on his son, rings on his fingers and put on a fantastic party to welcome him home. We as Christians can all remember a time when were the prodigal son, but we are many times in the roll of older brother as well. When someone comes to Christ or comes back to Christ we remember all the things that they have done. Well we need remember that God has forgiven these people and cast their sins as far as the East is from the West and remembers it no more. We also need to forget those things and just rejoice that our brother or sister has come home. We need to join the party! The Good and the Bad Life happens. Sometimes things are good. Sometimes things happen that discourage us. Sometimes things happen that cause us to doubt. Sometimes things life gets hard. Jesus never promised us an easy life, but in Romans 8:28 Paul tells us that "all things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." So we can rest in the hope and security in the knowledge that no matter what, good or bad, God's plan is still in tact and working for His good. Life does get hard and it takes it's toll on us, mentally, physically and spiritually. We need to remember that Jesus promised to always be with us, and always to guide us. No matter what we are going through Jesus is with us and God is constantly working all things out for our good. So today and everyday, remember to give thanks to God no matter what you are going through, because He is working it all out for His and our good. Be Blessed and Protected in the Will and Grace of God.
|
|
| © Copyright 2021 Powered by ProAVTech | ||
