The Power of Perseverance (2)

'...We shall reap if we do not lose heart.' Galatians 6:9 NKJV

Good morning,

I want to encourage you today not to give up. There's a awesome story, really it's a legend about a soldier being court-martialed before Alexander the Great. Believing the verdict was unjust, the soldier asked to appeal it. The conqueror informed him that there was no one higher to whom he could plead his case. 'In that case,' the soldier replied, 'I appeal my case from Alexander the Small to Alexander the Great.' In each of us there is a lesser self and a greater self struggling for supremacy. Your lesser self says, 'Not enough people believe in me. I'll never make it.' Your greater self says, 'My faith in God and in myself is enough; I can make it.' Your lesser self says, 'It's taking too long to realize my dream.' Your greater self says, 'Dreams are realized one day at a time.' Your lesser self says, 'Enough is enough! I've taken too many hits.' Your greater self says, 'I've come too far to give up now.' Your lesser self says, 'I don't have the strength to hold on to my dream.' Your greater self says, 'Hold on a little longer; the darkest hour is just before the dawn.' After speaking about being shipwrecked, stoned, imprisoned, betrayed, hungry, thirsty, sleepless, cold and naked, Paul, who was resolute in his purpose and relentless in the pursuit of it, writes: 'Who is weak, and I am not weak...' (2 Corinthians 11:29 NKJV) Where does that kind of strength and tenacity come from? God! The assignment God gives you will never be greater than the grace He provides. I understand this all to well. When I was a young man just starting out in ministry this was like the battle going on for whom I was to become. "We shall reap if we do not lose heart" Galatians 6:9 So draw on His strength, keep pressing ahead, pursue your goal and you will prevail. You are loved...

PS.. Invite a friend this weekend to service. It may just change someone's life...

THE POWER OF PERSEVERANCE (1)

'Let us not grow weary while doing good.' Galatians 6:9
I thought what a better way to warm you up to my message this weekend on being "Walking Sermons" than to share a few thoughts on doing good. One of the great themes of the Bible is-perseverance. Paul, who refused to quit, wrote: 'Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.' Ralph Waldo Emerson said, 'The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings.' Are you merely a starter, or are you also a finisher? When the enthusiasm for a new idea fades, when the odds against you increase and the results diminish, when it looks as if success is impossible, you must keep forging ahead. One of the stories Amy and I are going to share Sunday is something that happened in the parking lot after service last week. We had a Holy Spirit party in the parking lot. But No matter what happens in life keep going! Admiral Robert Peary attempted to reach the North Pole seven times before he finally succeeded. Oscar Hammerstein produced five shows on Broadway that were flops before staging Oklahoma, which was seen by almost five million people during a record-breaking run of 2,212 performances. Quitting is more about who you are, than where you are or what you're up against. We all have our excuses. The truth is, external things don't stop us; it's what happens to us on the inside! Most of us stop ourselves from reaching our potential. We can pretend that people, things, and situations outside of ourselves are to blame, but in reality most failures are just the result of a lack of bulldog-like tenacity. Leonardo da Vinci said, 'Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed on a star, does not change his mind.' You must have a mindset to tenaciously pursue your dream. The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying. There is no insurmountable barrier, except your own inherent lack of purpose and persistence. So don't give up. God doesn't on you! Just a update on Josh Keever. He went home from the hospital yesterday with lots of bumps and bruises, but nothing else wrong with him. Praise God! The officer who was at the scene said if the person had been going 5 miles faster it would have been a different outcome. God is our protector! Thank you Lord for protecting Josh and making him a walking testimony to your goodness....amen

