Fulfilling God’s Purpose requires...
(1) OUR RESPONSE.....God does not say to you.....I'll show you my will
and then you can decide if it is good or bad.
When God speaks His will...it is not for us to talk about it....discuss
it or bring it up to the board meeting and vote on it.
God reveals His will it is for man to obey. We are called to RESPOND!!
(2) OUR INVOLVEMENT....God’s purpose will not be fulfilled accidentally.
Nothing is automatic. If you do nothing.....nothing will happen. We are
to be very involved in the fulfilment of God’s will. It takes
INVOLVEMENT!!
(3) OUR FAITH.....If your heart is right....focused on God and in line
with His purposes... you can run into the battlefield with a
sling...like David.
You can step into the Red Sea with a rod...like Moses. You can bring
down the walls of Jericho with a shout.....like Israel.
The problem will not be a problem. Faith is the issue!!
Watch your heart. WHO are you really trusting? It takes FAITH!!
(4) OUR UNITY......John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may
be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent
me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Unity is strength....no doubt. But here unity is also a WITNESS.
Unity was the key to the success of Israel’s mission....it is also the
key to our effective witness for Jesus Christ on earth.
We are in this together......for God’s glory and to fulfill His will.
The church will succeed because God is present and He has made His
promise.
It takes UNITY!!
#OUR RESPONSE
#OURINVOLVEMENT
#OURFAITH
#OURUNITY
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
The Empty Chair
A man’s daughter had asked the local minister to come
and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he
found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on
two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed.The minister
assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.
I guess you were expecting me, he said. ’No, who are you?"
said the father. The minister told him his name and then
remarked, I saw the empty chair an! d I figured you knew I> was going to show up," Oh yeah, the chair,"said the bed
ridden man.
Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister
shut the door. I have never told anyone this, not even my
daughter," said the man. But all of my life I have never
known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor
talk about prayer, But it went right over my head." I
abandoned any attempt at prayer, "the old man continued,
until one day four years ago, A friend of mine said to me,
Johnny, prayer is just a simple matterof having a conversation
with Jesus. Here is what I suggest." Sit down in a chair;
place an empty chair in front of you,and in faith see Jesus
on the chair. It’s not spooky because he promised, I will be
with you always’.
Then just speak to him in the same way you’re doing with me
right now." So, I tried ! it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it
a couple of hours every day. I’m careful though. If my daughter
saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous
breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged
the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with
him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.
Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her
daddy had died that afternoon. "Did he die in peace?" he asked.
Yes, when I left the house about two o’clock, he called me over
to his bedside, told me how much he loved me and kissed me
on the cheek.
When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead.
But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just
before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on ! the chair
beside the bed.What do you make of that? The minister wiped a tear
from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."
"The Man in the Mirror"
After being away on business, a man thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift. “How about some perfume?” he asked the cosmetics clerk.She showed him a bottle costing $50.00. “That’s a bit much,” he said, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30.00. “That’s still quite a bit,” he complained. Growing annoyed, the clerk brought out a tiny $15.00 bottle. “You know,” he said, “What I mean is that I’d like to see something really cheap.” The clerk handed him a mirror!
But on a more serious note, when we look in the mirror, who do we see? Do we see more of Jesus, or more of us?
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
When we look in the mirror, God doesn’t want us to see what we see with our natural eyes. Because what we see in the natural, is the drama of life, the strife around the world, the day to day going on’s around us. You see, in the natural you may be sick, weak, broke and depressed, yet God wants you to see yourself the way He sees you.... healed, strong, blessed and whole because Christ is in you. But you must make that change! If your going to change things, "you" must do something about you. If you don’t put any effort, nothing will happen. If you don’t start making changes, nothing will change. God doesn’t see our imperfections, they were washed in the blood, cleansed forever, never to be remembered again. So, when we look in the mirror, we should see the same thing God sees, His Righteousness, living in us! The late Michael Jackson sang a song that got the whole worlds attention.............I'm starting with the man in the mirror I'm asking him to change his ways And no message could have been any clearer If you want to make the world a better place Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.........
It's true, it all starts with the man in the mirror, But quickly becomes about Jesus, who lives in the heart of the man, or women in the mirror. Are you seeing His reflection in the mirror today, instead of your own? Start to see, what God sees, believe that He wants His very best for you in your life..... get ready and expect it to happen as you do!
But on a more serious note, when we look in the mirror, who do we see? Do we see more of Jesus, or more of us?
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
When we look in the mirror, God doesn’t want us to see what we see with our natural eyes. Because what we see in the natural, is the drama of life, the strife around the world, the day to day going on’s around us. You see, in the natural you may be sick, weak, broke and depressed, yet God wants you to see yourself the way He sees you.... healed, strong, blessed and whole because Christ is in you. But you must make that change! If your going to change things, "you" must do something about you. If you don’t put any effort, nothing will happen. If you don’t start making changes, nothing will change. God doesn’t see our imperfections, they were washed in the blood, cleansed forever, never to be remembered again. So, when we look in the mirror, we should see the same thing God sees, His Righteousness, living in us! The late Michael Jackson sang a song that got the whole worlds attention.............I'm starting with the man in the mirror I'm asking him to change his ways And no message could have been any clearer If you want to make the world a better place Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.........
It's true, it all starts with the man in the mirror, But quickly becomes about Jesus, who lives in the heart of the man, or women in the mirror. Are you seeing His reflection in the mirror today, instead of your own? Start to see, what God sees, believe that He wants His very best for you in your life..... get ready and expect it to happen as you do!
Is it well with my soul?
George W. Truett, a well-known Texas preacher, was
invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy oilman. After the meal,
the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the
surrounding area.
Pointing to the oil wells and punctuating the landscape, he boasted,
"Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. Now, as far as you can see, it’s
all mine." Looking in the opposite direction at his sprawling fields of
grain, he said, "That’s all mine." Turning east toward huge herds of
cattle, he bragged, "They’re all mine." Then pointing to the west and a
beautiful forest, he exclaimed, "That too is all mine."
He paused, expecting Dr. Truett to compliment him on his great success.
Truett, however, placing one hand on the man’s shoulder and pointing
heavenward with the other, simply said, "How much do you have in that
direction?"
#Isitwellwithmysoul?
#Isitwellwithmysoul?
Hebrews 10:25
Seeing a lot of post the last couple days calling out today's church being so judgmental...which I do not disagree with!!
But the comments under this post is what has me worried!! Many say they haven't been to church or have no desire to go to church because of hypocritical people in the church.
How many judgmental people are at your work? Do you still go to work every day? Most cases 40 or more hours per week and you are there faithfully!! Going to church with judgmental people usually is only about 6-9 hours per week!!
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together......
**Whether the church meets in a building that's designated as the church building or meets in someone's home it's still assembling yourself together.** and we should not forsake it!!
What if God looked at you with the same attitude? Look at that hypocrite over there, I'm not going where they go to church at!! I'm not gonna be at their workplace....I'm not gonna hang out at the mall with them, I'm not gonna go to their family functions, I'm not gonna watch over them!! Why? Cause they are hypocrites!!!
To be honest I'm sure He could look down on most of us, if not all of us and say....what a hypocrite!! But He doesn't!! He looks down with mercy and says I'm going to give you another chance because I love you!!
You think you too good (Holy) to be in church with hypocrites??
Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
(NLT) Yet they say to each other, 'Don't come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you!' These people are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away.
Btw: I'd rather be in a house of hypocrites worshiping God than to be sitting at home complaining about this church and that church being filled with hypocrites.
How many judgmental people are at your work? Do you still go to work every day? Most cases 40 or more hours per week and you are there faithfully!! Going to church with judgmental people usually is only about 6-9 hours per week!!
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together......
**Whether the church meets in a building that's designated as the church building or meets in someone's home it's still assembling yourself together.** and we should not forsake it!!
What if God looked at you with the same attitude? Look at that hypocrite over there, I'm not going where they go to church at!! I'm not gonna be at their workplace....I'm not gonna hang out at the mall with them, I'm not gonna go to their family functions, I'm not gonna watch over them!! Why? Cause they are hypocrites!!!
To be honest I'm sure He could look down on most of us, if not all of us and say....what a hypocrite!! But He doesn't!! He looks down with mercy and says I'm going to give you another chance because I love you!!
