As I was worshipping The Lord this morning, He gave me a word to share with His People:
"As 2012 comes to an end,
PUT ASIDE THIS YEAR'S FAILURES,
EVEN IT'S SUCCESSES & BEGIN TO PRAY FOR THE LORD'S WILL IN THE NEW YEAR!"
For this what the Sovereign Lord says;
"OFFENSES HAVE COME TO TEACH YOU FORGIVENESS!
VICTORY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO DEMONSTRATE MY MIGHT!
ALL THAT YOU EXPERIENCED WAS IN PREPAPRATION FOR WHAT IS TO COME!
THEREFORE, TAKE HEED & SEEK ME WHILE I MAY STILL BE FOUND!
YOUR SURRENDER WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN THE SALVATION OF MANY!"

Judges 1:28, 2:1-3
"When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely.""The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed Me. Why have you done this? Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.”"
"COMPRIMISING WITH THE ENEMY IS THE WORST FORM OF BETRAYAL, NOT ONLY TO GOD, BUT TO SELF!"
If you read Judges chapter 1, you will soon realize that the Israelites decided to make a deal with the enemy because they SEEMED too strong.
Basically, it says that the enemy was determined not to move!
But God had commanded to destroy them & tear down their altars!
"FEAR WILL CAUSE YOU TO COMPROMISE!"
"DOUBT WILL CAUSE YOU TO COMPROMISE!"
But worst of all:
"COMPROMISE WILL CAUSE YOU TO LOSE THE PEACE THAT ONLY COMES THROUGH GODLY OBEDIENCE!"
When you feel stirred in your spirit to carry out a plan, don't hold back because of opposition!
INSTEAD, MOVE FORWARD IN FULL CONFIDENCE & LET GOD CONCERN HIMSELF WITH THE DETAILS!

Joshua 23:10
"One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as He promised."
Surely Victory comes from the Lord!
Therefore, do not rob Him of His Glory!
Give to God what is due His Name!
In other words;
"When something good happens in your life, Always remember to give God the credit & not try to pat yourself on the back!"
"WE CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT CHRIST!"
"The quicker we acknowledge this, the quicker we advance to TRUE VICTORY!"

Obedience or Sacrifice?

Saul said, I did obey the Lord..."The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry" 1 Samuel 15:21-22

The Lord directed the Israelites to kill all of the enemy and leave nothing remaining. Chapter 15:2-3, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they way laid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

 

Although the Lord gave instructions to leave nothing remaining, in their own discernment they thought it good to take the best of the sheep and cattle as a sacrifice to the Lord. A couple things here.

 

1. With good intentions they disobeyed God. (we do that too)

 

2. Behind every good intention that is not appointed of the Lord is always some self interest. Burnt offerings to the Lord were often eaten. They took the best of the sheep and cattle as an offering to the Lord, but at the same time, they were having a BBQ y'all.

 

The Lord wants obedience. Regardless of what we think is best, even if it's for God, He wants obedience more than sacrifice. The "It is written" course is a course the Lord gave to me to write and implement, he told me "do not sell it but give it away" Now I could have thought at some point maybe I should sell it and use the money to build the ministry" Many have told me to do just that. But God said, "do not sell it" He will build his own ministry in whatever way he sees fit. So I must be obedient to God even though in my eyes it would make sense to sell it.

 

And so verse 22 tells us, "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice,

and to heed is better than the fat of rams"

verse 23 cuts like a knife,

"For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry"

 

Although disobeying God, the Soldiers thought they were doing a good thing, Even when we think we're doing good, we must examine everything we do against what God has actually called us to do and let obedience rule over sacrifice. 

Jesus is the ONLY Savior of the world.

1828 dictioanary defintion of Savior...

One that saves or preserves; properly applied only to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, who has opened the way to everlasting salvation by his obedioence and death, and who is therefore called the Savior, by way of distinction, the Savior of men, the Saviour o the world. General Washingtom may becalled the saver, but not the savior of his country.  

Todays dictionary definition...

 

1. a person who saves, rescues, or delivers; the savior of the country. 

2. a title of God; especially of Christ

3. Classical Mythology. an epithet of Artemis. 

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

Really? Either people changed or God changed. Scripture tells us in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"

THERE IS NO OTHER SAVIOR...JESUS IS HE!

Joshua 21:45
"Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."
For those who are struggling with their faith.
For those going through very tough trials at this moment.
For those who don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
For those who have just about lost all hope in God.
Finally,
For those who just need a reminder to fuel their praise!
"NOT ONE OF ALL THE LORD'S GOOD PROMISES TO HIS PEOPLE FAILED, EVERY ONE WAS FULFILLED!"
God has a perfect record when it comes to fulfilling promises!
Therefore,
"WAIT ON HIS PROMISES!"
"THEY WILL SOON COME TO PASS IN YOUR LIFE!"
Don't let the enemy fool you, Jesus walked the only road that lead to death for the sake of Peace due to Sin! (No one else has to travel it!)
According to God's Promise, when you accept Christ as your Lord & Savior, the Peace of God is bestowed upon you by His Grace!
THEREFORE, HOLD ON TO THAT PROMISE & WATCH GOD GO TO WORK ON YOUR BEHALF!
I feel lead to remind you one last time:
"NOT ONE OF ALL THE LORD'S GOOD PROMISES TO HIS PEOPLE FAILED, EVERY ONE WAS FULFILLED!"

