Justice Fighter

Die To Self

2011-11-16T10:37:00.001-08:00

I actually wrote this bible study a while back. I may revise it more as I am ready to present it to our Life Group soon. I wanted to go ahead and post it as it seems a few of you have been logging on to my blog and my last new post was a while ago. So here it is , lets pray....

God you are great and almighty. You are merciful Lord God, and you give us Grace to save us, Grace to bring us out of death to life, with you. You shower us with your gifts. Lord help us through our drawing nearer to you, and help us to get out of your way. Kill us Lord, and fill us back up with your presence, Lord we seek to marinate our minds in your word, so that we could be transformed, a new creation, in you Lord God.

How do you decide what God’s will is, and when you do,… what happens next?

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, Holy and pleasing to God-This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

God is merciful, to us. Our reaction should be to trust, obey and serve Him. This is more than an animal sacrifice; it represents a newness of life.

What does Holy mean here?

Holy here means “set apart” for God’s use.
In the NKJV it reads “ reasonable act of service”

What is your reasonable act of service?

It is the only rational reaction that we should have to the Grace
(and all the gifts)God has showered on us.
Conform means to mold or form. The world ( as we know it ) is today’s society in this country and it’s ways..Instead of being molded by those values, the believer should be transformed and changed by the renewing of the mind. Spiritual transformation starts in the mind and the heart. A mind dedicated to the world will be tossed back and forth by current trends of this culture, but a mind dedicated to God’s truth will produce a life that will stand the test of time and leave a meaningful legacy. We can resist the temptations of our culture by meditating on God’s truth
(marinating our minds)and letting the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and behaviors.

Psalm 1:2

…but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night.

Who here tonight is already or wants to be a Disciple Of Jesus Christ?

What does it mean to trust God? Do we do it?

So, let’s talk about THIS.

Die To Self

Luke 9:23-24 New Living Translation (NLT)

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Mark 8:35 New International Version ( NIV )

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Mark 8:35 The Message (MSG)

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?

The martyr Jim Elliot (1927-1956), missionary to the Auca people in Ecuador, often expressed this classic piece of wisdom:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Assuming we’re already Christ-believer’s, and conceding Jesus’ statement is conditional, chasing the ‘lost’ life in order to truly save our life (hence finding it) requires us to consistently give up on our own personal desires, plans and dreams and to start loving others as we do ourselves. It’s the perfect search of selflessness and wisdom.

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be like Jesus attitude.
And this can’t ever be done overnight. It’s a process of practicing the practice over the years and decades, commencing with the seconds and minutes. It’s about training. It’s about listening to, and cooperating with, the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. It’s about becoming a professional Christ like human being. And if this is our sole focus, all other things we need will be given to us.

Enter the concept of good faith, and right living before God and with humankind.

When we give up what we cannot keep (our life and control over it) for a life in God, we get to keep a slice of eternity (here) as a sort of ‘down payment’ on life kept in eternity (to come) with God--something we cannot lose, provided we remain in him.

How well do you understand the cost of discipleship?

What does it mean to "deny ourselves”?

We must shed old habits, distance ourselves from worldly ways. We must move away from temptations and put Christ and others first in our lives.
How do you apply “taking up your cross” in your life?
For me it is my daily challenge to not retaliate to the abuse I receive at work from my manager.(This was actually in my last job, when i wrote this. I am now my manager, Praise God.) And in other areas of daily living.

Matthew 7:13-14New Living Translation (NLT)

The Narrow Gate

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."

The dictionary definition of disciple is: One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

It doesn’t say go to church one hour a week. It says to share what you have learned.

So, why do you want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Do you want the trials and persecution that will come?

If we refuse the crosses, then we cannot be a follower; if I follow, then crosses are inevitable.

Romans 5:3-5 NLT

And we can rejoice also when we face trials and problems, for we know that they help us develop endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

God’s all sufficient grace will enable us to carry our crosses well.

What is at Stake

While the Bible plainly teaches that the sole requirement to be saved is to trust Christ as Lord and Savior, sometimes the invitation to "trust" or "accept" Him is done in a way that is sufficiently vague.
Christians need to take time to thoroughly explain the gospel when evangelizing, but many never do. If the gospel is not explained and understood, false conversions happen more frequently as a result of superficial and misinformed decisions. As a result, churches become filled with misinformed, but comfortable people who will one day stand at the gate of heaven saying; “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” Matthew 7:22 (NKJV) only to hear Him reply, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.” Matthew 7:23 (NLT)

If anything in the Bible is frightening, this is it…people who claim the name of Christ, go to church, and even do ministry, all the while living their lives with a false hope, because they never really knew Jesus.

If the world is messed up, ask yourself this; How did I mess it up?

What are you doing?to fulfill your purpose? ( the reason why you were saved )

Matthew 6:33

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Deuteronomy 6:5

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength

We can do things our way, or we can do things God’s way…our way is not working

James 2:14 NIV What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

From the book "My Time In Heaven" Nine Steps To The Fullness Of Christ:

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Deuteronomy 30:9-19
The Message (MSG)

And you will make a new start, listening obediently to God, keeping all his commandments that I'm commanding you today. God, your God, will outdo himself in making things go well for you: you'll have babies, get calves, grow crops, and enjoy an all-around good life. Yes, God will start enjoying you again, making things go well for you just as he enjoyed doing it for your ancestors.
But only if you listen obediently to God, your God, and keep the commandments and regulations written in this Book of Revelation. Nothing halfhearted here; you must return to God, your God, totally, heart and soul, holding nothing back.
This commandment that I'm commanding you today isn't too much for you, it's not out of your reach. It's not on a high mountain—you don't have to get mountaineers to climb the peak and bring it down to your level and explain it before you can live it. And it's not across the ocean—you don't have to send sailors out to get it, bring it back, and then explain it before you can live it. No. The word is right here and now—as near as the tongue in your mouth, as near as the heart in your chest. Just do it!
Look at what I've done for you today: I've placed in front of you
Life and Good
Death and Evil.
And I command you today: Love God, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by God, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess.
But I warn you: If you have a change of heart, refuse to listen obediently, and willfully go off to serve and worship other gods, you will most certainly die. You won't last long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Pray For Your Enemies

2011-07-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Pray For Your Enemies

“I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44)

I believe that there are some things that are taught in scripture that you understand better when God blesses you to experience the situation yourself, and see how doing things God's way produces the results that you were told would happen when you walk in principles.

The Message Bible

Matthew 5:43-47 "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.”

In the church, we all are supposed to know that the response to bad treatment is – prayer! We are supposed to PRAY for the person who maliciously harms us. But the question is: how do we do it? WHAT do we pray for in relation to them? Unfortunately, most do not only pray, but also seethe in “righteous” indignation at the hurt received. We have heard about a lot of failures in that area - many have prayed, but the anger has remained!

When the young man took Carol’s purse recently, I instinctively ran after him. When I caught up to him I was angry, mostly that he would be taking my hard earned cash that Carol had just put in her purse in the car before we got out, and some of hers, and the credit cards which causes a lot of work to cancel them all. I was shouting at him as I approached at full sprint and again as he dropped the purse and ran away, about what I planned to do if I caught him.
When I saw him a few days later walking into our development, I was with Steven and we pulled over and I got out to be sure it was him. I walked towards him and calmly said “you are the guy who stole my wife’s purse last Friday night” He took one look at me and took off for the fence, jumped up on to it. Flipped over it and took off into the development. Again I was shouting at him about what I’d like to do to him and calling him a criminal. Again I called the police to tell them I’d saw him again.

We know that forgiveness is a necessary element in our response. When Jesus was on the cross, He said the words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). You might think, “Well, He’s God and I’m only a human being – He can forgive, but I can’t!” And that’s true. But Scripture teaches that it’s,” It is not by force, nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies”. (Zechariah 4:6) It is not by your strength that can forgive. The Lord can take our helplessness and do what is impossible for you and me alone.
Through Him, we Can release the anger, the hatred that is felt about the person who did the harm, or committed the crime.
Stephen was not God, neither was he an apostle; he was just an ordinary man, but by the Lord in Him, he did something amazing. As the angry mob was throwing stones at him and Stephen knew he was about to die, he shouted words that should be ours, as well: “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” (Acts 7:60).Wow, could you or I do that?
To be hit with just one rock is an unpleasant experience, and many stones were thrown. Stephen’s bones were being broken and his enemies were shouting unforgivable insults. Emotionally and physically – it hurt! But he called out to the Lord, and knew God’s forgiveness for his attackers, as the last breath went out of his shattered body.

Today’s Scripture says that we are incredibly to “Do good” to those who hate us. Jesus supplied specific examples of HOW to “do good” in relation to them. He said, “Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:39-41). Incredibly, don’t retaliate. Instead – help them!
It seems that we are intended to always do “nice” things and pray “nice” prayers for the one who slaps, sues, or robs us. And that’s the truth, except that “nice” from God’s vantage point, is not necessarily our way of looking at things. His aim is that our enemy will have a changed life and won’t slap people anymore. Stephen saw his attackers’ need, and God has many ways to reach sinners like them, and you and me.

When I saw this young man who stole my wife’s purse the third time I was coming home from work last Wednesday night after 8:00 PM. I did a U-turn and drove past him and turned around again. I pulled into the gas station where he had walked to and parked there. He then left and started walking north back up Military Trail towards the gate to our development. I think he saw me park at the Circle K across from the gas station and he kept walking. As I drove up the street passing him he ducked into an alcove on the side of the road and hid. I had ice in the car and drove home to put it in the freezer. I saw my neighbor Peter as I was walking into my house and he was asking me if I’d seen the man again, and I said “ Yes, just now and I’ll be right out”. Peter and I started walking towards the gate house and I called Chris at the gate house and asked him if he’d seen someone as I described coming past the gate and he said “ he is coming through right now”
Peter and I now could see him as we walked toward him from afar and we hesitated as he turned and walked into the community. Peter and I split up, he walked the lake behind the houses following the man and I walked the street. We went a long way around and then I saw that Peter had come out to the street, so I cut over to the lake. As I am walking I see that he has somehow eluded Peter and he is trotting back the other way on the street. We look at each other through the pass through between the apartments, and as he disappears I turn and jog the other way, that he is now going. At the next pass through we see each other again and we both stop. He turns and walks towards me and I walk toward him.I have spent the last 20 years consistantly training in the Martial Arts.I hold high level belts in multipal styles. I run a couple miles every other day, do a few rounds on the heavy bag,do a full Karate stretch and exersize, and throw some weights around, I am completly ready for this moment.However God has His own plans throughout this entire situation. I am walking towrd him and he is walking closer to me, I am taking off my watch and glasses preparing to rumble. We walk right up to each other face to face and he says, “why are you dogging me?” I say, “because you stole my wife’s purse”. He says, “but I did not get anything”. I now say, “yes, you did not get anything, but you robbed us and that is a crime for which I have reported you to the Police” I asked him, “How old are you”, and he said 20 yrs. old. I then say, Look, you need to seek the Lord in your life and pray to draw closer to Him so that you will not continue to do things like this". He says, “I am sorry, I’m sorry and I pray every night that I won’t get in trouble for this that I have done”. I say to him, “ you need to never do something like this again” He now says, “ I don’t do this, it was a mistake and I am sorry, now will you stop dogging me?” I say,”OK, if you are truly sorry and you do not plan to do it again to anyone, I will forgive you now and you and I are OK,I forgive you”.
He looks at me looking very scared still, and we turn and walk our separate ways.

I went home and told Carol what happened and then Peter knocked on the door. I walked outside with him and he said,"I guess he got away". I said,"no, I caught up with him and spoke to him". His eyes got wide and he said, "did you fight, why didn't you hold him for the Police?" I told Peter what happened and that I had no choice but to believe him and forgive him. Peter said to me, "you forgive him? I said, Yes, Peter,"I forgive him". Peter said," alright then, if you forgive him then I forgive him".

I am a sinner saved by the Grace that was given to me by my Lord and savoir Jesus Christ, who paid my debt for all the sin I have done, by dying for me on a cross. God forgives me, and I am the most like Christ when I am loving those that have wronged me,and forgiving them.

This was a DEFINING MOMENT in my walk of faith, and I feel that this experience has taken me to a new closer relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ by being his ambassador and letting the Holy Spirit guide me as I walked calmly into a potentially dangerous situation. I am now praying for this young man daily and will continue to intercede in prayer for him.

In the words of a Perry’s song….Grace doesn't remember what Jesus forgave, and each time I’m reminded of my past mistakes, I remember what’s been forgotten, through His blood my sins are erased, and Grace doesn't remember what Jesus forgave.

Jesus was hanging on the cross between two thief’s and one of them asked Him for forgiveness.

One way to reach your enemies is by unexpectedly being kind in return for evil. There are characters out there who will gladly slap your other cheek, and then sue for damages if you disappoint them by not fighting back. And especially note that you accomplish NOTHING by passively responding in your OWN STRENGTH. Your enemy needs to see the Spirit of God in you. Your personal gentleness is not the point.

When someone is your enemy, when they gossip about you or steal what is rightfully yours, the first place you should go is to God! And that is what Psalms is all about. Psalm 140 starts out, “Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men…” Psalm 141 begins, “Lord, I cry out to you…” Psalm 142 does much the same – the Psalms are a cry to God! All the Psalms are actually prayers.

EVERYONE HAS DEFINING MOMENTS...IT'S WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO WITH THEM.....

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble (1 John 2:9-10).

Not only has God put his spirit in me to forgive this man, but I also deeply wish him well. If i could see him again I would ask him to go to lunch, and witness to him how I was 20 and got into trouble, and where the Lord has taken me now as I now walk in His principles

Lets pray: Father I cry out to you from the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul, Father thank you for putting a forgiving expression in me in the situation with that young man the other night, In the flesh I was prepared to fight, but Lord God… if I hold my peace…and let you fight my battles, Victory, Victory shall be mine. Father you have given me the most defining moment in my obedience to you, and you have shown me that when I am the most like your son Jesus Christ I am closest to you. I will use this experience to motivate me more now the ever to pick up my cross daily, and follow Jesus. To draw my boat up on the shore and leave my former life behind and follow Him. Amen

Innoncence Lost 07.15.11

2011-07-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

My innocence was lost last night...(@ my neighborhood being safe) as Carol and I were walking down the path to our apt after bible study my hands full with my bible and notes we passed a teenager I said hello Carol said hello then he tore her purse off her arm and took off, She said to me "he just stole my purse", I dropped everything and took off running I slipped on the street in my boots and took a hard fall bruising my ribs and hip, I rolled up back onto my feet and resumed the chase, and when I came around the corner behind the apt.s across the street he was standing there looking in her purse and when he saw me coming at full speed and almost on him explaining to him what was going to happen next he was shocked dropped the purse and took off. I came walking up to Carol and she said whats that under your arm? It was her purse and in it was her cash, cards and the cash I had just given her from my weeks pay for bills, this time this criminal got nothing but a good scare, cops now have the purse checking for DNA, my bruised ribs are healing up....I got all my stuff back......... God Bless

Success 2011

2011-02-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

About a week ago my friend Kamal asked me to speak at a Spanish church in Lake Worth. He said talk about anything you like. I walked in and was treated to praise and worship in Egyptian/Arabic? and my wife and I wore earplugs with a translator. Then when I got up to speak they put in the earplugs.

Success 2011

I met my friend Kamal Fereg while working at a car store, selling cars. I sold him a car that day and discovered that he went to the same church that I did, and that was good.
Back then I was a new Christian. I had by a twist of fate, a divine appointment,…God’s calling…found myself being offered a management job which turned out to be a very good opportunity. Although I was not a believer at the time I remember thinking …wow, God really helped me out, taking me out of a car store that wasn’t doing so good-and into a Department Store/Salon manager position with a good salary. Wow.
I worked with some good Christians and one in particular was very inspiring to me. I lived a very self-fulfilling life, all about me, acting on earthly desires and temptations. When I would hear people say I am going to pray about it, I would laugh and think, what is that all about. Now I pray about everything…
I had many qood qualities such being considerate and a natural servant leader.
One day I just considered the way I was living my life and the way my employee Carol was living her life. I went over to her and asked her if I could go to church with her. And she later told me she thought, “Why would my Jewish boss want to go to church and hear about Jesus. That was 6 years ago and I have never missed church since then.
At first I thought Wow, God has put this really great woman in my life, but as time went on and as I responded to hearing the evidence of the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I realized it wasn’t about the job, it wasn’t about the woman, God had called me out of the darkness and into His wonderful light, he just used whatever means necessary, and I was now in a journey of spiritual growth and maturing…Wow
I study the bible daily, write and lead bible studies, have taught advanced Men’s Discipleship Training the last 4 years, and work part-time at Christ Fellowship Church on staff in Adult Ministries for the last year and a half.
And wow, I am married for 3 and a half years to that hairstylist Carol that worked for me, and took me to church …
I want to say to my dear wife Carol….”Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed”

Romans 12:2 says…” Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God has good, pleasing and perfect plans for us and he wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds.
The first line of the best-selling book “The Purpose Driven Life” says;
“It’s not about you.”

In Philippians 2:3 The Apostle Paul teaches us “Do nothing out of self-ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better that yourselves”

Apostle Paul wants us to learn to be mindful not to do things for prideful reasons, but instead to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us. It’s all about putting value in others and being humble.
Our purpose, our success in life should be much more than making ourselves happy and fulfilling ourselves. This teaching can be a real twist for many and it was for me.
As we read and study this book (holdup bible) and believe that what it says is true, then you are learning that you were born… by God’s purpose and for God’s purpose.
God doesn’t expect us to understand his ways, he just expects us to obey His will. The key to being a successful leader is to be an Extraordinary Follower!

There have been many books written today on the subject of success. Some of the authors include God in their discussion of success. Some of these authors actually do give God credit for being at the center of their successful lives. If you take the time to read these books every success principle that has been written about can be found in the bible. Especially the book of Proverbs. The principles of genuine success are not foreign to a Godly Life. They are embedded in a Godly Life. God is the author of all success, Amen… and the bible is the foremost “Success” Book…that you can ever read!
We just need to consider that the world’s view of success, and a Christian view of success can have some key differences. ( Discuss this )
Parents are of course very happy when their child is successful…but they are even happier when their child walks in faith and lives for God.

Joshua 1:8-9 “Success comes from knowing and doing what God says”

Psalms 1:1-3 “ Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers, but they delight in the Law of the Lord meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do.

This scripture provides us with a vivid contrast between the life of the righteous and the way of the wicked. ( as you read on in the next verses ) This scripture introduces us to the entire book of Psalms and tells us that there is one path to true success and true life, and to ignore this path will lead to personal destruction and death.
We all…everyone have the privilege of bowing before God every morning and saying, ”Lord, I need your help,… and I need your guidance. I need your strength and wisdom. The Lord delights in our coming to Him for help and guidance. This is our reasonable service and an expression of faith. Prayer changes things, and it changes us. And it has changed me. We ask… and we receive. God is committed to our success.
We all want to succeed, to be successful. But somehow we can let something or someone deter us, or discourage us. God’s plan for us is that we would always be growing that we would become successful.
In the book Transforming Discipleship by Greg Ogden it says, ”When you come to the shore and you are waiting for the boat that is going to take you to the other side to be with Jesus all that is really going to matter is the names of friends and family and others who have become self initiating, reproducing, fully developed followers of Jesus Christ because you took the time to walk alongside them in their maturing in Christ. This is the greatest legacy that you can leave behind.
This is SUCCESS!

You will find persistence in the life of everyone who has achieved something worthwhile in life.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished the race.” Paul made this statement near the end, he had been successful in his endeavors, for the Lord.

Persistence is a combination of strong desire and willpower, the capacity to continue on course in the face of all types of difficulties, obstacles, and problems-without quitting.

Romans 5:3-4 “We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us to develop endurance, and endurance strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

Consider your present problems and challenges and then think about the Apostle Paul. He was beaten with rods, shipwrecked, accused, stoned and dragged out beyond the city gates and left for dead…
What did he do? He got up and walked back in the gate to the city to gain some more souls for Christ. He was a soul winner!

In Luke 10:2; Jesus tells the disciples…“ The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”

Today, here in this country, here in this community our harvest opportunity is huge… We can all be uniquely influential in our own spheres of influence, our family, friends, and co-workers. They are watching us, the churched, the believers…we are under a microscope… people are looking for ways to accuse you, find fault in you, catch you in a sin. Your actions will speak volumes… and louder than even your words. Before you tell a friend or co-worker about the Lord or even invite them to church, invite them to share a meal, come over your house for a visit, do something to build value into their lives and let the love of Christ shine through you. They will be a lot more apt to listen after a relationship has been started.
I worked with a Jewish guy, Gabriel, who said he was far from God, an atheist. My wife Carol and I asked him to join us to go to a show in a local theater. We made him lunches and treated him with friendship he had rarely experienced. He asked me for a bible and started to read it. Last week he died in a hospice bed, but before he did he told me I was his closest connection to God he had ever experienced. He never accepted Jesus Christ in his life but hours before he died I was witnessing to him again in his unresponsive state.
I called our ex-boss and told him of his passing and he said that he had noticed how I had been his only friend and how Gabriel had seen a witness of God through me that he had probably never seen before.

How do we live? Who are we showing Christian love to? Are we giving sacrificially?

Your sacrifice is on a collision course with your miracle.
You may be going through a valley now, or starting to come out of one. You may be experiencing relational challenges, financial challenges, or health challenges but your success in life is not determined by the valley you are in. Your success is determined by the way you live your life, your moral values, your obedience to God and following His ways. The God on the Mountain is the God in the Valley.

In the song “I still have it all” by Hissong it says, “Cause in the midst of disaster, when it seems all is lost. I will still trust the Master, I will cling to His cross. No trial can defeat me, no they can’t make me fall. For if I have my faith, I can rise up and say I still have it all!”

Luke 22

2010-08-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

I just felt called to share this chapter of the bible with our Life group last fri night. I started writing this study in a Starbucks in Canton Ohio. I was up there to celebrate my friend Rickey Jackson's induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. It was a great time from start to finish, met a lot of players past and present, Mr. and Mrs. Benson owners of the Saints and many others. From Rick's speech into Floyd Little's speech and Emmitt Smith's speech it became like a revival up there in Canton. They were all giving Jesus all the credit for their accomplishments in front of a very large crowd and on TV.

