What is the ‘it’ factor for you? You know… that nagging ever present harassingly depressing thing that you have tried to put out of your mind until after the holidays. You can do it. Just put on a friendly faced front. You must do it at least for a month for the sake of all that is tradition, and good in the world, and for family. After all it is time for joy and peace right? It is the time for going along, and getting along regardless of whether or not you can stand that obnoxious family member you have purposely avoided since last December. After all, the Hallmark holiday movies have started, and everyone just loves one another, and it snows on Christmas Eve. Be merry, smile, turn on those gas logs, decorate your tree and your whole house while you’re at it. Go shopping, eat with family, go to all the parties, sing those songs along with the radio or better yet in church, it counts for more points doesn’t it, and by all means give and get those presents, that’s where all the happiness comes from right!
Wrong, that’s where the term ‘January blues’ comes from, because a manufactured holiday FEELING for a month is NOT going to get rid of whatever ‘IT’ is in your life. The holidays will come and go for you, my friend, if you are not careful, just like they have so many times before, and it will soon be January and your difficulties will still be right where you tried to leave them. You see, the problem is that doing all of those great and fun holiday activities can only bring momentary or brief periods of happiness into your life, but not real or lasting joy. Most likely, you have experienced these times enough in your life that you know I’m speaking truth. Alright then, the question now is if the holidays by themselves, and all the surrounding fan fare are not enough to deal with the real tough issues in my life, what is?
The answer is simple, it is CHRISTmas. It is what the world is so desperately trying to leave out of all December festivities, but also what God Himself has revealed to us in His Word (the Bible). He Himself gave Christ to us in order to answer all of our greatest needs. It truly is the gift that brings all the real peace and joy anyone could ever hope for. You see, the biggest ‘it’ for all of humanity is our rebellious attitude and action toward a loving God, a God who loves us in spite of all our deficiencies, hang-ups, and bad habits. A God who tells us that the true meaning of Christmas is that He showed us His great love on that one special night. God sent His one and only unique Son, Jesus, to this earth on that night so long ago in the little town of Bethlehem in Israel. It was truly as the angels sang that night to some local shepherds, “Peace come down to earth as God’s favor had been shown to all men.”
Why did God send Jesus from heaven to earth, why did you and I need Him to come? We needed a Savior to place our hope and trust in, a Savior who can restore the relationship that is broken between us and a perfect God. That Saviors name is Jesus, who is Christ the Lord. Have you by faith ever asked Jesus to forgive your sins, the rebellious things that we have done in our lives towards God and others? You can do it right now, and God in heaven will hear you and forgive you. If you will accept the gift of Christmas that God is offering you, then He through your faith in Jesus will take away the “it” in your life and replace it with sheer joy!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
FOR WHO HE IS!
I have just returned to my desk from a trip with our seniors up to the mountains in Hendersonville, NC. It has been an annual Fall event in the life of our church for a number of years, and one which I especially look forward to. We take the scenic trip up highway 25 from Travelers Rest into North Carolina, and then merge onto highway 26 towards Asheville. From our route, we then take Highway 64 toward Chimney Rock, which allows us to pick from several well stocked apple orchard barns. The places we carefully choose to stop at are the ones with the best apple varieties, the biggest pumpkins and gourds, the most sweet potatoes and other vegetables, and oh yes, provides the freshest mountain cabbage. I must confess that I did not know there was a difference between cabbages, but I have been quickly informed that these mountain cabbages are surely the greatest cabbages in the world. While I don’t know if that is true or not, I do know that it is highly possible because this day has been one of the best in the world!
Along the route we are in awe of the majestic mountain skyline that is getting ever closer, until we seem to begin blending in with it, as we proceed up the ever steeping grade. The contrast between the large rock formations and trees only add to the wonder of our spectacular view. From the steepest peaks now we begin to see clearings with autumn foliage vistas, for what seems like miles, and it is absolutely breathing taking. There really are no words to describe it! Deep vibrant reds, brilliant yellows and oranges in the midst of some green background and blue sky, can you see it? When we arrived at some of the stops upon getting off of the bus the air was pure up there and it made you just want to take a deep breath. The smells of fresh apples being cut open, jams and jellies, salsa’s and chow-chow, apple ciders, apple breads, and fresh apple fritters being baked filled the air with a heavenly smell that could only have come from God and grandmothers. Are you the least bit jealous yet, that you didn’t get to go? Sorry, perhaps at some point you too will be able to take such a trip to the mountains and experience our great God’s awesome artwork on display that delights all the senses. As I reflect on our trip today, I just want to PRAISE God and THANK Him for who He is. Period!
After all, it is November you know, the thanksgiving month. I wonder how often we simply say thank you to Him, just for who He is, and not just for what He has done for us. Do you think He might like to hear us come to Him sometime, not asking for a thing, but just having a prayer or a meditation of God YOU ARE AWESOME? I LOVE YOU, just for WHO YOU ARE! Being a father I understand that it sure makes a difference to me, when one of my girls just out of the blue says I love you dad, or thank you for being my dad, when I haven’t done anything specifically to merit such comments. I can tell you that it melts DAD’s heart! Therefore, I am inclined to believe that when we just out of the blue tell our heavenly Father, we love you, and thank you for being our DAD, that it just might melt His too.
Get up to the mountains, if you have an opportunity to over the next few weeks, or from wherever you are sing a few lines of “HOW GREAT is our GOD”, or “HOW GREAT THOU ART” and thank Him just for WHO HE IS!
Along the route we are in awe of the majestic mountain skyline that is getting ever closer, until we seem to begin blending in with it, as we proceed up the ever steeping grade. The contrast between the large rock formations and trees only add to the wonder of our spectacular view. From the steepest peaks now we begin to see clearings with autumn foliage vistas, for what seems like miles, and it is absolutely breathing taking. There really are no words to describe it! Deep vibrant reds, brilliant yellows and oranges in the midst of some green background and blue sky, can you see it? When we arrived at some of the stops upon getting off of the bus the air was pure up there and it made you just want to take a deep breath. The smells of fresh apples being cut open, jams and jellies, salsa’s and chow-chow, apple ciders, apple breads, and fresh apple fritters being baked filled the air with a heavenly smell that could only have come from God and grandmothers. Are you the least bit jealous yet, that you didn’t get to go? Sorry, perhaps at some point you too will be able to take such a trip to the mountains and experience our great God’s awesome artwork on display that delights all the senses. As I reflect on our trip today, I just want to PRAISE God and THANK Him for who He is. Period!
After all, it is November you know, the thanksgiving month. I wonder how often we simply say thank you to Him, just for who He is, and not just for what He has done for us. Do you think He might like to hear us come to Him sometime, not asking for a thing, but just having a prayer or a meditation of God YOU ARE AWESOME? I LOVE YOU, just for WHO YOU ARE! Being a father I understand that it sure makes a difference to me, when one of my girls just out of the blue says I love you dad, or thank you for being my dad, when I haven’t done anything specifically to merit such comments. I can tell you that it melts DAD’s heart! Therefore, I am inclined to believe that when we just out of the blue tell our heavenly Father, we love you, and thank you for being our DAD, that it just might melt His too.
Get up to the mountains, if you have an opportunity to over the next few weeks, or from wherever you are sing a few lines of “HOW GREAT is our GOD”, or “HOW GREAT THOU ART” and thank Him just for WHO HE IS!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME CHRISTIANS ?
Well it’s that time of the year again when sports enthusiasts far and wide begin to beam with excitement over their favorite football teams and the airwaves are abuzz from commentators giving all their expert analysis. The air is just a little cooler, high school bands can be heard practicing from across the way, and the numerous tailgating rituals have begun. Topping off all of the above is the ever familiar infamous Monday night football mantra, “Are you ready for some footballllllll!” This seasonal signal indicates that once again all is well with world of football fans across the globe. And so it has begun, some teams have already tasted the height of victory while others the agony of defeat. What is it that makes the difference?
This past Sunday night the game was advertized as the continuation of the Manning Bowl as Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts set to face off against his younger brother Eli of the New York Giants. For one week and a weekend all the ESPN commentators and other broadcasters could talk about were these two brothers. All the internet sports news clips and photos could show was these two Manning brothers. The only problem with that type of coverage was where was the rest of the team? You understand that there are 11 men on the field of play at any given time for each team or it is a penalty. So, I ask again what about the rest of the team? As it turns out that was the question that really should have been ask as the Giants and Eli Manning were trounced miserably during the game. The Giants who were beaten 38 -14 soon discovered the problem was not in the talent of quarterback Eli, but in the inability at the offensive line positions, particularly with the ends, blocking out their respective defensive opponents. Eli was hurried, knocked down, and sacked throughout the entire game. The running backs could not run the ball and the wide receivers never saw the ball, because Eli didn’t have time to throw it to them!
What is it that makes the difference between winning and losing? It begins with the word and the concept of TEAM. You see it’s not about any one player, but all the players. Each and every one on the team has specific tasks to perform and differing responsibilities that they and they alone MUST fulfill. If not, what you wind up with is a fiasco, a mess. It’s certainly that way with a football team, and it is also that way with the church, God’s team made up of Christians. 1 Corinthians 12:4-ff tells us, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit . . . Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body…Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it!”
We are ready for some Christians, the world is asking, and God Himself is asking for us to go into a lost world and play our position on His team. This is not a game as real lives and families hang in the balance. If we as Christians (team members) will serve Him with our individual callings and gifts through the power of His Holy Spirit victory is assured and we will make a difference!
I love you and pray for you, Pastor Scott
This past Sunday night the game was advertized as the continuation of the Manning Bowl as Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts set to face off against his younger brother Eli of the New York Giants. For one week and a weekend all the ESPN commentators and other broadcasters could talk about were these two brothers. All the internet sports news clips and photos could show was these two Manning brothers. The only problem with that type of coverage was where was the rest of the team? You understand that there are 11 men on the field of play at any given time for each team or it is a penalty. So, I ask again what about the rest of the team? As it turns out that was the question that really should have been ask as the Giants and Eli Manning were trounced miserably during the game. The Giants who were beaten 38 -14 soon discovered the problem was not in the talent of quarterback Eli, but in the inability at the offensive line positions, particularly with the ends, blocking out their respective defensive opponents. Eli was hurried, knocked down, and sacked throughout the entire game. The running backs could not run the ball and the wide receivers never saw the ball, because Eli didn’t have time to throw it to them!
What is it that makes the difference between winning and losing? It begins with the word and the concept of TEAM. You see it’s not about any one player, but all the players. Each and every one on the team has specific tasks to perform and differing responsibilities that they and they alone MUST fulfill. If not, what you wind up with is a fiasco, a mess. It’s certainly that way with a football team, and it is also that way with the church, God’s team made up of Christians. 1 Corinthians 12:4-ff tells us, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit . . . Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body…Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it!”
We are ready for some Christians, the world is asking, and God Himself is asking for us to go into a lost world and play our position on His team. This is not a game as real lives and families hang in the balance. If we as Christians (team members) will serve Him with our individual callings and gifts through the power of His Holy Spirit victory is assured and we will make a difference!
I love you and pray for you, Pastor Scott
Monday, August 2, 2010
WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR ANYWAY?
It’s a great question everyone will have to answer, no exceptions and no excuses. Today, I’m simply suggesting you answer the question honestly within yourself while you still have time to change your answer and go for it! You see, the only correct answer is that you are here (on this earth) to “Make a Difference” for the kingdom or the cause of Jesus Christ! This leads naturally to another great question. Have you or are you making a difference? God of the universe has called YOU, to be a part of something that’s bigger than your self, family, job, career, home, hobbies, and interests… bigger than just your little neck of the woods! He is a BIG GOD and He expects you to be serving Him and His purposes and living each and every day for His Glory. It is the only way you can “Make a Difference” in this life, in this world; and, as if I have to remind you, you are running out of time!
As I write to you, I believe, as I am sure you are well aware, our church has just been “marking time” or standing still for too long. I am convinced that most, if not all, the reasoning behind our current state of affairs is because we have, all, to some extent or another, lost focus on why we are here and why the church of Jesus exists. Would you please commit to pray right now before reading any further? Pray that as we read together the following truth from our Great God’s Holy Word, that it will pierce our hearts. What does God want to say to you and our church through this passage? Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord was upon ME, and he brought ME out by the Spirit of the Lord and set ME in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led ME back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked ME, "Can these bones live?"
I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'"
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet — a vast army. Then he said to me: "These bones are the whole house of Israel (the church). They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.'"
The bottom line is this, you are the church! Collectively, as the church, when our focus is off, individually and corporately, from serving the Kingdom of Jesus Christ; we are no more than DEAD dry bones. The real question is can the church live again? Answer, YES, if and only if we allow the Holy Spirit of God, His breath to well up inside of us and revive us again. It looks like getting on our knees and humbly repenting and asking His Spirit to fill us. Answer, YES, God can do it if and only if you will personally allow Him to be the LORD of your life. Then, that which was dead can live and not only live, but go from very dry, to a vast army by the grace and the power of our mighty God! IT’S WHY YOU ARE HERE!
As I write to you, I believe, as I am sure you are well aware, our church has just been “marking time” or standing still for too long. I am convinced that most, if not all, the reasoning behind our current state of affairs is because we have, all, to some extent or another, lost focus on why we are here and why the church of Jesus exists. Would you please commit to pray right now before reading any further? Pray that as we read together the following truth from our Great God’s Holy Word, that it will pierce our hearts. What does God want to say to you and our church through this passage? Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord was upon ME, and he brought ME out by the Spirit of the Lord and set ME in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led ME back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked ME, "Can these bones live?"
I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'"
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet — a vast army. Then he said to me: "These bones are the whole house of Israel (the church). They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.'"
The bottom line is this, you are the church! Collectively, as the church, when our focus is off, individually and corporately, from serving the Kingdom of Jesus Christ; we are no more than DEAD dry bones. The real question is can the church live again? Answer, YES, if and only if we allow the Holy Spirit of God, His breath to well up inside of us and revive us again. It looks like getting on our knees and humbly repenting and asking His Spirit to fill us. Answer, YES, God can do it if and only if you will personally allow Him to be the LORD of your life. Then, that which was dead can live and not only live, but go from very dry, to a vast army by the grace and the power of our mighty God! IT’S WHY YOU ARE HERE!
Monday, May 17, 2010
A THIMBLE OR A TANKER?
Doesn’t everyone want to get the most out of life that this earthly existence has to offer? In his book of illustrations Dr. Tony Evans gives a great analogy for realizing the full potential of your life. Imagine that you are standing beside the Atlantic Ocean at Myrtle Beach and that you have a thimble in your hand. How much of the splendor and power of the ocean could you obtain? What if you dropped the thimble realizing its uselessness and grabbed a bucket. Now how much capacity for using the sea would you have? At best, just a little bit more. What if you threw down the bucket and were able to get a 55 gallon barrel. Now how much potential capacity of the ocean would you be able to acquire? What if you were able to drive a tanker onto the beach, what about your potential capacity to use the ocean now? You get the point: the greater the vessel offered, the greater amount of potential to store up, or better yet, to be filled by the Atlantic.
Similarly, when we are near to the one true creator God of the universe we are standing beside the ALL POWERFUL. Our potential capacity for being filled by Him is going to depend on what size vessel we offer to be filled. Can you begin to realize how silly it is to offer God only a thimble’s worth of your life and expect that His power is going to be with you when you need it. Yet, for most of us that’s exactly how we choose to live and then wonder why in the world things are going so poorly in our lives and the lives of our families. God demands that we offer Him our entire body, i.e. all of you, your whole self or your whole life! By offering God all of you, in effect, what you are doing is giving Him a huge vessel with which He can now pour out more of His Spirit into you. When He does this you can be assured that here and now in your everyday life you can experience life to its fullest. There is no greater achievement or reward that this world can give you than what God can do through you if you would only give yourself to Him! He is even more magnificent, majestic, splendid, beautiful, powerful, and vast than all of the seas combined because He created them.
Would you by faith in His Word give all of you to God today if you have never made this choice? It is a decision that will change your life here and now, and forever. Ask Him to forgive you for living according to your way and accept His Son Jesus’ forgiveness. Next, ask Him to be your Lord, accept His mastery over your life, and let His Spirit fill you up with strength and power for living. Romans 8:1-14 tells us that, “There is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit-and this power is mine through Christ Jesus-has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death . . .Those who let themselves be controlled by their own natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after our old nature leads to death. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
The Message paraphrases it like this, “With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. So I ask you my friend, a thimble or tanker, which best describes what you are offering to God?
I love you and I am praying for you, Pastor Scott
Similarly, when we are near to the one true creator God of the universe we are standing beside the ALL POWERFUL. Our potential capacity for being filled by Him is going to depend on what size vessel we offer to be filled. Can you begin to realize how silly it is to offer God only a thimble’s worth of your life and expect that His power is going to be with you when you need it. Yet, for most of us that’s exactly how we choose to live and then wonder why in the world things are going so poorly in our lives and the lives of our families. God demands that we offer Him our entire body, i.e. all of you, your whole self or your whole life! By offering God all of you, in effect, what you are doing is giving Him a huge vessel with which He can now pour out more of His Spirit into you. When He does this you can be assured that here and now in your everyday life you can experience life to its fullest. There is no greater achievement or reward that this world can give you than what God can do through you if you would only give yourself to Him! He is even more magnificent, majestic, splendid, beautiful, powerful, and vast than all of the seas combined because He created them.
Would you by faith in His Word give all of you to God today if you have never made this choice? It is a decision that will change your life here and now, and forever. Ask Him to forgive you for living according to your way and accept His Son Jesus’ forgiveness. Next, ask Him to be your Lord, accept His mastery over your life, and let His Spirit fill you up with strength and power for living. Romans 8:1-14 tells us that, “There is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit-and this power is mine through Christ Jesus-has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death . . .Those who let themselves be controlled by their own natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after our old nature leads to death. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
The Message paraphrases it like this, “With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. So I ask you my friend, a thimble or tanker, which best describes what you are offering to God?
I love you and I am praying for you, Pastor Scott
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
YOU ASK ME HOW I KNOW?
With resurrection day looming right around the corner most Christians will be celebrating the resurrected Christ by traditional means. There are always the family gatherings usually with a big feast and egg hunts. There are the special church services with familiar lessons and sermons detailing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Then too, there is the special music with soloists and choirs. Ah, but there we also find ourselves too singing those old familiar hymns that resonate with our hearts heralding and praising the risen Lord. One of those old hymns that often swells my eyes and tugs on my insides is “He lives!” The words go something like this:
I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and He talks with me Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs To Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, The help of all who find,
None other is so loving, So good and kind.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and He talks with me Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.
I would just like to ask if you can sing that song with assurance that the heart line is true for you. You see it won’t matter how many family gatherings you ever go to, or how much candy you might collect over the years. It won’t even matter how many resurrection day services you attend or how many songs you have sung or heard. There’s only one thing that will truly matter to God when you meet Him; does Jesus Christ live within your heart. The truth of the matter is this, it’s not enough that Jesus did rise from the dead in order to take the place of our sin. You must personally by faith ask Him to forgive you of your sin believing that in His death, He buried all your sin, and when He rose He defeated your sin and gained eternal victory over death and sin for you securing you a rightful place in the Kingdom of God His father making you a son or a daughter of the KING!
I don’t celebrate the resurrection because my parents or my family has told me that Jesus is alive. I don’t celebrate the resurrection because some teacher has taught me that Jesus is alive. I don’t celebrate the resurrection because some preacher has preached to me that Jesus is alive or because some choir sings about His being alive. You ask me why I celebrate that Jesus is alive, BECAUSE HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART!! What about you, why do you celebrate?
I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and He talks with me Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs To Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, The help of all who find,
None other is so loving, So good and kind.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and He talks with me Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.
I would just like to ask if you can sing that song with assurance that the heart line is true for you. You see it won’t matter how many family gatherings you ever go to, or how much candy you might collect over the years. It won’t even matter how many resurrection day services you attend or how many songs you have sung or heard. There’s only one thing that will truly matter to God when you meet Him; does Jesus Christ live within your heart. The truth of the matter is this, it’s not enough that Jesus did rise from the dead in order to take the place of our sin. You must personally by faith ask Him to forgive you of your sin believing that in His death, He buried all your sin, and when He rose He defeated your sin and gained eternal victory over death and sin for you securing you a rightful place in the Kingdom of God His father making you a son or a daughter of the KING!
I don’t celebrate the resurrection because my parents or my family has told me that Jesus is alive. I don’t celebrate the resurrection because some teacher has taught me that Jesus is alive. I don’t celebrate the resurrection because some preacher has preached to me that Jesus is alive or because some choir sings about His being alive. You ask me why I celebrate that Jesus is alive, BECAUSE HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART!! What about you, why do you celebrate?
Monday, February 22, 2010
WHAT YOU SAY YOU BELIEVE
The story goes of a preacher who got on a bus one day and he gave the bus driver the fare. The bus driver in return gave him his change, but the driver gave him too much money. The preacher went and sat down until his stop arrived. When the preacher had come back down the aisle to where the bus driver was he stopped and said, “You gave me too much change back earlier,” and gave the driver the extra back. The driver in return replied, “Pastor, I really appreciate this, because I was in your church yesterday, and I heard your sermon on honesty. I intentionally gave you too much change to see whether or not you live according to what you preach.”
