The Special Privilege

"By God's special favor and mighty power, I have been given the wonderful privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Just think! Though I did nothing to deserve it, and though I am the least deserving Christian there is, I was chosen for this special joy of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning." Ephesians 3:7-9

By God's special favor and mighty power, Paul was chosen.

By God's special favor and mighty power, you were chosen.

By God's special favor and mighty power, I was chosen.

We have been given the wonderful privilege of serving Him by spreading the Good News.

Though we did nothing to deserve it, and though we are the least deserving, we were chosen for this special joy of telling others about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.

That is AWESOME!

So...how are we doing in sharing this wonderful news?

Jesus let there never be an excuse in me for not sharing this amazing news. You promise to equip me with the words, help me not to ever doubt that promise or allow my fears and insecurity to get in the way. Thank You for this special privilege. Amen

God's Secret Plan

"And this is the secret plan: The Gentiles have an equal share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God's children. Both groups have believed the Good News, and both are part of the same body and enjoy together the promise of blessings through Christ Jesus." Ephesians 3:6

There are many opinions that fly around in this space we call earth. They swirl and spread and expand into so many things.

It was the same way in Bible times. Opinions of many about Christ swirled around, spread throughout the land and expanded into the hearts of many.

It seems as though we take our opinions and try to present them as truth, when in reality the only truth that is solid and consistent today is the Word of God.

As I listen to these Presidential Debates I listen the opinions of two men and I wonder where the truth lies.

As humans we are unable to consistently hold true to our word. We will fail one another!

Both men have their opinions of how they believe our Country should be ran. All these opinions and beliefs cause division. Not only between the two but also between America.

I am not sure if you have ever talked to someone who is a strong Democrat or strong Republican, but they don't like the other very much and are quick to express their opinion on it.

We all have our own beliefs, I get that, but for us who have called on the Name of the Lord, we should be standing united as one in love.

We should not encourage or promote division or strife. Jesus is Lord, it is His foundation that we should be standing on. His Word is the Only real and lasting truth. He is Ruler and Creator of ALL THINGS.

He has the final say. What He says is the most important thing. He is not full of opinion, He is full of truth, love, mercy and forgiveness. He desires and promotes peace, kindness, unity, and love.

In Ephesians Paul makes a very strong statement to the Church in Ephesus about God's secret plan.

"The Gentiles have an equal share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God's children. Both groupgs have believed the Good News, and both are part of the same body and enjoy together the promise of blessings through Christ Jesus."

Remember yesterday we talked about Jesus breaking down the wall of hostitlity (Ephesians 2:14).

We need to make sure we are not trying to build back up the wall of hostility towards one another. Christ destroyed it so we could worship and work together as One body, which is way stronger than a bunch of divided bodies.

Let's look to Christ and His everlasting truth. Let's work together to make sure we keep the wall of hositility down. Let's not base our decisions off of the many opinions but on the Word of God alone.

Jesus You are in complete control. Thank You that we can rest in confident assurance that You have the final say in all things. Thank You that Your love never fails. Thank You that Your Word stands firm forever. Amen

It Has Been Put to Death

"For Christ himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to seperate us. By his death he ended the whole system of Jewish law that excluded the Gentiles. His purpose was to make peace between Jews and Gentlies by creating in himself one new person from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and to us Jews who were near. Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us." Ephesians 2:14-18

Pray brethren, the time is approaching. Let's not waste it on controversy, lets stand together and let the Light in us do the speaking. Let's become united as one body. Just as Christ intended.

"Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his and death, and our hostility toward each other was put to death."  

Jesus we trust in You that is what we are founded on. You have placed us upon the rock and we are standing firm. Unite us more Father, may we see the entire body come together and make Your name known. Amen

Altar Sunday

Don’t let fear or the concern of others keep you from going to the altar and handling business with the Lord.

Power Packed Verse

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

This verse is packed with power, love, hope, joy, peace, and mercy.

A few things that I love about this verse

1. We are God’s Masterpiece.
1. We are a work of outstanding artistry, skill, and workmanship. We are God’s best piece of work.
2. That is AWESOME and encouraging. It makes me feel beautiful, loved, and valued.

2. We are created anew in Christ Jesus
1. Because of Christ the ugliness of my sin was carved out and removed. The red stain that covered me is now washed away leaving me white as snow. I am no longer the same person I once was. I am new in Christ. Covered in His love, filled with the Holy Spirit. I am no longer bound to my old sinful nature. My thoughts have been made new. My heart belongs to Christ, I am His and He is mine.

3. We can now do the good things He planned for us long ago.
1. As God’s masterpiece, who is made new in Christ, is now able to go and do the “Good” things He planned for me long ago. God has good things planned for me, and He planned them long ago. God wants to use me to bring glory to Him. That gives me hope and peace that my future is great because of Him in me.

If you are ever in need of encouragement or need to know you are loved and beautiful draw on this verse and let it saturate all over you.

Jesus thank You for Your wonderful workmanship! Your love in indescribable! Thank You for expressing Your love for us through this power packed verse. May we cling to every word and be reminded daily of Your love for us. Amen

Morning Meeting

“Come and listen to what the Lord your God says.” Joshua 3:9

It’s 6:00 am and the Lord has called a morning meeting. Will you attend or sleep in?

Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River the Lord told Joshua to stop the craziness and busyness and get everyone together for a very important meeting.

What was so important about this meeting? The LORD needed to give them instructions on what was about to happen, what everyone’s roll was, and how things needed to be handled.

If the Israelites would have failed to come to the meeting and listen they would have possibly been swept away by the Jordan River, could have died, and would have missed out on God’s amazing miracle.

But they all showed up and because of that God’s plan was carried out and His miracle and power was spread throughout the land.

What did God do, He cut off the flow of water upstream so the river would pile up there in one heap, thus drying up the riverbed for the people to cross. (Joshua 3:13)

The Lord has special instructions and plans for each of us, but unless we show up to the meeting we will not know what those plans are. We will miss out on what He wants to do in us and through us.

All of us have very busy days, but there is nothing in our day that should take precedence over our meeting with Christ. We need Him in order to get through our busy day.

So let’s get up in time to attend the most important meeting of our day. Let’s come and listen to what the Lord our God says. Let’s let Him give us instructions for the day. That way we don’t miss out on His miracles and blessings.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to just hear what God is doing or has done, I want to be apart of it.

Jesus I don’t want to miss out on what You are doing or the instructions and purpose You have for me each day. Nor do I want anyone else to miss out. If we do nothing else in this life I pray we are consistent in our meeting with You. Amen

Alive and Free or Dead and Doomed?

“Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” Ephesians 2:1-2

Once moments pass us, we never get them back. We can’t rewind time we can only move forward.

So instead of living a life always looking back, we need to look forward at the life ahead, making sure from this point on, we don’t waste one moment doing useless or sinful things, or act in a manner that is displeasing to the Lord.

Life is too short to live in regret or live in doom.

We need to celebrate our new life in Christ. We need to cherish each moment He allows our hearts to beat. We need to cherish our families and friends. We need to use each moment spreading the Good News that Jesus is alive and because of Him we are alive.

Brethren once we were dead doomed forever because of our sins, but God is so rich in mercy and He loved us so very much, that while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.

That is worth celebrating. That is the reason we should spend each moment looking to what lies ahead. He is the reason we keep on going. He is the reason we should live in constant thanksgiving and praise.

He is the reason for our joy. He is the reason we are alive and new in Christ.

It is His love that sustained us. It is His rich mercy that saved us from our past. It is the resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ that set us free.

We are alive in Christ, death has been overcome. Let’s share this rich love and mercy with others, so they too can be set free from the chains of their past and sin and live new in Christ Jesus.

Jesus thank You for setting us free! Thank You that we are no longer dead or doomed. We are alive because of You. Thank You, may we keep our eyes on what lies before us and may our hearts be flooded with constant praise. Amen

Please bear with us as we try to fix Godly Gossip.  We are having some technical difficulties that should be fixed very soon.

Healthy or Unhealthy?

“But evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them.” Matthew 15:18

A healthy heart produces healthy thoughts and healthy motives.

An unhealthy heart produces unhealthy thoughts and unhealthy motives.

When our heart is healthy our lives are healthy. We are joyful, at peace, content in our own skin, we glow, we have energy, and we do more for the Lord and others. When our heart is healthy we spend more time thinking of others than we do ourselves.

When our heart is unhealthy our lives are spent focusing more on ourselves and the problem rather than on the Healer.

Our thoughts turn negative causing more headaches and frustration. Our motives reflect laziness, bitterness, ugliness, and complacency. We tend to spend more time in seclusion and around the germs and bacteria rather than around that which can heal and help us.

Our words either offer life and radiant health or they bring sickness and destruction upon us and others.

Make sure to wash your hands and self from the germs and bacteria that cause a sick unhealthy heart.

Jesus why do we choose to focus more on our sick heart and self than You. You are the healer that gives us life and health. If our heart is unhealthy keep us from contaminating others. Jesus we need Your healing. We are unable to heal our hearts on our own. Amen

The Poison and Stink of Bitterness

“Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison.” Hebrews 12:15

Looking out after each other can be very difficult if there is bitterness involved. Looking out after each other can be very difficult if jealousy, anger, past hurt, insecurity, and disappointment are involved.

A bitter root begins when we allow jealousy, anger, past hurt, insecurity, and disappointment to creep in and stay. We cannot allow them to make themselves at home within our hearts.

If we do we allow the aroma they put off to seep out of us onto others and become poisonous to those who breathe it in.

Did you notice the way the Lord began this verse? “Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God.”

He wants every one of us to receive His special favor. So in order for that to happen we have to make sure no bitter root of unbelief rises up among us because it will corrupt others.

Jesus can deal with our bitterness and if we allow Him He will pull all the roots out that put it there in the first place. Then He will replace that bitterness with His love which spreads a way better aroma than bitterness.

Do you have some bitterness in you? If so deal with it before it corrupts and poison's others.

Jesus rid us of any bitterness and fill us with Your love so we can look out after each other and all receive Your special favor. Amen

Shame

 “The LORD God called to Adam, ‘Where are you?’ He replied, ‘I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3:9-10

Adam and Eve had just taken a bite of the forbidden fruit. Their eyes immediately opened thus realizing their nakedness.

Evening came and they heard God walking in the garden and ran and hid. They instantly knew what they did was wrong.

The shame of their sin caused them to run and hide. How often do we do the same thing? We try to run and hide when our sin is brought to light. But Jesus does not want us to run and hide. Yes we will have to face the consequences, but Jesus wants us to come to Him and admit what we did.

Shame can do so much harm, especially if we allow it to separate us from Christ. Often times we allow our shame to keep us out of Church, to make us defensive, even angry and bitter. Not only that but shame causes us to be insecure and feel as though we are rejected by others, or not good enough.

Satan loves it when we allow shame to separate us from Christ. He even loves it when we allow shame to separate us from one another.

Let’s take any and all of our shame to Christ and nip it in the bud. Let’s stay confessed up and make sure we don’t allow Satan to use our shame to separate us from Christ.

Do you have shame in your life? Take it to Christ and work out with Him. Don’t run and hide it won’t do you any good, and in the end it will be brought to light anyway.

Jesus forgive us for allowing shame to separate us from You. Help us to stay close to You. Father I pray as a body of believers that we never cause others to feel more ashamed. Help us to shower them with love the same way You shower us with Your love. Amen

Altar Sunday

Open the gates of your heart and let His love come a flood.

Confronting or Judging?

“So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

Have you ever confronted someone who was sinning to walk away being told you were judgmental?

Oh brethren this will happen more times than not. Why, because we have fallen away from holding one another accountable. We have become quiet and timid, thus allowing sin to grow rampant.

We don’t want to step on toes, or hurt someone’s feelings.

And on the flip side of all that is the judgmental part that stems from jealousy and insecurity. I believe that is why Jesus gave us this passage.

We need to be careful when it comes to others. We need to be careful that we don’t jump to conclusions and we need to be careful that when we do confront or hold others accountable that we do it with love and gentleness.

We also need remember that the Lord sees the heart of all of us and when He comes he will bring ALL of our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our real motives behind everything we do.

So we need to make sure that we are in constant communication with the Lord, that we follow His leading and that we act and speak when He prompts us, not when we see fit. That only gets us in trouble.

Father help us to know when we are confronting because You told us to verse being judgmental because of jealousy or insecurity. Help us to be bold for You and hold one another accountable out of love, because without accountability we allow sin to grow and continue. Amen

Different Answers Same Underlying Meaning

“In the same way, ‘Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.’ The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.” Galatians 3:6-7

What does “Personal Relationship” mean to you?

I am sure all of our answers would come out differently but embedded throughout each answer would be the same underlying points.

A personal relationship with Christ must consist of…

Time

Investment

Love

Trust

Commitment

Faithfulness

Desire

Intimacy

Undivided attention

And it must consist of the entire heart belonging to Him.

Let’s spend time getting to know Jesus; it will be worth our time.

Jesus I love You and I want to put as much into You that this weak mortal body is can plus more. Thank You for putting Your absolute best into me. Thank YOU! Amen

Jacob's Relationship

"What's more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised." Genesis 28:15

I have heard that some of the greatest writing is that of which relates to real life situations, and that might be so. But for me, the best writing is found in the Word of God.

The stories are real life. They do relate to us today, and unlike other stories, God’s stories are to help us in our own personal lives and relationship with Him.

Jacob could have tried to live throughout the ole’ “Do you know who my grandfather and father are?”

Better yet, Jacob could have lived his life believing he was covered because of Abraham and Isaac’s relationship with the Lord, thus not having his own relationship with the Lord. But that is not at all what God wanted for him or for us.

God wanted a personal relationship with Jacob, a one on one thriving and growing relationship. God wanted the same wholehearted devotion from Jacob that his Grandfather and Father had.

Thus the amazing dream Jacob had.

“As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down on it. At the top of the stairway stood the LORD, and he said, ‘I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from east to west and from north to south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised.” Genesis 28:12-15

After Jacob woke up he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it. He was afraid and said, ‘What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God-the gateway to heaven!” Genesis 28:16

Then, following that Jacob made his Vow.

“If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God. This memorial pillar will become a place for worshiping God, and I will give God a tenth of everything he gives me.” Genesis 28:20-22

Here is the crazy thing about Jacob’s vow. It left me feeling as though Jacob was telling God okay if you do this for me then I will do this and it bothered me. But guess what brethren, God reminded me that we do the same thing to Him; a lot and that bothered me even more.

I don’t want to determine my relationship with Christ based off of what He will do for me.

We can really learn a lot about relationships from God’s Word and His advice and stories will benefit us better in the long run than if we tried to have a relationship based off of a human’s perspective.

Father, thank You so much for Your Word and the amazing stories that are found in it! They relate to us on so many levels. May we spend more time investing in our relationship with You and in Your Word. Amen

The Foolish Five Vs. The Prepared Five

"So stay awake and be prepared, because yo do not know the day or hour of my return." Matthew 25:13

Have you read the story of the Ten Bridesmaids? It's a great story, if you haven't read it, it's found in Matthew 25.

In this Parable Jesus is illustrating the importance of being ready for His return. He describes the Prepared Five and the benefit that comes from being ready and prepared verse the Foolish Five and the consequences of waiting until the last minute. Let's take a look and see where we fall.

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:1-13

 

 

The Foolish Five           

 

1.They took no oil

 

2. They ran out of oil

 

The Result: They missed the Bridegroom

 

The Prepared Five

 

 

1. Took Oil

 

2. Brought extra oil just in case

 

The Result:  Were able to enter the marriage feast with the Bridegroom.

 

So what can we learn from this parable? We need to be ready and prepared at all times and we need to understand that it is our own responsibility to be ready for Christ. We cannot depend on others relationship with Christ to be good enough for us. 

 

You can't borrow or buy someone else's realtionship with Christ. You have to have your own. So really there is no need in sucking-up to your Pastor or trying to find favor with them, because in the end you will be unpreapred and found with the Foolish Five standing at the door knocking to get in, only to hear Christ say, "Sorry I don't know you."

 

I know that sounds so harsh, but the reality of it is, you need to be preparing your own heart for the return of Christ.

 

Jesus we really need You to reveal to us where we fall in this Parable. If we are trying to use Church and every now and then prayer to suffice remind us that it goes way beyond that. It's about our personal relationship with You. We want to be ready and prepared for when You return so we can enter the Kingdom of Heave with You. We love You and praise You for these amazing Parables that speak directly to us. Thank You for giving us the knowledge and wisdom to understand them. Amen

 

 

Given, Invested, Doubled

"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance." Matthew 25:29

Have you ever made a list of all the things the Lord has given you? Well if not, I HIGHLY recommend it.

Once you make out that list spend time in prayer with the Lord asking Him if you are making the most of each gift. If you are not, ask Him to help you invest better with what He has given you.

We don't want Christ to return and find that we have buried our gifts in the ground and are unfaithful.

For those who do that will have the little they are given taken away and will be thrown into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:29-30)

Jesus thank You for the gifts You have given me. I pray I am using them for Your glory and that with every investment made, I pray they spread and double. It is my desire to hear You say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." Amen

2 Reasons

"You don't have much faith." Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" Matthew 14:31

I can think of only two main reasons why we doubt the Lord.

1. Fear
2. Lack of faith due to lack of knowledge in who Christ is and says He is.

What reasons do you have for doubting Christ?

Jesus You know my heart and You know how much faith and trust I really have in You. Reveal those levels to me and develop in me greater faith. Help me not doubt You. You are greater than all of my fears and You have proven Your faithfulness and love to me over and over. Forgive me. Amen

Altar Sunday

Find the most humble position at the altar today. It's better to approach the altar humble than prideful.

Keeping Routine out of the Relationship

"But I warn you-unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!" Matthew 5:20

How do you keep from getting in a ritual or routine in your personal relationship with Christ?

If you have ever got stuck in one you will agree that complacency kicks in really quick, and brethren complancency is a bad thing.

The Pharisees and Religious leaders were a prime example of routine and ritual's when it came to their faith.

So much so they missed having a loving relationship with the One who came to save them.

I don't want to miss Jesus because I am stuck in a routine or a to do check list. I want my relationship with Christ to be alive and flourishing, not dead and complcent.

If I am not careful I can get there really quick and in doing so I walk away feeling empty.

Jesus wants a relationship with me that is fun, joyful, enjoying, interesting, full of love, excitment, and laughter. He also wants a relationship that is real and genuine and not a "Have to" but a "Want to"

How do you keep from getting in a routine or a ritual in your relationship with Christ?

Jesus may I take notice of Your warning given in Matthew 5:20. Show me all the areas that I have allowed routine or ritual to become habit thus dampering our relationship. Jesus it is Your love for me that leaves me desring more of You. Fuel the fire of our love within me. That is may burn bigger and brighter. I pray the fire never becomes dull or dim. Amen