Perfection

The perfecting of the Saints is one reason the church exists. I know that most people don't believe in perfection on any level, but, I do! I believe this because the word speaks so often concerning perfection. The church is given five specific ministries; Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. These ministries are there to "perfect" God's church. Current church trends are moving more towards entertaining, political activism and recreational activities than transforming it's members into Holy Perfection. 


S.O.A.P.

3-10-2015      Romans 10:5-10

S.       5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

O.      Conversion starts in the heart by believing that God raised Jesus from the dead and making verbal confession to that belief.

A.      I will confess my faith in every way possible. I will speak of his death, resurrection and his return. I will live a holy life by abstaining from sinful practices.

P.       Father; open my understanding and give me wisdom. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and reveal your word to me. Amen.

Big Churches or small churches?

Bigger is not always better. In our effort to build God's kingdom (the church) we have made many mistakes. The worst mistake of all is taking place now. Growing churches using a flawed model will lead to flawed churches. God's model always works so why change? We do not need bigger churches. We need smaller churches.........many, many more smaller churches. More on this subject in the days to come.......the Lord willing.


S.O.A.P.

3-10-2015      Romans 10:1-4

S.       1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

O.      Israel’s efforts to be righteous, based on their interpretation of God’s law, has fallen short and so God replaced his first law with Grace.

A.      I will walk in God’s Grace and not dishonor the sacrifice made for me on Calvary. I will obey God’s word and submit to the Holy Spirit in whatever way he will lead.

    P.       Father; teach me the path of righteousness, the words, thoughts and deeds of holiness.                        Amen. 

Victory for TODAY

I plan a wonderful future each day. I look forward to the blessings, challenges and fellowship each day brings. I can do this because of my Faith in God. Be Happy and be Blessed.

S.O.A.P.  

3-7-2015         Romans 9:26-28

S.       26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

O.      The difference between the righteous and the un-righteous is declared by God. Not all who are born are righteous.

A.      My righteousness must be footed in Jesus and not the tradition of men. I must be born of the Water and the Spirit and abandon all sin.

P.       Father; walk beside me and guide my steps. Amen.

3-8-2015         Romans 9:29-33

S.       29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrha. 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

O.      Jesus has been rejected by the Jews and this is why they are rejected by God.

A.      I must be pure before God. I must embrace Jesus and reject sin. I must live my life as an overcomer, servant and son of God. Then and only then am I a child of God.

P.       Father; I confess all my sin and I flee the habits of the flesh that you hate. I ask for forgiveness and pledge to live for you. Receive me into your arms and strengthen me with your spirit. Amen.

Shut up!

I so often hear preachers saying "Don't Judge" in one sentence and then listening to them tear apart someone or something in a judgmental way for the next half hour. The truth is that we must judge everything, and everybody, in order to make any decisions in life. I think we need to approach Judging from a different direction. Instead of foolishly jumping on the "Don't Judge" bandwagon we need to seek out wisdom and love to control our responses "after" we judge. I am persuaded that wisdom and love are in short supply. Wisdom is missing when we respond with the speed and power of a lightning bolt to our judgement. Love is missing when we verbalize our judgement. I will judge you, your actions and your motives. This is normal and it is not a sin. The sin happens when I fail to keep my judgments to myself and spew them out on others. God sends his Holy Spirit to indwell us. If we will but surrender to the leadership of this spirit, less hurt, separation and anger will result from our Judgement.

S.O.A.P.

3-6-2015         Romans 9:19-25

S.       19 Thou wilt say then unto me, why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

O.      God decides who will be his people based on mercy, not the nation of birth.

A.      I have been brought into a right standing with God by the blood of Jesus. I was not born into God’s grace, I was bought by sacrifice.

P.       Father; grant me wisdom to live a life that is pleasing to you. Grant me strength of will to overcome my fleshly desires that are an insult to your sacrifice. Fill me with love and compassion for all people. Amen.

Angry

I am angry today! Angry about all the suffering I see around me. I am declaring WAR! I know that many of my suffering friends are not worthy of the pain and difficulty s that they are in. It must be the attack of satan. God's word tells me that I have authority over him. Sound the trumpet, assemble the army, set the strategy and let's march into the camp of the enemy and take back the things that are already ours; HEALING, PROSPERITY, JOY, PEACE, FELLOWSHIP AND POWER!

S.O.A.P.

3-3-2015         Romans 8:35-39

S.       35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come.39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

O.      Paul’s declaration about the strength of God’s love.

A.      I must not worry and doubt. God will love me and keep me and go with me through every trial and test of life.

    P.       Father; thank you for loving me, even before I ever knew you. Amen. 

Jesus speaks in my behalf

This will be a busy week. Every day is filled with appointments and many other people will be depending on me. I need strength to get through. Help me Lord.......


S.O.A.P.

3-2-2015         Romans 8:33-34

S.       33Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

O.      Jesus is our intercessor before God.

A.      I have a mediator at the throne of God, his name is Jesus, he knows and understands all my troubles and weaknesses.

P.       Father; lift me up high enough to see over the problems of this day. Heal my mind of worry and guide me to someone that I can help. Amen.

Church CLOSED......due to ice.

Ice is keeping me in today. Safety is more important to me than any other consideration today. There will be NO SERVICE this morning. I will wait until later in the day to decide about tonight's services. Please stay off the ice and pray for each other. 

S.O.A.P.

3-1-2015         Romans 8:32

S.       32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

O.      All things are from God through his son Jesus.

A.      Anything I need I can have through my Saviour, Jesus. Not just the earthly things like a house, car, food but the heavenly things; faith, grace, peace, joy and love. All that I need to liv a holy life are mine.

    P.       Father; I am grateful for your abundant love, mercy and grace. Make me the man that you                want me to be. I surrender my will unto you. Amen.