You think you too good (Holy) to be in church with hypocrites??
Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
(NLT) Yet they say to each other, 'Don't come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you!' These people are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away.
Btw: I'd rather be in a house of hypocrites worshiping God than to be sitting at home complaining about this church and that church being filled with hypocrites.
Hypocrites in the Church
Yes....I know that there are hypocrites in the
church, and yes....I know that there are people who don’t go to church
who live better lives than some people who do go to church!!
But don’t judge the tree by a few bad apples!
*********************************************************************
Here's a story about a preacher who visited a farmer to invite him to
church. The farmer said, "Well, I’m never coming to your church,
Preacher." The preacher said, "Why not?" * The farmer said,
"Because I know some of the members of your church & I live a lot
better than they do."
Sometime later, the preacher bought a pig from the farmer. He said, "I
want you to sell me the smallest, ugliest, sickliest pig that you’ve
got."
Well, the farmer, amazed, gave him exactly what he asked for. After he
paid for it, he said to the farmer, "I’m going to take this sick, small,
ugly pig to everybody in the community and tell them that I bought it
from you."
The farmer said, "Now Preacher, that’s not fair, I’ve got a lot of hogs
that are nicer and bigger and fatter than that hog."
The preacher said, "Buddy, if it’s fair for the church, it’s fair for
the hogs!"
*The Dangers of A Sleeping Church*
Acts 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of
unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we
abode seven days.
7 And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing [him] said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WHO HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES TO THE THINGS OF THE LORD. AS A RESULT.....THE BLESSINGS OF GOD HAVE SLIPPED RIGHT PAST THEM AS THEY SLEEP THROUGH LIFE. IN OTHER WORDS.....THEY HAVE BEEN HYPNOTIZED BY THE LURING POWERS OF THE WORLD AND HAVE CONSIDERED *THE GOOD LIFE* TO BE NOTHING BUT A DREAM. BUT LET ME SAY.....THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND THE BLESSINGS THAT COME OUR WAY ARE NOT A PART OF SOME SUPERNATURAL DREAM. GOD REALLY DOES BLESS THOSE WHO SEEK A BLESSING.
THERE ARE MANY CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE BEEN SLEEP WALKING THROUGH CHRISTIANITY. WHEN TIME COMES FOR GOD’S PEOPLE TO STAND UP AND FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.....MANY CHRISTIANS FALL ASLEEP AND MISS OUT ON THE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM BEING A FAITHFUL SOLDIER OF THE LORD.
FOR EXAMPLE.....
1. GOD’S PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING WHEN ONE WOMAN....WHO BY THE WAY WAS VERY MUCH AWAKE.....SINGLE HANDLY REMOVED THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER FROM THE SCHOOLS.
2. THOUSANDS OF UNBORN BABIES ARE MURDERED EVERY DAY BECAUSE GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO SLEEP.
3. THE ONLY PEOPLE STANDING UP TO FIGHT THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS ARE THIS GROUP AND THESE GROUPS AND POLITICIANS....BUT THE CHURCH HAS GONE NIGHT NIGHT.
4. GODS PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING WHEN THE SUPREME COURT MADE ITS RULING TO LEGALIZE SAME SEX MARRIAGE THIS PAST FRIDAY.
Why is America in the shape it's in? Look no further than the church.....
I blame the church!! Every denomination, fellowship, organization and every belief!!
Much of today's ministry is all about money.....success and popularity. Your spirituality is judged by how big your house is....the size of your bank account or what kind of car you drive. That's why America is in the shape it's in today!! There is more tolerated sin in the church than ever. The pulpits have gutless pastors (I call 6ft icicles) who are more concerned about getting a steady paycheck or getting bigger tithe payers and being liked rather than being ran out of the church for preaching holiness and separation.
Even through all this garbage....GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL !! What a gracious and merciful God!!
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
THE BIBLE TELLS US.....THAT THE SAME POWER THAT RAISED UP JESUS FROM THE DEAD LIVES INSIDE OF US. WE OUGHT TO BE SETTING MATTERS IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE...COURTHOUSE.....AND THE WHITE HOUSE.
