Hello Everyone,
This week we are talking about Holiness “A Heart Like His”. Today the question is Why be holy? Read with me in 2 Peter 3:9-12
9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
This passage all by itself answers the ‘why’ question. If this world will one day be dissolved along with everything in it when Jesus comes in all His glory, why put our future inheritance here? Will we invest in a sure loss?
If someone can live without holiness and never feel convicted, they do not belong to God.
In today’s culture, people do not like to think of God as a judge, but the Bible tells us that God will judge.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and leads us toward repentance and a close walk with Him. Guilt is the result of rejecting the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
But the commands of God are life to those who respond to God and His conviction.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Those who walk with God will be holy because they inherit God’s holiness. Judgment has no power over those who can take refuge in God. Only those who lack holiness will be left in the judgment.
Why be Holy? We must be holy because one day very soon we are going to face A Holy God face to face.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
What is Holiness?
Hello Everyone,
What is holiness? First thing we need to understand is the holiness of God is so far beyond our comprehension that we struggle to grasp it. If we could grasp a complete image of an infinite God with our finite mind, then we could fully grasp His holiness.
Even a small glimpse of God drives men to their knees. Isaiah saw a vision of God and cried, “Woe to me for I am undone!” When the prophet Ezekiel saw the same vision Isaiah saw, he fell on his face to the ground until God lifted him up.
No man has or can see God in all His glory. Sin does not affect God, but the holiness of God will always consume sin. There will be a day when we will be made pure and can see God face to face, but until then we pursue holiness and draw closer to God.
In simple terms, holiness is to be set apart. God is set apart from everything. He is unique and above His creation. Nothing measures up to God and nothing can even be compared to God.
The holiness of God is the highest honor expressed in the scripture. In scripture, what is repeated is done so to stress importance. Jesus frequently used repetition to alert His followers to a point He did not want them to miss. Jesus frequently said, “Truly, truly (or verily, verily in the KJV) I say to you…” this came before critical truths.
Even the apostles would repeat themselves to stress importance.
However, when it comes to the holiness of God, the Bible makes it the highest of importance by saying, holy, holy, holy is the Lord… Isaiah saw the angels around the throne saying that God is ‘holy, holy, holy’ and in Revelation we see it again.
Revelation 4: 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
There is no other ‘triple stressed’ point that I can find in scripture. The Bible stresses the holiness of God so we can understand that He is above anything that we can possibly imagine.
We are holy by becoming partakers of His holiness. We are separated from the world to be HOLY in Him. We should be unique and set apart from the world around us.
We are not holy because of who we are or what we do, but because what God does in us. We inherit the holiness of God.
Revelation 15:4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
"This passage expresses an important truth; “You alone are holy”.
I can’t be separate from the world unless God transforms me into a new creation. Only God can produce His goodness within me. It is God’s Spirit within me that sets me apart from the world that is contrary to His holiness.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
What is holiness? First thing we need to understand is the holiness of God is so far beyond our comprehension that we struggle to grasp it. If we could grasp a complete image of an infinite God with our finite mind, then we could fully grasp His holiness.
Even a small glimpse of God drives men to their knees. Isaiah saw a vision of God and cried, “Woe to me for I am undone!” When the prophet Ezekiel saw the same vision Isaiah saw, he fell on his face to the ground until God lifted him up.
No man has or can see God in all His glory. Sin does not affect God, but the holiness of God will always consume sin. There will be a day when we will be made pure and can see God face to face, but until then we pursue holiness and draw closer to God.
In simple terms, holiness is to be set apart. God is set apart from everything. He is unique and above His creation. Nothing measures up to God and nothing can even be compared to God.
The holiness of God is the highest honor expressed in the scripture. In scripture, what is repeated is done so to stress importance. Jesus frequently used repetition to alert His followers to a point He did not want them to miss. Jesus frequently said, “Truly, truly (or verily, verily in the KJV) I say to you…” this came before critical truths.
Even the apostles would repeat themselves to stress importance.
However, when it comes to the holiness of God, the Bible makes it the highest of importance by saying, holy, holy, holy is the Lord… Isaiah saw the angels around the throne saying that God is ‘holy, holy, holy’ and in Revelation we see it again.
Revelation 4: 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
There is no other ‘triple stressed’ point that I can find in scripture. The Bible stresses the holiness of God so we can understand that He is above anything that we can possibly imagine.
We are holy by becoming partakers of His holiness. We are separated from the world to be HOLY in Him. We should be unique and set apart from the world around us.
We are not holy because of who we are or what we do, but because what God does in us. We inherit the holiness of God.
Revelation 15:4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
"This passage expresses an important truth; “You alone are holy”.
I can’t be separate from the world unless God transforms me into a new creation. Only God can produce His goodness within me. It is God’s Spirit within me that sets me apart from the world that is contrary to His holiness.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Monday, February 23, 2009
Two Levels of Holiness
Hello Everyone,
Hebrews 12:14 says: Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord
When we think of HOLINESS our minds may come up with images of sour faces, rigid rules, and self righteousness. But seeking God and experiencing personal revival is anything but dull or boring!
So what does it mean to be HOLY?
In our Seeking Him study it says that Holiness can be defined on two levels.
Positional Holiness- God imparts to us when we become His children. Since God is Holy and we are sinners, we are reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross (Colossians 1:19-22).
19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
God imparts Christ’s righteousness to us and makes us holy and blameless before Him. That’s our spiritual position in Christ. We have been separated from sin and set apart to God.
Personal Holiness- (or practical holiness), is the outworking and fruit of positional holiness, evidenced in the way we think and live.
Because we belong to God and His Holy Spirit dwells in us, we are commanded and divinely equipped to live according to His will every day, in every way.
The truth of our text is clear we can’t be with God without first being holy. Let me ask you can someone claim to belong to Christ and never pursue holiness?
Both the Old and New Testaments put a high priority on holiness.
God puts a very HIGH priority on holiness and so should we!
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Hebrews 12:14 says: Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord
When we think of HOLINESS our minds may come up with images of sour faces, rigid rules, and self righteousness. But seeking God and experiencing personal revival is anything but dull or boring!
So what does it mean to be HOLY?
In our Seeking Him study it says that Holiness can be defined on two levels.
Positional Holiness- God imparts to us when we become His children. Since God is Holy and we are sinners, we are reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross (Colossians 1:19-22).
19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
God imparts Christ’s righteousness to us and makes us holy and blameless before Him. That’s our spiritual position in Christ. We have been separated from sin and set apart to God.
Personal Holiness- (or practical holiness), is the outworking and fruit of positional holiness, evidenced in the way we think and live.
Because we belong to God and His Holy Spirit dwells in us, we are commanded and divinely equipped to live according to His will every day, in every way.
The truth of our text is clear we can’t be with God without first being holy. Let me ask you can someone claim to belong to Christ and never pursue holiness?
Both the Old and New Testaments put a high priority on holiness.
God puts a very HIGH priority on holiness and so should we!
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Friday, February 20, 2009
Grace For Ever
Hello Everyone,
The last letter in the word GRACE and in our acrostic is:
E - IT IS EXTENDED THROUGHOUT ETERNITY
Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
The results of God's grace are going to go on and on forever. Eternal life is one of the benefits of grace. You could say that grace is the gift that keeps on giving.
God saves the best for last and the best is yet to come. With Jesus
Christ it just keeps getting better and better. The Bible says the free gift of God is eternal life in heaven.
The Bible tells us that Heaven is going to be like four things.
1. A place of reunion where we are reunited with other loved ones who have accepted the grace of God.
2. It's going to be a place of reward. We are rewarded for the character that we developed and the way we served other people here on earth.
3. It's going to be a place where we are reassigned to do new work that we enjoy doing.
4. It's going to be a place of release where we're free from all pain, all suffering, all sadness, all sorrow, all grief, all depression, all loneliness, etc.
It's going to be a wonderful place. And it is the gift of God.
There's one catch: You have to accept it. If you get a gift and you don't unwrap it, it's a worthless gift.
You're never going to get a better deal than what we've talked about this week.
And that deal is GRACE!
"The Lord longs to be gracious to you." Isa. 30:18
Believe for big things this coming Sunday as the church comes together.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
The last letter in the word GRACE and in our acrostic is:
E - IT IS EXTENDED THROUGHOUT ETERNITY
Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
The results of God's grace are going to go on and on forever. Eternal life is one of the benefits of grace. You could say that grace is the gift that keeps on giving.
God saves the best for last and the best is yet to come. With Jesus
Christ it just keeps getting better and better. The Bible says the free gift of God is eternal life in heaven.
The Bible tells us that Heaven is going to be like four things.
1. A place of reunion where we are reunited with other loved ones who have accepted the grace of God.
2. It's going to be a place of reward. We are rewarded for the character that we developed and the way we served other people here on earth.
3. It's going to be a place where we are reassigned to do new work that we enjoy doing.
4. It's going to be a place of release where we're free from all pain, all suffering, all sadness, all sorrow, all grief, all depression, all loneliness, etc.
It's going to be a wonderful place. And it is the gift of God.
There's one catch: You have to accept it. If you get a gift and you don't unwrap it, it's a worthless gift.
You're never going to get a better deal than what we've talked about this week.
And that deal is GRACE!
"The Lord longs to be gracious to you." Isa. 30:18
Believe for big things this coming Sunday as the church comes together.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Grace is only through Christ
Hello Everyone,
This week we have tried to use an acrostic to help us understand G-R-A-C-E. We have discussed that Grace is a G-FREE GIFT, and you R - RECEIVE BY FAITH, and it is A - AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.
Today I want to declare to you that:
C - GRACE COMES THROUGH CHRIST.
John 1:17 "The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
Why through Jesus Christ? Why is Jesus Christ the only way to heaven? Why not somebody else?
Because He paid the price of admission He's already paid for your salvation. Nobody else has or can. On the cross, He paid for your sins.
Grace is free, no doubt about that. But it is not cheap. It cost Jesus Christ His life.
The law tells me when I do wrong. It says, "You blew it!" But Grace says, "Here's how to get back on track. You're forgiven. Let's get going in the right direction."
Romans 5:15b …God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
In the Bible, the favorite description for someone who has grace, who's accepted God's grace, the favorite description for a believer, is the term "in Christ."
That phrase, "in Christ", is used over 120 times in the New Testament. It refers to somebody who has found salvation through the grace of God, being in Christ.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ takes my life with all the scars, with all the tatters, with all the mistakes, with all the guilty things in my life and the Bible says that when I come to Jesus Christ and I say,
"Jesus Christ, I open my life up to You and I want to accept Your free gift of salvation" then God puts me “in Christ”.
When I'm in Christ, can you see my imperfections? Can you see the things that I'm ashamed of?
Can you see the things that have ripped up my life and other people? All you can see when I'm in Christ is Christ.
When God looks at me with eyes of grace He only sees the perfection of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
If you could be saved and could get to heaven on your own merits, the cross was a waste.
You're either going to get into heaven in Christ, or you're not going.
It's a free gift. You just accept it in faith. It is all because of what
Jesus Christ did for me on the cross.
Another acrostic of GRACE is God's Riches At Christ's Expense.
It comes through Christ and only through Christ.
Thank GOD!
All for Jesus
Pastor
Phil
This week we have tried to use an acrostic to help us understand G-R-A-C-E. We have discussed that Grace is a G-FREE GIFT, and you R - RECEIVE BY FAITH, and it is A - AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.
Today I want to declare to you that:
C - GRACE COMES THROUGH CHRIST.
