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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“He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children.” Psalm 113:9(NKJV)
It may not appear to be true but the most respected person in an individual’s life is mother. Even “less than perfect” mothers have a place in children’s hearts. It is even easier to bond with a “bad” mother than with a “bad” father. Mothers are the one that nurtured the offspring, and this alone creates a tie that is not easily broken.
Watch any sport on television and you will see what I mean. These big and manly athletes, hero of adults and kids alike, are panned by the cameras during the events. Do they acknowledge the men that inspired them to achieve their status? Do they yell “you ‘da man”, honor their coaches, or wave at dad? No! It is nearly always “Hi, mom.”
Mothers have an effect on their children that no one can replace. The mother figure sets the tone of life for everyone. It is best when that figure is a “good” birth mother. Children usually live a life that is patterned by what they see in their parents. That is why it is important to be good parents. Father figures are important, but mother figures keep bonds much stronger.
Parents need to learn how to be good parents. Most children will follow their pattern for their own life. Thank God that all things are possible and things can change. Good parents can have wayward children and it may not be their fault. Bad parents can have good kids and that is great. Remember, our lives affect not only us but a multitude of others. Our choices will have a great influence on others. Make the right ones.
A Son’s Tribute to His Mother
Mother, you bore me into life,
Which can be good or filled with strife.
You really helped me find the way,
Your love and grace helped me not to stray.
You loved me and you loved dad,
It was the best family I could have had.
If you were here I would have to say,
“Mom, you made me what I am today.”
Love, Jerry. May 11, 2014
“He who believes in me as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Jn. 7:38(NKJV)
God is speaking to us here at New Life. One of the messages is about overflowing with the fullness of Jesus into the world. Jesus said believers will overflow from the heart. We believe God has given us a vision to be fulfilled by our church in the community surrounding us. We want to become so full of Jesus that we overflow outside our walls for the world to see. Get ready for our camp meeting JUNE 20-22!
Friday night through Sunday night we will have four power packed services featuring singing and preaching from anointed men and women of God. Each service will inspire and challenge you to OVERFLOW.
Friday night Dr Jim and Connie Childs will minister the word to us through preaching, teaching, and prophetic word. You know their ministry and connection to our church. Make plans now to come and be blessed.
Saturday night will be a powerful night of singing and preaching as we are joined by Rev. Joe Payne and the Eunice Church of God. These folks love the Lord and their excitement about serving Him will overflow to you. Don’t miss it.
Before the service at 5 o’clock there will be a fellowship meal for all our church family and or visiting friends. This will be a pitch-in dinner with good food.
Sunday morning we are blessed again to the ministry of Jim and Connie Childs plus whatever other ministries add to the service from their overflow.
Sunday night will close our camp meeting but not the overflow. We are excited to have Bro. Richard and Bonita Pierce back with us for the service. The Pierces spent over 20 years as part of New Life. Hopefully some of their family will be here that weekend. It will be a homecoming with our “spiritual kids, grand-kids, and great-grand-kids.”
The only way this weekend will bless you is for you to be here for the services. Attend, spread the word, and invite friends and family. You will be blessed and so will they. Watch for more information about this event and pass it on!
From Pastor: “A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH”
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk. 16:15-18
If you call yourself a “New Testament Church,” you should be doing all of the above otherwise you are not a New Testament Church. It is unmistakable that the first Christians were Pentecostals. But, they were called “Christians” not “Pentecostals.” Check it out in Acts chapter two. No matter what denominations claim, Pentecostals were the first. There are dozens of Pentecostal groups today, and their doctrines are widely varied. Man has added many things to Pentecostalism since New Testament times, thus polluting the true meaning of the term and diluting the power of the Gospel message.
“The signs accredit the gospel message, and cannot be limited to the apostolic age any more than the Lord’s commission to carry the gospel throughout the world. The signs, therefore, confirm the ministries of Christ’s ambassadors in every generation.” (Footnotes in the Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1502)
There are many “opinions” concerning the signs mentioned but there is a “truth” concerning them that can only come by sincere impartial study of the Scriptures and a humility that leads to guidance by the Holy Spirit. It is not our job to make the Scripture support what we believe but rather to make sure our beliefs are true to Scripture.
There is ample evidence throughout church history to prove that signs and wonders have continued since New Testament times. Those who believe see the signs following them. Those who choose to believe not have no signs to see. There have always been more doubters than believers. That is why Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” I can truly call myself Christian, I can truly call myself New Testament, I can truly call myself Pentecostal, and I have Biblical proof for it all. That is what I believe and that is what I preach and teach. The message I preach is to proclaim all of the Scriptures as still true and at work today. Why would I want to preach against the very things on which Christianity was founded?
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:7-10(NKJV)
“Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say to him, ‘What are you doing?” Eccl. 8:4(NKJV)
There is no doubt that the presence of a King creates an atmosphere unlike that of any other dignitary. The above verses of Scripture point this out. There is reason to rejoice in His presence and feel secure. The King represents power and authority needed to create a place of safety.
We in this country know very little about kings and royalty. Most of what we know is negative because of our knowledge of King George of England. We revolted against his rule and went to war to be free. We seem to have a low opinion of monarchs and do not care to be bothered by them.
But, to those who understand royalty and kingship the view is different. A king rules in his kingdom. The word kingdom even means a place where a king reigns. He is the ultimate word of authority. What he says goes. He does not control everything that happens in the kingdom but he holds the power to deal with any situation that arises.
Are you familiar with the terms “Kingdom of Heaven” or “Kingdom of God?” Jesus told Pilate that He was a king but His Kingdom was not of this earth. The thief asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. Jesus told His disciples to pray, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It started that way and it will end that way. It seems that most people do not like to be told what they can and cannot do. We need to get over it. The very best place one can be is under the authority of a benevolent King. That kind of king takes care of his people. Jesus is that kind of king!! Earthly kings are only human but Jesus “divinely human.” He makes no mistakes and rules justly.
“I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” I Tim. 6:13-15(NKJV)
There are a lot of Scriptures that express the greatness of the authority God manifested through Jesus Christ. The one above is as straight to the point as any. In it Paul makes it clear that He is the one and only Potentate (Sovereign), King of kings and Lord of lords. No matter which term one uses it is abundantly clear that God in Christ Jesus is the final authority.
In an attempt to express this point man has presented God as sovereign. However, man’s definition of “sovereign” in reference to Him has clouded theology in this area. Flawed theology has interpreted sovereign as meaning that God is the source of all earthly happenings, good, bad, and otherwise. Using this theology, God either causes or allows everything that happens.
To be true to the definition, the word sovereign means one having final authority over all other authority. In a “kingdom” the “king” is the highest authority and power there is. The king is in control of his country. He has authority over all his subjects. But, he is not responsible for their actions. If a citizen kills another citizen, it isn’t because the king made it happen. However, the king has authority to deal with the situation because he has the last word. We need to stop blaming God for causing things and give Him the opportunity to do something about it. He said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.”
If God is “sovereign” meaning He is responsible for everything that happens, it means that everything that happens is His will. If that is the case, then why were His disciples told to pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Truth is truth as long as it is understood correctly. His word is Truth.
“…let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.
Looking away (from all that will distract) to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith (giving the first incentive for our belief) and is also its Finisher (bringing it to maturity and perfection). He, for the joy (of obtaining the prize) that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself (reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials), so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. “
Hebrews 12:1-3
Who are you looking at? Who is looking at you?
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.” Heb. 12:1(NKJV)
Wow! What a challenge this verse lays out for us. There are several ideas we can get as we meditate on the verse. Who are the witnesses and what are they witnessing? Are they witnesses telling us their experiences or are they witnesses watching and listening to us as we meet our experiences?
I know the context implies the people of the “faith” chapter are witnessing to us about the grace and power of God. This is in line with the subject. However, it is not being unfaithful to the text by looking at it from another point of view. Envision this concept. The witnesses are those people who surround us watching as we live our “Christian Life.”
As we consider the godly witnesses of Hebrews 11 and use them as examples, there are many witnesses watching us. How are we doing in our race? What example are we setting? Are we prepared and in condition for the race?
“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2(NKJV)
The Greek word aphorao(looking) signifies undivided attention, looking away from all distractions in order to fix one’s gaze on one object. Here it means having eyes for no one but Jesus. If we keep our eyes on Him, the people whose eyes are on us will see a clearer view of what the life of Christ is all about. What do witnesses see in you?
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Tim. 2:15(KJV)
One thing that most people find difficult is studying. Even during school when we are processing information for future use very few people really enjoy studying. It seems to be a lost art. Any mental effort that is not enjoyable does not appeal to a lot of people. How can you learn anything without studying? Even when we learn by watching and listening to another we must concentrate on what we are doing. Can one learn how to “sew” just by watching someone else sew? Can we learn how to play basketball just by watching someone else play? We may learn the technique, the rules, and steps of operation but we will never become able to personally perform the task.
As an example, you can never live a “holy” life just by watching someone else live it. We must be diligent to learn and apply our acquired knowledge to the actual process of doing the work. Paul talks about studying and rightly dividing the word of truth. He means that we must know who we are, what we are, and how we are in our relationship to God.
I heard Andrew Wommack say recently that it is not what you do but what you believe that makes the difference. “Doing” is only human effort to make ones-self acceptable to God. Good works are not what reconciles us to God. It is not what we do for God, but what He does for us. Studying the Word, ourselves, others, and various events gives us insite into who and what we really are. It is not our job to become what God wants us to be rather it is our job to believe we are what God has made us through Christ.
If you really believe something you will live by it. Human nature wants to think of itself in the best terms possible. The more we improve ourselves the better we feel about it. The catch is that no amount of human effort is enough. On the other hand, if we can really understand and believe what God says about us, we can live it and not just keep trying to become something we don’t believe we are yet. When we learn who we really are in Christ, we will not be ashamed. God made this all possible for us through Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
The Message (MSG)
6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Psalm 68:19
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Pslam 103:2-5
He says to us that not only I am the God of your salvation, I have rescued you and now I want to load you daily with my benefits. He started out with the greatest blessing by reminding us that he is the God of our salvation. He purchased our salvation on the cross by the precious blood of His Son Jesus Christ. And then to add to all of that He says, I also want to daily load you with benefits. God could very easily have stopped at salvation. We don’t even deserve that much. The grace and mercy of God continues every day to give us that which we don’t deserve.
Psalms 103:2 tells us not to forget all His benefits. Hebrew meaning of forget is, “to be oblivious of from want of memory or attention.”
Most days I just wake up and head out and go about my day. We are creatures of habit and it is easy to get stuck in the same ole same ole. I don’t know about you I sometimes miss seeing these benefits in my daily life. And sometimes I forget that my God wants to bless me every day.
Just because I am not aware are these benefits still there? Absolutely yes! God tells us that He daily wants to load us with benefits. Every day God wants to be a part of your life and bless you and load you with benefits. Let us begin to start our day with a new way of thinking. Instead of going into our day thinking, I will just get through my day and do what needs to be done. Start your day with confessing, I am going to look for the load of benefits which the Lord has promised me. Not only am I going to look for them I am going to expect them.
The Hebrew word benefits means, “to treat well.” The God of our salvation desires to treat us well. Well means, healthly, glowing, fine, sound, thriving, increase.
Believe, look, expect, the blessings of the Lord in your life every day and rejoice in the God of your salvation!!!
JESUS CALLING–from Devotions for Every Day of the Year
WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT. As you take steps of faith, depending on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you. If you live your life too safely, you will never know the thrill of seeing Me work through you. When I gave My Spirit, I empowered you to live beyond your natural ability and strength. That’s why it is so wrong to measure your energy level against the challenges ahead of you. The issue is not your strength but Mine, which is limitless. By walking close to Me, you can accomplish My purposes in My strength.
2 Corinthians 5:7 Message Bible
7 It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going.
Galatians 5:22-26
22-24But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely…………
25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on…” Hebrews 6:1
How long can a person stay in one spot? Most people need a change of scenery every now and then at least. Others are more content to be on the move changing activities and interests often. There is a danger involved in sitting still.
Staying in the same place for to long will dull you to your surroundings. You will cease to explore and to appreciate the beauty or will become negative in your view. You will lose the excitement of new discoveries and adventures. Things will seem to get boring. Things that once excited you are now no longer interesting.
Suppose you spent 12 years in the first grade at school. When would you lose your interest in it? Would it be after two years? Five years? Would it still excite you after twelve? Probably not. The truth is that whether we like it or not we need to experience new things so we can grow up.
This is also true spiritually. We cannot reach a level and stop moving forward. We can never believe that we have arrived at our destination as long as we are still alive. To cease growing in Christ means we are complacent and satisfied with what we have and where we are. Sooner or later we will lose interest in the things we once enjoyed greatly. The Bible tells us to go on to maturity. This we cannot do by simply repeating the same thing over and over. We must learn something we do not know. We must do something we have not done. We must go where we have not gone. We must see what we have not seen. We must be what we have not been. We must live as we have not lived. Only then can we truly say we are following Christ. His last word to His disciples was, “Go!”
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you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
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Colossians 2:10
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You Have Jesus—You Have Everything!
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When God gave us Jesus, He gave us not just His best, but also everything. We are truly rich because we have Christ, our all in all.
When we have Jesus, we truly have everything. Jesus is our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, our redemption and our success. In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
My friend, when you need wisdom, Christ is your wisdom. When you need righteousness, Christ is your righteousness. When you need sanctification and redemption, Christ is both to you. When you need faith, He is your faith.
When you are fearful of the odds against you, He is your favor. When you are weak, He is your strength. When you are troubled and anxious, He is your peace. When you feel vulnerable, He is your shield. When you are lonely, He is your faithful companion. And when you are sick, He is your healing and health. Jesus, the great I AM says to you, “I AM to you whatever you need Me to be!”
Beloved, you are truly rich because you have Christ. And in Christ you are complete. Don’t wait to have this or that before you feel complete. You are already complete in Christ—your all in all!
….Joseph Prince
“Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die.” And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise NO ONE WAS THERE. “II KINGS 7:3-5(NKJV)
Things did not look good to the residents of Samaria. They were exhausted of supplies and surrounded by an enemy army. It was only a matter of time before the end as they knew it would come. Yet, four men decided to do something. “Why sit here till we die,” said they. “Knowing” about the army of the enemy they made a choice. It was better to do something than sit and die. “But God” was at work for them and they found no enemy army there, only supplies and treasures. “With God all things are possible!”
I know that I am “back from the dead” and here with a purpose. It is not the time for New Life to hunker behind the walls and listen to the enemy howl. Our God is able to do exceedingly great and mighty things; more than we can think or imagine. We need things done here at church. I am going to move forward and I need you to go with me. It is not the time to say “we can’t” but rather to be saying “God can”.
We need about $5000 to fix our facilities in addition to our regular expenses. I believe we can believe God and give of ourselves to get things done. I am not willing to sit here and die. Look at all the empty seats that can be filled. Don’t think negatively but use your faith. Are there others who need to hear what we are teaching here? Trust God to answer prayer and be ready to move. Expect prosperity. God created everything to prosper. New Life has not completed its purpose, and God said He would see to it that we do. There is no better hope than that. Let’s attack our enemy to our surprise we might find that there is NO ONE THERE!
“And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” Gen. 1:10(NKJV)
After God finished a day of creation beginning with day two the Bible says that God saw that it was “good.” The word used for good in Genesis one is the same Hebrew word used for prosperous. Good equals prosperous in word usage here. Why did God see the creation as “good”? Because it was prosperous in that it was successful in its goal. It did what it was intended to do. It completed its assigned task. It was created right.
What does it mean that God “saw that it was good”? Was it pleasing to His eye? Did it inspire beauty? Perhaps there is another insight we should consider. Think of this, “And God saw to it that it was prosperous.” God did not just look and see that it was prosperous He saw to it that it was prosperous. He made sure that it did prosper. Prosperity is in the very design of creation. Nothing that God has made is a failure. It will work if it is used properly.
In the parable of the talents each man that applied his talents prospered in his effort. Only the man who did not use what he had been given failed to prosper. If we are to prosper, we cannot just hold on to what we have. We must put it to its proper use. If we are only interested in ourselves, we cannot expect prosperity to flow in our lives.
In Genesis 1:31 after man’s creation it says, “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” God’s intention from the beginning was that prosperity should reign. All we have to do is to get with the program. In order to do that we must know the program. In order to do that we must read and study the program. We will proceed to do just that. Oh, by the way, the program does not revolve around “you” or “me”.
Message Bible Romans 8:28-31 “How Can we Lose?”
That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. 29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. 30 After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. 31 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?
FROM PASTOR SHIRLEY
Having Done All –Stand
I was raised in the Baptist faith as a young girl. The songs that we sang then are still in the recesses of my mind. “Standing on the Promises of God” is one of my favorites.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Our heavenly Father is a God of promises! Doesn’t that make you want to stand up and shout!! In the Bible all the way from the book of Genesis to the book of the Revelation we find recorded promises which He has made. Promise means, “A divine assurance of good”. Stand means, “to continue and refers to another meaning, “upright active position.” God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Don’t give up; continue to stand on the promises of His Word. Do we dare to believe that God wants to daily load us with the benefits of these promises?
Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In Him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting His Yes within us.
By His Spirit he has stamped us with His eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what He is destined to complete. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Message Bible
Come to Me with all your weaknesses; physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with Me.
Pry your mind away from your problem so you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.
When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn’t be afraid of anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will. Though this may feel frightening–even dangerous, the safest place to be is in My will.
Luke 1:37; Ephesians 3:21-22; Psalm 23:1-4
“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” Gal. 6:4(NKJV)
“Take a look at yourself and you will look at others differently. Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.” Words from a gospel song popular in the late 1900’s reflect the thought from Scripture. Our first responsibility is to keep our own standing before God in right order, not being a judge of others. The above verse reflects the idea of personal examination before God and not comparing ourselves with another believer.
“…But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” II Cor.10:12b (NKJV) The underlying reason for examining others is to make ourselves look better to ourselves. The inner thought is “Well, at least I am better than him. “ Paul warns the church that doing this is not wise.
The real “test” is what we find in us. Do you know what is in you? “You are what you eat.” Remember that? Also, “You are what you think you are,” at least in your own eyes. Regardless of how God sees you, you will never rise above how you see you. That is why it is important to know what the Word says about you. Do you see yourself as an over-comer or “struggling” human? God says in Christ you are righteous do you see that or are you working to become righteous? The Bible admonishes a man not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think. The opposite is also true– don’t think less of yourself than what the Word says you are. Remember, God knows you better than you know yourself. Listen to Him.
It is your pea patch-having done all stand.
Your pea patch is what God has promised to be yours as His child. Every born again believer at some time in their Christian life will find themselves having to defend those promises. I think most of us that have been saved for very long have been at this place at one time or another. It is sort of a midnight hour, so to speak.
We understand from the Word that satan is a thief. A thief comes in silently so as to not let you know he has entered in. Is your enemy trying to steal your pea patch where health is concerned, where finances are concerned, where peace or hope should reign? If we don’t defend our blessing (our pea patch), the thief will come to steal, kill and destroy. Satan comes in with discouragement, doubt, fear. These things slowly eat away at your faith to stand and to claim the blessings that are rightfully yours through the shed blood of Jesus.
Satan is your enemy and does not have your best interest in mind. He cannot be reasoned with or persuaded to change. There is nothing in him that would even show the slightest mercy or grace toward you. When he looks at you, he sees Jesus; and he knows only rebellion against God and those of us who have made a stand to be on the winning side. We demonstrate victory by standing firm in what we believe to be of truth which is only what the Word has declared. We demonstrate the victory we have by our actions and attitudes. In 2 Samuel 23 verse 11 says Shammah stood in the midst of a piece of ground full of lentils (peas) and defended it. Shammah’s action was he stood. His attitude was, “This is my pea patch; it may not be much in anyone else’s eyes, but it is mine.”
How determined are you today to hold on to what God has already given? I want to encourage you today to not turn back, but to fight the good fight of faith. Stand and having done all stand!!
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