Stop & Think

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens

 ~ Psalm 68:19 ~

Without God daily bearing our burdens, the weight would crush us. Psalm 62:5-8 tells us, and our hearts confirms it, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge

I'm an Atheist...

Ever been out witnessing and had someone say as a response to the Gospel message, "I'm an Atheist" An Atheist is not someone who denies God, it is someone who believes or at least claims, there is no God. Well the next time someone tells you they are an Atheist, ask this question, "So you believe There is no God?" When they answer yes you can tell them, "Did you know the words 'there is no God' is actually in the Bible?" Now that should get their attention and enable you to be engaged in a conversation, and it's true, just not quite in the context their speaking it. Psalm 53:1-3 tells us, "The fool says in his heart, There is no God, they are corrupt, and their ways are vile..."

  (Now before you get to prideful the rest of the verse says this)  there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one"

 

Remember, before God opened your eyes, you too were evil and wicked in His sight. As Christians we should not get into arguments over the Gospel, we are to love people and gently correct them, the purpose of this is not to prove we're right and their wrong but rather allow the word of God and the Holy Spirit to convict. 

 

A great follow up to Psalm 53:1-3 is 2 Corinthians 7:10 because it bring Hope as it tells us,

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret..."

This is what the Lord says...

He who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

 ~ Isaiah 43:1 ~

Stand firm knowing you are God's. You belong to God! He has redeemed you or saved you from a life separated from Himself. Fear not. If God is for you, who can possibly come against you? 

Do Not Be Afraid...

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

~Psalm 27:1 ~

Trust in the Lord in all things and He Himself will be your strong tower in times of trouble. 

God's Will...or...Your Will?

How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, who did weaken the nations For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

~ Isaiah 14:12-14 ~

Five times Lucifer said ..."I will"

PRIDE

How many times per day do we say (not out loud but in our hearts), "I will" or in other words "No, I want to do it my way"

God says, "do no hate"...we say "No, they offended me, I will do it my way"

God says, "Spend time with me in prayer"...we say, "no, I want to watch T.V. I will do it my way"

God says, "Go talk to that person"...we say, "No, that would be uncomfortable, I will do it my way"

God says, "Go help that person"...we say, "No, that would inconvenience me, I will do it my way"

God says, "Be slow to speak & quick to listen"...we say, "No, I will do it my way"

Jesus said "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42 And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father's business? Luke 2:49 (Humility)

We see in Jesus that true humility is not just a reverence to God it is also obedience!
.

Not my will...but Yours!

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble...

Before you were even formed...

New International Version (©1984)
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

 

New Living Translation (©2007)
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed

 

Webster's Bible Translation
Thy eyes saw my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them

No matter how you look at it...God had a plan in place for your life before you were even born! More than that, God has every moment of your life planned out. If He knows the beginning and the end, if He not only sees it, but actually planned it, don't you think it would be wise to completely trust Him with your life?

 



God believes in You!

The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. ~ Psalm 25:14 ~

God, the creator of all things, the one who breathes life into every living creature, the one who sustains the heavens and the earth, who keeps the sun and the moon and the stars in place, this God...wants to share His plans with YOU!

 

The word confide though means much more than just share it literally means "to entrust; to commit to the charge of, with a belief in the fidelity of the person entrusted; to deliver into possession of another, with assurance of safe keeping, or good management; to believe in, with assurance"

 

In other words, if you will humble yourself before God showing proper fear and respect, He in turn will make His plans for salvation know to you, but more than that, He will give you all the details and secrets of His plan, trusting and believing in you to carry them out. God is trusting you to keep safe His promises, to guard them, and to follow them. He is GIVING YOU his covenant. (deliver into possession of another) Guard it with all your heart! 

Love People.



The KEY to Life...

Let's pretend you are in the desert with nothing around for a thousand miles but sand. You have a vehicle that has enough gas to get you out of the desert but you dropped the key and can't find it. Even if you had a trunk load of money, silver, and gold, it would be useless to you, and it's to far to walk, the only thing of any value is that key. How hard would you search for the key? What if the sand was a little hot, would that stop you? What if you were hungry, would that stop you? With no other way out, is there anything that would stop you from looking for that key with intense passion? If you found it how much would you love and treasure that key?