Luke 22

God is your caretaker, trust God

Expository Preaching is “the presentation of biblical truth, derived from a transmitted thought, a historical, grammatical, spirit-guided study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit applies first to the life of the preacher and then through him to his congregation.

In other words line by line

Pastor Todd taught us Philippians through this method

Here begins the Passion Narrative:

Read verses 1-6

In the first part of this chapter: Judas agrees to betray Christ. As the Feast of Unleavened Bread draws near Judas has the enemy of our souls enter into him.
Passover is a celebration of the night of the tenth plague in Egypt. The first born of Isreal were passed over and spared the Angel of Death. The people of God put a blood sacrifice from an unblemished lamb on their doorposts and thus were spared the “Impending Wrath of Heaven”
Passover was to be celebrated as a sign of deliverance from bondage. Jesus was a sacrifice for all men and women as our deliverance from death and bondage and our reward of eternal life.
The Jewish elders who were after Jesus needed to separate him from the crowds and to be able to use one of his people was favorable to them. So they planned to arrest Jesus secretly then blame his disciple.

Read verses 7-13 The Upper Room is Prepared

No one knows whether Jesus had made this arrangement previously or if it was just God’s will that this provision would occur. These rooms were commonly made available to pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast.

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (New International Version)

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Read verses 14-20 The Passover is celebrated/The Lord’s Supper is instituted

Wine was a good thing it was not perceived as it is today with drinking and driving and many other negative things that go along with modern excesses. In these biblical times wine was a way of feeling comfort.
The Holy Spirit is sometimes equated with New Wine.
Jesus used the term "new wine" as a description of His ministry and the Spirit-empowered life. It didn't originate with Him, however. The ancient Hebrew prophets before Him saw new wine as a symbol of God’s refreshing Spirit, a sign of God’s blessing and abundance. It’s no coincidence that Jesus’ first miracle was turning the water into wine—figuratively, transforming the life-sustaining waters of salvation into the vibrant wine of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 5:37-39 (New International Version)

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.' "
This comparison explains why some people in Israel had trouble turning to Jesus.

Leviticus 17:11 (New International Version)

For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.
This verse explains the meaning of “Blood Atonement”. The life of animals and humans is in the blood. “I have given” emphasizes that the blood alone has no intrinsic power to atone for sin. Blood represents life, and to God a life may only receive atonement by the sacrifice of another life. This is a theme that has been presented in many ways over the years. In the first season of the HBO series Carnival there was a young man that seemed bad but was a life giver, but every time he healed a life another died.

Hebrews 9:12-17 (New American Standard Bible)

…and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

Read verses 21-23 Christ predicts his betrayer

The apostle’s first reaction was to ask themselves would it be me? Or you? But that didn’t last very long … now they sadly switched their conversation to who will be the greatest in their master’s kingdom, even as Jesus faced betrayal.

Read verses 24-30 The disciples argue over who is the greatest

In this kingdom we do not probe for the top, we fight for the bottom!
Who can we undergird? What does this mean?
The leaders in your church should not be people who exalt themselves but people who serve others. Leaders should be the ones who labor for others, as a servant would. This is one concept I grasped before I began my walk of faith.

Jesus was passing on the authority his Father had given him to the disciples. They weren’t, we aren’t, just members of a club, but transformed beings.

Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
And the disciples were promised a place at the banquet of victory and to share in Jesus rule on his return.

Read verses 31-34 Christ predicts Peter’s denial

Satan actually asks God for permission to afflict humans. He did this with Job, and he did this with the disciples. Jesus predicted Peter’s fall, and restoration in his return to Him. Peter’s denial strengthens each time starting with, not a tough Roman guard but a weak servant girl. At this point the disciples had dispersed in fear. Satan wants to get you alone, apart from the crowd. You must remain in fellowship with other believers often, as we all do. Stay attached!

Read verses 35-38 Christ predicts coming conflict

The disciples had been depending on God for their needs and up until now there were lots of generous people around them helping them to meet their needs. However the situation had changed and Jesus recognized this and gave the disciples new instructions to go out with money, supplies, and even a sword, and to be prepared for rejection. Read Isaiah 53:12

Read verses 39-46 Jesus prays in Gethsemane

Jesus understood that there were times he would need to get alone with God. We also need to get alone with God, what does this mean?
Jesus understood that not only would he be beaten and die but would also take on sin, for all of us. God’s promise to Jesus did not allow him to avoid suffering but to have an angelic host to comfort him. Sometimes God answers prayers by eliminating trials, sometimes he answers by strengthening us in the midst of them. Jesus earnest prayer caused Him to sweat like drops of blood.

Read verse 47-53 Judas betrays Christ

Jesus reminds Judas of what he has done and notes the irony of how he does it; with a kiss. Peter reacts violently and Jesus mercifully heals. Then Jesus rebukes His captors for treating him like a criminal.

Read verses 54-62 Peter denies Christ

It is worth remembering that Peter was the first disciple called to Jesus’ side and the first who confessed that Jesus was the Messiah. Nevertheless, his denials of Jesus may be the most vehement of all. It is unclear whether Peter’s weeping is a sign of repentance, contrition, or prayer. A window may have been open from the room where Jesus was being held overlooking the courtyard and peter may have felt that Jesus had heard him denying him and this may also have been why he wept.

Read verses 63-65 Christ is beaten

Here Jesus is mocked and beaten badly. The soldiers asked him to identify who was beating Him while blindfolded.

Read verses 66-71 The Sanhedrin tries Christ

This trial was in violation of a number of the Jewish rules, morning of a feast, in someone’s home, trying a defendant with no defense, and reaching a verdict in one day instead of two.

Read Psalms 110:1

Even though Jesus was on trial he was letting them know that he was the ultimate judge. And it was this reply that convicted him with them. To the Jew of this age it was blasphemous to claim to be the messiah, and try telling that to a Jew today as well and see how they feel. Jesus didn’t have to share this message with them, but He did because it was the truth and he was establishing His kingdom.

The Secret

2010-08-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

One of my very favorite books in the bible would be Phillipians 4. It contains the message not to worry, but to pray about everything. Then in verse 8 the Apostle Paul mentions how we should be thinking, what thoughts are correct. And in verses 11-13 we have my "Life Verse", which lets us know that we can be content no matter what our circumstances. In Top Gun 1 five years ago, I was amongst a group of guys who all had pretty good salaries and I was struggling in the car business. But when I would come to our weekly meetings with words of encouragement every week some of the guys would tell me that they appreciatted the fact that even though I was struggling and they were not, it was my faithful attitude that inspired them. My verse then was Philippians 4:11-13, and it still is. God on the mountain is the God in the valley.
Sunday after Pastor Todd had delivered this message on Philippians 4 I was standing at the altar to pray with people as I am an Altar Minister and one of my Top Gun 1 brothers from 5 years ago comes up to me and opens up his bible to Philippians 4 and shows me the page.... and next to verses 11-13 it said: David Linden's verse.
Here is the iMAX guide I wrote to study the message from Pastor.

iMAX 7.30-31.10 The Secret Philippians 4

In A Nutshell

What is the secret of life? This is the age old question. In Philippians Chapter 4 Apostle Paul tells us not to be anxious, to replace impure thoughts with Godly thoughts, and that contentment comes from learning to be happy whether rich or poor, well fed or hungry, owning a lot or nothing. And he reminds us as to where we get our source of strength.

Talk It Out

1. (Verse 6) Do you think that you worry too much, or too little? What are you worried about? Do you feel comfortable bringing your worries to the Lord in prayer?
2. (Verse 8) What things should we think about? What should we do when we think about something that doesn’t honor God?
3. (Verses 11-13) Has your walk in faith as a Christian made you more content? Why do you think it has?
4. In Philippians 1:27 it says that we should “Above all live as citizens of heaven.” What does this mean and how should we do it?

Draw it out

Our names are written in the book of life. We need to trust God and be content despite the difficulties in life. We are called as Disciples of Jesus Christ to be humble, gentle, and peaceful.

REJOICE : In verses 4 and 5 Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord.
REQUEST: In verse 6 Paul tells us to petition the Lord, to make our requests known. REASON: In verse 8 Paul gives us his description of what is reasonable to think about. REPRODUCE: And in verse 9 he says be sure to do these things, put them into action.

Where the heart is....

2010-07-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

At last weeks staff meeting Pastor Todd talked about living a generous life based on the 6 principles in the book Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. I took some notes on his presentation and added some more to it. Todd mentioned that he had had some really great examples of generous people in his life and then named a couple.The next two words out of his mouth were....Martin Howe. I am so glad to call this man of God and his wife, Sister Rose my close friends.

Here is what I put together, I hope you like it...

Where your heart is…..

Anyone can give, but you can’t truly love without giving.

Six Principles: (from the book;The Treasure Principle)

1.God owns everything and I’m his money manager

Stewardship: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care

A steward manages assets for the owners benefit.

Deuteronomy 8:18-20 NIV

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.

Do you have any Idols?

Anything that you might be putting before the Lord?
(Material things perhaps)

It is God who gives us the ability to do something, write something, build something, perform a job, talents, gifts…

John Wesley (co-founder of the Methodist Church) had his house burn down totally. When they came and told him, he said “ That’s OK it was God’s house not mine,” that means less responsibility for me to take care of it”.

2.Your heart always goes where your treasure is.

The more you give the more you will delight in it, the more God delights in it. Giving will bring you joy, it will please you, more importantly it will please God.
Ecclesiastes 5:12 NASB The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.
Jesus preached more about how to handle money than he did about prayer, heaven or anything else. He knew we would always struggle with this.
The wisdom of this world says: “Never put all your eggs in one basket.” That would be an enormous risk. If you drop the basket, you lose it all. And nobody wants to take that risk.
So we have learned to be masters of diversity. Farmers rotate their crops. People with extra money make a variety of investments. The best colleges offer a broad education. The best tradesmen also develop proficiency in several aspects of their trade, rather than just one. Corporations own several businesses, each with their own piece of the market. Cars have spare tires and planes have reserve fuel tanks and space shuttles have all kinds of backup computer systems so that if one part fails, the machine can keep going.
So it’s not unusual for people who truly understand the call of the gospel to be reluctant in crossing the line. It’s usually those who don’t understand who are quick to believe (and quick to fall away). Like seed sown on rocky places, they hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

But those who understand the Bible’s message of salvation know that Jesus Christ isn’t into diversification.

With God, it’s all or nothing. With him, it’s “put all your eggs in one basket.”

He says: “I am the Lord your God and you will have no other gods before me.”

Luke 12:32-34 (the Message)

"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being”.

Your heart will ALWAYS go where your money is.

If you want to have a greater heart for missions, give to a mission or a missionary.
If you don’t care about the stock market because you have nothing invested in it, try becoming a day trader, put a couple thousand into a stock. You will find yourself watching it online daily and getting upset if it goes badly and your investment dwindles down.

3.Heaven not Earth is my home

In Hebrews 11 it starts out talking about some of the Saints of history; Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah…

Hebrews 11:13-16 ESV

“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. “

Philippians 3:20 NLT “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior”.

Why would you decorate a hotel room? (you’re just going to leave it after a while)

Hebrews 13:14-16 NKJV

For here we have no continuing city but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually the sacrifice of our praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

“Your sacrifice is on a collision course with your miracle” Bishop Robert L. Banks Jr. ...or was it Bishop Bobby Banks, not sure

The old testament sacrifices are now obsolete, believers are to offer spiritual sacrifices, which include their praise, their possessions, and even their lives.
If you only offer praise with your lips when you are at church on Sunday, but do not watch what you speak the rest of the time, what then will be the result?

4. I should not live for the “Dot”, but for the “ Line”.

The Dot is Earth, the line …Eternity. We live on the Dot ( Earth ), but not for it, we should live for Eternity.

Hebrews 11:24-27 KJV

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Moses got it, Egypt was not his home, God’s nation and people were his home and family.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. “
Jim Elliot

Luke 17:33 NIV

Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

John Wesley commented, “The sense of this and the following verse is, Yet as great as the danger will be, do not seek to save your life by violating your conscience: if you do, you will surely lose it: whereas if you should lose it for my sake, you shall be paid with life everlasting. But the most probable way of preserving it now, is to be always ready to give it up: a peculiar Providence shall then watch over you, and put a difference between you and other men.”

Think about gain, Yes, eternal gain. Jesus is the most radical investment advisor.

5.Giving is the only antidote to materialism

Our giving is a reflexive response to the good Grace of God in our lives.
We live in an area of extreme materialism, it’s all around us. Take a ride around Palm Beach. You’ll see Bentley cars, huge mansions beyond what anyone could need. Your friends and maybe even you always have to have the newest technology cell phone, computer and other gadgets.

Proverbs 23:5 KJV

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Giving loosens our grip on stuff in our life… Giving to a missionary makes us a part of what they are doing. I always feel compelled to describe what my brother Taylor is doing in Peru, because my wife and I give sacrificially to his cause, his mission. I feel like in some small way we are a part of what he is doing.

1 Timothy 6:10 God’s Word Translation

Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.

John D. Rockefeller was asked once, "How much money is enough money?" He replied, "Just a little bit more." …
When he died John D. Rockefeller he left all the money he stored up here, here on earth.
The greatest indictment against him- and the proof of his spiritual condition- is that he was rich towards himself, but not rich towards God.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 KJV But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

Ask someone who makes $25,000 a year how much they would need to be more comfortable, they might say “$45,000”. Ask someone who makes $50,000 a year…they would say $100,000…
Someone who makes $100,000 would say $200,000

Luke 12:20-21 NIV

But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.

6.God prospers me to raise my standard of giving, not my standard of living.

When you realize that you have too much, give some to someone who has too little…problem solved

2 Corinthians 9:10 (The Message)

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

1 Timothy 6:3-19 (New International Version)

Love of Money

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to Godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But Godliness with contentment is great gain. 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. 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. 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 grief’s.

Paul's Charge to Timothy

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

About 5 minutes after you die you will have a clear understanding of the value of things on Earth.

Pray to get a better understanding of it now!

We can give and not love, but we cannot love and not give!

Faith and Freedom

2010-07-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

This week Pastor will be delivering a message called Celebrating our Godly Heritage. Although we probably didn't need to, I wrote and iMAX guide anyway because this is such an important subject.I recently found some interesting very old books in my brother's collection in storage.
The one I am reading at this time is called Faith and Freedom

Faith and Freedom 7.04.10

CELEBRATING OUR GODLY HERITAGE

In A Nutshell

Luke 9:24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Invest your time and efforts in what is eternal and have faith in the blood of Jesus. Freedom isn’t free, there is a cost. We who believe in liberty must be willing to give up a portion of our lives for the benefit of our nation. This kind of sacrifice secures our part in the liberty, justice, happiness and blessings of prosperity that we seek as a people who are free.

Talk It Out

1.One of Pastor’s quotes from the weekend message is by Edmund Burke and it says: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

What can you do to help your government and contribute grace to the political world?

2.The church should not seek control over the state, but the church should be the conscience of the state.

Discuss this statement , what does it require the church to do?

3.Pastor Tom was recently on a panel of Church Leaders on the Glenn Beck show. They asked the question, “Are Pastor’s able to preach freely from the pulpit, or should they be concerned about persecution for what they teach”?

What do you think about this?

Draw It Out

“What will you do without freedom? Will you fight? Fight and you may die; run, and you’ll live, at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, how many of you would be willing to trade all the days, from that one to this, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives but they’ll never take our freedom?
William Wallace in Brave Heart.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

God is in control. God said it, I believe it, and that settles it. Faith and freedom go together, and both will be attacked. We must keep our Government leaders in prayer and when we do vote, do it in a very prayerful way.

Rest in God

2010-06-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

A week ago we had a Bar-B-Q for lunch after prayer and staff meetings here at Christ Fellowship. The Bar-B-Q was wonderful, it was from MaCrays, the roadside truck on 45th street. I sat with Pastor Don and Mabel and we relaxed and ate Bar-B-Q and talked. I guess everyone was invited to the sanctuary to get together for some outside fun and games, but it was so hot that Pastor Todd suggested everyone go home and take some time to rest.
I somehow missed this whole thing and spent the rest of the day upstairs in my office working with just a couple others and we were wondering where everybody was. This week at Staff meeting some shared how they went home or to a special place and rested and how it refreshed them and how they were able to do things afterward that were great. This week I went home a little early to rest a little....in God

Rest in God

Christ offers rest to all, not just in the next life but in this life also.
Rest from the weight of sin, from care and worry, and from the load of our daily burden.
The rest that arrives from handing over all worries to Christ and receiving from Christ all that we need.

Have you entered into that experience lately? Do you need to?

Philippians 4:6-7 ( NIV ) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Wouldn’t it be a shame to have this kind of rest offered to us and not take advantage of it?

So here is my question to you..

How do we enter this rest?

Hebrews 4:1-10 The Promise of Rest ( read )

In verse one God’s rest is offered to the faithful. In verse two and three; Faith…is the key to entering into God’s rest. Believe in his promise of provision.

Jehovah-Jireh means the Lord will provide. Just as God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac, He provided His son Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. God will meet all our needs. So take time to rest in Him and on His promises.

Genesis 22:14 ( NIV ) So Abraham called that place the Lord will provide.

John 6:35 ( The message ) Jesus said, I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more ever.

What does this verse mean to you?

Psalm 23:1-3 ( NKJV ) The Lord is my Sheppard; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.

As sheep will not lie down unless they feel totally secure, we need to have our security in our faith in God, and the abundant care that He gives to those who believe in Him, so that we might take some time to rest. God’s still waters calm His flock.
When we take time to be quiet and give our trust to God, we gain strength.

Isaiah 40:31 ( NIV ) ..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.

What situation has stressed you out lately, that you got upset, got mad at someone, and perhaps lost sleep over?

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

We were never meant to go it alone anyway. Jesus found that out firsthand when he became a human being. He depended heavily on his heavenly Father for support and guidance. When he was exhausted, he went off by himself to rest in God.
We're not used to handing control over to anyone else. We want to do it our way, on our timing. We don't trust other people to do things exactly the way we want them, and we have a darn hard time trusting God, either.

But can you think of anyone more competent than God? Can't the all-powerful being who created the universe and who keeps it running take care of your problem?

Good Morning, This Is God! I will be Handling all Your Problems Today. I Will Not Need Your Help -- So Have a Good Day. I Love You!

When you rest in God, you don't tell him what to do or how to do it. You take a break from your trouble.
You sit on God's lap and take a nap.
We're not smart enough yet to turn things over to the Professional Problem Solver. We think of God only as a last resort. Amazingly, he doesn't get offended by that. He watches us bang our head into this wall and that, looking with compassion on our foolishness. We run around like hyperactive two year-olds until we can't run any more. He knows what's coming. He knows we'll eventually crumple, exhausted, then ask him if he could help.
He doesn't even seem to mind that we've botched things so badly that they look impossible.

‘For nothing is impossible with God.’ (Luke 1:37)

Even then, we still can't keep our fingers out of it. We don't completely get what it means to rest in God.
It means trusting. Surrendering. Not interfering. It means having so much faith in him that we can finally have some peace. Again, by losing our life--turning it over to him completely--we gain it.
To our surprise, we're calm. Our anxiety is gone. This resting in God business means exactly that, resting. We're relaxed again. Stress-free.
We could kick ourselves for not coming to him sooner. Finally, though, we're safe in the Master's hands. We've learned how to let go and rest in God.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Rest in God, Rest in Jesus

What might we be able to do when we chose to get rest ( and to get refreshed )?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

When we are rested we can help others, encourage others, and share our testimony to be of a blessing to them better.

Some people are never at peace because they're always bothered about something. To rest means to be free from whatever disturbs you, or causes you to worry. It means in this sense to be quiet, still, peaceful, and free from guilt. To enter God's rest means to be at peace with God--to possess the perfect peace that God gives. It means to be free from guilt, because our sin is forgiven. Many people fail to believe in God's promises, and thus do not enter into rest because of their unbelief.

-Rest is designed to lead to refreshment of life—new energy, new joy, new eagerness to “see what God has for us today”
-Rest is designed to “reset” our values—when we are not ‘fighting fires’ we can see the “Big Picture” better
-Rest is something we are supposed to share with others… …because our good-hearted God shared it with us.

Genesis 2:2-3 ( NASB ) By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made..

So if God took time to rest after he completed His work, then why shouldn’t we also take some time of rest after working.

The Path Back To God

2010-06-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend Pastor Tom will be giving what looks to be an incredible message, as always.It is on Psalm 51. I wrote the iMAX ( Study Guide )for it and it looks like this.

iMAX The Path Back To God

In A Nutshell

Every time a preacher preaches is judgment day. The message either convicts or assures us. We are born in sin (Psalm 51:5), born as a corruptible seed. To join the family of God, we must have God’s seed planted within us. We then will be born again and experience divine regeneration.

Talk It Out

1.Meditate on point one in the sermon notes: “Open yourself up to the light of God.” Discuss how we can move from sin, the corruptible seed, to grace and a Spirit-filled life (the incorruptible seed).

2.Pastor tells us to run into the arms of God (point two).

Why must we do this and what will our benefits be? What could be the benefit to others?

(Read Psalm 51:12-14)

3.Look at point four in Pastor’s sermon notes: “Get to the heart of the issue.” God sees our inward parts (Psalm 51:6, Hebrews 4:13), and desires truth in us.

Read Romans 5:12-21 and then discuss:

What are you holding on to inside and not releasing to God? What can happen if you turn it over to God?

4.Sometimes we are prone to wander away from God.

Read Luke 15:11-32: The Parable of the Lost Son.

Discuss how the Father (God) in this story is willing to forgive his lost son (us) and welcome him home as he (we) returns with a repentant heart.

(Psalm 51:7) Review point five in the sermon notes: “God’s gift of restoration.”

Draw It Out

When we acknowledge our brokenness in true repentance, then we can get back in tune with the ‘Shepherd of our Soul.’

We will experience not just a change of behavior, but also a change of heart. Our Father wants us to enjoy what He has for us . . . His inheritance and His Kingdom.

The Power Of Unity

2010-06-04T05:20:00.000-07:00

This is the bible study that I will share tonight with our Life Group.We will be a smaller group tonight as some are out of town. The idea and some of this content for this study on unity as believers came from what Pastor Don Bray taught us at last week's staff meeting at Christ Fellowship.Don is a humble Man of God who has been one of my influences in my walk in faith.

