God is aware that sometimes we struggle, feeling
divided in mind and heart. One part of us wants to believe that worldly
pleasures are the paths to happiness. But the other part knows that true
joy is found only in following Him.
God is not forcing us to do things His way. He is holding out His hand
to help us walk in the way that leads to life. With our hand in
His......
we will have the strength to turn away from the distractions and
temptations of the world.
God desires to lead us to a life of peace and joy. He wants to give us
patience and goodness, and enable us to be kind and faithful. He longs
to lead us in love. Why not hold His hand and walk with Him to lead you
on the best path in your life?
Galatians 5:13-26
13 For,
brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an
occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For
the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:
and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the
things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell
you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
My Father
I'm not writing this for pity....I know there is those that had it worse than me.....but I've been asked several times this week about my father cause I never talk about him and ignore the very subject....well, here's why.
My childhood seemed pretty good till as I got a little older I realized my dad was a drunk and a woman beater. He gambled and or drank all the time. Don't get me wrong,we never went without for the essential things. I was forced to do things that I did not want to do ..not because I was a spoiled brat but rather he enjoyed making me and watching me do those things as he set back getting drunk and making rude hateful jokes about me. My mom was quite the church goer and faithful. But my dad was the total opposite. He would beat her simply for going to church just about every time she came home. I can remember several times he would be waiting in the driveway as we were pulling up. I finally had enough one night when I walked out onto my grandpas porch and saw him dragging her thru the gravel face first. I went out as a 12 year old kid and laid a 2x4 across the back of his neck. Well, from that point my mom finally left him for good and I was hated by him and dis-owned. I would later go back to visit with my grandfather and grandmother before they died.....my father would show up and he would immediately start something. Later in years I tried to reconcile with him after my daughter was born. I took her to see him and we wasn't there 5 minutes and he started again being argumentative and saying that my daughter was probably some other mans kid. I walked away that day for good, not just from his place but his life also. It was a couple years later he passed away due to pneumonia...but he went the way he said he wanted to go....beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. So you see I had no father to look up to or confide in.
Now I did choose to let his life influence me in many ways daily!! His influence was that I would never live my life or my fatherhood mistreating and hating people, especially children. Instead,today, I long to reach out to those and show them.......that just because you come from an abusive home you don't have to turn out that way......but you can choose to be a person that rises above and help hurting kids as I try to do.
My childhood seemed pretty good till as I got a little older I realized my dad was a drunk and a woman beater. He gambled and or drank all the time. Don't get me wrong,we never went without for the essential things. I was forced to do things that I did not want to do ..not because I was a spoiled brat but rather he enjoyed making me and watching me do those things as he set back getting drunk and making rude hateful jokes about me. My mom was quite the church goer and faithful. But my dad was the total opposite. He would beat her simply for going to church just about every time she came home. I can remember several times he would be waiting in the driveway as we were pulling up. I finally had enough one night when I walked out onto my grandpas porch and saw him dragging her thru the gravel face first. I went out as a 12 year old kid and laid a 2x4 across the back of his neck. Well, from that point my mom finally left him for good and I was hated by him and dis-owned. I would later go back to visit with my grandfather and grandmother before they died.....my father would show up and he would immediately start something. Later in years I tried to reconcile with him after my daughter was born. I took her to see him and we wasn't there 5 minutes and he started again being argumentative and saying that my daughter was probably some other mans kid. I walked away that day for good, not just from his place but his life also. It was a couple years later he passed away due to pneumonia...but he went the way he said he wanted to go....beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. So you see I had no father to look up to or confide in.
Now I did choose to let his life influence me in many ways daily!! His influence was that I would never live my life or my fatherhood mistreating and hating people, especially children. Instead,today, I long to reach out to those and show them.......that just because you come from an abusive home you don't have to turn out that way......but you can choose to be a person that rises above and help hurting kids as I try to do.
Hell is for SISSIES
What happened to all the REAL men and women of America and the Church?? It seems now that we are just a bunch of Sissies in the Church and America....No longer do we have real men and women!!
In reality we have become a society of Sissies.....We are surrounded every day by those we elected that are too afraid to stand up for what’s right and try to influence change. If it's not politically correct we shun it and even come up with a compromise. President Obama is a coward and we as America.....have allowed his cowardliness to influence us. It is the same in the religious world. Feel good sermons.....watered down salvation and touchy feely services seem to be the trend of the day.
We've had 6 foot icicles in power for too long and 6 foot icicles pastoring and leading our churches too long....these 2 together is the reason America is in the shape it is today!!
America is going to hell in a hand basket on a greased pole!! But I say hell is for SISSIES!!! Stand strong and proud America....Stand strong and proud Church!!
Revelation 6:17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
I guarantee it won't be a bunch of SISSIES standing!! #StandStrongAmerica #StandStrongChurch #StandStrongPastors #StandStrongSpiritualLeaders #StandStrongChristians #HellisforSISSIES !!
I guarantee it won't be a bunch of SISSIES standing!! #StandStrongAmerica #StandStrongChurch #StandStrongPastors #StandStrongSpiritualLeaders #StandStrongChristians #HellisforSISSIES !!
