We celebrated Veteran’s day last week, so you would think that is what we would talk about today;
Instead, I want to talk about something even more powerful.
- Nov 14, 2021Thankful For God’s Grace
Thankful For God’s Grace
We celebrated Veteran’s day last week, so you would think that is what we would talk about today;
Instead, I want to talk about something even more powerful.
America, America! God shed His grace on you.God’s grace. What a wonderful thing to think about. It is only by the grace of God that we can have salvation As we spend November to Remember, think about how great the grace of God is in your life If God withheld grace and only gave us what we deserve, every single one of us would receive damnation But God! God gives us His incredible grace, and it is the thing we should be thankful for every day.Just to get a great picture of God’s grace, look at Psalm 103:1-12 NASBIf you took all the rest of this passage out and only focused on verse 12, it is the most amazing thing But you can’t take the rest of the passage out because God’s grace is all over us every day What should we do with the knowledge of God’s grace in our lives? Praise Him and thank Him daily. Live our lives graciously, remembering His grace To realize how much God’s grace has done for us and not live thankful is beyond comprehension Knowing God’s grace has covered us in our shortcomings should make us thankful to God for eternity What grace should really do is cause His people, who are called by His name, to extend grace to others in this world Reality is, the very people who are so blessed with God’s grace are the same people who rarely extend grace to others The slave whose debt was forgiven, refused to give that same grace to those who owed him Christians are some of the most brutally judgmental people in the world, but we should give the most grace Understand that as God gives us so much grace, when we also give it to others it spreads When grace is spread, God is glorified In modern day language we would say “Pay it forward” As God gives grace to you, give it to all those around you. “Grace, Grace, God’s Grace, Grace that is greater than ALL our sins” Have you ever experienced God’s grace? Have you trusted Him and realized that, because of His grace, your sins are cast as far as the east is from the west? You can experience the Grace of God that is available today Once you do….pass it on!
- Nov 10, 2021Bible Study – Ezra 4
Bible Study – Ezra 4
- Nov 7, 2021Thankful For God’s Love
Thankful For God’s Love
Welcome to Fall! When the weather turns cool and foliage changes, I’m blown away by how Great God is!
This is when the world seems to look toward Christmas
November is a great time to remember to be thankful to God for everything
Over the course of 4 weeks we are going to see how to use November to RememberProbably, most of us could quote John 3:16, but have you ever dwelled on it? “For God so loved the world” Think about the most loved you have ever felt, isn’t that wonderful? God’s love makes that look tiny. God SO loved, meaning a love that was everything He has And He gave it to ALL! Understand that God’s love is not withheld from anyone Yes! God loves even what we call “bad” people. He loves every person! That is a love that is amazing, right? I’m thankful that God loves me, even when I know I’m not a perfect person. I’m thankful that God loves even the “bad” people, because it is so easy to become one. Now that we are all feeling thankful for God’s love, let me ask you something; What do we do with that Love? You see being thankful means we live graciously. If we live graciously, then we follow the example given to us in our Savior and love EVERYBODY I know “that’s impossible!”, right? It is, in the flesh, for certain. We all struggle to love, when we can’t even like everyone. For believers, one stumbling block to loving everyone, is when people are blatantly living in sin. Think of it this way, those are the people who need God’s love most urgently. If we don’t live the love God gave us, then how will they see it? You see, being thankful means it actually changes your life. You live thankful every day. God’s love is the most amazing gift that anyone can receive. Have you experienced God’s Love and the Salvation it brings? Are you ready to live that love everyday? - Nov 3, 2021Bible Study – Ezra 3:7-13
Bible Study – Ezra 3:7-13
- Oct 31, 2021Beware Of The Monster
Beware Of The Monster
As children, we seem to have irrational fears about monsters
We see them in the closet, under the bed and especially in the shadows
Over time, we learn that there is no such thing as monsters and our fears mostly subside
I say mostly because we still see monsters as we grow up
What if I told you a fear, or at least a healthy respect of monsters is a good thing
Today is Halloween and people all over will dress up and celebrate fear
The thing about fear is that it is a mechanism to keep you safe
I titled this sermon “Beware of the Monster”
In our scripture today, we see is that satan is seeking people to devour like a lion
Remember how I said, as we age, we are taught there is no such thing as monsters
Well I want you to know today that there is one monster, and he is in this world, and his name is satan
On Halloween, people, who are normal looking, dress up as something scary
Satan, who is scary, masquerades as an angel of light according to 2 Cor 11:14
We normally fear scary things, but the problem is, satan doesn’t appear scary
Our text says satan is seeking to devour, yet people are not afraid
People treat satan as if he is a child in a costume
Satan can’t destroy those who have given their life to Christ, but he can make us miserable
Look at verse 9Being firm in our faith, we can resist satan
Because of satan, we will have suffering
What we have to understand is how to overcome the suffering through Christ
Beware of the devil but don’t dwell on him. Instead dwell on Christ.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” Phil 4:13
Look back at vs 6-7 of our textThe best way to be on the alert is to humble ourselves and cast our anxiety on Christ
I don’t tell you to beware of the monster so that you dwell on him but so you recognize his attacks
If we can recognize the enemy, we know how to defeat him
The question is; do you know the only One that can defeat him?
Without a relationship with Christ, satan can not be defeated
Are you sure of your salvation today?
- Oct 24, 2021Funerals For Good Living
Funerals For Good Living
Hebrew 9:27 says “it is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgement”
In the last 8 days I have been a part of three funerals
Knowing this was the week ahead, I began to think about eternity and how many people live like there isn’t one
I found an article about a service in South Korea that is offered to all
Free funerals for the living
Since it began in 2012 more than 25000 people have participated in “living funerals”
These simulated death ceremonies are designed to help you appreciate life and inspire gratitude and even forgiveness
Death is the destiny of everyone and the living should take it to heart
I saw many pictures at the funeral home this week that were different
One had a coffin being transported to the grave in a fishing boat
Another had a set of golf clubs leaned against the coffin
I’ve even heard of someone being buried with their rifle in the coffin
While all of these things were meant to show the things people loved to do in life, they were sad to me
Because there is no hunting, fishing, golf or football in heaven
If there is a service for me one day, the only item I want people to see is my Bible
Because, if death is the destiny of everyone, then, as a living person, we need to understand what really matters
So why do I say funerals for good living? To remind us that we only have a finite amount of time here
That should help to remind us do what Matt 6:20 says and store up treasures in heaven
Look at verse 4This is saying, instead of living in this life to pleasure ourselves, we need to remember what is ahead
Think about this…if you die today what would your funeral look like?
Would people be talking about what a great football fan you were?
Maybe they would even say you were a good person and many other nice things
But what about you….do you know what is going to happen after your death?
Have you laid up any treasure in heaven?
Will you be in heaven?
It isn’t automatic that you are going to heaven
When we spend time at funerals, it makes us think about our own mortality
One day death will come for you. So, the question is: Are you ready for what happens after that?
Have you ever given your life to Christ and accepted the salvation that He offers?
Let the Funeral help you live better by trusting in God and living every day for Him
Will you give your life to Jesus today?
- Oct 20, 2021Bible Study – Ezra 3:1-6
Bible Study – Ezra 3:1-6
- Oct 17, 2021Don’t Settle For Less
Don’t Settle For Less
Have you ever heard someone say “I got a better offer”
Sometimes people say that and others looking on don’t think it is a better offer
Sometimes it is just taking an offer in a moment when it wasn’t thought through
Often times that better offer ends up being much less than what you could have had
Don’t settle for less!
Look with me today to
Eph 3:14-19 NASBPaul was writing this passage to the church at EphesusHe wanted them to understand that, even if he was in prison, they could still be filled with the Holy Spirit
Surely after Paul was put in prison they may have felt as if all was lost
Maybe what they had was as good as it was going to be
Look at verse 13Because he knew their weakened state, he prayed for themHe was praying in 16 that they would be blessed and strengthened through the Holy Spirit
He knew there was more and he didn’t want them to lose heart and settle for less
Sometimes it isn’t losing heart as much as it is losing sight of the things ahead
Believers sometimes get so wrapped up in the here and now they forget about the eternal
The problem with doing that is we are settling for something temporary
Instead of striving for something more
John 10:10 Jesus says “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly”
Paul is still praying here that believers would live in Christ and be rooted in loveThat believers would see the breadth and length, height and depth
Before we settle for the tiny things this life has to offer we need to see how much more we could have
The prince of this world, satan, tries desperately to make this world beautiful and pleasing to you
He knows that if you look past this world you will not settle
“that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God”If we allow ourselves to be satisfied in this world, we have not received that fullness God offers
When we are only partially filled, it is much easier for satan to make us ineffective by settling for less
The only thing that will lead to is buyers remorse
Do you long for a life that is full and abundant?
Do you know the one that can give it to you?
Don’t settle for less when the best is available!
- Oct 13, 2021Bible Study – Ezra Chapter 2
Bible Study – Ezra Chapter 2Chapter 2
- Oct 10, 2021Let’s Be Builders
Let’s Be Builders
DivisionThis seems to be the word of the 21st century
Every time you read a news story some group is angry at another group and unwilling to come together
We know that the lost world will always be this way but it is not how the church is called to be
In today’s world the church is just as much divided as the lost world
Do you know that almost anyone can do demolition but it takes skill to build
Look with me to
1 Thes 5:11-25 NASBThe very first verse of this passage is encouraging building one another upLet’s be builders within the church and those outside the church will notice
When I say the church, I’m speaking of the church universal, meaning all God’s people
This is something that 21st century Christians do not do very well. Build across the spectrum of all believers.
“Live in peace with one another”Are you getting this, we are to build up the whole body not just one arm and demo is not a good thing
This is called building up of the body of ChristAs I said before it takes skill to be a builder
You aren’t going to find a video on YouTube on being a builder of the body.
There isn’t a book at Lowes or Home Depot that can teach you.
How do I attain the skills to be a builder of the body?
This is exactly how you become a good builderNotice the first steps are “rejoice always” and “pray without ceasing”
If we follow those two steps, then what we are really doing is living in Jesus so he can teach us.
Something modern believers find very hard to do is give thanks in “everything”
We only want to be thankful for the “good stuff”
God uses all things to teach us how to be good builders
Vs 21 – 22 sound so easy but in this world these are areas we struggle in
When we do not abstain from evil we are tearing down and not building up
Satan is throwing everything he can at you to help you fail
But ultimately we are the ones that give in to evil or not
When we overcome the evil, through constant prayer it is God sanctifying us to continue to build
The greatest thing we can do to help each other in this endeavor is vs 25Pray for one anotherAre you a demolition specialist or are you ready to build?
- Oct 6, 2021Bible Study – Ezra Chapter 1
Bible Study – Ezra Chapter 1
- Oct 3, 2021Rest
Rest
The word rest brings many different thoughts to people
Some immediately think of sleep
Some a vacation
Some even think of Retirement
I want to look at why rest is important for the Human body
1 in 3 adults are not getting enough sleep according to a new study by CDC
The American Psychological Association says that one large factor of sleep deprivation is STRESS
WebMD lists stress as a factor in Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and even alzheimers disease
No wonder rest is something people say they want
Look with me today to Matthew 11:27-30 to see what the scripture says about restFirst of all Jesus says “ALL things have been handed over to me by my Father”In vs 28 Jesus says “Come to Me” “Come to Me” doesn’t mean swing by for a minute. It means to live in Him. When we live in Christ daily we give Him everything. “All who are weary and heavy laden” are you tired, worn out, at the end of your rope? “come to Me” Jesus says and “I will give you rest” This isn’t a temporary rest. It’s not a day that you can sleep late or a vacation or even a day to just relax. This is permanent rest. He will give you rest by you living in Him daily. Vs 29 says “take my yoke upon you and learn from me” Jesus is telling you if you come to Him to live in Him daily He will give you rest by teaching you to give all your troubles to Him In order to take His yoke…..we have to let Him remove ours. “you will find rest for your souls” The burdens, the weariness, all this can be overcome if we allow Christ to remove our yoke and place His on us Again however, I want to remind you this isn’t a picture of a brief rest and then back to the grind This passage is showing us that Jesus wants us to live in Him and let Him be our Lord every day and night When we say Jesus come be my Lord, we have to let Him, every day“My yoke is easy and My burden is light”Doesn’t that sound much better than to be overloaded and burdened down? If you have never come to Jesus, He is calling you today, to give Him your life If you have asked Him to be your Lord already then strive to live in Him everyday, it is what He wants from us. Are you ready to Rest today? - Sep 29, 2021Bible Study – Isaiah
Bible Study – Isaiah
- Sep 26, 2021First Place
First Place
- Sep 19, 2021Outside The Camp
Outside The Camp
- Sep 12, 2021We Will Never Forget
We Will Never Forget
- Aug 29, 2021The Cowardly Lion
The Cowardly Lion
This morning we are all keeping our eyes on the weather. Hurricane Ida is making her presence known
For most of us the words “Hurricane headed for the Gulf Coast” are words that bring fear
Goliath:
Over 9 feet tall
Armor weighed 125lbs
Spear was over 12 ft long
Spear head weighed 33+ lbsDavid:
Less then 6 ft tall
Still a teen
Used a sling and a rockI give you all this information because I want you to get a context of this story
The point I want you to take away from all of this is: “the battle is the Lord's”
How did David, a young teen, have the courage to face the giant with only a sling and a rock?!?