*The Dangers of A Sleeping Church*
I. THE CAUSE FOR HIS FALLING ASLEEP
A. HE WAS CARELESS........
.......IN HIS COMPANY
*PS. 1:1-2 BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY, NOR STANDETH IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, NOR SITTETH IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL. (2) BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD: AND IN HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT.
......IN HIS CARES OF THIS LIFE
a. HE THOUGHT MORE OF THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD MORE THAN THE THINGS OF GOD.
......IN HIS CARELESS ATTENDANCE
a. HE WAS GOING OUT MORE THAN COMING IN. (GOD’S HOUSE, GOD’S WORK)
II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS FALLING
ASLEEP
A. THERE WAS PAIN (VS. 9)
1. THERE IS PAIN WHEN YOU GET OUT OF
GOD’S WILL.
2. FAMILY PAIN
3. CHURCH PAIN
B. PUBLIC WORSHIP WAS DISRUPTED.
III. NOTICE SOME THINGS THAT EUTYCHUS LOST BY FALLING ASLEEP.
A. HE LOST PREPARATION (VS.7)
1.WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND GET PREPARED FOR THE BATTLE.
a. PRAY
b. STUDY
B. HE LOST OUT ON GOD’S MESSAGE (VS.9)
1. SOME CHRISTIANS JUST DON’T GET IT .
(PREACH TO YOUR BLUE AND THEY STILL WANT GET IT.)
2.GOD’S GOT SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US. BUT IF WE SLEEP WE MISS OUT ON IT.
C. HE LOST HIS LIFE.
1. MANY WILL LOSE THEIR LIFE AND DIE AND
GO TO HELL BECAUSE THEY HAVE SLEPT
WHEN GOD WAS TRYING TO GIVE THEM
THE MESSAGE.
2. HOW MANY HAVE LOST THEIR LIFE
BECAUSE GOD’S PEOPLE WERE ASLEEP
WHEN GOD WAS GIVING THE MESSAGE?
BBE Acts20:10 And Paul went down and, falling on him, took him in his arms and said, Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.
11 And when he had gone up, and had taken the broken bread, he went on talking to them for a long time, even till dawn, and then he went away.
12 And they took the boy in, living, and were greatly comforted.
It is our turn to bless America. It's our turn to do something good for America. God has and still is blessing America.
But we need to do our part to bless America!
We can do many good things. We can be good citizens...vote...be patriotic....salute the flag...sing the national anthem.Show kindness to everyone.
1 Timothy 2:1-6
Paul gives us some specific things we can do to bless America. They are......
1. We must pray for everyone.
2. We must live Godly.
3. We must evangelize.
#ItsOurTurn 2 #BlessAmerica
7 And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing [him] said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WHO HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES TO THE THINGS OF THE LORD. AS A RESULT.....THE BLESSINGS OF GOD HAVE SLIPPED RIGHT PAST THEM AS THEY SLEEP THROUGH LIFE. IN OTHER WORDS.....THEY HAVE BEEN HYPNOTIZED BY THE LURING POWERS OF THE WORLD AND HAVE CONSIDERED *THE GOOD LIFE* TO BE NOTHING BUT A DREAM. BUT LET ME SAY.....THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND THE BLESSINGS THAT COME OUR WAY ARE NOT A PART OF SOME SUPERNATURAL DREAM. GOD REALLY DOES BLESS THOSE WHO SEEK A BLESSING.
THERE ARE MANY CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE BEEN SLEEP WALKING THROUGH CHRISTIANITY. WHEN TIME COMES FOR GOD’S PEOPLE TO STAND UP AND FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.....MANY CHRISTIANS FALL ASLEEP AND MISS OUT ON THE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM BEING A FAITHFUL SOLDIER OF THE LORD.
FOR EXAMPLE.....
1. GOD’S PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING WHEN ONE WOMAN....WHO BY THE WAY WAS VERY MUCH AWAKE.....SINGLE HANDLY REMOVED THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER FROM THE SCHOOLS.
2. THOUSANDS OF UNBORN BABIES ARE MURDERED EVERY DAY BECAUSE GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO SLEEP.
3. THE ONLY PEOPLE STANDING UP TO FIGHT THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS ARE THIS GROUP AND THESE GROUPS AND POLITICIANS....BUT THE CHURCH HAS GONE NIGHT NIGHT.
4. GODS PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING WHEN THE SUPREME COURT MADE ITS RULING TO LEGALIZE SAME SEX MARRIAGE THIS PAST FRIDAY.
Why is America in the shape it's in? Look no further than the church.....
I blame the church!! Every denomination, fellowship, organization and every belief!!
Much of today's ministry is all about money.....success and popularity. Your spirituality is judged by how big your house is....the size of your bank account or what kind of car you drive. That's why America is in the shape it's in today!! There is more tolerated sin in the church than ever. The pulpits have gutless pastors (I call 6ft icicles) who are more concerned about getting a steady paycheck or getting bigger tithe payers and being liked rather than being ran out of the church for preaching holiness and separation.
Even through all this garbage....GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL !! What a gracious and merciful God!!
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
THE BIBLE TELLS US.....THAT THE SAME POWER THAT RAISED UP JESUS FROM THE DEAD LIVES INSIDE OF US. WE OUGHT TO BE SETTING MATTERS IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE...COURTHOUSE.....AND THE WHITE HOUSE.
*The Dangers of A Sleeping Church*
I. THE CAUSE FOR HIS FALLING ASLEEP
A. HE WAS CARELESS........
.......IN HIS COMPANY
*PS. 1:1-2 BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY, NOR STANDETH IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, NOR SITTETH IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL. (2) BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD: AND IN HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT.
......IN HIS CARES OF THIS LIFE
a. HE THOUGHT MORE OF THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD MORE THAN THE THINGS OF GOD.
......IN HIS CARELESS ATTENDANCE
a. HE WAS GOING OUT MORE THAN COMING IN. (GOD’S HOUSE, GOD’S WORK)
II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS FALLING
ASLEEP
A. THERE WAS PAIN (VS. 9)
1. THERE IS PAIN WHEN YOU GET OUT OF
GOD’S WILL.
2. FAMILY PAIN
3. CHURCH PAIN
B. PUBLIC WORSHIP WAS DISRUPTED.
III. NOTICE SOME THINGS THAT EUTYCHUS LOST BY FALLING ASLEEP.
A. HE LOST PREPARATION (VS.7)
1.WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND GET PREPARED FOR THE BATTLE.
a. PRAY
b. STUDY
B. HE LOST OUT ON GOD’S MESSAGE (VS.9)
1. SOME CHRISTIANS JUST DON’T GET IT .
(PREACH TO YOUR BLUE AND THEY STILL WANT GET IT.)
2.GOD’S GOT SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US. BUT IF WE SLEEP WE MISS OUT ON IT.
C. HE LOST HIS LIFE.
1. MANY WILL LOSE THEIR LIFE AND DIE AND
GO TO HELL BECAUSE THEY HAVE SLEPT
WHEN GOD WAS TRYING TO GIVE THEM
THE MESSAGE.
2. HOW MANY HAVE LOST THEIR LIFE
BECAUSE GOD’S PEOPLE WERE ASLEEP
WHEN GOD WAS GIVING THE MESSAGE?
BBE Acts20:10 And Paul went down and, falling on him, took him in his arms and said, Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.
11 And when he had gone up, and had taken the broken bread, he went on talking to them for a long time, even till dawn, and then he went away.
12 And they took the boy in, living, and were greatly comforted.
It is our turn to bless America. It's our turn to do something good for America. God has and still is blessing America.
But we need to do our part to bless America!
We can do many good things. We can be good citizens...vote...be patriotic....salute the flag...sing the national anthem.Show kindness to everyone.
1 Timothy 2:1-6
Paul gives us some specific things we can do to bless America. They are......
1. We must pray for everyone.
2. We must live Godly.
3. We must evangelize.
#ItsOurTurn 2 #BlessAmerica
**SIMPLICITY**
I believe this is from December 2015
I pray you take time to read this today...............
