Hello Everyone,

What IF Jesus never was born there would be no boundaries.

No boundaries means no guidance!

Judges 21:25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

No boundaries actually means that you are without protection. In the time of the judges, there were many cycles of sin. Basically, when the people of Israel obeyed God, things went good; and when the people of Israel disobeyed God, they experienced personal and national defeat and were judged for it.

And the same thing will happen to you & me if we ignore God’s Boundaries, His path, His rules, His ways. They are for our protection!

No boundaries means no protection!

We would have to forget the entire teaching of Ephesians 6:10-11 because none of the truths about spiritual protection would be available to us:

Finally, my brethren,.. there is no possible way you could be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. There is no armor of God, so you will not be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

That is not what it says read with me the truth.

Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand

We live in a dangerous world– “the evil day”

In today’s world, there is a dog-eat-dog mentality. And that is what you have if Jesus had never been born. BUT if you have a relationship with Christ, you have a relationship with the one who is in control, who is much wiser, and is always looking out for you and what is best for you!

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,

Read with me Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

What IF we lived in a world without Jesus it would be a world without boundaries. We would be free to do whatever we wish.

We would have no rules to live by. There would be no Ten Commandments to base our decisions. We would be free to do whatever it is that we would want to do without fear. Sounds appealing, doesn’t it.

There are many people who would love to live this way. They would love to live the way I want with no guilt, no consequences…it’s too good to be true.

If we lived life our way, it would only:

Get us in trouble
Restrict us (we would not really be ‘free’),
Bring out the worse in us – not the best.
We would always be questioning what was going to happen in life – the ‘what if’s’ of life.

At first impression you may say, “Well, that is exactly what I want – No boundaries!” I could do whatever I want any time I want – that sounds perfect!

Even though that may sound good at first, Most would agree - even most non-believers would agree – that boundaries, rules, guidelines are necessary.

More so, God’s boundaries, rules, and guidelines are coming from a loving Creator that knows everything – He never guesses about what could be…He never is guessing at what could happen…He does not have any “just in case” plans…

He knows your life – what you will face – what challenges will come your way – what your weaknesses are…and He has established safeguards for you in order to live your life in His care.

Many “Don’t like God’s Word or Church because they say there are too many rules and restrictions that “box in” their ability to have fun. They feel as if it cramps their lifestyle. They don’t see that God’s boundaries are there for a reason, to protect us…even when we don’t know we need protection.

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,

The last kernel that we are looking at this Thanksgiving is The Kernel of Satisfaction and Renewal

Psalm 5: “…who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

This reminds me of the words of Jesus, given in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt.5:6).

There’s a great contradiction here. We’re satisfied but never satisfied. Many of you know that Teresa makes the best caramel pies. I’m always satisfied when I eat a piece, but I always want more because what I’ve experienced makes me want to taste it again and again.

So it is with righteousness. We’re filled and the filling is so sweet and so rich and full that we want more.

When we seek God’s righteousness, He grants it. Psalm 107:9 says, “He has satisfied the thirsty soul and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.”

If our lives draw from the great resources of the Lord Jesus, who is in us the Water of Life, we will grow more fragrant and beautiful as the days and years go by. Just as a well watered rose.

But that’s not the end. Verse 5 also says that God will renew my youth like the eagles.

The eagle is known for three things: size, strength, and longevity.

This is the result of living a fulfilled, satisfied, spiritual life. I am constantly being renewed, refreshed, and revived in my soul and God is doing it all!

No wonder the Psalmist said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”

As you sit down to your Thanksgiving meal, take time to thank God for these blessings—these five kernels.

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,
Next we have The Kernel of Healing
Psalm 103:3b: “…who heals all your diseases…”

I do not understand why some are healed and some are not but I believe: All healing is divine healing and all recovery from sickness, injury and surgery is the result of the healing properties that God has built into our bodies. Medicine, surgery and therapy are just extensions of God’s healing ministry.
This verse doesn’t say that God heals everyone’s diseases, but that He heals all diseases. There is no disease or sickness that is beyond His healing power—not even what we call “incurable.” He is the GREAT Physician.
The main truth is that the Psalmist is speaking to his soul. “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” he said, “who heals all your diseases.”

The diseases of the soul come from the virus of sin. Jesus identified this virus and its symptoms and disorders in
Matt 15:19-20: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ’unclean.’”

The soul of man can be cleansed, and made whole when God the Holy Spirit is allowed to possess us completely.

Then there is The Kernel of Love and Compassion
Verse 4a: “…crowns you with love and compassion…”

An evangelist by the name of J. Wilbur Chapman had a man stand in one of his meetings, and gave this testimony: “I got off at the Pennsylvania depot one day as a tramp. For a year I begged on the streets for a living. One day I touched a man on the shoulder and said, “Mister, please give me some money so I can have something to eat.” As soon as I saw his face, I recognized him as my father. ‘Father, don’t you know me?’ I asked. Throwing his arms around me, he cried, ‘I’ve found you! I’ve found you! All I have is yours!’ Think of it! That I a tramp, stood begging my father for a few cents, when for 18 years he had been looking for me to give me all he was worth.”

Is this not like the loving kindness and tender mercies of the Lord that accompany our lives every day.

Grace is giving us what we do not deserve. Mercy is not giving us what we do deserve.

Oh How He Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,
In Psalm 103 David calls on his body, soul, and spirit to join in one grand symphony of praise for the benefits God has so graciously bestowed upon him.

First he declares the Kernel of Forgiveness


Psalm 103:3a: “…who forgives all your sins…”

One day a fellow was visiting with his pastor in the parsonage. He picked up God’s Word and said this says that my sins have been cast into the depth of the sea.

There’s no mistaking it—God offers forgiveness. All we have to do is repent and turn our back on sin, and God will forgive.

This forgiveness is a…
§ Promise of the Father
§ Provision of the Son
§ Proclamation in the Bible
§ Required practice in the church

From the depths of our hearts, a sense of gratitude should well up. Gratitude should ascend like incense to the throne of God.

The second kernel is the Kernel of Redemption
Psalm 103:4a: “…who redeems your live from the pit…”

You can judge the value of something by the price paid for it. And we can judge our value by the price Jesus paid for us—the depth He had to reach in order to redeem us.

When we confess our guilt God is faithful to redeem us from the awful sentence we’re under. We can’t say that we paid for any of it because as the old hymn says, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."” If we will plead His blood, God will redeem us.

The Lord not only saves us from hell, but He also redeems our lives from the control of the devil. Satan’s greatest desire is to destroy our lives.

All you have to do is take a look around and see the people whose lives are being destroyed by the enemy. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13, “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and many are on that road.”

But, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:2,3).

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,

A few years ago, the Peanuts cartoon pictured Charlie Brown bringing out Snoopy’s dinner on Thanksgiving Day. But it was just his usual dog food in a bowl. Snoopy took one look at the dog food and said, "This isn’t fair. The rest of the world is eating turkey with all the trimmings, and all I get is dog food. Because I’m a dog, all I get is dog food." He stood there and stared at his dog food for a moment, and said, "I guess it could be worse. I could be a turkey."

There was very little joy in Snoopy’s thankfulness, for his thankfulness was based on a comparison. His thankfulness was based on the fact that he was better off than the turkey.

Here is something to remember when we’re down in the dumps and full of complaints because life isn’t fair, we should recognize that there are so many others far worse off than we are. We should stop complaining, but when it comes to our thankfulness, the basis should never be, “Whew, am I thankful that I’m not her,” or “I am so thankful I don’t have to live like that.”

Thankfulness is so much more than a comparison of our own situation to someone else’s. Thankfulness is so much more than having enough food to eat, a nice, warm home to live in, good health, or financial security, because each of these can be taken from us in an instant.

Thankfulness is a state of being and a way of life, and we usually fail to live in a state of thankfulness because we take it for granted.

A friend of mine years ago introduced us to a tradition that her family did that they discovered from the Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims didn’t have much, but they possessed a great gratitude and it was on this attitude of gratitude that America was built.

They had a custom of putting 5 kernels of corn on each empty plate before a dinner of “thanksgiving” was served. Each member of the family would pick up a kernel and tell what they were thankful for. It was to remind them that the first Pilgrims face such hard times that their allowance was only 5 kernels of corn per person each day.

We have many reasons to be thankful. This week let’s take 5 grains of corn, and using Psalm 103:1-5 think of 5 things to praise God for. Take time to read it today.

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,

REAL REVIVAL YIELDS REAL RESULT

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Notice that the condition and the promise are given to "God's people". However, when the refreshing comes it would reach the entire nation. Genuine revival affects those revived and all those around them!

If we, as a people, experience a true move of God in revival, we will see God's power touch this world in a tremendous way! Revival in our hearts and church will create a spiritual dynamic that will impact our homes, our communities, our schools, our neighbors, our nation and our world for the glory of God!

I don't know about you, but I am tired of seeing what sin is doing to our homes, our churches and our nation! If only His people would get a real vision of what He could do for us and through us in revival. If we would just pay the price to see that take place! If real revival ever came to our lives, we would NEVER be the same! It would change us and everything we touch too! (It might be any type of need you can think of, but real revival can heal that need through the POWER of God. He promises to "heal YOUR land".)

Revival is a real possibility! All we have to do is create an atmosphere for it. The key word in this verse is the word "If". Everything hinges on us being in that place that God desires for us to be. If we will meet the requirements on our end, we can be sure that God will move on His end. Revival will happen to us as individuals "if".

1. Are we His people? If not you can be!

2. Are we willing to come before Him and humble our self, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways?

3. Are we willing to be and do whatever it takes to see real revival come to our life, our church, our family, our community and our nation?

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,

REAL REVIVAL PROVIDES REAL REWARDS

Read with me again our theme verse for this week 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

(If we will meet the requirements, then we create an atmosphere that we can experience some tremendous spiritual rewards from the hand of the Lord.)

God Will Hear Us - Sin hinders prayer however, when sin is taken care of, prayer can flow unhindered to and from the

throne of God! There is no more powerful force in the world than an unhindered prayer life! Because it has the ear of God.

God Will Help Us - God also promises to "forgive our sins". This means that not only is the prayer line restored, but it means that we can be in close fellowship with Him. Nothing in this world compares with being able to have close communion with God Almighty! The ability to come into His presence, to worship Him, to sense His power, His peace, His joy and His presence is priceless! (Note: If you have allowed a cancer of sin to grow in your life, you need to know that it can be cut out and destroyed. If you will come before the Lord and deal with your sin His way, He will respond in forgiveness and restoration.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV

God Will Heal Us - This verse was given to Israel. They were warned that their sins would bring drought. This would devastate their land. Here, the Lord's promise to them was that repentance equals rain. If they will honor Him, He will honor them! If they will open their hearts, He will in turn open the heavens. In a sense, we are in the same situation today. Our homes, communities and nation have been devastated through a drought of spiritual blessings and power. If God's children will come back to Him in genuine repentance and faith, we will see our nation impacted for and by the glory of God. We need that kind of revival!

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,

( A.W. Tozer said, "If we yearned after God even as much as a cow yearns for her calf, we would be the worshiping and effective believers God wants us to be. If we longed for God as a bride looks forward to the return of her husband, we would be a far greater force for God than we are now.")

May the people of God once again fall in love with God to the point that He becomes the focus and the driving force of all of life!

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Lastly in this verse we A Call To Purity - Repentance - The phrase "turn from their wicked ways" is self-explanatory! God wants His people to stop their sinning! We are to examine our lives, identify anything that does not please the Lord or line up with His Word, and we are to eliminate that from our lives!

Ezek 18:31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? NIV

For revival to take place we must be practicing repentance at every level.

Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. NIV

That is, the first step in getting right with God!

(This was the command to the church at Ephesus, Rev. 2:1-7, and it is still God's will for you and me today!)

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,

Read with me 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from

their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.


The second demand for real revival is A Call To Prayer - Prayer - This word means just what it says - pray! It is humility in action. The praying person sees his own inability and recognizes God's ability. This causes him to come before the Lord to seek the help he needs. Prayer is the first phase of revival!

Can we commit to pray for revival! Pray in your homes, in your cars, at you jobs, in the prayer closets, in the altars. Let us determine that we will take every moment of life as an opportunity to pray!


James 4:2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. NIV


1 Thess. 5:17 pray continually;


We can talk about prayer, but instead of talking about it, we should just do it!

The next demand for real revival according to 2 Chronicles is A Call To Passion - Devotion – This requirement is "seeking His face". This word means to "desire something". This idea here is that we come to the place where God is the number one priority and desire of our heart! That is, nothing in life is more important, more precious or more needful to us than having God and all He has to offer.

( Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180) said - "The true worth of a man is to be measured by the objects he pursues." What has your attention today? Whatever it is, that is your priority! It is, in effect, your God! Let’s determine that we will "have no other gods before Him." determine that our love for Him will drive us to pursue Him with every fiber of our beings.)

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil

Hello Everyone,

Read with me 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

I suppose no other passage in the Bible has been used more often to preach about revival than this verse. That is because it is a revival verse. Notice to whom the verse is addressed to: "My people, called by My Name!” God is speaking to people who have identified themselves with Him and His work. He is speaking to people that we would call Children of God.

This verse was given to Solomon at the dedication of the Temple. God had warned the people that their disobedience to His Word and commands would bring with it consequences, v. 13, for their land. Now, He sets the conditions necessary to reverse His judgment and to bring revival.

This is not a recipe! But, if the conditions are all met God's way, then the stage will be set for real revival. Notice with me God's Method For Real Revival.

First of all REAL REVIVAL DEMANDS REAL REQUIREMENTS

(Before revival can ever become a reality, the people of God must meet the four demands mentioned in this verse. Meeting these four demands does not guarantee that revival will happen, but it does create an atmosphere for it to happen.)

The first demand is A Call To Preparation - Humility - This word has the idea of being "under another". One of the things we as God's people must do is remember WHO is Lord! When we humble ourselves to the Lord, we are acknowledging His Lordship and headship in our lives. We are admitting our weakness and reaching out for His POWER. We are saying I can't, but you can! (This is the picture seen in Joshua 5:13-15. Joshua is told to remove his shoes. This was a way of giving control to another. It was a way of saying, "I can't, but you can.")

Those who willingly humble themselves under the hand of the Lord open their lives to His blessings:

Matt 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. NIV

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." NIV

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. NIV

1 Peter 5:5-6 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. NIV

Understand our humility is to be voluntary! If we do not humble ourselves, there may come a day when the Lord will allow things to do it for us.

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil