Blog 01-29-2010

Friday

PRaP 01-29-2010

 

“Joy In Suffering?”

 

I take joy in suffering for Christ knowing that I am chosen to do so.  Now that sounds like a crazy statement that I find joy in suffering.  I find it an honor that the Lord would consider me strong enough in my faith to handle that kind of suffering.  That means He puts me in the same category as Paul who was beaten many times and put in jail for his belief.  He was falsely accused of many things and spent much of his adult life in captivity.  No I haven’t been put in jail nor have I taken a beating but there are other sufferings that take place in our lives that are because of being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Loneliness even when in a crowd the attacks upon my children and the false accusations and half truths spoken against me and others around me or people who serve with me in Christ..  I know that I am protected from many things because of my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Find joy in knowing that you have been chosen worthy of a position with the Apostles because of your steady serving of Jesus Christ.  So I guess finding joy in suffering we have joy in serving.  Philippians 1 and 2 today:

 

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.^{[d] 20}I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²²If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

 

Philippians 1, Philippians 2

 

Key Verses:

Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:20-22 (in Context) Philippians 1 (Whole Chapter)

 

Philippians 2:12-13

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 2

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 01-28-2010

Thursday

PRaP 01-28-2010

 

“Alone Time”

 

Are you really alone in your alone time?  Do you sit there and do absolutely nothing?  Alone time can be a blessing and a curse.  It all depends on what you do in that time that you are alone.  There are lots of people who have a multitude of alone time and they spend their day trying to fill it with something.  Some fill it with praise and worship and others fill it with sin that they think can’t be seen.  Where is Jesus?  All seeing all knowing and all present!  I want my alone time to be filled with the Lord and not the world and it isn’t an easy thing to do for someone like me who is always on the go.  Go here and there and do this and that and I am responsible for this and that and I have to buy this and give that and be here and go over there and get in the car and that is just on Monday!  Oh it goes like this just about every day of the week.  But every other week the boys are with their mom and I get two solid days of just doing stuff for me and I tell you I look forward to those days.  On Saturday morning I get up and get dressed and talk to Daddy for a few and then get waffles and coffee.  Then I come home and play with luaP but then I send him packing and I sit.  Then I listen, and then I rest, and I wait, and I wake myself up snoring.  Then I will tell myself I need to get up and do something and then I usually go back to sleep.  I give all the glory to God that I am allowed these two days every other week so that I can rest.  All the other days are full.  I listen to praise and worship music and I write in these alone times as well.  Some of the best sermons are a product of this alone time I am blessed with.  But temptation tends to pop up during this time and it isn’t so easy to fight off when you are alone.  Yes believe it or not even the Pastor gets tempted.  Honestly between us I sometimes fail and have to ask forgiveness.  That may be a shocker to some of you but you know I am only human and I need a Savior just as much as the next guy.  You know what, I bet that the Pastor in the church you attend, I bet he is human too.  Give him or her a nudge and a wink and tell them it’s OK because you know.

 

Matthew 4, James 1

 

Key verse:

Matthew 4:1
[ The Temptation of Jesus ] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1-3 (in Context) Matthew 4 (Whole Chapter)

 

James 1:13
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
James 1:12-14 (in Context) James 1 (Whole Chapter)

                       

James 1:14
but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
James 1:13-15 (in Context) James 1 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 01-27-2010

Wednesday

PRaP 01-27-2010

 

“Another Year Older”

 

Yeah it’s my birthday, so what!  JUST KIDDING!!! No, it is my birthday but PRAISE GOD!  I never knew I was even going to live this long.  See, I told you God has a since of humor.  His plan is so much greater than ours and today I give Him all the honor and praise for what He is doing in my life and I can’t wait to see what He has planned for this next year.  Even though my bones creak and I can feel my organs groaning in the morning to operate I still wake up without an alarm clock and I still breath unassisted so I am BLESSED!   Just breathing is a blessing!  I still have enough brain cells to write these PRaPs and I can still make the preacher think.  Brain cells are overrated!  Other than that it’s just another day.  I personally think we should make this day a federal holiday and take the day off.  WHO’S WITH ME!?!?!?  I haven’t even had my first cup of coffee yet so can you imagine when I do?  Why am I so excited?  I have Jesus in my life and because of Him I find joy and peace in knowing that He loves me no matter how old I am, no matter how much weight I have gained over those years, no matter what clothes I put on, and no matter how much coffee I drink this morning.

