- Jun 1, 2022Bible Study – 1 John 2:1-14
Bible Study – 1 John 2:1-14
- May 29, 2022Peace
Peace
This is a time when we remember all the brave men and women that gave their lives for our Freedoms!
There is something about that….it took people before us to give us the freedom to live!
I will always celebrate my fallen brothers and sisters and the legacy they left behind
Today, however, I want us to look at another who died for ALL
This is Jesus who died for ALL
He spoke these things so that we might have peace.
What things? Vs 29-32Jesus said in vs 33 “in Me you may have peace” It is because of his death, burial and resurrection that peace was possible Peace from the desires of Satan because Jesus was greater In the United States today, we can have peace because of those who paid the price for us. Because they were willing to fight for the freedom to become “One Nation Under God” Because they were willing to fight that you may be able to execute the free will that God gave us As wonderful as that is, only Jesus death, burial and resurrection granted us real freedom…..from the penalty of sin. Jesus said “in Me you may have peace, in the world you will have tribulation.” The peace that we all so desperately seek is available but the world tries to block it from you In the world, we have senseless slaughter of children both unborn and born We have evil that is more celebrated than good. We have immoral and illegal acts that are everyday cast as “normal” or even “good” How can we look at our world today and find any peace? Our men and women, that gave their lives for this country, gave everyone freedom but some misuse it Jesus gave us freedom from the very sin that we commit which gives ultimate peace In fact, even after He said there will be trouble in the world He said “take courage, I have overcome the world” Today, in all the anxiety of this wicked lost world, remember Jesus has overcome! Today you may be still anxious because you do not know Jesus My question is, are you ready for peace? Know Jesus Know Peace No Jesus No Peace - May 25, 2022Bible Study – 1 John 1:4-10
Bible Study – 1 John 1:4-10
- May 22, 2022God Provides
God Provides
Perhaps today you are very concerned about all the mess going on in the worldThere are real problems that are very scary especially to consumers
This isn’t the first time people have been scared and concerned about their immediate future
The Israelites had finally been released from the bonds of slavery only now afraid they will starve to death in the wilderness
It is a natural thing as humans to fret when we see situations that seem impossible to overcome.
BUT GOD!!!
Even today our heavenly Father knows what we need and he will take care of us
The Israelites were desperate and they began to grumble against God but God said, I got this.
Nothing is impossible with God!
That still applies today!
The people heard what was said but they had yet to experience it.
It as if God said to the people, watch this!
He provided meat in the evening and what was eventually called Manna in the morning.
Neither of these things could have been done by men but God provides
Has there ever been a time in your life when you didn’t know how you were going to make it and something unexpected happened?
BUT GOD!!
He always does it in His way and perhaps we can’t even understand
“What is it?”
In Hebrew that phrase “what is it?” translates to “Ma’n Hu? Which we pronounce as Manna
Notice how the people gathered different amounts but it was exactly what they needed
Even though we don’t always understand, God provides exactly what we need, exactly when we need it.
Today I want us to understand that even in these uncertain times, God Provides
Instead of living fearful we can trust God to see us through.
So the only question is, do you know the God that Provides?
- May 18, 2022Bible Study – 1 John 1:1-3
Bible Study – 1 John 1:1-3
- May 15, 2022Sweet Aroma
Sweet Aroma
“Thanks be to God who always leads us”
Paul’s original plan had been derailed slightly, and he wanted to let the Corinthians know he was following God
This is how we all need to be, followers of God no matter if it isn’t according to our plans
Smells tend to stick in our memory. Both pleasant and unpleasant smells.
In this passage it is talking about a triumph parade during which the generals burned incense as they passed by
The picture here is of God in His triumph as a sweet aroma that we should always remember
We too should have a sweet aroma to God as we serve Him daily
The aroma of the triumph smelled great to the victors but very bad to those defeated
In this passage the drastic difference is the gospel is sweet to those who have received and foul to those who have rejected
Never the less, we are to strive to send that sweet aroma to God’s nostrils as we serve Him
Who is sufficient?
Is anyone sufficient?
Truly not one is really worthy but through Christ we can consult God
When we truly spend time with the Father our message to others is not corrupted by self
We give to them what God gives to us and it is a great thing
“we are not peddling the Word of God”
The meaning here is that we aren’t watering down or changing the Word of God but delivering it as we receive it
Have you ever watched an interpreter?
Sometimes I wonder are they really saying exactly what the person told them to say or not?
There are people in this world today that try to spin God’s word to fit their desire
When this happens the aroma is actually a stench
“we speak in the sight of God in Christ”
It is because of Christ and His propitiation of our sins, that we can hear from God in the first place
Through Christ we speak the Word of God and the first audience of that is God
When we hear from God and then share the gospel with others, God is the first audience member
He is listening so you better not spin it but pass it on, just like you received it.
When we do, God is pleased and we are like that sweet aroma that God loves so much.
If you choose not to share the word that God has given you, the aroma is not sweet but foul
Today will you march in triumph and produce a sweet aroma as you speak the gospel message?
Or will you remain stagnant and give off a foul stench that would not be pleasing to anyone especially God?
- May 11, 2022Bible Study – Nehemiah Chapter 13
Bible Study – Nehemiah Chapter 13
- May 8, 2022A Mother’s Laugh
A Mother’s Laugh
Happy Mother’s Day!
Today I would like to look at one biblical mother named Sarah
So we see that Sarah could not believe what she heard
Some people want to say that Sarah didn’t have much faith
Sarai, as she was originally called, is found following her husband in faith
She didn’t know where they were going or what they were supposed to do
But she did not protest; she followed where God told them to go
We can learn a lot from this mother
God could choose to show us everything planned for us up front
But, He doesn’t
So many of us are hesitant to step out on faith for any reason
What we can learn from Sarai/Sarah, it is most important to just go
I sometimes wonder how many people remain lost today due to our reluctance
In our text today, we are critical of Sarah because she laughed at a miracle
Most of you ladies in here could relate that, at an old age, childbirth would be impossible
All things are possible with God
Vs 1 says “the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised”
You see when we take that step of Faith God honors that
Sarah, at 99 years of age, gave birth to a son
I know what you are thinking
"I’m so glad that wasn’t me"
But for Sarah, God was faithful and He always is
Again, what we see is, even though Sarah doubted...
God blessed her
What we need to take away from this is, God is able
Knowing God is able, we need to trust Him and be faithful
One of our biggest problems today is we don’t fully trust God
We don’t want to step out on faith, but you never know when God will use YOU.
Sarah, after seeing the miracle that God did, said “God has made laughter for me”
“Everyone who hears will laugh with me”
When we are faithful, all those who are around us are lifted up too
Do you truly trust God?
Are you ready to do that right now?
- May 4, 2022Bible Study – Nehemiah Chapter 12
Bible Study – Nehemiah Chapter 12
- May 1, 2022Rejoice!
Rejoice!
Have you ever been so excited that you just felt like shouting?
Surely most of you in here have let out a big "woohoo!" a time or two in your life
Sometimes, something happens that is so good we just want to break out in song!This is one of those things
Zephaniah 3:14-17 NASBSing! This passage shows great joy. So much so we should burst forth in song!
I get so tired of us Christians who jump and shout and scream during a meaningless football game
And we won’t even shout out a good "AMEN!" in a church service. The Holy God should excite you!
The LORD is in your midst!
That ought to make you shout with praise, or maybe fear, if you’ve been living wrongly.
Don’t stop there however, the LORD is in our midst, with power to save!
We have committed sin which dooms us to eternal Hell, BUT GOD, shows up with the power to save!
God takes Joy in you!
You know I am messed up there is no way God could be joyful in me.
You can rest in His love!
This is the craziest thought ever….. God sings over you
Our messed up view of this stoic, rock faced God, sitting on His throne, makes it hard to think that God would sing
“He will rejoice over you with shouts of Joy”
You make God so joyful he breaks out in song!!
We often think we have failed so badly that God is annoyed with us but here we see God sings over us.
Fear NOT!
God loves YOUBecause of God’s great love “do not let your hands fall limp”
Don’t grow weary in your service to God
Rejoice!!
Sing praises, tell others, serve Him in every way because He saved you.
But all the downfalls I’ve had and the evil people that are never punished.
Rejoice!!
God will defeat the enemy!He will gather His people to Himself
Rejoice! Show the world that you know the LORD is in our midst and He is mighty to save!
God has NEVER abandoned His people and He never will!
Perhaps you can’t seem to Rejoice today
I ask you this question…Do you know Jesus?
Have you truly given your life to Him?
Rejoice, Rejoice oh people of God!!
- Apr 27, 2022Bible Study – Nehemiah Chapter 11
Bible Study – Nehemiah Chapter 11
- Apr 24, 2022Staring At The Cross
Staring At The Cross
As a Christian, the celebration of Easter is a huge deal!The build up, the long day of celebration, the tremendous joy that we feel knowing Jesus is alive.
Today, I want to talk about what sometimes happens after that day.
First, look with me to
Acts 1:1-3 NASBThe first thing I want us to see here is; Jesus gave orders to His apostles
There was a purpose of showing Himself, alive, to the disciples. He wanted them to believe, so they would actually carry out His orders
They had heard that he was going to rise from the grave, but doubt is powerful
Now, they have the motivation to carry out the orders that Jesus left them, knowing there is no doubt
Jesus gives them another command, to wait for the Holy Spirit
Sometimes, after a great event like Easter, we are energized and want to just strike out doing things for Jesus
But, we need to receive, through the Holy Spirit, what or how we are to do these things.
In other words, take time to pray for guidance before striking out.
When you receive the Holy Spirit, you will be My witnesses even unto all the earth
Basically what Jesus said in this passage is, you don’t have to know everything, you just have to believe and be obedient.
We may not know the days or times, but we know that Jesus will come again.
When we listen to the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit says to go here, tell this person, wait on this to happen, we need to answer
Jesus had equipped the disciples and given them orders to carry out because He knew He was about to leave.
While they were standing there with Him, He ascended into heaven.
They had to be amazed, excited and also fearful all at the same time.
Jesus, whom they had been walking with for all this time, has now gone to be with the Father
He didn’t leave them alone and He didn’t leave them without direction.
However, this event was so powerful, all they could do was stand and stare
We, as modern day believers, sometimes find ourselves after Easter standing and staring at the cross because it has been so powerful.
We want to just stay in the moment of the love that Jesus showed on that cross.
But look at verse 11 again
Why do you stand and stare? Don’t you remember what He said? He will come again.
When He comes again, don’t you want Him to find you carrying out the orders He left?
Remember, that those same orders Jesus gave to the apostles, He gives to all believers
GO! And TELL!
The cross is so amazing, because without the love that Jesus showed on that cross, we would have no hope.
However, He didn’t go to the cross for us to stare at it, but so that we could take that hope and share it with all who will listen.
We have been given an order and it is one that has never been rescinded.
Are you carrying out the final orders of Jesus today? Are you ready to begin doing just that?