I am convinced that one of the key reasons that more people are not coming to our churches today is because they have been put off by the speech and actions of those who are “members.” Far too often those who claim to be followers of Jesus exhibit a lifestyle before the eyes of the lost and impressionable around us that is anything but the way that Jesus would want us to act. Our society today, especially older children and teens are looking for something that’s real. They are tired of being lied to and sold the mantra of, “this works (the Christian life); trust me,” and then not seeing us living it out in a real day by day manner. It is as old, tired, and worthless as the ‘do as I say, NOT as I do’ jargon. When they see us with joy when it’s not a joyful time in the midst of pain, when they see us at peace when it’s anything but peaceful, and love when the object of our affection is anything but deserving; that’s when they’ll start believing our rhetoric and come to see what it is that we claim is so great about being a Christian.
Therefore, I’m excited to be starting a brand new series through the book of James. It has often been remarked by its readers as the most practical book of the Bible. While that is true, the underlying theme throughout this letter implores its readers to STOP compromising and practice what is it that you say you believe! There’s not a more crucial wakeup call for the church at large today if we want seriously to reach those around us who don’t know Christ. Again they are looking for something that is REAL! Perhaps you will recall the summarizing verse in James 2:17, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” He would also say just a few chapters later, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins!”
This is a new year, and now is the time that our church has committed to serve Him as we never have before. This is the day that we have been preparing for with our joy teams in order that there WILL BE joy in Travelers Rest, SC because our church is fleshing out, being real, living what we say we BELIEVE! Come join us on Sunday mornings as we embark on a journey through James.
I am convinced that one of the key reasons that more people are not coming to our churches today is because they have been put off by the speech and actions of those who are “members.” Far too often those who claim to be followers of Jesus exhibit a lifestyle before the eyes of the lost and impressionable around us that is anything but the way that Jesus would want us to act. Our society today, especially older children and teens are looking for something that’s real. They are tired of being lied to and sold the mantra of, “this works (the Christian life); trust me,” and then not seeing us living it out in a real day by day manner. It is as old, tired, and worthless as the ‘do as I say, NOT as I do’ jargon. When they see us with joy when it’s not a joyful time in the midst of pain, when they see us at peace when it’s anything but peaceful, and love when the object of our affection is anything but deserving; that’s when they’ll start believing our rhetoric and come to see what it is that we claim is so great about being a Christian.
Therefore, I’m excited to be starting a brand new series through the book of James. It has often been remarked by its readers as the most practical book of the Bible. While that is true, the underlying theme throughout this letter implores its readers to STOP compromising and practice what is it that you say you believe! There’s not a more crucial wakeup call for the church at large today if we want seriously to reach those around us who don’t know Christ. Again they are looking for something that is REAL! Perhaps you will recall the summarizing verse in James 2:17, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” He would also say just a few chapters later, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins!”
This is a new year, and now is the time that our church has committed to serve Him as we never have before. This is the day that we have been preparing for with our joy teams in order that there WILL BE joy in Travelers Rest, SC because our church is fleshing out, being real, living what we say we BELIEVE! Come join us on Sunday mornings as we embark on a journey through James.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
With A Blank Slate The Possibilities Are Limitless
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No you don’t have to adjust your eyes, there is really nothing in the first part of my article this month. That’s exactly where you and I find ourselves at the outset of this brand new year. If we will allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and minds He will chart a new course of action for us, and the possibilities are truly limitless. I want you to know that I have been praying for you individually and for our church that we would set Travelers Rest on fire this coming year with a renewed attitude and passion for serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we have never done before! See, HE is doing a new thing among us! Are you going to be a part of it, starting right now? You decide if you are going to surrender YOU to Him. It is just that simple, we try to make it harder and more complicated than it really is!
Would that we would have the attitude of the Apostle Paul this new year as he writes in Philippians 3:7-4:1, “Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings. Not that I have already obtained all this,…Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” NIV
What will God do with us this new year? I can’t wait to be a part of finding out!
I love you and I am praying for you, Pastor Scott
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No you don’t have to adjust your eyes, there is really nothing in the first part of my article this month. That’s exactly where you and I find ourselves at the outset of this brand new year. If we will allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and minds He will chart a new course of action for us, and the possibilities are truly limitless. I want you to know that I have been praying for you individually and for our church that we would set Travelers Rest on fire this coming year with a renewed attitude and passion for serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we have never done before! See, HE is doing a new thing among us! Are you going to be a part of it, starting right now? You decide if you are going to surrender YOU to Him. It is just that simple, we try to make it harder and more complicated than it really is!
Would that we would have the attitude of the Apostle Paul this new year as he writes in Philippians 3:7-4:1, “Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings. Not that I have already obtained all this,…Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” NIV
What will God do with us this new year? I can’t wait to be a part of finding out!
I love you and I am praying for you, Pastor Scott
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