Pastor's Corner

Character

2012-02-06T06:48:00.001-08:00

In (Rom.Chp.12) the most important character quality of the Christian, is love. We have been command here in this chapter to practice love by "being kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love," and as we continue, we also see that in order for us to treat one another with this affection it is important that we 1) "bless, and curse not." This teaching comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. You see, it's not so easy to do good back to people that do bad to you, but the command is still the same regardless. We are to bless back. 2) "Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with those that weep." It's easy to weep with those that are down, but it's not so easy to rejoice with those who are blessed and we're not. So love does not envy the success of others, but rejoices with them. 3)"Mind not high things" Love does not elevate itself above others or judge some as less important. Conceit is a terrible sin that chooses to elevate self, and look down on others.

Hospitality

2012-02-06T06:47:00.001-08:00

(Rom. 12:13) 1) "Distributing to the necessity of saints;…" In other words, we of WSBC should be willing to help out one another when in need. The word distribute, means to partake or share in, but necessity could mean anything from money to just lending a hand. The key to this verse is to just be willing. God didn't call the church to pay one another's bills, but He did call us to help out when times get tough. Knowing that we have each other's back is a tremendous strength, and encouragement, and usually just enough to keep us going in hard times. 2) "given to hospitality," means to be given over to the practice of entertaining people. The problem with the church today is that we are no longer close brothers and sister in Christ, but rather casual acquaintances. To practice hospitality we must learn to open up our lives, and homes to the fellowship of the saints. The love of Christ demands that we love one another not just in word, but also in deed.

Let love be

2012-01-16T12:06:00.001-08:00

(Rom. 12:9) "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." In order for us to successfully minister to others, we ourselves have to learn the practice of "agape love." A love that is both sacrificial and unconditional. In the above verse we are asked to practice love without hypocrisy or insincerely. In other words our love for others is supposed to reflect the same type of love that Christ has shown to us. A love that has the continual mindset of forgiveness and long-suffering toward others. That's why we must continually remind ourselves how much Christ has loved us and forgiven us. Also if we're going to love others as we ought we need to learn how to practice good and not evil. If our focus is on self or on the things of this world we will practice evil, but if it's focused on the things of God, we will practice good. We must learn the difference. That's why the above verse says "let love be." It's a choice we make

Renew

2012-01-16T12:04:00.001-08:00

(Isaiah 40:31) "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." The word "wait" in the above verse, means to "Rely upon or lean upon for strength." It would be a wise thing for you and I to evaluate our walk in 2012. Sometimes we forget that the source of our strength is the Lord. If we are weary in well doing, it's usually because we have left the side of the Lord Jesus for selfish reasons or the cares of this world. If you desire to see your strength renewed as an eagle in flight, or to run and walk with the Lord without fatigue, then you need to repent and lean upon Jesus again in 2012. (John 15:5) "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Let's not be disappointed in 2013 because we failed to renew our strength in 2012

Sin can be a unwanted side kick

2011-12-04T06:51:00.001-08:00

(Gen.4:7) “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” This verse was spoken by God to Cain just before he murdered his brother Abel. Here, God attempted to warn Cain of the consequence of choosing sin over obedience. In the beginning God loved Cain just as much as He loved Abel, but when both brought an offering to the Lord only Abel’s was accepted. Why, because only Abel’s was in obedience to the will of God. Sadly, Cain learned first hand the significance of the above verse after he killed his brother. When we choose sin, sin like a crouching animal that waits at the door for attention, attaches itself to us like glue. Never leaving us, desiring our affection, and continually drawing us after its own pleasure, lest we learn how to rule over it. Through obedience God has promised us acceptance, but if we stubbornly choose to disobey Him, we gain a side kick that we will have to continually fight for control. Sin is a bad friend that will not leave you until you learn to repent an obey God & His Word!

Thank God

2011-11-20T07:25:00.001-08:00

1Thess. 5:18) “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” It has been said that the happiest people in the world are those that are thankful, and they are happy because they have learned to trust the Lord in every circumstance in life. If we by faith come to the place where we believe that everything happens for a purpose (Rom. 8:28), then we will be able to thank the Lord when in both the good and bad times. For some reason we as believers have bought into this idea that if we are faithful then only good things will happen, and if we are bad then only bad things, but God wants us to see that both good and bad happen to all men alike, but the difference between those that are thankful and those that are not, is in their ability to simply trust God. Thank God for the good things, all of them, but thank God the more when in the bad times. Why, Because He is there for us every hour and every minute. The will of God is to be thankful, so may we this Thanksgiving be thankful, “in every- thing!”

Beyond their power

2011-11-03T17:50:00.001-07:00

Another Faith Promise year is ahead of us, and again this month we will be taking your pledges for another year. Now before we do, it’s vital that we pray and seek God by faith before we give. The worst thing that we can do is to pledge and not give, so seek the will of God and then by faith trust Him. Our slogan this year is “Abounding Unto His Riches,” (2 Cor. 8:2). In this chapter, the Apostle Paul praised the Macedonian Church for their abundance of giving even when in “great trial of affliction, and deep poverty.” In other words, they gave even when it looked impossible, for they gave “beyond their power.” Be careful not to underestimate the power of our great God, for if we by faith trust in His promises, He because of our faith will cause us to “abound unto His riches.”

Hath God cast away his people?

2011-10-27T06:44:00.001-07:00

The Apostle Paul asked in (Rom. 11:1) “Hath God cast away his people?” God’s answer, “God forbid.” It’s great to know that even though Israel as a nation has rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah, one day God will restore them back into His favor and fellowship again. You see today the individual Jew can be saved, but he will have much difficulty in doing so because God has judged him with a temporary blindness (11:7-10) that causes him to be insensitive to the truth of Christ. This judgment of God causes them not to see the truth easily, and it places them in bondage until the day they repent and believe, or until the “fullness of the Gentiles come in” (11: 25). After which time God will remove Israel’s curse, “For this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins.” Christian, we only have so much time to reach our world before Jesus returns. Oh that we would take advantage of the time we have left !

What have you been sowing?

2011-10-27T06:42:00.001-07:00

(Gal. 6:8) “ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Sowing and reaping is one of those principles in life that doesn’t change. Life is full of choices, and if we choose to obey God’s Word, we will reap the promised blessing of God, but if we choose not to obey His Word, we will reap the promised judgment of God. No man will ever stand before God and be excused from the above principle. The question is, what have we been sowing? The deception in this life is to follow the idea that somehow we can get around God’s principles rather than just simply obey them. The wise decision would be to sow the Word into your life, rather than the lies of the flesh, that will only reap corruption !

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

2011-10-16T03:03:00.001-07:00

(Rom. 10:7) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” In Romans chapters 9+10, God teaches us that it’s very possible to lose faith. Take Israel for example, they lost their faith when they began to think more highly of their religion then they did their obedience to the Law. They loved more the idea of being God’s chosen people then they did obeying God’s Holy Word, and so they stumbled at the coming of Christ. The Bible is clear when it says that righteousness can only be attained by believing and trusting in God’s promises. That’s faith, and that’s why we need to be more in love with the idea of being obedient than being saved. God didn’t call us to worship a book, but rather to read it, believe it, and obey it! Be very careful, for faith does not ask for proof, nor does it question why, but it just simply hears and obeys what God commands!

Oh that we would catch the spirit of revival while we still can.

2011-10-16T03:00:00.001-07:00

The great Evangelist RA Torrey of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, once said that he had a prescription that would bring revival to any church or community in any city on earth. 1) “Let a few Christians (they need not be many) get thoroughly right with God themselves. This is the prime essential. If this is done, the rest that I am to say will come to nothing. 2) Let them bind themselves together in a prayer group to pray for a revival until God opens the heavens and comes down. 3) Let them put themselves at the disposal of God for Him to use as He sees fit in winning others to Christ. That is all! “This is sure to bring revival to any church or community. I have given this prescription around the world. It has been taken by many churches, and many communities, and in no instance has it ever failed; and it cannot fail.” When you think about what Mr. Torrey said, why wouldn’t this work today? Oh that we would catch the spirit of revival while we still can.

Revival

2011-10-04T14:48:00.001-07:00

In most churches revival week comes about twice a year, so it is very important that you prepare yourself for them before they come. 1) Prepare. Prepare your heart and mind by humbling yourself before God, confessing all known sin, forgiving others, and be willing to repent and change as God directs. 2) Pray. Not just for yourselfs but for others, for the souls of men, for visitors, for one another, and for God to powerfully work in and through the evangelist. 3) Prioritize. Unless you put revival week first, you will skip the meetings, you will not invite people to them, you will not pray as you ought, and as a result you will not experience the blessing of God. For you have not been serious about revival. “Revival” means, to come back to usefulness, and to be restored to vigor. Most Christians don't even realize that they need revival until they come out to a revival meeting. What you put into a revival meeting, is what you will get out of them!

Romans 8

2011-09-20T06:59:00.001-07:00

As we continue looking at walking in after the Holy Spirit of God in (Rom. 8), we see that God gives the believer much encouragement along the way. 1) We have the encouragement of heir-ship. In (v.14-17), we see that, at the moment of salvation we became “sons of God,” and also “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.” Now in Christ we have been given a new family (the Church) to encourage us, but also a future glory to look forward to as well. Praise the Lord that now in Christ, all that God has given Jesus will one day be shared with all in his family. 2) We have the encouragement of helpers. The first helper is the church. It's amazing how many people try to walk the Christian walk alone, rather than join a church and reap the benefits of having new brothers and sisters to help them and encourage them along the way. Now in Christ, we not only have a new family but secondly a new Dad, so that when we are in need or in distress, all we have to do is cry “Abba Father”(or dad help), and He promises to help. Thirdly, We also have The Holy Spirit’ help. The Bible tells us in (chp. 8) that as we travel our journey, the Holy Spirit is in constant communication with the Father, revealing to Him God’s will for our lives. So that when we know not the way, or when we can’t pray as we ought, the Spirit of God is constantly praying for us. Thank God, that God promises in His Word, that “He will never leave us or forsake us.”

Now in Christ

2011-09-13T10:09:00.001-07:00

As we continue looking at walking in after the Holy Spirit of God in (Rom. 8), we see also that God gives us much encouragement along the way. 1) We have the encouragement of heir-ship. In (v.14-17), we see that, at the moment of salvation we became “sons of God,” and also “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.” Now in Christ we have been given not just a new family (Church) to encourage us, but also a future glory to look forward to as well. Praise the Lord that now in Christ, what God has given Jesus he will one day share with us. 2) We have the encouragement of helpers. Now when in need or in distress, all we have to do is cry “Abba Father,” and He promises to help. We also have The Holy Spirit’ help. The Bible tells us in (chp. 8) that as we travel our journey, the Holy Spirit is in constant communication with the Father, revealing to Him God’s will for our lives. So that when we know not the way, or when we can’t or don’t pray as we ought, the Spirit of God is constantly praying for us, so He can guide us. For God promises in His Word, that “He will never leave us or forsake us.”

O wretched man that I am!