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
"Separation doesn't mean Isolation"
"Separation doesn't mean Isolation"
2 Cor 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked (not to be bound together) together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? {15} And what CONCORD (agreement) hath Christ with Belial (worthlessness)? or what PART hath he that believeth with an infidel (unbeliever)? {16} And what AGREEMENT hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore COME OUT from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and TOUCH NOT the unclean thing; and I will receive you, {18} And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
(7:1) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting (fine tune, make something completely free from faults or defects, or as close to such a condition) holiness in the fear of God.
It's not a welcomed message. But…
We need Separation
To obey God and
To be God's people with a testimony.
A child of God and an unbeliever cannot unite in a common purpose. When we are not separated it will hinder us in our fellowship and worship.
The separation we are talking about doesn't mean isolation…..seperation starts.......with our relationship with God.
Will we obey Him?
(1 Pet 1:16) …Be ye holy; for I am holy.
"Be ye". God commands us…
To live a separated life
To stand for what is right.
(Phil 2:5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. God deserves…
Our attention, Our devotion, Our love, Our will.
Our worship is a separation.
As Christians we want… Our lives…
To be on the altar of worship unto Him.
We want…To please God & To serve God .
To please God - in how we live and act
To follow His plan for our lives.
2 Thess. 3:6 tells us of some believers walking "disorderly". It's a military term - they don't keep order, they march out of line, out of step, out of place. They neglect their duty and obligations.
It is the opposite of SUBMISSION (Eph 5:21) Submitting to one another .....
As believers we are called to bow to
God and His Word, to His authority.
Our relationship with God also impacts on…
our relationship with the world.
The god of this world,satan, has blinded the minds of them which believe not (2 Cor. 4:4).
Separated from the world, but we aren't isolated from it.
We must reach out to the lost help them to be saved. We love the sinner but hate the sin.
Real Christians are IN the world but not OF the world.
Jesus says, (Jn 15:19) ...ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
We are urged to… (1 John 2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
We are not to conform (comply) to this world (Rom. 12:1-2).
Beware of compromise… it can happen in stages…
Friendship with the world (James 4:4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity (hatred) with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Loving the world - pleasure of sin for a season
Being conformed to the world - Going right along
with it.
2 Cor 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked (not to be bound together) together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? {15} And what CONCORD (agreement) hath Christ with Belial (worthlessness)? or what PART hath he that believeth with an infidel (unbeliever)? {16} And what AGREEMENT hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore COME OUT from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and TOUCH NOT the unclean thing; and I will receive you, {18} And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
(7:1) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting (fine tune, make something completely free from faults or defects, or as close to such a condition) holiness in the fear of God.
It's not a welcomed message. But…
We need Separation
To obey God and
To be God's people with a testimony.
A child of God and an unbeliever cannot unite in a common purpose. When we are not separated it will hinder us in our fellowship and worship.
The separation we are talking about doesn't mean isolation…..seperation starts.......with our relationship with God.
Will we obey Him?
(1 Pet 1:16) …Be ye holy; for I am holy.
"Be ye". God commands us…
To live a separated life
To stand for what is right.
(Phil 2:5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. God deserves…
Our attention, Our devotion, Our love, Our will.
Our worship is a separation.
As Christians we want… Our lives…
To be on the altar of worship unto Him.
We want…To please God & To serve God .
To please God - in how we live and act
To follow His plan for our lives.
2 Thess. 3:6 tells us of some believers walking "disorderly". It's a military term - they don't keep order, they march out of line, out of step, out of place. They neglect their duty and obligations.
It is the opposite of SUBMISSION (Eph 5:21) Submitting to one another .....
As believers we are called to bow to
God and His Word, to His authority.
Our relationship with God also impacts on…
our relationship with the world.
The god of this world,satan, has blinded the minds of them which believe not (2 Cor. 4:4).
Separated from the world, but we aren't isolated from it.
We must reach out to the lost help them to be saved. We love the sinner but hate the sin.
Real Christians are IN the world but not OF the world.
Jesus says, (Jn 15:19) ...ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
We are urged to… (1 John 2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
We are not to conform (comply) to this world (Rom. 12:1-2).
Beware of compromise… it can happen in stages…
Friendship with the world (James 4:4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity (hatred) with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Loving the world - pleasure of sin for a season
Being conformed to the world - Going right along
with it.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
"The Ultimate Gift,The Gift Above The Tree"
"The Ultimate Gift,The Gift Above The Tree"
What does this mean? Well, This Gift has a Gift for you!
1. This Gift wants to forgive you of everything you've done wrong.
2. This Gift wants to give you a pupose and power to live today.
3. This Gift wants to give you security of knowing that you have a home in Heaven.
You will never receive a better Gift! Forgiveness,Help and Security....That's Salvation!
You need to seek the truth and then you need to experience the JOY and realize that God has "The Ultimate Gift" for you.