 

Revelation 15

 

Key Verse:

Revelation 15:3
and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Revelation 15:2-4 (in Context) Revelation 15 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape Love

Pastor Steve

Blog 01-26-2010

Tuesday

PRaP 01-26-2010

 

“Why Are You There?”

 

God has a plan for each and every one of us.  We know this because the Bible is clear on that and the Holy Spirit keeps telling me to remind you of it.  You are in the place you are because He has a plan for you there.  This is kind of hard to believe at times because it is so hard to see the reason sometimes.  For followers of Jesus Christ we have a job to do and that is to spread the love of Christ with everyone we meet and I know for a fact that God will take the ones who kind of believe but not really and put them in places where He is at to show them He is real and that He will guide them if they will allow.  The Lord will put you in a job that is directly related to His work in order to get your attention.  He will take those who sit on the fence and kind of gently shove them over giving of Himself to allow you to see His love.  The thing is that once some see His perfect Love they get frightened and run because the Love is so pure it is hard to comprehend but God would never give us more than He knows we can handle.  Even though we think it’s too much He knows that we can handle it and all it takes is that small amount of faith that we posses in our heart.  So today look around you, why are you there?  Is it as plain as the nose on your face?  Or maybe you will have to continue to be patient and prayerful and faithful in waiting on the Lord to express His plan to you.  Believe it or not that may be His plan so you will gain patience.  Stay focused with your eyes on the prize and remember God gives Grace in abundance for those who believe and follow Him through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  It isn’t about what you get it is about what you give in return for what you have been blessed with.  You can never out give God, He will always bless you as you bless others and He will always give a little more that you may give a little more as long as you give you will get and only as long as it is without selfish motive.  Why are you there?  Maybe you will save a life.  Why are you there?  To earn the money to give to someone in need.  Why are YOU there?

 

Ephesians 1, Hebrews 11

 

 

Ephesians 1:11
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Ephesians 1:10-12 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter)

 

Hebrews 11:40
God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:39-40 (in Context) Hebrews 11 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 01-25-2010

Monday

PRaP 01-25-2010

 

“Review”

 

Yesterday morning I found myself scrolling through the sermons I had done over the last 4 years and 2 months since I was led by the Holy Spirit to begin recording His messages, and I didn’t remember half or more of them so I am going to be listening to them again to refresh me on God’s plans.  You know there does come a time in life when a review is in order and in that review you may find that you have forgotten some things over your lifetime that were important to you.  I am coming up to my 49^th year hear and I find it curious all the things I have forgotten or maybe not forgotten but put in the back of the file cabinet if you will.  I am looking forward to listening to these sermons and being refreshed in the review of my life.  For those of you who journal your daily activities it is good to review and remember where you have been and review the mistakes you have made, not so that you will feel bad but to be sure you remember what led up to that mistake as not to make that mistake again or even in my case just to remember where God was leading me to in the time that He was guiding my words to share with you.  Take time to give God the glory for the things He has done in your life and be sure that it is Hi, who is blessed by you.

 

Romans 10, Ephesians 1

 

Key Verse:

Romans 10:12
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
Romans 10:11-13 (in Context) Romans 10 (Whole Chapter)

Ephesians 1:3
[ Spiritual Blessings in Christ ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:2-4 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 01-22-2010

Friday

PRaP 01-22-2010

 

“Hey Right Hand What ya Doin?”