Psalm 119 is a love letter to God's Laws. The author realizes His only hope is found in God's laws, mercy, and grace. Nothing else matters, nothing else can help him. The key to survival, the key to real happiness, the key to life...is God's commands. God's laws are not meant to weigh us down, they are given to us to bring life. Now, we can start to understand some of the authors words.

 

"The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold...I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches...Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end... Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.... Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness"

 

Are you lost, alone, broken down, hurt, hungry, thirsty? Humble yourself, pray, seek God's face, praise Him in the morning, thank Him in the evening, and search out God's commands with all your heart that you might obey them and live

 

 



O' Lord, my comfort in suffering is Your promise...

Before I was afflicted I went astray. But now I obey your word. It was good for me to be afflicted. I know Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

~ Psalm 119:67,71,75 ~

It would be an unloving parent that gave their child every desire of their heart and never disciplined them. It would also be an unloving parent that never allowed their child to fall when learning to walk. The child would grow to be helpless, needy, selfish, greedy, and prideful, everything God despises.

 

Proverbs 22:6 tells us,

 "Train a child in the way he should go,and when he is old he will not turn from  it"

 

Know that God allows you to go through things because He loves you! 

Everyone likes receiving Gifts

1 Peter 4:10-¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

God has given each and every believer a wonderful gift. This gift may be prayer, evangelism, serving food, preaching, and/or teaching. Whatever your gift may be, use it to further God's kingdom, and not your own. God has called us to be His servants. Be encourage my fellow laborors as your work is not done in vain. While the works of the flesh will fade away, The things done for Christ will last for an eternity! God bless you as you serve the Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus is Lord!! 

 

Posted by Pastor Steve DeVroy

Name it and claim it...is it Biblical?

Against God's Will in 1 Samuel chapter 8 the people wanted a King to place over them so they could be like other nations. (verses 4-5) "all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
 

The Israelites named it and claimed it because they had a desire of their heart. Now it is true that God places desires in our heart, but if He has not specifically told you it's of Him there is a danger in naming and claiming something. You may have a desire that is not of God, and if you keep asking, Like the Israelites, He may just give it to you.
 

(verse 8) the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. In verses 10-18 God told Samuel to tell the people all they horrible things a King would do to them and cause them to go through. Their lives would become much more difficult, but they had a desire and said in verse 19 “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. They were going to name it and claim it.
 

(verse 21-22)When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.” Terrible hardships followed.

Anything not of God will always end up in pain, struggle, and hardship. The Israelites learned the hard way, let us learn from their mistake, and find our example in Jesus when He said in Luke 22:42 Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" Jesus had a desire for something too, but He knew better than to lean on his own understanding, instead he placed his trust in the Father. So instead of naming and claiming something, we would be better to be like our Lord and Saviour. "Father, if you are willing, yet not my will but yours be done" 

2 Timothy 1:6

God puts a spark of love for Himself in us, but in order to grow, we must make an effort to do the things required to keep that flame burning.

2 Timothy 1:6 tells us

"I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God..."



How to be a Biblical Super-Hero

Get Cape

Repent and believe. Mark 1:15

Wear Cape

Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 13:14

Fly
those who wait on the LORD...will mount up with wings like eagles. Isa 40:31



Bible Study and Prayer

First; studying the Bible without actually reading the Bible itself is a bleak and fruitless chore. Second; the student will only benefit from the Word of God in so far as he knows it and loves it.

~ Peter F. Ellis ~

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth"- John 1:1,14

(Jesus is the Word...You will only benefit from Jesus in so far as you know Him and love Him)

"...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one, whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" - Romans 10:13-14 (you cannot believe in what you don't know, you cannot call on a God you don't believe in, and how can you believe in a God whom you have not heard speak to you? Just listening to a sermon won't do it, a preacher is not God, but when he speaks the Word of God, that Word is alive, as the Word is Jesus Himself)

Read the whole Bible, read the Word of God, get to know God intimately. Also spend much, much time in quiet time of prayer, just being still in His presence, hear His voice as He speaks personally to you and you will fall in love with Him. Jesus had no sin to confess. Jesus had all the authority and power of God at His disposal. He needed nothing, and yet He snuck off often to spend time alone with God in prayer. Why? Because He wanted intimacy with His Father.

Above everything, above ministry, above evangelism, above Bible study, above sermons, above it all...Spend intimate time with your heavenly Father...if you do not, the rest will amount to little or nothing. Fall in love with Jesus and reading the Bible will be a blessing to you.

I'm gonna do something great for God!

After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.” Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.” That night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: "Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” ~ 1 Chronicles 17:1-6 ~

For God's will...PRAY PRAYoften.

 

 With the best of intentions we can try to do things for God, but if God did not direct us to do it, we are wasting our time, energy, and resources as it will never do any good for His Kingdom. Psalm 127:1 tells us, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain"

 

 Moral of the story...

  

Even in Ministry, if God ain't in it, you shouldn't be either! 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever

1828 Webster's Dictionary Defintion of Grace

1. Favor; good will; kindness; disposition to oblige another; as a grant made as an act of grace.

2. Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. And if by grace,then it is no more of works. Rom.11.

3. Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin. My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor.12.

4. The application of Christ's righteousness to the sinner. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Rom.5.

5. A state of reconciliation to God. Rom.5.2.

6. Virtuous or religious affection or disposition, as a liberal disposition, faith, meekness, humility, patience, &c. proceeding from divine influence.

7. Spiritual instruction, improvement and edification. Eph.4.29.

8. Apostleship, or the qualifications of an apostle. Eph. 3.8.

9. Eternal life; final salvation. 1 Pet.1.13.

10. Favor; mercy; pardon.

Today's Dicitionary Defintion of Grace.

1. Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion.

2. A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement.

3. A sense of fitness or propriety.

4. A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill.

 

5. A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.

6. A temporary immunity or exemption; a reprieve.

7. Graces Greek & Roman Mythology Three sister goddesses, known in Greek mythology as Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia, who dispense charm and beauty.

8. Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God. An excellence or power granted by God.

9. A short prayer of blessing or thanksgiving said before or after a meal.

10. Grace Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for a duke, duchess, or archbishop

 

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Hebrews 13:8 tells us...

 

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever"

 

Then...9 out o 10 definitions had to do with God. The other 1 had to do with loving others.

 

Today...1 out of 10 have to do with God, and most of the others about self

 

Why is the Nation in turmoil? You do the Math.

 

 

 

Tree Climbers Unite

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way ~ Luke 19:1-4 ~

Being a tax collector in those days meant being a person that cheated people, lied, and took advantage of others. Being wealthy, or rather having a love of money, was probably worse as it kept people from seeing their need of God. Our sin keeps us from seeing God's truths. Like Zacchaeus we need to get above the crowds, the noise, and the distractions of life so we can get our eyes fixed on Jesus, as the only way to open our eyes to the truth is when we look at Him. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life..." Obviously climbing a tree is not going to work today, but getting alone and spending quiet time in prayer does. Need to see things clearly? Put your faith and trust in the Lord. Jesus said in John 12:44-46  “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. (God) I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (or sin)

So find a tree and fix your eyes on Jesus!

Trust God and do Good.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12 ~

 

What beautiful poetry. What a beautiful promise. Not only does God promise to bless His children with an eternal crown of life but He enables them to endure the testing and temptations of life between now and then. Praise God in all His glory. 

Worldly vs. godly testimonies...

Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life ~ 1 John 5:10 ~

A testimony is simply a eyewitness account of something you saw, or an account of something that happened. I might testify in court to a crime I witnessed. Or my wife my give a testimony to how good her new hand cream works. People give testimonies all the time, teenagers especially give testimonies of things they did, or things they watched such as movies. The only testimony that really has any value or eternal benefit however, is the testimony God has placed in your heart concerning Jesus Christ. How often do you share what Jesus did for you compared to worldly testimonies?

 

The word testimony intimidates or hinders some people from sharing Jesus, so if that's you just remember, whether you realize it or not you give testimonies everyday, sharing a godly testimony is simply making a conscious decision to to share Jesus instead of things of no value. Here is an example of an easy way to testify "I woke up this morning feeling really bad but God reminded me of who I am in Jesus and it changed my whole day" Just be sincere and honest. You don't have to start by preaching the whole Bible, if you have the desire to share Jesus and start with small testominies, God will increase you and give you words to share more when you are ready. Matthew 12:36 tells us, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken"

 

 



What's in Hello?

 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father ~ Galatians 1:3-4 ~

The Church had been planted in Galatia but now false teachers were starting to pop up teaching salvation by works, or earning your way to heaven, and many Christians were being led astray. True Grace is a gift from God, giving you what you don't deserve, true Peace like Grace, is also something only the Lord can provide.
What's this got to do with hello? I am glad you asked.
 

Grace is the 'source of salvtion' and peace is the 'result of salvation' By saying 'Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ' Paul identifies that grace and peace are of God not good works, also it signifies the Father and the Son are two parts of the Trinity with equal deity. By adding 'who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us' Paul identifies the purpose of Jesus coming was to be a sin offering, that Jesus Christ is the only source of Grace, and without Him we would still be in bondage. Jesus dying for us was a rescue mission!
 

The common greeting of that time was 'Chara' or Joy. This distinctly Christian greeting of grace and peace, held special meaning and significance. The law system of the Judaizers (good works) provided NO grace or peace, so the very teachings of salvation by works was attacked in this simple greeting. If salvation is of works than it is not of grace (a gift) Romans 4:4-5

 

The people of Galatia were turning away from the Gospel message of Jesus Christ by grace, and turning back to false teachers, false doctrines, and back to the law (religion), this special greeting reminded people that without Christ's atoning death and resurrection the Gospel Messsage would be worthless and people would still be in their sins. (1 Corinthians 15:14-17)

By adding 'according to the will of our God and Father' confirms grace is a gift and not of works, also God is a Father to those whom receive Him "But to as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" John 1:12-13
 

Paul's greeting was carefully thought out. What about you? How do you greet people? Hey, Hi, Hello, Waz up? How's it going? Today is no different, so many have turned, and are turning, to their own strength for salvation, even after hearing of grace by faith in Jesus Christ.
 

So the challenge is this...
 

This week greet people by saying "Grace & Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" Yeah, your going to get some looks and some comments, but hopefully it will open a door for you to explain the Gospel Message and remind people in order to be rescued they need Jesus!

What's a Fish Gate?

"On that day," declares the LORD, "a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, wailing from the New Quarter, and a loud crash from the hills. Wail, you who live in the market district, all your merchants will be wiped out, all who trade with silver will be ruined. At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent...".

 ~ Zephaniah 1;10-12 ~

The Fish gate was a gate people would go through through to get to the market place or the New Quarter, it was probably located closest to the fish portion of the market, hence the name. The market place back then was a very corrupt place and would be much like going to the mall today. A place where people can be very greedy and self centered. Both buyers and sellers, full of vanity and pride, lust, and greed. Many then and many still today think God does not punish or reward since they had not yet seen Him do it, in the day of the Lord however, God's judgement will come upon those who want nothing to do with the atoning sacrifice of Jesus but instead are more interested in shopping, taking advantage of each, the latest fashion trends, eating and drinking, money, entertainment, and finding the easy life. 

There is another gate however, Jesus said in Matthew 7:13 "enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter it"

Not only is Jesus the gate, He is also the shepherd. When a shepherd wants to lead his sheep out to graze, he comes through the gate and calls his sheep. Even if his sheep are mixed with another flock, only his sheep will follow him out of the gate. Sheep won't be deceived into following another shepherd because they recognize their shepherd's voice. They know to whom they belong. 

Jesus is the narrow gate! In John 10:9 Jesus say's, " I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved"

in John 10;1 Jesus tells us, ""Truly, I tell all of you with certainty, the person who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a bandit"

You can only choose one... which gate will you enter?