2011-09-03T09:50:00.001-07:00

Rom. 7:24) “ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” This was the Apostle Paul’s question in chapter 7 after realizing that sin was still controlling him after salvation, but thank God he also concluded, ‘”so then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”After salvation, it becomes quite apparent to us that we can still sin. Why? Because even though we have been freed from the condemnation of sin in salvation, our flesh or sin nature is still very much alive within us. Therefore, we must learn to control the old nature of sin. That’s why God at the moment of salvation places within us his new nature, and his Holy Spirit to help us control the old flesh. So, the problem that we face is not that we still have the old nature, but rather that the old nature has tricked us into believing he's still in control. Baptism is our first step of obedience to Christ, but we also must choose to yield our mind and body to Jesus as well. You see the old nature within us wants us to believe that we can't stop sinning. In Christ we are now free from his power, just as death frees a wife from the power of her first husband (Rom. 7:1-6). “So then (Paul asks) who (then) shall deliver us?” Well, the answer is clear, our new husband, Jesus Christ (Ro.7:4). Once we learn to yield ourselves now unto his word and walk in and after his Holy Spirit, we will have power over the old nature! You see the problem is not that we can't, but rather that we just won't. (Phil 4:13) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Baptism

2011-08-26T09:57:00.001-07:00

Rom. 6:2) “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” As we continue on our journey through the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul makes it very clear that once we are saved from the condemnation of our sin we are not to go back to the old sinful life style of our past. Therefore Paul introduces to us in (Chp. 6) “Baptism.” Here, Paul teaches us that baptism is a symbolic ordinance demonstrating not just the gospel of Christ but also our death to our old way of life. Baptism was never meant to save anyone, but it is 1) A symbol of identification. (It identifies us with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus). (Ro 6:4) “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:” Water baptism is a symbol of our death to the old way of life, and our coming out of it, alive unto God. “that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” 2) A symbol of surrender. If we are dead to our past sin, then we need to make a decision of the mind and heart to “yield ourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead” (Rom. 6:11-13). Baptism is a surrender of our will to follow God. 3) A symbol of servant hood. (Ro 6:18) “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Baptism pictures a new allegiance to a new Lord. Once saved we are no longer under the power of the old master Sin, but rather now under a new master, Jesus Christ!

The Gospel

2011-08-02T10:20:00.001-07:00

(Eph. 1: 4&5) “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will..,” So how can we as Bible believing Christians reconcile the command of God to go into all the world and preach the gospel, with the above verses that seem to indicate that God is the one, and not man, who chooses us for salvation? When Jesus died on the cross, his sacrifice was sufficient for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). My Bible still says in (1 Tim. 2:4) that God, “…will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” meaning that his desire is that all men repent and turn to Christ, but also that “ whosoever will…” can still come (Rev. 22: 17). Christian, all men can if they so desire. When any man hears the gospel of God he is faced with a choice to believe it or not. Jesus said himself that many are called but few chosen. God knew us from the foundation of the world whether or not we would believe the gospel or reject it. Jesus was not an after-thought and neither were we. God doesn’t want any to perish. That’s why God sent His Son to save all or whosoever will !

Apostasy

2011-07-03T04:27:00.001-07:00

Is There Apostasy In America
This question can simply be answered, Yes! Who then is in apostasy? The Church, for you can’t fall away from something that you never really had. Apostasy is defined as the abandoning of what one used to believe or practice. In the book of Jeremiah, God called Jeremiah to preach to a people who had abandoned their faith in God, for a faith based upon the beliefs of men. God’s simple message was for Judah to repent and return to the Lord, but they refused to listen and went into captivity anyway. So, the real question is why didn’t they listen? 1) They failed to remember their past. God rebuked them for not remembering where they came from, nor the God who led them there. (Ps 9:17) “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” As Christian Americans, if we as the Church forget God, our nation is doomed to the same. 2) They failed to remember God’s Law. (Ps 11:3)” If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” In our country today all of a sudden God’s Word is optional or up for interpretation. Christian, our foundation is still Jesus Christ and his Word. Be careful lest you go the way of the apostate. (Ps 33:12) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.

The Backslider In Heart

2011-06-18T08:44:00.001-07:00

The Backslider In Heart
(Prov. 14:14) “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:” I’ve never yet met a backslidden Christian that didn’t have an excuse for why he/she is living contrary to scripture. A backslider knows that he is not living right, for he has convinced himself that the way he is living is justified, even though God says in the above verse that it’s not. This world is constantly antagonistic to the ways of God, and we must be on guard at all times least we slip back into the ways and thinking of our past. This slipping backward is not fast but slow, a bit here and a little there and before we know it, we are outside the will of God looking in. But there is a way back. In (Rom.12: 1-3) 1) God tells us to “present” our bodies back to the Lord, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. This is a recognition of a wrong direction, and a re-dedication to the correct way of God. 2) We need to “transform” our thinking. The backslider must re-fill again his heart and mind with God’s Word. An acceptable sacrifice is one that is practiced in agreement with God’s Word. 3) “Prove” the will of God. Practice the first two, but prove the third. Talk is cheap, practicing the known will of God proves to God and others that you have indeed repented. Everyone slips, but the consecrated remain !

Salt

2011-05-22T08:49:00.001-07:00

As Christians we are commanded to be salty. In (Matt. 5:13 )Jesus said that “ye are the salt of the earth,” and in ( Mark 9:50) he commanded us to “have salt in ourselves,” and just as every sacrifice was salted in the old testament, he said that “everyone (every believer) shall be salted with fire.” John the Baptist told us in (Matt. 3:11) that when Jesus comes he will “baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” From the moment of our new birth in Christ, we have been salted with the fire and power of the Holy Ghost. At that moment we become salty, and according to scripture we need to work at staying salty. Jesus said, “but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Of Christian, don’t lose your saltiness because you have decided to become lazy and apathetic. We must daily work at walking with the Lord. Praying daily for boldness, feeding daily upon God’s Word, so that we never lose the savour of God’s fire.

Who hath believed our report?

2011-05-03T12:20:00.001-07:00

(Isaiah 53:1) “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? The prophet Isaiah spoke these words 700 years before the coming of Jesus, and this message has been given to every generation since. Oh that man would believe this report and be saved. In fact God’s heart has always been, ” Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool,” (Isaiah 1:18). In Isaiah chp. 53, we read of the love of Christ who carried our sins to the cross. “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. You and I cannot be healed from our sin until we believe and trust in Christ.

Impatience

2011-05-01T05:06:00.001-07:00

(James 5: 7) “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” This exhortation by James to the Jewish believers of his day was written in light of the truth that as we see the day of Christ approaching, there will be many that will abandon their faith because of Impatience. 1) Impatience with God. You see, God is not slow, but He is patient and longsuffering! He’s in no hurry nor does He look at things as we do. So, don’t grow frustrated with Him, rather learn to trust in Him patiently. 2) Impatience with Others. James says that impatience with others will breed “grudges.” The word grudge means to murmur about others out of frustration. People are frustrating, and so are we, but since God is very patient with us, He expects us to show the same patience toward others. It’s easy to quit on people, but not so easy to be longsuffering with them. 3) Impatience with Affliction. We must learn that affliction is God’s way of building faith. God’s end is always pity and mercy, so endure and patiently wait for Him.

“More grace”

2011-03-20T19:32:00.001-07:00

The Apostle Paul often began his epistles with these words; “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” He understood, as we must, that grace (divine help) comes only from God, but as we read in (Ja.4:6) "But he giveth more grace...” meaning that there is even more grace available to those who resist sin and obey God. So, learn to 1) Resist Lust. The lust spoken of in (Ja.4:1) is the lust of wanting things our way, contrary to the will of God. Sometimes, rather than ask God for help, we selfishly try to work it out ourselves, without God’s grace. (Ja. 4:2) “ye have not because you ask not,” or you “ask amiss” due to selfish purposes. 2) Resist worldliness. Worldliness is an ideology or lifestyle that is contrary to the Bible. God resists those that practice worldliness because it’s opposed to His Word and His perfect will (Ja.4:4). 3) Resist Pride. (Ja.4:6) “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Don’t be so proud that you don't repent, or confess sin, or forgive others, or humbly seek God the way you should. “More grace” is available to those who humbly seek God and His help.

Grace is available to all who resist the devil, but stand in the power of Christ.

2011-03-20T19:31:00.001-07:00

(James 4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” All of us who know the story of Adam and Eve’s fall, know that they were deceived by the devil. His tactics have not changed over the years, because he always includes the words “yea hath God said.” He hates the Word of God and his temptation is always to get us to doubt it, but Christian don’t, Satan is a defeated foe. The only power that he has over us is the power that we give him when we doubt God’s Word. Jesus said, (Matt. 28:18) All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore..” And in (John 4:4) “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” We have been given the power of Christ as Sons of God, not just to resist the devil, but to cause him to flee. How? By our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his Word. Jesus is God, and his name powerful. We can call upon no greater, and he has promised all who believe in him to do so when under attack by the devil. (Jn 15:5)”… for without me ye can do nothing” Grace is available to all who resist the devil, but stand in the power of Christ.

No faith, no power.

2011-02-24T06:23:00.000-08:00

As Christians, God allows us to go through certain tests and trials for a purpose. In the book of James, James gives us insight into why we go through trials and into what God is trying to teach us by them. So why do we go through them ? 1) To Promote Joy. To teach us to have joy in Christ, even in the trial. Joy is an inner rejoicing of peace and trust, knowing within that no matter what happens Christ is at work both comforting and helping us for good. 2) To Perfect Patience. Patience is strengthened by experience. Trust God, obey God, and watch God handle the situation, so that the next time a similar trial comes, you patiently know God can handle it. 3) To Provoke Wisdom. When we ask for wisdom, God promises to give it. Wisdom is acquired in one of 4 ways: through prayer, bible study, council, and experience, so be careful not to miss it when it comes. 4) To Prioritize Faith. Faith is the power behind asking. No faith, no power. Ask doubting, and God cannot answer. Faith is prioritized when we have nothing to hold on to but God’s Word. 5) To Produce Endurance. Endurance takes much exercise. The more we are tried the greater our endurance or faith. An enduring Christian does not quit, is not impatient, nor does he waver in faith. He has learned to trust in God.

Religious hypocrisy is wide spread,“so say and do.”

2011-02-24T06:19:00.002-08:00

In Christianity, it’s very common for us to say that we are religious but in practice, not be. In James 1:27, James explains to the Jewish brethren that pure religion is demonstrated by the practice of loving others, and by the practice of obeying God. In other words it’s not enough to know the truth we have been called to practice the truth. 1) Visit the needy. The church has been called to watch out for one another. Visiting involves caring for people, love, and time. We have been commanded to go, and not just pray for others. 2) Love without partiality. Our calling is to love & minister to all people, regardless of race, religion, stature, or depth of sin. “For God so loved” all men, and died for them. 3) Keep yourselves unspotted. As Christians, our affect on people is greatly determined by our walk with God. Before we can effectively preach to others, we must obey God ourselves. Religious hypocrisy is wide spread,“so say and do.”

(Jas 2:17) “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

2011-02-24T06:19:00.001-08:00

What James is implying here, is that if all we have is a knowledge of the Word of God, and not practice what it says, then our faith is useless and dead. Works of righteousness must accompany our faith or the promises of God’s Word cannot be given to us. For instance, 1) In Salvation. If we read how to be saved in the Bible, and yet not do what it says to be saved, how then can we get saved? The only work that God expects the believer to do for salvation, is to repent, and receive Jesus as Savior (Ro.10:9-13). 2) In Service. What good is just knowing that we should serve God and others, and then not practice it. Good intensions will never profit anyone on the day of judgment. 3) In Submission. What good is just knowing that we need to surrender our will to God, if we don’t do it. Abraham of old submitted,” and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

Christmas Story

2010-12-29T10:50:00.002-08:00

As we continue to look at the Christmas story it’s important to point out that Christ was born without sin. If Jesus was the biological descendant of Joseph the curse of sin would be upon him, and that’s exactly why (Luke1: 43-35) is so important, because it describes the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit and not by Joseph. In the Gospel of Luke chp 3, Luke traces the human genealogy of Mary backward from her father Heli to Adam himself, but it never says that Christ was “begat” by Joseph. In Matthew chp. 1, the genealogy of Joseph is traced back to David and Abraham describing the fact that Joseph was in the genealogy of the promised seed, thus giving him the right to claim the throne of David, but it still is never stated that Joseph “begat” Jesus, only that he was the husband of Mary. Joseph adopted Jesus, and as an adopted son all the rights, blessing, and privileges of son ship were given him by law. This firmly shows that Jesus Christ was completely human, a true descendent of David, and at the same time God. Jesus was indeed virgin born, (Isa 7:14) says “…therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

“proving”

2010-12-29T10:50:00.001-08:00

When it comes to Faith Promise giving, it’s all about “proving” or keeping our word. (2Co 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give;…” Giving after one has promised to give, is proof of one’s commitment. Faith Promise is making a financial commitment to give knowing that God will provide for us if we give. In other words our faith is tested every time we give. It’s one thing to vow, but it’s another thing to keep one’s vow when things get tight. If we will just learn to give first, God is obligated by His Word to provide every time back to us. Faith always precedes God responding. (Lu 6:38) says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you;” There is only one person to blame if your needs are not being met, and that’s You! God does not lie or make false claims in His Word. If He says He will take care of us, than He will, and when He does you’ll know it. (2Co 9:8) “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” So which will it be, will this year be a year of fear and doubt, or a year of faith and miracles. We can’t have it both ways. So practice faith promise, & watch God provide!