He knew he had the power of God on his side, and nothing is impossible for God!
God is described as the Lion of Judah
Why the Lion?
Because the Lion is the fiercest animal in the Kingdom
David showed the courage of the Lion because, in God, he had that same power
Understand this, when you accept Jesus as your Lord, you too are given the power to overcome the world
Believers today have been given that same power to overcome the world
Christians you have the strength of the Lion
I spoke with the children this morning about the cowardly lion from “The Wizard of Oz”
He was the King of the jungle but he lacked the one thing he needed most...Courage
How could this be?!? He was a lion!
Somehow, something had happened to the Lion, and he lost his courage and believed he was forever weak
This gave him a paralyzing fear
Believers, today we are walking around in this world in some paralyzing fear believing we can’t
The one thing that can change all that, is remembering this fact: "the battle is the Lord’s"
David could look at that giant and know that he physically wasn’t able to defeat him
But, he knew that, without a doubt, God was able and the battle was His anyway
As believers, we wonder sometimes how someone can say “I don’t need God”
Then we turn around and live our lives as if “we don’t need God all the time”
Most days we think "I got this on my own"
When trouble strikes, we call on God. "Ok God, I need you this time."
The fact of the matter is that apart from God we can do nothing – John 15:5
When we trust in our own strength, we run around like a cowardly Lion,
Afraid to engage people in conversation about Jesus
Afraid to take a stand for our Heavenly Father
Afraid to do the mission that we were given as Christians – Go and Tell
We are the offspring of the Lion of Judah! Stop being a cowardly lion and walk in the power of God!
You can’t do that if you don’t know Him
Would you like to know Him today?
- Aug 25, 2021Bible Study – Isaiah
Bible Study – Isaiah
- Aug 22, 2021God Knows You
God Knows You
Psychologists say that, as a people, we typically only allow a few people to truly know us
That means that, we show most people what we want them to see instead of our true self
This includes close friends and family as well
As a result of that behavior, we sometimes believe that we can do the same thing with God
If we only behave a certain way around our church or our friends, surely God will believe this is how we are truly.
In fact, sometimes we try so hard to convince others that we believe the lies we tell ourselves
However, there is only one truth of who we are, and I promise you, God Knows you
“You have searched me and known me”In other words, God has looked in all our hidden places, and He knows us intimately
He knows us fully and completely, better than we even know ourselves
Look at vs 5-6This means that God has us grasped in His hand. He didn’t make us and leave us.He is protecting us from every side and He wants us to grasp that fact
The next several verses say; where can I go from your Spirit? The answer is nowhere
In other words, God is always with us. No matter what we get into, He is there
Sometimes, people believe that they have just strayed too far and God can’t reach them
There is no place too dark for God to reach you. God knows you completely and He loves you.Why?
Why does God love me and why does He care?
God hand-made you personallyWe aren’t a mold that a factory uses to mass produce things
God spent time individually making every person in this world. He made us with His love.
“And my soul knows it very well”
The reality is, that deep down we know that God made us and He loves us
However, we allow ourselves to believe the lies of the world
Satan and the world say that you are better than God and you don’t need God
Those are all lies and truly our soul knows it, if we listen
God made you to have a relationship with Him
For everyone of us, this should be our prayer dailyAs humans, we lie, and we lie even to ourselves, but God Knows you
He is always with you no matter where you go
Won’t you give yourself to Him today?
- Aug 18, 2021Legacy
Legacy
