The New Jerusalem 4

Hello Everyone,

In Revelation 21 we have discovered some facts about Heaven. One more that I would like to share with you this week is Heaven is a Place of Relief

4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

There will be no more crying, sighing, or dying! No hospitals or graves! And Satan will not be able to get a passport. He will be in the bottomless pit.

All the fallen angels will be chained up. There will be no aging, no wrinkles. The fountain of youth will be there. Just one drink from the River of Life and all signs of age gone.

Nothing will ruin, rot, or rust. There will be no thirsting, or hungering. No itching, no blindness, no deafness, no diabetes, no cancer, or heart attacks, or scars, no witchcraft, no drugs, no alcohol, or tobacco! No divorce, child abductions, accidents…and no more bills!

There was a 5 year old girl who had never stayed the night with a friend before she was nervous, but gave it a try and she did fine during the daytime, but when it got dark she got nervous in a strange place her friend’s mother perceived this and said to her: “honey, are you getting homesick?” And with childlike innocence the little five year old girl replied, “No ma’am, I’m getting here sick!”

And the more you may go thru down “here”, the sweeter heaven will be for you!

Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”.

Some call it heaven/new Jerusalem/pearly white city/Glory/and some call it “home”.
“I’m kinda homesick for a country…”

Here in This World

Here in this world, He bids us come;there in the next, He shall bid us welcome.

All For Jesus
Phil

The New Jerusalem 3

Hello Everyone,

We are looking at facts about Heaven in Revelation 21. And one fact we see is Heaven is a Readied Place.
v. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
“prepared”

I’ve done a lot of weddings…and it takes the bride a long time to get ready…hours and hours…with someone just for her dress, her hair, her makeup, etc.And the Lord has spent a lot of time, and is sparing no expense in readying heaven for us. [2,000 years compared to 6 days of creation! And there’s some great beauty in this earth…even though’ it’s been cursed!]

R.G. Lee—“Heaven is the most marvelous place the wisdom of God could conceive and that the power of God could prepare.”

The butterfly, the rose, the stars and planets…all in 6 days…and by comparison to heaven, the Grand Canyon will be an infected wound!

1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

Another fact is that Heaven is a Place of RelationshipRead Revelation 21:3

This is what makes heaven, heaven! If the streets were not gold but gravel, if the walls were particle board and not jasper, if mud was knee deep and weeds over our heads, it will still be heaven because Jesus is there!

If you’re lost, this thought should terrify you, not just that you would go to a fiery hell, but that you would go somewhere cut off from God!

A lost person would be terrified even in His presence at the Great White Throne, but being face to face with Him is a precious thought for the believer…that’s what Heaven is!And there we’ll see the only “man made” thing in heaven.

As we study about all God is preparing for us, let’s not forget the sight we’ll behold in the nail scarred hands and feet of Christ! [They are a constant reminder of how we got there!]Heaven is not a reward for those who are faithful…we can’t work our way to heaven. We’ll be elated, yes, but only because we’re RELATED! Heaven is a place of relationship…

End of the Journey
Light after darkness, gain after loss;Strength after weakness, crown after cross;Sweet after bitter, hope after fears;Home after wandering, praise after tears;
Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain;Sight after mystery, peace after pain;Joy after sorrow, calm after blast;Rest after weariness, sweet rest at last;
Near after distant, gleam after gloom;Love after loneliness, life after tomb;After long agony, rapture of bliss;Right was the pathway, leading to this.

All For Jesus
Phil

The New Jerusalem 2

Hello Everyone,
Let’s look at some facts about The New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

The first fact that we need to understand is Heaven is a Real Place.
The world denies its existence…they say it’s a state of mind/wishful thinking…but Jesus said “I go to prepare a PLACE for you…there you shall be also” [John. 14] It’s literal, tangible, described in detail. The emphasis is on what John SAW…with literal eyes.v. 1 “saw”v. 2 “saw”Heaven is more real than our own city is.And we’ll have real bodies…glorified bodies! Jesus rose from the dead in His glorified body. He could pass thru walls, and He could still touch people, sit down and eat…praise God!
It will be a different existence, but as real as it gets!Also Heaven is a Remaining Placev. 1 “passed away”Nothing you see on this physical earth is going to last…nothing will remain. We like to have nice things and we should enjoy them, but don’t get too attached…they are not permanent. In the end, all we have left is our soul! All we will have in eternity is the treasures we send ahead.I read a fictitious about 2 women that died. One was stingy and one was miserly. The stingy woman was a Christian, but very greedy…and when she gave it was grudgingly. She had a maid working for her who was also a christian…she didn’t have much, but loved to give, and looked for opportunities to do so. Both women died. An angel escorted the wealthy woman around. He said, let me take you to your new home, and on the way we’ll pass by your maid’s house. Down the golden street they went, and as they approached a great mansion she said wow, and that’s just for my maid?! I can’t wait to see my place!They moved on to a cardboard shanty. “What is this?” The woman asked. The Angel replied, “Sorry, we did our best with the materials you sent us!”
Jesus said we send ahead of us treasures--by how we serve, how we give now.Every stain of sin, and every evidence of evil will be vanquished when the old earth is destroyed! And all that will be left is our souls and our spiritual investments, stored up for us.One of the most precious experiences we will have in heaven is being approached by someone who says, I got saved because of your witness, your testimony, your missions giving, your prayers, etc.!Heaven is a real place, and a remaining place…

What Must it Be Like?
What Must it Be Like? What must it be like to step on shore, and find it - heaven; To take hold of a hand, and find it - God’s To breathe new air, and find it - celestial; To feel invigorated, and find it - immortality; To rise from the care, the loneliness, and the turmoil of earth Into an unbroken calm; and find it - glory?
All For Jesus
Phil

Hello Everyone,

Our Pastors e-votion will be centered around Revelation 21. Read with me verses1-6.

1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Something to think about:
Human history began in paradise…the Garden of Eden. And it will all end in paradise…the New Jerusalem.v. 5 sums up the last 2 chapter’s of Revelation…”all things will be new”and v. 6 “it is done” What began in Genesis is brought to completion in Relation.

GENESIS REVELATION
1:1 - heavens & earth created 21:1 - New heavens & earth
1:16 - Sun created 21:23 - No need for the sun
1:5 - Night established 22:5 - No night there
1:10 - The seas created 21:1 - No more seas
3:14-17 - The curse announced 22:3 - No more curse [Satan, serpent, soil]
3:19 - Death enters history 21:4 - No more death
3:24 - Man driven from paradise 22:14 - Man restored to paradise
3:17 - Sorrow & pain began 21:4 - No more tears or pain

Don’t you look forward to going to heaven?

“What a day that will be…”

All For Jesus
Phil

Telling the Truth 5

Hello Everyone,

We are finishing up today our study on Exodus 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Answering the question WHY DO WE LIE?
We have looked at three types of lies we have two more today.

There is “The calculated lie”. This is the kind of lie used to manipulate other people. We want our way. When we think I need to get what I want to get when I want to get it.

It can be motivated by greed or selfishness. This lie says,
"This is what I want therefore I'm going to do whatever it takes
to get it even if it means lie." Con men use this lie all the time. If you love money you will use a calculated lie to get it.

And lastly there is “The convenient lie”. The convenient lie we tell because it takes effort to tell the truth. It takes energy, time to tell the truth. You don't want to get involved with something so you tell the officer, "I didn't see anything" when you really did.

The convenient lie we just do it because we just don't want to take the time. What is the motive behind that kind of lie?
Laziness is the motivation behind the convenient lie. The Bible says in
Ps. 34:12-13 “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

Jesus said that what's in your heart is what's going to come out of your mouth. So the heart of the issue is the issue of the heart.

So what's the solution? The only way to stop lying, if you want to be a person of integrity, is to get a new heart. Jesus specializes in heart transplants. He says, Let me fill your heart with love instead of selfishness and joy and peace instead of hate and confidence instead of insecurity and energy and power instead of laziness.

Jesus said I am the truth. The closer you get to Jesus Christ the more you're going to love the truth and speak the truth, the more you're going to live the truth.

"How many lies does it take to be a liar? One!

Ask Christ to forgive you and give you the power to change and say put a new heart in me.

All For Jesus
Phil

Telling The Truth 4

Hello Everyone,

Today I want to ask the question WHY DO WE LIE?

Once you understand the motivation behind your lying, then you can deal with the real issue. Lying is not your real problem. It's the symptom of a deeper problem.

I find it helpful to categorize lies by what motivates the different kinds. I've listed five different lies; I want us to see what are the primary motivation for each of these lies we will look at three of them today.

First there is “The cruel lie”. This is the kind of lie that is intentionally destructive and malicious. You tell it to get revenge. You don't like somebody. They've hurt you so you're going to get even.

You make up some lie about them. Politicians do this all the time. They spend money on ads to put out cruel lies. This is called slander. Slander means when you make up something about somebody that's not true with the intentional purpose of damaging their reputation.

The Sadducees did this to Jesus.
What is the motive behind that kind of lie? Jealousy, revenge, hurt, anger, hate, resentment.

When I don't like you and I'm bitter against you and I'm angry, hurt or whatever and I get resentful then it will be very easy for me to tell a cruel lie just to get back at you.

Then there is “The cowardly lie”. This is the kind of lie you tell to escape consequences. You want to avoid punishment. You're trying to protect yourself, prevent pain.

"My dog ate my homework." Adam told this kind of lie in the Garden of Eden, when he sinned, he took it like a man and blamed his wife. When you don't want to get into trouble you tell a cowardly lie.

What is the motive behind that kind of lie? Fear is the motivation behind a cowardly lie. The Bible says the fear of man is a trap. Peer pressure produces cowardly lies.

Or when you don't have the courage to say "no". That's a cowardly lie. Has someone ever asked you to do something and you said, "I just
can't" when you really mean "I don't want to."

There is a big difference between "I don't want to" and "I can't" -- it's called a lie. That's a cowardly lie.

And last today is “The conceited lie”. This is when you lie to impress. You're trying to create an image or cover up low self-esteem so you brag. Bragging and lying are first cousins. They go together.

When you exaggerate and prop yourself up that's a conceited lie.
What is the motive behind that kind of lie? Insecurity.

What comes off as pride and ego, when you pull away the layers is a very frightened, insecure person. If I don't think I'm good enough as I am then I have to puff up my resume (which studies say 40% of the people do). Or the fish gets bigger each time.

You begin to tell these stories because it's not good enough just where you are. Really at the root of it is insecurity.

This is the kind of lie we use when we try to hide our hurt.

Either way a lie is a lie!

All For Jesus
Phil

Telling The Truth 3

Hello Everyone,

I believe that God would say that we should “TELL THE TRUTH LOVINGLY”.
Eph 4:15 “speaking the truth in love” Don't use the truth as a club. Don't beat people over the head with the truth.

Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

If you want to help somebody change you've got to remember two things:
1. People change easier and people change faster when you speak the truth in a spirit of love.
2. People always perceive truth without love as an attack.

You must speak the truth in love.

How do I know if I'm speaking the truth in love? Ask yourself the question, who am I trying to benefit from this? Am I trying to change them so things will be easier on me? Or am I really sharing this with the friend or loved one because I really care about them and want them to be the best they can be.

If I'm doing it for their benefit then that's speaking the truth in love.
"Speak only [circle "only"] what is helpful for building others up [not me] according to their needs [not my needs], that it may benefit those who listen [not that it may benefit me]."

When we tell the truth we should make every effort to “TELL THE TRUTH TACTFULLY”.

Whenever you have a need to share a tough truth the solution is never deception. It is tact not deception. The truth sets you free. But when you Speak the truth you must speak it completely, consistently, lovingly, and tactfully.

Pr. 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

You have an option with your words: you can either hurt people or you can heal them.

You can develop people or you can destroy them. You can build them up or you can tear them down. You can delight or you can devastate. Your words have tremendous power.

If you think about it, emotional wounds last longer than physical wounds. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is not true. You need to share with tact.

When you speak the truth in love and with tact you can learn how to make a point without making an enemy. That's very important in saving your marriage, your relationship with your children, with people you work with.

Prov. 16:23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction Circle "wise". Contemplate before you communicate. Think it through. Put your mind in gear before you put your mouth in gear.

I suggest that you plan your presentation. How can I introduce this in the best way? Choose the right time. Timing is everything.
Don't lay it on them as they're going to sleep at night. Don't do it when they're tired, fatigued, hurried. Find the proper time to deal with the truth honestly.

If you'll do these four things, the Bible says you will begin to be an honest person. Speak the truth completely, consistently, lovingly and tactfully.

The problem is we don't do that. Why don't we do that?
Matthew 12:34 …For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Jesus is saying the real problem is not my mouth but my heart.
What's coming out of my mouth, these lies, are really an indication of what's inside of me. It's not what comes out that matters it's what's inside of me.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. The heart of the issue when it comes to lying is an issue of the heart.

This is the problem. If I am going to become a person of integrity, if
I'm going to become an honest person, I have to deal, not with my lips, I have to deal with what motivates me to lie.

All For Jesus
Phil

Telling The Truth 2

Hello Everyone,

There are four things I believe God would say about lying:
The first thing I believe He would say is TELL THE TRUTH COMPLETELY.

Proverbs 10:10 “He who winks maliciously causes grief,” NIV Another translation says it this way: "Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble."

He's talking about concealing. You get into trouble by not saying what you mean and not meaning what you say.

If you don't face issues honestly eventually in a relationship it will explode. If you are not being honest about your feelings in your marriage you are undermining your marriage. God says tell the truth completely.

Proverbs 28:23 He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.

It may be unpleasant at first. You have an employee that's goofing off on the job and you have to reprimand them, you may have to fire them. They may not appreciate it then but if it helps them change their character it will help in the long run.

In theory we all agree that honesty is the best policy. But when it comes down to being honest and when it will cause a confrontation we don't think it's such a good idea after all. God says; in the end people appreciate honesty. So tell the truth completely.

I believe God would also say to us “TELL THE TRUTH CONSISTENTLY”.

Being honest 80% of the time is not integrity. It's like the little boy who cried wolf. Eventually you don't know whether the guy's telling the truth or not so you don't believe him at all.

They may be telling you the truth 80% of the time but if they're not truthful all the time, how do you know if this is not in the 20% that's a lie. So you must tell the truth consistently.

Eph. 4:15 (Amp) "Let our lives lovingly express the truth in all things speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly."

Honesty is to be a life style. I've got to be consistent.

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Circle the word "destroyed". Dishonesty destroys. Nobody has a good enough memory to be a good liar.

If you lie you have to remember what you said to each person. If you tell the truth at all times you don't have to remember anything because you've always told the truth.

Lying sabotages success. It destroys relationships. It damages character.

God says don't do it. Tell the truth consistently. Every relationship is built on one word -- trust. Truth telling produces trust building. Deception destroys trust. If you are a dishonest person pretty soon you have no relationships, nobody can trust you.

Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
And “TELL THE TRUTH CONSISTENTLY”.

All For Jesus
Phil

Telling The Truth

Hello Everyone,

As we continue to look at “Ten Values That Build Strong Families” this week we will be discussing “Telling the Truth”. Read with me:

Exodus 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

A good while back Time magazine did a cover story called "Lying, Everybody's Doing It". It starts off like this: "Lies, lies, lies.

The current political campaign is erupting into a series of charges and counter charges of dishonesty and deception. All of which raises the question: Is anyone around here telling the truth?"

A recent survey of Americans said 66% of Americans say it's not wrong to tell lies. Only 31% agreed with the statement, "Honesty is the best policy."

Dr. Leonard Keeler, inventor of the lie detector machine, has tested 25,000 individuals and come to the conclusion that human beings are basically deceptive. No kidding!

A little boy was caught lying, by his dad. His dad said, "You know there are no liars in heaven." The son said: "Dad have you ever told a lie?" The Dad said: "yes". The little boy then said Mom have you ever told a lie? The Mom said: "yes". Then the son said: “Then I guess the only people that are going to be in heaven are God and George Washington”.

How can we be honest in a dishonest world? How do I tell the truth?

God says lying is an intention to mislead and when you're just telling a half a truth you're telling a whole lie.

You can lie by falsifying or you can lie by concealing. You need to tell the truth completely.

When you deliberately hold back half the truth, you're telling a partial truth, you're being deceptive. You can lie without even saying a word.

I heard about a teen age boy who was supposed to be home at midnight and came in at 2 a.m. in the morning, but everyone was asleep. He crept up the stairs and as he did so he hit a stair that squeaked and his dad woke up. "Is that you Bobby?" Yes "What time is it?" Before he could say a word the coo-coo clock struck twice. He said it was the most ingenious moment of my life when I stood there and coo-cooed ten more times.

“Telling the Truth” is best way to go every time.

All For Jesus
Phil

Fireproof Your Marriage 2 Part 4

Hello Everyone,

If you've been unfaithful to your mate there is still hope. You can come to Jesus Christ for cleansing. Adultery does not have to kill a marriage.

Three steps:
1. Acknowledge the sin.
Ps. 51, is David's prayer when he committed adultery. Stop rationalizing it and call it what it is. It's wrong. It's sin.
It's not an affair. It's adultery, that's what the Bible calls it.

God has never changed His standard and He never will.
Premarital sex is unacceptable to God; it always has been it always will be. Living together without being married is unacceptable to God; it always has been it always will be.

Adultery is unacceptable to God; it always has been it always will be.

Homosexuality is unacceptable to God; it always has been it always will be.

Pornography is unacceptable to God; it always has been it always will be. God does not compromise.

One day you will stand before Him and give your puny excuse why you did what He said don't do. If you're guilty of any of these sins, Anderson 1st is the church for you. This is a family of forgiven sinners.

There are no perfect people in this church and it is not a place for self-righteousness. It is a place to come and get your act together and a place to come to find forgiveness and healing and a new life and break the power of temptations that you don't think you can break on your own because you can't without God's help.

Confess and receive forgiveness from God and then you can forgive yourself. Even if there were no heaven it's worth it -- get rid of the shame.
2. End the relationship immediately.
Do it now. "Today if you hear God's voice don't harden your heart" the Bible says. Take action immediately. Don't delay.
3. Avoid all contact with that person from now on.
You can't be friends end the relationship cold turkey. Do whatever it takes to avoid that situation. If it means changing jobs, do it. Better that than lose your soul.

God thought up sex. It's His idea. In marriage it is wonderful and fantastic and a beautiful expression of Christ's love for the church.

But used improperly it destroys marriages, damages families and lives, damages self esteem, creates misery and guilt, shame and regret, depression, not to mention all the kinds of diseases that are out there today.

God says I've established these rules for your benefit.
Make a commitment to be morally pure the rest of your life forward.
That means you're going to have sex only to the person you're married to.

You need to say, "God, help me change my thought life."

Maybe you've been involved in an emotional attachment and think there's no sex involved so it's OK. Nip it in the bud. Maybe you've had the heartbreak of an affair in your marriage. There is hope.

Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery."

"Husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and commit adultery."

All For Jesus
Phil

Fireproof Your Marriage 2 Part 3

Hello Everyone,

To “Fireproof Your Marriage you need to MINIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY.
If you don't want to get stung stay away from the bees.

Don't place yourself in situations where you know you're going to be tempted.

I Cor. 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

You need to know the early warning signs of temptation in your life so you can bail out early.

Some of you are thinking I've been married so many years it could never happen to me. Who are you kidding? The fact is the Bible says the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. We can fool ourselves very easily.

You have to put guards around your life and set up guidelines and standards to keep you doing what is right for the Lord rather than what society says.

Another thing you need to do is choose your friends carefully.

I Cor. 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

Mal. 2:15b …guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

MINIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY and “Fireproof Your Marriage”.

All For Jesus
Pastor Phil

Fireproof Your Marriage 2 Part 2

Hello everyone,
How can we “Fireproof Our Marriage”? We must always MAINTAIN PROPER RELATIONSHIPS.
Most affairs occur between close personal friends, co workers or family members. Since we have to deal with people every day of our lives how do you maintain a proper relationship in casual relationships?

1. Don't listen to a member of the opposite sex tell you his or her marriage problems. Steer them to a same sex counselor.
2. Women do not go fishing for compliments. Don't go looking for them. You may have married a man that did not notice that two weeks ago you died your hair blue and purple and has yet to comment on it. Men, watch what you say to women. If you're not sure what to say, it's better to say nothing in terms of compliments than to give the wrong signals.
3. Be aware of a sense of electricity between you and a member of the opposite sex. You have two choices: You can either be stroked by it and think "Wow! That feels good. This person thinks I'm attractive." Or you can pull back saying "No, I love my husband/wife and I'm not going to risk what I have just because you make me feel good and make me feel wanted."
4. Avoid a prolonged stare. This is OK for singles, it's called flirting. But if you are married, flirting is over. It's a game that you can no longer participate in.
5. Avoid a lingering touch. It's a dead give away, if a person hugs you too long, or touches you in a way that feels uncomfortable, it is a dead giveaway that they are interested.

Ephesians’ 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

It takes more than good intentions to remain pure. You need a plan.
How to keep pure:
All For Jesus
Phil

Fireproof Your Marriage 2 Part1

Hello Everyone,

We started last week looking at ways to “Fireproof our Marriage”.
One way to “Fireproof Your Marriage” is to MANAGE YOUR MIND.

People don't just fall into immorality. There is really no such thing as a one-night stand. It seems that way, but you are not a moral, upright person today and by tomorrow you fall into immorality.

It doesn't happen that way. There's a process, a whole series of events:
Step one. Accepting sinful thoughts in my mind.
The battle for any temptation in your life begins in your mind.
What you think about, you'll eventually feel and what you feel you'll eventually act on.

James 1:14-15 “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death”.

The problem is, most Christians will not get serious about their minds. You become what you think about. If you think about positive, good, happy, loving, kind things, that's the way you will act. if you think lustful, dirty, trashy, obscene thoughts, that's the kind of person you will become.

It's impossible not to be affected by what you let into your mind.
I read this week that most of us have garbage disposals in our kitchens and garbage dispensers in our living rooms -- the TV.
The TV is one of the biggest dispensers of garbage that we allow into our homes. It's really naive of us to do that.

2 Tim. 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Rom. 16:19 … I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

It's sad but most of us are the exact opposite. We are so wise about what is evil and innocent, ignorant about what is good.
That's not God's way and it will lead you in the process of SIN if you don't control your own thoughts.

You need to get serious about your mind. You have to decide that you are going to limit the movies you go to. Other people may seem to be able to go to them. You cannot. There are some TV shows you can't watch. Some books you can't read. Some CDs you shouldn't listen to. Some concerts you shouldn't go to. Places you shouldn't go to because they feed into temptation in your mind.

If you are smart, you will stop the battle ground right there. If you don't, it can lead to the next step.
If you are married, turn that sexual energy into your marriage. If love is the motivating force behind those desires the sky's the limit and with God's blessing.

If you're single you need to turn your sex drive to creative dynamic ways to serve God and other people.

Step two: Emotional non-physical involvement.
To assume that all is well between a man and a woman because there is no physical contact is a mistake. You're fooling yourself. By an motional involvement I mean that you look to another person other than your spouse for the deep emotional needs understanding, support, sympathy.

If you are looking to someone other than your spouse for those needs
to be met you are in an emotional affair that can lead you even further into sin.

Unbelievers don't spend a lot of time here. Unbelievers move right to the physical relationship. Christians camp here. They will not deal with the reality of what is going on in their lives.

I'm asking you to take it seriously and understand it for what it is. It's sinful and it can destroy you. It can lead to the next step.

Step three: Physical involvement.
Once you've crossed that line to where there is physical contact the pull of the sin is over whelming. To try to break out of a relationship that has crossed those physical lines, will take everything you have with the grace of God to break through.

Don't cross the line. They are there for your protection.

Step four: Rationalizing the affair.
We are great in deceiving ourselves. We are experts at pulling the wool over our own eyes. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
You are a pro at deceiving yourself.

Be careful what you are thinking.

All For Jesus
Phil

Fireproof Your Marriage 4

Hello Everyone,

We “Fireproof Our Marriage” by MAINTAINING OUR MARRIAGE
A growing relationship to your spouse will reduce the pull and attraction of adultery.

I Cor. 7:3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
I have talked to you before about the top 5 needs of most men and the top 5 needs of most women. See if you see any similarities between these two lists:
The top five needs of most men are:
1. Sexual fulfillment
2. Recreational companionship
3. An attractive spouse
4. Domestic support
5. Admiration
The top five needs of most women are:
1. Affection
2. Conversation
3. Honesty and openness
4. Financial support
5. Family commitment
Did you see any similarities between those two lists? No. No wonder we have so much trouble adjusting in marriage.

Get serious and get down to the business of learning what it is that your spouse needs and be determined that you're going to meet those needs to the very best of your ability. One of the biggest problem areas for most marriages is the physical relationship.

I Cor. 7:5 “Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control”.

The Bible says sex is a spiritual responsibility in marriage and to deny each other or to restrict each other is to ask for trouble.

A scientific survey I read this week was done to discover what days most men like to make love. They discovered that they like days that begin with T -- Tuesday, Thursday, Today, Tomorrow, Tatursday, and Tunday.

We can laugh about it but we know it to be true. When you stood before a pastor or a judge and committed your life to another person in marriage you hopefully realized that you are committing to an exclusive relationship.

You are committing yourself to a man or a woman and saying "For most of the needs I have in my life, especially these top five, I'm looking to you as the one to meet those needs."

Unfortunately many men and women feel cheated. They feel like they've gotten a raw deal by the time they've been married a little while.

The needs are so different. There's conflict in their sexual relations. Here's a decision that each of us needs to make: if my mate is going to have a good lover in his or her life I'm going to be it.

Each of us should keep our grass so green that it would make every body else's look brown by comparison.

The goal is to be best friends. I heard one person say: "It's real easy to leave your spouse. It's not easy to leave your best friend."
How do you build a friendship?
Time /Time/Time

You cannot be best friends with someone you don't spend time with that you don't see very often, that you don't talk and tell your heart to.

Start today “Fireproofing Your Marriage” by honoring God’s command “You shall not commit adultery”.

All For Jesus

Pastor Phil

Fireproof Your Marriage 3

Hello Everyone,

To “Fireproof Your Marriage” you need to MAGNIFY THE CONSEQUENCES.

Remind yourself of the devastation and destruction that is caused by sexual sin. Prov. 6;32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself!

Nothing damages emotions like sexual sin. Nothing! There are other sins that don't damage as much. But sexual sin leaves permanent scars.

The shame just doesn't seem to go away. The sense of loss to everyone involved is enormous.
Prov. 6:26 "…the adulteress preys upon your very life”.

Remember Esau who was hungry in the Old Testament and he sold his birthright, his inheritance, for a bowl of porridge. I know people today who are selling their life away for one moment of pleasure.

Why be faithful? Three reasons:
1. I love Jesus Christ. I owe Him my life. He died for me. He's my ticket to heaven. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." There's no doubt that God says no to sex outside of marriage.
2. I love my wife and kids. The thought of hurting them and what that would do to them is almost unbearable for me to even think of.
3. I fear the judgment of God. I think it is a healthy fear that you ought to have. The Bible says, you don't do this and get away with it. You may think you do but you don't. You reap what you sow. One day you will explain to God why you chose to do what He said not to do.

Hebrews 13:4b … God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. You don't get away with it.

You say God wants me to be happy. Yes, that's why He gave this rule. He knows better than you do.

I'm worried about America. If they taught drug education today in our schools the way they do sex education they'd be passing out needles and showing kids how to shoot up.

They need to be told what God says is right and wrong.

All For Jesus

Pastor Phil

Fireproof Your Marriage 2

Hello Everyone,
To “fire proof” your marriage the very first thing that you need to do is.

MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GOD'S STANDARDS.

Regardless of your past, regardless of your failures say today, I'm going to make a commitment to maintain God's standards. That means you agree with God about what He says about sex. God's standards have never, never changed.

The Bible says that sex is for marriage only -- not before marriage, not outside of marriage.

Ps. 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to...." culture. No! but "by living according
to Your word."

God's standard is very clear in His word. Adultery is never an option, under NO circumstances is it OK, there is no justification for it, no matter what your background is.

Joseph in the Old Testament was seduced by Potipher's wife. He had every reason in the world to give in to that temptation - - I'm young, I'm single, I'm in a foreign country, it's an acceptable practice in this society, she wants it, my desires want it, I've been abused, my mother died when I was young, my father was over-indulgent to me, my brothers hated me and sold me into slavery -- he had a terrible family life, he was deprived of love.

Instead he said "I will not sin against my God." The Bible says when he was tempted he turned and ran.

Maybe that's what you need to do too. You say "but my wife/husband is not meeting my needs." It is not an excuse.

Proverbs says "Be faithful to your own wife. Give your love to her alone." This is not a suggestion. It is a commandment. I want to suggest to you that you need to publicly affirm God's standard. That's the first step if you want to protect your marriage.

I want you to say to the people around you, "I'm not available. I'm off the market. It's non negotiable. Don't even think about flirting with me."
MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GOD'S STANDARDS!

All For Jesus

Pastor Phil

Fireproof Your Marriage 1

Hello Everyone,

If you were to see an "off" ramp sign on the highway that says "do not enter" would you resent it or would you appreciate it?

If you were trying to find your way on to the highway and you didn't know if it were an on-ramp or an off-ramp you would appreciate the fact that somebody put up a sign that said "this ain't it."

God has given us Ten Commandments in His word that we've been looking at the past few weeks. Whenever God says a negative He always has a positive purpose behind it. He always has a reason. It is not to cause you pain. It is for your protection. God says when you play be the rules you win.

Exodus 20:14 -- our seventh commandment -- "You shall not commit adultery."

Nothing destroys a family faster than adultery. God says this is My protection plan. I don't want you committing adultery. Even the mention of this word causes some of you pain and memories and shame.

The purpose of this week’s e-votion is not to resurrect your past. If you have confessed a sin to God and you've been forgiven God has forgiven it and forgotten it and you need to also. If you feel guilty over sin that you have committed and confessed to God that guilt is not from God.

It's from Satan. Don't let Satan condemn you for things that are in your past and have already been forgiven and forgotten.

This week we're going to focus on the future. God is no kill-joy. God invented sex. But like everything it must be controlled. He wants us to use it not abuse it.

All of God's gifts have limitations on them. God has given us the gift of water. You can't live without water. But too much of it and you'll drown.

God has given us fire. Fire can either warm you or burn you.
It's how you handle it.
God says I've given you a sex drive. Properly controlled and expressed within a marriage it's beautiful and fantastic.

But outside of marriage it is destructive and detrimental to your health as a human being -- emotionally, spiritually, in every way.

This week, what I want us to look at is how do you “fire proof your marriage”. Notice God wants us to use sex as a tool for building a marriage not to destroy it.

It's easier to get married than it is to stay married. In today's world where there are permissive values that basically says anything goes, and an entertainment organization obsessed with sex, and sex is used to sale everything from cars to bananas and there are more women in the work place, and there is birth control and constant bombardment by the media, you don't stand much of a chance of remaining pure unless you establish some guidelines for your life.

Readers Digest did a study and said 50% of all husbands and probably 35% of all wives have committed adultery. This is happening even among Christians.

I have put together six biblical steps on how to “fire proof” your marriage. We will start tomorrow with number one.

Until then All For Jesus

Pastor Phil

Prospering With Integrity Part 6

Hello Everyone,
Another step that will get you started on the road to integrity, the lifestyle of integrity is: Give God my full tithe.

"Is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not. Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple and I will pour out on you in abundance." God has more promises about giving than any other thing in the Bible. He says, bring the full amount the 10% to the temple.

Where is the temple? Wherever you worship is the temple.
The fact is God says if I'm not tithing then I'm paying my bills with stolen money that belongs to God. If I'm not tithing, the money in my wallet is what I'm ripping off from God.

One day I will give an account to Him for it. "Why didn't you do that?"
It's very clear here. God says you're cheating Me. If you're going to start tithing, don't delay it any more.

Do it now. What if I got up and said, "God has really put me under conviction, I'm going to stop stealing in January." If you're going to stop stealing, do it today. Stop stealing from the government, from others, and stop stealing from God. It's real clear.

People say tithing is Old Testament. So what! So are the Ten Commandments. Are you going to not keep them?

Whoever said that because we're under grace, we do less than we do under law? Under grace you do more, not less.

Another step that will get you started on the road to integrity, the lifestyle of integrity is: Make a living honestly

Eph. 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
I would suggest that you begin to act as if God were your boss. Work as if you're working for the Lord, not whomever your employer happens to be.

Make money honestly so you can live with a clear conscience at night.
The Bible says in the book of Revelation, "No dishonest person will be allowed into heaven."

That means you and I don't stand a chance. Nobody stands a chance unless we have a Savior. We have all been dishonest in different ways. That's why Jesus Christ took my place on the cross. He paid the penalty for me.

When I come to Him and say, "Jesus Christ, there is no way I can earn my way to heaven, because no dishonest people are going to make it and I've been dishonest. So I ask You to forgive me and I want to get in on your ticket." Jesus says that's what I came to do.

So you put your trust in Him. Say "Christ, I want to follow You as best I know how. From this day forward I want to begin living a life of integrity."

"I will make restitution where needed. I will begin to pay the whole tithe to God, and I'll begin to make my living honestly instead of dishonestly." If you do that not only will you have a full, happier lifestyle, but the rewards you will experience in heaven will go on and on and on...

GLORY!
See You Sunday

All For Jesus
Pastor Phil

Prospering with Integrity Part 5

Hello Everyone,
Why be honest? Because God will reward my honesty in this life and eternity.

Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Honesty leads to a full, happy life. Why? Because you don't have any skeletons in the closet.
But if you're trying to get rich quickly, you're going to fall into problems and you'll eventually be punished for it.

God has one word to say about get rich-quick schemes.
Don't! Don't be stupid! Don't be foolish! You get wealthy by adding little to little to proper investments, wise savings, honest work, good stewardship and investing in things and people that count. Don't worry about schemes and dreams. The quicker you make it, the quicker you can lose it.
Jesus said in Luke 16 "If you're dishonest in a little, you're going to be dishonest in a lot." If you are unfaithful and cheat with worldly wealth, God will not trust you with true riches in eternity. It's a test.

One step that will get you started on the road to integrity is:

Make restitution when possible.

A good example of this is Zacchaeus in the Bible. Remember Zacchaeus was the little short fellow. Jesus came to town one day and Zacchaeus couldn't see above the crowd so the Bible says he climbed up in a tree and as Jesus was walking by He looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, I'm coming to your house today."

Zacchaeus was a dishonest tax collector. In the Roman system, tax collectors were not paid; they just got to skim off the top whatever they could collect. They were the wealthiest, most dishonest, and most hated people in town. Jesus says that is the guy's home I'm going to go to.

Jesus goes and has dinner with Zacchaeus, and Zacchaeus realizes "I've been doing the wrong thing. I'm going to get my life right. I'm going to do what God wants." He says "I want to follow you Lord. If I cheated anyone I will pay him back four times as much." Now there is a guy who is putting his money where his mouth is.

That's called real Christianity, restitution. In Luke 19:9 Jesus says, "Salvation has come to this man's home." This guy is a real believer. It's not a matter of just belief it's a matter of behavior.

Maybe you need to make a list. Maybe you need to say, "God I want to have a clear conscience before you and before man."
Maybe you need to wrap up some stuff and mail it back, maybe there are some items you need to return. Whether it be: office supplies, your neighbor's ladder, motel towels, or whatever...if it isn't yours give it back.

Maybe you need to write a check -- or so it will be anonymous, a money order --to an employer and say, "I took some supplies." I would suggest you use it as a witnessing opportunity, send a letter or a not with it explaining why you must make restitution.

You don't have to sign it. [Like the guy who ripped off the IRS. He got under conviction about it and sent a letter with $500 and said "I've cheated the IRS, here's $500. P.S. If I still feel guilty I'll send the rest later.]

So you send a money order to your employer and say, "I am making restitution for ________________ because I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I want to do what's right." Sign it underneath, "A cleared conscience."

You can't buy that kind of feeling, the freedom and joy that comes from a clear conscience. Amen!

All For Jesus
Pastor Phil

Prospering with Intergrity Part 4

Hello Everyone,

We have asked the question why be honest? Because I will reap whatever I sow.

Gal. 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

It is an unbreakable law of the universe. If I plant corn seed, I'm going to harvest corn, not potatoes. If I plant apple seeds, I'll grow an apple tree, not a peach tree.

Whatever you give out in life is what you're going to get back. If I cheat other people, I'm going to get cheated. God says it will happen, count on it.

On the other hand this will work for you if you use it the right way. If you are honest and you maintain integrity in all your decisions, God says I will make sure you're blessed. Whatever you sow you're going to reap.

Proverb 15:27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, The newspapers are full of that, Men and women who have gotten their families in trouble because they were making a dishonest profit. Don't do it. You will reap what you sow.

Prov. 21:6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

God says it's not worth it. You're eventually going to be found out -- here on earth or in heaven, why take the risk.

Why do we steal? What motivates dishonesty?
· Greed. The Bible says "The love of money is the root of all
evil.

It is the idea, the myth, that we can get something for nothing -- that's what stealing is.
That attitude is almost irresistible. That's why people gamble. That's why it becomes an addiction for many people.

That's why God doesn't want you to gamble. He doesn't want you to trust "luck" or fate or chance. He wants you to depend on Him not the lottery or the casino or the game. You don't get something for nothing.

There is no free lunch. God says you get what you pay for, you reap what you sow.

· Laziness. If I can steal something, get something
dishonestly, I don't have to work for it. I can take a short cut and we're always looking for short cuts. When con men look for people to scam they always look for people who are looking for a short cut. They are the easiest people in the world to con -- people looking for the quick fix, the fast deal, and the short cut.

Why be honest? Because dishonesty damages my character.

It shrinks my soul down to the size of a pea. Jesus said "What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his soul." I can give you a dozen ways to make a lot of money real quick. They're all dishonest.

Prov. 10:2 Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

The Bible says that Satan is a thief. "The thief comes to kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life."

On the other hand, God is always truthful, always honest, and never dishonest. Every time I make a decision to steal, it doesn't matter how small or insignificant, I am choosing to side with the devil rather than with God.

For your own sake maintain integrity. Don't let anybody buy your soul for a few bucks.

All For Jesus
Pastor Phil