John 1:17 "The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
Why through Jesus Christ? Why is Jesus Christ the only way to heaven? Why not somebody else?
Because He paid the price of admission He's already paid for your salvation. Nobody else has or can. On the cross, He paid for your sins.
Grace is free, no doubt about that. But it is not cheap. It cost Jesus Christ His life.
The law tells me when I do wrong. It says, "You blew it!" But Grace says, "Here's how to get back on track. You're forgiven. Let's get going in the right direction."
Romans 5:15b …God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
In the Bible, the favorite description for someone who has grace, who's accepted God's grace, the favorite description for a believer, is the term "in Christ."
That phrase, "in Christ", is used over 120 times in the New Testament. It refers to somebody who has found salvation through the grace of God, being in Christ.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ takes my life with all the scars, with all the tatters, with all the mistakes, with all the guilty things in my life and the Bible says that when I come to Jesus Christ and I say,
"Jesus Christ, I open my life up to You and I want to accept Your free gift of salvation" then God puts me “in Christ”.
When I'm in Christ, can you see my imperfections? Can you see the things that I'm ashamed of?
Can you see the things that have ripped up my life and other people? All you can see when I'm in Christ is Christ.
When God looks at me with eyes of grace He only sees the perfection of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
If you could be saved and could get to heaven on your own merits, the cross was a waste.
You're either going to get into heaven in Christ, or you're not going.
It's a free gift. You just accept it in faith. It is all because of what
Jesus Christ did for me on the cross.
Another acrostic of GRACE is God's Riches At Christ's Expense.
It comes through Christ and only through Christ.
Thank GOD!
All for Jesus
Pastor
Phil
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Grace is for everyone
Hello Everyone,
Grace is the greatest gift you are ever going to be offered.
It's God's gift to you and me. Yesterday we seen that Grace is a Free Gift today lets continue our acrostic with the letters R and A.
R - RECEIVE BY FAITH
God's gift is received by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
Faith is the key that unlocks the door to heaven.
It's a gift but you have to receive it by faith.
Romans 4:16a “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace”
Salvation isn't based on my performance. It's based on God's promise.
It's not based on my goodness. It's based on God's grace.
I'm getting to heaven not based on my merit but God's mercy.
That's why He gets all the credit, all the glory. There's nothing I can do. It's a free gift that's received by faith.
God comes to us and we're broken, we're disabled in areas of our lives, crippled in some areas. Our emotions are crippled or other things are happening in our lives and God comes and says,
"I'm going to bring you into My family. I want you to sit at My table. I'm going to treat you like royalty, one of My own, simply out of My grace."
A - AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. Romans 4:16
God doesn't play favorites regardless of your background, regardless of your status, regardless of your sin.
God says it's available to anybody who opens up their heart in faith. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
It doesn't say only really good people will be saved if they call on the name of the Lord, really religious people, really smart people.
No. It says anybody. Anybody who calls on the name of the Lord, who has faith in the grace of God, will be saved.
Tell “anybody” and everyone you know about the GRACE of God!!!
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Grace is the greatest gift you are ever going to be offered.
It's God's gift to you and me. Yesterday we seen that Grace is a Free Gift today lets continue our acrostic with the letters R and A.
R - RECEIVE BY FAITH
God's gift is received by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
Faith is the key that unlocks the door to heaven.
It's a gift but you have to receive it by faith.
Romans 4:16a “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace”
Salvation isn't based on my performance. It's based on God's promise.
It's not based on my goodness. It's based on God's grace.
I'm getting to heaven not based on my merit but God's mercy.
That's why He gets all the credit, all the glory. There's nothing I can do. It's a free gift that's received by faith.
God comes to us and we're broken, we're disabled in areas of our lives, crippled in some areas. Our emotions are crippled or other things are happening in our lives and God comes and says,
"I'm going to bring you into My family. I want you to sit at My table. I'm going to treat you like royalty, one of My own, simply out of My grace."
A - AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. Romans 4:16
God doesn't play favorites regardless of your background, regardless of your status, regardless of your sin.
God says it's available to anybody who opens up their heart in faith. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
It doesn't say only really good people will be saved if they call on the name of the Lord, really religious people, really smart people.
No. It says anybody. Anybody who calls on the name of the Lord, who has faith in the grace of God, will be saved.
Tell “anybody” and everyone you know about the GRACE of God!!!
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
God's Gift To Me
Hello Everyone,
Using an Acrostic I would like to look at the word GRACE this week.
First there is:
G - GOD'S GIFT TO ME.
Romans 3;24 "All of us need to be made right with God by His grace, which is a free gift through Jesus Christ."
You need to understand that God says that salvation is absolutely free.
You don't work for a gift. It's a free gift. God says salvation is absolutely free. You can't earn it, you can't buy it, and you can't work for it.
Of all the other religions, Christianity is the only religion that's built on grace.
Every other religion is based on works and you can summarize them in one word -- "do".
On the other hand, if you were to summarize Christianity in one word, it's the word "done". It's already been done for you.
It was done on the cross by Jesus Christ. He paid for your salvation. He paid for your sins. It's already been done.
If you want to know what you can do to be saved "You're too late!" "You're about 2000 years too late!
What needed to be done for your salvation has already been done and you can't do anything about it."
When Jesus Christ, was hanging on the cross with His arms stretched out He said "It is finished." What's the "it"? Your salvation!
God says, "Here it is. It's a free gift."
I'm not getting to heaven based on what I do. I'm getting to heaven based on what has already been done for me by Jesus Christ.
That's the greatest gift you're ever going to be offered.
It's God's gift to you and me and it is FREE!
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Using an Acrostic I would like to look at the word GRACE this week.
First there is:
G - GOD'S GIFT TO ME.
Romans 3;24 "All of us need to be made right with God by His grace, which is a free gift through Jesus Christ."
You need to understand that God says that salvation is absolutely free.
You don't work for a gift. It's a free gift. God says salvation is absolutely free. You can't earn it, you can't buy it, and you can't work for it.
Of all the other religions, Christianity is the only religion that's built on grace.
Every other religion is based on works and you can summarize them in one word -- "do".
On the other hand, if you were to summarize Christianity in one word, it's the word "done". It's already been done for you.
It was done on the cross by Jesus Christ. He paid for your salvation. He paid for your sins. It's already been done.
If you want to know what you can do to be saved "You're too late!" "You're about 2000 years too late!
What needed to be done for your salvation has already been done and you can't do anything about it."
When Jesus Christ, was hanging on the cross with His arms stretched out He said "It is finished." What's the "it"? Your salvation!
God says, "Here it is. It's a free gift."
I'm not getting to heaven based on what I do. I'm getting to heaven based on what has already been done for me by Jesus Christ.
That's the greatest gift you're ever going to be offered.
It's God's gift to you and me and it is FREE!
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Monday, February 16, 2009
Saving Grace
Hello Everyone,
Grace is a terribly misunderstood word and defining it sufficiently is difficult. Some of the most detailed theology textbooks do not offer any short definition of the term.
One of the best-known definitions of grace is only three words: God’s unmerited favor. The key word is, “unmerited” – grace, is completely undeserved and therefore it leads to the conclusion that grace is a free gift given to us by God through Christ.
E. Stanley Jones once said:“Grace is free, but when once you take it you are bound forever to the Giver.”
Everything about the American way of life teaches us that you get what you earn in life, that there is no free lunch, that you make your bed and then you lay in it.
In America we are very aware of the values of competition and winning and we know what it means to work hard and use elbow grease.
We value effort and sweat. We tell people, "You get what you deserve in life" and "If you want to make something of your life it's up to you" and "If it is to be, it's up to me".
This is called the American work ethic. The only problem with the American work ethic is God doesn't operate on the American work ethic.
It makes it difficult many times for us to relate to God because we're in this driven work mentality.
The problem is Psalm 145:8. It tells us that God, rather than being in a work ethic mode, it says,
"God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."
The Bible says God is a gracious God. That means He loves to be gracious to you. God loves to bless people who don't deserve it. That's His nature. Aren't you glad for that? I'm glad that God blesses people who don't deserve it.
You can't understand the Christian life at all unless you understand GRACE. It is the heart of our faith. It is the heart of our relationship to God. When you understand grace you're going to feel closer to God.
The more you understand grace the more you're going to be drawn to God, the more you're going to love God, the more you're going to be grateful to God.
It is by that system of grace that God brings us to Himself.
What is grace?
There is no single definition to describe what grace is all about.
One definition of grace is "God's love in action." Another definition: "God giving me what I need, not what I deserve."
One of my favorite definitions is, "Grace is the face God wears when
He looks at my failures." And He responds in a gracious way.
You need to understand the difference between grace and mercy. Mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve -- punishment. Grace is when God gives us what we don't deserve -- blessing.
When you really understand grace it's going to bring so much joy to your life. It is the most liberating thing in the world.
We will look at this beautiful word called GRACE all this week.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Grace is a terribly misunderstood word and defining it sufficiently is difficult. Some of the most detailed theology textbooks do not offer any short definition of the term.
One of the best-known definitions of grace is only three words: God’s unmerited favor. The key word is, “unmerited” – grace, is completely undeserved and therefore it leads to the conclusion that grace is a free gift given to us by God through Christ.
E. Stanley Jones once said:“Grace is free, but when once you take it you are bound forever to the Giver.”
Everything about the American way of life teaches us that you get what you earn in life, that there is no free lunch, that you make your bed and then you lay in it.
In America we are very aware of the values of competition and winning and we know what it means to work hard and use elbow grease.
We value effort and sweat. We tell people, "You get what you deserve in life" and "If you want to make something of your life it's up to you" and "If it is to be, it's up to me".
This is called the American work ethic. The only problem with the American work ethic is God doesn't operate on the American work ethic.
It makes it difficult many times for us to relate to God because we're in this driven work mentality.
The problem is Psalm 145:8. It tells us that God, rather than being in a work ethic mode, it says,
"God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."
The Bible says God is a gracious God. That means He loves to be gracious to you. God loves to bless people who don't deserve it. That's His nature. Aren't you glad for that? I'm glad that God blesses people who don't deserve it.
You can't understand the Christian life at all unless you understand GRACE. It is the heart of our faith. It is the heart of our relationship to God. When you understand grace you're going to feel closer to God.
The more you understand grace the more you're going to be drawn to God, the more you're going to love God, the more you're going to be grateful to God.
It is by that system of grace that God brings us to Himself.
What is grace?
There is no single definition to describe what grace is all about.
One definition of grace is "God's love in action." Another definition: "God giving me what I need, not what I deserve."
One of my favorite definitions is, "Grace is the face God wears when
He looks at my failures." And He responds in a gracious way.
You need to understand the difference between grace and mercy. Mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve -- punishment. Grace is when God gives us what we don't deserve -- blessing.
When you really understand grace it's going to bring so much joy to your life. It is the most liberating thing in the world.
We will look at this beautiful word called GRACE all this week.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I've Been Changed
Hello Everyone,
Charles Spurgeon once said: “There must be a divorce between you and your sins. Not a mere separation for a season, but a clear divorce.”
In 2 Corinthians Paul not only rejoiced because they followed through with genuine repentance, but that there was visible change to prove their repentance.
Read verse 11 with me:
See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
Sorrow produces repentance and repentance produces a changed life.
They went from laziness to diligence – being quick to do what was right.
From guilt to a, clear conscience through confession of sin.
From apathy, a total lack of interest to a righteous angerover their spiritual condition.
From a slack attitude about sin to fear lest their sins be repeated.
From mediocre to having a passionate desire to do what was right in God’s sight.
From indifference to zeal in turning back to God.
From condemnation over sin to justification.
They were no longer just stirred by the words of Paul, they were changed by them! And you can be too.Are you going to be only stirred or are you going to let God change you before you?Don’t live with guilt; lay your guilt at the foot of the cross in repentance.
Make a U turn!
Please don’t remain apathetic (unresponsive) about your spiritual condition. Do something about it now.
Don’t have a lax attitude about sin, leave with a healthy fear of God?
God’s desire is for you not to go another day the same as yesterday! Will you let Him have His will and way in your life today?
As John the Baptist said, as Jesus said:
REPENT!
Look for GREAT things this Sunday.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Charles Spurgeon once said: “There must be a divorce between you and your sins. Not a mere separation for a season, but a clear divorce.”
In 2 Corinthians Paul not only rejoiced because they followed through with genuine repentance, but that there was visible change to prove their repentance.
Read verse 11 with me:
See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
Sorrow produces repentance and repentance produces a changed life.
They went from laziness to diligence – being quick to do what was right.
From guilt to a, clear conscience through confession of sin.
From apathy, a total lack of interest to a righteous angerover their spiritual condition.
From a slack attitude about sin to fear lest their sins be repeated.
From mediocre to having a passionate desire to do what was right in God’s sight.
From indifference to zeal in turning back to God.
From condemnation over sin to justification.
They were no longer just stirred by the words of Paul, they were changed by them! And you can be too.Are you going to be only stirred or are you going to let God change you before you?Don’t live with guilt; lay your guilt at the foot of the cross in repentance.
Make a U turn!
Please don’t remain apathetic (unresponsive) about your spiritual condition. Do something about it now.
Don’t have a lax attitude about sin, leave with a healthy fear of God?
God’s desire is for you not to go another day the same as yesterday! Will you let Him have His will and way in your life today?
As John the Baptist said, as Jesus said:
REPENT!
Look for GREAT things this Sunday.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
True Repentance
Hello Everyone,
“Repentance is hating what you once loved, and loving what you once hated.” Jim Elliff
In 2 Corinthians 7:9 Paul not only rejoiced because the Corinthians finally came around and dealt with their sins, but that they followed through with a genuine repentance.
9. yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.
A false repentance (worldly) is one that never gets beyond the emotion of guilt. You may feel sick to your stomach for a while, but you know the feeling will soon pass.
In turn, Satan use’s that against you, he comes to you and says: “You’re OK now because you felt bad about what you did. Don’t worry about it”. The word used here for repentance means: A change of mind, a change of heart, a change of attitude…I’m sorry and I am going to do something about it! I am going to change with God’s help! Our guilt that leads to the decision to turn from our sins and accept God’s free gift of eternal life!
God wants the conviction you may be feeling in your heart to produce a change of mind and attitude!That is true repentance.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
“Repentance is hating what you once loved, and loving what you once hated.” Jim Elliff
In 2 Corinthians 7:9 Paul not only rejoiced because the Corinthians finally came around and dealt with their sins, but that they followed through with a genuine repentance.
9. yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.
A false repentance (worldly) is one that never gets beyond the emotion of guilt. You may feel sick to your stomach for a while, but you know the feeling will soon pass.
In turn, Satan use’s that against you, he comes to you and says: “You’re OK now because you felt bad about what you did. Don’t worry about it”. The word used here for repentance means: A change of mind, a change of heart, a change of attitude…I’m sorry and I am going to do something about it! I am going to change with God’s help! Our guilt that leads to the decision to turn from our sins and accept God’s free gift of eternal life!
God wants the conviction you may be feeling in your heart to produce a change of mind and attitude!That is true repentance.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Godly Sorrow
Hello Everyone,
Charles Spurgeon said: “Repentance is to leave The sin we loved before, And show that we in earnest grieve By doing so no more.”
Paul rejoiced when writing to the Corinthian Church, not because his letters to the Corinthian church made them feel bad, but because the letters forced them to deal with the issues they faced on a personal level as well as on a church level.
They certainly had plenty of issues to deal with! Look with me at some of them:
(1) There were divisions in the church (a difference of opinion; disagreement) …I believe it the way Paul teaches it, I believe it the way Cephas teaches it … carpet blue/green, she should teach/sing, no, he should)
(2) There were “super saints” in the church trying to run the show.Did you know that super saints usually don’t run anything?
They are usually the one who do the praying, fasting, working, and giving without wanting any recognition.
(3) There was sexual immorality in the lives of the church members– wrong relationships…
(4) Lawsuits among the members – wouldn’t obey Scripture to deal with their problems so they turned to the world.
(5) Marital problems.
(6) These were just a few of the problems down at Corinth Assembly of God Church
There has not been much change in the church today.
I believe if they could have then, and if we could now, follow the one another commands found in the Word, we could all spend less time around the altars repenting and more time receiving the blessings of God on our lives.
To mention a few;
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (Instead of fighting, envious, jealous)
Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Rom 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Gal 5:13 …by love serve one another. (What can I do to make your relationship better with Jesus?)
Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Tolerating)
Eph 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
1Thes 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thes 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, ( instruct one another in such a way as to improve, enlighten, or uplift morally and spiritually)
Heb 3:13 But encourage one another daily, (urge earnestly by godly advice)
Heb 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
So, Paul rejoiced, not because his letters to the Corinthian church made them feel bad, but because the letters forced them to deal with the issues they faced on a personal level as well as on a church level.There is a difference between “godly” sorrow, and “worldly” sorrow – “worldly” says, “I am sorry that I got caught!” – “godly” says, “now that God has helped me see these sins, I must do something about them?”
God doesn’t just want to make us feel guilty about our personal sins; He wants us to deal with them! He doesn’t just say, “I think I’ll let you squirm for a little while, and then I’ll let you off the hook!” God comes to us and says, “What are you going to do about this sin? Do you realize that it is affecting our relationship with each other?”
Are there issues that God wants you to deal with today? (Personal sins) He is waiting all we have to do is draw close to Him and He will draw close to us.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Charles Spurgeon said: “Repentance is to leave The sin we loved before, And show that we in earnest grieve By doing so no more.”
Paul rejoiced when writing to the Corinthian Church, not because his letters to the Corinthian church made them feel bad, but because the letters forced them to deal with the issues they faced on a personal level as well as on a church level.
They certainly had plenty of issues to deal with! Look with me at some of them:
(1) There were divisions in the church (a difference of opinion; disagreement) …I believe it the way Paul teaches it, I believe it the way Cephas teaches it … carpet blue/green, she should teach/sing, no, he should)
(2) There were “super saints” in the church trying to run the show.Did you know that super saints usually don’t run anything?
They are usually the one who do the praying, fasting, working, and giving without wanting any recognition.
(3) There was sexual immorality in the lives of the church members– wrong relationships…
(4) Lawsuits among the members – wouldn’t obey Scripture to deal with their problems so they turned to the world.
(5) Marital problems.
(6) These were just a few of the problems down at Corinth Assembly of God Church
There has not been much change in the church today.
I believe if they could have then, and if we could now, follow the one another commands found in the Word, we could all spend less time around the altars repenting and more time receiving the blessings of God on our lives.
To mention a few;
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (Instead of fighting, envious, jealous)
Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Rom 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Gal 5:13 …by love serve one another. (What can I do to make your relationship better with Jesus?)
Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Tolerating)
Eph 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
1Thes 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thes 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, ( instruct one another in such a way as to improve, enlighten, or uplift morally and spiritually)
Heb 3:13 But encourage one another daily, (urge earnestly by godly advice)
Heb 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
So, Paul rejoiced, not because his letters to the Corinthian church made them feel bad, but because the letters forced them to deal with the issues they faced on a personal level as well as on a church level.There is a difference between “godly” sorrow, and “worldly” sorrow – “worldly” says, “I am sorry that I got caught!” – “godly” says, “now that God has helped me see these sins, I must do something about them?”
God doesn’t just want to make us feel guilty about our personal sins; He wants us to deal with them! He doesn’t just say, “I think I’ll let you squirm for a little while, and then I’ll let you off the hook!” God comes to us and says, “What are you going to do about this sin? Do you realize that it is affecting our relationship with each other?”
Are there issues that God wants you to deal with today? (Personal sins) He is waiting all we have to do is draw close to Him and He will draw close to us.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Monday, February 9, 2009
Make a U Turn
Hello Everyone,
It's time for a U turn. It is time for the church to allow the Holy Spirit to search their hearts and see if there is any thing that does not please Him.
God wants the conviction we feel in our hearts to produce a change in our actions.
He doesn’t put conviction there just to let you know that you have done wrong, but that it might bring change.
It is not my goal to make you feel guilty about your life style or your sins concerning your relationship with God.Because I believe that, if every Christian were completely honest they would have to admit that there is some area in their relationship with God that needs improvement.
The question now is what are you going to do about your guilt?
It is my goal not to make you feel guilty, but to be an instrument that God can use to bring about a genuine change in your life. Feeling guilty about our sins does absolutely no good unless it motivates you to change your heart! And, God wants to change your heart so that you can experience true freedom and all the blessings that are held back because of sin.
It is time to reflect on the condition of our personal and corporate relationship with God.We need the Holy Spirit to deal with us by pointing out the areas of our lives that do not please God.Revival will only come when we make a genuine commitment to change those things that the Holy Spirit points out to us. Are you ready for that? Are you tired of being stirred but not changed? If your answer is yes, then say yes to Christ today and let Him change you.
Take time today to read 2 Corinthians 7:1-11 and allow the Holy Spirit to start searching your heart.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
It's time for a U turn. It is time for the church to allow the Holy Spirit to search their hearts and see if there is any thing that does not please Him.
God wants the conviction we feel in our hearts to produce a change in our actions.
He doesn’t put conviction there just to let you know that you have done wrong, but that it might bring change.
It is not my goal to make you feel guilty about your life style or your sins concerning your relationship with God.Because I believe that, if every Christian were completely honest they would have to admit that there is some area in their relationship with God that needs improvement.
The question now is what are you going to do about your guilt?
It is my goal not to make you feel guilty, but to be an instrument that God can use to bring about a genuine change in your life. Feeling guilty about our sins does absolutely no good unless it motivates you to change your heart! And, God wants to change your heart so that you can experience true freedom and all the blessings that are held back because of sin.
It is time to reflect on the condition of our personal and corporate relationship with God.We need the Holy Spirit to deal with us by pointing out the areas of our lives that do not please God.Revival will only come when we make a genuine commitment to change those things that the Holy Spirit points out to us. Are you ready for that? Are you tired of being stirred but not changed? If your answer is yes, then say yes to Christ today and let Him change you.
Take time today to read 2 Corinthians 7:1-11 and allow the Holy Spirit to start searching your heart.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Honesty is the best policy
Hello Everyone,
I need to be honest with God when my past controls me.
I cannot do this or that or I am this way and I will always be this way because of my past.
In the book of Ruth, Naomi couldn’t let go of her past. When her husband and two sons died, she became resentful with God. When she returned to her hometown, this is what she said of herself. (Ruth 1:20-21 NIV) "Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me." What honesty but what resentment! The story of Ruth unfolds and we see at the end that Naomi was blessed with a new son in law and a grandchild. How do we overcome the past, first discuss it with God.
We need to be honest with God when I don’t want to admit my wrongs. It is so hard for us to say “I’m sorry” and to admit “I was wrong!” We would rather cover up our wrongs than admit them. This gets even harder with age. (Psa 32:5 NIV) Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
We need to be honest with God when I’m all alone.This is a Great fear of the elderly to be all alone. (Heb 13:5 NIV) God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
I need to be honest with God when I’m sad. So Many things have come against so many that they have no joy. (Rom 15:13 NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I need to be honest with God when prayer doesn’t seem to help.I pray and pray and nothing seems to give comfort or help. Tell that to God. He will put people and situations in your life to help. (Mat 7:11 NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
We need to be honest with God when life doesn’t make sense.
There is so much injustice, suffering and pain in the world. (Rom 11:33-34 NIV) Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
I need to be honest with God when I lose my faith in God.You don’t seem real anymore, and I don’t know what to believe. I wonder if you are even listening to me. You seem so distant. My doubts are crowding out my beliefs. Show me what I need to see to keep believing in you.(1 Pet 1:8 NIV) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,(1 Pet 1:9 NIV) for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
So what?So many people are not honest with God. If we are honest with God, then this will help us to be honest with ourselves and others.
The biggest dishonesty is to say that you don’t need God. I don’t need Jesus; I don’t need any of that stuff.
1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
I need to be honest with God when my past controls me.
I cannot do this or that or I am this way and I will always be this way because of my past.
In the book of Ruth, Naomi couldn’t let go of her past. When her husband and two sons died, she became resentful with God. When she returned to her hometown, this is what she said of herself. (Ruth 1:20-21 NIV) "Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me." What honesty but what resentment! The story of Ruth unfolds and we see at the end that Naomi was blessed with a new son in law and a grandchild. How do we overcome the past, first discuss it with God.
We need to be honest with God when I don’t want to admit my wrongs. It is so hard for us to say “I’m sorry” and to admit “I was wrong!” We would rather cover up our wrongs than admit them. This gets even harder with age. (Psa 32:5 NIV) Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
We need to be honest with God when I’m all alone.This is a Great fear of the elderly to be all alone. (Heb 13:5 NIV) God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
I need to be honest with God when I’m sad. So Many things have come against so many that they have no joy. (Rom 15:13 NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I need to be honest with God when prayer doesn’t seem to help.I pray and pray and nothing seems to give comfort or help. Tell that to God. He will put people and situations in your life to help. (Mat 7:11 NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
We need to be honest with God when life doesn’t make sense.
There is so much injustice, suffering and pain in the world. (Rom 11:33-34 NIV) Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
I need to be honest with God when I lose my faith in God.You don’t seem real anymore, and I don’t know what to believe. I wonder if you are even listening to me. You seem so distant. My doubts are crowding out my beliefs. Show me what I need to see to keep believing in you.(1 Pet 1:8 NIV) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,(1 Pet 1:9 NIV) for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
So what?So many people are not honest with God. If we are honest with God, then this will help us to be honest with ourselves and others.
The biggest dishonesty is to say that you don’t need God. I don’t need Jesus; I don’t need any of that stuff.
1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Honest Truth
Hello Everyone,
We need to be honest with God when my anger controls me.
Changes in society, changes in the body, changes in the family, to many times we can lash out with anger and verbal abuse.
Jesus got angry but what did He get angry about? We need to be angry about what makes God angry. Identify the sources of your anger and share them with the Lord. Ask the Lord to help you to deal with them.
(Eph 4:26 NIV) “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
We need to be honest with God when I have an addiction. "I like to smoke", "I like to drink", and "I like my bad habits".
Be honest with God and He will help you to see them in a different light.
(Rom 7:24-25 NIV) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
WE need to be honest with God when I don’t have the strength that I used to have. Some of us have a problem accepting the fact that what we did when we were 30, we no longer can do at all or not as quickly.
(Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV) He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
But we also need wisdom to recognize what we can and cannot do.
(James 1:5 NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
The Lord will give us strength to do what He wants to be done.
We need to be honest with God when I deal with sexual temptation.
Yes, even you old guys have problems with this.
(Job 31:1 NIV) “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl".
WE need to be honest with God when I don’t want to forgive someone.
I want to hold a grudge against this person. I want to hate this person. I want for this person to suffer the same way they have caused me to suffer.
(Eph 4:32 NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Mat 6:14-15 NIV) for if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Let’s be honest today with the Lord as we are talking to Him about our day.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
We need to be honest with God when my anger controls me.
Changes in society, changes in the body, changes in the family, to many times we can lash out with anger and verbal abuse.
Jesus got angry but what did He get angry about? We need to be angry about what makes God angry. Identify the sources of your anger and share them with the Lord. Ask the Lord to help you to deal with them.
(Eph 4:26 NIV) “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
We need to be honest with God when I have an addiction. "I like to smoke", "I like to drink", and "I like my bad habits".
Be honest with God and He will help you to see them in a different light.
(Rom 7:24-25 NIV) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
WE need to be honest with God when I don’t have the strength that I used to have. Some of us have a problem accepting the fact that what we did when we were 30, we no longer can do at all or not as quickly.
(Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV) He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
But we also need wisdom to recognize what we can and cannot do.
(James 1:5 NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
The Lord will give us strength to do what He wants to be done.
We need to be honest with God when I deal with sexual temptation.
Yes, even you old guys have problems with this.
(Job 31:1 NIV) “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl".
WE need to be honest with God when I don’t want to forgive someone.
I want to hold a grudge against this person. I want to hate this person. I want for this person to suffer the same way they have caused me to suffer.
(Eph 4:32 NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Mat 6:14-15 NIV) for if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Let’s be honest today with the Lord as we are talking to Him about our day.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Honesty with my needs
Hello Everyone,
Have you been open and honest with the Lord about your financial needs? There is a lot of talk about the economy right now. Many people are living in fear. I want to remind you of what the Word says.
