Our Mission To love all people at all times and lead them into a new life in Christ.
Our Vision To be a church that will be multicultural and generational, having a lasting impact on the people to whom we minister.
To see the gospel extend beyond the walls of our church through various outreaches.
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“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now,
and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen
tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things
come up when the time comes.” Matt. 6:34 (Message Bible)
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(This is quoted from Joseph Prince daily devotional.) We can receive help with “future problems” by remembering that God’s mercies are new every morning.
The spiritual principle here is that God gives us manna or grace for each day. And the grace that He gives us for today is not meant to be “kept” or used for tomorrow. He gives you grace today for today’s needs. Don’t worry about tomorrow’s needs. When tomorrow comes, rest assured that there will be a fresh supply of His grace!When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God fed them with manna each morning. All they had to do was collect the manna for the day. But the manna could not be kept for the next day or it would breed worms and stink (Exodus 16:13–20).
If you spend precious time and energy today fretting about the needs of tomorrow, next week or next month, you’ll just get into a cycle of agitation, worry and fear. You’ll also miss out on what God’s grace is supplying you today.
So quit worrying about tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. As each day arrives, God gives you the grace anew to do what you need to for the day. Just rest in His faithfulness, focus on this day that He’s given you and enjoy His fresh supply of grace to meet the demands of all your needs TODAY.
Part two of last weeks message
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:21-25
Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. Soul is our mind, our will and our emotions. We are subject to betrayal, offense, hurts and so forth as we live our lives on this earth.
Our souls are continually begin saved (healed, delivered) as we receive the engrafted word and apply that Word to our lives. We should continually allow the washing of water with the Word to renew us, to revive us, to heal our souls so we will not be looking through the eyes of a wounded soul.
James is writing to saved people, church folks when he says, “be you doers of the Word and not just hearers only”. One of the definitions of doer in the Greek is, “performer.” When one performs they are acting out that which they want others to see. That is why we are to be examples to the world of the saving, changing power of the Word of God.
God desires us to propser and be in health even as our soul prospers. The word “prosper” means “succeed in reaching.” Are you succeeding in reaching out to be all God has purposed you to be? Allow the word to renew your soul.
We apply that Word to the saving of our souls by, hearing the Word, by receiving the Word, by begin doers of the Word and by continuing in the Word.
Today we are going to be teaching on begin doers of the Word and continuing in the Word.
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:21-25
In this chapter we read that James is talking about receiving the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. Now you may ask, I thought I was already saved? We see that the James was writing to saved people, the twelve tribes of scattered abroad. Why was he telling them to receive the engrafted word which is able to save their souls?
When we look at salvation we learn that we have been saved-that is in the past at some point when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior. We will forever be saved one day when we go to Heaven from the possibility of sin. But we are continually been saved from the power of sin now. That is what James is talking about when he says, “receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.” The Greek word for soul is “psyche” your mind, your will, your emotion. James is saying that the Word of God is be able to give you deliverance-the saving of your mind, your emotion, your will—your deliverance from the power of sin, right now.
We are to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only. Work the Word and the Word will began to work in your life. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]…
How do we work the engrafted Word to the saving of our souls? By hearing the Word, by receiving the Word, by begin doers of the Word and continue in the Word.
If we abide in these four things we will begin to live a victorious life in this earth now. Our soul, our mind will continually be renewed.
“But, seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these other things will be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)
When it comes to God, the world has a different view about the above verse. Its version is “Make your worldly plans and then work God into it if and when you can.” I am not trying to be critical but there was a good example of this at Downtown Days Festival yesterday. The Adair Ministerial Association was scheduled to have a time of Gospel praise from 10:00 am until 11:30 am on the main stage on the square. Due to the weather conditions on Friday night the group providing the sound system refused to set up their equipment. This threw everything off schedule so adjustments had to be made. When AMA went to start, we found out we were moved from the main stage to a spot on Burkesville St off the square. This was done to keep the main stage free so “Trick Pony” could get set up. The festival committee had committed to feature the group on Saturday night, and I have no problem with that. But, as usual, God had to give up His plans to fit into the “program.”