 

Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Matthew 6:2-4 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)

 

Don’t you dare tell that left hand what your right hand is doing.  When God blesses you, you are to give without expecting anything in return.  That means that when you give to anyone including your church you are not to get public recognition for it.  My recommendation is when you give ask to remain anonymous and if they do not want to do that go get cash and stick it in an envelope and drop it in the offering plate during a busy time at the church.  God already knows who you are and that you are being obedient and guess what, He is going to bless you even more because of your obedience.  I find that organizations that do recognition ceremonies do not realize how it affects the ones who cannot give a big sum of money.  They need to realize that it is all those small donations that keep them running and the big ones are few and far between.  If you are giving the big sums of money just to get recognized then you better go to Him who gave you all that money and find out from Him what He wants you to do. 

 

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 9 (Whole Chapter)

 

The Widow’s Offering

 ⁴¹Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,^[j]worth only a fraction of a penny.^[k]

 ⁴³Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

 

Mark 12:44
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:43-44 (in Context) Mark 12 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 01-21-2010

Thursday

PRaP 01-21-2010

 

“Who You Representing?”

 

When you wake up in the morning and get out of bed, who do you represent?  When you get to school, who do you represent?  When you get to the donut shop, who do you represent?  When you get that coffee, who do you represent?  When you get to the office, who do you represent?  When you are at that meeting, who do you represent?  When you are in the break room, who do you represent?  When you are in the cafeteria, who do you represent?  When you are on the playground, who do you represent?  When you are at cheerleader practice, who do you represent?  When you are at band practice, who do you represent?  When you are at football practice, who do you represent?  When you are at basketball practice, who do you represent?  For that matter any sport practice, who do you represent?  When you are at the game, who do you represent?  When you are in court, who do you represent?  When you are at youth rally, who do you represent?  When you are at that prayer meeting, who do you represent?  When you are with family, who do you represent?  I could go on for a long time but I will spare you the tedium I sometimes rely on to get my point across.  There is only one answer to all of those questions and you should be representing Jesus Christ through your actions, words, and attitudes.  Many other things could represent most of those questions but for us to reach our goal we have to make radical change in our walk and represent Jesus Christ in everything we do.  Thankfully His Grace is there because even though it is easy to say it is hard to accomplish.  Walk with Jesus every second of every day and it will go well with you.

 

Matthew 14

 

Key Verse:

Matthew 14:30
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 14:29-31 (in Context) Matthew 14 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

 

Ps:  I know the proper word is whom and not who!  I hope you got the message.

Blog 01-20-2010

Wednesday

PRaP 01-20-2010

 

“Are You Serving While You Wait?”

 

Lyrics to While I’m Waiting :
I’m waiting, I’m waiting on You, Lord ,And I am hopeful. I’m waiting on You, Lord.  Though it is painful.  But patiently, I will wait .I will move ahead, bold and confident.  Takeing every step in obedience. While I’m waiting , I will serve You While I’m waiting I will worship While I’m waiting I will not faint I’ll be running the race Even while I wait I’m waiting I’m waiting on You, Lord And I am peaceful I’m waiting on You, Lord Though it’s not easy But faithfully, I will wait Yes, I will wait I will serve You while I’m waiting I will worship while I’m waiting I will serve You while I’m waiting I will worship while I’m waiting I will serve you while I’m waiting I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

This is a wonderful song by John Waller and it speaks to me as I listen to it and I end up in prayer every time I hear it and I desire to be serving and even though it hurts and it sometimes consumes me I will wait and I will serve.  I try and be at peace and I am trying to be patient while I am waiting and I will worship and I will serve faithfully until I see my Lord and then I will walk with Him in peace for eternity.  Here is a link for those of you reading this on your computer

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFwZ7Ekg080

 

See if it moves you as it has me.  After you listen to this I want you to pray about how you are serving Him while you are waiting on His return.

 

Jude 1

 

Key Verse:

Jude 1:21
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Jude 1:20-22 (in Context) Jude 1 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 01-19-2010

Tuesday

PRaP 01-19-2010

 

“The Truth”

 

We say the truth will set you free.  Well yes the Truth will set you free.  When you know the Truth you spread the Truth and when you spread the actual Truth many will call you radical, not in touch with reality, in need of a physician that can prescribe medication.  They even send threatening letters and emails trying to stop you.  Why am I radical?