(Mat 6:33 NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(1 Tim 6:6-10 NIV) But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Have you been open and honest with the Lord when you feel restless (bored)?
A person’s work and profession in life is important to him. He directs a lot of his energy and creativity toward his work. His closest friends and his status in the community are usely tied solely to his work. It is the same way with stay at home moms.
When someone is unemployed, disabled, or entering retirement it is a huge adjustment. There is a lost sense of worth, unable to cope with leisure.
Pray about it and the Lord will give you things to do. With your skills and talents there are things to do in the church and in the community. What ever your hands find to do, do it with your whole heart.
(Eph 2:10 NIV) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Are we honest with the Lord when we worry about the future?You may say that I’m Losing my energy, am I going to lose my mind, am I going to be alone, am I going to die a terrible death from some disease, what about my children, etc. Listen!
(Psa 23:4 NIV) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Rom 8:38-39 NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The old song says: “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand”.
Be honest with the Lord pour out your heart to Him He Loves you and there is nothing you can do about it.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Have you been open and honest with the Lord about your financial needs? There is a lot of talk about the economy right now. Many people are living in fear. I want to remind you of what the Word says.
(Mat 6:33 NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(1 Tim 6:6-10 NIV) But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Have you been open and honest with the Lord when you feel restless (bored)?
A person’s work and profession in life is important to him. He directs a lot of his energy and creativity toward his work. His closest friends and his status in the community are usely tied solely to his work. It is the same way with stay at home moms.
When someone is unemployed, disabled, or entering retirement it is a huge adjustment. There is a lost sense of worth, unable to cope with leisure.
Pray about it and the Lord will give you things to do. With your skills and talents there are things to do in the church and in the community. What ever your hands find to do, do it with your whole heart.
(Eph 2:10 NIV) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Are we honest with the Lord when we worry about the future?You may say that I’m Losing my energy, am I going to lose my mind, am I going to be alone, am I going to die a terrible death from some disease, what about my children, etc. Listen!
(Psa 23:4 NIV) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Rom 8:38-39 NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The old song says: “Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand”.
Be honest with the Lord pour out your heart to Him He Loves you and there is nothing you can do about it.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Monday, February 2, 2009
Honesty With God
Hello Everyone,
One thing that makes me thankful about my relationship with the Lord is that I can be real and honest with Him. If I was completely open and honest with people, it would be a disaster.
I am thankful that I can be honest with God and He doesn’t take it personally. I can be honest with God and He will not smack me around or hate or despise me or misunderstand what I am saying or will not want to be around me.
Sure, we talk to God. Most of the time it’s not deep or honest stuff at all. It is just a habit or a ritual. Few of us are ever really honest with God. IF the truth were known, most of us wear masks. Most of us spend our lives piling on more and more layers of protection against the real world. We pray for the things we think we’re supposed to pray for. We say the words we’ve heard others say. We chant or repeat or nod our heads without ever really opening up the secret places of our hearts.
Let me tell you something about God. God knows all about you. Take time to day to look at Psalm 139:1-10 to see how well God knows you.
In Psalm 51 David is honest with God about his sins. I want to focus in on vs. 6. Read with me: Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
What are the inner parts? What is the inmost place? I would like to say that it is when we are alone and it is just me and God and I bare my soul to Him.
Read verse 6 in Psalms 51 in The New Living Translation it says, “But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.”
The Living Bible Paraphrase says, “You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom.”
David is saying that the Lord wants us to be honest and open with Him. This is what He desires from us. And why not be honest? He already knows how we feel and what we think anyway.
I love the book of Psalms because it is so honest. There were high times where they expressed their love for God and thanked Him for their blessings. And, there were times that they called it like they saw it sometimes cursing their enemies and sometimes baring their souls by confessing terrible sins.
Jesus was honest with God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, (Mat 26:39 NIV) “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Jesus prayed from the cross, My God, My God! Why have you forsaken me?
God is the only one who sees us as we really are down to the core of our being and loves us anyway.
So let’s look at some ways that will help us to be open and honest with God this week, see you tomorrow.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
One thing that makes me thankful about my relationship with the Lord is that I can be real and honest with Him. If I was completely open and honest with people, it would be a disaster.
I am thankful that I can be honest with God and He doesn’t take it personally. I can be honest with God and He will not smack me around or hate or despise me or misunderstand what I am saying or will not want to be around me.
Sure, we talk to God. Most of the time it’s not deep or honest stuff at all. It is just a habit or a ritual. Few of us are ever really honest with God. IF the truth were known, most of us wear masks. Most of us spend our lives piling on more and more layers of protection against the real world. We pray for the things we think we’re supposed to pray for. We say the words we’ve heard others say. We chant or repeat or nod our heads without ever really opening up the secret places of our hearts.
Let me tell you something about God. God knows all about you. Take time to day to look at Psalm 139:1-10 to see how well God knows you.
In Psalm 51 David is honest with God about his sins. I want to focus in on vs. 6. Read with me: Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
What are the inner parts? What is the inmost place? I would like to say that it is when we are alone and it is just me and God and I bare my soul to Him.
Read verse 6 in Psalms 51 in The New Living Translation it says, “But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.”
The Living Bible Paraphrase says, “You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom.”
David is saying that the Lord wants us to be honest and open with Him. This is what He desires from us. And why not be honest? He already knows how we feel and what we think anyway.
I love the book of Psalms because it is so honest. There were high times where they expressed their love for God and thanked Him for their blessings. And, there were times that they called it like they saw it sometimes cursing their enemies and sometimes baring their souls by confessing terrible sins.
Jesus was honest with God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, (Mat 26:39 NIV) “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Jesus prayed from the cross, My God, My God! Why have you forsaken me?
God is the only one who sees us as we really are down to the core of our being and loves us anyway.
So let’s look at some ways that will help us to be open and honest with God this week, see you tomorrow.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
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