The Power Of Unity

Read Philippians 2:1-4 Unity through humility

Sometimes it’s not the external circumstances that we battle with, but those internal attitudes that destroy unity. Our fellowship is with God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and with our Christian brothers and sisters. We need to seek out unity in our relationships with each other, and as a group. We need to guard ourselves from judgments or words that would demonstrate an ungodly attitude, and to be compassionate with each other and recognize each other’s needs. The goal as stated in these verses by the Apostle Paul is like mindedness in the church. The key here is humility. Jesus Christ Himself was our greatest example of humility.

How and when did Jesus show humility?

When we act in the power of the Holy Spirit we will not be acting in pride. As believers put their own selfish ambition aside they can work together to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we honestly examine our own self nature it will lead to a glorification of Christ.

What does that statement mean to you?

Do you believe that becoming bigger on the inside than on the outside will make you greater on the outside? How will this be apparent in your life?

Definition of Unity:

1.The state or quality of being one, singleness
2.The state or quality of being in accord, harmony
3.The combination or arrangement of parts into a whole, unification
4.Mutual agreement, constancy, concord, unity of purpose

Read Ephesians 4:1-6 Walk in unity

Here in Ephesians the Christian Life is compared to a walk.
A believer’s life should match the excellence of Christ’s calling.
Jesus displayed attitudes of lowliness, gentleness, and longsuffering. These attitudes do not come naturally, but must be cultivated by the determination to “Place others above ourselves”
It is only when we are filled with and rely on the Holy Spirit that we can treat people this way consistently.
Put up with others, bear with them, and be patient with their shortcomings.
As we ask and petition God to be patient with our failings, we don’t always exercise the same kind of patience ourselves.

Paul’s goal: To live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Humble: The way we think of ourselves.
Gentle: The way we treat others.
Patient: Bearing with one another-fruit of being humble and gentle

Keep the unity in the Spirit

Kingdom Principle

Read John 13:34-35

In Leviticus 19:18 Moses said “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus gives the command to love a new standard here, “Love as I have loved you”.

Read John 17:20-23

Jesus not only prayed for those whom the Father had given Him, but also for all future believers, for their unity and their future glory. Jesus is praying for the unity that takes place through the sanctification of believers. The loving relationship of believers to each other is the greatest witness to Jesus Christ.
The glory, the revelation of Jesus Christ through His disciples is the means to unity. Such unity begins with belief and correct thinking. But correct belief MUST bear fruit-a life that demonstrates God’s love and produces the unity between all believers.

How can we achieve this? What must we be doing?

Love is the law
Unity is the goal
Power in mission is the natural result

What does this look like?

-In honor prefer one another Philippians 2:3-4
-Agape love is self giving love
-Know each other well enough to love them the way they need to be loved

Addressing issues in a loving Godly way…not letting issues get big

Read James 3:2

Determine what issues about someone to overlook, and what issues are outside the margin. Discuss this: ( there should be no discention in a Life Group )

Read Genesis 11:6

The story of the people of Shinar.
One language, one plan, one heart…They connected to the creation principle of unity.

Creation Principle : Unity Creates Power

Read John 1:1
Read Genesis 1:1

What do these verses say?

What do they have in common?

Perfect unity, Perfect power…God created the universe from nothing, and we are made in God’s image.

The Unity /Power principle works in all of creation:

Sports:
Family:
Work:

Big question: Rather be right or one?

Question: Is there anything in my mind or heart that separates me from any other person?

Response: Repent, Forgive, Love, Confront

Mark Your Journey

2010-05-31T05:19:00.000-07:00

This is last weekends iMAX guide that I wrote. Three blog posts in one week! This was a very good message delivered by Pastor Todd Mullins.

iMAX Building Memorials 6.29-30

In A Nutshell

This weekend Pastor Todd teaches us that Memorials; Honor God, Strengthen our faith, Teach the next generation, and Mark our journey. We will endure trials for a while in life, it is how we react in faith, trust, and obedience to these valleys that honors God and will bring us His blessings in His time. And on that day when Jesus comes back to claim His flock those that have been faithful will receive much praise, glory, and honor.

Talk It Out

1.In Romans 5:3-4 it tells us to “Rejoice also when we run into trials or problems, for they help us develop endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope in salvation”. Talk about how you handled a trial that you have experienced, and how it marked your journey.

2.“Well done my good and faithful servant” is the bible quote we all long to hear. This could either convict or assure you. What changes need to be made in your life to expect to hear that from our Savoir, our Lord?

3.In biblical times prophets and leaders would build a memorial to God in places where they overcame a trial by obeying God. Where have you built memorials in your life, where might you mark your journey?

Draw It Out

Let’s always remember to give God praise and worship for all He has done for us. We can also give Him praise in advance for all He will do as we remain faithful. Do this in your daily life as well as at church in the weekend service. Pray by yourself and with your family. Journaling will be a blessing to you as you write down your prayers, experiences, and praise reports. When you do this you can go back and see how God has answered prayer and moved in your life, and you can mark your journey with a memorial to God.

God Is Faithful

2010-05-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

Last night we had our first Life Group meeting in 3 weeks. It was great to get our family back together. We studied Joshua 1:1-9. Steven made dirty rice and we had 15 of us.Praise and worship, studied the word, and awesome prayer time. Great is thy faithfulness.

GOD IS FAITHFUL

Read Romans 8:26-28

There are no specific prophesies of Jesus in the book of Joshua, however Joshua himself is an obvious representation of the coming Savoir. The name means “The Lord saves” and is the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus or Jeshua. As Joshua leads the nation of Israel across the Jordan into their promised inheritance, he foreshadows the one who will bring many Sons and daughters to glory.

Hebrews 2:10 NKJV For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Jesus our captain, our leader is a pioneer, a pathfinder, Amen… and His endurance of sufferings on earth makes him our leader. He has already experienced the sufferings that we must go through on this earth. Not only did he endure them, but he triumphed over sin, death and Satan through them. His sinless life has blazed a path to God, a path we must follow. He understands our pain because he Himself went through suffering. Salvation is our glorification in Christ’s coming kingdom.

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father.

In the book of Joshua we see God acting on the promises that he made to Abraham. (Genesis 12:7) He was giving the Promised Land to His people, faithfully fulfilling His promises. Under God’s direction Israel defeats its enemies. God keeps His promises.

As we pick up the story in Joshua, the nation of Israel has come out of 100’s of years in Egypt, then wandered in the desert for 40 years. The people had been disobedient to God in the desert, worshipping other gods and building an idol while Moses was up on the mountain.

When God corrects you, He’s getting ready to bless you. God makes a way out of no way.

Joshua 1:1-9 ( Read )

So Joshua begins where Deuteronomy ends, after the death of Moses. Moses had laid His hands on Joshua, Numbers 27:18 NIV So He said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him”. Joshua was God’s choice to succeed Moses. The Lord had Moses present him in the congregation, so that there would be no question.

Joshua is a model of how the Lord graciously encourages his servants, and to this day, “true success in life cannot occur apart from knowing and doing the will of God.”

In verse 5 God says to Joshua “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua knew how significant this promise from God was as he had seen this many times where God had demonstrated His faith to Moses.

God is the God of encores. He did it before, he will surely do it again.

In verse 7 God says to Joshua;…do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

Proverbs 4:27( NASB ) Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil
Also read Deuteronomy 5:32

We must walk in all ways with the Lord that we may live and that it may be well with us.
Verse 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but, you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and you will have good success.

The word prosper means much more than mere financial success, it includes spiritual well being.

Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not whither. Whatever he does prospers.

Here we are being taught to reflect upon Gods word in a thoughtful way and to apply them to our lives.

Verse 9 says that we should be strong and of good courage, and not afraid for our Lord is with us wherever we go

The book of Joshua reminds us of Gods promise to Abraham. Also, it foretells of Jesus leadership to Gods people to the eternal promised land.
Because of Gods protection Joshua would succeed in bringing the people of Israel into the Promised Land. Israel had failed before to go into the promised land so that is why God said to be strong and have courage.
We too face hardship in serving God.
God’s people have always had great responsibilities to work for Him. When you are called to serve in ministry you can expect to be attacked by Satan. We have a charge from God and we will face challenges. When we get discouraged and fearful and think that we are not succeeding, nothing should be of greater encouragement than the assurance that God will help us to do what we must do.

Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”.

God gave a goal, and assured Joshua that he could reach it.
God told Joshua to lead the people into the land. God promised Joshua that he would achieve this goal. Hope of success in achieving a great goal gives great motivation to be strong and courageous.

El Shaddai; The all sufficient one, The God of the mountains, God Almighty-God is the all sufficient source of our blessings. God is all powerful. Our problems and our fears are not to big for God to handle.

2 Corinthians 12:9 Jesus says,” My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness”.
Just as Joshua was brave to lead his people into the Promised Land, so also God has offered us the Promised Land of eternal life, and he has assured us that we can successfully reach it. This ought to make us strong and brave.

Don't judge a book by its cover

2010-05-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

I wrote this iMAX guide to go along with next weekends massage at Christ Fellowship. It will be given by Dr. John Maxwell,and I will not be the "official" writer but I wrote this anyway so here it is.
I am going to try to get some new bible studies written soon and post them,I have just been a little busy.

iMAX Inside-Out Living 6.29-30.10

In A Nutshell

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” This is one of the most popular sayings in our culture. The robe on a monk looks poor and plain on the outside but on the inside is a heart rich for the Lord. When Susan Boyle took the stage to sing her first note the audience was laughing at the way she looked but when she finished, the entire audience and the judges were on their feet giving her a standing ovation. God sees the inside of us

Talk It Out

1.God is willing to let us be tested, to wait for us to bear fruit.

Read Luke 13:6-9. Discuss this parable of the fig tree. How did it look? What was it capable of?

2.Jim Elliot the missionary who gave his life to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” If there is anything wrong in our inner nature, our hearts will not conform to the character of Christ.

Read Luke 9:24 and discuss; what do you need to give up from the inside, what do you need to replace it with?

3.Stages of inside-out living: Point 4 in your sermon notes; The make me stage: Ephesians 4:14-16, 2 Peter 3:17-18, Romans 12:1-2

Read these scriptures and discuss what it means to grow to be more like Christ.

4.Do you believe that becoming bigger on the inside than on the outside will make you greater on the outside? Discuss this with your group.

Draw It Out

It is important to realize that becoming more like Christ starts by receiving Him as Savior from our sins. Then we grow in our knowledge of God by reading the Bible daily, studying it, and being obedient to what it says. This process causes us to grow and occurs over an entire lifetime in Christ. Only when we have entered Heaven for eternity with God does this process reach its culmination.

Radical Worship iMAX Guide

2010-05-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

Wow where do I start, it has been almost five months since I have posted a blog. Our Life group has been doing bible studies by others and I have not written a new one in a while.I am working on publishing my last 5 part series "What Pleases God" into a short book.It has been a tough time not just for me but for so many.
I believe that God had given me a word in the deep valley that I have been going through, and that He has given me a breakthrough opportunity.
I have embraced the fact that when Christ is all I have, then Christ is all I need.
It seems that I have had an experience where God has lifted me up and transported me to a new place, and it seems to be a great God given new opportunity.

Here is an iMAX Guide I have written for this weekends message which will be given by Pastor Todd Mullins.I actually have a writer on the team whose turn it is this weekend but just in case her's doesn't make the deadline I wrote this:

Radical Worship Radicall, Part 3

In A Nutshell

As we live our lives, worship needs to have its place in our busy schedule. Believers can and should worship God with all our heart and soul because we have already invited God into our hearts. God seeks true worshippers. And when we do, we are friends of God. Men were created to worship God, it’s our proper response to our God, and it’s our realization of God’s holiness.

Talk It Out

1.We learn to worship by worshipping.

Are you too busy to worship God? Do you personally really worship the Lord? Discuss ways in which you can improve on how you worship, and when you worship.

2.In Revelation 4:8-11 the Elders fell down before Him that sat on the throne, and worshipped Him, casting their crowns before the throne.

Why is worship so important?

3.Read John 4:23-24

Discuss with your group what does it mean to “worship God in spirit and truth”

4.Read James 4:8 and discuss;
Why is there so much power in our worship?

Draw It Out

Jesus got up early and set apart time in his life here on earth to worship His Father. Paul and Silas and many others have also found the joy in worshipping God no matter what their circumstances. If we truly trust and rely on God it will help us to be more joyful in our worship, and to do it more often. True worship is a life style and it is an act of offering ourselves fully to God in all we do every day.

When Jesus is all we have…then Jesus is all we need.

WPG5 RIGHTEOUSNESS

2010-01-23T04:18:00.000-08:00

We had 17 again last night at our house ( which holds 8 comfortably ) and we wrapped up a 5 part study on "What pleases God" Carol made Goulash, Steve made stuffed shells, and Mabel played her keyboard after dinner and we all sang old hymns led by Sister Rose and Pastor Howe, Hallelujah!

WPG5 Righteousness
Matthew 5:6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

Let’s talk about sin…no one here sins right? Everyone is righteous right?
Isaiah 64:6 …and all our righteous acts are as filthy rags…

Romans 14:17-18 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called. God picks us in spite of our faults, so that people can see God in us, leading us.

Matthew 5:17-20 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

How are you doing at obeying God’s law? How were the Pharisees doing, in Jesus time? How do you think our righteousness can surpass that of the Pharisees?

The Pharisees obeyed the law outwardly, but without allowing God to change their hearts or attitudes. They looked pious, but were in fact far from the kingdom of heaven. God judges our hearts, as well as our deeds. Jesus is saying here that we need a different kind of righteousness, one that comes from what God is doing in us, not what we can do by ourselves. God centered, not self centered, based on reverence for God not on people’s approval, and go beyond keeping the law to living by and walking in the principles of the law. We need to be just as concerned about our attitudes that people don’t see as about our actions that are seen by all.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

What does the world consider important or admirable?

People tend to view power and wealth as the most important things to live for, but God puts a higher priority on knowing Him personally, and living a life that reflects justice, righteousness, and love.

What do you want people to admire most about you?

“No we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Proverbs 21:18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

How would you describe righteousness?

What makes a person righteous?

God will judge each one of us according to his standards of goodness.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body

The English word righteous was coined by William Tyndale, who remodelled the word after an earlier word rihtwis, which would have yielded Modern English rightwise or rightways. He used it to translate the Hebrew root צדקים (TzDYQ), tzedek, which appears more than five hundred times in the Hebrew Bible, and the Greek word (dikaios), which appears more than two hundred times in the New Testament.

Righteousness in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Righteousness is one of the chief attributes of God. Its chief meaning concerns ethical conduct. Some verses we could look up: (Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:1; Psalm 1:6; Proverbs8:20) It is used in a legal sense; while the guilty are judged, the guiltless are deemed righteous. God's faithfulness to His covenant is also a large part of His righteousness. (Nehemiah 9:7-8)

Righteousness also relates to God's role as saviour; God is a "righteous saviour"; (Isaiah 61) and a deliverer. (Isaiah 46:12-13) The righteous are those who trust that they will be vindicated by the Lord God. (Psalm 37:12-13).

Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

Hebrew Definition of Righteousness
Righteousness:The Hebrew word for righteousness is tseh'-dek, —righteous, integrity, equity, justice, straightness. The root of tseh'-dek is tsaw-dak', —upright, just, straight, innocent, true, sincere. It is best understood as the product of upright, moral action in accordance with some form of divine plan.
In the Book of Job the title character is introduced to us as a person who is "perfect" in righteousness. This does not mean that he is sinless."Perfect" in this sense means that his righteousness permeates every relationship of his life as his working principle. After all, righteousness is a matter of relationships - with God, with things, and with other people. The biblical definition of righteousness involves the inherent quality of God. God is right because He is righteous, therefore God can only act righteously. In one instance the word means being right; in another it is used to mean doing right; in still another case it means putting right. Job qualifies as a righteous person on each of these counts, so much so that he is commended by God as "wholly righteous" or, translated into our terms, "perfect”

Defintion in Dictionary of Righteous:
1. Morally upright; without guilt or sin: a righteous parishioner.
2. In accordance with virtue or morality: a righteous judgement
3. Morally justifiable: righteous anger. See Synonyms at moral

Lets wrap this up going back to; 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Live for glory!...and God will use you! God is preparing you in the midst of a tough time for what he can trust you with, Amen. Seek principles from scripture to apply to your own situation. Faith without works is dead. As you go, God is going to manifest Himself in your life. Follow His instructions!
When we trust in Christ, we make an exchange: He takes our sin and makes us right with God Our sin was laid on Christ at His crucifixion. His righteousness is given to us at our conversion. This is what atones Christians for their sin. In the world people barter by exchanging goods of equal value, but God offers to trade His righteousness for our sin….Something of immeasurable value for something completely worthless. How grateful should we be for God’s kindness to us.

WPG4

2010-01-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

It's a New Year, Praise God. We will be gathering tonight for Life Group/Bible Study. I have written Part 4 of WPG (What Pleases God) and we will be looking into a form of pleasing God called forgiveness. I believe that this is a key part of Christian life, and the guy sitting next to me at my job, Gavi, just told me he has seen this quality in me and admired it.

What Pleases God ? Part 4 Forgiveness

Iniquity is atoned for by mercy and truth. Evil is avoided by reverence for God.
To atone means to pay for the iniquity, the evil, or wrong we have done. The payment (atonement) makes restitution and restores us to our former state. Kinda like restoring your computer back to a previous date before you had the virus. The end result is forgiveness. The principle of forgiveness is probably one of the most rewarding principles we can experience in life, because it has a major effect on our health and well being as a person.

What can un-forgiveness do to our health and well being?

In order to experience forgiveness, we need to understand why we should accept, receive, and practice righteousness with each other, derived from His laws. He made the true rules of life and giving. These rules are called Truth. They cannot be broken without penalties. They are like the law of gravity, absolute. We cannot change its rules, but we must learn to live by them.

In John 18:37-38 Jesus says to Pilate, “You say that I am a King. Actually I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?".Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him.
God’s law is just, and punishment must follow its violation; otherwise, God’s Word could not be trusted. However, unlike gravity-where punishment follows immediately after violation-mercy and forgiveness are available for us while we are in the process of learning the spiritual rules of life, giving us second chances. God’s attitude is that “all people are my creation.” He loves everyone, good and bad. The difference is that the righteous have discovered what makes life work, while others have not.

God knew that we would fall short of His law of righteousness, so He provided a law of atonement. He calls this forgiveness. If we don’t understand or receive forgiveness, then we are under the penalty and punishment of God’s system of justice.

Matthew 7:1-2 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged
Jesus did not come to destroy or take away God’s law of justice, but to teach us principles of love and mercy, tempered with justice.

Matthew 5:6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

Jesus offers forgiveness for those who receive Him. Law and mercy makes life hard and tough. It brings on constant guilt and anger which destroys our health and relationships.

Can you remember a time when un-forgiveness destroyed a relationship in your life? When it made you sick? Pray about who you need to forgive.

Without experiencing forgiveness we develop a bad attitude about people and life in general, putting ourselves in a negative, defensive mode toward life. We must remember that God made the rules. He cannot change the law of justice because His righteousness is always right. He has, however, made another law that brings relief to the pain and agony of life. If we receive and understand the principle of forgiveness we will receive atonement (payment). Atonement is simply forgiveness for our failures, so we can get up and start again, so we can prosper and be glad and walk as children of light.

The Jewish faith has a day of atonement as the final part of their New Year celebration. It is a time to fast and ask God to forgive them of their mistakes and sin from the past year, as they move forward into the New Year. As we move into the New Year lets decide to take the sin and bad habits, such as un-forgiveness that we have been dragging around from year to year and get rid of them, bring them to God and place them at His altar.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jesus is more than the way. He is also the truth and the life. He is just, but also has offered us mercy and forgiveness while we are in the process of learning to live under the just rules of His Kingdom.

When you hold resentment towards another, you are bound to that person by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.

There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.
To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.

Have you had a time when you were relieved and found joy from giving forgiveness to another?

Always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them as much.

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
We forgive by faith, out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that forgiveness will be complete. God honors our commitment to obey Him, and our desire to please Him when we choose to forgive. He completes the work in His time. We must continue to forgive (our job), by faith, until the work of forgiveness (the Lord’s job), is done in our hearts.

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Discuss this verse

Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ, or keep you from the joy of knowing Him. The Holy Spirit lives in us. His work within us began when we first believed. The Holy Spirit enables us to be more Christ like every day.
Forgiveness equals freedom. It sets our hearts free from anger, bitterness, resentment and hurt that previously imprisoned us.

Prayer is one of the best ways to break down the wall of un-forgiveness in your heart. When you begin to pray for the person who has wronged you, God begins to give me new eyes to see that person and a new heart to care for that person. As you pray, begin to see that person as God sees them, and realize that person is precious to the Lord. You will also see yourself in a new light, just as guilty of sin and failure as the other person. You too are in need of forgiveness. If God did not withhold his forgiveness from you, why should you withhold your forgiveness from another. Forgiveness ensures that our prayers will not be hindered.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and discover that the prisoner was you.

Ms. Pat’s (from Urban Youth Impact) T-shirt says: God said it, I believe it, that settles it!

What can we expect from God when we confess our sins to him?

What do you expect when you ask a friend for forgiveness?

Acts 5:31 Then God put Him in the place of honor at His right hand as Prince and Savoir. He did this so that the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.

What is the connection between repentance and forgiveness?

Can a person who has not repented , be forgiven? Why or why not?

Do you ever doubt God’s forgiveness?

Why is it important that we believers express thanks to God for forgiveness?

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

What Pleases God? Part 3 Faithfulness

2009-12-18T20:53:00.000-08:00

We didn't think that our small group would meet again until next year, as we were committed to service projects. With only one meeting on the first Friday in December we were missing the fellowship.Then this Friday night's Project for the homeless was cancelled due to rain, and we had the opportunity to meet so we did.I started on writing Part 3 on What Pleases God? yesterday after I got the cancellation call and I wrapped it up an hour before bible study. With that done I left work , picked up Kelly and then we got Pastor Howe and Sister Rose and went home to meet the group and my wife. So here it is, Part 3

What Please God? Part 3
Faithfulness

Hebrews 11:1-3 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
The beginning point in faith is believing in God’s character. He is who he says, He will do what he says. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.

Verse 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

God doesn’t expect us to understand his ways, he just expects us to obey His will.

Are you prepared to do God’s will?

Are you prepared to leave your comfort zone? How do we leave our comfort zone to obey God?

What has come about for you that you waited on God in faith for?

2 Peter 3:14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
We should not be lazy waiting for Christ to return, but we should be found living each day doing what we would like to be doing on the moment of his return.

Genesis 22 God tells Abraham to take that which he promised him, his son Isaac and sacrifice him.
God did not do this to hurt Abraham, but to deepen his capacity to obey Him and to develop Abraham’s character. God refines us through difficult situations.

Romans 5:3-4

Those who "walk by sight" manage materialism with anxiety. Most people in our world are far more concerned with accumulating wealth than they are serving God. And on one level this is understandable, because you can see money and the pleasures it yields, but you cannot see God. But the problem is that the eyes of man are never satisfied (Proverbs 27:20). The pursuit of wealth eventually becomes an obsession, a god (Matthew 6:24; Colossians 3:5), and man never reaches the point where he has enough. Yet, our material world fluctuates so much there is no guarantee that the fortune you have today will exist tomorrow. This is why Paul told Timothy to instruct the rich not to "fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches," a hope which "plunges men into ruin and destruction"
(1 Timothy 6:17). It is this uncertainty that produces anxiety.

Those who "walk by faith," however, handle this world's goods with contentment. They realize that God has promised to supply our material needs if we have the faith to place His reign first in our lives (Matthew 6:33).

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” If any term catches the essence of mankind's character at the end of the age, it is "faithlessness." Man is generally faithless to any standard that can be considered as truly godly.
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the apostle Paul describes the spirit of people at the end of the age: But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Paul lists nineteen characteristics, with "lovers of themselves" and "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" serving as bookends containing the others within them. How can a person be faithful to God when he loves himself more than God? How can a person be faithful to God when his own gratification means more to him than pleasing God? How can a person be faithful if he is a headstrong, haughty slanderer and traitor who is disobedient to parents, greedy, unloving and without self-control? Faithful implies steadfast adherence to a person or thing to which one is bound as by an oath.

Mother Theresa “I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness”

Galatians 5:22 lists faithfulness as a fruit of the spirit

“Faith isn’t faith, until it’s all you’re holding on to”
True or false?

Are you holding on to the promises of God?

Oswald Chambers said, “Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time”

Definition of faithful

1. Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea; loyal.
2. Engaging in sex only with one's spouse
3. Having or full of faith.
4. Worthy of trust or belief; reliable.
5. Consistent with truth or actuality: a faithful reproduction of the portrait.

Though faced with the desolation of Jerusalem because of the nation’s sin, the prophet Jeremiah could say of the Lord, “Great is Your faithfulness”

Lamentations 3:22-23 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh every morning.

Jeremiah knew from personal experience of God’s faithfulness.

Anyone have a testimony to share of your personal experience of God’s faithfulness?

Trusting in God’s faithfulness day by day makes us confident in his great promises for the future.

What Pleases God? Part 2

2009-12-03T06:35:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was a great time to reflect upon all we have to be thankful for and how we can put others first in our lives. Carol and I were invited to the Beach Club in Palm Beach for dinner with a dear friend, but we chose to instead cook a 25 pound turkey! and take it to another close friends house ( who has a lot of challenges right now ), and we had thanksgiving dinner with her and her family. Then I flew out to Philadelphia for my 35th year High School reunion. I was asked to say the prayer and blessing based on what the organizer had seen on my facebook, and blog. She said, " I was the closest thing to clergy coming". A lot of people were shocked when they turned around to see who was saying the prayer, and that was a blessing. I renewed some friendships and spent time with some great people.

In What Pleases God Part One we studied obedience to God. In Part Two we examine another form of obedience to God, Praise and Worship.

What Pleases God? Part Two

Psalm 97:10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his Godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.
A sincere purpose to please God will result in alignment of your desires with God’s desires. You will love what God loves, and hate what God hates. If you love the Lord you will hate evil. If you do not despise the actions of people who take advantage of others, if you admire people who only look out for themselves, or if you envy those who get ahead using any means to accomplish their ends, then your primary desire in life is not to please God. Learn to love God’s ways and hate evil in every form, the obvious sins and the socially acceptable ones.

Are your desires aligned with God’s desires?

How can we align our desires with God’s desires?

Praise and Worship

When should we give God praise and worship?

God alone is worthy of our devotion, praise and worship. He is God, our Creator, and we are commanded to praise and worship Him. Psalm 96:9 says, "Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth." Psalm 29:2 says, "Give unto the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

How does giving God praise and worship affect us?

God expects us to worship Him as an expression of reverence and thanksgiving to Him. But God wants even more than that. God also expects us to be obedient to Him. He wants not only for us to love Him; He wants us to act justly towards each other, to show love and compassion to others. In this way, we present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him. This glorifies God and is our “reasonable service”

Romans 12:1 -2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will."

When we worship with an obedient heart and an open and repentant spirit, God is glorified, Christians are purified, the church is edified and the lost are evangelized. These are all the elements of true worship.
Praise and worship seems to be universal. Have you ever heard of an explorer finding a new tribe or culture that doesn't worship? Worship is a natural instinct and a basic need for every person. Since we all worship, we should question the reason for this desire.

Why do we have this desire to worship?

The most logical conclusion is that we were created by a higher being for the very purpose of worship.

God is the focus of our devotion in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In Exodus 20:2-3, God says, "I am the LORD your God .....You shall have no other gods before me." In Matthew 4:10, Jesus says, "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." So, worship is not merely a natural instinct, it's a command from God.

A.W. Tozer said, "Without worship, we go about miserable." God doesn't want us to be miserable -- He has a perfect plan for our lives. He has done so many things to show us that He loves us and doesn't want us to be miserable. He wants us to have hope for a future with Him --he wants us to have eternal life in heaven with Him. A life of praise and worship fills our deepest needs, and amazingly, it also brings great joy to God.

Zephaniah 3:14-17 ( read )

The Lord himself will remove his hand of judgment, disperse Israel’s enemies, and come to live among his people. He will give them gladness. Zephaniah points out that gladness results when we allow God to be with us. We do that by faithfully following Him and obeying his commands. Then God rejoices over us with singing. If you want to be happy, draw close to the source of happiness by obeying God!

Praise and Worship - How do we do it?

God tells us how to praise and worship him in His Word. John 4:23 says, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

How can we worship God in Spirit and truth?

In order to worship God in truth, we need to know that Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." So, before you can worship in the way that God desires, you have to develop a relationship with Him through faith in Jesus, His Son.

Love from the Heart

Many people think that praise and worship is only singing songs at church, but it is so much more! It is also a condition of your heart -- a willingness to exalt God and yield to his will. Worship is an expression of love and awe to the God who gives us more than we deserve. Whether you express your worship by singing, playing music, dancing or in some other way, remember that you are called to worship God with your every action, every day of your life. God is holy, loving, and worthy of all our worship and devotion.

Deueronomy 6:5 "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

What Pleases God? Part One

2009-11-14T07:35:00.001-08:00

Last night our Life Group was invited off site from our house where we usually meet. I met our host's John and Holly Boswell at a Gala for Urban Youth Impact on Tuesday night(at their house).John and I got to talking and he asked to join our bible study this week, and could we have it at his house.The interactive study of God's word was great, the Holy Spirit was definitly present, and with us in our prayer time.Our host's put out an awesome, delicious spread of smoked fish, cheese, and fruit. Writing this bible study has been a very interesting journey. From the moment God laid this message on my heart(last Tues morning), I have been overwhelmed with service in the mission field and divine appointments. However, the Lord allowed me enough time to get back to it and work on it.

What Pleases God ?

Read Galatians 1:1-10 ( NLT )

Do you spend your life trying to please everybody? The Apostle Paul felt that he had to speak harshly to the Church in Galatia, because he felt that they were in serious danger. Paul was not apologetic for his straight forward words, knowing that he could not serve Christ faithfully if he allowed the Galatian Church to remain on the wrong track.

Don’t give up on the 39th day, like the people of Israel, who built a golden calf just one day short of Moses return with the Ten Commandments on the 40th day.

Verse 10 "Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant."

Paul was being followed and harrased at the time by Judaizers, a group that believed basically in Christ, but felt that the Christian converts should strictly follow the Jewish laws. They did not believe in the free gift of grace in salvation. They still felt that you had to earn your salvation.
What does Paul mean with this statement, ”if pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”?

Whose approval are you seeking, others or God’s?

Obedience

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Blessings for Obedience

Verse 1-2 ( NLT ) "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commandments that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God."

“There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make makes you.” John Wooden

In the book “The Choices is yours” by John Maxwell, he teaches that Attitude is a choice and Character is a choice, and that the choices we make impact us and others forever.

Do you always make good choices?

What can you do to make better choices?

Let it be done to you according to your faith.

In Greek, faith and belief are the same word.

I have found recently that some of the valleys that I am going through are not humanly possible to change, now. However, with God all things are possible. I have decided that I will praise my way through the valley, and I will give God praise when I win, and I will give God praise when I lose.

Isn’t obedience to God especially important when you are in the valley, being tested and Standing on God‘s promises?

The God on the mountain is the God in the Valley.

How have you handled your valley?

Are you willing to obey God, even when you don’t feel like it?

Ever feel like not obeying God?

What is the consequence?

Give when others take, love when others hate, help when others abuse.

John and Holly our host’s tonight just had an event here at their home for Urban Youth Impact an organization that gives in a community where there is a lot of abuse. And coming up on December 19th you too can be a part of the Love shared to that community through a Christmas Store event with Urban Youth Impact. A lot of us here in this group helped out last year, and years before and we look forward to serving again this year.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others before yourself.

By giving up your own rights to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.

How can we demonstrate this principal in today’s world? How do you?

“Anything that cannot be taught during trials and tribulations is not of God. Life will make you bitter or better. Al Brown

Romans 5:3-4

John 14:21

When we live by his standards, he will not leave us: he will come to us, he will be in us, and he will show himself to us. Jesus said that his followers show their love for him by obeying him. Love is more than lovely words, it is commitment and conduct. If you love Christ, then prove it by obeying what he says in his word.

What is the most important thing that a husband and wife, or anyone in any relationship needs to have with each other?

When you trust the other person in a relationship, isn’t that important. God wants to trust us, to obey his commands. And when we accomplish that, then God gives us more; more blessings, more territory, more relationships that are impacting to his Kingdom

John 5:3-4

* 1 Samuel 15:22

Matthew 28:19-20

*Romans 6:16

Amneasia iMAX 11.07.09

2009-11-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

Amnesia: Who Am I? Part One

In A Nutshell

Who am I in Christ? As Christians we have eternal hope in our born again life. We are forgiven, set free, and redeemed in the blood of the Lamb. When we asked Jesus into our hearts we were sanctified, set apart, and forgiven of our sins. We are a citizen of the Kingdom of God, accepted, secure, and significant. God has loved us from the beginning. Sometimes we get amnesia and forget that we are children of the Most High God and don’t let God be God in our daily lives.

Talk It Out

1. Do you believe daily that God is in control, and surrender the wheel to him in your daily drive? Or do you prefer control, and hold back letting God’s will be done in your life?
2. Add up everything you have that money can’t buy and death can’t take away, and that is your True Worth. It is the sum total of everything God has given you that will still have value in eternity. Talk about this amongst your group and discover what your Net Worth is!
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it talks about Christians being a new creation. We are not the same anymore with our new life serving a new Master. We as believers are changed from within, with a new mission and creative energy that has begun with our Christ conversion. We look at people and things differently. How does your life reflect this new perspective?
4. Prayer Changes Things and prayer changes us. Take some time to pray with your group about remembering who we are in Christ, how we can be useful to serve the Kingdom of God, and what legacy we can leave behind.

Draw It Out

We are not worthy to receive the riches that God has given us in Christ Jesus. It is only by Christ’s sacrifice, and his blood covering that we have received the free gift of grace that frees us from our flesh birth to be re-born in Christ, and to be that new creation in Christ. So remember each day who you are in Christ, and walk in principles, and trust God to be your leader in all you do. You are loved, chosen and justified.

“Good morning, this is God, I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help, so relax, and have a great day!”

Matthew 8 / Miraculous Power

2009-10-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been entering some older bible studies into Justice Fighter blog as I hadn't writen any new ones. Recently in a bible study that I attend with Pastor Tom Mullins, he stated that he might like to do a study on Matthew 8 sometime. So I wrote this and plan to use it sometime with our Life group, right now we are in the middle of an excellent bible study by Pastor Jim Cymbala, Brooklyn Tabernacle Church. Tonight is a celebration for the leadership team at Royal Palm Beach Christ Fellowship, in honor of 25 years, and to honor Pastor Tom and Donna Mullins. I am looking forward to it.

Matthew 8 / Miraculous Power

Jesus liked to teach on a mountainside and the crowds could gather below. In Matthew 7 Jesus is teaching about judgment, asking persistently, the Golden Rule, the way to heaven, being fruitful and building a house on solid rock. The crowds were amazed at his authority and teaching. In Matthew 8 Jesus comes down the mountainside toward the crowd and performs many miracles.

Read verse 1-4

Sin is an incurable disease…..and we all have it.

Christ’s healing touch can miraculously take away our sins and restore us to real living. But first, just like the leper we must realize our inability to cure ourselves, and ask for Christ’s saving help.
Lepers were universally scorned by society and religion. They were especially despised by the Rabbis, who saw their state as the particular judgment of God.
The leper in this story has no doubt whatsoever about the ability of Jesus to heal. His only question is if.

verse 2

This leper wants more than healing. He wants cleansing, not only from the leprosy, but from all its debilitating effects on his life and soul.
In addition, this is the first place in the gospel where Jesus is called Lord; a term that was particularly meaningful in light of the fact that the word Lord was used to translate the Hebrew word Yahweh (the actual name of God)
He put out His hand and touched him: This is a bold and compassionate touch from Jesus. It was against the ceremonial law to touch a leper, which made the touch all the more meaningful to the afflicted man. Of course, as soon as Jesus touched him, he was no longer a leper.
Jesus commands the healed man to give testimony of his healing to the priests only.

Read verse 5-13

The centurion shows great faith… in Jesus’ word.
He understands that Jesus can heal with His word just as easily as with a touch. And he said, for I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: The centurion also knew about the military chain of command, and how the orders of one in authority were unquestioningly obeyed - he sees that Jesus has at least that much authority. He could have let many obstacles stand between him and Jesus-pride, doubt, money, language, distance, time, self-sufficiency, power, and race. But he didn’t.

What keeps you from relying on Christ?

But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed: The centurion fully understands that Jesus’ healing power was not some sort of magic trick that required the magician’s presence. Instead he knew Jesus had true authority, and can command things to be done and completed outside His immediate presence.
When Jesus heard it, He marveled: The man’s understanding of Jesus’ spiritual authority made Jesus marvel. His simple confidence in the ability of Jesus’ mere word to heal shows a faith that is free of any superstitious reliance on merely external things.
This was truly great faith, worthy of praise.
As well, Jesus reminds his Jewish listener’s that just as the Gentile’s racial identity is no automatic bar to the kingdom, their racial identity is no guarantee of the kingdom.

verse 14-15

Has God ever helped you through a dangerous or difficult situation?
Peter saw his wife’s mother lying sick: This clearly establishes the fact that Peter was married. The Roman Catholic church teaches that all priests must be celibate and unmarried, but the one they would call the first and greatest pope was certainly married. Peter’s mother-in-law gives us a beautiful example to follow, her response to Jesus touch was to immediately wait on Jesus and hid disciples.
If so, you should ask, how can I express my gratitude to him? Because God has promised us all the rewards of his kingdom, we should look for ways to serve him and his followers now.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another

verse 6-17

Jesus’ care for the individual is shown by the implication that Jesus dealt with each person individually, not in some cold, "assembly line" procedure. Matthew rightly sees this as a partial fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 53, which primarily refers to spiritual healing, but also definitely includes physical healing. In this, Matthew shows Jesus as the true Messiah in delivering people from the bondage of sin and the effects of a fallen world.
This section of Matthew shows four different people being healed, each one different from the other.

Different people were healed:

- A Jew with no social or religious privileges. The leper.
- A Gentile member of the army occupying and oppressing Israel. The soldier.
- A woman, related to one of Jesus’ devoted followers. Peter’s mother.
- Unnamed multitudes.The crowd.

Their requests were made in different ways:

- A direct request from the sufferer, made in his own faith.
- A request from one man for another, made in faith on behalf of a suffering man.
- No request made because Jesus came to the sufferer, so there was no evidence of faith from the healed.

Sufferers that were brought to Jesus, with different kinds of faith. Jesus used different methods to heal:

- Jesus used a touch that was forbidden.
- Jesus used a word spoken from afar.
- Jesus used a tender touch.
- Jesus used a variety of unnamed methods.

From all this, we understand that physical healing is an area where God especially shows His sovereignty, and He does things as He pleases, not necessarily as men might expect

Jesus teaches on discipleship.

verse 18-22

I will follow You wherever You go

verse 19

With the miracles associated with the ministry of Jesus, following Him might have seemed more "glamorous" than it really was. Jesus may have received many spontaneous offers like this.
Jesus tells them “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” Jesus didn’t tell the man "No, you can’t follow Me." But He told him the truth, without painting a glamorized version of what it was like to follow Him.
This is exactly the opposite of the technique used by many evangelists today, but Jesus wanted the man to know what it would really be like.
Lord, let me first go and bury my father: v.21-22

Actually, this man did not ask for permission to dig a grave for his deceased father. He wanted to remain in his father’s house and care for him until the father died. This was obviously an indefinite period, which could drag on and on.

Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead:

Jesus clearly states the principle that family obligations - or any other obligation - must not be put ahead of following Jesus
Unlike most modern evangelists, He was interested more in quality than in quantity. "Nothing has done more harm to Christianity than the practice of filling the ranks of Christ’s army with every volunteer who is willing to make a little profession, and to talk fluently of experience. Jesus wanted those who would come after him, to take up their cross and follow him. He wanted them to count the cost before committing to be a disciple.

Jesus with the disciples in the boat verse 23-25

The Sea of Galilee is well known for its sudden, violent storms. The severity of this storm is evident in the fact that the disciples (many of which were experienced fishermen on this very sea) were terrified. Jesus’ true humanity is shown by His sleep on the boat. He became weary, and would sometimes need to catch sleep wherever He could.

verse 26-27

Jesus rebuked their fear and unbelief, not their request or waking Him. We shouldn’t think that Jesus was "cranky" from being awakened. Their problem was fear, and fear and unbelief go together. When we trust God as we should, there is little room for fear. Jesus didn’t merely quiet the wind and the sea; He rebuked the winds and the sea. This, together with the disciple’s great fear and what Jesus will encounter at His destination has led some to believe that there is some type of spiritual attack in the storm. The disciples are amazed. Such a powerful display over creation leads them to ask, Who can this be? It can only be the Lord, Jehovah, who only has this power and authority.

O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds You. You rule the raging of the sea; when waves rise, You still them. (Psalm 89:8-9)

v.28-29

There met Him two demon-possessed men: The other gospel accounts mention only one of these men. This must be because there was one that was far more severe in his state of demonic possession, having many demons.
The demons knew who Jesus was (Jesus, You Son of God), even if the disciples didn’t (Who can this be? in Matthew 8:27).
Have You come here to torment us before the time? These demons also knew of both their immediate destiny (to be cast out) and their ultimate destiny (to suffer everlasting torment).

verse 30-34

The fact that the demons immediately drove the swine to destruction helps explain why Jesus allowed the demons to enter the pigs - because He wanted everyone to know what the real intention of these demons was. They wanted to destroy the man just as they destroyed the pigs. Because men are made in the image of God, they could not have their way as easily with the man, but their intention was just the same: to completely destroy him.
Jesus allowed the demons to enter the swine to indicate beyond question that their real purpose was the total destruction of their host.
Wasn’t this unfair to the owner of the pigs? "‘But the owners of the swine lost their property.’ Yes, and learn from this how small value temporal riches are in the estimation of God. He suffers them to be lost, sometimes to disengage us from them through mercy; sometimes out of justice, to punish us for having acquired or preserved them either by covetousness or injustice We would think that the people of the region would be happy that these two demon-possessed men had been delivered. Perhaps they were more interested in their pigs than in people.

A Few Good Men Part 1 of 4

2009-09-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

Last summer Carol and I went on a 16 day cruise in Alaska. To get there we had to start off in Vancouver. We had booked into the "wrong" hotel across town from our friends we were cruising with because she gave us the wrong chain name by accident, and then it was non-refundable.
On the way back we came in early and spent a day in Vancouver. While Carol took a nap I went out to search for a church for a Sunday eve service? I came back to the room and told Carol I had found a church for a 6:00 service, it was a block away from the "wrong hotel" we were staying at, and we walked over. As we entered, we were looking at 5 people including the Pastor, who was on a small keyboard in front of the first pew.He asked us if we needed help, and I said that we were here for the service.He preached well that night and took us out to dinner after, and then drove us around Vancouver for hours on a great tour.I told him after the sermon a little about my walk and that I was a Top Gun 2 teacher. Later when we e-mailed, he said to me " the only thing more miraculous than a Top Gun 2 guy meeting me that night would have been if Tom Cruise himself had walked in too.
THE MESSAGE THAT NIGHT WAS CALLED:

A FEW GOOD MEN

A Few Good Men Part 2 of 4

2009-09-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

A Few Good Men 06.15.08 Renaissance Christian Church Pastor Jim Kelly

Phillippians 2:19-30

I plan (according to Jesus' plan), to send Timothy to you very soon, so that he can bring back all the good news of you that he can gather. Oh how that will do my heart good! I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinly concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy's the real thing. He has been a devoted son to me, as together we have delivered the message. As soon as I see how things are going to fall out for me here, I plan to send him off. And then I am hoping and praying to be right on his heels.

But for right now, I'm dispatching Epaphroditus my good friend and companion in my work. You sent him to help me out; now I'm sending him to help you out. He has been wanting in the worst way to get back with you. Especially since recovering from the illness you heard about, he's been wanting to get back and reaasure you that he is just fine. He nearly died , as you know, but God had mercy on him. And not only on him - he had mercy on me too. His death would have been one huge grief, piled on top of all others.

So you can see why i am so delighted to send him to you. When you see him again, hale and hearty, how you'll rejoice and how relieved I will be. Give him a grand welcome, a joyful embrace. People like him deserve the best that you can give. Remember the ministry to me that you started but were unable to complete? Well in the process of finishing up that work he put his life on the line and nearly died doing it.

We have all heard the advertisement by the Marine Corp. where they say " we are looking for a few good men." They are not the only ones looking for good men. In fact God is looking for a few good men. It may have been E. M. Bounds who said " Men are looking for better methods while God is looking for better men.

A Few Good Men Part 3 of 4

2009-09-27T19:53:00.000-07:00

The more I learn of God's work, the more certain I am that God's primary purpose is to make you a Godly man or woman. He is less concerned about what we may experience in life, and more concerned about how we respond to our circumstances. He is less concerned about ideology and prosperity, and more concerned about your character development. As Paul said "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus"

We often get off course by looking at the work of the Lord in terms of common definitions of success. Sometimes we believe that God wants us to build bigger church buildings. Many times success is measured in terms of the 3 B's; buildings, bodies, and budgets. Those that have the most are considered successful. I'm not against any of those things, but you can have those things in abundance and fail to be successful in life, and in God's eyes. It's possible to gather lots of people in a church building; you may have a crowd, but not a church. What makes the difference is the transforming power of God changing lives.

One of the questions that each of us needs to struggle with as Christians is this: Is my life being changed? Think about it: Are you growing in Christ? Are you farther along this year than you were last year? Are you becoming more like Christ on the inside?

Life transformation is the path we must walk. Everything flows from that. Whatever else we may accomplish - whatever we may call success - is not success at all unless it flows from a life that has been touched by God's transforming power. God has called us to live lives that are authentically Christian. By that I mean lives that have been and are being transformed into the image of Christ. That means that our lives reflect our faith in pratical ways. our belief impacts our behavoir.

This was certainly the case with the men mentioned in our text. Timothy and Epaphroditus are singled out by Paul as men who examplify what true servants of the Lord are like. They are authentic Christians in the way they conduct their lives. They are people of good character. They are good men. Their faith had led them to greater faithfullness. Paul points to them and shares reasons why they are worth emulating. We will look at six characteristics that they displayed, which we also need to develop in our lives in order to be truly devoted followers of Christ.

Let's look first at the life of Timothy. We will see four characteristics that set him apart.

1. Integrity
Timothy was a man of integrity. Paul said of Timothy, “I have no one else like him.” Paul esteemed Timothy very highly. He was a man that Paul could trust because he had integrated his faith into every area of his life, which is what made him a person of integrity. Integrity means that you are an integrated whole, that you are who you appear to be. As a Christian, being a person of integrity means that the faith you proclaim is foundational to how you live your life. Listen to Proverbs 11:20 (NLT) The lord hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity.
How we need to emphasize that in the church today. Research suggests that an amazing number of Christians do not claim to know Christ. It does not seem that their faith has made them faithful. For many, faith resides in the realm of theoretical, rather than practical. It is no wonder that the church is theoretical rather than practical. It is no wonder that the church is not making the difference that it could. It is not making a difference because the people who call themselves Christians are not different!
Timothy was different. He was a man Paul could count on. He was a fully devoted follower of Christ and it was reflected in his lifestyle.

2. Followship

Another character we see in Timothy is something I might call followship. By followship I mean that he was willing to learn, he had a teachable spirit, and he put himself in a position to learn all he could by following Paul. Paul said that “ as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”
This is really just another name for discipleship, but I am using it because it expresses the essence of what discipleship really means. To be a disciple is to be a follower, a learner, an apprentice. It means that I make a serious effort, by God’s grace., to walk as he walked, and to live as he lived. His life is a pattern for mine if I am to be a fully devoted follower of his: Jesus said, ”Follow me.” And Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”
In Timothy’s life, he understood that he couldn’t do it on his own. He submitted himself to the ministry of the Apostle Paul, and learned from this man of God. Paul taught him, challenged him, and even corrected him-perhaps even rebuked him. Can you imagine yourself in a situation like that? Why, most Christians today would not tolerate a good rebuke. Oh how we need to develop this spirit of followship today.

3. Selflessness“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:20-21
That Timothy was selfless is evident, but he was more than merely selfless for the sake of others. He didn’t just see a need and give himself to meet the need, his selflessness was a result of Christ being his top priority. He was reflecting the nature and character of Christ in his life.
Because he was following Christ, he cared for the need of others. The interests of Christ were to minister to the needs of the Christians in Philippi. Timothy knew this and responded to it. Paul indicates that most did not. It is much the same in our day, isn’t it? In fact selfishness is a virtue in many quarters. Look out for number one, demand your rights. Don’t take anything off of anyone. Greed is good, or so the litany goes. In fact when you meet someone who isn’t selfish, you are almost shocked. And if you meet someone who goes out of their way to help you, you might begin to wonder if they have an ulterior motive. That’s the way we think about selflessness because we live in a world of selfish people.
As followers of the one who laid his life down for his enemies, we should reflect his love and compassion for others. We should count it an honor to go out of our way for someone else. Isn’t that what he would do?
We should all be concerned about our neighbor and the good things that will build his faith. Christ did not think only of himself. Romans 15:2-3

A Few Good Men part 4 of 4

2009-09-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

4. Perseverance
But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with hid father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. V.22
Another character quality that we see in Timothy is that his character had been proven through his faithful work with Paul. And the reason that it was proven was because Timothy had perseverance. Without perseverance Timothy could not have become the man he was-a man of integrity, a true follower of Christ, with a selfless concern for others. Timothy hung in there. He refused to quit.
Perseverance is absolutely essential for us to cultivate if we want to follow Christ, because there will be times that are tough. There will be times when we feel like giving up. There will be times of temptation. There will be times of testing. Satan will attack us. People will oppose us. We will even disappoint ourselves. At times like these, we will feel like quitting. That’s when we need this quality characteristic of perseverance. Indeed perseverance is one of the characteristics that we are told we must cultivate and develop in our Christian lives.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, Godliness; and to Godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure; they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:5-8
The quality of perseverance is one of the things that will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our walk with Christ. And how do we cultivate perseverance? Look at another important passage of Scripture: Consider it joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Notice that it says the testing of your faith is what develops perseverance. In other words, when we stand up to the trial or test, and refuse to quit, perseverance begins to grow in us. And the more we endure, the more perseverance we attain.
Illustrations abound of the lack of perseverance in our society. People seem inclined to quit almost everything they start. They quit school. They quit jobs. They quit marriages. They quit responsibilities to their families. They quit church. And the list goes on. It has been said that a failure is not someone who fails, but someone who quits. Some of the great inventors, like Thomas Edison, had thousands of failures before they had their breakthrough. Edison and Bell didn’t fail because they didn’t quit. As a result, we are enjoying the fruit of their labors today.
What about you? How do you rate your perseverance quotient? Do you quickly give up, or do you hang in there when the going gets tough?

5. Servanthood
Now we can turn our attention to Epaphroditus. And one of the first things we see is that Paul valued him immensely. He had been sent to minister to Paul’s needs, and he had rendered valuable service to Paul. Indeed, Paul tells us how highly he thought of him by the terms he uses to describe him. He calls him his brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier. These terms indicate that Epaphroditus was an asset to Paul’s ministry. The Philippians sent him as a messanger to take care of Paul. Perhaps he was chosen because he had the heart of a servant. He certainly displayed that in the behavior towards Paul, and it is characteristic that should mark true servants of Jesus Christ. Listen to something else Paul said,” We don’t go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord. All we say about ourselves is that weyou’re your servants because of what Jesus has done for us.
2 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)
Jesus himself did not come to be served, but to serve, and all who want to serve him need to have a servants heart.

6. Sacrifice
Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. V 29-30
A final character quality we will note today is the quality of being willing to make a sacrifice for the sake of the cause. Epaphroditus had this quality. He risked his life for the sake of the work of God. He was willing to undertake the long journey to Paul, and was also willing to suffer whatever consequences came with the effort. He knew the risks, but he went anyway. He could have stayed home where he would have been safe and comfortable, but he was needed, so he volunteered to go to Paul and bring the aid he needed to the church in Philippi.
Epaphroditus had courage, it is true, but not just courage. He gave up significant comforts and laid his very life on the line for the sake of the work of the Lord. He wasn’t just brave, he was committed.
How about us? Are we willing to lay our lives on the line for the sake of the Gospel? Are we willing to pay the price necessary, whatever it is, to see the work of God succeed/ Are we willing to make a sacrifice?
These character qualities we have briefly reviewed reflect lives that are growing in the image of Christ. They reflect people who are growing in faith and faithfulness. They reflect authentic Christian character.
How do you rate in these areas? Integrity: Are you seeking to allow the Lordship or rule of Christ to impact every area of your life; every behavior, thought, decision, and choice? Followship: Do you have an independent spirit, or even a rebellious spirit? Are you willing to learn, take direction, and even correction? Selflessness: Are you concerned for others, or only for yourself? Does your commitment to Christ lead you to reach out? Perseverance: Do you hang in there when it gets tough, or do you quit? Servant-hood: Do you see your ministry as one of serving the spiritual needs of others? Sacrifice: Are you willing to give even when it hurts, even when it costs you?
As we mature in Christ, these qualities and others like them will characterize our lives. We see them in Christ and we are being made in his image. What a joy that would be to stand before Christ. The lord of the universe, and hear him say” Looking at your character is like looking in a mirror: I see myself in you.

Well done my good and faithful servant!”

Pay It Forward

2009-09-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

I wrote this iMAX guide for last weekend, but have been so busy I almost forgot to post it. I am now on staff at Christ Fellowship as a Community Life Champion. It is an Eagle postion. I work under Reid Smith and what a great opportunity this is. I am very excited about working in the areas I have been assigned! I hope to have impact in Kingdom business, and grow in leadership.

Pay It Forward 09.19.20

In A Nutshell

In Matthew 6:3-4 Jesus teaches us “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When we as Christians surrender to God’s will, and understand prayerfully that it is God our Father who has blessed us with our lives, our blessings, our talent, and our prosperity, then we can pray about how we can give back to others.

Talk It Out

1. 1 John 3:17 talks about having material possessions, in biblical times, and if you have, and do not help those in need, how can the love of God be in you? As you go after material possessions in your life, do you recognize that there are people around you in your community who have so much less and could use a little help? Talk in your Life group about where you could find a need and give.
2. Be intentional, make a plan, and discuss where you can serve together with your group. Is it collecting money to give to Places of Hope, Urban Youth Impact or other organizations that help those in need in our county? Or could you and your group find a place to donate your time. There are many places in need of people to make an event happen.
3. Read Philippians 2:3-4 and talk about how we all find it easy to think about ourselves. But God calls us to think about others, love our neighbors. Talk about thinking beyond yourselves. Who are your neighbors? In the Pay it Forward Principles #6 it says that a gift multiplies when it is passed on to others. Discuss how this is so.
4. Talk about your family budget and how you align your expenses and bills. Do you live beyond, right at, or below your means? Could you cut back somewhere so that you could give more freely and sacrificially.

Draw It Out

Your sacrifice is on a collision course with your miracle. Our One Life campaign is about giving beyond the ten percent tithing described in Malachi 3:10; where the Prophet Malachi says test God in this. This is the only place in the entire bible where you are asked to test God.
Giving is a joy that pleases God and impacts people. God delights in our cheerfulness in giving. Giving brings us closer to God. We will each be rewarded according to what we’ve done. God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but our standard of giving. Thank you for giving to the Lord!

Live It Out

1. Go online to www.gochristfellowship.com and pick a campus. The second tab going left to right is: Help people, click it, then click missions and outreach. You can find service projects and places to donate time and money.
2. Maybe money is tight in your group or family, discuss what your gifts are and look for a place where you can donate your time and serve.

The Kingdom of God

2009-09-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

Our life group has started a 6 week series called "When God's people pray" by Jim Cymbala, Pastor from Brooklyn Tabernacle Church. I had an appointment to go up there about a year ago and study Street Evangelism, Prayer Station Ministry, and pray with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Prayer Team. But life happened and money got real tight, I guess it wasn't God's plan. I started a Prayer Station Ministry here and we have done a few events. This is one of the first bible studies I wrote a while back.

The Kingdom of God

Luke 4:18-19 " The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has annointed me to preach the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and the recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

Dr. Myles Munroe says "Transform followers into leaders, and leaders into agents of change."

God is looking for people to follow him. That's why Jesus came to lead us and reconcile us back to God. The great commission that God gave to man originally was the commission of leadership. (pre-fall) To understand why God chooses to save humans it is important to realize what they fell from. We fell from Leadership, to dominate and rule the earth. The purpose for your salvation is not immediatly heaven... but restoration of your dominion over Earth.

Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) Then God said, " Let us make man in Our own image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over all the earth and everything that creeps over the Earth.

Here God use the word Us, which could be to denote majesty. (Kings traditionally use the plural form when speaking of themselves.) Or it could be a reference to the Trinity - God the father, Jesus Christ his son, and the Holy Spirit - all of whom are God.

The Holy Spirit present in creation:
Psalm 104:30 (NKJV) You send forth your Spirit they are created. And you renew the face of the earth.

Jesus present in creation: Colossians 1:16 "For by Him all things are created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him

John Maxwell says in Leadership Gold, "Live today the legacy you want to leave." In the book Today Matters John points out." The secret of a persons success is determined by their daily agenda. The sum of how you live each day, becomes your legacy" Most people don't get to choose how they're going to die. But they can choose how they're going to live. Plan your day and your life with goals, and devote time to spiritual disciplines (being in the word, etc) and prayer.

The Kingdom of God embraces all created intelligence, both in heaven and earth that are willingly subject to the Lord and are in fellowship with Him.

The Kingdom of God is therefore, universal in that it includes created Angels and men. It is eternal as God is eternal, and it is spiritual - found within all born again believers. We enter the Kingdom of God when we are Born Again, and we are then part of that kingdom for eternity. It is a relationship " born of the spirit"
John 3:5 and we have confident assurance that it is so because the Spirit bears witness with our spirits. Romans 8:16

Dr Myles Munroe " Visionary Leadership is a commitment to your vision, commit your vision to God, and remember that God will bring your vision to fullfillment."

Principles of prayer for vision:
1. To be successful in your vision, you must have a daily dynamic prayer life with God.
2. God is not only the author of your vision, but also your continuing support as you progress towards its fullfillment.
3. You will never acheive your vision without prayer, because prayer is what keeps you connected with the vision giver.
4. If you stay in touch with God,you will always be nourished in both life and vision.
5 Prayer sustains us in the demands of vision. God will bring you through your difficulties and give you the victory through prayer based on His Word.
6. Prayer encourages us to get back in the fight of faith.
7.Since prayer is where we receive the ability to continue the fight, it is crucial for us to find times during the day when we can go before God.
8.Prayer is the essential resource of vision. When people attack your dream, go to God. Remain connected to your source for the renewal of your purpose, faith, and strength, and you will be able to perservere to victory.
9. Prayer and communion with God gives us the power we need to fulfill our purposes in Him.

Matthew 6:33

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Mark 4:1-41

2009-09-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

A while back our Life Group did a bible study by Andy Stanley called " Go Fish". This was the next bible study we did, I wrote it as sort of a follow up. Some of my writing has been influenced by the many Pastor's I attend bible studies with. At this time I want to thank the Pastor's who share the teaching at the Gathering of Men, Primetime, Wednesday mornings at Schumacher Northlake. Emmanuel Jenkins,Lucky Arnold, Alex Bess, and Mark Miller, these men are inspiring in their teaching and I always learn so much from them.

Mark 4:1-41

We are in a spiritual crisis, and we need a spiritual stimulus plan. The Gospel of Mark centers our attention on Jesus as the agent of God, whose ministry of the Word and power demonstrate his transcendent authority and his absolute claim on our allegiance.

Transcendent = known to us, lives in us.

We are in sales, not management.

Mark asks us:

- To take our stand in the church, in a society that has become thoroughly secular in its orientation and values. (the condition of our hearts)
- To recognize the cost of discipleship and to refuse to trivialize the call to cross bearing. (counting the cost of following Jesus)
- To examine the quality of our commitment to Jesus and to respond to him with uncomprimising loyalty. (to be rooted in and grounded in the Word)
- To acknowledge the authority of Jesus to compel our obedience in every area of life and to respond with integrity.
- To be prepared for the spiritual conflict that commited discipleship always provokes.
- To translate Christian devotion into humble service to the people of God.
- To display a quality of life that will make Jesus visible to a broken and dying world. (everything that we do must be backed by scripture)

What is a parable?

Parable = Earthly story with Heavenly meaning.

Mark uses the word parable 7 times in this chapter.

The word parable means: "throw alongside". In a parable we throw that which is familiar alongside that which is unfamiliar so that the unfamiliar can become familiar. And the sense of a parable is, if you can see and understand that, you should be able to see and understand this.

Jesus used this approach so that he could arouse the careless and instruct the concerned, and yet conceal the truth from his enemies who would use it against him.

Matthew 7:6 Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls then turn and attack you.

Mark 4 presents four responsibilities of God's people.

Our Pastor Tom Mullins reminded us in Branded 212 Part One, that we have a responsibility to our commitment to Christ, and to be trustworthy and offer our lives as a living sacrifice.

Sowing Read verse 1-20

1. The footpath: represents those who hear but don't receive. Satan comes at once and takes it away.
2. Rocky soil: Those who receive the message with joy, but have not got roots, and it doesn't last. Problems arise, and they fall away.
3. Thorny ground: Those with a carnal heart, a double life. They receive the Word but leave church on Sunday and go back to acting in a worldly way. May bear fruit but, it doesn't ripen.
4. Fertile soil/Good ground: Those with prepared hearts.(Matthew 24-40)

Your faith doesn't grow, it is what it is, confidence grows.

Read Romans 5:3-5

Disciples will have fruitful lives. If you speak the truth all the time you will have more time, because some people will not hang around.

2 Peter 3:18 Unless our hearts are prepared to receive the seed of the Word, we cannot grow in grace or knowledge.

What does the "seed of the Word " mean? Read verse 20.

Today, anyone who shares God's Word with others is sowing seed. God's Word is living and powerful, and when cultivated, can bear fruit.

What does "produce fruit" mean?

There are forces that fight against the seed bearing fruit. As we sow the seed in our preaching, teaching, and witnessing, we must not become discouraged, because God will use his Word as he sees fit, and it will not be wasted. Neither should we become elated over a false growth. (There is a suggestion here that Satan will encourage a false growth tha will give opportunity for the enemy to work).

A Mustard seed is tiny but when grown produces a large shrub, not a tree. Read verse 30-34

Become the Word, sow the Word, you are the only Bible some people will see.
The Word is light. Read John 1:1-5 Study the Word, know Jesus. Read 1 Peter 2:9

SHUT UP, GIVE UP, GROW UP, GET UP

Shining

Read verse 21-25 The word "hear" is used 13 times in this chapter and refers to the receiving of God's truth into the inner person, just the way soil receives the seed. We must be careful how we hear, and what we hear because this determines what we have to share with others. Read Luke 12:48 We do not receive the Word so that we can enjoy it all ourselves. We receive the Word so that we might share it just as a lamp gives itself to provide light for the house.

Reaping Read verse 26-29

All we can do is sow the seed. God alone can give the increase. We cannot make the seed grow, and we don't fully understand how it grows. Our task is to sow the seed and be alert when the harvest is ready. Read Matthew 9:37

Trusting Read verse 35-41

There will be a test. The disciples had heard the Word but failed the test. When Christ is in the boat you can smile at the storm, if your faith is in him alone. Our faith in his Word is tested by the storms of life.

God's Word will never fail

What's impossible with God?

Honor Guard Friday Morning Prayer Meeting 09.04.09

2009-09-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

I faithfully attend the Honor Guard Friday Morning Prayer Meeting. This morning Al Brown spoke, again. Here are some of the notes I took.

God's will grows on you, as you seek it.
The greatest lessons we learn are in the dark times.
God knows what we need, he even knows the things we need that we don't even know yet.
God knows what we don't know, and what he needs to do to get us to learn it.
Most people don't believe in miracles ...until they need one.
Humility is the foundation on which everything is built.
The Book of James is the proverbs of the New Testament.

* What we believe determines how we behave, how we pray, how we respond or react.

React; The flesh takes control
Respond; The Spirit takes over.

The circling buzzard said " Patience heck I'm gonna go kill something.

Steven was the seed that Paul grew out of. He responded, he didn't react...and the heaven's opened up.

If God was small enough for us to understand, he wouldn't be big enough to help us.
Trust Him.

Philippians 4:8 New International Version
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

The Power of a God Encounter

2009-08-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend at Church we had Brian Houston from Hillsong Church Australia. He is a world class Pastor, and we had a very strong Altar Call and response at all of our services. I had the honor and blessing to write this week's iMAX guide for Brian's message.

The Power of a God Encounter
August 29-30, 2009
In a Nutshell-

Don’t underestimate what God can do in your life. Luke 1:37 says: “For nothing is impossible with God”. As you make the choice to ask Jesus into your life, and walk in God’s principles, the Holy Spirit gives birth in you to a new life, and you begin to feel God’s power working through you. Walk by faith, not by sight. Faith is the power of putting self aside so that God may work unhindered. Be a doer of the word, not just a hearer of the word and you can make a difference in life.

Talk It Out

1.In Acts 9:3-9 Saul has a God encounter with Jesus. He comes away from this experience totally transformed. A God encounter has the potential to radically transform your life. Have you ever had a God encounter? What was it like? How did it transform you?
2. A God encounter will bring you closer to God. If you have never written down your testimony try doing so and go over it with your group next week when you meet again. It should be something you can tell someone in 3-5 minutes, and you can use your testimony as a powerful witnessing tool. It should have 3 parts. Your life before Christ, your conversion experience (how you met Jesus), and your life after asking Jesus into your life.
3. When we have asked Jesus into our lives it leads us on a journey that connects us with God’s direction and purpose for our lives. Have your priorities changed, the things that bring you joy, how you spend your time? Look at your checkbook, has where you are writing checks changed from before you came to faith? Talk about how you have changed in your life from your past before accepting Christ.

Draw It Out-

The arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own. Put on the Gospel armor, and each piece put on with prayer. Ephesians 6:10 says “Finally be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power”. Faith is the most powerful force God has given us. At the end of the day, faith means letting God be God. With faith we can move mountains and receive remarkable answers to prayers. Prayer changes things, and prayer changes us. Pray with fellow believers and with your family and believe that God’s power will work in your life.

Fireproof Your Faith / FYL3

2009-08-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

This is my third in a series of sharing ways to Fireproof Your Life.I am looking forward to sharing this with our small group tomorrow night.We all met for dinner the other night at Applebee's and there was 15 of us, and it was great fellowship and food.
So let's not put God in a box,let's trust God to be God,and walk by faith not by sight!

Fireproof your Faith /FYL3

What are you trusting God for today?

Many Christians haven’t trusted God for anything since trusting Him for salvation, which is why saints burn out. They walk by sight, not by faith. Everybody wants great faith. Not everybody is willing to pay the price. Let your spouse or friend see your faith and say, “I want faith like that”. Faith does not mean expecting God to provide a new car, on the spot healing, or lots of money.

What does faith men to you?

Definitions of faith:
- At the end of the day, faith means letting God be God.
- Faith is the capacity to trust God while not being able to make sense out of everything.
- Faith is the power of putting self aside so that God may work unhindered.
- Faith is not idle; it works while it waits.

Faith according to Hebrews 11:1 is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith is tied to words like knowing, believing, and obeying the truth. If you don’t truly trust in God, you can never walk by faith.

Psalm 9:10 says, “those who know your name will put their trust in you.”
What does the word know mean here?

Faith is the starting point on the road to obedience. It is our foundation and sustaining strength in the storms of life. Faith is believing what you say about God, and living it out.

Noah built an ark, by faith. Abraham set out for a city. Joseph hung in there and became the second most powerful man in the known world, and his family and people’s redeemer. Joshua went forward into the Promised land. David went from shepard to king of Israel. Elijah expected fire from heaven. Peter got out of the boat and walked on water.

Mark 9:22-24 …have mercy on us and help us if you can. What do you mean, if I can? Jesus asked. Anything is possible if a person believes. The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me with my unbelief!”

Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus. If we want God’s sustaining power in our lives during difficult times, we need to flex our faith muscles. It’s not the size but the object of our faith that matters. Mountain moving faith is in the power of God. Mustard seed faith doesn’t see the obstacles; it focuses on our God, who is greater than any obstacle we might face. When we go through the fire of the storms of life, we have a choice: Do we believe God or do we quit? Pass or fail the fire inspection?

Psalm 37: 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread

This scripture is beautifully explained in Matthew 6:24-33 Verse thirty-three is the summarizing passage: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things (food, drink, and clothing) shall be added unto you.” The teaching is not that these things will miraculously appear in front of us, but God will providentially aid the faithful in procuring the necessities to sustain life!

Would you agree, and why?

Genesis 16 Abraham as years went by decided to help God out. He tired of waiting on God’s promise to him. He listened to his wife who suggested that he sleep with her servant Hagar to have a child. In Genesis 21 Sarah his wife does get pregnant as God promised. Sometimes we can get ahead of God’s timing and try to help him out. It doesn’t usually work out so good. The sign on my refrigerator at home says: Good morning, this is God. I will be handling all of your problems today. I will not need your help, so relax and have a nice day.
The larger the God we know, the larger your faith will be. You must be in God’s word regularly to keep your relationship with Him fresh. We can’t force God’s promises; we can only trust Him to fulfill them in His own time and way. There may be a time when it is hard to find God in your fire, but you can always trust that he is in there. Just look at Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:19-30 Until we’ve thrown ourselves on God’s mercy, and seen God in the storm, we haven’t looked with the eyes of faith. We will all be tested. God fulfilled his promise to Abraham with Isaac. Abraham could take credit for Ismael.

What’s impossible with God?

I was at a gathering thursday morning with 650 men. Our speaker was Captain Chris Plekenpol. Chris had some awesome tales of faith in the fog of war, and one thing that he said that stood out was; “You can never let your circumstances determine God’s presense”. No matter what you are going through God will not leave you.
A fireproof faith has confidence in God. A fireproof faith does not ignore or deny problems. A fireproof faith is expressed through confidence in the Word of God. A fireproof faith must become a way of life. We conclude that a person has God's approval by faith, not by his own efforts. Ephesians 6:10 says “Finally be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power”. Faith is the most powerful force God has given us. With faith we can move mountains and receive remarkable answers to prayers. Prayer changes things, and prayer changes us.

Have you received answers to prayer? Try journaling your prayers and then you can look back on them and see what God has done in your life.

Romans 5:1-4 (New Living Translation)

Faith Brings Joy

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation

Jude 1:20-25 (The Message)

But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!
Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven. (Don’t hate the player, hate the game.)
And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Amen.
What does it mean to you that God is guarding you from falling ? ...

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Holding fast is the first indication of faithfulness, but our understanding increases when we know the word translated "faithful" is the same word translated "faithfulness" in Galatians 5:22. Faith in God corresponds to God's faithfulness. As with two tuning forks of the same pitch, when one is struck, the other responds by vibrating also. God's faithfulness should awaken faith in us, so we can respond in submissive obedience. If He is worth trusting, we should trust Him. Since God is faithful, it has become our responsibility to imitate Him in being faithful by committing our lives to well doing.

Read Hebrews 11:32-39 By faith your weakness can be turned into strength. Our faith and values of this world are on a collision course. If we expect pain and suffering to come, we will not be shocked when they hit. Jesus suffered for our sake, and he understands our fears, weaknesses, and our disappointments. He intercedes on our behalf. So, in times of pain, persecution, or suffering, we should trust confidently in Christ.

What are you trusting God for today?

Parenting in Hi Def

2009-08-17T05:03:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was in Phila. for my daughters wedding.It was an incredible evening, and she and her groom Dan were beautiful and handsome.I got a chance to practice what I preach, when I saw my ex-wife and her father.I hadn't totaly forgiven them for the past although I never mentioned a word to my kids.Being there, I was able to completely forgive and be gracious and friendly, and hopefully reflect Jesus love for me in the way I treated them. Missed C.F. Church, but I will check it out online. Here is the iMAX guide I wrote for this previous weekend

Life in HD, Part 2/Parenting in HD

In a Nutshell

When the first high-definition television (HDTV) sets hit the market in 1998, movie buffs, sports fans and tech aficionados got pretty excited, and for good reason. Ads for the sets hinted at a television paradise with superior resolution. In John 10:10 Jesus tells us that his purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life. We can be excited that our lives are no longer dull, looking through an ordinary lens out at the world, but in Jesus we have an extra-ordinary view of life and a promise of paradise awaiting us eternally. And as we live our lives in Hi Def, we need to be our child’s example, and the spiritual shield for our entire family.

Talk it Out

1. 1 Corinthians 11:1 says; “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Discuss ways with your group or family that you can set up a spiritual environment in your home where your children can feel safe and shielded, and feel welcome to have an open communication with you.
2. Time is the best gift that a parent can give to their children. Do you schedule time for your family regularly for prayer and training, to equip your kids for the cultural battled they will face? Talk about making time for this in your families busy schedule. You might try using these iMAX guides as a family group study.
3. Colossians 2:8 talks about not getting caught up in worldly patterns and thinking, but that you must keep your eyes on Christ and study God’s word. Discuss ways that you can teach this to your children, and help prepare them for all the world will use to draw them in.

Draw it Out

Parents need to be the example and leadership in the home. Today many parents let the kids run the pace in the household, and this is easy to do if you do not have a presence in your home, and take the time to be involved with your kids. Open communication, family prayer, spiritual training, and constant affirmation and affection are needed to show your children that you care, and take time to spend with them. Your home needs to be a welcoming place for the family, where good boundaries are set up to build a respectful balance of right and wrong, so that important issues can be discussed that effect your children’s ability to battle the trials of the world. Your family needs to hear a word of God from you, and as you worship the Lord, and they will say “ I want to worship God like my parent does!

Live it Out

Try setting up a regular time for family devotion, prayer and worship. It is so easy to have time robbers in your time with God, and even harder to balance out your busy schedule to always keep a steady time to spend with your spouse and kids, and sharing spiritual disciplines with the family. There are opportunities on www.gochristfellowship.com for community service that you can do together with your family. This can be a great way to serve God together
weekend's service.

LOVE

2009-08-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in the West Palm beach airport, Saturday August 15th. My daughter Michele is getting married to Dan tonight, and we are trying to get there, although the plane is delayed. Last night our frinds at BCOG Church Okechobee Don Banks and Beverly had a wonderful wedding celebration, and we were there.Today is the service for our friend Glenn Blanton who went on to be with the Lord.I love you Glenn, and we love you Mabel

LOVE ( Dedicated to my friend Glenn Blanton )

In my workplace I am so blessed to see the results of my shown love all around me, every day. I left this place in 2006 because I couldn’t stand to work with a man there. Today he is saying things to his customers that he believes, because he has heard me say them. He and I are getting along like brothers now , like family. He is Jewish and doesn’t believe in our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. The other day he says to a girl sitting in his chair (who is complaining about a wrong done to her by her neighbor), “Do you go to church?” She says no looking confused by him saying this, and then he says, “You know you need to pray for your enemies”

Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”
In Christ Fellowship Church’s Value statement online it says, We are bound by a love that is rooted in compassion, which compels us to action. John 13:35
My NLT bible says “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples”

Christ Fellowship’s first line on their mission statement reads, “We are called to impact our world with the love and message of Jesus Christ.”

I can see the results of the words I speak around me and in my workplace. I have decided to speak brotherly love and blessings into the life of all around me in my workplace where I can minister to so many. I have found that through speaking positives to everyone, and staying away from speaking, or joining in conversations, about negatives, that I now hear others around me speaking love to people too. Amen

Matthew 12:35-36 (New International Version) The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Words you share and say day to day, will show how much you love and care.
Every encounter with every person matters, to God. Amen

1 John 3:18 (The Message) When We Practice Real Love
My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

1 John 4:7-8 ( NIV) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Love is an action, a choice that we make like when we see a homeless person and instead of walking away because they are filthy and smell bad, we choose to show them love and speak kindness to them.

Matthew 5(The Message)
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the one most dear to you. "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for. "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails

What is the only thing that really counts in the Christian life? "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love"

Galatians 5:6 Love is not just an expression of our faith, it is one of the primary outward indicators that we are children of God.
When I remember my friend Glenn, I remember the love we shared. We were constantly telling each other how much we appreciated each other’s company and friendship, with Mabel and Carol also. (our wives) We hungered to share the Word of God together, and to dissect it and share it with others. We always enjoyed praying together, and looked forward to shared meals and fun activities. We took rides out to small church with our wives, at my friend Bishop’s, BCOG Okeechobee. And sometimes we all took the long way home just to enjoy each others company more. When Glenn was in hospitals I would visit him and watch DVD’s of services, open up the word, and pray together. As I share my heart, my Christian love with all I meet, I will always have a spirit of Glenn with me, standing beside me, supporting my walk of faith, my words of Love.

John 13:34 I give you a new commandment: Love one another; just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.

I dedicate this bible study to my friend, Glenn, with all my love

Life in Hi Def Part 1

2009-08-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend starts a new series at church, called Life in Hi Def. I wrote this iMAX guide, then realized it wasn't my week to write. I am supposed to write next week. Here it is anyway, it blessed me to write it.

Life in Hi Def Part 1

In A Nutshell

When the first high-definition television (HDTV) sets hit the market in 1998, movie buffs, sports fans and tech aficionados got pretty excited, and for good reason. Ads for the sets hinted at a television paradise with superior resolution. In John 10:10 Jesus tells us that his purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life. We can be excited that our lives are no longer dull, looking through an ordinary lens out at the world, but in Jesus we have an extra-ordinary view of life, and a promise of paradise awaiting us eternally.

Talk It Out

1. In your relationships with other people it always helps to express concerns that you have which might affect that relationship. In your relationship with God it is no different. When we worry it is like holding something out from God that we could be turning over to him. Read Philippians 4:6-7 and talk about why it is better to surrender your worries to God and trust him to take care of you.
2. Un-forgiveness is the single most popular poison that the enemy uses against God's people, and it is one of the deadliest poisons a person can take spiritually. In Colossians 3:13-14 it says to “forgive as the Lord forgave you”. Ask each other … Who do I need to forgive? How can I go about doing it?
3. Once you have seen a High Definition TV screen it would be very hard to go back to your old TV set. Philippians 1:6 tells us that once we know Christ, a good work has begun in us. Do you sometimes let present conditions “steal your joy” and keep you from growing closer to Christ? Remember God’s promise and provision and stay on track to run your race of faith to its completion.
4. 1 John 4:16 When we live in God’s love, and experience the Holy Spirit in our life, we can be transformed to a Hi Def Life. This gives us confidence and the power to reach out to others. How can we as individuals share this warmth with others? How can your group share the warmth of God’s love with others?

Draw It Out

When we choose to honor and obey God, and follow Jesus we experience a new view of the world. Like a high definition TV screen we begin to see life in true clarity, genuine warmth, and vibrant color. Our walk in faith positions us to realize God’s truth, God’s love and God’s favor. We get clarity and confidence in our attitude, and realize we are not like the secular world and the way they look at life but, we have a new way to see the world, set apart from non-believers. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Live It Out

Your life is in Hi Def, go out and share your blessing. It’s not all about money, it’s about giving your time, sharing with the community, thinking of others.

Satanology

2009-08-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

I recently posted Angelolgy, a bible study I wrote last year and used at our home bible study/life group. I always wanted to follow it up with Satanology, and I now have just finished writing it. You don't hear about this subject from everyone, but I think it is necessary to understand and talk about. As always, please feel free to leave a comment, it's at the bottom where you can.

Satanology

Please allow me to introduce myself
I’m a man of wealth and taste
I’ve been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man’s soul and faith
And I was round when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game (Rolling Stones/Sympathy for the Devil)

The examination of the origin of evil, personification of evil, and the force behind evil are essential factors in studying theology. Satan’s very nature is to deceive us concerning his identity and purpose.
What do you think Satan looks like? Red suit, long tail, and a pitchfork, or what?
The devil is a real person (or fallen Angel). Originally he possessed all the attributes of Angels.
God would have heavenly councils where he and the Angels would plan, and review their activity on
earth.
Example in 1 Kings 22:19-23. God has complete power and authority over Angels, both those who serve him, and oppose him.

Satan was originally an Angel serving God, but became corrupt through his own pride.

Satan’s work includes:
1. Opposition to the will of God.
The devil is constantly opposing God and all God does. He seeks to destroy the race God seeks to redeem.
2. Imitation of the work of God.
Satan desires to be like the most high (Isaiah 14:14). In trying to deceive us Satan carries out much of his work by “counterfeit righteousness”.
3. Destruction of all that is good
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, to kill, and to destroy: I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly“.
Satan is out to deceive the nations, deceive the unsaved, and defeat the saved. He will use the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life to attack Christians. 1 John 2:15-16

Lust is taking, love is giving.

Satan became corrupt because of his own pride. He has been evil since his rebellion against God. Satan considers God his enemy. He tries to hinder God’s work in people. So as you draw closer to God, expect to be noticed by Satan even more.

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes you’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it might be the devil or it may be the Lord. But you’re gonna have to serve somebody. (Bob Dylan/You gotta serve somebody)

Satan actively looks to attack you with temptation, 1 Peter 5:8-9 and he wants you to hate God. If he can get you doubting the good in yourself, like when you succumb to temptation, then he can slowly get you to give up on thinking that you are worthy of a true worship of and obedience to God. Job was a blameless and upright man who pleased God. A perfect target for Satan is anyone who is committed to God.
Job 1:6-12, Job 2:3-6 Satan felt that Job was only faithful to God because of his blessings, and when he took them away he felt that Job would surely curse God and turn away from him.
In Job 1:12 God and Satan are having a conversation, we learn here that God is fully aware of every attempt by Satan to try to inflict suffering and difficulty on us. Satan is right about some people being fair-weather believers. Adversity destroys superficial faith, but adversity strengthens real faith.
In Job 2:9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” Now why do you think God spared his wife? Is it possible that her attitude caused him more suffering than all he lost and experienced?

From the time of Adam and Eve's deception until now, the world has suffered violence and wickedness. At the root of all the evil from the past and present stands the most hideous of all beings, Satan.
Although the scripture tells us that at one time Satan was the most beautiful angel of all, the former arc angel, guardian to the throne of God, Satan has become the most disgusting, revolting creature the world has ever known. The only beauty he possesses today is the ability to appear as an angel of light in order to deceive mankind.
Satan is the author of confusion, the cause of every evil, murder, child molestation, homosexuality, pornography, gossip, lies, hatred, theft, and any number of sins that we can possibly name. All can be traced back to him. He is the constant tempter, never tiring enemy of Christ, and all that God has created.
Satan's ability to deceive is the main cause for the division that is in the church today. He is the cause of sickness and disease, and is constantly causing problems for every human being in the world.

Ezekiel 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
In this scripture, it is very easy to see that it was Satan's beauty that corrupted his heart. Because of his sin, he became a fallen angel. It is very surprising to understand what Satan's sin really was. We see that Satan's wisdom was corrupted because of his brightness. What was his brightness? It was righteousness! He was so righteous that he glowed from the brightness of it, and all the angels noticed. Some noticed too much. Their eyes turned from God to Satan, who at that time was called Lucifer. Then it happened! Satan began to notice that in every way, he seemed to be as righteous as God is. Many of the angels believed that he was, which sadly brought about a curse on all that believed it.
Do you realize what Satan's sin was? Have you guessed? Yes, believe it or not, it was self-righteousness, that old sin that has corrupted the heart of many of God's children. Satan believed that he was so righteous and that God didn't have anything to do with it. He began to glory in himself rather than God. And, of course, that outlaw band of angels who gloried in Lucifer, rather than God, didn't help matters much. God had made him so perfect and it was that perfection that blinded him.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Principles to overcome Satan:

1. Respect: Have respect for God, and honor him with all your heart.
2. Removal: 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
3. Resistance: James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
4. Readiness: Ephesians 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the lord. Exodus 14:5-9 We always make a mistake when we acknowledge the Lord and keep our eyes on Satan. Far better to acknowledge the devil while keeping your eyes on Christ.

And always remember;
when the devil reminds you of your past...
remind him of his future!

Angelology

2009-08-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for reading my blog. If you like there is a place to post comments at the end of each post.This is an old bible study I wrote last year based on my studies at Liberty University, and the Information from Dr.Elmer L. Towns course, Theology 201.

ANGELOLOGY

Do you believe in Angels? Have you ever felt their presence, or seen an Angel?

Angels are created beings, who have the power to become visible in the likeness of a human form.

The word Angel means messenger.

Angels power is inconceivable but not omnipotent.
Omnipotence means: God can do everything that is in harmony with his nature and perfection. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said "Humanly speaking it is impossible, but with God, everything is possible. This reminds me of the scene in the Left Behind movie, where Lou Gosset Jr., playing the president of the United States gets blown out through the window, falls many stories, smashes into a car hood , then gets up and walks away, and the Evil one who sent him on this trip looks down seeing him get up and says, " that was not humanly possible", and looks up to the heavens. Read Matthew 19:16-26and consider what Jesus means by these passages.

2 Kings 19:35 ( NKJV ) And it came to pass on a certain night that the Angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of Assyrians 185,000...

Angels wisdom is extensive, but not Omniscient

Omniscience means: God has perfect knowledge of all things.

Psalm 147:4-5 ( NLT ) He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord, his power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension.

Angels number is great, but not limitless.

Hebrews 12:22 ( NKJV ) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem to an innumerable company of Angels.

Angels constantly observe our Christian life.

God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient!

Omnipresence means: God is everywhere at the same time.
Psalm 139:7 I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

Angels are created, incorporeal, holy, personal, deathless and unseen ( unless they choose to appear )
Angels were created before man in eternity past by God.

Colossians 1:16 ( NLT ) ...for through him ( Christ ),God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth...He made the things we can see, and the things we can't see, such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities
( King James version says , principalities ), in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

Elect Angels are all those who chose to follow God.

1 Timothy 5:21 ( NKJV ) I charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels, that you will observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

Lucifer originally possessed a high place in heaven. His name means bearer of light. This name reflected his purpose to bear the light of God.

read Ezekiel 28:12-19 Gabriel is the messenger Angel of God and his name means, " Man of God " ( some sources say, Strength of God )

Archangel Gabriel, the exalted messenger of God came to Daniel in the Old Testament, and also to Zachary and the Virgin Mary, concerning their children to be. In revelations there are lots of references to Angels and the blowing of trumpets.

Michael is described as the Archangel ( highest order of Angels ), and his name means, " Who is like the Lord "

Archangel means highest or chief Angel.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 ( NLT ) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a commanding shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.

Jude verse 9 ( NKJV ) Yet Michael the Archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, " The Lord rebuke you "

Cherubim are a special group of Angels attached to the throne of God, to guard the holiness of God.
Where else did Cherubim guard?....The gate of The Garden of Eden.

Seraphim are concerned with the holiness of God.
Isaiah 6:2-3 (read)
Seraphim Angels worship God continually. The word Seraphim means burner.

Matthew 28:2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an Angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
( also you can read 3-7 )

Angels possess vast strength, intelligence, and confirmed holiness. ( Elect Angels )
Angels prefer to remain unseen so that man will not choose to worship them.

Work of Angels: transportation at death, Angelic revelation, Angelic protection, Angelic emancipation, Angelic influence, Angelic provision, Angelic encouragement, Angelic administration, Angelic appearance, and Guardian Angels.

Matthew 18:10 ( NLT ) Beware that you don't look down on, ( despise in NJKV ) any of these little ones ( some interpret as Children, some believers ). For I tell you that in heaven their Angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

Hebrews 1:14 ( NLT ) Therefore Angels are only servants-spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
read Hebrews 2:1-5

God, the Holy Spirit is concerned with preserving the spiritual part of man, whereas Angels are given the task of protecting the physical part of man.

Matthew 16:27 ( NLT ) For the Son of Man will come with his Angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

Matthew 24:30-31 ( NLT ) read

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Part two

2009-07-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend had been wonderful already. Friday night, our bible study/life group watched a movie "Faith like Potatoes" and had a great "Carl's" Pork roast.I had the honor of speaking at the Friday morning Men's Prayer Meeting. I used the bible study " Get Out of The Boat", which I wrote for the Men's Prayer Breakfast a few weeks back, but I got bumped by a Pastor who missed the week before... Tonight my friend gets married at Brazilian Court, and I will have the honor of saying something for the bride and groom. I have always dreamed about writing a book and now I am with this blog. I also would like to be a Spiritually motivating speaker, and God seems to be moving me in that direction.

iMAX All you need is love

In a Nutshell

By faith we love the the Lord. We are told to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.God calls us to love others the way he loves us. In humility we should think of others before ourselves.

Talk it out

1. People will know that you are a Christ Follower by your example of love. How can we show God's love to our neighbor? Who is our neighbor?

2. God calls us to love the unlovable. Who can you pray about this week to forgive and show love to? Family? Friends? Co-workers?

3. Love gives; it does not take. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 the attributes of love are described. Talk about what love really is with your group, and how you can apply this in your life and share it with others.

4. Ephesians 5:2 starts out by saying "Keep company with God, and learn to live a life of love." Discuss how you can discipline yourself to setting up a daily quiet time alone with God, so that you can know His will for you and how He wants you to treat others.

Draw it out

If we study God's word, meditate on it, and set aside some quiet time to pray and listen, then we can discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
God's word tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:8 that " love never fails." When we believe, we receive. God loves us unconditionally and wants us to show that love to all his people. Forgive each other and pray for those who have wronged you, and you will glorify God and show the Christ in you.

Obey God

2009-07-21T07:20:00.001-07:00

It's Tuesday morning 07.21.09,Mom celebrated her 87th birthday over the weekend,Todd Mullins preaching was great Saturday night,Bishop Banks preaching on hearing and walking in the prophetic Word of God on Sunday was incredible.Anquan Boldin and his new wife, just back from their "avoid the press" wedding in Jamaica, got blessed by Bishop to go off to this years football season.I am preparing for another exciting week. Tonight we have our Discipleship Triad lesson,Wednesday morning Gathering of Men bible study,Friday morning I speak at the Men's Prayer breakfast,Friday night Home bible study, My friend gets married Saturday night, and has a wedding party again at his house on Sunday.Work and golf in there too!
Here's the Bible study I wrote for the first Friday nite lesson of this year back in January.

Obey God

Walking in Principles

What is your goal for the year? You can choose to obey God.

"Successful people make the right decisions early and manage those decisions daily."
John Maxwell from Today Matters

"There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you."
John Wooden

What are some today examples of this? Biblical examples?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ( read )
Verse 3 Paul says " I came to you in weakness....."
Paul who was a brilliant, highly trained scholar, chose to use simple words in allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his message about Jesus Christ. Despite his credentials, years of study, and social class he spoke humbly, without boasting about himself. He counted all his achievements as nothing compared to his knowledge of Christ.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 "This is what the Lord says; let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Declares the Lord.

1 Corinthians 2 verse 5 ...trust not in human wisdom, but in the power of God. ( God does not call the qualified, but he qualifies the called )

Verse 7 " the mystery of God-that was previously hidden"
this is God's offer of salvation to all people. The spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, does not reveal the things of God to natural minded people. Also Jesus resurrection from the dead proved that he had power over sin and death, and could offer us this power as well, when we choose to obey.

read 1 Peter 1:10-12

John 14:16-17 ...and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-The Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him, nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives in you.

read verse 9

" When we as believers choose to walk in the Word we will experience a movement of God " Bishop Robert L. Banks

The world is not all there is, we as believers must choose to walk by faith, not by sight. Not trusting in what we see....., but in what we believe, our faith. We are blessed to know the things of God, revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, as we seek God's way...God's way...God's way. Let it be done to you according to your faith. God will move on your faith."Pit Bull Faith"

Dependency on God = Surrender. Are you willing to obey? Even when you don't feel like it? Ever feel like not obeying God?

Matthew 5:3 God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Give when others take,love when others hate,help when others abuse

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others before yourselves.

By giving up your own rights, to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.

" Anything that cannot be taught during trials and tribulations is not of God. Life will make you bitter or better." Al Brown

Good judgement comes from experience, but experience often comes from bad judgement.If as you get old all your experience has made you bitter, then you are of no value to anyone.

What gets in your way of serving God?

Pride can only be recognized through the eyes of humility. Pride always puts itself first. pride is an attitude of independence from God.

Luke 4:5-8 The devil takes Jesus and reveals to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and says, " I will give you the glory of these kingdoms, and the authority over them, because they are mine to give to anyone I please.I will give it all to you, if you will worship me." Jesus replies, "The scriptures say you must worship the Lord your God and serve only him."

Love is the Word of God. My wife doesn't need a word from me, what she needs is a word of God from me.Your wife should see your worship and say, "I want to be like him."

read 1 Corinthians 2:10-16
Discernment, true wisdom requires the believer to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Satan is out to deceive us, but Spiritual discernment allows us to draw conclusions based on God's perspective, make wise decisions in difficult circumstances, recognize activities of the Holy Spirit, distinguish correct and incorrect use of scripture, and recognize false teachers. Ask God to give you his discernment, and use that discernment in your daily walk. Be alert to opportunities. And remember, non-Christians do not understand spiritual truths.

How would you respond if someone asks you about your faith?

An intimate relationship with Christ comes from spending time in the Word, and talking to Him in prayer. Expect answers to your prayers.

I don't want any of you to find yourself standing before God saying, " Well Lord, I tried to obey you." He may very well say to you, " If you really tried, then why didn't you obey me; I gave you everything you needed; you could have done all things through Christ, but since you continued to do evil...away from me, you evildoer!" Jesus said," Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father." Matthew 7:21
Only those who do the will of God (not those who try to do the will of God),will enter the Kingdom of Heaven." "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36

So my question to you today is: Do you obey God, or do you merely try to obey God?

Sacrifice

2009-07-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

It is late and I have finished this bible study for tomorrow, friday night's Life group.I could easily have kept going on this subject, but we all have time constraints in our busy lives today.
I was on facebook the other day and some friends were doing this exersize:
Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find the fifth sentence. * Post that sentence AS YOUR STATUS. AND POST these instructions in a comment to this status. * Don't dig for your favorite book
I reached for the closest book and came up with this: page 56, fifth sentence of the closest book to me:

Dr. Myles Munroe Daily Power of Prayer....
His atonement is eternal-an everlasting ordinance. When this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12

Christ’s work contrasts the work of the Jewish priests. In the Old Testament it was important to have High Priests who knew the sacrificial law. The priests’ work was never finished, so they had to stand day after day and offer sacrifices; Christ’s sacrifice (dying in our place) is finished, so he is seated. The priests continued the sacrifices often; Christ sacrificed once and for all. The Jewish priests sacrifice system couldn’t completely remove sin; Christ’s sacrifice effectively cleansed us. If you were to return to the old system you would be implying that Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough to forgive our sins. Any one or group that thinks that you can gain salvation from good deeds, is rejecting the significance of Christ’s death, and spurning the Holy Spirit’s work.

Jewish Priest’s Sacrifice
Once a year, the high priest in ancient Israel would take two goats and cast lots for them (Lev. 16:7-8). One goat would be killed (16:9) and its blood sprinkled on the atonement cover (or “mercy seat”) in the Most Holy Place of the temple to make amends for the people’s sins (16:15,16). The Mercy Seat did not derive its worth from the purity of its gold but from the fact that it was the place where the blood of sacrifice was sprinkled in the presence of Yahweh. (In the Most Holy Place, the high priest, symbolically, came “face to face” with God.) Legend says that they would tie a rope around the High Priests ankle or waist, so that if he displeased God after entering the Holy of Holies, and he would be struck down in God’s displeasure, he could be removed. This is not substansiated anywhere, not in the Apocrypha ( Dead Sea Scrolls ), or in Josephus, or anywhere, but some say that it is so. Next, laying his hands on the other goat, the priest would confess over it all the sins of Israel; then this second goat (the “scapegoat”), carrying upon itself the sins of all the people, would be led away and released in the desert (Lev. 16:10,20,21,22). Symbolically, then, the Israelites’ sin and guilt were transferred onto the goats and completely removed from their presence.

In Leviticus 4 the procedures for sin offering are taught, they are complicated and need to be repeated over and over again. Hebrews 10:11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

Christ’s Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:12 His atonement is eternal-an everlasting ordinance. When this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God
What were the last words that Jesus said as He hung on the cross? They were, "It is finished." The people who hammered the nails through Jesus' hands and feet did not then put down their hammers, wipe their hands, and say, "Now that's finished." They did not say a word. It was Jesus, nailed to the cross, who said, "It is finished." All the sins of all mankind, who had become sinners when Adam sinned, were borne upon the body of Jesus, who had no sin or wickedness in Him. The cross reveals that all the sins of mankind have been removed.
When the Angel of the Lord blessed Abraham, weren't all of Abraham's descendants inside Abraham? In the same way, my sins and the sins of every one of you were included in the burden of all the sin of mankind that Jesus took upon Himself on the cross. It is a big problem if you think that only the sins of certain special people were included in the burden of sin that Jesus took upon Himself. Whether you believe it or not, your sins, my sins, and the sins of all the people in this world were included. It is because of non-belief that people will later be judged in front of God.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Every morning in the Jewish custom a lamb was sacrificed in the Temple for the sins of the people. Exodus 29:38-42

Isaiah 53:7 Said that the Messiah, God’s servant would be led to the slaughter like a lamb.

Rom 3:23-26 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
What can we say to such love as this? How should we respond to Jesus?

Our Sacrifice
We are called to be a living sacrifice.
Rom. 12:1 -2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

“PRESENT” means, to introduce one person to another, or self to Christ, also make a gift to, and I give myself to you.
A SACRIFICE is an unselfish, giving up of one’s life
HOLY — Set apart for the services of God. Be ye holy, for I am holy. It says, we are holy because we are the temple of God. 1 Cor. 3:17

That which a man willingly shares… he keeps. That which he selfishly keeps….he loses.

Luke 9:23-24 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
This is a difficult task and anything less is not discipleship; it is merely superficial lip service.

How do you think you are doing here? In what ways can you improve?
To take up your cross daily means to publicly identify with Jesus, to experience certain opposition, and be willing to face even suffering and death for his sake.

Your sacrifice is on a collision course with your miracle

Read 1 Kings 18:20-39
Water was the sacrifice, God is a God of manifestations, fire represented that God is pleased.

Abraham Tested
Genesis 22:1-18
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied. Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar,
on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

Another example of the many stories of faith, sacrifice, and God’s miracles was in 1Kings 17:8-24 The Widow at Zarephath

Baptism is preformed to expiate the sins of a human through a ritual cleansing of the soul. It must be performed by a priest or member of the clergy (depending upon the denomination being described). Baptism has been imagined as a sacrificial death to sin and symbolic rebirth as a member of the Christian church.

What are some of the sacrifices that you have experienced?

When we give ourselves as a living sacrifice and are consumed by the fire of God, the Glory of God will be seen, which is Christ.

Col. 1:27
For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Let’s take a few moments thank God in prayer, for his blessings, his answers to prayers, his miracles that follow own sacrificial faith, unwavering and without doubt

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement

2009-07-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is part of another bible study I wrote earlier this year for our group.I share it now with you the reader.

James 2:12-13
Mercy offers more than judgement.Judging usually accompanies prejudice, bitterness, pride, and hatred. Mercy is connected to grace, forgiving, and hope. Judging usually delivers an unjust final verdict, while mercy offers another chance, and a fresh start. Which reflects heaven the best?
Fair judgement leads to mercy. When it comes to judging we always need to make sure we "judge righteous judgement"(John 7:24), and this should only be after we know the facts and consider the situation. This is not a harsh snap judgement. It is a concerned response full of mercy intended to heal, help, and deliver hope.
Mercy is what we need. Where would any of us be without the tremendous mercy of God? Through mercy God gives us what we need- not what we deserve. how selfish would it be of us not to pass on this wonderful gift-and how shortsighted-for if we fail to pass it on we will fail to receive it.

2009-07-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

Today it is Friday morning. I am sitting in my office.(the common area in Christ Fellowship's 26 million dollar Life center)I just came from a prayer meeting across the street,I am preparing to go work,and have a bible study at home tonight.One of my spiritual sandwich days as I call them.This is an old study I wrote for our group, and I share it with you now.

Luke 18:1-14
Read verses 1-8
What is a parable? A parable is definined as an earthly story with heavenly maening.The word parable means "throw alongside". In a parable we throw that which is familiar alongside that which is unfamiliar so that the unfamiliar can become familiar.And the sense of a parable is, if you can see and understand that, you ought to be able to see and understand this.Jesus used this approach so that he could arouse the careless,and instruct the concerned, and yet conceal the truth from his enemies who would use it against him.
To persist in prayer does not mean endless repetition or super long prayer sessions,although long prayer works for some people.
Read Matthew 6:5-8 Like the widow who came before the judge, we should be in constant prayer, keeping our requests continually before God as we walk in principles daily.We should believe in the power of prayer and give God thanks in advance for answering our prayers. We as believers must live by faith, not by sight, and be persistant, and never give up.Like the widow God may make us wait for His timing, and as we wait we grow in character, faith, and hope. Romans 5:3-5
Here in this parable, if a godless judge responds to persistance, how much more will a great God respond to us? If we believe that God loves us, we should also believe that he will hear our cries and respond.Jesus then speaks of his return in verse 8 and asks the question,"How many will he find faithful here on earth?"
Read Luke 18:9-14 The temple was where people went to worship and pray. but the Pharisee in this parable stood out in public and prayed about what a great guy he was to all who were close enough to hear. The tax collector recognized his own sin and was begging to God for mercy. Self righteoud behavoir is dangerous and not of God.
Read Jeremiah 9:23-24 "This is what the Lord says..."
Self righteousness leads to pride and self will, not God's way and prevents communion with God. We are sinners saved by grace and the tax collectors prayer should be our prayer also because we all need God's mercy every day,Amen. Don't let your pride cut you off from God.

2009-07-08T08:44:00.000-07:00
I have written this bible study for my Friday night life group/bible study group. I have decided to post it today anyway, and I hope that it is helpful to those who read it. I often find myself in front of people I wouldn't have neccesarily chosen to witness to, and I think about Jonah.
Prayer changes things, and prayer changes people. Have a great day!

Navigation/GPS System

I recently had the chance to experience watching a Sea Turtle, about 4 foot long with a head as big as mine, laying her eggs up on the beach in the middle of the night. These turtles have a natural GPS system that takes them back to the beach where they were hatched to lay their eggs, and once born the babies know to go back into the sea. They have an amazing built in navigational system that leads them.
God leads us, if we take time to listen to God, we can finish our destiny that God has planned for those who follow Him. The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. A believer must understand God’s operations.
Rather than running away from God, trust him with your past, present and future. Saying no to God quickly leads to disaster. Saying yes brings new understanding of God and his purpose in your life, and your purpose in the world.
Almost 800 years before Christ’s birth, God called Jonah to go to Assyria, to the town of Nineveh. God wants us to witness for him, and to be his missionaries for him, wherever he sends us.
When Jonah finally arrived at Nineveh there was a great response! The people there repented and turned to God. This was a call to the people of Israel who thought that they were better than other nations, but the people of Nineveh convicted them with their repentance and response to Jonah’s message.
Like Jonah sometimes we have to do things in life that we don’t want to do, and witness to people we don’t want to be around. Jonah chose to turn away from God and run in the other direction, but his spiritual GPS system was calling out to him to turn around and go to the right destination. Sometimes we act like Jonah, and refuse God’s calling to follow the direction he is sending us on our spiritual GPS, and we defy Him and turn away. In spite of our defiance, God in His mercy will give us another chance to serve Him and get back on the path our spiritual GPS system is taking us. Do any of us have a time when we can think of a person that we didn’t particularly care to share our faith with, but God called us out to move in their direction?
Recognize God’s direction
Nineveh was a rising world power in Jonah’s time. The people of this great city were involved in many evil practices,includingidolatry,prostitution,witchcraft,andmore.
Does this remind you of any powerful city or country in today’s world, that would be a center for commerce, fashion, trade, and other powerful cultural influences?
Jonah had a hatred for these people based on his knowledge of their wicked ways. Sometimes we need to stand before someone we don’t like or agree with, and witness to them about God, and His mercy and love. We can‘t always hang out with our circle of saved friends, and just be comfortable refusing to share our knowledge of God with those who don’t know Him yet. When God gives us direction from His Word sometimes we run away in fear or stubbornness, claiming that God is asking too much from us. To know God’s will for our life, his direction, we need to study his Word, and be in prayer. If we just read the bible we can have knowledge, but prayer and quiet time alone with God daily are how we can commune with God and hear His direction for us. Our sin and disobedience can hurt others around us, and those we love, if we choose to ignore our spiritual GPS system, God’s direction for us.
Recognize our need for God ( pray often)
Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. This was a prayer of thanksgiving that he had not drowned.
Your sin is never too great, your predicament never too difficult, for God. We also fall into the same bad habit as many of our bible heroes. When life is going well we tend to forget about our need for God. We forget who blessed us and who owns everything we have.
Deuteronomy 28:1-26 Moses speaks about blessings and curses. God blesses those who are obedient, and he delivers curses to those who do not listen.
Recognize God’s signs
A sign is an instrument that guides us in a certain direction. Signs get our attention, and start a relationship between the sign and the reader of the sign. Matthew 12:39-41 Jesus says,”Only an evil adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and for three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here - but you refuse to repent.”
Here Jesus uses the “sign”, the illustration of the O.T. story of Jonah, to respond once again to the religious leaders who were constantly looking to get Jesus to say something that would convict him. Jesus uses the story of Jonah as a redemptive sign, one that describes how he will come back to life, just as Jonah was given a new chance.
How have you responded to the evidence of the truth of Jesus gospel that you have received? Are you following God’s calling daily in your life? Are you discovering God’s will as you listen to him in prayer and quiet time alone with your creator? Studying God’s word will allow your GPS, your spiritual navigation system to lead you to step forward into all God has in store for you.
Jonah is cast into the raging sea for it to become peaceful…
Christ is cast onto the raging cross , to become peace itself …
Jonah is swallowed up by a fish, three days in its belly...
Christ is swallowed up by death, three days in its grip…
Jonah 'gets up,' preaches destruction, the city repents, and God saves Nineveh… (verse 3.1)
Christ is raised from the dead, preaches repentance and the forgiveness of sins – saving the world for all time…

Recognize God’s providential will
Jonah 4:1-11
After all he had been through in his journey Jonah now got upset that God had decided to spare Nineveh.
In Jonah 4:1, Jonah is angry that God has blessed the gentiles with his mercy and decided not to destroy the city. So Jonah goes to the edge of the city to sit and watch to see what God will do.
Verse 4:6, God causes a plant to grow to shield Jonah from the sun and ease his discomfort, and he is glad. But God wasn’t through teaching Jonah here and at dawn a worm came on the plant and ate it up, verse 7. In verse 9 God says to Jonah” Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?” So here God teaches Jonah that he was angry that the plant died, but what about the people of Nineveh. Jonah acted like he wanted them to die. God could have destroyed Jonah for his defiant anger, but instead He gently taught him a lesson. If we obey the will of God, follow his signs on our spiritual navigation system, he will lead us. His harsh judgment is reserved for those who persist in rebellion. Most of us have cried over the death of a pet or the loss of an object of sentimental value, but have we cried over the fact that a friend does not know God?
Do you have someone wicked that you know that you have wished God would destroy? Or do you wish that they could experience God’s mercy and forgiveness?
God saved the sailors when they prayed for mercy. God saved Jonah when he prayed from inside the fish. God saved the people of Nineveh when they responded to Jonah’s preaching. God answers the prayers of those who call upon him. God wants all people to come to him, trust in him, and be saved. Heed God’s warnings in his word! Respond in obedience, acknowledge your spiritual navigation system, and God will be gracious, and you will receive his mercy, not his punishment.

2009-07-01T07:35:00.000-07:00
This is the iMAX guide that I have written for this coming weekend 07.04.09 services. It is about our country, its founding fathers, our freedom, and celebrating our nation.

Celebrating our Godly Heritage
iMAX Guide
In A Nutshell
The original intent of our Founding Fathers was to establish a nation founded on Godly principles and virtues. These were men of integrity, men who walked in Godly principles, men who believed in God. Today our country and our court system have decayed in their moral standards, values, and beliefs. Our country has steered away from our original roots. We need to bond together as a church family and to commit ourselves to intercede in prayer for our country to return to God. We need to be responsible to honor our foundation, and share it with those in our sphere of influence, stand up for the truth, and let our voices be heard!
Talk It Out
1. John 14:6 Jesus told him “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” God is the sole author and source of objective morality. George Washington warns us not to expect national morality to prevail without religious principle. Discuss why we can, or cannot expect to do well as a country when God is being removed from our culture. How do you see this affecting our country today?
2. Ben Franklin recommends that prayer asking for God’s blessings precede business at hand in government every morning. The pledge of allegiance starts the beginning of each school day and says “…one nation, under God.” Do you think we should keep to these founding principles of our forefathers? What could happen if we don’t? Consider making a commitment to start your workday with a prayer, and talk about the results later on with your group.
3. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Isaiah 60:12 For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, and those nations shall be utterly ruined. Today we have examples all around us of men and companies that have not been honorable to their fellow Americans. What can we do to bring back moral standards and virtue to those in our circle of influence?
Draw It Out
Love is giving; Godly behavior….Lust is taking; sin behavior, all about me. We can choose to battle our corruptible nature seeking daily after an incorruptible nature, by walking in the principles of our Founding fathers, mighty men of valor, or we can lust for things, and succumb to temptation and idolatry. As a country we are seeing a movement away from the foundation of our nation and our original principles. In 1834 Noah Webster gives some advice to the young, and he says to be careful who you choose for leadership. These people will dictate the laws and choices of government. We need to seek after wise choices in our lives, based on God’s Word, including when we vote for public officials.
Live It Out
Gerald Ford said these words: Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first - the most basic - expression of Americanism. Thus the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God's help, it will continue to be. God is sovereign. He limits the power and authority of all government. Read Daniel 4:17, read Romans 13:1-5, then pray together with your family and life group to sanctify our choices, pray for our leaders because God is in control.

Isaiah 9:6-7 For a child is born, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting father, Prince of peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

2009-07-01T06:45:00.000-07:00
Good morning, it's July 1st and as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our great nation let us prepare our hearts with prayer and thanksgiving. The wise prophet and man of God Isaiah said in Isaiah 9:6-7 ; For a child is born, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting father, Prince of peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
Let us build our house on a solid rock, Matthew 7:24, lets give God praise and worship this weekend and celebrate our great country!

2009-06-29T14:01:00.000-07:00
I wrote this recently to share with the fri morning Men's Prayer Group that I attend for the last 4 yrs. I got bumped by a pastor that friday,(praise God), and didn't share this with that group yet. I will be getting the opportunity to do so in July. I feel very blessed and honored that I was asked to speak to this group and have done so a couple times already. I shared this message with our life group last fri. nite at our beach Bar B Q at the Jupiter Reef Club, we had a great evening there. (You will read that this study also includes my testimony.)
Lets talk about your faith............( and mine)

Get Out of The Boat

Matthew 14:25-32 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid. Peter answered him, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come. “ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Peter may have been the first one out of the boat, but Jesus invitation to walk on water is for you as well. What does this mean?
- Walking on water means facing your fears and choosing not to let fear have the last word. ( Put your trust in God )
- Walking on water means discovering and embracing the unique calling of God on your life.
- Walking on water means experiencing the power of God in your life to do something you would not be capable of doing on your own
Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength -- -Hope got Peter out of the boat, Trust held him up,., Fear sank him Everything hinged on whether Peter focused on Jesus or the storm. Which do you focus on?
Daniel 2
Verse 17-18 (read) Daniel gathered up his friends to pray. He did not attempt to do this on his own. God revealed the dream to Daniel, Daniel gave God thanks and worship
verse19-23 (read)
Verse 27 -28 (read)
King Nebuchadnezzar had intended to assimilate Daniel and his three friends into the Babylonian culture, but through their witness for God he ended up rewarding Daniel and friends and worshipping their God. The King of the world, Satan, would like to steal us away and indoctrinate us to his ways. We need to make our stand for God, like Daniel, for God to be able to use us. “ No guts , no glory!” Keep pointing to God and he can and will use you to be his champion!
I was raised Jewish and was like most Jewish people you would meet, I was not into bible study, prayer or any of the customs of their ancestors. I was a nice, considerate person, and a servant leader, but I was living a self willed, self lead life. I took a management job and admired one of my employees and the way she lived her life, and asked her one day if I could go to church at Christ Fellowship with her. I’ve never missed going , took GIG 101-401, joined Gathering of Men bible study, Fri morn prayer meeting, took T0p Gun 1, went to Wed nite services, Fri nite Messianic services with Dan Light, and got baptized by Tom Mullins at Juno Beach. In my 1st two years of walking in faith, I read the bible four times, got involved with Urban Youth Impact volunteering, and have now been facilitating Top Gun 2 for three years, Altar minister, Life coach, and iMAX writer. I tell you these things to demonstrate how God has used me since he called me to His service. God has used me to bring people to Christ, and will continue to use me as long as I allow Him to lead my steps. And Carol and I are married almost two years now!
Psalm 37:4-7 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your hearts desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
When we delight in someone we experience extreme pleasure and joy in his presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed give us delight. To commit ourselves to God means to turn over everything to Him, our lives, families, jobs, possessions, to his control and guidance. Trust in the Lord, believe that he can care for us better than we can for ourselves. Wait patiently for Him to work out what is best for us.
Daniel, Peter, and other heroes of the bible trusted in God to lead them out of the boat. Peter was not testing Jesus, instead he was the only one in the boat to react in faith. His request led him to experience an unusual demonstration of God’s power. Peter started to sink only when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on what he saw. We need to walk by faith, not by sight! When we keep our eyes on Jesus we will experience all God has in store for us, and allow Him to work in our lives. So go for a walk, with Jesus, step out in faith, and experience the power and presence of God. There is always a call to God, if you will surrender to his will in your life. God will use an ordinary person to engage in an extraordinary act. This will result in a changed life, say yes to God (but you must first say no to the devil) and you will grow and become part of God’s plan to redeem the world. Courage alone is not enough, it must be accompanied by wisdom and discernment. If you want to walk on water you must get out of the boat!
With God all things are possible. (Pray)

2009-06-28T04:45:00.000-07:00
Carol and I just got home from a week at the Jupiter Reef Club. It was beautiful there we had three bar B Q's including our bible study group with 14 attending. Church last night was great and heading out this morning to Bible Church of God Okeechobee to join our friends there today , with Bishop Banks. Then later Beach baptism on Juno beach, with our Top Gun 2 brother Rick, who is going to be baptized.
This is the other iMAX guide I wrote during the Four Faces of God series.

The Four Faces of God / THE MAN WEEK 3
In a Nutshell
In Revelation 4:7 the four faces of God are mentioned. This week we are digging deeper into Pastor’s message on the third face, the face of man. Man was created in God’s image, and we represent God’s love. Going from the last book of the bible all the way back to the first, we can reference man’s beginnings. We were given dominion over God’s creatures and the environment. God loved us so much that he sent his son to live amongst us and sacrifice himself for our sin. Christ was resurrected, experiencing victory over death, and sits at the throne of the Father to intercede for us. Jesus is alive, and he is alive in us, and through our redemption we receive the love and grace of God and eternal life.
Talk it Out
1. We are living in a fallen world, a country pulling away from its godly roots, but we are friends of God and God loves us. How can we stay encouraged, and help each other to recognize God’s plan for us? What are we created to do with our lives?
2. God created us with love, and redeemed us back to Him with mercy and grace through Jesus Christ his son. When we become born again we become ambassadors of Jesus Christ. How can we have Godly relationships that reflect God’s presence in us? Is there a co-worker, friend, or family member that you have struggled with and need to show forgiveness and reflect God’s love to? What steps can you take?
3. We all want to receive God’s love in revelation. How can we prepare ourselves to receive our heavenly home and experience divine intimacy with God?
Draw it out
We were created to rule here on earth in God’s image. We were given companionship and need to have God honoring relationships that reflect God’s presence in us. When we surrender to God’s will we allow ourselves to let God be our daily provider. God has kept his covenant relationship with us, and we must strive to be obedient and be in covenant with Him. Christ came to give us the keys to the Kingdom of God so that we may have an abundant life. He redeemed us to have unity with God and to be forgiven and free from our sins. Live out a life that shows honor and respect to God so that you are prepared to receive your eternal blessing.
Live it out
Pray together with your group as you gather together to dig deeper into the message with this iMAX and your bible study. Share in prayer what each one in your group is going through and waiting on God for. If you are not doing a praise song in your group, give it a try. This is one way that you can worship together in songs of praise.

Fireproof Your Life 2

2009-06-27T05:21:00.000-07:00
When I wrote this as a follow up for FYL One I had the book by Pastor Michael Catt, Fireproof Your Life, and used a lot of material I got out of this great book.

FIREPROOF YOUR LIFE Two

Standing in the Fire
A Sequoia tree can live through many fires, because it's bark is very thick. After the fire the tree can smoulder for six to twelve months from the "pain and suffering" of the flames. When trials by fire come into our lives we find ourselves smoldering. Does anyone here tonite have a smoldering pain that they are carrying around with them? We ask God , "Why me?, or Why this?"
James 1:1-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete , needing nothing
We can buy into the lie, " If God loved me he wouldn't allow this to happen" This is wrong to assume. The fires we go through are a time of testing. Trials show what we are made of, they reveal our hearts, our faith, our level of maturity and trust in God.
Life springs from death and flames of fires, and results in new births. We are here together tonite because of all we have gone through which has led us to a time such as this, together with this family, this fellowship. The bark of the Sequoia tree is 2 inches thick and underneath are 100's of seeds that come out as the bark is burned off, blowing off in the wind to blossom into new trees.
A Cultivated Heart
In Matthew 13:3-9 Jesus tells the parable of the sower of seeds. (read it) In this parable Jesus is the sower, the Word is the seed, and our hearts are the soil. We can all agree there is no problem with the sower or the seed. The problem could be with the soil - our hearts. We sometimes allow things to keep us from bearing fruit and growing in Godliness. ( ask 4 examples )
If you feel that you are not growing spiritually, you may not be fireproofing your life. When the forest fire sweeps through the forest, the giant Sequoia's are rarely destroyed. They have multiple layers of bark, containing a substance called tannin, which acts as a natural fire retardant. Something like the shield of faith that we can develop to protect us from the fiery darts of the enemy. Read Ephesians 6:10-17
Standing Tall
Do you resolve to live a fireproof life? Tests will come. People with little or no faith will fail. You may find yourself in a season of discouragment. Someone may tell you that serving God is not worth it. ( story about customer ) Stand tall, stand strong, don't quit.
Isaiah 40:31 " Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary"
Fireproof Your Life
Relationships are going to be tested. marriages, family, workplace, friends. How we respond to these tests can determine whether we become a success or a statistic. Let your life be a story of God's faithfullness, and your obedience.I want to be someone that my wife is proud of.....
Success by God’s Standard’s
In today’s secular workplace success is measured by power and money. It is not morals, integrity, character, or biblical values that will cause you to succeed at most places of employment. God sees things differently. Read Psalm 1:1-3. Success isn’t about money. The reason we don’t fireproof our lives is because we believe there is a middle ground. We buy into compromising our values. If you do not make the Word of God your guide, the way of God your aim, and the will of God your desire, you will be susceptible to failure. However if we wish to live a life that is pleasing to God there are specific things that must be part of our daily living. We must pay attention to God, if we want to survive the fires of life, we need to know how to fireproof our motives. We stumble when we look anywhere but to the Lord for peace, joy,and happiness. We seal our fate by the choices we make. Read Matthew 7:13-14 it is said of the three men in the furnace in the book of Daniel “ They wouldn’t bow. Hey wouldn’t bend. They didn’t burn.” These three principles will help us to fireproof our lives. (Discuss this.) Wouldn’t bow to culture. Pastors and believers all over are allowing the world to influence the church, instead of the church influencing the world. We are called to be salt and light! Matthew 5:13-16. We need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Wouldn’t bend, we cannot cater to the demands of today’s system, and be true to God. There is nothing new under the sun, sin is still sin and the cross is still the cross. Do we all understand what it means to “ pick up our cross daily”? Luke 9:23-24 The flesh dies hard.The enemy is out to destroy your testimony and your witness. We must stand tall with our armor on. Fiery darts are coming. There is no peaceful existence with evil. Playing with fire will ultimately get you burned. We cannot resist the devil without first submitting ourselves to God. If you want to say no to the devil, you must first say yes to God! If you notice someone who calls himself a believer enjoying the company of the ungodly more than fellowship with saints, you have to wonder what the result will be. I think we can all think of some who are straddling the fence.
Fireproof Your Faith
God takes our Idols from us, we don’t want to give them up. NRA bumper sticker. You can have my gun….. We must trust Him at the bottom, as you do at the top. You sometimes may want to ask “what are you doing God?” In the book of Daniel, Daniel and his three friends refused to bow down to Idols, stop praying, or eat the kings food. This inspires us on how to live Godly lives in a sinful world. When we face trials we can expect God to be there with us through them. We must make our stand for the Lord. We must walk by faith, not by sight. Not the other way around. This means trusting God every day. Not just at your salvation, or at your baptism. We need to have the attitude that God is actively interested in our daily existence. This attitude of faith, this resting in God is what God desires most.
- At the end of the day, faith means letting God be God.
- Faith is the capacity to trust God while not being able to make sense out of everything that is going on.
- Faith is the power of putting self aside that God may work unhindered.
- Faith is reason at rest in God
- Faith is not idle, it works while it waits.
- Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
During difficult times we need to learn to flex our faith muscles.
Fireproof faith has confidence in God.( Discuss)
Fireproof faith does not ignore or deny problems. (Discuss)
Fireproof faith is expressed through confidence in the Word of God. (Discuss)
Fireproof faith must become a way of life. (Discuss)

2009-06-26T10:26:00.000-07:00
This was part one of a recent bible study I wrote for our life group. We have some singles as well as couples in our life group, and I wanted to share concepts from the movie Fireproof, but this is mainly a couples ministry. Then I noticed a book on line by Pastor Michael Catt from the Church that presented Fireproof the movie. This inspired me to write this study, and for part 2 which I will post next , I had a copy of the book and used it for inspiration.

FIREPROOF YOUR LIFE 05.29.09
Be a Justice Fighter
How can someone show love over and over again when they’re constantly rejected? Have you loved God in everything you do? God loves us even though we don’t deserve it. God does not judge by our standards. His standards are high, Truth, Love, Faithfulness. God is interested in our problems. Love others enough to tell them the truth.
Proverbs 3:3-6 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem, in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.
Read v. 3 and 4. There are three things that we are to do. No one else can do this for you...it’s clear that each individual is responsible to apply these words to his or her life. A faithful person works for justice for others.
Matthew 5:6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6 there is one word that’s used four times in these two short verses. What word is used four times? YOUR! It is your responsibility to “trust in the Lord.” Trust means total dependence and submission. It means to take the present and the future and give it to God. It is your responsibility “not to depend on your own understanding.” In other words, don’t turn to your own limited viewpoint. You can’t handle everything your own way. Don’t lean, devote or rely on your strength, securities and understanding. It’s your responsibility to “seek His will.” The King James version says to “acknowledge Him.” You are to seek or acknowledge God in all that you do. Not in some ways, not in the ways that you can’t handle but He says...in all you do. In the most important matters of your life, in the difficult and the easy, it is your responsibility to trust in the Lord, not to depend on your own understanding and to seek His will...for He will direct your path. 1000 yrs later Jesus says in, Matthew 6:33-34 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously , and he will give you everything you need.” \
Be A Good Listener
James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. So, think before you speak, when we talk too much and listen too little, we communicate to others that we think our ideas are much more important than theirs. James wisely advises us to reverse this process. Put a mental stopwatch on your conversations, and keep track of how much you talk and how much you listen. When people talk with you, do they feel that their viewpoints and ideas have value.

Be A Generous Giver
It is hard to care for anything that you are not investing in. Luke 12:34, Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus makes it clear that having the wrong treasure leads to our hearts being in the wrong place. Storing treasures in Heaven is not limited to tithing, but is accomplished by all acts of obedience to God. We should seek to please God not only in our giving, but also in fulfilling God’s purposes in all we do. Jesus calls us for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures. If you want to evaluate yourself open up your check book and look at where you are writing your checks.
Prayer Changes Things
James 5: …the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
When someone you know and love is going through something hard pray for them even more. When things get difficult for you, it makes you check your real motives. This topic is a very unpleasant one for many in the Body of Christ to talk about, much less ever fully accept in their walks with the Lord. Whether we like it or not, and whether we ever want to fully face up to this reality in this life, every single one us, saved or unsaved, will have to face a certain amount of adversity, conflict, trials and tribulations as we journey through this life - with absolutely no exceptions to this cold, hard, brutal fact. As a result of living in a fallen, cursed and imperfect world as a result of what happened in the story of Adam and Eve, every single one of us will have to face a certain amount of trials and tribulations as we plow through this earthly life. Many Christians have either lost part or all of their faith in the Lord as a result of getting hit with some severe torpedo shots. And unless you have a full understanding and full knowledge as to why God will sometimes allow bad things to happen to good people in this life, you can have your faith in the Lord shaken to its very core depending on the level of intensity and severity of the storm cloud that may have just struck you. The Bible tells us that God's people can perish for having lack of knowledge - and not having the right kind of knowledge to fully understand why bad things can happen to good people in this life, especially to Christians, can cause you to perish in your own personal relationship with the Lord if you ever end up losing your faith in Him as a result of not being able to fully understand why He may have allowed some severe adversity to hit you in the first place. The Bible tells us that we have to learn how to become good soldier of Jesus Christ and learn how to walk with God's anointing in your life, you can keep either a lot of these storm clouds from ever hitting you in the first place, or you can quickly defeat them once they do come knocking at your door.
Worship While I’m Waiting

I believe that the most common mistake we make in understanding God's will is this: We get a right idea about what he wants us to do, but we miss his timing in carrying it out. Sometimes we run behind the Lord. In Jesus' time people were often surprised by his sense of urgency in responding to needs. What bothered the Pharisees most was not that he healed, but that he healed on the Sabbath. If he had waited just one more day to heal the man with the withered hand, they wouldn't have complained (Mk 3:1-6). Instead, Jesus' ministry reflected the prompt compassion urged by Proverbs 3:27-28: "Do not withhold good . . . when it is in your power to do it.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. ( God has a plan for everyone.)
Does the proverbial phrase, "Hurry up and wait," hit just a little too close to home? Time is something everyone deals with. God created time, and He has a set time for every event in your life. He has a set and appointed time to raise you up. God holds the clock of your life, and in order to cooperate with Him, you'll have to submit to His timing. What happens if you are too impatient to wait for God's time? When you are too impatient to wait for the promise of God, you will begin to work things out within your own flesh. When that happens, you often create a mess that you will have to face eventually . Maybe you have been waiting for that certain job, car, mate, or finances. Just hold on. Your breakthrough has been scheduled before time. God knows how old you are. He knows how long and how intensely you've been waiting. He will place you at the right place at the right time to meet the right person to open the right door. Do not try to force what God has set for that "certain" time. Rest assured, God is setting you up for your scheduled date with destiny. Waiting upon the Lord's timing requires trust and humility. The Hebrew word for wait means "to wait with hopeful expectancy." I think of this as trusting with unlimited confidence. If God has promised you something, you can be sure you will have it. He is not like the people you meet every day who talk big but have short memories. God is faithful to fulfill every promise He gives to us. There may be a waiting period, but it will come to pass. Trusting God demands humility—because you must put aside all of your pride and your own agenda and simply rest in God.

Four Faces of God/The Ox

2009-06-24T21:54:00.000-07:00
This is another recent iMAX guide I wrote from our recent series on the book of Revelation

The Four Faces of God The Ox Week 2
IN A NUTSHELL
In this message Pastor describes the second of the four living creatures, the Ox. These four living creatures represent the attributes or character of God. The Ox symbolizes God’s faithfulness, as Jesus Christ is our faithful witness, and through Him we draw closer to God. And like the Ox we must remain faithful, being in God’s word, being a faithful ambassador to channel God’s provision, and being trustworthy in obedience, like an Ox. Also the Rainbow symbolizes God’s covenant to man, and the Ark and the other sacraments reveal God’s faithfulness in his word, his provision, and his leadership in our lives.
TALK IT OUT
1. Revelation 4:8 (NLT) Holy, holy, holy Is the Lord, God, the almighty- these living creatures were constantly honoring and worshiping God. How can we keep in an attitude of honor and worship for the Lord, God, almighty, our creator and sustainer, in our daily lives?
2. A rainbow was God’s covenant to man in Genesis 9:13, and again seen surrounding the throne in Revelation 4:3. The Ark reveals God’s faithfulness. What does it look like in or lives to be faithful to God? What do you need to surrender?
3. As we reflect in the image of the Ox and his obedience, talk about how we can prove trustworthy in the smaller tasks God has given us,(and what are they?), so that we can expand our territories and experience God’s favor in bigger tasks.(and what are they?)
4. Luke 10:29 Who is my neighbor? Love for others glorifies God by reflecting our love for Him, discuss Matthew25:40 and talk about being that channel for God’s provision. Talk about some service projects out in the community that you or your group are doing and is there a way for your group to go out and serve together?
DRAW IT OUT
God is and has always been faithful to us his people. The tablets of stone give us a covenant of God’s word and set a standard of obedience. The jar of manna reminds us that Jehovah Jireh, God the provider is our daily bread. And Aaron’s staff represents God’s leadership. Christ our eternal High Priest died on a cross for us to cover our sin today. He is our risen Lord and through obedience of God’s word and walking in principles we can show honor and worship to our Heavenly Father, our creator and provider.
LIVE IT OUT
1. Discuss with your group how you can get together and do a service project for others who might be needy in the community. Put someone in the group in charge of this and work on it as you meet and discuss God’s message to us through bible study and iMAX guides.

iSearch Series 05.09

2009-06-24T15:10:00.000-07:00
I recently began writing something we call iMAX guides. They are a study on the Pastors weekend sermon, that goes deeper into the message. This is a recent iMAX that I wrote. It was week 5 of a series of messages.

I’m Still Searching iSearch Week 5
IN A NUTSHELL
In Philippians 4:11-13 the Apostle Paul tells us how he has been through all circumstances from easy to hard, and that he relies on Christ for his strength and perseverance. Pastor shares with us God’s view of contentment. It is peaceful and has a perspective. We learn from our experiences as we do life stepping in God’s will. We should always be thankful, remembering that God has a plan for us, and live our lives here with eternity in mind. And as it says in Philippians 4:13, Christ is enough…
TALK IT OUT
1. God on the Mountain is the God in the valley. Discuss how you have gone through times where you had to wait on God. Did you get anxious, and say why me? Or did you rely on God’s timing, knowing that if you lean on Him for your strength you will get through the valley and start to climb that mountain again!
2. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke 17:33 KJV. Read 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-7 and discuss these verses. How can we live by faith and not by sight, keeping an eternal perspective? What are you living for, earthly wealth or treasures in heaven?
3. Contentment is learned through experience and obedience, read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and talk about what you have to be thankful for. ( whether you are in a valley, or up on the mountain )
4. How can we live our lives declaring that Christ is enough for each one of us? Philippians 4:13
5. Trusting the Lord, spiritual discernment, following God’s will no matter what the circumstances is not always easy. In Genesis 37:19-28,39:19-23, 41:37-42 Joseph gets sold into slavery, thrown in prison, then lifted up to a high position with Pharoah. Talk about ways that you and every one in your group can remember that God has a plan for you, and how to apply that principle even during the tough times when you are waiting on the Lord.
DRAW IT OUT
We are all looking for contentment and peace. We will experience trials and problems and if we lean on God, pray for His timing, and his will to be done, and wait on Him, then we will develop endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5

LIVE IT OUT
Take some time with your group this week to pray together, give God praise and worship, confess that we are sinners, thank him for all he does that is good in our lives, and bring your groups requests to him, expecting His favor in return.

Justice Fighter/Intro

2009-06-23T19:59:00.000-07:00
Matthew 5:6 (NLT) God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

I have always wanted to write a book about my life experiences and joys.
At his time on 06.23.09 I will start to journal my story, my thoughts, my prayers, and the bible studies that I write. I borrow material from the many wonderful Pastors that I am blessed to experience in the bible studies that I attend. I use books by John Maxwell, Max Lucado, John Ortberg, and many others to get ideas and material for what I write. As I borrow from others, please feel free to borrow from me.
I am very active in ministry and I dedicate everything that I am blessed to do; to God, and to my beautiful wife Carol, for all her support and love..