'You have...put a wall of protection around him...' Job 1:10 NLTAmy and I have marveled over how God has taken care of us all these years. Even in our own shortcomings He's always protected us and guarded us. It's the one common denominator that we all have as His children; His protection. Scripture is full of His promises that give us faith and assurance that He is with us. Even when Satan is trying his best to discourage you. Look at Job, when God praised Job for his integrity, Satan replied, 'You have always put a wall of protection around him...take away everything he has, and he will surely curse You.' So God gave Satan permission to test Job, but He placed limits on how far he could go (Job 2:6). There are times '...When the enemy comes in like a flood...' (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV) to attack your mind, your marriage, your ministry, and anything that's born of God in your life. The one thing we have learned when that happens is to shout Gods word. Using Gods word to thwart the enemy is your protection as Isaiah says, '...The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard [shield] against him.' (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV) When you feel you're at breaking point and can't handle one more thing, the Holy Spirit lifts up the wall of the blood of Jesus and tells Satan, 'This far and no further!' Paul says, 'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.' (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV) There's a wall of protection around you. There's also a time for your deliverance. '...In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV) God will step in and intervene. The Psalmist said, '...When my heart is faint; Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.' (Psalm 61:2 NAS) When your resources are depleted and you think you're going under for the last time, God has provided a refuge that's higher than your circumstances, a place where you're under divine protection and the enemy has no jurisdiction. All you have to do is lift your eyes and heart toward Heaven. You are loved...
'...O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.' Psalm 25:4 NLTWow what a special day yesterday. We had an amazing time in worship and my prayer is that the word on serving God with you're gifts inspired you. Please pray for a man named Ken who gave his heart to Christ in our service. His life is upside down right now and he could use our prayers. As I was praying this morning the word decision came to my mind. Someone chose Christ, what a awesome decision. If you think about it, decisions are all around us. Even simple decisions can be stressful, but we have to make them almost every moment of our day. Ever watch a child struggle to choose between chocolate or strawberry ice cream? And the bigger decisions-like accepting Christ into our hearts, whom to marry, which career to choose, whether to buy a house or to undergo high-risk surgery etc.-mean life can be nerve-racking! But you can reduce your stress level by following these Biblical principles: (1) Do the research. 'Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused.' (Proverbs 18:13 NCV) Get all the facts and avoid making decisions you'll regret. Knowledge has never been more accessible-through the internet, helpful books, and especially God's Word: 'Your commands...are my constant guide.' (Psalm 119:98 NLT) (2) Talk to God. 'Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.' Consulting God helps prevent premature decisions, clarifies your priorities and prepares you to hear His counsel. Is God interested in your decisions? Yes. 'The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.' (Psalm 37:23 NLT) (3) Be open to new ideas. Don't get trapped in old mind-sets. 'An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.' (Proverbs 18:15 NRS) Clinging to the familiar can be crippling. God may choose to lead you along a new path of fresh insight. So breathe deeply, seek His wisdom, and open up your heart to receive it. (4) Get advice from trusted friends. 'It's a hard road that's walked alone,' says an old Celtic proverb. So follow Solomon's counsel: 'A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.' (Proverbs 12:15 TLB) You are loved...
'...Therefore, pray: Our Father in Heaven...' Matthew 6:9 NKJVI want to share something special with you on the prayer front. Its a new way to pray. For only $39.99 my new system will guarantee you results in heaven. God will hear you and respond quicker and faster. Buy this amazing new product now and I'll throw in another system for you to share with someone else for free. Don't you wish it was that easy? Buy this and your guaranteed results in heaven. Jesus in Matthew 6 taught us to pray the only way we need to: (1) 'Our Father in Heaven.' When you say, 'Father' you are acknowledging that you're 'family', that you have a special relationship with God which entitles you to go to Him at any time, confident you're loved, welcomed and assured of His favor. When you say, 'in Heaven,' you can go no higher. You're drawing what you need from the ultimate source of goodness, grace, mercy, provision, protection and authority. What a privilege! (2) 'Hallowed be Your name.' (Matthew 6:9 NKJV) This thought should always be uppermost in your mind: 'Whatever I do today, Lord, whether in thought, word or deed, let it honor You.' People should be able to look at your life and want to become acquainted with the One you serve. (3) 'Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.' (Matthew 6:10 NKJV) Each time you choose to say no to yourself and yes to God's will, you demonstrate to a watching world what it means to live as a citizen of His Kingdom. Note the words, 'as it is in Heaven.' Is anyone in Heaven fearful or doubting? Stubborn or disobedient? Critical or negative? When the enemy brings something to your door that's contrary to God's will, you have the authority to rise up and say, 'If it's not done and approved in Heaven it has no place in my life here on earth.' When it comes to disobedience, refuse to accept the package and sign the receipt. The one thing Satan hopes you never discover is that you have the God-given authority to restrict his movements in your life. So what are you waiting for? Give the devil a hike and follow the Father. You are loved...
'...Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' Romans 10:17 NKJVOne of the things Amy and I had to learn early on our journey of faith was, that to be wise, when God talks you'll listen. Some are of the opinion that God's words are just words. Good words but just words. If you are wise He will talk to you through the Bible. The reason the Bible has outsold every other book is because it is God's Word to us. As they say, for reels...It takes approximately 56 hours for most people to read the Bible through. If you read 40 chapters a day you would complete the Bible within a month. If you read nine chapters of the New Testament each day you would complete it within 30 days. But you must read it systematically, regularly, and expectantly. (If you use our Daily Bread reading plan you will read your Bible in one year!) When Satan attacked Him in the wilderness, Jesus quoted the Scriptures to him. That's why the Psalmist said, 'Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.' (Psalm 119:11 NKJV) The book of Proverbs has thirty-one chapters. Here's an idea: since there are thirty-one days in most months, why not read a chapter in this wisdom book every day. Can you imagine what you'd learn? The Word of God will build your faith. 'Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' Your faith grows when you hear God speak, and it works when you do what He says. If you struggle to lead a victorious Christian life, read these words carefully: 'How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word.' (Psalm 119:9 NKJV) The solution to every problem you face is contained in Scripture. To be wise you must study it. To be strong in faith you must believe it. To be successful in life you must practice it! You are loved...
'Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.' Proverbs16:3 NIVHere are two important things to remember when you're making an important decision: (1) Believe that God is directing your steps. Because He is! 'The Lord directs the steps of the godly...Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.' (Psalm 37:23-24 NLT) God didn't say you wouldn't stumble. He just promised to pick you up, dust you off, correct you when you need it, and keep working with you. There have been many times when Amy and I have been in that position and our God has never failed us or turned His back on us. JI Packer says: 'A moment of conscious triumph makes one feel that after this, nothing will really matter; a moment of...disaster makes one feel like this is the end of everything. But neither feeling is realistic, because neither event is really what it's felt to be.' So don't get bent out of shape; by God's grace you'll handle it and come out wiser. (2) Realize that God can bring good out of bad situations. 'And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.' (Romans 8:28 NLT) In every success story you'll find struggles and setbacks. And you'll also find tenacious faith that refuses to give up. After listing a series of adversities that would make your worst day seem like 'a trip to the beach', Paul writes: '...None of these things move me...' (Acts 20:24 KJV) Where does such an attitude come from? It comes from knowing that God is working in you, He's working with you, and He's working through you. Remember, 'My God don't sponsor no flops!' You are loved!
'Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.' Proverbs 16:3 NIVThis scripture popped out at me today as I have been seeking God about something in my own life. We have been seeing the move of God's hand in our church this year and in some ways I'm scared, but in another very excited. Am I committing everything to Him? Am I pointing our church in the right direction to God? I know you understand what I'm talking about. In life we all have to make decisions. Maybe you're parents warned you about making bad decisions more than making good ones; fear can cause you to miss God-given opportunities. 'If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?' (1 Corinthians 14:8 NIV) Now if you're like the mule standing between two bales of hay unable to decide which one to eat and afraid of making the wrong choice, you starve to death. You must act! Your need to do things perfectly and your desire to control every possible outcome will keep you stuck. So: (1) Stop trying to please everybody. 'Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety.' (Proverbs 29:25 TLB) Once you know what brings you fulfillment, as long as it's God's will, chart your course accordingly and refuse to let the opinions of others stop you or color your view. (2) Remember, over time your goals can change. What's needed today may not be right for you a year from now. So reassess your plans regularly and be willing to change direction. 'We should make plans-counting on God to direct us.' (Proverbs 16:9 TLB) When your spiritual gut says no, pay attention. (3) When God is on your side, you'll prevail. Somebody asked Abraham Lincoln if he was sure that God was on his side. He replied, 'I haven't thought much about it. I just want to know I'm on God's side.' It's normal to speculate about how you'd like things to turn out, but God alone controls the future. Just trust Him. 'Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.' You are loved!
'...If it is possible, let this cup...be taken away from Me...' Matthew 26:39 NLTSometimes in Christian circles when somebody is suffering we blame it on hidden sin. That way we think it can't happen to us because we're not guilty of that particular problem, right? How many times I've seen and experienced this through out the years. Because you're sick some how you must have? Or because this happened you had to have done this? How shortsighted, given the fact that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, exemplified suffering! In Gethsemane He didn't stand up with false bravado and say, 'Bring it on!' No, 'He...bowed...His face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away...Yet...Your will...be done, not Mine."' Jesus took pain and showed us how to glorify God in it. One Christian author observed: 'God never promised tornadoes would skip our houses on the way to our pagan neighbors, and microbes would flee from Christian bodies. We're not exempt from the tragedies of this world, just as God wasn't exempt. In fact, Peter earned the strongest rebuke when he protested against the need for Christ to suffer. [Jesus said, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block...you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men... If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself...take up his cross and follow Me...whoever wants to save his life will lose it...whoever loses his life for Me will find it.' (Matthew 16:23-25 NIV)] God took the worst thing that could happen-the execution of His innocent Son-and turned it into the final victory over death...He turned the design of evil into the service of good.' It's by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5), and by His weakness that we are made strong. You are loved!
'...God...made Jesus perfect by suffering...' Hebrews 2:10 CEVAs I prayed this morning I was reminded that none of us are ever separated from Christ's love unless we chose to be; and none of us has come close to experiencing what Jesus endured on the cross, yet we run from suffering. A lost job, a debilitating illness, a painful divorce. None of us will go through life and escape things. Even 'Jesus...had to suffer before He could learn what it really means to obey God.' (Hebrews 5:8 CEV) Pain is a learning experience. The Bible says, 'God...made Jesus perfect by suffering.' Philip Yancey writes: 'God understood physical pain, having designed the marvelous nervous system that warns against harm... But had a Spirit ever felt physical pain? Not until the Incarnation. In thirty-three years on earth Jesus learned about hardship, rejection and betrayal. And He learned too about pain: what it feels like to have an accuser leave the red imprint of his fingers on your face...to have a crude iron spike pounded through muscle, tendon, and bone. On earth, the Son of God learned all that...and because of Jesus, God hears our cries differently.' The author of Hebrews marveled that, whatever we are going through, God has gone through: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but...one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15 NIV) We have a high priest who graduated from the school of suffering and "...is able to be gentle with those who do not understand and who are doing wrong things." (Hebrews 5:2 NCV) We need no longer cry into the abyss, 'Hey, God, are You listening?' By joining us on earth, Jesus gave visible, historical proof that God hears our groans and groans along with us. (Romans 8:26) What a comfort...You are loved!
'...David inquired again of God...' 1 Chronicles 14:14 NKJVThank you to those who responded to what God has been doing in your lives. I love it when God speaks to His people! Have you been praying for something? It's easy to give up on a prayer when we don't immediately see a result. David is an incredible example to us of a man who made mistake after mistake yet came back to God and God used him. Why? Because he always got right with Him. The relationship he had with God allowed him to be on a level where he knew God and heard from him. The Bible says: 'David inquired again of God; and God said..."When you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees...go out to battle: for God has gone out before you" ...David therefore did as God commanded him: and they drove back the...Philistines...' (1 Chronicles 14-16 NKJV) Observe three things in this story: (1) David refused to make a move until he first talked it over with the Lord. Notice the words, 'David inquired again of God.' It wasn't just something he did occasionally or in times of crisis, it was something he did on a regular basis. (2) David waited until he heard a certain sound: 'A sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees.' Do you know God well enough to recognize the sound of His voice? With time and testing you can. 'You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.' (1 John 2:20 NKJV) Not only will you know what God wants you to do, He will actually create within you the desire to do it. 'It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.' (Philippians 2:13 NKJV) (3) David went, knowing God had gone before him to deal with every obstacle that stood in his way. The Bible says, 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally...' (James 1:5 NKJV) Wisdom is 'the ability to use knowledge so as to successfully meet the challenges of life.' You may acquire knowledge from books and schools, but this wisdom is a gift from God. Don't go until you get it! You'll be glad you did...you are loved!
'...Be it known...that we will not...' Daniel 3:18 KJVI was a little surprised today to not find a single response in my emails about my challenge to have you share what God is doing in your life, and especially Sunday's service. One of the greatest things we can do is share with others what God has done for us. With that said I hope you will take the time let me know those little things that are happening in your spiritual walk.
A friend of mine once said, responsibility is over rated. He really said it in a different way but you get the point. "Be it known...that we will not." Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had achieved career success, so they had nothing to gain by challenging the king of Babylon. So, why did they? Because he ordered them to disobey God and violate their convictions by bowing down in worship before a pagan image. No doubt they could have reasoned, 'Better a live dog than a dead lion. If we stay alive, maybe we can do good for God and for others.' That philosophy would have convinced many of us, so why not them? Because they realized that Nebuchadnezzar was not the reason for their success. He may have been an instrument God used to promote them, but he was not the source of either their significance or their security. Those two things came from God-and they understood that you can't abandon the principles of God and walk in the blessings of God. Example: If you need financial assistance and are asking God for help, yet refuse to do what His word says; the Apostle Paul made it clear, "if you don't work you You don't eat." Don't grieve the One who controls everything. These three Hebrew boys knew better: '...Our God whom we serve is able...' (Daniel 3:17 KJV) Able to do what? '...Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...' (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) By refusing to bow, when bowing seemed like the expedient thing to do, they turned the hearts of a nation to God. Now, your influence may not be that widespread, but one thing you can count on: others are watching who will be influenced by the stand you take. So ask God to strengthen you, and do the right thing! You are loved...
'...Be it known...that we will not...' Daniel 3:18 KJVWhat an amazing day yesterday! God was in the house and we celebrated with Ron & Candace who we will miss deeply. I would like to know how God touched you in this weeks service. If it was through worship, prayer, the word what ever it was. If you could send me a short email back sharing your story that would help me get a picture of what Gods doing in our church. Amy and I are excited to see what you write, so please take the time share.
Doing the right thing is hard sometimes. The higher you climb in life, the more certain people will try to assert control over you. Their threats can sound real, and the consequences of ignoring them, intimidating. Look at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Their commitment to God landed them in a fiery furnace heated seven times over. But it also promoted them to a place of great blessing and influence. Their story teaches us that for something to be an authentic test of character, it must be a situation in which the outcome is not in your hands. You simply make the choice to do what is right before God and leave the consequences to Him. It's a trial by fire, but it's a fire of refinement, and on the other side of it you come out stronger. Each time you do the right thing, choosing to embrace rather than escape the path God has called you to walk, you enter a new level of freedom. And as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego discovered, three things happen: (1) You are set free from the 'Nebuchadnezzars' who claim to have control over the outcome of your life. (2) You are set free to say 'no' to those who would try to use and manipulate you. (3) You are set free to serve your all-powerful King and say 'no' to all the other pretenders who really have no power over you at all. In that moment you not only gain insight into who you are, but more importantly, Whose you are. And God will do one of two things: develop you in the fiery furnace or deliver you from it. Indeed, He may do both! More tomorrow...you are loved!
'You must be born again.' John 3:7 NIVIn 1978 I needed something, a new birth. I remember the day it was July 28th 1978 that the Holy Spirit moved in my heart to accept Jesus as my Savior. Maybe you remember the day you accepted Christ into your heart? Something had to bring you to that place. The Bible says that 130 years after Adam first sinned, he was still fathering children 'in his own likeness'. (Genesis 5:3 NIV) And as Adam's descendants, we have all been born with the nature of fallen man. Sometimes people say, 'He's just like his dad.' Or we say, 'My dad was an angry man, now I've got his temper!' 'My dad couldn't stay with my mom, now I'm going through a divorce.' 'My dad was an alcoholic, now look at my drinking and drug-taking!' 'My dad was a workaholic, now I put in 14 hours a day.' 'My dad wasn't affectionate with us, now I don't know how to be loving toward my children.' History repeats itself over and over through our fallen nature. Here's a fascinating example: 'Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.' (Genesis 20:2 NIV) Abraham was willing to sacrifice Sarah to save his own neck. What would you have done? Before you answer, notice that Isaac wasn't even born when his father did this. Yet years later, Isaac did exactly the same thing in the same place (Genesis 26:7). It's genetic! It's in our DNA. But there's good news. When you receive Christ as your Savior, He breaks that cycle. When you're 'born of the spirit', you get a new Father and a new nature (see John 3:3-6). You don't have to walk in the likeness of your earthly father any longer; you can walk in the likeness of your heavenly Father and become more like Him every day. That's what Jesus does for us! He changes us from the old to the new.
I'm getting excited for what God has for us this weekend. I hope you will come prayed up ready to receive from God. My Message is "Empowered to Impact." We are going to look at the Holy Spirit's impact upon the disciples. Bring a friend and watch was God does. Please remember we have a going away party for Ron & Candace after service. Please bring a salad to share and be ready to bless them. You are loved!
'Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial...' James 1:12 NIVGood morning I hope you are withstanding the heat this week. In prayer this morning God brought this scripture to my mind. "blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." Isn't temptation funny? There are things you're never tempted with and then there are those things you can't stay away from. One moment you're thinking kind thoughts of someone and the next moment you're tearing them apart verbally. You'll never be exempt from temptation. Each season of life just brings temptation in a different form. When you're young you'll struggle with things like the need for companionship and sexual fulfillment. In business you' might be tempted to distort the truth, cheat and pocket the money. When you become successful, if you're not careful you could become ego-driven, controlling and opinionated. The truth is, you never become so spiritual as to be exempt from temptation. The most spiritual person will tell you in all humbleness that you never stop being tempted. After forty days of prayer and fasting, Satan tempted Jesus. Remember, you are as vulnerable to attack after a great spiritual experience as you are in your lowest moments. Satan understood Jesus' assignment and he was out to stop Him from accomplishing it. And he is out to stop you too! The battle you're in is not over the past, it's over the future. In the face of repeated temptation Jesus defeated Satan by using the Word of God, and you must too. Without it you have no defense. In what specific areas do you struggle? What's your strategy for victory? What percentage of the time are you successful? Which Scriptures have you memorized to help you conquer the tempter when he comes against you? Look at Samson, God's champion: blinded, chained, grinding corn like an ox in a Philistine dungeon. Sin has a blinding effect, a binding effect and a grinding effect. Prisons are filled with people who were too weak to stand up against Satan. Dreams crash daily on the rocks of temptation. Move the ship of your life away from those rocks while you still can. You are loved...
'...And they chose...Philip...' Acts 6:5 NKJVNot much was written about Philip but what was, teaches us a lot about who the man was. The Bible says: 'We...came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip...this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.' (Acts 21:8-9) You may think that's weird; but It's not at all weird, for it show's us something incredible. Here's the second thing that qualified Philip for leadership in the church: he knew how to build a strong family. You say, 'Does that mean if I've failed in marriage God won't use me?' No, Samuel was one of Israel's greatest prophets, yet he failed with his children. David wrote Psalms, yet his family life was a shambles. Interestingly, neither Samuel nor David had much to say in Scripture about family life. When it comes to church leadership, to have credibility in God's house you must first have it in your own. So: (1) Don't sacrifice your family. (2) Don't sacrifice your children. (3) Don't sacrifice your spouse for your children. (4) Don't sacrifice the important for the urgent. The Bible gives us qualifications for leadership in the church. Paul writes that a leader '...must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don't have a reputation for being wild or rebellious... He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent or dishonest with money... He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.' (Titus 1:6-9 NLT) So, do you qualify?
'...And they chose...Philip...' Acts 6:5 NKJVIf you were at service this last Sunday one of the illustrations Charley used was about Philip. Philip was one of seven men chosen to lead the New Testament church. Why? Because he had certain qualities. Let's look at two of them today: He had the ability to be Spirit-led. Philip started out as a deacon working in the administration department of the church. But he went on to become an evangelist, conducting a city-wide crusade in Samaria. 'Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.' (Acts 8:5-6 NKJV) Now, the idea of staying there and building a great church must have been very appealing to Philip. But God had other plans. 'An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip... "Arise and go toward the...desert." So he arose and went...' (Acts 8:26-27 NKJV) 'Go where? To the desert? Are You serious, Lord?' Here's a thought: when God speaks to you He may not tell you what you want to hear, or send you where you'd like to go. Have you considered that? Is that why you're not actively seeking His guidance? Big doors swing on little hinges. In the desert Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch, the secretary of the treasury, serving the Queen of Ethiopia. Philip's assignment was to introduce him to Christ and baptise him. After that the eunuch returned to Ethiopia and history records multitudes there were won to Christ as a result. But it only happened because Philip could leave his comfort zone, step out in faith and follow God. Bottom line: in order to lead others you must know how to be led by God. You are loved...
'...Watch out that no...bitterness grows up...' Hebrews 12:15 NLTGood morning everyone! We are back from vacation and had an incredible time of ministry at the rally in Eureka Mt. The Tribe of Judah is a wonderful group of men and women who have a heart to see people saved and healed. Sleeping in a tent in 35 degree weather wasn't to fun, but God made up for it in many different ways. Amy had the chance to minister to one specific woman and she made a lifelong friend. One of the things that we as believers must be careful of is bitterness. I was listening to a story recently about this subject of betrayal. Betrayal is something others do to you; bitterness is something you do to yourself. It's impossible to go through life without being hurt. It may be an unfaithful spouse, an employee who slanders you or a boss who fires you without explanation. Sitting at supper with His disciples, Jesus said, 'One of you will betray Me.' (Mark 14:18 NIV) Shortly after that, Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. Some folks will kiss you today and kick you tomorrow. But Jesus refused to become bitter. That's because He knew Judas' kiss would usher Him into His destiny. Nor did Jesus turn His back on Peter when he denied Him. Instead, Peter was the only one He mentioned by name when He arranged to meet His disciples for breakfast following the resurrection. Jesus saw Peter in the light of his potential, not his problems. What Peter did at one moment didn't keep Jesus from seeing what he would become when His grace touched Peter's life. And you must be that way too. This is why Paul wrote: 'Get rid of all bitterness... Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.' (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT) So eliminate any words of bitterness from your conversation. Stop rehearsing the details of your past unless it's to teach and encourage others to rise above theirs. Finally, God will never tell you something that goes against His word, the Bible. God will never tell you its ok to walk away from the church or from loving those who hurt you. Why? Because the Bible tells us so. What are you doing to make sure no bitterness remains in your heart? God says, 'Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.' (Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV) You are loved...We missed you all!