This Weeks Small Group Study Material...Copy, Paste, & Print.

Use this inormation to study on your own as well.

Remnant Force

“A Servant of the Lord”

 

 

Know What To Expect….

 

• 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the hardships that happened to us…we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength to endure, so that we despaired even of life itself (wanted to die) Indeed we felt the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that (why did this happen?) so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

 

• 1 Corinthians 1:10 He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and He will deliver us. We have set our hope on Him that He will deliver us again. (Has, Is, Will – The One who was, is, and is to come)

 

We Need Prayer…

 

• 1 Corinthians 1:11 you also are joining us when you pray for us. Then (why?) many people will give glory to God for the favor He will show because many have prayed for us.  (* stop and pray for one another)

 

To God Be the Glory…

 

• 2 Corinthians 6:3-5 we do not give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve. Instead our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things; sufferings, distress, anxiety, beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and lack of food. (Can you relate to any of this?)

 

• 2 Corinthians 6:6-7 People can see our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit’s presence, our sincere love, truthfulness, and the presence of God’s power (not mans) We demonstrate that we are God’s Servants. (Is purity, kindness, and patience your usual response after hardships and sufferings?)

 

• 2 Corinthians 6:8-9 as we are praised and dishonored, as we are slandered and honored, we use what is right to attack what is wrong, and to defend the truth. We are treated as dishonest although we are honest as unknown although we are well-known, as you see we go on living (abiding in Christ) we are punished but not killed. (Some did die but the message of Christ continues to live in believers everywhere)

 

• 2 Corinthians 6:10 we are sorrowful, but always rejoicing, (Christ was a man of sorrow as His heart was broken over the lost) poor but making many rich, (in heavenly riches and through Christ) as having nothing, yet possessing everything! (We live for a greater heavenly reward all while knowing God provides our needs on earth too)

 

For These Reasons…

 

• 2 Corinthians 12:10 therefore, (why? Because of God’s Grace & for His glory! – see verse 9) I accept (I don’t invite, but I accept) weakness, mistreatment, hardships, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. When I am weak, I am strong.

 

A Servants Response…

 

• 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 we wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it. When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous.  (Let your creed be this...My life is not my own)

 

• 1 Corinthians 4:16 I encourage you to imitate me. (After describing intense suffering Paul says, “imitate me”) To invite someone to suffer, endure hardships, and labor intensely, all the while remaining courteous, there would have to be an incredible reward in the end.



Joshua 14:9-14
"So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’ “Now then, just as the Lord promised, He has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time He said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as He said.” Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly."
NEVER LOSE FOCUS OF WHAT'S AHEAD!
FOCUS ENABLES DETERMINATION, NO MATTER HOW FAR THE FINISHLINE MAY SEEM!
"GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS WORD!"
"ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS KEEP OUR FOCUS ON GOD!"

Matthew 2:11
"On coming to the house, they saw the child(Jesus) with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."
IT IS OFFICIALLY THE DAY WE HONOR JESUS' BIRTHDAY!
Although we have made it a custom of giving gifts to one another, let's remember that:
THE BEST GIFT WE CAN GIVE SOMEONE IS A HEART FULL OF CHRIST!
When Christ reigns in your heart, you become the gift that others so desperately need all year round!
CHRIST DESIRES TO USE YOUR LIFE FOR HIS GLORY & THE WELL-BEING OF HUMANITY!
But it requires a GIFT on your behalf to Christ!
Basically, what is being said is:
"SURRENDERING YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE JESUS ON HIS BIRTHDAY!"
After all, isn't the Birthday Boy usually the one to receive gifts?
HONOR CHRIST WITH YOUR LIFE! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!"

HELLO FAMILY! Although my next posting may seem a bit lengthy, I feel stirred in my spirit to share it with you. As you begin reading, you might recognize this story & feel tempted to quit reading, but it is the beginning of our Eternal Salvation, therefore, Honor It! For those who have only heard it told by others, here is your chance to hear it from God's mouth directly!
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. The Shepherds and the Angels And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

Revelation 3:20-21
"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat with My Father on His throne."
VICTORY IS ENSURED BY ENDURANCE!
SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO TOUGH IT OUT IN ORDER TO SEE RESULTS!

Joshua 13:13
"But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day."
As we enter a New Year & begin setting goals we want to accomplish in this upcoming year, let us first recognize things that can hinder us from reaching those goals.
Let's use the example of the Israelites.
God told them to "Destroy the inhabitants of the land", but instead, they allowed them to live among them.
The fact that it is stated:
'THEY CONTINUE TO LIVE' & 'TO THIS DAY'
Makes it clear that they had become comfortable with having a relationship with those things which displeased God.
Point being;
"LIVING WITH BAD HABITS WILL ALWAYS WEIGH US DOWN!"
If we failed to accomplish a goal this year due to bad habits, whether it be laziness, anger, pride, selfishness, ungratefulness, etc.
CHANCES ARE WE WILL FAIL AGAIN UNLESS WE ALLOW GOD TO FIRST REMOVE THE UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH THOSE BAD HABITS!
Habits stem for our spiritual being & unless we recognize this concept, we will never truly be free from any bad habit!
What is more saddening is that unless we recognize this concept, WE MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO FORM GOOD HABITS!

Weather Report

Everything!!!! relates to scripture. My Brother George M'Lay and I were supposed to get together yesterday for lunch. Well, the weather prevented him from coming but this was his text to me.

 

 

"Due to Proverbs 16:9 I can't make it"

 

 

Now, I did not know proverbs 16:9 off the top pf my head so I had to go look it up as that was the extent of his text. Proverbs 16:9  says this...

 

 

"In a man's heart he plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps"

 

 

Amen George, Amen. 

Joshua 9:14
"The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord."
"EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS ISN'T GOLD!"
Have you ever heard this statement before?
Just because something looks good doesn't mean it's from God!
WE MUST SEEK THE LORD'S GUIDANCE DAILY & SEEK HIS UNDERSTANDING ABOUT SITUATIONS UNCOMMON TO US!
Just like the Israelites, many times we mistakenly base our judgments on common knowledge, instead of inquiring of the Lord for His guidance.
WE AS HUMANS, TEND TO MAKE BAD DECISIONS WHEN WE DON'T BASE OUR CHOICES ON GOD'S WORD & PRAYER!
God's choice for your life is that You Would Choose Life!
But your life-line is God's Word & if you don't embrace it, your actions are declaring that you reject it!
Although these words may seem sobering, they are mainly intended to challenge us in our Pursuit of God!

Pizza Night This Friday Night!!!

Impromptu Men's Get together this Friday Night. Just hanging out with some friends and some pizza. No agenda, just fellowship.

 

Need a RSVP so we know how much pizza to buy. Everyone just pitch in $5 each to cover pizza and drinks.

 

7-10 pm. Evangel (99th & Good Hope) 

Joshua 8:35
"There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them."
"BEING THOROUGH ENSURES A GREATER CHANCE OF SUCCESS!"
Have you ever tried taking a shortcut to save some time, but just found yourself arriving later then you normally would?
Have you ever bought something & tried assembling it without reading the instruction manual, just to find out that you assembled it incorrectly & had to start over?
"SUCCESS HAS TO DO WITH FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS!"
Doctors can not be successful unless they follow specific procedures.
Athletes can not gain the victory unless they obey the rules of their sport.
CHRISTIANS CAN NOT GAIN VICTORY OVER SIN UNLESS THEY FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY GOD FOR SUCCESS!
Man's recipe for success doesn't work!
RIGHTLY DIVIDING GOD'S WORD DOES!

2 Corinthians 6:2
"For He says, “In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, NOW is the time of God's favor, NOW is the day of salvation."
We all have things we want to be free of.
The question is:
"HOW LONG WILL WE KEEP LONGING FOR THAT FREEDOM?"
"Procrastination will keep us at the same Location!"
In other words, the same place we have been desiring to move on from!
God says, "Now is My Time of Favor, Now is the Day of Salvation!"
GIVE YOUR SITUATION TO GOD! DON'T REMAIN IN IT! MOVE ON IN FAITH! TRUSTING THAT GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THE DETAILS!
Remember, the Israelites were still in Egypt when they were called to Freedom!
Their surroundings declared bondage that could be felt, but The One guiding them proclaimed Freedom that could be Trusted!
They had to Make a Choice & Well Did They Choose!
FREEDOM IS NOT ALWAYS THE EASIEST CHOICE,
BUT IT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN THE BEST CHOICE!
"God wants the Best for Us, but we must Trust Him in order to Receive It!"

Psalm 107:1-2
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good; His Love endures forever. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say So, those He Redeemed from the hand of the enemy."
AWARENESS MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
Has your prayer life been weak lately?(Be honest with yourself!)
Have your devotions to God been cut short?(For whatever reason!)
Next Question:
Have your praises been shouts of joy or have your praises been diminished into whispers of doubt & vain routine?
Do you bow your knees before The Great & Awesome King of Glory or has your worship been focused on a weak & wearisome god, (that is not really a god)?
GOD IS GOOD & HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
GOD IS MERCIFUL & HE REMAINS PATIENT WITH US!
GOD HAS RESCUED US & WILL WATCH OVER US!
GOD SEES WHAT WE DON'T & PROTECTS US FROM THOSE VERY THINGS!
GOD DESERVES TO BE PRAISED! NOT WITH WHISPERS, BUT WITH SHOUTS OF JOY & A LIFESTYLE THAT REFLECTS THIS CONFESSION!
Therefore keep reminding yourself why you praise God & eventually you will begin to tell others about His Goodness!
"YOU CAN'T EXPRESS AN EXCITEMENT THAT YOU DON'T FEEL!"

Psalm 37:7a
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him..."
Are you feeling restless today?
May these words comfort you!

Sensitivy Training...

Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

- Ephesians 4:19 -

We need sensitivity training...Not to learn tolerence but rather to learn how to be sensitive again. One of the dangers in today's culture and society is we are becoming de-sensitized to things. For example, violence no longer affects us the way it should, we have realistic violence and killing in video games (a child's game) and think nothing of it, we have cursing, including the Lord's name taken in vain, on public television, and think nothing of it, we have larger than life pictures of provocative almost nude women in the windows of stores at the mall, with small children walking around, and think nothing of it. We have become de-sensitized to these things, and it is increasing,

here is the danger...

 

"Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more...

 

Ephesians 4:18 gives us the consequences of a de-sensitised people..."They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

 

Be imitators of God...Wake up O Sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. For more info on how to live a life worthy of your calling in Christ, read Ephesians 4:20-5:33

 



Joshua 5:13b-14
"Joshua went up to Him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “NEITHER,” He replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in Reverence, and asked Him, “What message does my Lord have for His servant?”"
"ARE YOU FOR US OR FOR OUR ENEMIES?"
The answer was clear: NEITHER!
Have you ever had a disagreement & sought to recruit others that would side with your views?
I think we all have been guilty of this at one point or another.
Here's the thing though that should get your attention;
"GOD DOES NOT TAKE SIDES!"
"HE ONLY ADMINISTERS JUSTICE & MERCY!"
'Arguments are not designed to be WON, but SETTLED!'
'Although your View may be correct, your Approach may not!'
Therefore,
"DO NOT CONCERN YOURSELF WITH WINNING DEBATES, BUT INSTEAD, FOCUS ON WINNING SOULS FOR CHRIST!"
Ask yourself; "Is my momentary victory worth more than someone else's Eternity?"
PEACE WILL ONLY BE FOUND BY THOSE WHO PURSUE IT!

To be or not to be? That is the question!

Hamlet was contemplating life and more specifically what was the purpose of life. The bible says in Provers 29:18 "¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."  In other words, if we do not have direction in our life then we will die spiritually. It is so easy to get caught into the trap of complacency.

God wants us to seek him for direction in our life and once we do, then He will provide the vision that we so desperately need. There are too many believers that are floundering around. They are traveling everywhere, but getting no where.  Once you know what God has called you to do:  Do Not Stop Until He Tells You To! Do not be swayed just because you heard a message about a compeling ministry. Fullfill the calling that God has on your life! One thing that is very consistent in scripture is that we are all called to be ministers, we are all called to reach out to the lost. We need to start telling people about Jesus staring with your circle of influence (friends,family,co-workers, etc).

To do God's will or not to do God's will,  that is the true question? This is a question that only you can anwser. This question not only involves a verbal response but also a commitment of ones life.

God Bless you and yours for you are highly favored with the Most High God!

Joshua 3:8,15-17,4:18
"Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.’"
"Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the Ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, while the water flowing down to the Salt Sea was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground."
"And the priests came up out of the river carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before."
Here we see a few key notes!
1- OBEDIENCE: the priests received instructions & OBEYED!
2- OVERCAME FEAR WITH FAITH: although the priests recognized the dangers of flood stage waters, they chose to OVERCOME FEAR WITH FAITH!
3- INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S ABILITIES: as all this transpired, their real-life experiences allowed for INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S ABILITIES!
4- EXAMPLES: the priests were a great EXAMPLE to the rest!
5- INSPIRED COURAGE: the priest's INSPIRED COURAGE to follow God into the unknown!
"WE CAN DO THE SAME!"
"ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LET GOD LEAD THE WAY!"

Get it? Got it? Good!

"Those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view...Christ...gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  God is reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." ~ 2 Corinthians Chapter 5 ~

Let's break this down.

 

1. We should no longer live for our own passions and pleasures, instead live for Christ. And what is the essence of Christ? Everything he did, he did for others. Got it? Good. No more self!

 

2. We should not judge or condemn people by the way they look, what they have or don't have, or how they act. Instead we should look at people through the eyes of Christ. And how did Christ see people? He was a man of great sorrow, with a hurting heart for the lost, He loved people. He said, I did not come to condemn, but to save. Got it? Good. No more judging!

 

3. We are ministers of reconciliation...Faith comes from hearing, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ...and how can they hear unless someone preaches it?  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors. So act like it, people are watching you. Got it? Good. Be holy & share Christ!  

John 7:39b
"Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
People demand God's Presence, but deny God's Purpose!
The Holy Spirit will only Glorify Jesus!
The Holy Spirit will Comfort You!
The Holy Spirit will Teach You!
The Holy Spirit will even Pray for You when you don't know how!
JESUS CAME TO PROCLAIM GRACE! "THE FATHER'S WILL!"
Therefore, if we as Christians are to Walk in the Spirit we must put aside all Evil Speech.
The Holy Spirit through us wants to Glorify Jesus!
The Holy Spirit through us wants to Comfort Others!
The Holy Spirit through us wants to Teach Others!
'THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN ONLY MOVE THROUGH A VESSEL THAT
WILL BRING CHRIST GLORY!'

Is it true that it's OK to keep on sinning because we are saved by God's Grace and not by works?

You may think this is common sense, but I recently had a Christian try to convince me if I did NOT believe that I could intentionally go on sinning, then I really didn't believe in salvation by grace alone.  Let's examine the Word of God on this subject. 

 

 "...certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and (by their actions) deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." - Jude 1:4

"Make sure there is no man or woman...whose heart turns away from the Lord our God... make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. then such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way.” This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. The Lord will never be willing to forgive him; his wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven" - Deuteronomy 29:18-20

 

 "If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning" - 2 Peter 2:20

 

"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace" - Hebrews 6:4-6

 

"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" - Hebrews 2:1-3

"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left" - Hebrews 10:26

 

"To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good...but as for you, communicate behaviour that goes along with sound doctrine!"  Titus 1:15-2:1

 

"The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in his ways...And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise...and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised"  Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Our promise to God is that we believe He is our Savior, and that we will obey Him...His promise to us is that He will save us, He will enable us to obey Him, and He will make us a holy people.

 All, by His grace & faith in Christ, so no one can boast. Bottom line, if you believe, you will obey. Jesus said in John 14:15,

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

 

 



Joshua 1:5-6,16
"5-(God told Joshua), No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.6-'Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.'
16-Then they answered Joshua, 'Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.'"
"START WHERE YOU ARE!"
If you feel drawn to a position of Leadership,
If you feel God is calling you to guide a certain group of Christians,
If you feel God is raising you up for Ministry,
Then you must understand this;
"THE GREATEST CONCEPT A LEADER MUST GRASP IS THAT A TRUE LEADER IS ALWAYS UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF SOMEONE ELSE!"
LEADERSHIP DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY!
Some people seek the recognition of being known as a leader, but run when the responsibility of leadership weighs heavily on them.
LEADERSHIP BEGINS BY LEARNING TO FOLLOW THOSE WHOM GOD HAS PLACED BEFORE YOU & TEACHING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME!

Did God show favoritism to the Isrelites? And why did He command them to kill people in battles?

"The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuteronomy 7:7-9

"After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people"  Deuteronomy 9:4-6

 

"Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel!"  Ezekiel 36:31-32

 

"...Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’

Ezekiel 36:36

Understand this...God chose the Israelites, just as He chose you and I...out of pure Grace!
 

When God commanded the Israelites to overtake a land and kill people it was not because the Israelites were superior, God was administering punishment on the inhabitants of these lands for their wickedness. Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses...now choose life so that you may live!" Deuteronomy 11:26-28 explains, "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse...the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God...The curse if you disobey..."

 

So what have we learned? 

 

"And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today...

 for your own good?"~ Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ~

Humble Yourself...Choose Blessings...Choose Life...Obey God

 

 For your Own Good!

Matthew 11:29-30
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Are you weighed down by the pressures of fitting in with the crowd?
REMEMBER, JESUS STOOD APART!
Are you tempted to give in to the pressures of life because you feel the weight of ridicule?
THEN JESUS HAS SOMETHING HE WANTS TO TEACH YOU!
BUT YOU MUST WELCOME THESE VERSES INTO YOUR HEART!
Jesus is Gentle, not Oppressive!
He has already Accepted you, therefore, the pressure of fitting in is gone!
Jesus also bore your shame, therefore, the weight of ridicule is gone!
GOD WANTS TO USE YOU AT A GREATER LEVEL!
THEREFORE, don't let your insecurities hold you back!
But instead, LET GOD'S ASSURANCE'S MOVE YOU FORWARD!

WORDS

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God ~ 1 Peter 4:11 ~



God desires us to have the best in life as long as we are able to keep things in perspective...

Deuteronomy Chapter 8. Moses is recounting the days of the Israelites over the last 40 years reminding them of where they came from, how God rescued them, and the miracles He performed. The Israelites are about to go in and posses the promised land, a land full of milk and honey. In other words, a place of wealth, luxury, good food and more, a life most people today still work hard to obtain, but be careful...

 

Deuteronomy 8:10-19 is a warning of forgetting God in our wealth, (the very wealth that God provides) this is why Jesus said in Mark 10:25, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Deuteronomy 8:10-19, "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God"

Not forgetting God in your wealth doesn't just mean remembering what He did for you, it means remembering to obey Him! You might say, "but I'm not rich" If you live in America, have a home, food in the fridge, a car, a job, a t.v., a closet full of clothes, and other luxuries...Your Rich!

So remember these Words...

Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God,

failing to observe his commands...

 

 



Which came first?Chicken or Egg??

This is an age old question that ancient philophers have grappled with.  The world likes to use logic to extrapolate arguments that can be very compeling. We have heard the agurments which are "How could the egg come first if there is no chicken to sit on it to hatch it." On the other hand, "How could a chicken be born without the egg?"

As believers,  when we start to use logic to define God, we can run into trouble very easily. While I am not saying that we cannot use logic, the point is that God defies logic! What logic is involved when the children of Israel lived in the desert for 40 years or how about when Jesus walked on water? God is greater than logic!

So to answer the orginal question, it is quite simple. God came first! Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Isaiah 42:5 "This is what God the LORD says--he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:"

So God came first and then He created the chicken. Genesis 1:20 ^"And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” ²¹ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. ²² God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”

Mystery solved! Be the like bereans, who searched the scripture daily to solve life's mysteries.

God Bless you and yours!

Deuteronomy 33:26-29
"“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty. The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the Everlasting Arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’ So Israel will live in safety alone; Jacob's spring is secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew. Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your Shield and Helper and your Glorious Sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.”"
"WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE VICTORY THROUGH JESUS' FINISHED WORK!"
NOW, the question is:
"WILL WE WALK IN THE SHADOW OF JESUS' VICTORY OR WILL WE REMAIN UNDER THE OPPRESSION OF FAILURE & DEFEAT?"
"GOD CALLS US TO VICTORY BECAUSE HE LOVES US, BUT SATAN WANTS US TO REMAIN IN SIN BECAUSE HE HATES US!"
If you have been living lately a life of failure & defeat due to SIN, God wants you to know TODAY that YOU CAN GRAB HOLD OF JESUS' VICTORY ON THE CROSS FOR YOUR LIFE!
God wants to use you at a Greater Level, but first, He must remove you from your present situation!
"YOU CAN'T MOVE FORWARD, IF YOU REMAIN IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT! VICTORY IS YOURS, GRAB HOLD OF IT!"

Rules for Holy Living

Since, you have been raised with Christ, Set your Hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your Minds on things above, not on earthly things.

 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory

 ~ Colossians 3:1-4 ~

 

The earth has nothing I desire But Jesus. Let your heart and your mind be so fixed on Jesus that you desire nothing but Him. Then, as God provides your means you will be overwhelmed with gratefulness for you did not even desire it, and yet He gave it to you anyway.

 



Deuteronomy 31:2
"“I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’"
KNOWING YOUR LIMITS WILL KEEP YOU FROM UNNECESSARY FAILURES!
God has set limits upon us in order to keep us from over-exerting ourselves.
We would be wise to accept those limitations & operate within healthy capacities.
ALTHOUGH IT IS GOOD TO DESIRE TO STRETCH OURSELVES FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE BOUNDARIES WE MUST NOT GO BEYOND FOR THE SAKE OF OUR OWN GOOD!
"SOMETIMES MOVING FORWARD, REQUIRES BEING STILL IN GOD'S PRESENCE!"

Deuteronomy 30:11-16
"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the Word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess."
"MAKE YOUR CHOICE, LIFE OR DEATH?"
But most importantly;
"UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MUST LIVE WITH YOUR DECISION FOR ETERNITY!"
"SO CHOOSE CAREFULLY!"

Deuteronomy 29:5
"During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet."
GOD'S PROVISION IS NOT TEMPORAL, BUT ETERNAL!
Many have believed the lies of Satan!
They have allowed him to whisper in their ears!
But worst of all; THEY HAVE EMBRACED THOSE LIES!
But today, WE ARE GOING TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT!
Throughout all the journeys of the Israelites, they REBELLED, BLASPHEMED, CURSED, DOUBTED & EVEN MOCKED GOD!
But God still provided for their needs & did not destroy them!
What is being said? Does God reward sin?
NO, HE DOESN'T! But He is a GRACIOUS GOD & extends MERCY where He deems it necessary!
God had a purpose for the Israelites, therefore, He made provision in order to ensure the success of His Greater Plan! (Jesus Christ)
"GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR YOU & I, THEREFORE, HE WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE FOR OUR NEEDS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF HIS GREATER PLAN!"
NEEDS ARE GOD'S SPECIALTY, BUT DESIRES ARE HIS DELIGHT!
God will always meet our Needs, but He will only fulfill His Promises if we obey His Word!
"DESIRE IS GRANTED, WHEN OBEDIENCE IS APPLIED!"

FROM NOW ON...

"From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. I would like you to be free from concern..."  1 Corinthians 7:29-32

 

If I'm married...live as though I'm not

If I mourn...live as though I'm not

If I'm happy...Live as though I'm not

The things I purchase aren't mine to keep

Don't be caught up in worldly things

 

Wow, really? God wants me to act like a unhappy bachelor and yet never mourn over loss in my life, and on top of that, the stuff I work hard to buy I can't keep, and I don't get to have any fun. Really?

Actually, no. What God is saying to us through Paul is found in the last verse..."I would like you to be free from concern" in other words, put Him first in everything, I can get so caught up in providing for my wife I push God to the side, I can get so entangled in my suffering I actually enjoy it and get stuck in it, I can pursue happiness to no end as happiness is a emotion or feeling and is never satisfied, I can become greedy and selfish with material things making them of great value in my life losing sight of the things that are really important, and I can enjoy the worldly things to the point they become a way of life and it's hard to escape from them.

God should be our first thought, our first breath, our heartbeat, our life. Nothing! should come before Him, nothing should come between Him and us, as only then will He overflow out of us providing what our wives and families truly need, Only then will we trust God and find joy even in our suffering. Only then will He be our satisfaction, vindication, and defender, only then will we be able to mix godliness with contentment. Only then will we share what He has given us for the benefit of others, & only then can we live in the world, but no longer be part of it, as God is our dwelling place.

 

This is how we fulfill the commandments...do not worry, do not fear, be joyous always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. It is in saturating ourselves in Christ as our first and only priority. Then we begin to trust God and are free from concern.

 

This is not to hold us back & neglect responsibility, on the contrary, this is to set us free and fulfill responsibility.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2
"IF YOU FULLY OBEY the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you IF YOU OBEY the Lord your God..."
We always seem to miss the mark when it comes to God's Word.
That is why we need to make it a priority to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God's Understanding to us.
"GOD'S BLESSINGS ARE FOR THE UPRIGHT, THAT WALK IN OBEDIENCE, BUT HIS MERCY IS FOR THOSE WHO LACK DISCIPLINE!"
Everyone seems to expect God to give them the benefits of Holy Living, but don't seem to want to live Holy Life's!
CAN A PERSON DEMAND A DOCTOR'S SALARY UNLESS THEY BECOME A DOCTOR?
Whatever we invest in our relationship with God, only that can He bless!
Our investment into a relationship with God, will determine God's down-pouring of blessings!
If we hold back our life's from God, then God will not be able to bless our life's beyond what we release to Him! God will always remain true to His Word!
"OBEYING GOD'S WORD DOES NOT REQUIRE US TO DO EVERYTHING EXACTLY RIGHT, IT JUST REQUIRES US TO GIVE OUR ALL WITH THE DESIRE OF PLEASING GOD, NOT SELF!"

Is the Old Testament still Relevant to us Today?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

 

John 3:16 is probably one of the most shared verses in the entire Bible and rightly so. But do you know what precedes it? Can you quote John 3:14 &15?

 

Jesus said in John 3:14-15, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.^"

 

Jesus is quoting Old Testament, specifically Numbers 21:9 but let's look at verses 6-9. Prior to these verses the Israelites were complaining of being in the desert, without water, and saying they detested the miserable food. (this was the very food God was providing them) in other words, there hearts had turned away from Him, forgetting what God had done in the past, and not appreciating what He was currently doing in the present. 

 

Now let's read 6-7 "the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.”

So Moses prayed for the people" (an intercessor)

 

Interesting, they sinned and were bitten by a snake (the serpent) they confessed, repented, had an intercessor, and God came to their rescue. Verses 8-9 tell us, " The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived"

 

The Snake or serpent, is a symbol of sin and God had Moses put it up on a pole. "Although Christ was sinless and knew no sin, (upon a pole, a Cross), he became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (1 Corinthians 5:21) 

 

 The snake lifted up, was a foreshadow of  Christ becoming sin for us. It is the faith placed in this God man (Jesus) who became sin for us, that makes us well. Jesus uses this in John 3:14-15 when he tells us, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.^"

 

 Jesus was made sin for us and hung on a cross, lifted up. If we fix our eyes upon Him and believe, we will live. Jesus is our banner, the healer of our our souls. He took MY sin, upon Himself.

Sin bites like a serpent, it is by faith that we look unto Jesus to save us, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"  Romans 5:1

 

                                                                                                    

Jesus used Old Testament to give foundation for the New Testament, and so should we. Let us not forget our past, so that we may have a foundation, for our present and future. 

Romans 13:11-14
"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. LET US BEHAVE DECENTLY, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
"LET US BEHAVE DECENTLY!"
"Although there may be a million & one ways to gratify the flesh, this does not give us the right to entertain those thoughts."
Because there is a dangerous line between THOUGHT & ACTION!
If your behavior lately has not been becoming for a Christ Follower, that's ok, GRACE AWAITS YOU! SEEK YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER TODAY! THE TIME IS SHORTER THAN YOU THINK!

Deuteronomy 24:21-22
"When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this."
Many times, in our new life of abundance, we forget that there was a time in our life when we were in need of a generous hand to be extended to us.
(You may say, "I'm not living in abundance, but God's Word does not lie! Learn to tap into your spiritual inheritance, which comes through obedience!)
In this Season of Giving, Generosity is your Best Source of Praise!
We can all give Generously! Whether it be of our finances, time, abilities, or even just lending an ear to a heavy heart in this Christmas Season.
REMEMBER, WE WERE ONCE BOUND, BUT CHRIST SET US FREE!
"THEREFORE, LET'S HELP JESUS COMFORT THE ALIEN(stranger), THE FATHERLESS & THE WIDOW BECAUSE ONCE UPON A TIME WE WERE THE ALIEN, THE FATHERLESS & THE WIDOW!"

Man Up! The Movie.

FREE * FREE * FREE

This Saturday Night

DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!

 

7-10pm

Evangel Assembly of God

(corner of Good Hope & 99th)

Saturday, December 8th

Great Movie for Witnessing - Bring a friend

Deuteronomy 23:14
"For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that He will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you."
GOD IS A HOLY GOD!
Therefore, God's Presence requires Purity!
Notice, Perfection is NOT the requirement, but Purity!
God understands that we are faulty creatures!
But He also demands Self Control!
Therefore, TODAY! If you want God's Presence to abound in your life, just do this one simple thing:
"CLEAN UP YOUR OWN CAMP!" "GOD APPRECIATES EFFORT!"
"BECAUSE EFFORT DEMONSTRATES WILLINGNESS!"

The Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ...Is Grace.

APOSTLE;  a disciple of Christ commissioned to preach the gospel.

 

SEAL; fastening, confirming, closing, fixing in place

 

1 Corinthians 9:2 "Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?...You are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord"

Are you teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If so, there should be evidence, and that evidence should be changed lives. If what your preaching is only condemning people and not changing lives then it is imperative you examine yourself. Jesus preached many messages, not just fire and brimstone, He also taught love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. The warning of the gospel is wrath, but...the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is Grace.  Make sure you're preaching the whole Gospel, and that the Word of God which you deliver, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is changing lives, for this is your seal as an apostle. 

 

"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction...The Lord’s message rang out from you" (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, 8)

 

The message we share, should by the Holy Spirit, convict of sin & lead to repentance without regret, resulting in a holy life set apart for the Lord. It should also be a seed fallen on good soil that produces fruit, fruit that will last, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control, and that they too would go and create more disciples of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

(VIDEO)

 

What is the result of your work? Is it people feeling condemned? or is it changed lives given over wholly to the Lord?

 

"Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace" ~ 1 Corinthians 1:12 ~

Deuteronomy 20:1-4
"When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”"
COURAGE ONLY REQUIRES OBEDIENCE!

1John 4:9
"This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him."
Christmas is a season of giving to each other, sharing with one another & loving one another with a greater awareness because of the sobering fact of who Christ Is!
Therefore, don't let Christmas just be a season that you celebrate once a year, instead, let it be your LIFESTYLE!
"LOVE IS ACTION THAT CAN NOT BE CONTAINED JUST FOR A SEASON!"

Deuteronomy 16:1
"Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the Lord your God, because in the month of Abib He brought you out of Egypt by night..."
The month of Abib is to serve as a point in time!
The celebration of Passover is to serve as a reminder!
And the Exodus is to serve as a demonstration of God's Power when it is acted upon!
In this Christmas Season, there will come a point in time when you will feel stirred to help someone else out.
Maybe you will be reminded of how God sent someone into your life just at the right time to help you get through a tough season.
Lastly, you MUST make every effort to combine that "Stirred Feeling" & that "Pleasant Memory" in order to produce someone else's Exodus!
"DESIRE PAIRED WITH ACTION IS THE ONLY FORMULA THAT RESULTS IN FREEDOM!"
Jesus' birth was a step toward delivering humanity from the bondage of sin which resulted from a DESIRE that was coupled with an ACTION!
"OUR DESIRES, IF NOT COUPLED WITH ACTION, ARE MEANINGLESS!"

Leaving a Godly legacy!

So what do you want to be remembered for? Do you want to be remembered for one that gave it your all to follow the Lord or are you one to give a half hearted effort? Do you want to be know for having a fleet of vehicles or a love for sports? or Do you want to be know for having a love for God?

The bible says in Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Our days are numbered here upon the earth. Sometimes, we may think that we are going to live forever. At times, we may only be able to see the situation that were are in right now. However, God is calling us to learn how to number our days. God is calling each us to leave a Godly legacy.

There are so many challenges that each of us face on a daily basis. The enemy would love for every believer to fall and to lose their testimony. The book of Revelation 12:11 teaches us that we overcame the eneny in our life by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. I would like to encourage you to hold on to your testimony with eveything that you are. Hold on to what God has done for you in your life. The enemy cannot take your testimony, unless you give it to him. On the day of the judgement, our testimony will be our victory speech! It will be our legacy!  We need to leave a legacy that our heavely Father would be proud of. One that He can say "That's my child!"

God Bless you as you leave a Godly legacy for those behind you!

Jeremiah 8:21-22
"Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?"
Is your heart comfortable enough with seeing others in need while you enjoy abundance?
Does this give you satisfaction in any way?
Do you feel stirred to pray for those in need?
Does that stirring push you to get out of your seat & react?
Reality is that:
"TRUE PRAYER DOES NOT JUST STIR GOD'S HAND INTO ACTION, IT ALSO STIRS OUR FEET TO MOVE!"
THEREFORE, LET'S STOP SITTING ON THE SIDELINES!
WE BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN MEET PEOPLE'S NEEDS & YES, THIS IS TRUE, THAT IS WHY WE PRAY!
BUT IT IS NOT A MATTER OF GOD BEING ABLE TO PERFORM MIRACLES, WE KNOW HE CAN!
WE JUST NEED TO REALIZE THAT HE WANTS TO DO IT THROUGH US!!!
"Jesus needs Hands & Feet in this day & age!"
"WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL?"