For without faith it is impossible to please him. (Heb11:6)

2010-12-29T10:49:00.001-08:00

Do you really believe that if you give financially to God, that He will take care of your needs? Not trusting in God’s promises is the same as saying to God, I don’t believe you. God’s blessing always follows our obedience. (Mt 6:33) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Lu 6:38) “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal (or give) it shall be measured to you again.” (Mal 3:10) “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (2Co 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver, for God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” For without faith it is impossible to please him. (Heb11:6)

Faith Promise

2010-12-29T10:47:00.001-08:00

November is again upon us, and again I will be asking you to commit to giving to Faith Promise. I’m sure that all of you have been tempted to cut back this year, but if you will just glance at the mission’s board, I believe that the Holy Spirit will again burden your heart to commit another gift to these brave men and women. They are counting on us not to quit but to continue to give. Many churches are cutting back, but let’s not be one of them. Our goal must be to continue on in faith, even though our funds are low. “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” Don't let fear dictate your Faith Promise this year. God can supply even during a famine. “…for God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food.” Oh listen, don’t draw back out of fear, but let faith lead you forward to give again at least what you gave last year. So, let faith win, give and trust God for the results!

Start serving now, and don’t stop serving until you stop breathing.

2010-12-29T10:45:00.000-08:00

(2Ti :5) “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” The main object lesson of the above verse is not just to do serve the Lord, but to finish our course rightly. The Apostle Paul was instructing Timothy in how to finish and not quit along the way. 1) Watch. This is the same word that the Lord used in the garden of Gethsemane, when he desired the apostles to stay awake and pray. Why? Because “the flesh is weak.” Stay alert, and stay on course. 2) Endure affliction. The word means to “bear up under.” Don’t quit, toughen up, believe God for a miracle, and claim his promises. (Pr 24:10) “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” 3. Work evangelistically. If you want to finish rightly then don’t let anything stop you from sharing Christ. Witness, invite, disciple, & get involved. 4. Make full proof of your ministry. Don’t stop short of all that God wants to do with you & through you. Start serving now, and don’t stop serving until you stop breathing. There are way too many Christians today retired and/or on vacation.

What is our purpose as Christians ?

2010-12-29T10:35:00.000-08:00

(Ph. 1:6) “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” What is our purpose as Christians ? God doesn’t just save us, to save us, He saves us to use us, but in order for Him to use us He needs to rebuild us, reshape us, and retrain our thinking. That’s why sometimes things go wrong, or why problems arise that we cannot fix, so God can reveal Himself faithful in every situation. Christian growth takes place through a series of tests, and each test is divinely planned and purposed to conform us more into the image of Christ. Here are just three. 1) The test of “calling.” We have been called to “go into all the world.” Have you passed it? You’ll never pass and see souls saved until you obey God and go. 2) Test of ‘provision.” This test is given when God places us in the place of need. We either pass or fail based on our trust in God’s promises. This test is designed to build faith. 3) Test of suffering. Living saved is identifying with the rejection and suffering of Christ. None of us can pass this test until we die to self and let God perform His good work in us. Therefore Christian, understand that living Christ is a life long test, but fear not God gives it to us with an open book.

What motivates you as a Christian?

2010-10-16T12:18:00.001-07:00

What motivates you as a Christian? There needs to be something or we will most certainly quit. The Apostle Paul had two things.

1) Hell itself. - (2Cor. 5:11) “ Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” 2) The love that Christ. (2Cor. 5:14) “For the love of Christ constraineth us…” Motivation is the key to Christian success. My two motivations are: 1) The cross. The Lord died for my sin there, in my place, and I owe him my life. 2) The call of God. Not just as a Pastor but as a Christian. We have a call to go, and make disciples. You and I need a cause higher than ourselves to stay motivated. So how can you and I stay motivated? 1) Be appreciative. Only unappreciative and self-centered people take without being thankful. Repent and be truly thankful for all that God has done for you. Don’t let yourself forget. 2)Be approvable. Prove yourself faithful. Live approved by practicing the basics again: Church attendance, Bible reading, Prayer, Witnessing, and living godly. Faithfulness is proved by living God’s standard’s. 3) Be accountable to someone. Change takes obedience and discipline, but sometimes we need the help of another. Find someone else who is faithful and trustworthy, and ask them to hold you accountable. Motivation is the key to success in the Christian life, but it can't start until you learn to have a heart of appreciation.

Forgiveness

2010-10-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

As we grow in the Lord, God places us in certain situations, that allows us to make certain choices that reveal to us our true character. One of those situations is in the area of forgiveness. When we get saved we are forgiven for every transgression, but even though God has forgiven us, wrongs that we have committed against others may not be. In the book of Philemon, Onesimus was a run-away slave that later was led to Christ by the Apostle Paul. Although he was now saved he still needed to right his wrongs with his owner, Philemon. Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon to correct his wrong. Onesimus sought forgiveness, but Philemon was asked to grant it. After we’re saved, we may be asked by God to right past wrongs. It may be that God would have us humbly seek forgiveness, or possibly humbly grant it to another. In both cases it takes a strong character to admit wrong or forgive the wrong of another. To often we sweep under the rug the very things that God wants us to deal with. (Eph 4:32) “ And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” So learn the character trait of forgiveness, and experience the joy that will come from it.

Cast it down and destroy it, before it is too late!

2010-09-28T11:55:00.002-07:00

(2Co 10:5) “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God…” In the O.T. whenever God introduced a new King, He always mentioned the words, “ he did right in the eyes of the Lord,” or “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Time and time again, the Lord was displeased with Israel and Judah for not tearing down the high places that were erected by Solomon (because of his ungodly wives), and Jeroboam, Israel’s first king of the northern tribes. The high places were places erected to sacrifice to devils and false gods, and God instructed Israel long before to get rid of them utterly or their children would find them. Only one King (Hezekiah) out of 40 kings of Israel, had the spiritual obedience to destroy them, and as a result God brought a great revival. A few weeks back we had revival meetings and many of us made decisions to change, but the question is have we kept our word. In the above verse, God is instructing us to tear down the high places, and to stop making excuses for why we let them remain. Israel did so, and as a result their children found them, and fell away from the God of heaven. All because they thought it was no big deal to keep them around. Don’t be surprised, if that sin you keep around ends up being the very sin that your children pick up on and worship. Cast it down and destroy it, before it is too late!

Love To Give

2010-09-28T11:55:00.001-07:00

How can we as Christians develop a heart that loves to give? I think the answer to this question can easily be answered by simply putting God and His Word first in our life. When we do, our hearts will automatically desire to give as it should. As a Pastor, I always here of Christians being short money, and some even use that as an excuse for why they don’t give as they ought, but the real problem is not their lack of money but rather their lack of faith. If God is not first, fear will do the deciding for you. (2 Cor. 8:12) says, “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 10% of nothing is nothing, but 10% of any amount is still something. It’s the heart that determines the amount we give, to whom we give it, and the degree for which God basis His blessings back. (2 Cor. 9:6-7) “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” If we love God and obey His Word, God will honor us. If we are content with what God has provided and not greedy, God will continue to be gracious. If we will just believe and obey the known will of God, God promises to provide for our every need. God cannot respond to fear and doubt, so stop making excuses, put God first, and give from the heart.

“Parable of the Sower”

2010-08-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

The “Parable of the Sower,” is an interesting parable. Every time I read it I get more out of it. In fact, if we’re going to be effective in winning people to Christ, we had better understand it. Why? Because it helps us understand why some people listen and why some don’t, or why some people get saved when others won’t. You see, when we deal with people spiritually we need to understand that we all are on different levels. In this parable Jesus compares a “seed” to the Word, and the four “soils” to the hearts of all men. 1) Hard soil is a hard heart that hears the word but understands it not. In this case, there is nothing wrong with the word preached, but this person’s heart is not willing to hear, and so Satan steals away the word. 2) Stony soil is a heart that listens and agrees, but never really lets the word take root. So, because they are faking salvation they quit when difficult times arise. 3) Thorny soil is a backslider’s heart. Although they are truly saved the world has control of the heart, and so they lose interest in winning souls. 4) Good soil, Is the heart of someone who not only accepts Christ, but loves Christ above all others, and bears much fruit. The heart is the key to bearing fruit. This parable is as much about us, as the unsaved! The reason we don’t bear fruit is because of heart #3.

For the love of money

2010-08-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6: 10). The Bible does not say that money itself is evil, but it does say that the love of it is. We as Christians must be careful how we handle the money God has entrusted to us. The church is to be a non-profit organization, and we must be careful that it does not lose its focus or why its money has been entrusted to us by God. 1) The church is not a welfare system whereby we support everybody in it. In (1 Tim. 5:3-13) we are warned to not even support widows unless they are desolate. The reason being, that men and women of the church should learn to care for themselves, because our giving to them may encourage them to be lazy and selfish people. 2) In (5:17-18) we are instructed to provide for the Pastors that labor in the church. It says that they are worthy of a “double honor.” That being honor and respect, and our financial support. 3) In (6:19) we are also instructed to be content with our income, and not love money more than serving God. Too many Christians work too much, (and some even on Sunday), and give very little time or money to the church. Jesus said, that we must make a choice to either serve God or (mammon) or money. The love of mammon steals away from the tithe, Faith Promise, church, and the churches outreach, because our hearts are no longer faithful, but covetous.

Purity

2010-08-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.” In the above verse the Apostle Paul is instructing the young Pastor Timothy to teach his church to respect their elders and to treat one another as if they were a family. The word “elder” here is not just the pastor of the church, but the older men and women of the church, and the words “rebuke not,” mean to not disrespect them verbally with harsh or critical words. In the church the elderly are to be treated with the same respect as one would give to a mom or dad. Be careful in this world of selfishness and self-centeredness that you do not forget to love and treat the older saints with honor. The Apostle Paul also wanted the younger members to treat one another as brothers and sisters. Sometimes brothers and sisters fight and disagree, but they are still family. We need to have a spirit of kindness, longsuffering, humbleness, forbearance, and forgiveness, if we are going to get along. Most families have conflict sometimes, but somehow they work at getting past it, and so should the church. Be careful to be a brother of grace more then of conflict, and as the Holy Spirit says, learn to also practice brotherly love in “purity.” The purity He is referring to, is a moral purity between churches members. Since the church is composed of men & women, respect for the opposite gender is extremely important. The highest regard to avoid instances of sexual temptation and bad behavior between ourselves needs to be a priority. Many a church, or Pastor, or life, has been destroyed by not taking heed to brotherly purity.

“personal conduct.”

2010-08-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

(1Ti 4:7-8) “But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things..., In this world in which we live people are very interested in bodily exercise, but in the above verse God says that it’s still not more important than exercising personal godliness. Satan hates personal godliness, and morality, and so he attacks the church by lulling its people into being more interested in the flesh then in the spirit. The above verse commands the Christian to forsake fleshly fables and to exercise godly habits. You might ask, well how do I exercise godliness ? Simply by taking the word of God, memorizing it, and then practicing it over and over, until you get stronger by it. For example, the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to be an example to believers in “word.” The “word” he spoke of here, is the speaking of the truth. He wanted Timothy to practice being a man of his word, telling the truth at all times. To exercise himself in this area consistently, and if perhaps he does fail, to again remember the Word of God and to get up and try again until he gains strength in this area. The same is true, when it comes to our “personal conduct.” Satan loves it when Christians look, and act, and talk like the world. Why, because we lose our power with God, our testimony before others, and we cause our weaker brothers and sisters to fall and stumble by our ungodly examples. Satan wants the church fleshly, immoral, worldly, & more interested in self then in the will of God and others. So their remains only one question; how strong is your godliness today ? Your godliness is a direct result of your spiritual exercise.

Time

2010-07-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

One thing that I have learned over the years and that I have tried to teach others is that you cannot change your past but you can change your future. Regret is an awful thing to live with, and unless we determine now to obey the known will of God for today, tomorrow will most assuredly be something we regret. Take salvation for instance, God’s Word tells us that eternity is forever. So why do so many people give so little attention to it now? The Bible tells us in (James 4:14)“…For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” The Bible also tells us in (Luke 16:19-31) that not everybody is going to make it to heaven. We must never forget that hell is a real place, and that once you’re there, there’s no getting out! According to my Bible, Hell is full of people that regret for all eternity not caring about spiritual things while they were on earth. It is full of people who put money and the cares of this world before God. Who when they lived, lived for self and selfish pleasures, not realizing that this life is only a drop in the bucket when it comes to forever. Who now regret forever, and suffer the torture and agony of Hell’s Fire. Even as Christians, somehow we fail to realize that we only have so much time to reach our relatives, our town, and our world for Christ. Why do we waste so much time on things of no value, when the valuable things of God, and the souls of men, get so little attention ?

“giving heed”

2010-07-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” It’s interesting in the day in which we live how many of our beliefs and doctrines are affected by the seducing voices and persuasions of demons. You might say, well how can demons affect my beliefs? By “giving heed” to them. That means giving ear to the persuasive voices of anti-biblical and extra-biblical beliefs. The above verse is written to Christians, not the unsaved. How can someone depart from a faith that they never had? Be careful in this world of many beliefs that you don’t pick up something that will cause you to depart from the faith of God’s Word. It’s just as wrong to add to the Word, as it is to take from it. Some Christians put so many demands upon a believer that their Christianity seems more like a burden than a blessing, and yet others pick and choose from God’s Word what they want to practice. Both are equally demonic. Satan’s cohorts are everywhere, speaking in our ears to follow such terrible beliefs as, skipping church, fornicating, gambling, gossiping, backbiting, not giving, drinking and illegal drug use, etc. The Holy Spirit’s voice would never take you in that direction, but damnable beliefs and practices will. Be careful when you here people tell you that you can do something, when God says don’t. The voices of the world are full of demonic influences, so be careful to use the Word as your guide and not men.

How well do you stack up ?

2010-07-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

In continuing in our theme, “How we ought to behave in the house of God,” I have chosen this week to look at the standards required of the office of Pastor and deacon in (1 Tim. 3:1). Here the Apostle Paul calls the ministry of a Pastor, a “good work,” and the deacon’s office, one of “good degree.” God desires that all men live up to this good degree, regardless if he has a title or not. As I have said before, we are not to wait till we hold such a position, but rather live these high standards regardless. (1Co 4:1-2) “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” What we need today are faithful men, more in love with God than they are this world. Men who have chosen to live up to these high standards, without being forced to. God asks that the Pastor and deacon be “blameless,” meaning that they are not guilty of disobeying God’s Word in practice. But aren’t all men commanded to be blameless as well ? (2Pe 3:14) “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” Therefore men, the will of God for you is to be, “blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt. to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy, patient, not a brawler, not covetous, one that rules well his own house,… of a good report…” How well do you stack up ?

Fathers

2010-07-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

Since Father’s Day is a day to honor Father’s, let us not forget to honor our Heavenly Father. In (Matt. 6:9) it says, “Hallowed be thy name.” We should both sanctify it, and honor it because God is honorable. 1) Because of his Love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God’s love is unconditional, meaning that his love is not based upon our performance but rather upon our worth to him. God sent his son to die even though we are sinful and wicked people, and yet in his eyes he sees something of worth in us, even though we may not feel worthy. 2) Because of his Mercy. When a sinner repents of his sin and receives Jesus Christ as personal savior, at that very moment he is born again into the family of God, and the blood of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice washes away all sin , past, present, and future. And not only that, but Jesus himself is seated at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf, forgiving, & keeping us saved. His mercy, his forgiveness, and longsuffering endures forever. 4) Because of his Truth. Every single word of the Bible is immutable (never changing), meaning that “it is impossible for God to lie.”(Heb. 6:13). I thank God that we serve a God who tells the truth & that keeps his promises. May we as earthly fathers pattern such an honorable and Hallowed, Heavenly Father.

submission to authority

2010-06-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

As we continue in our series on how to behave in the house of God, the Apostle Paul in (1 Tim. 2:9-15) now turns his instruction to the women in the church. His instruction is that they learn to profess the godliness of Christ by their submission to authority, and by their ministry only to other women and children. It’s sad in our day that so many churches have embraced this false doctrine, and have allowed women to hold positions of authority in the church, despite the following truth. “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” This verse teaches us that women are not allowed to instruct men or dominate in a position that is over men. I have heard some female pastors say that this text was written for just the women of that day, and yet others justify their position by saying that fewer and fewer men today are going into the ministry, and so that makes it OK.. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but if they truly believe these things, aren’t they still disobeying the above verse. There is no excuse, nor argument that negates the Word of God. Either it’s true or it’s not, and if they say it’s not, then they are disobeying the very God that they are supposed to preaching about. “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”

2010-06-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

Learn to Pray

2010-05-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

(2 Tim. 2:1) “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” One of the greatest privileges we have as Christians is the privelege of prayer. In the above verse, the Apostle Paul is reminding us that we need to first of all to learn to pray. 1) Learn the importance of prayer. Little prayer = little power, and no prayer = no power. The Early church learned that when they prayed God answered, and the more they prayed the more powerful and unified they became. 2) Learn the importunity of prayer. Importunity means persistence. That is precisely what Paul meant by supplication. We need to learn that God loves it when we are persistent in prayer, and the more we pray the more He is persuaded to answer. This is what God meant by His command to A-S-K, (Ask, Seek, Knock). A Christian that is determined to get an answer from God is promised that he will, if he keeps asking. 1) Learn the imperativeness of prayer. This is the urgency of prayer. In the above verse Paul wants us to learn to practice intercession. To pray for the souls and lives of others, for leadership and authority, and to learn to give thanks more than we complain. The more we begin to pray for others and see God work, the more we will begin see how imperative intercession is.

“To war a good warfare.”

2010-05-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” In (1 Tim. 1: 18) The Apostle Paul also instructed Timothy, “To war a good warfare.” Paul wanted Timothy to understand that the Christian life is a battle. After we’re saved we go to war with Sin, with Satan, and with Self, which by the way is our most dangerous adversary. If we can learn how to control the flesh, Satan cannot harm us. Satan doesn’t bother Christians who are undisciplined in the Word, he knows that their lack of self-control and disobedience will destroy them sooner or later. Therefore we must learn two important things. 1) Faith. Faith demands that we hold God’s Word up like a shield. It’s not enough to just believe it, we must learn to stand upon it and hide behind it. When our flesh operates independent of God’s Word there is no protection, but when in submission to it, there is. 2) Good Conscience. When the conscience is tender toward the things of God, that’s good, but when it’s not, that’s bad. An undisciplined Christian doesn’t feel guilty when in disobedience, but a disciplined Christian does. So discipline your flesh, obey the Word, and develop a good conscience !

Accountability is every bit a part of a strong church body.

2010-04-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

The church is a called out assembly of believers, but also the pillar & ground of truth. Therefore, we must 1) Practice solid doctrine. (2 Tim. 1:13)”Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me...” Why? Because men will try to turn the truth of God’s Word, into fables. The church must be careful not to stray from the truth. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” 2) Practice “discipleship.” The gospel message is more than just getting people saved. It’s also a command to teach others what we have been taught about Christ. (1Ti 1:16) “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” 3) Practice “discipline” “that thou… mightest war a good warfare, Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” Accountability is every bit a part of a strong church body. Sin within must not be tolerated, or it will corrupt and defile the whole body. Therefore we must practice the purging of sin to maintain a healthy church.

How important is good behavior in the Church of God?

2010-04-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

“…that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. How important is good behavior in the Church of God? According to the above verse, very! Why? 1) Because it is God’s house, and therefore God has ordained its order, organization, authority, and intended reverence. 2) It’s the Church of the living God. We are the “called out assembly.” Living testimonies of His grace, called out of the world to serve a living God by being living sacrifices. We are the bride of Christ, His body, and active participants, whereby we are to strive to be constantly growing, and constantly reproducing Christ in ourselves and others. 3) It’s the pillar of truth. The Church is to be a support system holding up the truth of God’s Word in a world that is constantly trying to tear it down. We the church are to elevate it by our love and obedience to it. We may not be the most popular people in town, but we ought to be the most honest, the hardest working, and the most godly. 4) It’s the ground of truth. A place of refuge, fellowship, and nurture, where by all who come to Christ are nourished by the fruit of God’s vineyard.

So what happened to them ?

2010-04-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

(Gal. 1:6) “ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:” It’s interesting that when Paul penned these words concerning apostasy in his day, little did he realize how accurately he would describe the future state of the church in America. History has shown us that once a church or a school’s leadership compromises the fundamental doctrines of the faith, there is little or no chance of it ever righting itself. Eighty-eight of the first 100 colleges founded in America were organized to train men for the purpose of the gospel ministry. So what happened to them ? Harvard who previously graduated about 52% ministry students, began to allow a freedom of theology policy for its faculty. Yale decided to emphasize academics over theology, Dartmouth and Columbia repealed their strong statement of faith due to denominational pressure, and Princeton dropped its strict policy of insisting on only a saved faculty. Columbia University opened in 1754 with this news advertisement, “The chief thing that is aimed at in this college, is to teach and engage children to know God in Jesus Christ.” Harvard also emphasized “Christ and The Church.” So how needful today is it for us to earnestly contend for the faith? Very!

Children

2010-03-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

Pastor’s Corner( Psalm 127:3-5) “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:…” of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:…” I wonder how many people believe this psalm today. Someone has said that a quiver ful s five arrows. Now, I’m not sure if five is the exact number of children we should have, but it is certain from the text that God wants us to have many and view them as a blessing not an inconvenience. In a generation of daycare, busy schedules, and pleasures that consume our time, we must take seriously these ittle ones that God has entrusted to us. The word “heritage,” means an nheritance or gift given to us by the Lord. Like money or possessions, children inheritance or gift given to us by the Lord. Like money or possessions, children can be squandered, and wasted if we’re not careful. God expects us to build a future posterity for His name. We can lose our children to the world just as fasts we received them. The very fact that God has entrusted them to us, makes us as we received them. The very fact that God has entrusted them to us, makes us therefore accountable. For this reason God wants us to view children as a gift we do so. Training children is a privilege, and the time that we have with them s so short. Children don’t just automatically turn out right. It’s extremely mportant that we teach them to obey and honor us right away, & then God and His Word. not depart from it.

How faithful we were in 2009

2009-12-27T19:44:00.001-08:00

As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another, let’s take a few moments to reflect on how faithful we were in 2009. 1) Church attendance? Were you as faithful to the house of God as you should have been? If not why not take the time right now to repent and promise God that nothing or no one will keep you from being faithful in 2010. 2) Bible reading ? It has been said that, “sin will either keep you from God’s Word, or God’s Word will keep you from sin.” You cannot blame your lack of faith and spiritual weakness on anybody but yourself. Pick up a Bible reading schedule and at least attempt to read through in 2010. 3) Prayer ? Private prayer, Wednesday night prayer meetings, prayer together as a husband and wife, or as a family, all are very important times. (James 4:2-3) “…ye have not, because you ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” In other words no prayer life = no prayers answered, and praying only when you need something for yourself, only causes you to sound selfish to God, so He refuses to answer. 4) Witnessing ? (Rom 10:14)“…and how shall they here without a preacher?” The preacher spoken of here is anyone that is saved. We have all been called to go, but all have not decided to go or preach. No one will ever get saved without hearing the gospel. Who did you witness to in 2009? 5) Giving & Serving ? Both begin by faith in the heart. How did you do in 2009? Did you tithe or tip? Did you promise God to serve and then not serve? 2010 can be a new start if you will “repent and do thy first works.” (Rev. 2:5)

JOY

2009-12-27T19:43:00.000-08:00

Just what is it that makes Christmas such a joyful season ? Well, it all depends on who Jesus is to you. There are a lot of people today who would like to take Jesus out of Christmas and just have a holiday, but when you remove the reason for the season all that’s left is a joyless holiday. Christmas could not be Christmas without Jesus, no more than the 4th of July could be a celebration of independence without independence. Christmas is all about JOY. Joyful in that it gives “glory to God in the highest,” because God became a man and dwelt among us. Joyful, also in that he came to bring us “peace” with God if we put our faith and trust in Jesus, and Joy because Jesus came to bring “goodwill” toward all men. 1) J OY must begin with Jesus. The world celebrates a joy that is temporary at best, but if you’re saved you have him living in your heart and you celebrate joy every day. Sure there is joy in the Christmas season, but there is a greater joy in the forgiveness of sins and in a personal relationship with Jesus. Getting saved is the greatest joy you will ever experience. 2) J O Y = in helping Others. The Bible is clear that there is a more full joy when we learn to help others. A full joy, that can only be full as we practice God’s “goodwill” toward others. 3) JO Y that involves You. You might not think that you are important to God’s joy but you are. Jesus came because of you, he died because of you, and it’s you that he wants to save and use as a vessel of goodwill. Though Joy began with Jesus, it continues on through You!

Zacharias

2009-12-27T19:42:00.002-08:00

The Christmas story, as found in the gospel, does not begin with the birth of Jesus, but rather with a man named Zacharias. Before the angel Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary, God sent an angel (possibly Gabriel) to Zacharias the father of John the Baptist, to proclaim to him the birth of his son John. John was born to precede Christ in life, and was sent to Israel to prepare them for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. 1) John was sent by God on a Mission. His mission was to prepare Israel for Salvation. For 400 years God had not sent a prophet with a new message, but rather Israel was left with an old prophecy that Elijah would precede Christ at his coming. The Bible says that John came as a prophet in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” John’s mission was to preach repentance and to baptize Israel as an outward sign of that repentance, for men could not be saved until Christ died on the cross. 2) John was sent to preach God’s Message. His message was to repent and be prepared for God’s coming salvation. John’s baptism did not save, but it was a preparation, as repentance is today before salvation. 3) John was sent to teach us God’s Method. “Preaching.” “God chose the foolishness of preaching to save the lost.” John preached Christ’s coming, but we preach that Jesus saves. John was the first Christian preacher, baptizer, and disciple maker. God sent a man, and He is still sending men today. Oh, that we would be as faithful to God’s mission as John was.

hold tightly

2009-12-27T19:42:00.001-08:00

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip.” The above verse warns every believer to listen closely to God’s Word and to be careful not to take it lightly. Like a boat that is not tied to a dock, certain things in our Christian life can slowly drift away if neglected. 1) Bible Reading and Prayer. Christians don’t just stop praying and reading God’s Word by accident. The neglect begins slowly at first. One day we’re too busy, and the next thing we know 3-4 days turn into a week, the week months, and pretty soon we seldom talk to God and almost never pick up a Bible. Godly habits have drifted away. 2) Salvation. Salvation cannot be lost, but it can be neglected to the point that only God can tell sometimes if you’re saved. It can happen in a number of areas, for example when we decide to neglect church and not attend, pretty soon we seldom come, or tithe, or witness, or fellowship with other Christians, to the point that we seldom do anything for God. 3) Service. The Holy Spirit’s gifts are not given for nothing. They are service gifts, given to us to produce growth and maturity in the body of Christ. His gifts are supernatural, and they supernaturally work when used. If we neglect them we will lose God’s best in the church and in our lives. So hold tightly God’s Word, and be careful not to let His things slip.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-27T19:41:00.001-08:00

In these dark days of anti-American sentiment, the world may never understand why we celebrate Thanksgiving, but we must . We must never forget to thank God for His mighty hand in the development of this great nation. It is a fact of recorded history that the first Thanksgiving celebration took place in the Plymouth colony during the month of November 1621. Just one year earlier, the Pilgrims landed the Mayflower but experienced much hardship during that first winter. However that next fall, with the help of the native Indians, the pilgrims experienced a great harvest of food. These exiles from Holland and England were accustomed to celebrating a traditional harvest festival back home, so they decided to proclaim a three day celebration of thanksgiving here as well. For three days, fifty five colonists and one hundred Indians gorged themselves with fish and a great number of wild turkeys. This first harvest festival on American soil gave birth to what we now celebrate as Thanksgiving Day. May we be thankful, just as these early pilgrims were thankful in those early years, and demonstrate our thanksgiving by never forgetting the God that so provides for us on a daily basis. “ Oh give thanks unto the Lord,” who continues to shed His grace upon us and this great nation. May we truly be thankful for all that He has done, and for all that He continues to do on a daily basis.

Faith Promise

2009-12-27T19:40:00.000-08:00

In order for us to be involved in Faith Promise, we need to see the vision of God, and then respond to it as God wants us to respond. The Apostle Paul, while in Troas on his 2nd missionary journey, received a vision from the Lord to go up to Macedonia and preach the gospel. A Macedonian man pleaded for Paul to come and he responded, and as a result many were saved and a church started. God seldom gives us details when He calls, but he always leads us with a vision. 1) God’s vision and call is personal. When Jesus said to “go ye into all the world,” He called for us to go personally. Personally to our world, and personally to help others reach the world of their vision. 2) God’s vision is purposeful. God’s purpose is always to lead us to people who need to be saved, and grow in the Lord. There are Macedonian men everywhere, pleading for God’s help. 3) God’s vision is pursuable. Meaning that it is do-able. Whatever God calls us to do, or whatever vision He lays on our hearts and minds, He will help us achieve. While in Macedonia, Paul and his company were beaten & jailed for their faith, but God still provided for them. Macedonian men were saved, & the gospel preached, because they responded by faith to God’s vision.

God promised, now will you ?

2009-11-16T14:01:00.000-08:00

November is again upon us, and I do believe that God is again asking us to continue giving toward Faith Promise. Some of you might be asking yourself whether or not you can give to Faith Promise this next year, while others of you are contemplating what to give. If you would just glance at the missions board, I do believe that the Holy Spirit would again remind you of the great need of world missions and our continued commitment. So don’t let the flesh win, but rather increase your giving or at least stay the same. Our God is still faithful even when our funds are down. “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” Don’t let the fear of the unknown dictate your faith. God can supply even during a famine. “Every man according as he hath purposeth in his heart, so let him give…For God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” I wonder how many of us have already been convinced by our fear that we can’t give, when we know full well that God tells us we can. “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food.” God promised, now will you ?

Walking in and after the Holy Spirit

2009-10-24T12:12:00.001-07:00

Walking in and after the Holy Spirit takes both faith and commitment, but I wonder how many people today are really “walking in and after the Spirit?” In (Rom. 6:11-13) the Apostle Paul outlines for us 3 keys that will help us walk closer to God. 1) Recognize ourselves dead to sin. In (Chp. 7) Paul relates the old life that we had before Christ, to that of a bad marriage, wherein the husband dies and frees the wife to be married to another. This new marriage is the new relationship we now have in Christ, with in whom we now live. 2) Obey him from the heart . In order to obey Christ properly, the believer must dethrone the old master, and let the new master reign. Like a wife in a new marriage, she must obey the new authority in her life, and forsake the old. She must now learn to practice the will and way of her new husband, obeying him from the heart. 3) Submit and yield yourself to him. There can be no fruit without intimacy. Walking with and after a new husband takes yielding. Just as the new wife must yield her all to the will and way of her new husband, so must we yield all to God’s Spirit. For it’s through intimacy with the Holy Spirit that we too will begin to bear the fruits of righteousness!

As the Bible tells us

2009-10-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

As the Bible tells us, when someone gets saved they receive from God His indwelling Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit has been placed within us to comfort us, guide us, and abide with us forever. So a good question would be, “how then does He communicate with us?” Does He talk to us audibly? Well, the answer is both yes and no. Since God is Spirit, His voice does not speak to us as man speaks, but rather he impresses upon our hearts and minds spiritually His voice at different times. 1) He speaks to us through His Word. As we read God’s Word, it’s not uncommon to hear the voice of God instruct us. When we come to church and sit under the preaching and teaching of His Word, the Spirit speaks. Although it’s not as man speaks, it’s heard just as clear. 2) He speaks to us in prayer. Prayer is communication with God. God speaks in a still small voice, and many times He reveals to us His will in ways that although we don’t hear Him audibly, we just know. 3) He speaks as we yield ourselves to Him. His voice can be heard as a command to witness to someone, or to serve, or to give, or to just do. The Spirit desires our obedience, but we grieve (offend) Him when we sin, and we quench Him (put out the fire) by telling Him “No,” when commanded. If we want to here His voice, we must yield ourselves to listen for His voice.

Walk in the Spirit

2009-10-24T12:10:00.001-07:00

As I have been studying the subject of walking in the Spirit, I find that in the Word of God, the Holy Spirit systematically lays out for each of us how God expects each of us to walk after salvation. It’s interesting to note that although there are many verses on Christian behavior, there is basically only 10 general commands on how to walk in the Spirit. And even just as interesting is the fact that they are listed in a chronological way through the N.T. As steps to follow. 1) Walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). 2) Walk after the Spirit (Rom. 8:1,4). 3) Walk honestly (Rom. 13:3-4). 4) Walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). 5) Walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). 6) Walk in good works (Eph. 2:10). 7) Walk worthy (Eph. 4:1) 8) Walk in love (Eph. 5:2) 9) Walk as children of the light (Eph. 5:8). 10) Walk circumspectly (Eph. 5:15). Some additional verses that I didn’t list, but are contained in principle in the above ten would be, (Col. 4:5) walk in wisdom, (2 John 1:6) walk after his commandments, (3rd John 1:6) walk in truth. The Holy Spirit in the above scriptures, has instructed each of us to not only walk after Christ, but to also walk as Christ walked. As we begin to walk in the Spirit the Bible adds additional light as we progress along the way. I wonder how many of us truly understand the manifold wisdom that is available to us as we Walk in the Spirit.

How do we get in the Spirit ?

2009-09-26T11:39:00.002-07:00

What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and what does it mean to walk in the Spirit? Both are good questions, but both can be accomplished by simply denying the lusts of our flesh, and yielding ourselves to the full control of the Spirit of God. Somehow as Christians we act like both of these conditions are impossible to achieve, when the Bible clearly states just the opposite. Simply, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). 1) How do we get in the Spirit ? By simply getting saved. (Rom. 8:9) says, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” 2) Learn to walk in and after the Spirit. This is not a quick process, but it is achievable. If we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, then logically someone must lead. When our flesh leads we bear the fruit of selfishness and sin, but when the Spirit of God leads us we bear the fruit of righteousness and truth, because we are filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. To walk in and after the Holy Spirit the believer must yield total control of his will and ways back to God. Walking after the Spirit takes practice, and we will fail a time or two along the way, but it is definitely possible. So yield, and walk in the Spirit!

“To comfort, guide, and to abide forever.”

2009-09-26T11:39:00.001-07:00

I still believe that inside every believer there is the desire to walk with the Lord. I also believe that the reason so many struggle in practicing such a walk, is simply because they just don’t know how! Christianity was never meant to be an up and down walk, where today we’re spiritual and tomorrow we’re not, but rather it was designed to be a consistent daily walk with and in the power of God’s Holy Spirit within. Every believer has the capability to do so, but we first must understand 3 things. 1) We need to know who the Holy Spirit is. The Bible is clear that the Spirit that indwells every believer is God. In fact, He is the Spirit of the Father, and Jesus Christ. 2) We need to know why God placed Him within. Jesus said plainly, “To comfort, guide, and to abide forever.” This is a great comfort, knowing that He will never leave us. It was the Father’s promise to keep us saved, and its His Word, not our obedience that keeps us saved. 3) We need to know what He’s doing within. The Holy Spirit is the agent of salvation. He is the one who washes us clean in the blood of Christ, who indwells us, baptizes us into the body of Christ, comforts, guides us into all truth, and that seals us until the time of our redemption . Seeing that He does so much for us, ought we not to walk in His Spirit, rather than in the spirit of our old flesh?

Jesus is truly the only way, truth, and life !

2009-09-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

In (John 14:6) Jesus said, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” These words were spoken by God in the flesh, who performed notable miracles, and who arose from the dead of His own power. No other religion or belief system has anyone like Jesus Christ as it’s proof, and according to Him there is no other way of salvation, or truth, or manner of life, than His. 1) His way is the only way. It’s amazing to me how many people still believe that there are many roads or ways to heaven, when Jesus said there is only one. Some believe in the road of religion, others in the road of doing good works, still others in the road of self-righteousness, even though Jesus said clearly that only His road leads to His Father. 2) His truth is the only truth. Not just because He said so, but because He is so. God’s Word is clear in (John 1) that Jesus is the Word of God, and that He is God & the very personification of the voice of God, for God cannot lie. 3) His life is the only life. The life He is speaking about is not just the great eternal life He offers, but also a life that is now far better than what this world can offer; A life of love, joy, peace, forgiveness, blessings, and answered prayer. My only question is, while settle for less when more is available? Jesus is truly the only way, truth, and life !

Truth is always Right!

2009-09-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

In every church’s life the time will come when it will have To make judgments in areas that affect people it loves. God has ordained in his word that the church has the authority to govern in such matters, and that such decisions are sanctioned or “bound” in heaven, if done properly (Matt. 18: 18). That’s why it’s very important that we learn to make judgments based on truth rather than on relationships. In many different passages in the Bible, God is described as “not having respect of persons” in judgment, meaning that God does not allow who people are to interfere with what his just judgment is. And like God, we too must never allow a close relationship with anyone to cloud or sway our thinking away from doing what is right, even if it is painful to all the people involved. Being partial to certain people in matters of judgment is a great sin. That’s why on Judgment day, (Rom.2:2) says that the judgment of man will be “according to truth,” and not according to who they are, or what they did in life. Relationships can cause an awful lot of pressure if we’re not careful to put God first.
In (Ex. 34:5-9) says, “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty;” Truth is always Right!

Mourning

2009-09-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

(Matt. 5:4) “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.” As we all know, There are many types of mourning. 1) Mourning of death Regardless of whether or not a person is saved, the loss of losing someone close creates a mourning in the heart of man so terrible that only time can comfort, but thank God that in Christ Jesus we are promised more than just the comfort of time. We are promised a grace that comes to all who know Jesus Christ personally. There is a great blessing and consolation in knowing God’s Word. 2) Mourning over sin. Guilt and shame, both bring a horrible mourning of soul, but in Christ Jesus we are promised the forgiveness of God and a new comfort if we repent and turn from our wicked ways. The saved need not mourn over the sins and failures of the past. 3) Mourning of trials and oppression. God promised the saved a peace that passes all understanding, a present comfort in the time of trial, and a presence that will never leave us nor forsake us. God is our comfort when in trial, and He promises us a joy after mourning, if we trust in Him. “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” 4) Mourning of regret. The unsaved will regret forever not trusting in the living God, but the saved have comfort as they trust in Christ. The blessing of knowing that God forgives and forgets, will overcome all regrets.

" hearer and a doer "

2009-08-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

Now that our Revival Week is over, a good question to ask ourselves is; Has anything changed? (Jas 1:25) “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” Hearing the Word of God and doing the Word of God are two separate things all together. Even the unsaved can practice the first, but a wise man will hear God’s Word and continue therein. I have been to many evangelistic meetings over the past 28 years, and there has never been a meeting where God did not convict me of something, and I have also learned over the past 28 years that unless I write down my conviction and determine in my heart to obey it right away, I will soon forget what God spoke to me about. These meetings are to be liberating, in that we are to acknowledge our sin, and let go of all sinful practices once God has revealed them to us, as well as practice what God has commanded. Over the years I have personally made decisions to serve more, come more, be involved more, give more, witness more, love more, etc., but with each decision comes the temptation to temporarily do, rather than permanently commit to God’s bidding. So, to be blessed by God, you must learn to be both a hearer and a doer.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

2009-08-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are going to be tested and tried in our faith as to our ability to continue on or quit. A strong faith will not give in to fear and doubt while in the storms of life. (Pr 24:10) “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” In (Mark 4:35-41) Jesus instructed his disciples to enter into a ship with him, and to “pass over” to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Unlike another time when the apostles were alone, this time he was with them asleep in the back of the ship. And as they passed over to the other side, a great wind created a fearful and hazardous storm. Fearing their demise, they awoke the peaceful Christ, and with only the sound of his words he stilled the storm. 1) We need to understand that the PLAN of God was to reach the other side. Allegorically, this story is simply about following the will of God, even if we are hindered along the way. God knows that our journey in life will be full of storms and difficulty, but Jesus is always close at hand. 2) There is PEACE in the fact that Jesus is in control of the storm, and that he is always close at hand. (Ps 46:10) “Be still, and know that I am God.” 3) He has POWER to calm. There is no situation that God cannot change, nor storm that is too powerful for those that have faith in his word. We like the apostles need to be tested and tried, so that we learn to continue on, rather than quit!

Revival Meetings

2009-08-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

In just a few weeks we will again be having revival meetings with Mike Pelletier. Please take some flyers with you and use them to invite your family and friends out to the services. Every night of the week will be dedicated to a different group Of people. For example, Monday night will be “Ladies pack–a-pew night,” Tuesday, “Men’s pack-a –pew night,” Wednesday, “Sunday School Night,” Thursday “Family Night,” and Friday, “Prophecy Night.” On “Sunday School Night” each teacher will be responsible to bring out his/her entire class. These different evenings will give you some help with inviting people out. Also every night we will have a special gift for the person or persons that bring out the most people. Please take the opportunity over the next two weeks to pray for the people on the Wednesday night’s prayer list, and start today to invite people to come out as your special guest. I have found over the years that it is a good idea to pick them up if you can, and to even invite them to dinner or over to the he house that day. Also, revival week must begin with us, in that we need to make a firm commitment ourselves to be out to every service possible. So, lets be prepared, prayed up, and personally inviting people to these meetings. You never know who will come, so just ask!

“What is truth?”

2009-07-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

Before the execution of Jesus, he was brought before Pilate And examined. Pilate unsure of who he was, asked him Plainly, “are you the king of the Jews.” Jesus responded, “ everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.” To this Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Unfortunately this is the same question that too many people are asking themselves today. Why? Because they no longer are being taught that there is an absolute truth. Not long ago we were a nation of Bible believers, but today we are a nation of Bible doubters. Most likely this has happened because our pulpits no longer use the Bible, nor do they preach God’s Word as absolute. Those of us that have been saved by the precious blood of Jesus know that He is God and the only way, and we hear and follow his voice over the voice of men or religion. To us Jesus is the only “way, truth, and life.” Pilate didn’t know Jesus at all, and neither do they who doubt the Bible as God’s final and absolute Word. To those who doubt God’s Book, there is no absolute right or wrong. Sin therefore is up to private interpretation, and the way of salvation up to whatever you choose. They therefore are not of the truth, nor do they know anything for sure. So is their absolutely truth today? Absolutely! Whether we choose to believe or not!

Be Faithful To God

2009-07-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

I have often asked the Lord why it is that sometimes people give and at other times they don’t, and His answer has always been the same to me; it’s about their faith. True faith does not waver, nor should it be affected by the ups and downs in life. Most people consistently earn around the same amount of money weekly or bi-weekly, so giving 10% of one’s income to the Lord ought to be routine. But why then is the giving of some so inconsistant? I realize that sometimes we may be short of money, or miss a service, but that should never cause someone who is saved to not give. The Bible is clear that we need to make up our minds to give ahead of time . “make up beforehand your bounty,… that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness… Every man according as he hath purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Cor.9:5-7) It’s sin to promise God and not give, or to covet that which belongs to God. Our giving ought to be governed by a faith in God's promises, rather than by our circumstances. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (Ja. 4:17) It's about time we just admit that it's just plain sin to not give, instead of making excuses for not being faithful to God.

The Prodigal's Father

2009-07-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Today I thought that it would be a good idea to look at the father in the “Prodigal Son’s Story” in (Luke 15). Since the prodigal’s father is a reflection of God Himself, there are some godly characteristics of a good father that can be pointed out. 1) F- He was faithful . Faithful not only to his God, but to his family, and to his calling as a dad, and even though his heart was broken by his son, he never lost his faith. 2) A – He was accessible. He was both approachable and compassionate. When his son came to himself and desired to come home, he knew that his father would not turn him away. 3) T- Trustworthy. He was always there for his sons. He was trustworthy in his word, in his providing, in his forgiveness, and in his unconditional love. He never stopped loving his son even though his son rejected him. 4) H – Headship. The mother was never mentioned in this story, because it’s the father’s job to lead the home. He handled the business, the servants, the farming, the problems, and the spirituality. 5) E- Example. Fathers are called by God to lead by example, and to reflect our heavenly Father’s word. 6) R - Responsive. He never failed at responding to his son’s needs. He was always diligent, loving, counseling, forgiving, complimenting, correcting, & blessing: he was involved in his son’s lives. So, the example of the prodigal’s father is an example of true fatherhood in practice.

So be careful to think before you choose to sin !

2009-06-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

There is a principle in the Word of God in (Galatians 6:7) that says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” This is an eternal principle that simply states that for every action or choice that we make in life, there is a consequence. If our choices therefore are righteous we will reap righteous consequences, but if our choices are evil, evil consequences. We have seen from our study in the life of King David that even a righteous man after he repents of sin, still has to deal with the consequences of his sin, even though he is forgiven by God. When we choose the path of sin, we need to realize that at the end of the road lies judgment and death. No man, because of the above principle, can practice sin without consequences later. Although King David immediately repented of his sin after being confronted by the prophet of God, he still reaped the consequence of the death of his child and the judgment of God upon his family for years after. Our God is a forgiving God, but his Word will not be mocked. We need to be careful to remind ourselves that repentance does not always mean that God will remove the consequences, and while it is true that a repentant man will find mercy with God, it is also true that God is the one who ultimately decides the duration or the type consequences after we sin. So be careful to think before you choose to sin !

Sin always progresses downward

2009-06-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

Since the Garden of Eden, man has had to fight his sin nature to stay right with God. Whether we are the most spiritual person on earth or not, we still need to be careful to fight the temptations of sin. In the story of David and Bathsheba, David fell into sin because he allowed himself to give into it. Sin always starts in the mind and progresses downward into sinful actions. How? 1) David was idle. While his comrades were busy fighting and serving God, David stayed behind. His guard was down and his thoughts free to wander. Unfortunately that’s precisely when temptation strikes. 2) David gave into lust. “…every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust…” Temptation is not sin, but lust is. David allowed himself to dwell in lust long enough for lust to take him captive. 3) Lust then moved David to action. “Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin.” David, no longer satisfied with just a look, gave into the sin of adultery. 4) Adultery then moved David to murder. “Sin when it is finished bringeth forth death.” David killed Bathsheba’s husband, his baby died, and later the judgment of God took the life of some of his children. Sin always progresses downward.

"A mature believer knows"

2009-06-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

As believers we need to realize that life is a series of ups and downs, and as believers we are supposed to be able to ride them out without quitting. While others seem to throw in the towel, a mature believer knows how to encourage himself in the Lord. 1) Don’t forsake church, it’s the very place you need to be when discouraged. 2) Stop being so self-centered, learn to be actively involved in helping others. 3) Start rejoicing again in the Lord, stop looking at what is wrong and praise the Lord for what is right. 4) Stop worrying about everything, some people aren’t happy unless they worry all the time. 5) Stop thinking negatively, faith is always positive. God’s promises are always I will, or you can. Let God’s Word and the Lord be your strength, and trust not in the flesh.

Spiritual Integrity

2009-05-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

As we continue our series on the life of David, one the greatest characteristics of David was his Spiritual Integrity. Spiritual Integrity comes from a heart that places God above the things of this world, the Word of God above the word of men, the authorities of God above our pride, and a love for God’s people above our self. As we read this story in (1 Samuel), we see that for nearly 17 years David had to hide and run for his life because King Saul was corrupted by his pride, bitterness, jealousy, and a lack of respect for God’s people and His Word. His only thought was to destroy David, not realizing that in David’s heart, there was only respect and love for this King that God had placed in authority. We might ask ourselves, how can two people think so differently? It’s easy when one forgets to put God and His Word first. David did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, because his heart was governed by the integrity of God’s Word, and not by his flesh.

"STAND"

2009-04-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

Standing in the face of opposition is not something that comes naturally to us. In fact most Christians would rather run from the battle than endure the conflict, but no victory was ever won by running or ignoring the enemy. John Wesley, a great man of faith once said, “Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not if they be clergymen or layman; for such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build the kingdom of God.” There is a true story of a general, who during one battle of the Civil War refused to run even though a great number of Confederate soldiers under his command began to retreat. Later, these same soldiers who observed the courage and fearlessness of this general stated, “there stood Jackson like a stone wall.” Thereafter, he was called “Stonewall Jackson.” Oh how we need men and women today with such courage, who like King David of old, looked not upon the size of the enemy but rather upon the power of God. (Eph.6:11) says, “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Standing always comes before a victory.
Therefore stand in the power of Christ, & claim the victory !

Abide

2009-04-19T13:03:00.001-07:00

Nine times in (John 15), Jesus uses the word “abide,” to illustrate to us the importance of remaining in a close fellowship with Him. He stated that he is “the true vine,” and that we who believe in Him are the “branches,” and that we cannot “bear fruit” unless our branch “abides” in the vine. This chapter has been misinterpreted by some to teach that our (our salvation) can be removed by the Father if we bear not fruit, but I thank God that Jesus didn’t teach that here. Here, Jesus is just revealing to us that the Father is pruning our lives to help us bear more fruit. So to abide in Christ, 1) We must first be saved. No salvation, means no connection in the vine of Christ. 2) We must live in His Word and obey His commandments. He said that we are “clean through the word.” The Word of God not only cleanses us in salvation but it keeps us clean in our daily walk with the Lord. Jesus promised us here that if we keep His commandments, and abide in Him and His love, that we will not only bear “much fruit,” but experience answered prayer, and a joy in the Lord that remains. He also said that “ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” It’s hard to imagine trading of the friendship of Christ for a friendship with this world. The only reason for not experiencing the above, is by not Abiding in Christ!

“Behaving wisely”

2009-04-05T02:28:00.001-07:00

Again, as we study the life of David, we read in (1 Samuel 18) that David had a right relationship with God, because “he behaved himself wisely.” 1) We learned last week that we need to take heed to God’s (every) “word” and “command.” David behaved himself wisely because he took seriously God’s word. But this week, it’s important to see from David’s life that we also need to learn 2) to take heed to what we let into our hearts. As (Pr 4:23) says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” David had a heart and mind that was full of faith, and courage, and respect for God and the things of God, and his mighty power was a direct result of a heart that just simply desired what God desired. This world is full of doubt, but there was no room in David’s heart for I can’t, or I won’t, or negative thinking. What an example of faith to us today. 3) So take heed that you behave wisely, because like David we too are going to go through hard times, and like David we also need to respond wisely. David never complained about the terrible things that Saul did to him, but rather he just kept obeying God, and serving his Lord. So “Behaving wisely” is just simply wisely obeying God's Word!

“He behaved himself wisely.”

2009-04-05T02:26:00.000-07:00

As we study the life of David, we read in (1 Samuel 18) that David had a right relationship with God, because “he behaved himself wisely.” As Christians, God expects us to obey every “word” and “command.” David behaved wisely because God’s word was not optional, in fact in ( 1 Kings 15:5) God says that he “turned not aside from anything that the Lord commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” We need to remember that God is always specific in His Word, and He expects us to obey every “jot and title,” and not just the parts that we feel comfortable with. God’s Word is specific about salvation being only through Jesus Christ, it is specific about baptism, tithing, holiness, sin, divorce, marriage, church, etc., and so we must be specific also. Be careful not to practice an incomplete obedience when God demands a complete one. So, “behaving ourselves wisely” demands that we not rebel against God’s Word, nor stubbornly choose our will over His. Behaving wisely then is very wise.

Revival

2009-03-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

(1Co 3:6) – “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” Revival week is upon us, and again I do so appreciate all of you that have prayed and invited people to come out. Sometimes we may develop the attitude that praying and inviting people doesn’t work, but then we forget that it’s God that brings the increase, not us. Praying petitions God by faith to act, much like praying for the rain of heaven to germinate a seed, and inviting people is like a farmer faithfully planting his seed in his field. You might say, “well nobody listens, nobody cares, or comes out when I ask them.” Stop right there, and remind yourself how God worked in your heart before you were saved. People are complicated beings, and at times very busy, and so we need to stay focused on the fact that God is at work behind the scenes. Stop telling yourself that praying and inviting doesn’t work. It does, a seed can’t grow unless it’s planted. So plant and pray for increase. I like you get frustrated with the fact that I don’t always see God at work, and so I have to remind myself by faith that He is at work. 1Co 3:7 - So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. So keep laboring, pray, keep inviting, and by faith believe God when he says that He will bring the increase.

“Issues”

2009-03-16T20:23:00.001-07:00

As Christians we have been given ears to hear and eyes to see and understand God’s mysteries, but we have also been given a heart that is capable of bearing much fruit for God. Jesus said that from out of the heart comes the “issues of life.” “Issues” meaning the purposes behind what we do, and the why we go the direction we go. For example, if a Christian’s heart is right, then that Christian’s desire will be to please God and to bear much fruit, but if the heart is not after God, it cannot bear fruit at all. In God’s Word, Jesus tells us that there are 4 different types of hearts that hear the Word and yet handle it differently. 1) Hard Heart. Hears the Word, yet refuses to listen to it. You might say well this person is definitely unsaved. Not true. Christians often harden their hearts after hearing God’s Word, and refuse to change and repent. 2) Stony Heart. This heart has no real root of faith, and as a result lives life more with excuses than in Christ’s Word. This heart argues more for why they can still sin, then for why they should stop. 3) Weedy Heart. Is a heart that is cumbered about with too many things. It is so busy in the world that it forgets about the things of God. It’s so involved in the things of this world that it has no time to bear fruit, yet serve. But, 4) A Good heart. Is a heart that does not question God’s Word, but it just obeys God, serves, and bears fruit. Which one is yours?

David vs. Goliath

2009-02-28T22:19:00.000-08:00

There is probably not a better story in all the Bible that better portrays the power of faith and courage then the story of David vs. Goliath. As we look at these two attributes we see that faith builds our courage while courage is best demonstrated by faith. Allegorically, Goliath represents the giants that we fear. Humanly speaking, they are the impossible things and situations that we cannot overcome in our own strength, and just like Goliath they will not go away until we stand up to them as David did. David, represents the weakness of our flesh. He was much smaller than Goliath, and unable to beat him in hand to hand combat, but David had something that Goliath didn’t, the power of the Holy Spirit. Goliath had courage, but his courage was in himself. David had courage, but his courage and faith was in the power of the “living God of Israel.” Like David, you and I cannot beat the giants of this world with the weapons of this world, but we are promised that we can through the power of God’s Spirit and courage. Like David we just need to remember that it’s not our ability but rather God’s Spirit that gives us the victory, just as it was God’s Spirit that guided the stone that killed Goliath. So, if you’re going to face your giant, stand in the courage of Christ’s Spirit, and learn to trust in Him for the victory. For “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in this world (1Jn 4: 4).”

Convince people of the truth

2009-02-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

One of the three things that I wanted to challenge the church to do in 2009, is to share the gospel more with others. We need to take a hand full of Bible tracks with us wherever we go and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. And when the Spirit leads us, just share with them what Jesus has done in our life or just tell them to read it. We never know what God is doing in the heart and life of others, they might just be ready to get saved. Now as we go, we will be dealing with different beliefs and heart conditions, so we do need to know how to convince people of the truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) Tells us to, “Study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” meaning that we need to study the Bible to know where in the Bible to turn and how to answer people. Do you know how to personally lead someone to Christ? Can you take the Bible and the book of Romans and show someone that they are a sinner and in need of Christ? Can you refute falsehood? Study, for there may be times when you are ashamed of yourself because you don’t know the Bible as you ought, but share your faith anyway!

Regret

2009-02-04T15:34:00.000-08:00

One thing that I have learned over the years and that I have tried to teach others, is that you cannot change your past but you can your future. Regret is an awful thing to live with, and unless we determine now to obey the known will of God for today, tomorrow will most assuredly be something we regret. Take salvation for instance, God’s Word tells us that eternity is forever. So why do so many people give so little attention to it now? The Bible tells us in (Luke 16:19-31) that not everybody is going to make it to heaven, that hell is a real place, and that once you’re there, there’s no getting out. According to my Bible, Hell is full of people that regret for all eternity not caring about spiritual things. Who put money and the cares of this world before God. Who when they lived, lived for self and selfish pleasures, not realizing that this life is only a drop in the bucket when it comes to eternity. And, who now suffer forever the torture and agony of Hells fire. Even Christians some how fail to realize that we only have so much time to reach our relatives, our towns, and our world for Christ. Why do we waste so much time on things of no value, when the valuable things like God and souls get so little attention ?

How are you doing on your new year’s promises?

2009-01-31T22:34:00.000-08:00

The new year is upon us and the first month of 2009 is almost gone. How are you doing on your new year’s promises? Maybe it is that you promised the Lord that you would read your Bible this year. Are you on track? Maybe you promised to be faithful in attendance, praying, giving your tithe, or Faith Promise, etc. Have you been faithful? If you haven’t, don’t let a slow start keep you from redirecting your heart again toward obedience. Sometimes we get sidetracked, but when we do, remember your promise, confess your failure to the Lord and start again. Our God is a forgiving, and long suffering God, but He does not take lightly our vows. (Ecc. 5:5) “Better is it that thou should not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” So get up and start again!

Now that’s faith!

2009-01-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

As we continue our study on the “Obedience of Abraham,” we have learned over the past few weeks that we need faith to back up obedience. (Rom. 10:17) tells us that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Meaning that, we must fully believe God, before we will fully obey God. Abraham was so convinced in what God promised, that he took the very son that God gave him by promise, and was wiling to kill him in sacrifice just because God asked him to, “believing that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.” Now that’s faith! It’s easy to obey God when what He asks of us makes sense, but what about when it doesn’t? It didn’t make sense for God to kill Isaac when Abraham waited so long for him to be born, yet Abraham’s faith would have. Oh that we would have such faith, believing so strongly in God’s Word that all He commands of us, we will do. That was the mind set of Abraham, he was fully persuaded, and so must we, if we wish to see the miracles of God!

“Obedience of Abraham”

2009-01-14T19:01:00.000-08:00

As we continue our study on the “Obedience of Abraham,” we learn from the story of Isaac’s birth, how easy it is to jump ahead of God, and mess things up when we're impatient. Abraham was 75 yrs. Old when God called him out and promised him a son through Sarah, and he was 100 years old when Isaac (the promised son) was born. Abraham and Sarah had to wait 25 yrs. for God’s promise to come to pass, and so we too must learn to wait or we'll grow impatient with the time schedule of God also. God does not work according to our schedule, nor will he stop us if we decide to jump ahead of His. So beware, God has everything under control even if it looks like He doesn't. Abraham fathered Ishmael from his wife’s handmaiden, because Sarah and Abraham grew impatient, and look at the problems that one act of impatience had on the nation Israel and this world. Impossibilities, years of time, old age, disappointments, hard circumstances, etc., are no match for the miracle working power of God. What He promises, He will bring to pass in His time and in His way. So learn to wait patiently on God and His Word, and you will see them fulfilled every time.

Take An Inventory Of Our Spirituality

2009-01-06T18:24:00.000-08:00

As we embark upon another year, it’s always important to take an inventory of our spirituality. Spirituality is not measured by how many times in a week we pray, or by how many chapters a day we read, nor is it measured by how many souls we have one to the Lord. Spirituality is measured by the spiritual fruit in our life, and by our willingness to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. In (1 Cor. 2&3) the Apostle Paul explained to the Corinthian church, that the born again Christian, can be either “carnal” (controlled by the flesh), or ”spiritual,” (controlled by the Holy Spirit). Being carnal is certainly not a badge of honor, and yet that is precisely what many Christians have chosen to be in this life. 1) To be a "carnal Christian," a Christian has to choose to think like the world, because in (2:16) the Apostle Paul says that we should “have the mind of Christ.” My question is, how can somebody be truly saved and live like the world when they know it is definitely wrong? Saved people are the only people in this world that know exactly what is right and wrong, and what is not truth. So they are carnal by choice ! 2) The carnal Christian is also a “babe in Christ,” by choice (3:1). Carnal people choose not to follow God’s Word, nor do they take the time to read it themselves. Therefore their lifestyle and character are immature and they reflect the sinful ways of this world and not the godly character of Christ. But the cure is simple, simply repent of your sin, choose to read and follow God's Word, but also choose to surrender yourself to walk in and with the Holy Spirit.

It’s Jesus’ birthday not ours

2008-12-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

Another Christmas is now upon us, and if you’re like everybody else you have been busy shopping and preparing for a nice family Christmas. This past fall, Diane and I were given a DVD set of the early years of the TV program “Little House On The Prairie.” Recently, as we watched the early episodes it brought back so many memories of watching the show together with my children. I had forgotten how well the program depicted the life and struggles of the early pioneers, and how even though they had none of the modern luxuries we have today, nor the lifestyle, their spirit was much more appreciative. Even at Christmas time when they had little, there words were,“ after all it’s Jesus’ birthday not ours.” They were satisfied with just a warm fire, food, family, health, and the safety of a roof over their heads. As I watched it hit me, just how far I have grown away from appreciating the basic things that God has given me. Oh that we all have that attitude again, and remember that Christmas isn’t about us, it’s about the greatest gift that you and I could ever receive or share; Jesus! After all it’s his birthday not ours !

“Thanks”

2008-11-15T09:53:00.001-08:00

In a few weeks we will be celebrating “Thanksgiving” with our families. The true meaning of thanksgiving can be seen by simply looking at the two words that make it up. “Thanks” meaning to be thankful for, and “giving” meaning to be willing to share what we are thankful for. In the OT when the Jew was thankful to God, he would offer back to God the best of his flock, or his increase. So why should it be any different with us. Being thankful is a state of mind that appreciates all that God has given to us. It doesn't look at what it does not have, but rather appreciates all that it does have. As Christians we have been given so much in Christ Jesus. Take our salvation. We didn't earn it, or work for it, all we did was accept it as a gift. It was simply given, therefore why not share what we have been given with others. If we are truly thankful for it we will because it will be our gift back to God out of appreciation. In (Luke 17: 11-19) ten lepers were cleansed from their leprosy by Jesus. Though all 10 were cleansed only one had the true spirit of thanksgiving. He came back to Jesus and desired to follow. Why, because his new life was a gift! I wonder how many of us truly appreciate not only our salvation, but all that this new life has given to us. If you do, offer some of it to others, and be truly thankful !

The Rod Of Power

2008-11-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

Again this morning I’d like to challenge us all to Christian service. We have been called to serve, but how many of us have been discouraged do to some fear along the way. In (Ex. 3+4) Moses was called by God to lead the nation Israel out of Egypt, but do to fear he tried to back out four times. Last week we dealt with his first two fears or excuses; 1) unworthiness and 2) un-preparedness. It’s very common to fear God’s service, but unless we submit and go we will never see God’s miracles. This week let’s look at the last two fears or excuses of Moses. 3) uncertainty. No one knows the future, but God did when He told Moses to take his rod or staff with him into Egypt. Symbolically, that rod was Christ. The rod or power of Christ is a promise to each of us, that if we will just go and take Jesus with us people will believe and be saved, but if we fear to go and make excuses, they won’t. 4) Moses felt unable. Moses looked at his inability of speech, made it an excuse, and angered God by it. Be careful not to look at what little you can offer, more than what God can do with your little. When we go in the power of Christ, and with (Word of God) in our hand, it doesn’t matter how we speak as long as we just speak. It’s His power and His Word that convicts the unsaved, not our abilities. So stop looking at what you don’t have, and trust in what you do have; Christ and His Word!

We all have been saved to serve!

2008-11-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

This morning I’d like to challenge us as Christians to serve and not be afraid. We all have been saved to serve, but how many of us have quit because of some fear along the way? In (Ex. Chp. 3+4) Moses was called by God to lead the nation Israel out of Egypt, but do to different fears Moses tried to back out four times. Why ? 1) Moses felt unworthy. Now in the service of God this is not necessarily a bad thing, for there is no place in the service of God for high minded people, but this is still a dangerous fear . You see, God wants us to see that Moses wasn't chosen for his worthiness, but rather for God’s purpose. He wants us to see that He can use anyone. God could have done it Himself, but He chose rather to use a man named Moses as an example of a surrendered life. God enjoys taking a sinner and making him useful, or using the weak to bring about miracles. None of us are worthy, but all of us should be willing. 2) Moses felt unprepared. Now I’ll deal with the other two next week, but here I want you to see that even Moses felt unprepared to do such a job. And so will we without God's help. God told Moses “to go” and to trust in Him for the right words to say, but Moses still feared. Listen, fear always causes us to make excuses for what we know God wants us to do, but if our faith is solely in God nothing is impossible. So don't fear, stop making excuses, and trust in God's ability, and not yours!

“And it came to pass.”

2008-10-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

There are probably no more important words in the Bible then the words, “And it came to pass.” These words help teach us a lot about God; first of all that he always keeps His word, and secondly that He always has a time limit on whatever He does. Sometimes to us, God seems to take too long, or it may seem like He’s not listening, or that He doesn't care, when in reality He’s just waiting for the right moment to bring His perfect will to pass in our lives. The longer we are saved the more we understand that the silence of God does not mean abandonment, but rather wait. As we study the life of Joseph in the O.T. We see by example how God does bring things to pass, but only after His purpose and His time limit is up. Joseph was not ready at 17 to lead a nation of people, but at 30 he was prepared by many years of trials and much wisdom taught by experience. Some men have attributed the plan of God to an oven where God’s man is prepared over time by the heat of life, but always remember God’s oven has a timer . When we are ready, God will bring His perfect will to pass in our life. So, learn to be more patient with Him, and stop trying to run ahead. God’s will, will come to pass, it’s timed and it has an appointed end. So Wait!

The Building Of A Man For God Part 2

2008-09-21T00:42:00.000-07:00

In my series, “The Building Of A Man For God” (A study in the Life of Joseph), it’s interesting to note that God had has a purpose for all that Joseph went through. Sometimes when we are going through a specific trial we question whether or not God really knows what we are really going through, especially when the trial gets worse rather than better? From God’s perspective, Joseph went through exactly what he needed to be God’s leader; rejection, slavery, being falsely accused, and even prison. And so we ask, was all this necessary? In God’s eyes, yes! God never uses anyone until they are ready, and like Joseph we too are being prepared by every trial to be more useable for God. Why? 1) God desires to teach us faith. Because faith is needed to keep going when everything seems to be going wrong. 2) God desires to teach us patience. (Rom.5:3-5) tells us that “tribulation worketh patience.” Listen, waiting on God is a hard thing to learn, and our flesh doesn’t want to wait when in a trial, but God knows that with each trial comes the valuable experience of learning to trust God more. 3) God desires to grow godly character in us. Joseph knew to run from lust, even when it cost him position, power, and finances. God places each of us in situations to test us spiritually on what we believe mentally. Godliness isn’t just knowing God’s Word, but rather it’s faithfully practicing God's Word in every situation and test!

Building Of A Man For God.

2008-09-14T00:00:00.001-07:00

I will be preaching a series over the next three weeks on the “Building Of A Man For God.” It will be a series out of the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Like Joseph, we too need to be prepared and strengthened by trial before we can be used of God. God must strip us of our pride, selfishness, and personal will, before we can be of any use to Him. We like Joseph might not see the purpose or reasoning behind the trials that God puts us through in life, but we can remain confident in the fact that God has a greater purpose for it all in the end. I am always reminded of (Rom. 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Sometimes we convince ourselves because we are saved, that only good things are supposed to happen to us, but God knows and He wants us all to know that we cannot be strengthened without the spiritual exercise of faith. So God uses everything, our past sins, our present trials and blessings, all of it, to work out His perfect will for our good and His glory. Like Joseph God has a plan for your life, so stop questioning why and start asking God for the wisdom to use it all for good.

Are you ready?

2008-09-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

I trust that you have benefited from this series in (2 Peter), and as I conclude this series it’s encouraging to remind ourselves that although many men follow the way of false teachers and scoffers in our day, there are still those who follow the way of truth. Today, I would like to preach on the subject of the “Rapture of the church.” In (2 Peter 3:4) the Bible tells us that the scoffer will also attack the doctrine of the second coming of Jesus Christ, Saying, "where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” It’s easy to think that we have a lot of time until the 2^nd return of Jesus Christ, but no one really knows for sure. The world doesn't seem too worried, in fact many people are increasingly becoming even more bold in their sin, but does that change the promise of Jesus to come again? In fact it’s even more proof that our time is very short. Remember, God is not on our time schedule, and “The lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;…But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;..” There will come a day when the Church of God will be taken home to heaven with those who have died before, and both their bodies and ours will be fashioned like the resurrected body of our Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:21). So be ready, for he will return quickly and without warning. The question is, Are you ready?

Beware of False Teachers Part 2

2008-08-24T23:33:00.000-07:00

I’ve been preaching over the past few weeks about false teachers and how their teachings enter our minds, and churches secretly. Today I will be preaching on the “scoffer.” A scoffer is someone who mocks and ridicules the truth found in the Word of God. In other words it’s someone who does not believe the Bible to be inerrant, but rather just another book of facts and proverbs. In (2 Peter 3), Peter exhorts the church to be aware of what the Bible teaches so that our faith will stand not in the wisdom of men but rather in the truth of God. You see the promises of God are not bound by our time schedule but rather God’s Word. Scoffers laugh and mock at the Word of God because it cannot be proved right now, and because God is not someone who can be dissected and figured out scientifically. Peter reminds us that God’s promises have always come true in the past, and there is no reason to doubt that they will come true in the future. Our faith is not based on sight, nor on the here and now, but rather on simply taking God at His Word. A scoffer cannot except this, and so he/she looks to find ways to disprove the Bible even if they have to interpret the way they want. “beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own steadfastness”