Pronunciation: \ˈra-di-kəl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin radicalis, from Latin radic-, radix root — more at root

Date: 14th century

1 : of, relating to, or proceeding from a root: as a (1) : of or growing from the root of a plant <radical tubers> (2) : growing from the base of a stem, from a rootlike stem, or from a stem that does not rise above the ground <radical leaves> b : of, relating to, or constituting a linguistic root c : of or relating to a mathematical root d : designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue <radical surgery> <radical mastectomy >
2 : of or relating to the origin : fundamental
3 a : marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional : extreme b : tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions c : of, relating to, or constituting a political group associated with views, practices, and policies of extreme change d : advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs <the radical right>
4 slang : excellent, cool

— rad·i·cal·ness noun

 

In the first description I can say that I am from the root of Christ but that would mean I was from His family and that is considered to be a radical view of things.  The Bible says we are all grafted in from the same vine so therefore making us all brothers and sisters of Christ now why is that so radical?  When a good vine grows it begins to radically sprout and produce good fruit and the roots grow deep and sends tubers of the radical kind from the root to grow more vines of good fruit.  What is so radical about that?  The 3^rd description (a) of radical describes me because I teach the Truth of how Christ wants us to live.  But I personally think it is number 4.  Being radical with the Truth can set you free!  Changing your life for Good is most excellent and cool if you can succeed in doing so.  It’s not going to be easy but the rewards of Christ cannot be matched here on Earth.  Get radical in the Truth and the Truth will set you free and when Jesus sets you free you are free indeed.

 

Ephesians 4

 

Key Verse:

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 4:14-16 (in Context) Ephesians 4 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 01-18-2010

Monday

PRaP 01-18-2010

 

“Elevation”

 

We tend to elevate men to a level that they shouldn’t be elevated to.  The reason?  Pride!  The pride of man will be the downfall of that man.  Worldly things tempt men in high places and when they fall they fall hard.  To be elevated in the eyes of God you have to be humbled.  So instead of pushing the button that will elevate you to higher places you must be willing to push the button that will bring you to a lower level of servitude to Him who is the Creator.  This world can only elevate you so high and then once you hit the ceiling there is no other place to go but down.  When men reach the highest height they can here on Earth they feel empty inside like they are missing something.  They live in a place that is lonely and without fulfillment in their lives and they are always seeking that something that they just cannot find.  It is easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than a rich man to the Kingdom of Heaven.  Those are words spoken by Jesus Christ well over 2,000 years ago.  They still hold true today.  If you find yourself in this elevated position today and are seeking I have some hope to give you today.  What I am going to share with you is more challenging than anything you have ever done to reach your current status in life.  You will have to work longer and harder than you ever have in your entire life.   You will make more people angry in this than you have ever made angry before and in a shorter time frame that you have ever experienced in your life.  But I am here to tell you that if you succeed in this opportunity you will break off the ceiling and be elevated to heights you have never before imagined.  You will go to a place that no amount of money could pay for and no amount of wealth or popularity can bring you to.  It will cost you all of your worldly wealth but I guarantee you a wealth that can never be taken from you for all eternity.  All you need to do is follow these few rules and you will soar to heights you wouldn’t believe possible.  You must be willing to lose everything to gain everything your heart desires.  You must be willing to give that you may gain.  Here are the rules:

 

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ⁴Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
 ⁵Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
 ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
 ⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
 ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
 ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
 ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ¹¹“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

All you need to do is ask for forgiveness of your sins, accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and worship Him for the rest of your life and follow what Christ teaches us in His Word.  If you read this far there is hope for you, repent and be free to soar where the ceiling is only limited by God Himself.

 

Matthew 5, Matthew 19

 

Key Verse:

Matthew 19:24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 19:23-25 (in Context) Matthew 19 (Whole Chapter)

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve