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Sin ..Confession/Repentance ..Forgiveness 1 John 1:9-10, September 25, 2016
September 28, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9-10 ESV
 
 
     What exactly is sin?   For the person who believes the Bible to be the word of God,  sin is breaking God’s law which is a crime against God.  Breaking God’s laws makes every person a criminal, and in God’s court He will judge and sentence the criminal with the punishment due the crime.  One thing for sure,  justice will be served for the consequence of sin.  However a sinner/criminal can be granted a pardon made possible by Jesus, God’s only Son.  Jesus, God’s son, became the sinner’s advocate, taking the punishment for all crimes against God.  So how may a person go about receiving this pardon which was made possible only by Jesus?
 
What a person must not do.
     A person MUST NOT DENY the fact that they are a sinner/criminal.  “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (ESV)  Not only do we deceive ourselves, but we do something extremely  grievous- we call God a liar.  “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:10 ESV   The Bible is very clear on the fact that we are all sinners in need of grace and pardon for our crimes.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans  3:23 ESV  
 
What a person must do.
     We must confess to the crimes based upon God’s standards.  “If we confess our sins.” ESV.  There is a promise attached to this in which we will cover in the next point.  Sin is hurtful and offensive to God who created us to be more than one controlled by self serving and rebellious desires.  When we live by our own standards, we usurp the authority of God and  in essence  become our own god which is sin.  We are to have no other gods before Him… that includes ourselves.  “You shall have no other gods before me.” Deuteronomy 20:3 ESV  True confession unto repentance is more than just saying we acknowledge our sin; it is being sorry that we have sinned against God.  “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.” Psalms 38:18 ESV  When we are sorry for our sins and confess them to God, this is repentance.
 
What God will do. 
    He will forgive and pardon us of our sin /crimes when we confess. “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness” (ESV)  Forgiveness is the ultimate blessing of God made possible by Jesus who took the punishment for our crimes.  Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count sin.  Romans 4:7-8 ESV   Only God by his grace and mercy has the authority to pardon sin and will do so for all those who believe in His only son knowing that there is salvation in no other. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 ESV …  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 
4:12 ESV……..  JESUS
 
       May we address sin in our lives, confess them, and live in the forgiveness of God’s grace and mercy.  May His forgiveness be evident in our lives as a testimony to these who do not know him as Savior in order that they may too desire to experience pardon/ forgiveness  from their sin/ crimes against God.  What you believe will determine how you live.
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David
Sanctified by Truth, John 17:17, September 18, 2016
September 21, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by
Sanctify them in the Truth; your word is truth.  John 17:17
 
      Jesus was praying for His disciples in verse 17 and for all believers in verse 20…. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” John 17:20 ESV  He wanted His disciples to be set apart for special service.  He didn’t ask His father to take them out of this world but to keep them from the evil one.  “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”  John 17:15 ESV  Jesus was about to be arrested, and He was praying for His disciples and you as a believer.  He knew the world would not treat them well because of His word, nor will it treat you well if you are true to His words.  Holiness is the absence of sin, and sin can only be overcome by the word of God.  “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalms 119: 11 ESV  God’s word of truth must be established in your life for the working of sanctification.  The word of God is the tool box from which you take needed tools to accomplish this process.  Christian you have been set apart from the world for God’s purpose. You were bought with a price, and you are no longer your own.  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, FOR YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV  His prayer for you was to keep you from the evil one.  May I encourage you to corporate with His prayer.   Do not put yourself in situations that will give place to the evil one.  The evil one desires to destroy you by keeping you from truth and burdening you with worldly thoughts.   Sanctification comes by the truth of the word, and Jesus is the word made flesh.  ( John  Chapter 1)  Do you know Jesus?  If you do, the fact is “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:32. ESV  Free to be sanctified by the word of truth.

 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David
Kingdom Value, Matthew 6:33, September 11, 2016
September 14, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by

   But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV

     There are two words in which every Christian’s action should be considered and motivated. The words.. “KINGDOM VALUE”. Shouldn’t everything have kingdom value in the life of the Christian? Having kingdom value ultimately will, according to scripture, bring God glory. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

     The Holy Spirit will work in the Christian concerning truths you may know, but perhaps have not practiced. The world is so built upon self gratification that the question arises, is it even possible to have a kingdom value focus?  For ALL that is in the world – the desires of the flesh, and the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not from the Father BUT IS FROM THE WORLD. 1 John 2:16  The world can be so alluring with all that it offers, yet the Christian must remember “the world is passing away” 1 John 2:17 ESV.  Jesus knew the temptation of gaining this world; it was offered to Him.  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall your serve.” Matthew 4:8-10 ESV.  You must never forget that everything in life has a cost. You pay with your time, talents, youth, health, relationships, money, and on the list could go. I know “salvation is free,” but it was not to Jesus; it cost Him…His life. Because Jesus didn’t accept the offer of the kingdoms of this world, He was able t pay the price at Calvary for you and me. The Christian must remember the world and all it offers is not important. It offers no eternal value. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16:25 ESV  These words are not to make us feel guilty concerning the blessings of life or to use in judging another person’s lifestyle.  These words are to help us reflect upon what is important in life while it is the day. What is important ………. just ask this question; what was and is important to Jesus? It is no understatement to say His life had kingdom value.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Believing In Jesus is Believing In God…John 12:44…September 4, 2016
September 7, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by

“Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent Me.” John 12:44 ESV

 

         Jesus makes it clear that to believe in Him is really to believe in God. this is the great work – to believe in Christ. Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”  John6:28-19 ESV

 

Believe in your mind ~ In believing, you bring glory to God in your thought process that will ultimately be evident inthe way you live. I you deny Jesus, it would be the same as denying God. i heard a person say, “I believe in God but not in Jesus.” Is this really possible? Jesus is God’ precious Son, and so say you don’t believe in him is saying, “God, you do not have a Son.” Making that statement is to deny God’s salvation, thus denying God.

 

Believe what you see ~ Jesus performed many signs and wonders to point people to God, but they still didn’t believe.  Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him. John 12:37 ESV  I still believe God works miracles today. I have seen him take a life headed for disaster and turn it around. A life that would, without a doubt, have a tragic end unless God intervened.

 

Believe why he came ~ You must remember that Jesus doesn’t bring judgment upon those who don’t believe in Him for He came not to judge but to save. If anyone hears my word and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:47 ESV The reason He doesn’t condemn the world is because those who don’t believe are condemned already. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but  in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:17-21 ESV Jesus is the light that exposes the darkness, adn He is the only way that anyone will ever be forgiven of sin. If you don’t believe this, you deny the very person of God and His salvation.

 

                                                                                                                       Because of His Grace ~Pastor David

Believing God’s Promise To Overcome Temptation…1 Corinthians 10:13…Aug. 28 2016
August 31, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by

            No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

 

          There are no new temptations in the world today.  Someone might say, “No one understands how hard it is to overcome my temptations.”  Truth is, there is someone that knows exactly how you feel.  Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  Temptation has been a reality in every person’s life since the fall in the garden.  But there is a sweet promise, “God is faithful!”  He knows your abilities and limitations and will not allow Satan nor his demons to tempt you beyond those abilities.  I dare say God has more confidence in you…. than you do.  You say, “I can’t,” but God says, “in my strength you can.”  Philippians 4:13  informs us “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (ESV)  We were never designed to face temptation alone.  God can see well into your future and is able to see the path you need to take to avoid the temptations that would overtake you.  This is called your way of escape.  However, many times we don’t always acknowledge Him that He might direct our paths.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 KJV  It doesn’t mean we will never be tempted, but God knows you and will never lead you wrong.  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. James 1:13 ESV   So why does temptation seem so hard to resist then?  The answer is in James 1:14 (ESV) “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.”  When you set your mind on the thing of earth, your focus will not be on Christ.  (Read Colossians 3) Ultimately you find yourself making wrong choices and going down wrong paths missing you way of escape.  God does not want you to just exist in the Christian life but to endure by becoming victorious over temptation. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 5:4 ESV.)

Have faith in God when facing temptation; He is faithful.

 

Because of His grace ~ Pastor David

Believe And Live Forever…. John 11: 25-26 August 14, 2016
August 17, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by

  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11: 25-26 ESV
 
        I love the way Jesus identifies Himself….“I AM”….. the resurrection and the life.”  This is significant because He identifies Himself as the only one/way.  Think about this for a moment. There is only one “you” in this world. When  introducing yourself, you say I am and then state your name. There may be  others who are identified by that name, but there is only one you. The question you must answer concerning Jesus is do you believe Him to be the one and only resurrection and life? Jesus warned us that others will come and say they are him….but are impostors. For many will come in my name saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. Matthew 24:5 ESV
 
        To believe is to live and never die. Physically you will die, but the soul will never die, and one day you will put on a new body. A body given to us by Jesus himself. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enabled him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV  While this is a comforting thought, the real blessing is…..we will be with Him, the one and only Savior of the world. Can you understand why Paul was torn between this world and going to be with Jesus? In Philippians 1:21-23 Paul said,“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”(ESV) Do you ever just think what it will be like someday? To see Him face to face. There are times just saying His name or thinking about Him brings me great comfort. I can only imagine what it will be like to be in His presence.  The one who loves and loved me so much that He came and died and conquered death by rising again. “O death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55  The answer comes in verse 57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ESV  Thank you Lord Jesus for being the …………I AM.
 
By His Grace…Celebrating life ~Pastor David

Believe And Worship John 9:38 August 7, 2016
August 10, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by

He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him. John 9:38 ESV

The 38th verse shares the words and actions of a blind man who had received his sight by the works of Jesus.     “Lord I believe” …. and he worshiped Him.    The truth is that we were all blind before we experienced the work of Christ in our lives, maybe not physically but spiritually.   The question is how do you worship the One who gave you spiritual sight?  Let us imagine how this man who had received his sight physically might have worshiped.  The first thing he might have done was to admire the creation of all this world’s beauty.  The flowers that he could only smell before, now could be watched in awe.  THe sound of the wind through leaves on the trees now could be seen dancing on the limbs.  Perhaps his worship was the pleasure it brought God as observing a child discovering something for the first time.  How do you worship?  Has your Christina life become mundane, just a habit, or uneventful?  You may need the cataracts of the mundane and habit to be removed from your spiritual eyes.  Our focus needs to not be upon this world, but rather you many need to refocus on Christ.  What did you experience when you first became a Christian?  Perhaps the air you breathed seemed fresher, your rest of sleep sweeter, or the loads of life were lifted.  Maybe the thoughts on your mind were mostly of Christ and how much brighter He made life.  If you have lost this way of living and thinking, how do you regain this perspective and lifestyle?

BELIEVE!

Believe the promise:  For this I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor heights, nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-19 ESV

Believe the Truth:  Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world.   1 John 4:4 ESV

Believe Forgiveness:  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us.  Ephesians 1:708 ESV

Let us believe and worship afresh the gift of spiritual sight that has been given to us!  If we see spiritually, we know we have reason to do so.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

 

Bearing Fruit to Glorify God … John 15:8 … July 31, 2016
August 3, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by
      By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8 ESV
 
 
 
Glorifying God.
            We sing the  song, “In my Life Lord, be Glorified,” desiring God to do a work in our lives- A work that will magnify God making much of Him in each and everyday that we live.  I believe these two verses in Psalms could be a prayer every Christian prays.  Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.  I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:11-12 ESV     
 
 
 
Bearing Fruit 
    What does it require to bear spiritual fruit? It requires pruning by God, so that you might produce more fruit.  If I were a plant and could feel pain, I can not imagine enjoying the pruning process.  Yet the process is necessary in order to bear more fruit.  The process of pruning at times can be painful in the Christian’s life.  God’s desire for you as a Christian is to bear fruit and may require God cutting away your self trust or dependence to grow in faith in Him. Think about this, in difficult times we pray, focus, and seek more guidance than when things are going well.  Could this be a pruning process intended to cause us to abide more in the vine…. Jesus?  I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1-2 ESV  People, many times, observe a Christian going through difficult times which provides the unique opportunity to show that God really is the one for which they live.  It can be the very testimony that God would use to draw someone to Himself.  The evidence of fruit in your life is the presence of the Spirit.   ” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control……” Galatians 5:22 ESV I believe this is how we glorify God by bearing these fruits of the Spirit.  Let me encourage you to desire the Lord be glorified in your life even if it requires pruning.   Sing boldly and with conviction , “In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified today.”
 
 
 
Proof Of Discipleship
    I heard an interesting fact this week.  The Bible uses the word “Christian” only 3 times but the word “disciple” over 260 times.  A disciple is a person who follows Jesus and is a student of his teaching.  The word disciple is predominately found in the four Gospels and Acts.  The Gospels give an account of the times in which Jesus walked upon the earth and Acts of early church history.  This gives us new insight in following Jesus; we are to be His Disciples following, learning, and living with the evidence that we are His by action and not merely by name.  We may be quick to call ourselves Christians, but more importantly we should desire to be called disciples. Give evidence of the fact we are Christians.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 ESV  
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David
Praying in Difficult Times … Philippians 4:6 … July 17, 2016
July 20, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by
     Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 NKJV
 
     A few years  ago I saw a cartoon in which a little boy was on his knees by his bed preparing to pray asking, “God, where do I start ?”  That is a good question even if it came from a cartoon.  Has there ever been a time when you felt like that?  Everything that could go wrong ….did.   Life may seem so overwhelming that when approaching the throne of grace, you may not know how to express your feelings in words to God. Let me encourage you. That might be the time that you are able to pray the best. Note Romans 8:26….“For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.”   Remember, emotions and feeling may not always agree with what you know to be true. Truth is, as  Christian’s,  Jesus will never leave you….He promised.
 
PRAY KNOWING THAT HE HEARS YOU!  
     When overwhelmed by life, the question in our thoughts or from our lips may be, “God, where are you?”  In these times we can grow anxious with every fabric of our being.  Desperate ….. just  for just a whisper from God acknowledging that He hears you.   I believe it is in times like these that Satan taunts a person as a bully would a small or weak person who is unable to defend themselves.  But the truth is, GOD HEARS!!!  But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.  Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and HE HEARS my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage. Psalm 55: 16-18a ESV …… The Lord is near all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also HEARS their cry and saves them. Psalm 145: 18-19 ESV       
 
PRAY FROM YOUR HEART KNOWING HE IS WITH YOU! 
      I will give thanks to the Lord with my WHOLE HEART; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1 ESV  Never forget all the wonderful things God has done for you.  When you recount all that God has done, it will give you strength to trust that he is with you.  This doesn’t mean you won’t have difficult times, but you will never be alone in those difficult times.  I have said these things to you, that you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.  John 16:3 ESV When you grasp this truth, it should cause you to remember why he came and the purpose you have in completing His perfect work.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of  the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  And behold,  I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the end of the age. Matthew 28: 19-20 ESV 
 
PRAY KNOWING GOD KNOWS!
     God knows what you need even before you ask, yet He tells you to “let your request be made known to Him.” Jesus said,  “For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8 ESV    God takes pleasure in meeting the needs of His children.  But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11 ESV    We were created for God and by God and communication with Him was His idea.  So talk with Him in prayers of  praise,  thanksgiving, supplications, and worship.  He is worthy of this and so much more.  This way of thinking and praying will help you in difficult time.
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David
Difficult Times … 2 Timothy 3:1 … July 10, 2016
July 13, 2016 no comments in Ministry Blog by
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of  difficulty. 2 Timothy 3:1 ESV
 
     When I was a young boy, I remember listening to adults talking about how we must be living in the last days.  How could things become any worse?  Jesus’s return will no doubt be very soon, and God’s judgement will come.   Every generation of Christians, I believe, have felt these sentiments when evaluating things in the light of scripture and holiness.  I remember Dr. Billy Graham say, when he was a much younger man, “I believed I will see the return of Jesus in my lifetime.” He still may as he is still living but you understand my point.  I understand there will be a final judgement someday, but we must remember there is a judgement that has already happened, and it was the reason Jesus, God’s Son, came the first time.  For God did not send his Son into the the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is CONDEMNED ALREADY,  because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.  John3:17-18 ESV   The final judgment will be the sentencing process for what has already been determined unless a person has received a pardon / substitute through Jesus by repenting and asking to be forgiven / pardoned of their crimes against God.  So, here I am, an adult and I think, His return no doubt will be very soon.  Why do I think this?  Because in light of the scriptures and Holiness, we have waxed much worse.  2 Timothy 3:2-5 sounds like a story from a news commentator who viewed the world situation last week and reported on it.  But the reality is, generations from now people may be saying when I was a little boy people thought Jesus’s return could be any day.  It is a dangerous way to think if it causes you to grow complacent in living daily with the anticipation of His return.  He is coming again because He said He would, and He does not lie.  He has done and will complete everything He said he would.  So how should we live as Christians until his return.
 
WITH ANTICIPATION:
     Let not your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms.  If it were not so , would I have told you the I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will COME AGAIN and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3 ESV  Wrap your mind around this…. YOU are going to LIVE with JESUS.  Meditate on this, Jesus, God’s Son knows you by name and has made it possible for you to be forgiven of all your crimes against God.  As a result God will pardon you because you have a Savior … His Son who took your sentence upon Himself when He died on the cross.  You are forgiven and ready to take up residence not to a prison but God’s house…. WOW!!!!
 
 
 
WITH MISSION:
             We tell the message just as the angel tells the message,  Fear not, for behold, I bring you GOOD NEWS of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11 ESV  
         And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15 ESV 
     We have a mission and purpose for living… God is not finished with us yet; our room is not ready.  Our purpose in living is to invite as many as we can to come join in the celebration of God and His Son.  It is his will for us to do this until He returns and calls us home.
 
 
 
WITH DAILY FOCUS:
        There are times we focus so much on the future that we can become burdened in the present with things for which we have no control.  This is not how we are told to live. Jesus said, “ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things,  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 NKJV   
 
 
    Live each day with the anticipation of His return by sharing this message with everyone you possibly can, and live for the day that you are in, for you have not been guaranteed tomorrow.  —At least not on this earth.
 
  
 Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David