Yesterday morning I had the privilege of listening to two awesome testimonies/experiences from a recent trip to Honduras. Of course we saw pictures of the visit in which we saw their lifestyle, their work ethic and of course their desire to travel miles to be in a Holy Ghost filled service. It was truly a blessing to hear the testimony and to see by way of pictures the awesome move of God in their service. But, one word stuck out to me when it was used by both yesterday morning and that word was *SIMPLICITY*!!
Simplicity = Being simple (Basic) (Plain) Well that's pretty much the common meaning to simplicity.
But look deeper into its other meaning.......*freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts*
**FREEDOM from........!!!!
Made me think of truly how we are not a simple people...specifically the church.
I know we use and I am a huge advocate of social media to get the Word out and advertise our church. Which that will not stop because I believe it is a great tool to be used for the greater of the Kingdom of God!!
But, simplicity, simple....old school if you would, mouth and feet (mainly feet) was what filled their church the few days they were in Honduras.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. What we have just read here is what we know as the *GREAT COMMISSION*
1.GO YE: Going is before teaching, preaching, or baptizing. In Psalm 126:6 God gives us a great outline on soul winning..... Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
1. Go....weepeth (tears....compassion) 2. Spreading the word (seeds) 3. Bringing his sheaves with him (souls)
Here again *GOING* is before sowing or weeping or rejoicing. God certainly demands that we put feet in soul winning. Walking comes before talking. Ephesians 6:15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; We are commanded to have our feet shod with the gospel. Why? For we are to go and tell the world...not them come to us. Do you want to have beautiful feet? God says the feet of a soul winner are beautiful. Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Bringeth good tidings to bring something means to go. To go means using your feet. The problem today is we have to many........
*BAREFOOTED CHRISTIANS* and I'm not exempt from that title!!!
Bottom line soul winning begins with *SIMPLICITY*.... it begins with the feet!!
#newburden #simplicity #back2basics #back2simplicity #soulwinningusingfeet
Thank you Bro. Tommy Russell and Sis. Karen Boswell Russell not only did your mission trip touch and change your lives it caused me to take inventory of my life.
I pray you take time to read this today...............
Yesterday morning I had the privilege of listening to two awesome testimonies/experiences from a recent trip to Honduras. Of course we saw pictures of the visit in which we saw their lifestyle, their work ethic and of course their desire to travel miles to be in a Holy Ghost filled service. It was truly a blessing to hear the testimony and to see by way of pictures the awesome move of God in their service. But, one word stuck out to me when it was used by both yesterday morning and that word was *SIMPLICITY*!!
Simplicity = Being simple (Basic) (Plain) Well that's pretty much the common meaning to simplicity.
But look deeper into its other meaning.......*freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts*
**FREEDOM from........!!!!
Made me think of truly how we are not a simple people...specifically the church.
I know we use and I am a huge advocate of social media to get the Word out and advertise our church. Which that will not stop because I believe it is a great tool to be used for the greater of the Kingdom of God!!
But, simplicity, simple....old school if you would, mouth and feet (mainly feet) was what filled their church the few days they were in Honduras.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. What we have just read here is what we know as the *GREAT COMMISSION*
1.GO YE: Going is before teaching, preaching, or baptizing. In Psalm 126:6 God gives us a great outline on soul winning..... Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
1. Go....weepeth (tears....compassion) 2. Spreading the word (seeds) 3. Bringing his sheaves with him (souls)
Here again *GOING* is before sowing or weeping or rejoicing. God certainly demands that we put feet in soul winning. Walking comes before talking. Ephesians 6:15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; We are commanded to have our feet shod with the gospel. Why? For we are to go and tell the world...not them come to us. Do you want to have beautiful feet? God says the feet of a soul winner are beautiful. Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Bringeth good tidings to bring something means to go. To go means using your feet. The problem today is we have to many........
*BAREFOOTED CHRISTIANS* and I'm not exempt from that title!!!
Bottom line soul winning begins with *SIMPLICITY*.... it begins with the feet!!
#newburden #simplicity #back2basics #back2simplicity #soulwinningusingfeet
Thank you Bro. Tommy Russell and Sis. Karen Boswell Russell not only did your mission trip touch and change your lives it caused me to take inventory of my life.
Galatians 5:13-26
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.
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.
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 !!
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