Keep Your Sense of Gratitude

'...Forget not all His benefits.' Psalm 103:2 NKJV

Wow is all we could say as we rushed to the hospital. We had just gotten a call from the Keever family that their son Josh had just got hit by a car. If you are a parent you know the feeling we had for Brad and Carrie. That feeling of pain and compassion for them as they rushed from work wondering how their son was. So we prayed and gave thanks to God that he would take of Josh and that his will be done. Pastor why give thanks? This situation was in His control anyway, why not thank him for the outcome. We believed that Josh would be ok and that our Gods name would be glorified as to Josh's recovery. What a testimony in this young mans life that when all the tests came back...not a broken bone or internal injury as I write this. Yes he will be very sore and very bruised and the recovery will take some time. But to Gods glory he's alive and well. That's why we can't lose site of our gratitude to God in how he takes care of us in every situation. In life when we lose that sense of gratitude for what God does for us, we lose site of the big picture. Author Philip Yancey writes, 'remember my first visit to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, rings of...tourists surrounded the geyser... A large, digital clock stood beside the spot, predicting...the next eruption. My wife and I passed the countdown in the dining room of Old Faithful Inn... When the geyser went off, we tourists oohed and aahed and clicked our cameras; a few spontaneously applauded. But, glancing back...I saw that not one single waiter or busboy...looked out the huge windows. Old Faithful, grown entirely too familiar, had lost its power to impress them.' So here's the question: Why do we lose our sense of gratitude and begin to overlook God's goodness and protection in our lives?

For three reasons:

(1) Problems. If you close one eye and hold a coin close enough to your other eye, you can actually block out the light of the sun. Getting the point?
(2) Pressures. Sometimes the perks we thought would bring us pleasure end up wearing us down.
(3) People. When they disappoint us we turn sour and forget all that God has done for us. What's the solution? 'The unfailing love of the Lord never ends...Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.' (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT) God's mercies begin each morning, and your gratitude should too. Indeed, your days should be saturated in it. Continual gratitude comes from looking beyond your blessings to their unfailing source, the Lord. His love, His faithfulness and His mercy are already at work when your eyes open each day. You are loved!

Trust God's Word, Not Your Feelings

'He...was strengthened in faith...' Romans 4:20 NKJV

Ever been in a place where you didn't know what to do? Your feelings are saying one thing but deep inside your spirit you know you shouldn't be trusting your feelings in this situation? Have you read the story of Isaac blessing his two sons when he was old, almost blind, and nearing death (Genesis 27)? When Jacob, the younger son, wanted his older brother Esau's part of the family inheritance, which was twice as much (Deuteronomy 15:17), his mother Rebekah helped him steal it. Here's how she did it. Esau was hairy and Jacob had smooth skin. So Rebekah wrapped Jacob's arms and neck in goat hair and gave him some of Esau's clothes to wear. When Jacob went in to his ageing father pretending to be Esau, his father asked him to come near so that he could feel him. His father told him that he sounded like Jacob but he felt like Esau, so he decided to trust what he felt over what he heard. As a result, he gave the birthright that was destined for his firstborn, Esau, to his second-born son, Jacob. Bottom line: he was deceived by what he felt. Now we know God was at work in all this. But the point here is, you can't always trust your feelings because they don't always line up with God's Word and they can deceive you. You say, 'I got my feelings hurt so I haven't spoken to my family in over a year.' Get over it! Learn to forgive. Refuse to remain offended. Practice love. If you let feelings rule your life they will mess you up. Feelings are like spoiled children: the more you indulge them the more they will control you. You shouldn't suppress your feelings or deny them, but you must not be led by them. Learn to trust God and his word and watch what happens! You are loved...

Total Deliverance

'...the smell of fire was not on them.' Daniel 3:27 NKJV

Thanks team for a wonderful day yesterday. I pray you received the word openly and allowed God to speak to you. It was hard to speak on the subject of Idols. We don't necessarily think of the different things we could put first before our relationship with Jesus Christ. You could right now be in one of the biggest battles of your life and not have God first. How can that happen? Wouldn't we just Go to Him first? We should but we don't always do what we should do. This morning I want to speak to you about deliverance. Having problems? Deliverance is when God brings you out of a fiery trial that was meant to destroy you; whatever you are struggling with right now. Total deliverance is when, like the three Hebrew children, He brings you out without even the smell of smoke on you. You see, it's possible to be delivered but still be 'damaged.' You can hear it in what a person says. They speak only of the past because they stopped living at a certain point. They survived the trauma, but because they haven't dealt with it the right way they constantly refer back to it. When they talk, part of them is still 'in the fire'. Now we are not talking about some 'quick fix,' or a 'one size fits all' form of healing. Your temperament, your faith level, and the depth of your pain at the time are all determining factors in how long it takes to recover and become whole. But this much is clear: whatever was binding the three Hebrew children when they went into the fiery furnace, wasn't binding them when they came out of it. And that's what God wants to do for you too. Does that mean you're not supposed to talk about what you've been through? No, but don't talk like a victim, talk like a victor! David said: 'He also brought me up out of a horrible pit (the past)...and set my feet upon a rock (the present)...He has put a new song in my mouth-praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.' (the future) (Psalm 40:2-3 NKJV) Your experience may be old, but your song will be new. So sing! You are loved...

Building Up Your Faith (2)

'...Building yourselves up on your...faith...' Jude 1:20 NKJV

I got up this morning with a song in my heart, opened the window and what do I see? Snow...I wanted to get all goofy and start saying the snow is of the devil and all that stuff. But I surprised myself and spoke a word of faith instead. It's just snow and so what if it's cold out. Learning to build yourself up when little annoyances pop up that really irritate you takes a change in your thought pattern. In Jude 1:20 this word 'building' is an architectural term that means to renovate. It implies tearing down what's not working for you and building up what will. When you don't understand that, you are left to believe that whatever life has handed you is just the way it is, and you have to take it. You'd be surprised at the number of people who go to church every week just to get a word to help them survive. They sing about faith and talk about it. But when you ask them, 'How are you doing?' they say, 'I'm just hanging on. I'm just hoping I can make it through.' Yes, there are times when that will truly be the case. But that should be the exception, not the rule. The Bible says, '...we are more than conquerors...' (Romans 8:37 NKJV) To be a conqueror means to fight a battle and win it. But to be more than a conqueror means to win a battle-without even having to fight it. Jesus has already fought and won the battle for you. And today He is saying, '...I give...you power...over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.' (Luke 10:19 NKJV) You say, 'How do I get this power?' Jude says we can access this power for living by '...praying in the Holy Spirit.' (v20) And you can do it anywhere: in your car on the way to work, on your treadmill or even in your bathroom. You just need a place where you can be alone with God, praying and reading His Word, building up your faith. So go for it and see what God can do in your life. You are loved...

Building Up Your Faith (1)

'...Building yourselves up on your...faith...' Jude 1:20 NKJV

Are you ready for something big in your life? Its a great day today, rain and all, to be encouraged or to be a encouragement to someone who needs it. Many of us struggle in the area of our faith. Look at what the apostle Jude writes, 'But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.' Jude places the responsibility of building yourself up spiritually and strengthening your faith where it belongs-squarely on you. There are two kinds of faith: mechanical faith and intentional faith. Each time you flip on a light switch you're exercising mechanical faith. But when you face the unknown, the untried and the undone, you need intentional faith-faith that believes God to do '...exceedingly abundantly above all that [you] ask or think...' (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) If you're proactive, your faith will grow. If you're passive, it won't. Like the action of water rushing against a riverbank, there's an erosion of faith that comes simply from living every day. If you don't do anything to secure and strengthen your faith it begins to deteriorate. Christ told the church at Ephesus to remember the heights from which they had fallen (Revelation 2:5). What a strange thing to say! If you fell from a significant height, don't you think you'd remember it? Not if the fall was so gradual that you didn't notice it. So ask yourself: 'Have those who know me best begun to notice the gleam has gone out of my eye, the joy out of my step, the peace out of my spirit and the Word of God out of my conversation?' Faith is like a muscle; if you don't exercise it consistently it will atrophy and become powerless. So the Thought for you today is: '...Strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die...' (Revelation 3:2 NKJV) and watch Christ work in your life and build your faith! You are loved...

Stop Condemning Yourself!

'...There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.' Romans 8:1 NLT

The thought for you today is-stop condemning yourself! How many times have I heard condemning words that kept telling me I was know good. Just yesterday Satan tried to accuse me of something that happened three years ago. God says, 'I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.' (Isaiah 43:25 NKJV) When God says He forgets your sin and you insist on remembering it, it's like saying your standards are higher than His. That's akin to idolatry! I had to think hard on that one because this weeks message is on idolatry. How many things can we put in front of God and not even know it. Listen, The Bible says, '...God in Christ forgave you.' (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) In the Old Testament when someone sinned they brought a lamb to the priest and he would shed its blood on the altar as payment for their sin. Once that was done the record was expunged and the issue was settled. You say, 'But I don't feel forgiven.' Forgiveness comes by faith, not feelings. As long as you live by feelings Satan has a weapon he can use against you at every turn. You say, 'But what I did was so wrong.' As long as you truly repent whatever you have done can be pardoned. You say, 'But Satan keeps bringing it up.' That's because he is called the 'accuser' (Revelation 12:10). But notice how you overcome Satan the accuser: 'They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...' (v11) Next time Satan accuses you, say, 'I'm glad you brought that up.' Then tell him what the blood of Jesus has accomplished on your behalf. If you do that, he will flee. Learn from your failure, grow stronger through it, use it to bless others, move on with your life and stop condemning yourself! You are loved!

Learn To Respect Authority

'Work...as though you were working for the Lord...' Colossians 3:23 NLT

Man I love our church! I hope you do too. Thanks for being apart of a awesome service yesterday. I'm getting excited about our new series on "Ten Values for Strong Families." This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or co-worker who needs help in this area of there lives. Two things to remind you of this week: If you aren't plugged into a small group get plugged in! You'll be glad. Secondly, Sharefest is this Saturday. We will be meeting @7:30am to leave the church by 8am to go to Leslie Groves Park. I hope you'll come out and share Christs love to our community.

Today I want to talk about Respecting Authority. Can you imagine a nation without a leader, a workplace without a boss or an army without a general? It would be chaotic. Structure creates order; without it no progress can be made. That's why you don't park your car in the bedroom or sleep in the garage. Learn to respect those in authority over you. Honor those who have lived longer than you because they possess a wealth of knowledge. Listen to them and grow. Until you learn to take orders you will never be qualified to give them. Jesus understood this. He was the Son of God. He knew more than any other human being, yet He honored the authority of the government in power. When the Pharisees asked Him His opinion on paying taxes He answered, '...Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's...' (Mark 12:17 NKJV) Are you speaking words of doubt about your own organization? Are you belittling those in authority over you? Stop it now! True, they are not perfect. (Perhaps that's why they can tolerate you.) If you rebel against every instruction you are given, don't complain when those around you rebel against your words and opinions. The law of reciprocity states that if you want to be treated with respect, you must respect others. That includes those you don't agree with, or even like. Jesus did. Pray, 'Father, I know that respect for authority is taught in Your Word. So remind me today that my success depends upon my attitude toward those You've placed in leadership over me. As I honor them, I believe You will honor me.' You are loved!

God Is Giving You Another Chance

'...God has appointed another [future] for me...' Genesis 4:25 NKJV

Good morning,
Just got done praying for you this morning with our Men's Connection group. I love Friday's because not only do we pray, but we have fun doing it. We laugh, drink way to much coffee, but most of all we get blessed. This morning I want to talk about second chances. Satan's plan was to infect Adam with the virus of sin before his first son was born; that way he could get all the rest of us. And it almost worked. Cain, Adam's first son, murdered his brother Abel. But God wasn't finished. 'Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel.' For everything you've loved or lost, God has something else. For everything that's been stolen from you, God has something else. Your 'seed' is your future, and God has another one in mind for you. The situation you are in right now is not the end of the story; God wants to write a new chapter. The devil knew God had a plan for you; that's why he tried so hard to wipe you out. He doesn't want you to live long enough to fulfill it. But the fact that you're still here and able to read this says he failed, and that God's not through with you! Notice the word 'appointed'. There's an appointment on God's calendar with your name on it. 'God has appointed another [future] for me.' There's something good just over the horizon-something for your life, your marriage, your family, your career, your ministry. God has an appointed task for you to accomplish, and appointed blessings for you to enjoy. He has called you with an 'eternal purpose' and He will bring it to pass. You are loved!

Christ-There's No One Like Him!

'Then Jesus...said, All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me.' Matthew 28:18 NIV

Sorry I missed yesterday but we took the day off to go celebrate my mom's 78th birthday. Spent the day with her and she loved it. I'm so glad she has given her heart to Christ. That's what I want to talk about today, there's no one Like Him! Billy Graham said: 'The Bible is concerned only incidentally with the history of Israel or a system of ethics. It's concerned primarily with the story of redemption as it is in Jesus Christ. If you read the Scriptures and miss the story of salvation, you have missed its message and meaning. There have been those who have gone through the Bible and traced the story of Jesus: In Genesis He is the seed of the woman. In Exodus He is the Passover Lamb. In Leviticus He is the Atoning Sacrifice. In Numbers He is the Smitten Rock. In Deuteronomy He is the Greatest Prophet. In Joshua He is the Captain of the Lord's Host. In Judges He is the Deliverer. In Kings He is the Promised King. In Nehemiah He is the Restorer of the Nation. In Esther He is the Advocate. In Job He is my Redeemer. In Psalms He is my Shepherd. In Proverbs He is my Pattern. In Ecclesiastes He is my Goal. In the Song of Solomon He is my Satisfier. In the Books of the Prophets He is my Coming Prince of Peace. In the Gospels He is the One who came to seek and to save us. In Acts He is our Risen Lord. In the Epistles He is our Representative at the Father's right hand. In Revelation He is our Returning Lord.' In an age of pop psychology and eclectic theology, the bedrock of our faith is still Christ's virgin birth, His sinless life, His atoning death, His victorious resurrection, His work of mediation and His visible return as King of Kings. Christ-there's no one like Him! It's time church to tell the world...there's no one like Him! You are loved...

When God Calls You

'Follow Me, and I will make you...' Mark 1:17 NKJV

I was thinking back to when God called Amy and I to step out in faith and accept the call in our lives. I was making almost $16.00 an hour back in 1982 and here's God saying I'm calling you. We're like to what God. To fulltime ministry. Amy and I even with the desire in our hearts to do what God was asking us to do never in our minds thought we we're qualified. If you think you're not qualified to be used by God, start changing the way you think! God had to change our stinking thinking to an attitude of gratitude to believe Gods word and say, ok God, by faith we believe we are qualified. Look at when Elijah called Elisha; he was plowing. When Jesus called Peter he was fishing. To follow God, Elisha had to leave farming and Peter had to leave fishing. Can you imagine a disciple's wife saying, 'How are we going to pay the bills?' Following God is like stepping out on tissue paper and discovering solid rock underneath. But you'll never discover the rock unless you're willing to step onto the tissue paper. When God asks you to walk away from a security base that's been part of your life, you take your talents with you. Matthew, an accountant, took his pen and wrote the first book of the New Testament. When David went to Saul's palace he took his harp, and went on to write psalms we still sing today. That's why it's important to know that it's God who's calling you, and to have it confirmed by trusted leadership. If you run before the starter fires the gun you'll be disqualified from the race. When God calls you, keep these four things in mind:
(1) There's a price to be paid. If you're willing to pay it, you can have God's best.
(2) There's a path to be walked. Each step is a step of faith.
(3) There are principles to be observed. You've got to do God's will, God's way, in order to be blessed.
(4) There's a promise to sustain you. '...do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
It's a awesome path if you'll just follow...you are loved!

Get Up and Go On With Your Life

Get Up and Go On With Your Life
'Then David got up...' 2 Samuel 12:20 NIV

Good Morning or is it a good morning? Sometimes we feel what's the use; and we give up. It's very easy to give up when you've made some wrong choices and you feel like life isn't what its claimed to be. If I struggle with this I know you must to. Let's look at David. David committed adultery with another man's wife, got her pregnant, then arranged to have her husband put to death in an attempt to cover it up. Then he married her and thought everything would be ok. But the child became critically ill. Desperately wanting to save the baby's life, David '...fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food...' (vv16-17 NIV) In spite of all his praying, the child died. Why did God let this happen? Was it because the child deserved better parents? Or because the Bible says that to depart and be with the Lord is 'far better' (Philippians 1:23)? We don't have a clear answer. But this much we know: when you have repented of your sin and experienced God's forgiveness, you must get up and go on with your life. And that's what David did. 'Then David got up from the ground...washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes...went into the house of the Lord and worshipped. Then he went to his own house, and...they served him food, and he ate.' (2 Samuel 12:20 NIV)
We discover three important things in this story:
(1) Until you are willing to make things right with God and those you've hurt, you can't go forward with confidence.
(2) Until you process your emotions in a healthy way, whether guilt or grief, you will remain stuck and forfeit the joy of what God has for you next.
(3) When you've done these two things, get up and get on with your life.
When you do Gods got great things in store. So if today you are in that place, get up and go on with your life...you'll be gald you did!
You are loved.

Who Are You Relying On?

