Monday, December 21, 2009

May We Not Be Part Of The Mess


"To act like the rest
Makes you part of the mess.
To be salt
Where there is no taste,
And be light
In a gloomy place,
We must be so unlike
The seething throng
Who as slaves are held
In the senseless grip
Of the need to fight
Wrong with wrong.
To act like others
Is to let them smother
Your light
And kill your fire
Until you are cold and dark,
Just like others.

How could you ever get even,
When in Acts you read of Stephen,
Who forgave while being stoned
And the Lord rose from his throne
To honor a forgiver
Whose love flowed as a river
That would never be stopped;
Who lived as a giver
Till the moment he dropped;
Only to be raised,
And for endless days,
Crowned with heavenly praise?

There’s no better way
To make the devil’s day
Than to fight for right
The wrong way.
There’s no greater way
To multiply evil
Than to try to stop evil
By acting like the devil.
When you come against sin
In the lives of others,
You either act like the Son
Or the devil has won.

We need a way
That’s better still;
That makes the supernatural real.
So lift your eyes even higher,
Through the clouds
Of heroes that inspire;
Go beyond human feats
Till your eyes meet
Your glorious Savior.

This does not mean
An end to pain;
Christ will lead you
Through the flame;
He’ll take you to the cross,
Where, like him,
You’ll suffer shame
And temporary loss,
To win eternal fame."

By Colette Guindon

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God



Monday, December 14, 2009

Was It The Lightning or God


My Wife directed our children's Christmas program today and she couldn't find any wings for her angel Kelsey Groll, so she prayed asking God for help in finding some wings. At the second practice, the lightning was used and she heard someone say " Look she has wings" and there they were. God answered the prayer. Thank you God for the Awesome wings. You never know how God will answer your prayers, but He aways does.

I'm convinced it was the light of God
that made those wings...
I can see the outline of feathers.




Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Be a Caleb


Do Not Listen To Others Who Choose To Fear the Giants.

Be a Caleb... do not fear the giants before you...
focus on the power of God and walk in His promises.

Tune out the negative voices of doubt
and possess what God wants you to inherit.

You are close to a special victory that the Lord has for you...
walk out from the crowd and grab hold of Jesus...
then tell the giants in your life to leave.

Choose to believe His Word,
and He will do what others say is impossible
and lead you into your promise land. (Numbers 14)

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Saturday, November 28, 2009

LORD ENLARGE MY HEART


These words and thoughts are from David Wilkerson... a brother I disagree with at times, but that is the purpose of this post... LORD ENLARGE MY HEART FOR THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT THAN ME.

The evangelists George Whitefield and John Wesley were two of the greatest preachers in history. These men preached to thousands in open meetings, on the streets, in parks and prisons, and through their ministries many were brought to Christ.

But a doctrinal dispute arose between the two men over how a person is sanctified. Both doctrinal camps defended their positions strongly, and some vicious words were exchanged, with the followers of both men arguing in unseemly fashion.

A follower of Whitefield came to him one day and asked, “Will we see John Wesley in heaven?” He was asking, in effect, “How can Wesley be saved if he’s preaching such error?”

Whitefield answered, “No, we will not see John Wesley in heaven. He will be so high up near Christ’s throne, so close to the Lord, that we won’t be able to see him.”

Paul called this kind of spirit “enlargement of heart.” And he had it himself as he wrote to the Corinthians, a church in which some had accused him of hardness and who had sneered at his preaching. Paul assured them, “O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged” (2 Corinthians 6:11).

When God enlarges your heart, suddenly so many limits and barriers are removed! You don’t see through a narrow lens anymore. Instead, you find yourself being directed by the Holy Spirit to those who are hurting. And the hurting are drawn to your compassionate spirit by the Holy Ghost’s magnetic pull.

So, do you have a gentleness of heart when you see hurting people? When you see a brother or sister who has stumbled in sin or may be having problems, are you tempted to tell them what’s wrong in their lives? Paul says that hurting ones need to be restored in a spirit of meekness and gentleness. They need to encounter the spirit that Jesus demonstrated.

Here is the cry of my heart for my remaining days: “God, take away all narrowness from my heart. I want your spirit of compassion for those who are hurting…your spirit of forgiveness when I see someone who’s fallen…your spirit of restoration, to take away their reproach.

“Take away all exclusiveness from my heart, and enlarge my capacity to love my enemies. When I approach someone who’s in sin, let me not go in judgment. Instead, let the well of water springing up in me be a river of divine love for them. And let the love that’s shown to them kindle in them a love for others.”

BEING A SERVANT TO ALL - May we each obey our call and serve God... as He has purposed in our hearts and shown us in His Word. "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:15-17)

Sunday, October 25, 2009

God Knows About Broken Hearts


Great Video...
Got a problem... run to God.

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Monday, October 19, 2009

Mustard Seed Faith

Unless a seed dies it cannot live...
So I'm learning to daily die to self...
New growth is happening...
Praise God.

Faith The Size Of A Mustard Seed
Faith the size of a mustard seed
Will move a mighty mountain
That's what His word tells me
To believe is to trust in Him

To know that His word is truth
To know that He will do as He says
To stand on those words
And accept them through his Grace

So why do I doubt
Why do I limit Him
Why do I fear
Is fear really a sin

Faith the size of a mustard seed
Is what I have and more
Yet I whine and cry
When adversity knocks on my door

I know my God is there
To wipe away my tears
I know my God is there
To calm all my fears

I know my God is there
To fix all that's broken
I know my God can do all things
With only one word spoken

He's the creator of all the universe
He's the creator of my soul
He's the reason I'm alive
He can make me whole

He takes me by the hand
He walks me through the dark
I've trusted Him through all the years
To chase away the enemy's sharks

Yet when a new problem arises
When I'm faced with sadness again
I cry and whine and wail
I guess I never learn

Faith the size of a mustard seed
Will move a mighty mountain
Nothing is impossible with God
When you simply trust in Him
Amen!!
Anonymous

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Worship


Clear the stage and make some space
for the One who deserves to be front and center.


Please click below
to listen to an inspiring song about worship

CLICK HERE - "Clear the Stage" by Ross King

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

We Do Not Have To Speak For Jesus To Hear Us


"We Do Not Have To Speak
For Jesus To Hear Us...
When the pain leaves you speechless...
The hurt runs so deep you can't begin to pray...
Just be still In His presence...
Know He is there...
He knows your every thought...
He feels what you feel...
Let Him comfort your soul...
He will heal your heart and make you whole...
Just be still in His presence...
Be still."
(Still by Scott Zacaroli)


A SONG THAT WILL MINISTER TO YOUR HEART
Click On the Link below
and listen to this NEW song -"STILL" by Scott Zacaroli

CLICK HERE

"He leads me beside quiet waters and restores my soul." (Psalm 23:2)

I'm praying for a special friend to be restored... lift her up Lord.



Sunday, September 13, 2009

Do Not Be Counted Among The Foolish


For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)



Thursday, August 20, 2009

Rise Up and Live Jesus


May we keep ourselves immersed in the things of the LORD.
Let us allow HIM to set the agendas in our lives.

God wants us to be living under the umbrella of HIS Kingdom,
shielded from the fiery darts of the evil one.

The enemy is trying to give us defeated spirits.
May we put on the whole armor of God and live in HIS Word.

Encourage and build one another up in JESUS CHRIST.
The clock is ticking and winding down.

May we purge ourselves of the things of this world,
that try to pull our hearts away from our LORD.

May our hearts weep in repentance before our God.
Rise up and LIVE JESUS... in this new day.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Friday, August 14, 2009

Walking In Faith


Following in our Lord's footsteps
takes a lot of faith.


We must keep taking those steps for Him.
Walking in faith is an adventure
that takes absolute trust.
Jesus will call us to do things that seem impossible,
but to God nothing is impossible.
What He asks us to do... will sometimes
seem too big for us to accomplish in of ourselves.
That's when He will cause us to lean on Him,
to draw upon His strength.
May we all keep stepping out for our Lord.
We must walk and exercise our Faith.
Our eyes and ears will try to give us doubts,
but when our hearts are trusting in Him...
we will soar high with the eagles.

God can move those mountains in our lives...
But we must Believe and Trust.

Jesus looked at them and said,
With man this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible.
(Matthew 19:26)

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Sunday, July 19, 2009

Flowing Down


Amazing grace... how sweet the sound...
amazing love now flowing down.
His hands and feet were nailed to the cross...
His grace flowed down and has covered me.
Thank You Jesus... may others see...
Your amazing grace living in me.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Saturday, July 18, 2009

Lord Revive Our Hearts


I dare you to watch this whole video!
Please click on the link below:

CLICK HERE

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)

May every area of our lives...
confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

Lord... if we be sleeping... wake us up.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

In the Event You Can Not Find Me


If I am declared missing by the police,
please click below to learn what happened to me,
through this brief two minute video:


CLICK HERE

Do not search for me... I'm safe.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Thursday, July 9, 2009

What Season Are You In


“To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1


We would all rather...
laugh than weep
dance than mourn
gain than lose
heal than tear down
peace then war.

We must remember... whatever the season we are in...
it is the season to trust in Him.

"God is our refuge and strength..." - Psalm 46:1

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Monday, July 6, 2009

Stimulate One Another


"Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love
and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:24

Can't think of any additional words to add to that.
Thank you Heavenly Father for pouring out Yourself
through your word... for us to better know Your ways.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Fourth of July


As a nation we can grow complacent in our land of plenty.
It is often... not until we have a tragedy or emergency
that we turn our thoughts back to God.


Our nation is about to celebrate another Independence Day.
We use this holiday to commemorate
the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776,
which declared our independence from Great Britain.
I am thankful for all the freedoms that we enjoy,
which have been paid for by all those who have served
and are presently serving in the armed forces.
May our nation also, humbly recognize how God has blessed us.
May our nation never operate independently of Him.

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


How do we typically make judgments
about matters facing our country?
Do we rely on logic and personal preference,
or do you examine the issues according to the Scriptures?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Keep Pressing On


Do not be focused on past failures or successes,
instead be focused on finishing strong for the Lord.
Philippians 3:10-21


Apostle Paul completely surrendered his old identity
and embraced his new identity in Christ.
He did not live in the past... he plowed ahead.
Paul kept pressing on to finish strong for the Lord....
He focused on being found in Jesus Christ in every area
of his life.

Have you ever been sidetrack in your walk with the Lord
by dwelling on past failures or successes?
We need to intimately and passionately keep pressing on.
The finish line is just ahead... I can almost see it.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Monday, June 22, 2009

Trusting God


Thus says the LORD,
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches.
But let him who glories, glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight, says the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24


What if we wake up tomorrow and we've lost everything?
Everything that the world says we need to have is gone.
Would we still trust, love and worship God?
What if we lose our job, our home, our finances or our friends?
If we had nothing left in our lives besides Jesus,
would we still trust Him and still love Him no matter what happened?
Are we trusting the stuff of this world,
or maybe our own might for our secruity, instead of trusting God?

Are we able to find peace and contentment through Christ
despite what's happening around us in this world?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Friday, June 19, 2009


We Need You Lord

Like lost wanderers in a burning, empty desert
thirst for cool, clean water,
we long for you to quench us.
In a world gone progressively mad,
with chaos all around us,
we seek refuge in the order and purpose of your law.
With evil sneaking, leaking everywhere,
spreading heavy darkness,
creating feelings of emptiness,
we hunger for your goodness and light.
Turn us around, Lord, we pray;
retrieve your sheep who have gone astray.
Draw us to the satisfaction
of your purity and righteousness.
Cleanse us, and make us more like you,
for others who are searching for meaning for their lives.
Come, Lord Jesus.
We need you, Lord.


By Joanna Fuchs

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Above All ...


"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8


How does love cover a multitude of our sins?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Capture That Moment For Jesus


Pastor Cliff's Bible study was very inspiring tonight.
He challenged us to be "found in Jesus Christ".
To capture those passing moments in our lives
and share Jesus with all those around us.


Then I came home and logged on to a Pastor's blog in another State
and found the following story written there:

"Last Monday Morning, I was at Wal-Mart
and as I entered the building, I was practically run over
by three security officers chasing down a shop-lifter.
This young man had stolen several play station games
and as they wrestled him to the ground,
many people gathered around to watch.
It was quite a spectacle.
I thought to myself as I was buying some Doritos,
Surely, if a shoplifter can stir up that much interest,
Godly, men and women who are serious
about being set a part for God’s service
can magnetically draw people to our Jesus.
Let’s create our own spectacle in the days ahead."
Pastor Don Schultheis


In Philippians 3:9, Apostle Paul talks about being "found in Jesus".
No matter how ordinary our daily lives are
we need to look for those moments
where we can point people to Jesus.
Pastor Cliff told us to capture those moments
and build on them.

May I be found in Jesus
by a lost world who needs to know Him.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Monday, June 15, 2009

I Am


Jesus said... "I Am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Revelation 22:13


I Am the Alpha and the Omega...
I Am the first and the last...
I Am the beginning and the end...
I Am the maker of the heavens and the earth...
I Am the breath of all creation...
I Am the Kings of Kings...
I Am the holy lamb of God...
I Am your fountain of living water...
I Am the risen Son of God...
I Am the healer of the broken hearted...
I Am the one who bore the sins of man...
I Am the word upon your heart...
I Am the one who knew you before you were born...
I Am the one who walked on water...
I Am the one who calmed the seas...

I Am your Savior and Redeemer.

There are only four possibilities.
Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, a legend,
or the Truth.

Jesus is our Truth... He wants to be our Lord of everything.
Will we call upon Him... to calm our seas
and allow Him to continue to transform us
in every area of our lives ?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Thursday, June 11, 2009

Sick and Tired ?


Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?

I don't know where you been,
or where you are today.
But Jesus is ready to wrap His arms around you.

Tell Jesus that you need His help and forgiveness.
He will transform you and give you a new life.
No more... sick and tired.

I am with you always,
until the end of the world. - Matthew 28:20


Our Savior never fails us.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Sunday, June 7, 2009

The Altar Call


Today, our Pastor shared a wonderful Spirit led message.
He ended the worship service with an altar call.
People were encouraged to come forward and pray.


I contemplated whether the Holy Spirit wanted me to go forward.
There were not any heavy convictions in my heart,
that I thought needed to be confessed to my Lord.
Then the Holy Spirit quietly whispered these words to me
"Paul... never be satisfied with how your walking with the Lord."
That quickly resolved in me... that I needed to go forward.

We shouldn't be satisfied with our walk with the Lord today,
considering where He is going to take us tomorrow.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Thursday, June 4, 2009

You Must Be Jesus


Donna emailed me a story today,
that reminded me about an encounter I had in a hospital.


Some years ago, a small boy said to me... "you must be Jesus",
after I prayed with a group of people in a hospital waiting room.
I told him no... but Jesus loved him very much.

Just thinking out loud...
Do people mistake us for Jesus?
Should we live our lives so much like Jesus,
that people can't tell us apart?
Maybe that's just the Pastor's job.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Seat Cushions


An unfortunate reality is
that a person can use church activities
to avoid a hurting world.
Charles Roesel and Donald Atkinson on "Sharing Christ"


Do we as believers have a siege mentality
that sees the world as our enemy, instead of our mission field?
Are we hiding behind the protective walls of our churches,
keeping busy with church activities?

Has separation from the world
become our highest expression of faith and piety,
when we need to be taking it to the streets?

Just thinking out loud here...
but are the pew cushions too padded !

Somebody... please drag me into the streets with you.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Saturday, May 30, 2009

Optimum Power


" I am the vine and you are the branches.
If a man remains in Me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit ;
apart from Me you can do nothing. "
John 15:5


Sometimes we can feel so very distant.
We become disconnected from the source
that gives us the power to live by.

May we never forget ...
we need to stay connected to Jesus ... the true vine.
He is our true source of power...
apart from Him we can do nothing ...
connected to Him we can do all things... through Him.
( John 15:1-8 )

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Thursday, May 28, 2009

Fly with the Eagles


Yet those who wait for the LORD;
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles;
They will run and not get tired;
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31


Don't settle for ordinary... fly with the eagles.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Walking the Talk


Preach the Gospel ............
if necessary use words !


Do People See Jesus In Us ?

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God

Friday, May 22, 2009

Put On Jesus


But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Romans 13:14


A grandfather told his grandson a story
about 2 wolves that live inside him.
He told his grandson that the one wolf was good
and the other wolf was bad.
He went on with the story and said...
both wolves were continually fighting inside him.
The grandson interrupted his grandpa
and asked him which wolf wins the most fights?
The grandfather leaned over and told him...
the one I feed the most... always wins.

Paul is telling us in Romans not to feed our sinful desires.
Instead... we need to put on Jesus
and make Him "Lord" over our thoughts and actions.
The more we focus on Jesus
and the more involved we are in sharing Him with others...
the less we will desire the things of the flesh.

Put on Jesus everyday... before stepping out the door.

Living the Call Together - All for the Glory of God


Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Just Give Me Jesus


The world is filled with lots of clutter
and so many distractions.
Sometimes the noise of life
drowns out the voice of God in my ears.


I want to base my life on the fact that I am a child of God...
through believing in Jesus Christ.

I am an heir to the Kingdom of God... I want to live like it.
May the fruit of the Holy Spirit be practiced in my life...
peace, joy, love and all the other Gifts of the Spirit.

I want to move more stuff out of my life...
to make more room for Jesus.

Just give me more and more of Jesus...
and more people to share Him with.


There are a lot of people lost in this world
and our Heavenly Father wants them found...
by sharing the Good News of His Son... Jesus Christ.

Let's go... starting with Cambridge Springs...
the clock is ticking.


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Needy Take From Church Collection Plates

Church lets needy take from their collection plates...

In these hard economic times,
we can't be so into church business
that we forget what our business is,
and that is to help people.
Pastor Toby Slough


A North Texas pastor passes the collection plates at his Church,
but now he tells struggling people to take what they need.
Toby Slough, pastor of the Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, TX,
says the church is helping single moms and widows,
and people who are behind on their utility bills.

Slough says it all started early this year
when he told his congregation to take money from the plates
if they needed it, even though donations were down.
That day, he tells the Dallas-Fort Worth TV stations,
the church took in the largest offering ever,
even after people took for their needs out of the plates.

Slough says, that it all started after he gave a ride to a jobless man
who was down to his last bus pass.
That's when the Lord told him...
to turn the collection plates into giving plates.

Would you be willing to trust God and do this in your church?


Sunday, May 17, 2009

Turning Fear Into Boldness


Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength
is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work.
But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit,
then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.
Corrie ten Boom


I have personally found...
that when trying to do the Lord's work
the most important thing is to pray first.
The time spent in preparation
is certainly vital too.
But the absolute most important thing
is to be prayed up........
You will be operating in His confidence after praying and preparing.
Cling to the promise.......
that the Lord will equip us for whatever He calls us to do.
Be not... overly concerned about what words to minister with
our Holy Spirit will put them on our lips...when we are prayed up.

Be bold for our Lord... step out in His confidence...
be prayed up.

Keep Pressing On For The Lord In All You Do
Bringing Glory To The Name Of Jesus Christ.


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

What Is Enough


My friend Dale, who loss his wife last year,
just shared this story with me.
It is an account that has been posted on the net before,
but it really touched me

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter
in their last moments together at the airport.
They had announced the departure.
Standing near the security gate,
they hugged, and the mother said,
'I love you, and I pray you enough.'
The daughter replied,
'Mom, our life together has been more than enough.
Your love is all I ever needed.
I pray you enough, too, Mom.'


They kissed, and the daughter left.
The mother walked over to the window
where I was seated.
Standing there, I could see she wanted
and needed to cry.
I tried not to intrude on her privacy,
but she welcomed me in by asking,
'Did you ever say good-bye to someone
knowing it would be forever?'
Yes, I have,' I replied.
My wife went to be with the Lord last year.
'Forgive me for asking,
but why is this a forever good-bye?'
'Well...I'm not as young as I once was,
she lives so far away & has
her own busy life.
I have some challenges ahead and the reality is,
her next trip back will be for my funeral,'.

'When you were saying good-bye,
I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.'
May I ask what that means?'
She began to smile.
'That's a prayer that has been handed down
from other generations.
My parents used to say it to everyone.
'She paused a moment and looked up
as if trying to remember it in detail,
and she smiled even more.
'When we said, 'I pray you enough,'
we wanted the other person to have a life
filled with just enough good things to
sustain them.'

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following
as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright
no matter how gray the day may appear...
I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I pray you enough happiness
to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I pray you enough pain so that even
the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

They say, it takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them,
a day to love them,
but an entire life to forget them.

"To all my friends and loved ones,
I PRAY YOU ENOUGH..." Dale Sabin


Saturday, May 9, 2009

Make Time To Love


If you judge people,
you will have no time to love them.
Mother Teresa


Lord forgive me for all the time I have wasted.
Teach me to love people with your love.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

An Unforgivable Sin


Chapter 5 of the book of 1st John,
is a very exacting declaration that faith in Jesus Christ
is the only way to receive forgiveness and eternal life
from the Heavenly Father.

Verses 10 thru 16 read,
10. Anyone who believes in the Son of God
has this testimony in his heart.
Anyone who does not believe God
has made him out to be a liar,
because he has not believed the testimony
God has given about his Son.
11. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
12. He who has the Son has life;
he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13. I write these things to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God
so that you may know that you have eternal life.
14. This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15. And if we know that he hears us,
whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him.
16. If anyone sees his brother commit a sin
that does not lead to death,
he should pray and God will give him life.
I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death.
There is a sin that leads to death.
I am not saying that he should pray about that.

A lady once asked me to identify the sin that leads to death,
mentioned in verse 16.
Her question started a 15 week Bible study
on the Book of 1st John.
The answer to her question is revealed in verse 10.
"...Anyone who does not believe God
has made him out to be a liar,
because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son."


God's word is telling us here
that if we go to our grave not believing in His son,
we have called Him a liar.


We concluded from the study
that an unforgivable sin would be not believing
in Jesus Christ and thereby calling God a liar.


While we still have breath,
all who repent and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior
can know that they have eternal life.
But woe to those who knowingly do not and call God a liar.

Keep proclaiming Jesus Christ
to the loss world we live in.

"Living the Call together"

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Letting Go of Our Anger


Sometimes anger can sneak up on you.
You think everything's fine
and then the smallest thing
will cause you to erupt.
But before our emotions get away from us,
we must remember that rage often comes at a great personal cost.
Dr. Charles Stanley


Anger is an extremely powerful emotion.
It can destroy lives, tear relationships apart,
and ruin a believer’s witness.

The apostle Paul understood the negative potential of resentment,
and he offered this advice on how to deal with it:

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger
and clamor and slander be put away from you,
along with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted,
forgiving each other,
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32


Our anger can shut down communication with others.
It can also lead to a silent and very damaging type of resentment.
The “passive-aggressive” person takes out his bitterness on others in subtle ways.
One of the most harmful consequences of uncontrolled anger is depression.
Over time, inner turmoil and unresolved conflicts
will take their toll on a person’s mental health.

We can let our anger control us and suffer the consequences.
Or we can conquer it by forgiving others
that we feel have stirred up the bitterness in us.
Try to identify the causes of anger in your life,
and give those burdens over to the Lord.
Trust that He will empower you to overcome them.

We can't move ahead - if we're trying to get even.
Frank Tyger


Friday, May 1, 2009

More Than A Village


When warmth exists in God’s house, God is pleased and glorified!
Don Schultheis

Look at Acts 4:42-44
“They devoted themselves to the fellowship…
All the believers were together”

The people in that very first church loved each other.
The atmosphere was warm and caring.
They were devoted to fellowship and all the believers were together.

Ten times in the first five Chapters of Acts,
the word tells us that the early Church in Jerusalem was unified.

Look at these phrases:
They were in one accord.
They had one heart.
They had one purpose.
They had one spirit.
They were all united in thought.


There is a mighty movement of God
happening in our church.
May our cups continue to overflow
and spill into our neighborhoods.
Keep lifting up the name of Jesus Christ in all you do.

God is doing something in our midst... be in the center of it.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Can the Enemy Read Our Minds


"No, I don’t think Satan can read your mind.
Because the Bible reveals that satan is not omniscient.
He's fallen, and sin curses the intellect, even an angelic intellect.
I don't think he was ever omniscient.
Omniscience belongs only to God.
Satan can not read your mind.
But, satan can pretty well peg what you are thinking
by how you are acting and how you are talking.
And, he can pretty well analyze the pattern of your living.
And, he pretty well knows what affects you in what way
and how you respond and react to things.
So, he can pretty well pinpoint your weaknesses,
but he can not read your mind.
There is nothing in scripture to indicate that satan can read your mind."
John MacArthur


We should seek to live Holy lives with never giving satan a foothold or place in our thoughts, words and conduct.
The best way to flee from satan
is to be running the race that God has given each of us.
Finish strong for the Lord in all you do.
Seek the things of God
not the things of this world.
If you are weak and tempted
build yourself up through prayer, reading of God's word
and assembling with God's people often.
If you have not received Jesus into your life
the first step is to go to the foot of His cross
and repent and believe.
When we come to the end of ourselves
Jesus has His arms open to receive us.
Flee from the enemy today... run to Jesus.

Leave all your bad deeds, sins and burdens
at the foot of the cross and believe in Jesus Christ.
Your Heaven Father will renew your life
and welcome you home.


Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Heart of Worship


Song writer, Matt Redman’s church was struggling
to find truth worship in their services.

Reminding his church family to be producers in worship,
not just consumers, his pastor Mike Pilavachi, asked
"When you come through the doors on a Sunday,
what are you bringing as your offering to God?"
Pastor Mike said, we have lost our way in worship
and the way to get back is to strip everything away."
His pastor did a pretty brave thing and got rid
of the sound system and band for a season
with them gathering together with just their voices.
Initially there was embarrassing silence,
but eventually people broke into a capella songs
and heartfelt prayers, encountering God in a new fresh way.

Some of the words from the song "Heart of Worship"
written by Matt Redman :

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus


Click Here - To Listen To This Song

May new worship come out of hearts
everyday of our lives.

Friday, April 24, 2009

His Favor Is Within Reach


"Scripture tells us repeatedly that our Lord is gracious
and compassionate.
He bestows unmerited favor on us,
and he desires to alleviate our suffering.
All throughout his word,
we see a God who is extending his arms
and ready to run to those who are earnestly seeking him."
Burt Wichek


The above comments are from a friend's FaceBook page.
Burt has reminded me of the importance of
always seeking out God in every area of our lives.
Our pastor said yesterday on his blog
that he wants each of us to become more dangerous
in our war against satan.
If we are seeking God with all our hearts
there will be no room for the enemy in any of us.

But if from there you shall seek the LORD your God,
you shall find him,
if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29


I want to be living in the center of God's will and grace.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Standing On Your Convictions


Miss California produced a controversial moment
in this year's Miss USA Contest,
when questioned about gay marriages.

"We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage,
" Miss Carrie Prejean said...
"And you know what, I think in my country, in my family,
I think that I believe that a marriage,
should be between a man and a woman.
No offence to anybody out there,
but that's how I was raised."

Some in the audience cheered, others booed.

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me
before it hated you.
John 15:18


Monday, April 20, 2009

Putting Our Competence In Him


Many of us as believers,
tackle difficulties using our own resources,
and thus attempt little and often fail in the little we do attempt.
All of God’s giants have been weak men and women
who did great things for God
because they depended on His power, presence and strength within them.
Hudson Taylor


Thank you Heavenly Father for equipping us.
Keep my competence in You alone and not my own strength.

If you are a Christian, expect folks to criticize you,
but live your life so nobody will believe them.
Author Unknown


Sunday, April 19, 2009

By the Grace of God


I am not what I ought to be,
I am not what I want to be,
I am not what I hope to be in another world,
but still I am not what I once used to be,
and by the grace of God I am what I am today.
John Newton


Lord Jesus, thank you for your grace.
You are my true redeemer.
Thank you for restoring me to my Heavenly Father.
May the Holy Spirit continue to lead me in Your ways.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

God Wants To Bless Us


How do we hear the voice of God in our lives ?
Are we obeying His voice and walking in His Light ?

"And all these blessings shall come on thee,
and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken
unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

Blessed shalt thou be in the city,
and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body,
and the fruit of thy ground,
and the fruit of thy cattle,
the increase of thy kine,
and the flocks of thy sheep.

Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in,
and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Deuteronomy 28:2-6


Are we listening to God's voice
or is the noise of life causing a hearing loss ?

Friday, April 17, 2009

What's Going On ?


Last night Brian walked to church with a couple of children,
escorting them to the weekly Team Kids program.
It was stuffed animal night,
so the kids were carrying their favorite ones with them.
As they walked by one of the neighbor's homes,
someone yelled from the porch... "What's going on".
Brian immediately told them, that they were on their way
to Team Kids - a church club for boys and girls.
The neighbor then said, can my children go with you too ?
I guess you know what Brian's answer was.
Brian ended up being a missionary last night
by walking a group of children to church
where they all heard how much God loves them.

During Betsy's group Bible time a new child asked a neat question.
Children learning about God - "What's going on"

Our Pastor has been seeing people in our worship services coming to receive salvation in Jesus - "Whats going on"

Giving to missions is up in our church - "What's going on"

Pastor has a baptism class of 10 or more people in it, with 9 of them wanting to join our church - "What's going on"

There were over 135 people in last Sunday's worship service.
We witnessed God's blessings - "What's going on"

People are praising God for the encouragements,
they receive when they assemble together - "What's going on"

Then the LORD said,
" ... I am watching over My word to perform it."
Jeremiah 1:12

God wants to perform His word in every area of our lives.
SEE YOU IN CHURCH SUNDAY.


Thursday, April 16, 2009

I Will Rise


I love this praise song !
I hope Tom will add it to the ones we sing in church.

"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin
(CLICK HERE - TO LISTEN)

There's a peace I've come to know...
No more sorrows... no more pain.
A day is drawing near... when I will rise on eagle wings.
The darkness will break into Light.

Lord, you are the anchor of my soul.
Storms come and go,
but your anchor always holds.


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Living Our Lives For His Glory


Live as though Christ died yesterday,
rose from the grave today,
and is coming back tomorrow.
Theodore Epp


Have you ever looked at your life
and wondered how God could possible use you ?
God wants to use all of us in His Kingdom work.
We need to let Him be in the center of our lives.
Always puting our trust in the finished works of Jesus Christ
in every issue we face.

For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Casting All My Cares Upon Him


"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow,
it empties today of its strength."
Corrie Ten Boom


“Casting all your care upon him,
for he careth for you.”
1 Peter 5:7

David encouraged the same type of commitment in Psalm 55:22,
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee..."

Lord, help me to continue to lean on You.
Your word tells me that You will meet my every need.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

I Love You Back


In some of President Obama's recent townhall meetings,
some people in the crowds have been yelling"I love you Obama".
The President in return, immediately shoots to them
"I love you back".

Jesus loves all of us and always has,
can you think of some ways... we say to Him - "I love You back".

"We love because he first loved us"
1 John 4:19


Saturday, April 11, 2009

It Is Not About A Religion


Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life,
no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6


Curious to know what comes to mind
about Jesus stating "I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life"

I have two sets of uncles and aunts along with cousins,
who have been Jehovah Witnesses for many years now.
One of the principles of their faith
is that the Jehovah Witness Religion is Truth.
They have been taught that all other beliefs
and religions are false.
I asked one of my cousins what he was trusting in
to receive eternal life from God.
He said, on judgement day if God would find
that he lived an obedient life as a Jehovah Witness
he would be rewarded with eternal life in a newly created earth.

The word grace and it's understanding
is not in his vocabulary.
My cousin's faith is performance driven.
We are on two different roads.

I do confess that I am a driven person also,
but I am depending upon the finished work of Jesus Christ,
for my eternal life.
If my faith is performance driven
it is based on the performance of my Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank the Heavenly Father for driving me
to the foot of the cross of His Son.
There the pierced hands of Jesus reached out to me
and I grabbed hold of them... never to let let go.

Today, I have many brothers and sisters in the Lord.
They have church memberships in many different denominations,
but we are all one... through our saving faith in Jesus Christ.

The good news is that one of these cousins
came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord.
He and his wife have sinced joined a Baptist church in Florida.
Praise the Lord... God never gives up on any of us.
His hands are always stretched out
to recieve us into His loving arms.

Friday, April 10, 2009

The Last Three Words from the Cross


When He had received the drink,
Jesus said, "It is finished"
with that, He bowed His head
and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30).

What do you think the significance is ...
of Jesus's last three words ?



Thursday, April 9, 2009

Some Of My Favorite Songs


"AT THE CROSS" by Hillsongs
Oh Lord' You've searched me...
and even when I fail You,
I know You still love me.
At the cross I bow my knee,
where Your blood was shed for me.
There's no greater love than this.
You have overcome the grave.
Nothing can now separate me from You.
You made the Way for all who will believe.

"EAST TO WEST" by Casting Crowns
Time and time again, Your truth is drowned out
by the storms within me.
In Your arms of mercy I find rest.
You got me through the night
and brought me to the Light of Your Son.
I don't want to slip back
to that place where You found me.
Keep holding on to me...
You have turned by night into Light.

PSALM 103:12
"Just as far as the East is from the West,
so far has He removed our trangressions from us."




Our daughter, April and our two grandchildren
visited us a couple of weekends ago.
She said to me, dad you like alot of "7 and 11 songs".
I asked her what she meant by that.
She said most of my favorite songs
have 7 words in them that are sung 11 times.
I guess that might be true in some cases,
but if a song moves me to worship,
it can't be a bad thing... right ?

What are some of your favorite praise songs
and their meanings to you ?