There seems to be a general principle at work that holds true through much of our society. Namely, if plans are interrupted, go on with the program and work God in where you can. The thought seems to be, “ if you don’t have the time, give God the left overs.” Even in the church family our lives are so well planned around “earthly things” we work God in when and where we can. I am not fussing at people but challenging them to work their schedule around God rather than work God into their schedule.
Matthew 6:33 tells us that God will take care of all our needs if we seek Him first. What about giving Him that chance? Instead of attending church when we can, why not plan to attend church and work our plans around that. Instead of giving to God if we have any money left, why not tithe first and live on the rest. I promise it will go further. We sometimes wonder why certain Biblical promises do not seem to be working for us. Could it be we are not seeking the right thing first? Think about it.
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” II Cor. 11:13-15 (NKJV)
This is an interesting portion of Scripture containing insight into how Satan is able to deceive mankind. Satan’s ministers are not always evil looking and have loose morals. Evil does not look evil when it resembles an angel of light. Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, credits his revelation to an “angel of light” (his words) he met in the woods one night. That in itself is enough to make me doubt the truth of his Book of Morman.
There are evil spirits and there are evil spirits. Evil spirits (ministers of Satan) do not always have the appearance of evil. The most dangerous ones are those that do not. To call a spirit evil isn’t always because of what he does but the source of his activity.
The greatest danger of Satan’s ministers is their ability to deceive. They can make things look different than what they really are. Worldly attractions can entice a victim into something that can later harm or destroy him.
The most dangerous evil spirits are ones who use the ideas of “religion” to lead people astray. The existence of denominations is a direct result of demon activity. Only God is 100% correct about everything. Man is only correct if he agrees with God. Religion is a sacred cow to keep mankind from coming to the real truth. To do this he uses truths in an untruthful way. He told Eve, “has God not said?” thus using God’s own words against her. Satan can do the same thing to you. It comes as “religious beliefs”. You cannot believe everything you read and see even though it looks that way. Do not be deceived.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer. 29:11(NKJV)
Do you ever ask yourself what God thinks about you? With the wrong mindset that could be pretty unsettling and lead to heavy condemnation. The Bible tells us in I Cor. 2 that the natural mind cannot understand the things of the Spirit. It also tells us we have the “mind of Christ” if we are saved. The question becomes, “Are we using our right mind?” Do we see things through our natural mind or through “the mind of Christ?
When Jesus cast out the demons from the man in the tombs it says they saw him sitting with Jesus clothed and in his right mind. He was in his “right mind.” What does it mean to be in your right mind? Would you agree that it means you are thinking the way you should? When you study the Scriptures it becomes clear that many people saved or not, are not in their right mind or they would not face many of the problems they are facing.
This is what I am referring to when I make that kind of statement. Too many Christians are still thinking like the world. When you do that, you solve your problems by the way of the world leaving the “mind of Christ” unused. Live by this motto, “think like the world-live like the world; think like Christ-live like Christ.” We have to have our minds renewed by the Word of Christ then we recognize how we should think about our lives and follow Christ-like ways to deal with our problems.
The hardest thing to change about ourselves is to change our minds. Victory over the world and Satan comes by out thinking them. How do we out-think them? By using the mind of Christ. How do we know the mind of Christ? We do that by knowing and believing the Scriptures because they “are” the mind of Christ. Believing comes from learning God’s Word. Our work is to learn who and what we are then we can live like it.
“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17(NKJV)“
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” I Cor. 14:1
“But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” I Cor. 14:3(NKJV)
There is overwhelming support in the Bible that prophets and prophecy are gifts to the New Testament church. Some skeptics fail to realize that even in 2014 we are still part of the N.T. church. Nothing given to the church was intended to “pass away” after a specific amount of time had passed. So, as with the other gifts, prophecy is still valid in the church today.
The scope of prophecy is very wide and we must understand the importance of its specific functions. Old Testament prophets usually spoke God’s word about certain events yet to take place. Sometimes the words of the prophet uncovered present events and circumstances that needed to be brought to light. Samuel revealed that David was to be Israel’s next king. The unnamed prophet in I Kings 13 spoke against the paganism of the present king and told of its aftermath.
Other prophets prophesied against entire nations about their future state. There was no shortage of prophets in Old Testament times. In many cases the words of the prophets were the only contact man had with God.
The New Testament opened up the door for a wider revelation of God through Jesus Christ. God’s living Word, Jesus, is now our go-between with God. But, prophets and prophecy were not removed from the scene. If anything, they are now more important than before. A word of prophecy can confirm what God has already been speaking to you. It may explain a “feeling” you have not quite understood. It can give you information you need to fulfill your purpose. It may just be given to let you know that God knows who and where you are. We are blessed today with a prophet of God to minister to us. As Dr. Childs ministers the “Word of the Lord” today listen for the voice of God in everything he says. That means his sermon, words to others, or a word directly to you. God will speak to you if you will listen.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJV)
“These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NKJV)
It seems that there is a lot of effort going on in the world to bring about peace but little positive results. Perhaps the main reason is that “peace” can only be achieved if everyone is agreeable to do things “my” way. That generally means that “I” will stop fighting when “I” am in control. World peace can only come if every one truly decides to stop trying to control someone else. Without that leaders will always have to protect those who follow them against forces that wish to dominate and rule over them.
Can you imagine a world where it is not necessary to have armies or police forces because no one is trying to do anyone any harm? Sounds like utopia doesn’t it? What would it be like if billions of dollars spent on defense could be used to better the lives of those who need it? Many people want what other people have and are willing to use force to get it. Is it unreasonable to think that real peace is possible? It could only happen if you could change human nature.
Jesus understood that there will never be peace on earth as long as man insists on having his own way. Jesus knew that peace of mind and heart is the only peace possible as long as we live on this planet where God has given man a “free will.” That is the peace Jesus is talking about in the above verses. Peace can only come when human selfishness is eliminated. This can only happen when there is a change in human nature. Human nature can change only when it is submitted to God. (James 4:7-10) It can only be submitted to God by our choice to do so. Jesus never forces us to obey and follow Him. But, when we make the choice to do that it will bring us peace that passes understanding. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
A Family Plan
“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.” Ps. 68:5(NKJV)
“As a father pities his children, is the Lord pities those who fear Him.” Ps. 103:13(NKJV)
Since this is the first Sunday in September we will focus on an important aspect of life. September is being recognized as “family month” in Adair County. This is being promoted by our local health department as a way to put emphasis on strengthening families. It is easy to see that family life is facing a challenge to remain vital as a unit of society. A family was the first relationship core established by God, the Creator. Without healthy families there is a weak foundation for any other societal relationships.
The family home should be the first place for one to begin learning how to blend into a society. The family should be the place where one learns of love, responsibility, order, caring, sharing, trust, security, and dependability. Sadly this is not the case in many homes today. Many homes are “broken.” It is not uncommon to use the expression “from a broken home” when referring to family situations.
How do you fix a broken home? It is usually not an easy matter and many give up hope and just “leave.” It is easier to prevent a broken home than to fix one. This is one place where the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true. Regardless of the past it is possible to change the future but it depends on us to be willing to change.
The beginning of family problems is human selfishness and lack of understanding about what a family is. A family is supposed to be a place of trust, safety, and security. These elements are sadly lacking in many cases. Often it is because there is no example present on how things should be. If we do not know how to be an example “now,” how can we change the future “then?”
Let us not resign ourselves and just live as usual but rise up and do our part to repair “broken homes” and train our heirs to prevent them in the future. Friends, if we do not meet this challenge who will? If it doesn’t begin with us, then with whom does it begin? The scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I believe that. Do you?
GOD IS WHO?
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly.” Gen. 17:1-2(NKJV)
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me.” Ex. 20:2-3(NKJV)
There seems to be some confusion about which god is God. The leading contenders are Yahweh and Allah. Some say they are one and the same; just people using different names to refer to the same “god.” Of course there are many other deities scattered around the world. Many of these are local “deities” limited to certain geographic regions.
For time sake we shall only consider those making the most global impact. These are Yahweh, God of Christians and Jews, and Allah, god of the Muslims. It is important to know “who is the real god?’ In Elijah’s day the question was “is it Yahweh or Baal?” At Mt. Carmel it was proved to be Yahweh.
Today, we are being forced to make that decision again. Is it Yahweh or Allah or are they one and the same as some believe? If they are one and the same then “He” is either schizophrenic or bipolar. Yahweh is love and blessing. He is God who cares for His creation. Allah is hate and destruction. He seems to be intent on destroying all who refuse to “bow down to him.” Allah only cares about those who follow him, whereas Yahweh loves and cares for all mankind. Yahweh desires that all men be saved by using love to attract them. Allah desires that men follow him or die if not.
It will make a big difference who your “God” is. Have you noticed that the secular world seems to side with the religion of Islam? It is Christianity they are trying to silence and hold up the freedoms of Islam. Defaming any religion other than Christianity is deemed a “hate crime” but one can say what he wishes about Christianity and nothing is said. WAKE UP AMERICA! This is undeniable proof that Jesus was right when He said, “If the world hated Me, they will hate you also.” To me this is concrete proof that Yahweh is God and the Bible is true. What is your verdict?
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” I Tim. 4:12(NKJV)
One of the things that Paul exhorted the people more than once was that they look to him as an example of Christian living. Paul was not holding himself up as an example because he felt he was perfect, but as one living honestly before men. He once said, “Not that I have arrived but I am pressing on,” showing it is a matter of belief and heart relationship; a desire to live right. He was confident in his heart that his live was a representation of the Kingdom of Christ.
I have a question for each of us to ponder with regard to the effect our lives are having on those around us. “If everyone lived just like me what kind of world would this world be?” If everyone talked like me, thought like me, acted like me, would I like the neighborhood? It is not a question of being allowed to be what we want, it is a matter of how it affects other people around us.
If everyone had your temper would there be peace or war? Would your work ethic bring prosperity or poverty? Would your ideas about marriage bring lasting relations or divorce? What if everyone handled “offenses” like you? What if everyone was as forgiving as you? What if everyone was as honest as you? If everyone was as courteous as you would it bring smiles or frowns? There are many other areas to consider as well. It is a lot to ponder but let’s try it. Can we change anything?
More than 9 million people have their identity stolen every year. Crooks want your personal information so they can impersonate you and charge your credit card without your knowledge.
I believe there is some thievery going on in the church and we are going to expose it and do self-checking to see if we are or have become a victim of identity thief.
We all are familiar with John 10:10 “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.”
The word “thief” comes from the Greek word “klepto” which means to steal. It gives a picture of a bandit, pickpocket, or thief who is so artful in the way he steals that his exploits of thievery are nearly undetectable.
Satan wants to steal your identity and give you a false one. The devil will try to steal your identity by planting lying thoughts in your mind about who you are.
I read just recently that there are about 60,000 thoughts that go through our minds a day of which about 56,400 are about our own needs, wants and concerns. That my friend is what the devil plays on. We struggle with thoughts such as, if you really a child of God why are you struggling financially, why are you sick, why did you go through that divorce, why is that child you raised in church on drugs. Those thoughts sound familiar? He wants you to bite on the lie and believe something that’s not true. His initial approach is to destroy you from the inside out by the subtle chipping away at your internal self-worth residing in your God-given identity. That identity is found by the fact that you undeniably know who you are because you know who God is. Once you began to know Whose you are you will began to know who you are and then you will be able to live the abundant life only found in God.
Your identity comes from what you believe about yourself, even if it’s a lie.
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6::10
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28(NKJV)
Don’t quit reading until you have finished the entire article or you will miss the point. Remember that God is sovereign, and He has everything under control. Whatever happens to you is under His control. No matter whether it is good or bad whatever happens to you is His will. After all He said He would not put more on you than you can stand.
Regardless of what He does or allows, it is His will for you. Buck up. If you are sick, injured, or heart broken God is just teaching you something you need to know. Just accept whatever comes, it is meant for good. Things like family members being killed is just God using it to get someone else saved. As it says above “all things work together for good.” God is more interested in getting you to heaven. It isn’t important what happens to you here.
Job said, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Paul told us to “give thanks because whatever is happening to us is God’s will.” God wants to make sure we stay humble. We are not worthy to expect anything from God if we don’t keep the law and work hard. God said we are known by our works.
I could go on but let me ask. Are you sick of this yet? If you aren’t, you haven’t been listening much since you have been attending New Life. Everything I have implied in this article is unscriptural and twisted. Did you feel a knot in your stomach as you read? The sad part is that millions of Christians hear this every week from the pulpit of their church. They are good people that love God and want to serve Him. Most of their pastors are good men that love God and want to serve Him. The problem is a lack of Biblical understanding. The Word says, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge…” Hosea 4:6
The most important thing a church can do for its people is to teach them to “rightly divide” the word of truth. We don’t need to live by our opinions but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
God’s love is kind. God’s love is forgiving. God’s love is forever. Love never fails. (Pastor’s paraphrase of I Cor. 13:4)
We have just finished 24 glorious hours of Kid’s Camp at New Life. About 50 campers and workers “ministered” to one another in the power of God’s love. That was the theme for the camp. They all shared together in finding the “treasure of His love” on our trip to Son-shine Island where the “pearl of great price” was uncovered.
There were songs, games, Bible lessons, food, and fun. We want to thank everyone who helped make this (to quote some campers) “one of the best camps we have ever had.” Thank you, parents, for sending your children. Thank you, grandparents, for bringing some of them. THANK YOU, WORKERS, FOR YOUR ENERGY AND LABOR OF LOVE SO WE COULD DO THIS!
Many hours went into preparing for the camp. Lots of cleaning, fixing, painting, and other preparations were put in even before camp started. Once it started it was nonstop until the end. There were a few hours of sleep but every waking minute everyone there was doing something to make things a big success.
Today is our finale and the kids are excited about the opportunity to share what they have done and learned. From the youngest to the oldest they each will take away something that they will never forget. They may not remember the date and time but will always remember that God loves them no matter what.
We ask you to help make sure “your kids” will continue in an atmosphere that will encourage their spiritual growth. The things of the world are not interested in your children’s future, but God is. You should be also. Thank you for trusting us with your precious little one. We hope we returned them in better shape than ever. God’s blessings rest upon you. Amen.
Gods wants to give you a fresh drink today!
If you have been baptized in the Holy Ghost your initial infilling was the first drink of many.
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:18…be filled with the Spirit. Bible commentators point out that the Greek present imperative tense is used in this verse. It has the implication meaning of a continuous replenishment, an ongoing and repeated filling. A accurate translation would be something like:“…go on being filled.”
In Acts 2:4, it says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” But then again in Acts 4:31, it says of many of the same believers,“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” Sounds like a Ephesians 5:18 experience— they received another filling, a replenishment, another drink.
What is the condition for this repeat filling in Acts 4:31?
Acts 4:24, 29-31 When they heard this, they raised their voices together inprayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
We can see that the refilling came as they prayed to God for more— (1) bold preaching … (2) healings … (3) miraculous signs and wonders — all in the Name of Jesus. If they had been content to rest in their initial, Acts 2:4 Holy Spirit anointing, they would not have asked, they would not have received —“Ye have not because ye ask not” (James 4:2).
Jesus spokeinJohn14:12of believersdoingthe “works that He did” and even “greater works.” We need the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and a …go on begin filled experience to be able to accomplish this.
How do you find yourself today? Do you find yourself somewhere between your own personal Acts 2 and Acts 4? Have you continually been filled since you first received the Holy Ghost? Do you need a fresh drink,a replenishment today?
John 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit….
From Pastor: When Things Get Out of Control!
“For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.” I Kings 13:9 (NKJV)
You may not be familiar with the story surrounding this verse of scripture. It happened when a prophet from Judah came to Bethel by the word of the Lord and spoke a word against the altar and King Jeroboam pointed his hand at the prophet saying “arrest him” and his hand withered. The King pleaded with the prophet to pray for restoration of his hand. He prayed and it was restored. The King was so impressed that he offered the prophet a reward but his response was the verse above.
The prophet was determined to obey the Lord by refusing the King’s offer of a reward. An old prophet heard about what happened and went to find the prophet. When he found him he invited him to his house. The prophet (who is never named) told him the same thing he told the King above. The old prophet used his “seniority” on the younger prophet saying, “I hear from God too and He told me you were to go with me,” but he lied to him. The prophet listened and, ignoring his word from the Lord, went with him. Afterward, the Lord spoke to the un-named prophet through the old prophet that he would die before he got back home. He was killed by a lion on the way home and buried in a foreign land.
What a messed up story. Such power of God demonstrated. Such prophetic accuracy was given. But, such deceit and lying by a “man of God” and such disobedience by another “man of God.” Personal desire by one man of God lead to wickedness and the death of another man of God. These events encouraged King Jeroboam to overlook his experience with the prophet and continue his evil ways. This is what happens when things get out of control. “Let all things be do decently and in order.” I Cor. 14:40(NKJV)
Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Proverbs 4:25-26
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus-fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:2
Shirley, there is power in balance. Those were the words I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart several months ago. Thinking about those words over and over again I began to get a little understanding of what God was trying to show me.
Balance means, “keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall. A mental steadiness or emotional stability, a habit of calm behavior, judgment etc.
The enemy of ours souls does like for us to have balance in anything. Even he knows there is power in balance. He is the author of confusion and if he can get us to go to one extreme or another, we will never walk in the power of an overcoming life that has been made available to us. If we are not continually lead by the Holy Spirit and have the truth of the word revealed to us we will have a tendency go to one extreme or another. How do we maintain balance-by keeping our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith-Jesus!!
There are two words in the Bible that throws people off balance-grace and faith. If you do not ask for the eyes of your understanding to be enlightened and receive the message of grace and faith you will continually walk a life out of balance. Especially if you were raised in a traditional denominational church. We don’t have to work for what has freely been given and grace does not give us a ticket to live our lives anyway we choose.
The word gracemeans unmerited, unearned, undeserved favor. Hallelujah, grace has nothing to do with us, grace is God’s part. So if grace is God’s part what is our part-faith. We respond to God by faith to what He has already provided for us by grace. When we get a revelation of how faith and grace work together there is a balance that takes place in our lives and that balance brings power to live an overcoming life.
Remember one definition of balance, “a mental steadiness or emotional stability, a habit of calm behavior, judgment etc. Power means, “the ability to do something or act in a particular way.” How does getting a revelation of grace and faith cause one to maintain balance and walk in power.
Today’s message: There is Power in the Balance of Grace and Faith.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…Ephesians 2:8-9
“Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Hebrews 11:36-40(NKJV)
This weekend we are celebrating the Independence of the USA. Parties, fireworks, picnics, and parades are symbols of that freedom. I am afraid we take it too lightly as we do the heritage of our Christian faith. We fail to remember what our forefathers suffered to make sure we have the blessing of freedom we have today. Today is a day of pleasure seeking and me, me, me. It is a matter of what I want, what will benefit me, and getting what “I deserve” that motivates many people (maybe most people).
As I have been reading and studying the sacrifices made by early Christians and their treatment at the hands of anti-christian leaders and society I have wondered if most Christians today (especially in America) could hold a candle to our godly ancestors. Thousands of them gave their lives for a Faith they believed in and many more for the birth of the nation whose motto is “In God we trust.”
Today many people give up their “faith” if they are ridiculed or just talked about, or don’t get their way when things are done. Our Christian forefathers gave up their lives by the thousands just for saying “I am a Christian.” The inhuman torture they endured, without so much as a word or tear, could not sway their faith in God and their death was considered a victory over the “crooked serpent.” I asked myself the question “Could I die with that much trust and ignore the afflictions involved?” Could you?
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” I Thes. 2:13(NKJV)
The word of God tells us that we are soil and His Word is seed. Seed is sowed into the soil and the soil then receives the seed and depending on the condition of the soil produces a crop. The only problem with this is that our “enemy” is also sowing “tares.” Furthermore, tares are sometimes hard to tell from good “seed.” They can only be told apart as they mature.
God’s Word is always dependable and will produce the right crop as it matures in our lives. “Seed” from another source is to be carefully examined and compared to the true word of God. It can’t just be “close” it must be “exact.” The Bible says “the truth will make you free.” The true Word will liberate you from everything including sin and religious traditions. Religious bondage can be worse than the bondage of sin. The reason being is that we can see what sin is doing to us but we cannot see the negative effects of incorrect doctrine and legalism because they are disguised as God’s will for us.
Living by the correct word will lift the burden we cannot carry. Remember Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” The grace of God does not free us to sin; it frees us from sin. Sin no longer has dominion over us. We are not pondering the thought, “under grace it doesn’t matter what I do it is forgiven.” We understand that “we are raised above the corruption of the world” because it is not our nature to follow a sinful path.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:2(NKJV)
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” II Cor. 9:7 (NKJV)
This verse is hilarious. The context suggests overwhelming delight and joy about making a decision to do something. When was the last time you were “hilarious” about giving? You felt an excitement within you that made you laugh with joy and bubble with enthusiasm that was almost uncontrollable. Does this seem unusual to you to feel this way? The word cheerful literally means “a spirit of enjoyment in giving that sweeps away all restraints.” The Greek word “hilaros” is translated into our word “hilarious.”
When you sow garden seed, how do you feel about it? You get tired, spend time and effort, and it costs you money. But, do you grumble, complain, and fret or do you look forward to the harvest you will receive in time? You never sow seed in a garden without believing there will be positive results. No one sows seed while they think they are wasting their time.
The Bible says in I Cor. 3:9 that we are God’s fellow workers and “God’s field.” Our effort to advance the Kingdom of God is like preparing a field and then planting good seed to produce a harvest. No matter what else we may do as “extra curricular activity” the only thing that will bring forth fruit is sowing seed. This sowing comes in the form of money, time, talents, energy, prayer, communication, effort, ideas, and other activities.
It is not the duty of someone else to do the sowing. It is our duty. All of us are called to give of what we “have” and not what we “have to spare.” The whole family of believers will eat of the Kingdom “harvest” as it comes to maturity. Are you a seed sower or a freeloader? Paul told the Thessalonians in II Thes. 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” This is a spiritual principle that holds true in the eyes of God. If you do not enjoy sowing the seed, you will not receive the joy of the harvest.
Are you expecting to hear from God? Are you expecting miracles? Are you inviting people to come and see what God will do for them? We get lots of prayer request from people. Have you invited any of them to come? They just might receive their miracle.
The best way to advertize a meeting is to personally invite and even offer to bring someone to church. If you are not excited and eagerly anticipating these services, what do you expect to receive?
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