John 10: 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
God gave us "The Gift Above The Tree"
Now, I challenge you today to give your Gift to Him. You may say what in the world could i give God?
You could give Him your life that's the Gift He desires from you.
Before there was a Death,Burial and Ressurection there had to be a Birth! So we celebrate at Christmas time the Birth of The Greatest Gift we can ever receive, JESUS CHRIST! So remeber the real meaning of Christmas is not the gifts under the tree but its "The Gift Above The Tree"
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
"BROKEN THINGS"
"BROKEN THINGS"
Psalms 51:7-10,17
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise
Have you ever broken something?
All of us have…when we break things,we through them away,cuz we find them useless. God majors in finding “broken things” useful.
Isaiah 55:8 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
I am glad that God’s ways are better than man’s ways…Man looks down on those who are broken, infirmed, or less than perfect.
But with God…Notice the “broken things” that God finds satisfying – “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart…” (Psalms 51:17)
Before God can save, one must find himself “Broken”
Before God can use the saint, the saint must be “Broken”
Gideon’s Broken Things (Judges 6:36-7:22)
Jesus Fed 5,000 with Broken Loaves (Mark 6:32-44)
Mary’s Broken Alabaster Box (Mark 14:3-9)
Jesus Instituted The Lord’s Supper by Breaking Bread (Luke 22)
verse 19, Jesus blessed the bread and broke it saying, “This is my body which is given for you: This do in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 10:16 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”
1 Corinthians 11:24 “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Jesus had to be “BROKEN” (Romans 15:3-4; Galatians 4:4; John 19:31-37)
3 Simple Principles about Broken Things
Sinners Cannot Be Saved Until They Are Broken
Saints Cannot Be Used Until They Are Broken
Only Jesus Christ Can Heal Broken Lives (Luke 4:18)
The Right Way To Worship
Ain't it amazing how differently people worship? Some are loud and expressive. Some are quiet and solemn. Some kneel, some stand the whole service, some dance, others just sit. Some sing praise songs, others sing hymns, others sing only psalms. Some read their prayers, others write their prayers, others tell God whatever pops into their minds at the moment, others speak in unknown tongues. Some take Communion every week, others once a month, or even less often. Some worship in beautiful church buildings, others in storefronts, others in homes. For some, preaching is the center of worship, for others it's only a minor part.
Are there right and wrong ways to worship? Certainly. But what makes worship right or wrong is not your posture, your music, or whether you raise your hands, clap your hands, or fold your hands. When a woman asked Jesus about different ways of worshiping, Jesus replied, "A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23, NIV).
Worshiping "in spirit" means that you mean it, that you're worshiping inside out, not just going through the motions.
Worshiping "in truth" means that you're worshiping the true God and not some idol you've created. And it means you're being truthful with your words and thoughts that you bring to worship, you're not trying to put on a religious act to impress someone.
There are several keys that are important in worship
1) Praise.
Giving honor and glory to God with words, songs or signing.
2) Confession.
Worship means acknowledging who God is (holy and good) and who we are (not so holy and not so good) in relation to him. This means admitting and confessing our sin, and accepting God's forgiveness.
3) Prayer.
In worship, we speak directly to God about what's on our minds (our needs and the needs of others) and what's on God's mind (his desire for love and redemption in the world).
4) Hearing God's Word.
This means reading the Scripture. It also means listening for what God is saying to you through the music, the sermon and everything that happens in worship.
5) Remembering Christ's sacrifice.
This is most clearly done by taking Communion. Thinking about how God saved us from sin is at the very center of our worship.
6) Responding to God's love.
Worship doesn't end when the service is over. Worship means we leave the service so aware of God's greatness that we find ways to obey and honor and serve him throughout the week.
Are there right and wrong ways to worship? Certainly. But what makes worship right or wrong is not your posture, your music, or whether you raise your hands, clap your hands, or fold your hands. When a woman asked Jesus about different ways of worshiping, Jesus replied, "A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23, NIV).
Worshiping "in spirit" means that you mean it, that you're worshiping inside out, not just going through the motions.
Worshiping "in truth" means that you're worshiping the true God and not some idol you've created. And it means you're being truthful with your words and thoughts that you bring to worship, you're not trying to put on a religious act to impress someone.
There are several keys that are important in worship
1) Praise.
Giving honor and glory to God with words, songs or signing.
2) Confession.
Worship means acknowledging who God is (holy and good) and who we are (not so holy and not so good) in relation to him. This means admitting and confessing our sin, and accepting God's forgiveness.
3) Prayer.
In worship, we speak directly to God about what's on our minds (our needs and the needs of others) and what's on God's mind (his desire for love and redemption in the world).
4) Hearing God's Word.
This means reading the Scripture. It also means listening for what God is saying to you through the music, the sermon and everything that happens in worship.
5) Remembering Christ's sacrifice.
This is most clearly done by taking Communion. Thinking about how God saved us from sin is at the very center of our worship.
6) Responding to God's love.
Worship doesn't end when the service is over. Worship means we leave the service so aware of God's greatness that we find ways to obey and honor and serve him throughout the week.
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