'...We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God...' 2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT

Good Morning,
This morning in Men's Connection, (and men if you can make it I would encourage you come and fellowship and pray,) one of the topic's was how hard it is sometimes to reley on God when things seem so hard. We want to try it our way before we say ok God, it's in your hands. Jesus said, 'Here on earth you will have many trials...' (John 16:33 NLT) You solve one problem, and another one comes along to take its place. They're not all big, but they're all necessary to your spiritual growth. How do you assess the strength of something? By testing it! The Bible says: 'Don't be...shocked that you are going through testing...It will prepare you...' (1 Peter 4:12-13 CEV) Some of your most life-enriching experiences will come during your worst moments-when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you're out of options, when your pain levels go through the roof-and you turn to God. That's when you learn to pray heartfelt, honest-to-God prayers. When you're in pain you don't have the energy for superficial ones. And that's when you discover, 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.' (Psalm 34:18 NLT) God could have kept Joseph out of prison, Daniel out of the lions' den, Jeremiah out of the slimy pit and Paul from being shipwrecked-but He didn't. As a result, each one of them was drawn closer to God and impacted the world around them. Your problems force you to look to God and depend on Him instead of yourself. This is especially hard on super-achievers, like Paul. 'We...saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us...' (2 Corinthians 1:9 TLB) You'll never know what God can do until God is all you've got. So place your needs into His capable, loving hands, and watch what happens. You are loved!

You're Qualified! (3)

'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it...' Psalm 127:1 NKJV

Good Morning,

Our trip to Seattle and back was a success yesterday. Amy is doing well according to her doctor. Thank you so much for all your prayers. We both appreciate it very much. Continuing on with the 3rd installment in "You're Qualified". I want you to know that this Sunday I'll be speaking on a expanded version of these thoughts. I've been praying that you'll be ready for God to move again this week in our service. In God's Kingdom, center stage is not for those who think they've got their act together and deserve public recognition. Nor is it limited to those in leadership and public ministry. It's a call to action, to you, whoever and wherever you are today. When you trust God's timing He grooms you for bigger and better parts. But there are some things you must, and must not do: (1) Don't try to make it on your own. Popular wisdom says, 'Fake it till you make it,' and you'll be tempted to debut in your own strength. Don't do it! If you do, you will get in the way of a much greater production. The Bible says: 'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.' Trust God, and when your moment comes He will give you your cue. (2) The shadows. Are you ready to transform 'acting' into an authentic performance that reveals the real you? Fear of rejection is powerful. It takes courage to be yourself. But you gain strength from the struggle and power from the pain when you are willing to risk moving from the shadows into the light. (3) Confront your inner critic. We are all subject to the little voice within that says, 'You'll never be smart enough, rich enough, pretty enough or good enough to stand in the spotlight.' But when God raises you up, nobody can put you down. So remind your inner critic of God's promise: '...You shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.' (Jeremiah 1:7 NKJV) You are loved!

You're Qualified! (2)

'...Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great...' Matthew 23:12 GNT
Good Morning,

Do you remember Rosa Parks, the black woman who refused to surrender her seat to a white man and move to the back of the bus? There was more at stake that day than just a ride home from work. By simply being herself, Rosa suddenly moved to center stage. She wasn't playing games. She was the real thing, and God shone a light on her soul that day that changed history. That's how it works: when God's light shines on your efforts, little becomes much. I can remember back when I was just a young man struggling in youth ministry trying to find my way. I'd pray to God and ask Him to make me like those other youth pastors because I thought they had it all. Their ministries seemed so much better than mine. But one day God informed that He liked me just for who I was. That I was qualified under a different system. Thats why Jesus said that everyone 'who learns to be humble will find promotion.' (Matthew 23:12 PHPS) Now, since God is the only One who knows when your time will come, you must be prepared. 'How do I do that?' you ask. The Bible answers: '...don't be proud. Put yourselves under God's mighty hand. Then He will honor you at the right time.' (1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV) Allow the Holy Spirit to be your agent and advance man. Don't get ahead of Him. Just be faithful; when the time is right God will shine His spotlight on the next stage and assign you an even bigger role. And when the moment comes for you to stride confidently into the spotlight and fulfill your God-given role, try to remember that there's no room for self-importance and pretence. For God has qualified you just as you are! You are loved....

You're Qualified

'...You shall go to all to whom I send you...' Jeremiah 1:7 NKJV

Wow is all I can say! I looked at the clock and three hours had gone by just like that. Every time we were about to shut down the Spirit moved in another way. What an incredible move of God's Spirit in our service yesterday. God exponentially answered my prayers for each and everyone of you. I'm excited for what God has instore for Calvary moving forward. God has something special for each and everyone of you to do. Don't let Satan tell you, you can't. You must just embrace it! Jeremiah told God, '...I cannot speak, for I am a youth.' (v6 NKJV) Have you been saying, 'I don't have what it takes'? God told Jeremiah, 'Do not say, I am a youth, for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you...' (vv 7-8 NKJV) When actors audition for a part, the director conducts what are known as 'callbacks'. At that point the actor either gets the part or it goes to somebody else. But when an actor is experienced and well-known, sometimes the director offers them the part without them even auditioning for it. Understand this: God doesn't do auditions and callbacks! That's because He's already designed a role for you that nobody else could fill. Even if others were to study you endlessly they still couldn't be you. When God says, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with Me' (Exodus 33:12 NIV), be careful about responding to any other call except the one that comes from Him. Since God designed you with all the built-in qualifications you need, you don't have to compromise your convictions, manipulate, drop names or do special favors'. The part is yours! And don't be jealous or intimidated by anybody else no matter how talented they are. In God's eyes there are no other contenders; you're it! You're the only one who can fill the slot because He created it with you in mind. When you feel insecure and unqualified, remind yourself of that. You are loved!

Always Do What's Right

'...This is what [God] requires...to do what is right...' Micah 6:8 NLT

Morning Team,

Man I love our church! What a incredible time of fellowship and prayer this morning in our Men's prayer connection. Thanks men for making prayer a priority in your lives. It sure gets my Weekend started being with men who want to pray. Here's the question today? Do you struggle sometimes with doing what's right? Focusing solely on what you can , without first deciding what kind of person you should be, is a mistake. Your talent may make your name known, but your character will determine what people associate with it. Your talent may dictate your potential, but your character will determine your legacy. What is character? It's the will to do what's right, even when it is not easy. It's deciding ahead of time what's truly non-negotiable. Count on it, the day will come when so-called 'progress' calls for compromising your convictions. In that moment, what hangs in the balance is your moral authority. So you must be clear about your convictions. You'll be tempted to believe that once you reach a certain level of success, these challenges disappear. No, success doesn't make anything easier, it just raises the stakes. What was once applauded is now simply expected. It's a lot easier to win the title than defend it. Furthermore, with success comes the inclination to see yourself as the final authority on right and wrong. Look around you and you'll see that it's not uncommon to find leaders playing by a different set of rules. Everything really does look different at the top! Once intoxicated by success, you start to believe that the rules don't apply to you. And that can be fatal. In the final analysis your reputation is how you're known before men but your character is how you're known before God. You say, 'But why cling to something that's outdated or has the potential to slow me down?' The Bible answers: 'This is what [God] requires...to do what is right.' So do what's right! You are loved...

(Just reminder that this Sunday is our Missions Conference with Teen Challenge. Please being your Missions faith Pledges for 2012 and a offering for Teen Challenge. After service we will share a meal so Last names a to m please bring a hot dish, and n to z a desert and salad. Invite a friend and we'll see you Sunday)

Refuse To Pull Back!

'You will spread out to the right and to the left...' Isaiah 54:3 NIV

Good morning,

The sun is shining and we have so much to be thankful for in our lives; yet there are many who cry doom and gloom. We must all be ready for what lies ahead spiritually because Gods word tells us so. But there is a time we may be tempted to try and pull back because of our fears. Let me ask you a question? Has all the gloom and doom in the news caused you to become fearful and begin to pull back? Take a moment and read this: 'Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child...shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband...Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right hand and to the left...Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.' (Isaiah 54:1-4 NIV) Satan will try to plant all kinds of fear in your mind about things that are not even likely to happen. He will tell you that your children are going to be lost; that because cancer, Alzheimer's or heart disease runs in your family, you too are going to get it. His goal is to stop you dead in your tracks. He knows God's plan for you is to 'spread out to the right and to the left,' not pull back. 'How long will this attack last?' you ask. Quite possibly as long as the longest stand you've taken against Satan in the past! What can you do? 'Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day...' (Ephesians 6:13 NKJV) Stand squarely on God's Word and refuse to pull back. When you do Gods Spirit will confirm it in you and that feeling is something you can stand on for a long time. You are loved...